Chilly

Guess what? You're just as bad. Military-based forced democratization does nothing to solve the problems without years and years of building up of democratic institutions. You aren't solving anything either. Oh, and just so you know, the majority of people in the middle east are concerned with human rights and freedoms above all else. They don't hate Democracy or our lifestyle. They hate some our policies, but not our lifestyle. Of course, this all depends on what the definition of "they" is. Are you referring to strictly terrorists (which, by the way, are cells, not nations, and are a minority, not majority) or all people in the region? PastaJoe was using it in the sense of the majority of the middle east, you seem to think that terrorists are the only answer. I'm not saying Pasta boy is right, I don't think he is completely. And I'm not saying you are completely wrong, you aren't. I'm saying that the real answer, like most things in life, falls between the two extremes, and the people fighting for the extremes are just making the problems worse, not better.

- Deterence: I have not read one study which suggested that executions deter crime. In fact, all of the studies that I have read say just the opposite, that there is no effect. Care to post a link? - Justice: And someone who is innocent deserves to not be executed. It works both ways. Live in prison = middle ground. - Money: And it costs moer money to execute someone then to keep them in prison for life. Fix the issue with priorities, which is a seperate issue from this one. - Dignity: Being executed has more dignity then being put in jail? Personal Opinion perhaps, but not a factor that I agree with beign in consideration for the death penalty.

People are starting to realize why I liked Mario over Bush and thought Houston did the right thing.

*grin* Lets hope thats true.

You know, I was thinking about that as I wrote it up, but I don't really think all the changes that occurred this year drastically effected the league as much as previous years had.

Davin Joseph sucks. Glad we didn't pick him. Youboty > Zemaitis I also wouldn't have been happy with Stovall. A WR here too, no DT. I don't know much about Trueblood though. All in all I like the Bills draft better.

You're right, I did, thanks.

Not sure to be honest, I was wondering that myself, but I didn't quite take a look at it. The rest of it was enough work. ;p I was torn on NE, given the fact that they always seem to replace people. But this was the year that they didn't have players to just step up and take over their losses, and I think it'll end up hurting them. I think the Giants are a different team this era then in other years, mainly because Coughlin will whip them into shape. It aint Fassell at the helm anymore. Plus, Eli will have another year under his belt. I also think Sam Madison will help a lot on D. I have doubts about McNair staying healthy all year, and thats why I only thought they'd be one game better. If he's healthy the whole season, I think its a huge improvement. Arizona does need better OL play, but I think Leinart and James will show how good skill players can make up for a weak link on the OL, just like a good OL can make a RB look good. As far as Philly goes, its more of them being in a tough division then them not being that much better. McNabb is going ot be a huge difference, but to be honest, with Dallas and the Giants getting better, and Washington still being good, they are the odd ones out in this division. The reason why I like Miami is, quite honestly, Dante. I think he's going to make a HUGE difference, and hell, even that clown Harrington would be an upgrade over last year at QB. Their offense, as long as meathead doesn't screw it up, could be very, very potent.

I gotcha now. I think that executing criminals versus jailing them doesn't have many, if any, benefits and that the cost of executing an innocent man far outweighs the benefits from executing criminals. Whereas the other things obviously have much different benefits. But I don't think its quite as simple as a cost-benefit analysis. Theres also a moral factor to throw in here. Some people believe that we should do everything reasonable in order to prevent someone innocent from getting murdered. What reasonable is, however, seems to vary a lot, and can use a cost-benefit analysis like you are talking about to determine that, among other things.

You are correct sir. The Middle East is one huge Rentier State unfortunately, and theres lots of evidence that says that Oil both hurts democratization and a country's long-term economy due to that very thing.

**WARNING: HUGE WALL OF TEXT INCOMING** Get your freakin mind out of the gutter. I'm talking about which teams are going to be better or worse then last year. I've put together a team-by-team glance at the NFL, the playoffs, and next year's draft order in my opinion. I did this for my own fun, and I'm interested in seeing how I do this year compared to the experts and real nfl. ==== AFC East ==== Buffalo Record - 5-11 Momentum - Up. This team is getting better. Just getting rid of Mularkey and having a strong draft (yes it was wrong) is enough to get at least 6 wins this year. May not win a bunch more, but overall the team is getting stronger. Projection - 6-10 Miami Record - 9-7 Momentum - Up. Dante helps this team improve their QB position, Dom Capers is a big pickup on defense, and a couple new players in the secondary should help. I, unfortunately, expect to see Miami win the AFC East this year. Projection - 10-6 New England Patriots Record - 10-6 Momentum - Down. Lost a lot of key players on defense, and their coordinators. 3rd D coord in as many years. They will still win games, but not 10. Off-year for the Pats. Projection - 8-8 New York Jets Record - 4-12 Momentum - About the same. Picked up some nice players in the draft, and I like Ramsey as the backup QB. Martin is getting older though, and I'm not sold on Mangini yet. Projection - 5-11 === AFC North === Cincinnati Record - 11-5 Momentum - down. I thought they had a bad draft, and Mr. Palmer has lots of question parks surrounding his knee. Expecting them to at least drop one more game then last year. Projection - 10-6 Pittsburgh Record - 11-5 Momentum - About the same. Lost some players, but had a good draft which made up for a lot of what they lost. Still a solid team even with Bettis retired. Projection - 10-6 Baltimore Record - 6-10 Momentum - Up. McNair is good for at least one more win, and they did a good job replacing players through the draft. I also am one of the few who thinks Jamal is going to have a good year. Projection - 7-9 Cleveland Record - 6-10 Momentum - Up. Picked up some solid players on both sides of the football this year, and spent a bit of cash to do so. They'll pick up a win or two, but don't think they are playoff contenders quite yet. Projection - 7-9 ==== AFC South ==== Indianapolis Record - 14-2 Momentum - Down. I don't have faith in Dominick Rhodes, and losing Trips will hurt a lot more then they expected. I'd expect a dog-fight with Jax for the division. Projection - 11-5 Jacksonville Record - 12-4 Momentum - About the same. Not many changes in Jacksonville, it all rides on the health of the players still. However, given Indy's losses, they have a real shot this year. Projection - 12-4 Tennessee Record - 4-12 Momentum - About the same. Can it really get worse? The Billy Volek era is starting, and Titans fans get to look forward to a disgruntled 3-headed monster at RB, a backup QB as their starter, and rookies all around. In a few years the offense might be awesome, but this year it still stinks. Projection - 4-12 Houston Record - 2-14 Momentum - Up. They're getting better, slowly but surely. Picked up Moulds, but he's old. Williams will make a difference, but I don't know how much of a difference he really will make. They should get a couple more wins this year, but don't expect much more then that out of this team. Projection - 4-12 ==== AFC West ==== Denver Record - 13-3 Momentum - About the same. The defense is a year older and has anyone figured out who the hell Foxworth is yet? Plus, the draft was all about Cutler, and not much else. Still, with most of their team in tact, 11-5 or 12-4 are real possibilities, as well as the AFC championship. Projection - 12-4 Kansas City Record - 10-6 Momentum - Down. Hali is okay, but I think he's overrated. Dick Vermiel to Herm Edwards is also a drop. The Priest's ongoing injury battles are also an issue. I don't like where this team is going, after having a good off-season last year. Projection - 8-8 San Diego Record - 9-7 Momentum - Down. Sorry, Rivers, but you automatically mean less wins this year then Brees last. McCardell is older, and outside of him and Gates, they don't have any receivers. Drew Haddad anyone? Projection - 7-9 Oakland Record - 4-12 Momentum - Up. Unlike a lot of people, I think Mr. Brooks is a decent QB, a bit better then Kerry Collins. I think Huffdaddy will help out their D a ton as well, and Art Shell was a pretty decent hire. Projection: 5-11 ==== Overall AFC ==== Verdict - The AFC has a ton of talent, and the good teams seem to be able to replace it. Its hard to move up in the AFC because of this. I think there is more parity then there was last year, and team's won't dramatically move this year. Division Winners: Miami, Pittsburgh, Jacksonville, Denver Wildcard: Indy, Cincy ==== NFC East ==== N.Y. Giants Record - 11-5 Momentum - Up. I like their improvements in the secondary, and Eli gets another year under his belt. This team is good. Projection - 11-5 Washington Record - 10-6 Momentum - Down. Wait, their Quarterback is who?! I really do like the pickup of AL Saunders, but Brunnell is another year older, their only alternative is Campbell, and they lost Lavar Arrington. Projection - 8-8 Dallas Record 9-7 Momentum - Down. I don't care how good T.O. thinks he is. When Drew locks onto him, and gets picked off, or fails to get him the ball, T.O. is going to start being T.O., and thats a very bad thing for the Cowboys. Projection - 8-8 Philadelphia Record 6-10 Momentum - Up. Who the hell is this team's running back? Seriously, I don't think they have one. In any event, having a healthy McNabb and Jeff Garcia behind him should give this team a boost. They still have a lot of talent all around, and should pick up a win. Projection - 7-9 ==== NFC North ==== Chicago Record - 11-5 Momentum - Up. This is what a solid O-line and Defense give you: A winning football team. I love the move of Brian Griese pressuring the young guys and as a backup plan. Oh, and Ced Benson gets a full training camp? Ouch, he is going to tear some people up! Projection - 12-4 Minnesota Record - 9-7 Momentum - Down. Sorry, Brad Johnson, but I just don't think you are as good as the guy you replaced, especially over a whole season. There are still plenty of issues on offense, like RB, and while they did pick up Hutch, what the hell were they thinking in the draft? Defense? Why didn't you take Deangelo Williams?!?! That defense is still pretty good, though, and has depth. Projection - 7-9 Detroit Record - 5-11 Momentum - Up. I'd like to see what Kitna can do with this Wide Receiver corp which is why I list this as Up, and they do have some talent. But I'm not sold on Rod as HC quite yet, and it will take time for the transition to happen. Projection - 6-10 Green Bay Record - 4-12 Momentum - Up. These guys filled a ton of holes in the draft, which means two things: They're getting better, but they had a ton of holes, and a bunch of learning players. Projection - 6-10 ==== NFC South ==== Tampa Bay Record - 11-5 Momentum - Mixed. I list this as Mixed because I think they will be worse this year, but better in the long term. They have a lot of new faces on their O-line, which is going to lead to some problems, but is a long-term upgrade. Chris Freakin Simms is still their QB, but I think after another year he can be an adaquate QB. Brooks is one year older, their WRs leave something to be desired, and I'm not sold at either SS or ROLB this year. Projection - 9-7 Carolina Record - 11-5 Momentum - Up. Are you freaking kidding me? This team is ridiculous. First, they get DeAngelo Williams, who I think is going to tear it up in Carolina. I believe he's better then Foster. They also sign Diggs who was pretty damn good in GB, Keyshawn who is a great fit for Delhomme, and Hartwig for depth to Mitchell. Projection - 13-3 Atlanta Record - 8-8 Momentum - Down. Yes, I know they got Abraham. Yes, I know they got Milloy. But they lost both of their Tackles, and the last thing Vick needs is a worse offensive line. Reminds me of the Bills under TD, a lot of flash, but not solid in the core. Projection - 7-9 New Orleans Record - 3-13 Momentum - Up. Reggie Bush and Drew Brees means that this team is going to be exciting to watch the next few seasons. Its unfortunate, then, that this team actually lost a good amount of players on the OL and Defense. The skill players will only help them win a couple more games because of it. Projection - 5-11 ==== NFC West ==== Seattle Record - 13-3 Momentum - About the same. They did a good job picking up replacements for a lot of the talent that they lost this year. The only problem is that the replacements aren't quite as good as the players they lost. They did grab a nice upgrade with Peterson however. Projection - 12-4 St. Louis Record - 6-10 Momentum - Down. They've got issues. Lots of them. New HC, OC, DC, as well as Faulk retiring. Who is there QB? Jamie Martin? Sorry, you aint getting it done. I like Chavous and Glover, but the Rams aren't getting any better at this point of the game. Projection - 4-12 Arizona Record - 5-11 Momentum - Up. Way up actually. I think Arizona is my surprise team this year. Leinart will be a better then average QB in the NFL right off the bat, but I don't think he has tons of potential to improve. Even still, it'll be scary to see what he can do with Fitz and Bouldin. James will take a bunch of the pressure off of him, and I think Lutui is an immediate upgrade for them. Pope and Watson were great picks as well. Denny Green has a lot to work with, and I think it starts to show this year. He's finally putting together that offensive firepower that he so loves. Projection - 9-7 San Francisco Record - 4-12 Momentum - Down. I like Vernon Davis and Manny Lawson a lot, I really do. But the rest of their off-season I don't get. Michael Robinson in the 3rd round? Old Larry Allen on a rebuilding team? Walt Harris? Oh, and I can't forget to mention that I think Alex Smith is a bust, and add to the fact that they lost Carter, Peterson, Lloyd, and Beasley from that team, and I can't help but think they are going to be this year's Houston. Projection - 2-14 ==== Overall NFC ==== Verdict - the NFC has gone through a good amount of change this year, and given that the talent level is a lot lower then the AFC, a couple players can make a huge difference. A more mixed group then the AFC, there should be quite a difference. There are some power houses in the NFC like Seattle and Carolina, some "decent" teams, and then some just flat out bad teams. Division Winners: N.Y. Giants, Chicago, Carolina, Seattle Wildcard: Tampa Bay, Arizona ==== AFC Playoffs ==== Week 1 --------- 1. Denver vs Bye 2. Jax vs Bye 6. Cincinnati (away) loses to 3. Pittsburgh (home) 5. Indianapolis (away) beats 4. Miami (home) Week 2 --------- 5. Indianapolis (away) loses to 1. Denver (home) 3. Pittsburgh (away) beats 2. Jacksonville (home) Week 3 ---------- 3. Pittsburgh (away) loses to 1. Denver (home) ==== NFC Playoffs ==== Week 1 ---------- 1. Carolina vs bye 2. Seattle vs bye 5. Arizona (away) loses to 3. Chicago 6. Tampa Bay (away) loses to 4. N.Y. Giants Week 2 --------- 4. N.Y. Giants (away) loses to 1. Carolina 3. Chicago (away) beat 2. Seattle Week 3 --------- 3. Chicago (away) loses to 1. Carolina ======= Superbowl ======= No real surprises in the conference champs, top seeds in both make the Superbowl this year. This time Denver gets to take on Carolina for top honors. All in all, I think Carolina is a complete football team with the 1-2 rushing punch, a very good passing attack, and a defense that is top notch. Carolina gets their first NFL title this year, to go with the Hurricane's NHL title. All the rednecks are rejoicing. ============ 2007 Draft Order ============ 1. San Francisco 2. St. Louis 3. Tennessee 4. Houston 5. New York Jets 6. New Orleans 7. Oakland 8. Green Bay 9. Detroit 10. Buffalo 11. Minnesota 12. Atlanta 13. Cleveland 14. Philadelphia 15. San Diego 16. Baltimore 17. New England 18. Dallas 19. Washington 20. Kansas City 21. Arizona 22. Tampa bay 23. Miami 24. Cincinnati 25. Pittsburgh 26. Indianapolis 27. N.Y. Giants 28. Chicago 29. Seattle 30. Jacksonville 31. Denver 32. Carolina Phew, yeah, that was a wall of text, but I'm done. Any thoughts?

Shh! Dont tell them our secret!

I don't understand this comment, and I don't see where this assumption is coming from. I don't believe that point of view is trying to argue about "levels of tragedys", but that we should do what we can to prevent tragedies from occuring, and if we could have reasonably prevented it from happening, then we should.

A.) The media does have tremendous power. B.) No, because elections would turn into whoever shares similar views as you.

tis why I'm against it too

A guy from the military promoting Wilsonian-military democratization. What a shock! Is Democratization by force really going to change anything? Wilson showed that it didn't work in Latin America. Why do we think its going to work in an even tougher situation in the Middle East? Bush has put blind faith in the democratic peace theory, and like Wilson did, is using military to force democratization. Wilson failed, and history does repeat itself. I think Bush is making the same mistakes that good ol' Woodrow did: forcing elections on a country without building the environment for democracy first. Political parties in Iraq seem to be a mess, the media over there hasn't had a chance to mature and sort itself out yet, etc. These things need to be in order, strong, and stable before elections. Democracy isn't a fix all, but it seems like most of this country likes to conveniently think that it is, and forcing democracy on someone and holding elections will just fix everything. It won't, not without a huge complexity of other things in place too. Unfortunately, I don't think our administration understands that. Tis a shame, since Iraq has a chance to turn into a democracy.

lol, lone star. !@#$ing christ. I actually think Iron City isn't HORRIBLE. Lone star? lol.

Yeesh! You're bad! Pacifico, Negro Modela, you sound like a local who overrates local Texas beer.s

The !@#$ man. Pacifico? Let's get some good local brews going on here! Where's the good sh-- no one's heard of?

He's coming to Austin! woohoo Just purchased 3 tickets, gonna be friggin awesome, Aug 4th. I dunno if you guys have ever seen him, he's on FOX's pregame show sometimes and Mad TV, check out his DVD preview: As the kid Jerry Seinfeld taught to swear would say: He's a funny !@#$!

How long does it take to break out of Prison? MBFOB > This. Stupid fox.

My roommate forced me to. he threatened to kill me if I didn't see it with him. And he knew where I lived! It wasn't horrible. I wouldn't go again unless I was forced, but I can't say I hated it.

You're right that the amount of complexity isn't as large, but there are some key differences: player-created quests, player-created economies (which you wouldn't get in such a wide scale in pen-and-paper games), and other such things. Its moving that direction though, so I have to disagree when you say Video games are like other technology, increasing exponentially. Its moving that way, and eventually it will be. Current-gen MMOs are just the start.

rol

I would make the argument that RPing in an MMORPG has a lot of the same elements.