Okay. Forget the tax. Straight-up tribute instead.

[Lord Jim]

After this discussion of Andrew's slanders against me emerged in this thread, I took him temporarily off ignore to review his posts, including the OP...(I may have to take him off ignore again to compile all the libelous comments he's made about me; if I decide that's necessary I'll make sure the hot water heater is full first.)

Here's a multiple choicer question (please choose the best answer):

Andrew started this thread because:

A. Andrew is really stupid enough to believe that the US should make itself the greatest bandit nation in human history by sinking the unarmed vessels of all foreign countries that refuse to pay us protection money.

B. Andrew is really crazy enough to believe that the US should make itself the greatest bandit nation in human history by sinking the unarmed vessels of all foreign countries that refuse to pay us protection money. (This answer has some possibilities, but remember; I said the "best" answer)

C. Andrew started this thread because he is a twisted attention whore, who deliberately wanted to make himself the object of a pissing match.

Now it's early in the term; don't expect all the quizzes to be this easy....

[Andrew D]

Andrew Do you notrealize that "tribute" was nothing but formalized extortion?

One could say the same thing about income tax. Or about property tax. Etc.

I pay income tax. I pay property tax.

Is that money being extorted from me? Maybe so.

If it is okay for the authority which controls the matter to take a chunk of my income or to "extort" money from me based on the value of my property, then why is it not okay for the US to take money from the nations which benefit from the service which the US provides them?

[Rick]

I don't deny that the US puts it's people in harms way in such a manner that it not only benefits US it also benefits others.

However going back to grade school one of the premises for the American Revolution was "no taxation without representation" I don't know if I'm ready to let Gob call the shots...

[Andrew D]

Here's a multiple choicer [sic] question (please choose the best answer):

Andrew started this thread because:

A. Andrew is exactly correct.

B. Andrew is exactly correct.

Now it's early in the term; don't expect all the quizzes to be this easy....

[Lord Jim]

You know, maybe Andrew's on to something here....

But I don't thinking sinking the ships is the answer; I mean, where's the profit in that?

No, instead, we should board them and seize them and all their cargo as booty....

And either sell the passengers into slavery, or ransom them back to their country of origin....

Here's an idea for a design for a new US Naval Seaman's uniform:

[Gob]

D. Andrew is in the manic phase of bipolar disorder.

[The Hen]

Sounds feasible.

[liberty]

So that's how you see your country? As a Mafia don extorting protection money?

You have my pity.

Read it in context; he is not serious he is just jerking your chain.

[Gob]

Oh we all know that, he's decided to be an arse to get at Jim, I don't know how he thinks that would work.

[Andrew D]

When the substance of the posting leaves one at a loss, attack the poster.

[Gob]

If you can find substance in your post, outside of the obvious horseshit, be my guest.

[Andrew D]

Oh we all know that, he's decided to be an arse to get at Jim, I don't know how he thinks that would work.

Actually, I would appreciate responses which address what I posted.

Do you have any?

[Lord Jim]

Actually, I think he started this thread mainly to be an ass to you and Sean, (and other non-Americans here) being an ass to me was just a happy add-on in this case...

So many people to be an ass to; so little time....

[Gob]

Oh we all know that, he's decided to be an arse to get at Jim, I don't know how he thinks that would work.

Actually, I would appreciate responses which address what I posted.

Do you have any?

Yes, you need to be back on medication.

[Andrew D]

Okay. You'd rather play little games than get to the meat of things.

Your call.

[Gob]

Andrew, you are a stupid cunt if you think that anyone will be so dim as to take seriously your childish games in this and other threads.

Idiot.

[liberty]

You know, maybe Andrew's on to something here....

But I don't thinking sinking the ships is the answer; I mean, where's the profit in that?

No, instead, we should board them and seize them and all their cargo as booty....

And either sell the passengers into slavery, or ransom them back to their country of origin....

Here's an idea for a design for a new US Naval Seaman's uniform:

Don’t make fun Jim, if the economy gets any worse the idea might be a viable way for us to make a living. Of course we would have to compete with our Somali peers.

[Rick]

Oh we all know that, he's decided to be an arse to get at Jim, I don't know how he thinks that would work.

Actually, I would appreciate responses which address what I posted.

Do you have any?

I did, guess it got lost.

Here it is again:

I don't deny that the US puts it's people in harms way in such a manner that it not only benefits US it also benefits others.

However going back to grade school one of the premises for the American Revolution was "no taxation without representation" I don't know if I'm ready to let Gob call the shots...

although puerile in present company...

[Lord Jim]

Of course we would have to compete with our Somali peers.

Not a problem lib...

Our fire power has that lot beat all to hell...

They'll scatter like frightened ducks when they see the first Buccaneer Class Aircraft Carrier, The USS Henry Morgan, coming up over the horizon....

[Gob]

I don't deny that the US puts it's people in harms way in such a manner that it not only benefits US it also benefits others.

However going back to grade school one of the premises for the American Revolution was "no taxation without representation" I don't know if I'm ready to let Gob call the shots...

People who pay "tribute" don't get to call the shots Keld it's not a tax;

trib·ute
   [trib-yoot] Show IPA
noun
1. a gift, testimonial, compliment, or the like, given as due or in acknowledgment of gratitude or esteem.
2. a stated sum or other valuable consideration paid by one sovereign or state to another in acknowledgment of subjugation or as the price of peace, security, protection, or the like.
3. a rent, tax, or the like, as that paid by a subject to a sovereign.
4. any exacted or enforced payment or contribution.
5. obligation or liability to make such payment.

I think given that Andrew indicated threat of withdrawal of protection by the USA, (Under the rule of Lunatic President Andrew Vi,) description 2 is what he was mooting, nay in fact he insists has already occurred, and so is that the way you perceive your country?