AngusThermopyle

As opposed to you who will say anything for no reason at all.

I have a pay as you go, don't use it, I'm phone-a-phobic, I hate talking on phones. The only time I will use one is when I have to for work and it's provided by my employer. If you believed the advertising they are the ultimate device. For instance, the new ad on tv claims that after using it to watch a movie you'll decide that its the ultimate way to watch a movie. I don't think so. I'd rather watch my 47" high def running through my Klipsch/Denon/Rotel system personally.

What of those who work and pay taxes but also perform a service of some sort for which they recieve renumeration but do not pay taxes on it? How do you feel about those folks? Personally, the less taxes I can pay the better I like it. We are already overtaxed outrageously, much of which is squandered and wasted, and don't forget that the primary objective of Canadian government appears to be finding new ways to tax us. As an aside, for all the younger people out there who seem to resent seniors, one day you too will be one.

Funding this project would open up a giant can of worms, not the least of which would relate to the huge levels of corruption in the Quebecois construction industry.

Sorry for being so tardy in replying but I'm rather busy at this point in my life and don't have much time to waste in juvenile pursuits such as forums. Actually yes, I do know why they present an iron ring to graduating engineers. You must keep in mind that this is a tradition of Canadian Univerities and to the best of my knowledge is not practised elsewhere. There is actually some dispute as to the root of this tradition but the generally accepted reason is to commemorate the collapse of a bridge attributable to faulty calculations. At least that is the reason I have heard most widely cited. Of note is the fact that not all the rings are Iron, I believe at least one Universitie is in the habit of issuing Stainless Steel rings, as far as I know anyway, but I wouldn't swear to that. Now your request here is rather puzzling. I'm not sure it is possible to explain the reason for this award Mathematically, verbally sure, easy enough but Mathematically, well. If it could be done I would like to see it, after all how does one use Mathematics to describe something based on sentiment, emotion and tradition, such as the giving of an award or symbol? If you meant describe the ring Mathematically you should actually say that. As such it would be pretty straight forward and simple being a function of basic Chemistry and Mathematics, Iron being Fe on the periodic table and the shape being easily described using geometric functions, you do know Pi, right? A much better way would be to use Vector based math. Of course you know vector based don't you? Everyone knows the most common application of this math and its everyday product that the vast majority of us enjoy, right? So, in turn, why don't you inform us as to this application and explain why it would be a far better format to use? As to the rest of your silly post about jamming iron rings up my nose. In the past I have thought that at times you made highly cogent and somewhat logical posts, no longer. In one fell swoop you have shown yourself to be nothing more than an internet blowhard with that comment. You have dropped considerably in my estimation. I now equate you with the likes of CR, congratulations.

And in what way does this defy the physical laws? The bacteria are merely another material to be utilised. I'm afraid your oh so clever points are no point at all. Keep googling.

And if you actually knew what you were talking about instead of googling furiously in an attempt to bolster your ridiculous claims you would know that a spider web can be explained in purely mathematical terms. You would also realise that modelling does not only refer to physical modeling but also mathematical modeling. Feel free to continue being disingenuous though. Keep digging that hole deeper.

In fact Shwa, Bill is correct in that engineering cannot function or work unless based upon very inflexible rules. The laws of Physics and Mathematics (to a lesser but still esential degree Chemistry and Thermodynamics)are not subject to change based upon bias or wishfull thinking. Engineering is based upon the application of these laws given various designs and materials availlable. That is to say you can not build a bridge out of paper no matter how much you may wish to do so. Nor can you use wet noodles to manutacture a drive shaft. In our daily lives we can not just adjust these laws to suit our taste. Even the Ancient Egyptians were forced to work within the confines of these laws. They did not build gravity defying structures for instance. Nor did they build load bearing structures that defied the basic Mathematical rules.

I really can't recall being called a Limey by a Native, they may have, I wouldn't swear to it. I mean the go back where you came from part. So you are saying that if a Native says this, even if it includes Limey or not it isn't rascist?

I would say it was sucessfull in so far as it will increase sales of her book. As to achieving their ends, no, an abject failure. They attempted to silence her and instead drew far more attention to her, usefull idiots. As to the protest itself, despicable, how dare they decide who has the right to be heard and who does not? If they were intelligent enough to realize what they had done then they should be ashamed of themselves. As far as I know this is still a country where all have an equal right to be heard.

Engineering is not logical. In fact it requires quite an abstract and fantastical point of view Spoken as someone who truly does not have a clue what they are talking about. Engineering is totally based upon logic, cause and effect and intractible laws and rules. Perhaps you are confusing concept and design with engineering? The designers come up with fantastical concepts and then pass them to the Engineers who have to figure out how to make them work within the confines of well defined rules and capabilities. Materials also play a paramount role within this process. You really do have a knack for saying the most absurd things with the utmost confidence don't you. Now, back to my question, were those comments rascist or not?

So now you're saying that you believe everything that comes out of our politicians mouths? As to this guys loved ones feelings, who really gives a shit? Oh yes, I too have extensive first aid experience, except mine is based upon actual field conditions in various conflicts and theaters. If this guys legs were blown off and he had been eviscerated I very much doubt anything could have saved him given the conditions as described.

I've read the excerpts of this book that have been posted on line. It does not appear to be rascist in any form that I've seen so far, actually it looks like a very good read. I'm going to have to pick up a copy of it. It appears that the students who protested it in such draconian fashion simply served as usefull idiots in that they appear to have drawn a considerable amount of attention to it.

Well I hate to interupt a jolly good acrimonius time being had by all but can I ask a question based upon the actual thread topic? Earlier in the thread I asked if being told to go back where I came from was rascist. Charter answered that if it were a white person saying it then no it wasn't. Then I pointed out that it had been Natives who said it to me quite a few times and asked the question again, I never recieved an answer. So, once again, the times Natives have said this to me could be classified as rascist or not? It should also be noted that even though some had this attitude many did not, to my knowledge anyway and as I've stated before I had many Native friends who were good stand up people. This also leads to what I've always said, there are bums and riff raff in every demographic. This appears to be something some here are incapable of grasping. Edited to correct a couple of typos.

Actually I can answer that one. Charter has told us many times that he is a "consultant". Further to that I myself worked in the engineering field for nine years and based upon that experience can tell from Charters posts that he does not have the skills necessary to be an engineer. After all it was Charter who once argued that over 50% can fit into half as I'm sure some here will recall. If one does not even have a grasp of the most basic mathematical skills then one cannot function as an Engineer. As an aside, in another thread you asked me what the names of the two reserves bordering Fort Macleod were. Off the top of my head I can't remember, I think one was the Blood reserve but wouldn't swear to it. If I get time I'll call a friend out there this weekend and ask him for you. I do recall being told that one of them was the reserve where Crazy Horse went at the end of his life as it straddles the Canadian/US border. If I recall correctly he actually died in Canada. Fort Macleod is also the location of Head Smashed In Buffalo Jump and the birth place of the RCMP. A very historic locale.

What a pile of crap. Do you know the objective or its importance? Do you know what was at stake? Do you honestly think this terrorist or his buds would love us for treating him after blowing his guts out? Do you know if medivac was even feasible at that point? Do you know that a medivac attempt would not have endangered the mission success or the men on it? As I said, what a load of uninformed speculative armchair crap.

So Charter, can I ask again and expect an answer? When Native people asked me where I'm from was that racist? Also when some would say I should go back to where I came from was that racist? Keep in mind that when they would ask me where I was from I never considered that to be a racist question, merely an expression of curiosity and a desire to know more about me. According to you however, using your criteria, they must have been racist. As to the ones who would tell me to go back to where I came from, well I would just consider the source, the source usually being an ignorant mostly uneducated person such as you will find in any race on this planet. So anyway, were these people being racist? You make a very salient point. A good friend of mine was a member of the Daychief familly, a well known famillly in those parts. He often told me that the most racist people I could meet were Native. He stated that they were even racist (oops sorry, prejudiced) amongst themselves with some of them hating others who were from a different tribal background or even just born on a different reserve. Personally I found most to be pretty good people when approached on an individual basis. Of course there were some assholes as well, there are always some no matter what group of people you're talking about.

Actually you are very wrong on this point. Everyone of our ships that is equipped with a CIWS system uses DP ammunition. As to your silly point about Israeli missiles killing children. Well it is not Israeli policy to target children. with the suicide murderers they don't give a damn who they kill, the more the merrier for these fun lovers. Actually to the point of using their own children as human shields. I'm so glad you support and admire these types, bravo for you.

Well Charter, as I mentioned earlier in the thred, you tend to assume far too much. Do you recall that I lived in Fort MacLeod for some time? Do you recall that it is situated between the two largest reserves in North America? A great many times this question was asked of me by Natives, the comment about going back to where I came from was made exclusively by Natives. So, would you not say that this was racism? Or is there some reason of which I am unaware that makes it non racist?

Come on Argus. Don't you know those freedom fighting child loving suicide murderers use the special non child killing bomb vests?

Absolutely a first class irrefutable post Rue. I couldn't have said it better if I'd tried a dozen times over.

So back to my question. Is it or is it not racist to tell someone from another country to go back to where they came from? I would appreciate an answer if you don't mind.

Very true. A great many growers in the Emerald Triangle are opposed to it as it would drive market prices into the basement.

Both of your answers appear to affirm what I've been saying, that it is not racist to ask this question. It merely shows natural human curiosity about another person. The whole racism thing is being overblown to ridiculous extremes in many instances, in my opinion anyway.

First point, I look for sympathy from non, least of all you. Secondly, I know exactly where the term originates, more so than you. So by your metric to call a Jew a Hebe or a black person a Nigger, or an English person a Shit Eater, or an Arabic person a Rag Head is not racist, merely using slang? Next, the one you refuse to answer, telling someone to go back to where they came from is not racist? So you believe that racism can not be enacted against white people? To suffer racism one must be of color? Would you not say that the Holocaust was racist in that it targetted Jewish people who were not of distinct color. The Boers of South Africa in the sixties displayed racism against all who were not Boer. Yes they had Aparthied but would also deny employment or social status to white people who were not Boer, was that not racist?