No Shorts Allowed !!!

Originally posted by Alex And do not get me wrong, the attack to the towers got me mad as it got mad a lot of people outside the US. Alex. My daughter called me the morning of the attack. No one seemed to know what was happening. It was thought a plane hit the first Tower. We were both watching C.N.N. as the second plane came in. It was shocking, we both had tears in our eyes, and when the both buidings crumbled we hugged each other and cried. It was devastating. George

I never personally attacked Dima, I attacked a distortion of facts. I don't know the guy. He's the one that said I never travelled, don't know what I'm talking about, etc. I merely stated the well know fact that the USA is the power country in the world and all the rest are mere poseurs lining up for a free handout. And, what's going on with a conservative getting all sniffly about an attack from a liberal? It's the tide changing. Once you embrace the masses like the repubs have done you have to be more sensitive. Since Libs are on the run these days they can be all rude like the repubs used to be before they sold out to every interest group around. It's the ebb and flow of politics. Dima - politics is a system by which people can disagree openly and not be subjected to Siberian prison by the ruling party. Oh crap, that might have been a little personal.

DIMA "I am appauled at some ways guys treat women here as an example.Where I am from a guy will ALWAYS let the lady first in an establishment, will ALWAYS bring flowers on a date, open the car door for her, help her with a chair in a restaurant or whatnot.I hardly ever see it here.And then the way guys talk to girls, too - I am not even going there.And that is in every way of life, not just relationship. I see this happen so often. It seems that many men who treat women as women here are baby boomers like myself or are not from the United States. Many Europeans will tell you that their perception of Americans is that we tend to be rude, etc. I suppose it goes back to learning how to respect one another of which many children are not taught today. IMHO. (Guess I am getting old saying this. ;) ) BTW, Dima, I had the opportunity to spend some time here at a local Museum with the Directors of the St. Petersburg tramway system back in 1995. I was very impressed how courteous these men were and appreciative of my taking the time for them, my patience with speaking through an interpreter, etc. Now ... could we get back to the main topic ... that is ... men wearing shorts in the pool?

Originally posted by aquageek I might be poking fun a lot but not on this. Comparing Stalin to Bush, or any US president, is ludicrous. No US president has killed millions of his own countrymen, or comrades in your terms, to consolidate his own personal power. There was nothing allied about communist participation in WWII, it was a marriage of convenience. When free people won it, the communists marched into western Europe and brutalized those same people who had just gone through the whole Nazi fiasco. And, then they did it for 40 more years just for fun. Let me also point out to you that in America we have an all voluteer army so those brave men and women who fight for freedom aren't sent anywhere but go on their own accord. That's another difference between the greatest country on the planet and Russia. Communism lasted 40+ years post WWII, check the facts. Reagan finished the business up so you could be free. Yes, I agree Stalin is nowhere to be compared to Bush, but it does not make Bush a nice guy.He is killing people in Iraq and you know it.But the difference between your "great country" and others is that we can admit our mistakes but you will hide them under some "good intentions".I hate Stalin, I am very ashamed that we had such a dictator.Geek, you are saying we brutalised Western countries for 40+ years.So you are talking about 70s and 80s,too.Would you give me an example, please.Well, you "great country" really fixed the situation in Yugoslavia, throwing bombs on the heads of innocent people. And by the way who told you we were not free during communism?It was a different system, that is all, as a matter of fact, a lot of people in Russia would love to go back to it, because there was no poverty and people could afford anything, the downfall was that there was limited amount of some stuff and not a big variety.I do like it the way it is now though... Oh yeah, GEEK, I suggest you do not travel too much, so that you can stay in your shell and never get out out of your "I am in the best country" fantasy.You might go somewhere and get shocked at seeing some beautiful places and things in other countries that "the best country" of the world cannot offer.Mind you, America is a baby compared to Europe history wise .Europe will blow your mind by the beauty of old buildings, museums, etc. while America will have a bank and a wal-mart on every corner.I came to this country like your relatives did some time ago - to make friends with the culture, people and get assimilated but people like you, GEEK, create nothing but negative feelings by your arrogance and the look-at-me-I-am-the-best approach.That just makes me want to go back, because I feel I am not welcome.I am sure if I tell you periodic system was created by Mendeleev(russian), you will tell me some American did it before.People like you do not get down to the bottom of things, you just stay on the surface, defending one position and one position only regardless of what actually took place... Peace out.... As for me I am done with this thread -- like my father said when I was just starting to drive:if someone is being stupid on the road or cutting you off, do not play games, just let him go, avoid the accident, and he will find his trouble some place else....

Wish we could get back on topic, but no such luck ;) Anyway ... Wow, does it anger me when people credit Reagan with the fall of communism. Yeah, he said tear down this wall and the world thought, oh well we better go ahead and do that the senile old guy that has no clue what's going on said to. (I think Reagan is the MOST overrated president of all time) AND don't even get me going on the hostage crisis ... gr! Anyway ... I watched a great piece on Stalin on the History channel and it showed that most Russians were very upset when he died. Openly weaping and basically saying that he was great even though he was responsible for the deaths of some of their family members. I found that extremely interesting. Also, agreed that our men and women volunteer for the armed services and God bless them for doing so and that makes things different. I think it's a great system. Scansy, also agree that partisan politics are a big problem. Reading Hillary's book (yeah, I'm sure you are all shocked that I am Clinton fan) she talked about how BOTH sides shot down legislation from the other side even when it was good legislation simply because they didn't want the other side getting credit for it. Now that is messed up! I also think it's messed up to have ever voted for one Bush let alone to make that horrid mistake four times! ;) Lastly, on the poor issue. I think too many people (and we "Americans" are the most guilty) equate happiness with money. If you are always chasing after money and thinking that once you make/have x amount of money you will be happy you never will be. I've gone on service projects and seen poverty in other places and what has amazed me time and again is how happy these people are. They realize what is truly important in life. I think they may be missing out on the swimming though .. hmm ...

I do hear that there are some pretty pictures in the Louvre expect there is this one of some man looking chick that is trying to smile but wanting to cover his/her hiddeous teeth ... avoid that one ...

Hey, where else on earth can a Moose post on a swim forum? Now to business.... I will sum up my thoughts and feelings on the political side of this thread by sharing a Donnald Rumsfeld statement in Ohio last year..... While being hammered by this French Media person over and over and over...Rumsfeld finally tired of it....and stopped everyone in their tracks...by asking three questions.... "Miss, you are French...correct? Yes, I am French! Ok, let me ask you a question...! What country saved France during WW1? Answer....Well, ahhhh, the USA....! Ok, let me ask another question....! What country saved the French during WW2? Answer....Ahhhh....well, the USA.... Rumsfeld reply...."Your welcome!" NEXT!

I thought jokes were allowed ... tone is not well conveyed on message boards. I did indeed mean it jokingly ... Sorry if you take offense, none was meant

Thanks Geek! There have been a lot of comments made (especially on this thread) that could be taken as personal attacks. Take these threads with a grain of salt. I also noticed that you jumped all over my comment about Bush (and while I apologize if it was offense I will not apologize for my comment, because my opinion is that both Bushes are terrible presidents - see that is the beauty of living here in the good ole US of A I can bash presdients all I want) yet you didn't jump all over the personal attacks made against Dima by Geek, perhaps because you agree? That's not fair either. I would never intentional try to attack someone personally. Every comment I make should be viewed as least partially as a joke or an attempt to diffuse the situation. I am very opiniated and have very strong liberal views. I enjoy healthy debates as long as no ones feelings are hurt and no one takes things too seriously. Again I apologize if you were offended, but at the same time relax, it's a message board, it's a political thread now and people are going to make comments that offend. Politics are always a tricky topic (I'll launch my religion thread soon so we can totally piss off everyone ... again, kidding!). So relax and enjoy it!

Wow all of this over a pair of shorts that I don't think I would be caught wearing. Mexico is the happiest place in the world. It is rated #1 by me. That is my opinion and I am going to stand by it. George