Random Thread #1

[Pretty green flame]

Freedom is not free and it is only by the blood of the uncounted tens of thousands that have WILLINGLY shed it for you that you even have the right to protest.

 

Dave

 

I only partially agree with this statement. When a foreign power attacks your own country, then yes, people willingly give their lives for freedom of their homeland. On the other hand, you speak of Vietnam, how exactly did the vietnamese people threaten your freedom in America?

 

You do realise, that the USA have been involved in some sort of military conflict from the second world war onwards? Now, tell me, were all those people on whom you have dropped bombs really threatening your freedom in the US?

[Bonny]

Pledge of allegiance:

 

My personal feelings are this, If you object to saying it, there is plenty of space left in Canada to live. I am for a mandatory 2 year stint in the military for ALL persons of 18 years of age.

 

Dave

 

We've already got enough whiners up here thanks, as well as all the draft dodgers. We go through similar crap with the Lord's Prayer that used to be recited before school...too offensive these days, although it would be simple for those opposed to remain seated, but doesn't seem to work that way.

[dagabu]

Bonny,

 

Sorry man, it is too easy sometimes to pick on "Americas hat"

 

 

Pretty Blue, I cannot defend the dropping of a single bomb nor can I defend what happened in Nam, it is not my place nor is it my place to vilify each and every country that has taken part in the atrocities that man inflicts on others.

 

If however I were from Slovenia, I would feel just as strong for my country because that is what we should feel. My family came from Russia/Carpathian Mountians (1908) where half were shot on the streets for believing in God and Jesus, here we can pray in the middle of the street (for now) and not be molested.

 

"Only in America" has been spoken millions of times by the downtrodden that walked the concrete on Ellis Island and made a comfortable and productive life for themselves. We are only 200+ years old, a baby by most counting and we have failed in miserable ways that disgrace us all but we keep trying.

 

Love it or leave it!

 

[Bonny]

I only partially agree with this statement. When a foreign power attacks your own country, then yes, people willingly give their lives for freedom of their homeland. On the other hand, you speak of Vietnam, how exactly did the vietnamese people threaten your freedom in America?

 

You do realise, that the USA have been involved in some sort of military conflict from the second world war onwards? Now, tell me, were all those people on whom you have dropped bombs really threatening your freedom in the US?

 

Communism is what threatened the USA (and the whole democratic world), in the case of Vietnam, and the USA was helping stop that spread (rightly so, even though it was lost due to politics and political weakness) . Keep in mind a lot of other (non-American) soldiers also died in The Vietnam war...supporting what might or might not have ben right. And don't forget, involved or not, many small wars in the 50's-70's were all "cold war wars" where the USA engaged the Soviets and China with both using other countries as puppets.

 

Slovenia has only been a Democratic state since the 90's AFAIK. Are things not better now?

 

As for the USA being in an armed conflict since WWII, any other nation/bloc to hold that title (world superpower) will most likely boast the same record (and get shit on by everyone else), because that's how the world works.

 

[due559]

Heh random thing, I was born in the land of opportunity as a result of the Vietnam war, my parents were Hmong refugees from Laos; the CIA recruited many Hmong to defend and support the supply/communication lines in Laos (parallel to Vietnam). So the Laos and Vietnamese started an ethnic cleansing campaign and sent battalions of soldiers into the forests and mountains just to target the Hmong and any other ethnic groups that sided with the United States. This also caused a split between the Hmong people, making them choose to betray their people and join the communist or help the United States and gain better opportunities , the majority chose to help the United States. Since our involvement in the Vietnam war the "Hmong genocide" as i call it continues to this day...

 

Thought I should share that, not many people know that the Hmong even exist.

 

 

 

http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=hunted+like+animals&search_type=&aq=f

[dagabu]

Due,

 

I am sorry, no one should have to endure that as a people.

 

My best friend was Doua Yang in the 90s. He was Hmong as well and married a Cambodian (boy could they fight!). The Hmong have a pretty large community up here in Minnesota.

 

D

[Pretty green flame]

I'm not going to take part in this political debate anymore, just doesn't feel right to be clashing opinions about politics with fellow pyros here.

[Bonny]

I'm not going to take part in this political debate anymore, just doesn't feel right to be clashing opinions about politics with fellow pyros here.

 

Good plan! Everyone go out and light something...and film it in case it's good

[50AE]

I don't want to disturb your debate here, but I'd like to add that people have fought and died for our freedom, to let us be free, so at least we should respect this fact.

[dagabu]

Right on .50!

 

http://www.pyrotube.com/videos/389/timed-reports-2

 

D

[optimus]

I'm not going to take part in this political debate anymore, just doesn't feel right to be clashing opinions about politics with fellow pyros here.

 

Good call - this is probably one of the worst possible places to get into a debate about politics/patriotism. Apologies if my previous comments offended anyone, I think we should probably draw a line under this now before someone gets a roman candle in the face : )

[TheSidewinder]

One of the hallmarks of our Nation is the freedom for its citizens to have differing opinions. But with those freedoms comes responsibility, and an obligation to be civil in the face of differing opinions.

 

I have VERY strong feelings when it comes to this subject, and have chosen to stay out of the debate simply because, as a member of the Management team, I have to maintain some neutrality.

 

So yes, I think it's time some of us agree, to disagree.

 

 

And move on to another subject, hmmm?

 

Thank you.

[dagabu]

Rockets? :)

[50AE]

Something's wrong with me... Eight months ago, when I was making my first colored star comps, the colors seemed great to me.

 

Now my opinion is - all my colored compositions suck.

I have something like a "colored star improvement mania".

I think I should take a break and switch to other star comps.

 

I am currently very interested in cylindrical shells, multibreaks and inserts. Yesterday I built a 3" shell with salute inserts. One week ago, I built a two-break cylindrical. Hopefully we are going to fire these soon.

 

I'd really like to do a 4" cylinder, but it seems my cardboard mortars can't take the pressure. My first 4" mortar with my first 4" shell blew because of the lift pressure. It had 10mm walls IIRC.

Edited March 25, 2010 by 50AE

[Ralph]

Something's wrong with me... Eight months ago, when I was making my first colored star comps, the colors seemed great to me.

 

Now my opinion is - all my colored compositions suck.

I have something like a "colored star improvement mania".

I think I should take a break and switch to other star comps.

 

I am currently very interested in cylindrical shells, multibreaks and inserts. Yesterday I built a 3" shell with salute inserts. One week ago, I built a two-break cylindrical. Hopefully we are going to fire these soon.

 

I'd really like to do a 4" cylinder, but it seems my cardboard mortars can't take the pressure. My first 4" mortar with my first 4" shell blew because of the lift pressure. It had 10mm walls IIRC.

 

could try using larger grain BP if your mortar is long enough that would give a more gentle lift

[dagabu]

The Best of AFN speaks to the weakness of paper mortars and suggests (one of the only times) to use steel. Multibreaks can put incredible stress on both the shell and the mortar. I have seen more flowerpots from multibreaks canisters then ball shells by far. As you get into longer and longer (4 break, 5 break etc) you will find that no mortar but steel will hold the compression.

 

D

[50AE]

The shell was single, not multibreak. It weighted about 500 grams.

 

I told my story to a professionnal pyro and he told me that this is normal to happen and I should make my lift powder more gentle or I should use steel mortars.

[dagabu]

Yup, and that will be the case even more so when you do your milti-breaks.

 

D

[Ralph]

The shell was single, not multibreak. It weighted about 500 grams.

 

I told my story to a professionnal pyro and he told me that this is normal to happen and I should make my lift powder more gentle or I should use steel mortars.

 

a guy with a fairly comical avatar a couple posts above did say something about slowing your bp down by increasing the particle size

[dagabu]

Did he have a finger up his nose?? (said in a drawn out nasal Midwestern accent)

 

D

[Ralph]

Sure did

[50AE]

Eddie, the mascot of Iron Maiden tells you he doesn't need to be reminded or bad things might happen.

 

Edited March 27, 2010 by 50AE

[OneEyeCharlie]

Eddie, the mascot of Iron Maiden tells you he doesn't need to be reminded or bad things might happen.

 

 

This will show my age, but I saw Iron Maiden (and Eddie) open for Judas Priest on the 1982 Screaming For Vengeance tour

[Bonny]

This will show my age, but I saw Iron Maiden (and Eddie) open for Judas Priest on the 1982 Screaming For Vengeance tour

 

Must have been an awesome show! I didn't make it to that one, being only 5 at the time...

Edited March 27, 2010 by Bonny

[RUUUUUN]

WOOOOOAAAH!!! It's been a while, I've been trying the old forum for 2 months now waiting for it to get renewed.

 

Likin' the new look so fer... Sorry, prolly won't be able to stick around long, scheduled to be in Afghanistan within a week.