Any other Brits find this image offensive?

[Darrin]

Doobrey wrote:
Resorting to insults because someone doesn't agree with your POV?
You could say it points to a lack of any thoughts/arguements of your own.

You're quite correct, but I was a little pi$$ed off at the time and was deliberately baiting him.  I pride myself on my ability to get under peoples' skin :-)

Getting back on topic, I don't find Darrin's avatar offensive, all it says to me is that he's proud of his military background, maybe other people are reading more into it or maybe I've missed the point of this thread completely.

Exactly.  It also shows my support for my friends who are still serving and are over there right now doing a very difficult job.  I just wish the media would show more footage of the people being helped and who welcome the UK soldiers.

And on the subject of avatars, isn't mdma's one illegal under the new UK tobacco laws?

You're right.  And as a non-smoker, I find it HIGHLY OFFENSIVE!  Does anyone else find it HIGHLY OFFENSIVE?   ;-)

[Darrin]

Speelgoedmannetje wrote:

Darrin wrote:
You're right.  And as a non-smoker, I find it HIGHLY OFFENSIVE!  Does anyone else find it HIGHLY OFFENSIVE?   ;-)

- he just stopped -

Oh damn!  He's REALLY going to be in a mood then.  My wife gave up 14 months ago and I still have to wear my old helmet and flak jacket just to say "good morning honey!"

[Darrin]

Speelgoedmannetje wrote:

Darrin wrote:
You're quite correct, but I was a little pi$$ed off at the time and was deliberately baiting him.  I pride myself on my ability to get under peoples' skin :-)

I don't think I'll ever get used to that rude way of discussing.

Well, read your initial reply to me and compare it to the others posted after.  You weren't exactly "friendly" to me.

Anyway, if you'd like to retract the rather nasty accusations you made towards me and MY military friend's then I'll apologise for the rude and nasty things I said about you.  Deal?

[Darrin]

Speelgoedmannetje wrote:
It's the war rush in general, what I am talking about, not in particular your military friends. Though don't think they're immune to it (nor am I nor you nor anyone). I fear anyone can become a monster in such a situation, whether on the good side or the bad side. So essentially that's an apology I think.
(but please don't hail that situation with such an avatar)

Then I think this is one too.  I apologise.

Anyway, the avitar stays as a testiment to the brave soldiers who are putting their lives on the line for others all over the world.

Just as a point of interest, I'm wring this from a drilling rig in West Africa.  I grabbed a copy of the personnel list and noted that 100 people on board from 17 different countries, all friends and all working as a team.  Makes you wonder why we can't manage it on dry land...

[Darrin]

Speelgoedmannetje wrote:

The nazi soldiers were tought the Americans would know no mercy.

I'm not sure what you're trying to get at here?

And, what IF the Americans would face a far superior army, as in, a no-win situation?

Well that's what nukes are for.  Haven't you ever played Civilization?

[Darrin]

Speelgoedmannetje wrote:

Darrin wrote:
Just as a point of interest, I'm wring this from a drilling rig in West Africa.  I grabbed a copy of the personnel list and noted that 100 people on board from 17 different countries, all friends and all working as a team.  Makes you wonder why we can't manage it on dry land...

Because they're well fed, well equipped, a future perspective, an achieveable goal, shared interests and a job to do.

So perhaps your anger would be better vented towards the goverments of the countries that don't allow their people to progress.  Yes?

You've identified the problem, but you're not seeing the source.

[Darrin]

Speelgoedmannetje wrote:
That's another discussion.

A long one?   :-)

Anyway, have to run now - work calls.  Have a pint of Dutch beer for me as we're not allowed any out here.

[Darrin]

mdma wrote:
The tank isn't really what offends me, it's the star spangled banner bolted onto it that does.

I can't believe you can be so openly racist.  I don't know what disturbs me more, the fact that you're a racist or the fact that you're a racist in a teaching job.  As long as there are extremists like you on both sides then there will never be peace, but then you don't really want peace because then you'll have nothing to complain about.  Sad.

Too busy.

At least that's an honest and fair answer.

[Darrin]

Speelgoedmannetje wrote:
Okay, cheers (pops open a nice "Gulpener" beer) :pint:

Drool!  

(Darrin open a can of Coke and pretends that it is beer)

[Darrin]

If it's any consolation, last time I was in China I saw a McDonalds and two KFC's in just our little town.  Looks like your prediction of obseity and cardiovascular diseases is heading their way.

You right about over-population.  Most the hardships I see in Africa could be solved with the widespread use of condoms and the shoot of the Catholic missionaries that keep telling people not to use them or they'll burn in hell.  At least China tried to control the population.  We were partners on a project with Government owned comapny and the workers told me that if they had more than 2 children then they would be fired from their jobs as punishment.  I heard that from several sources so I assume it's true, however the Chineese are good at "shuffling" family members around so it looks like they only have two.

[Darrin]

cecilia wrote:
we would insist that all heads of governments who have issues with anyone else get into a ring and fight it out themselves. sort of like TV Wrestling. (which i never watch, btw).

Nah, make them play multi-player Civilization 3 instead.  If they play it on the largest map then they'll all get bored and go home before there's a winner.