On the Ground with Nicholas D. Kristof - Books Not Bombs

[democrat10]

Back to the substance of this video.

Obama's promise to support democratic rule in Pakistan, increase non-military/development aid, and make military aid contingent on stamping out the Taliban are promising. Education is a good step forward in Pakistan, but the nation also needs political stability. The American drones bombing Pakistani border areas are worrisome, because they violate Pakistani sovereignty and have the potential to create more anti-American sentiment.

[DesolateRaindrop]

i thought a troll was a deformed ogre.. like the one on bridges

[democrat10]

That too. Our friend here probably fits that description as well. Jesus, that man will never grow up.

[hitchwatch]

"Be charitable and intellectual for once and actually explain it. "

Mentally ill person will not be able to stop from responding to this comment.

[hitchwatch]

"You call me creepy? That's pretty creepy to even think that we have some relationship. Pointing out commonalities is much different than calling for a relationship. Ugh."

Mentally ill person will not be able to stop from responding to this comment.

[DesolateRaindrop]

Holy shiitt. calm down guys.. you guys have been arguing simultaneously for the past 24 hours... hitch watch... shut the fuck up.. democrat10... you're a cocky fuck leave him alone

[democrat10]

Look, I do apologize that this whole thing has stretched out so long. But this guy here completely refuses to make logical arguments to support his opinions, and when I tried asking him a few innocent questions in the beginning, to really clarify what he was saying, he continued to be pretty rude. Part of my response was to poke some fun at him, and it might have come across as cocky, but I have to say, it was provoked.

[hitchwatch]

Troll keeps trolling.

[democrat10]

The definition of a troll is someone who posts something online in order to provoke a response. You, sir, are a troll. And by definition, a troll does engage in acts of trolling. Thanks for such a visionary and awe-inspiring observation. You really had me there.

[hitchwatch]

"The definition of a troll is someone who posts something online in order to provoke a response. You, sir, are a troll. And by definition, a troll does engage in acts of trolling. Thanks for such a visionary and awe-inspiring observation. You really had me there."

Says the man who can't help writing an essay to everyone of my offhand remarks.

[democrat10]

But my essays - how kind of you, a rare compliment - are merely in response to your nonsensical comments. That is provocation, and thus you've identified yourself as a troll. You could never hope to be as detailed in your opinions.

[hitchwatch]

Can't stop it, the Decent can't stop it!

[democrat10]

Who is Decent? Is it your mama's middle name? Humor me, I dare you. Here's your chance to say something meaningful. Educate me. I could certainly learn something from you, with such impeccable morals like defending sex trafficking.

[hitchwatch]

"Who is Decent? Is it your mama's middle name? Humor me, I dare you. Here's your chance to say something meaningful. Educate me. I could certainly learn something from you, with such impeccable morals like defending sex trafficking."

If you're so smart, you can figure it out yourself.

[democrat10]

Be charitable and intellectual for once and actually explain it.

[hitchwatch]

Hey, what's the second derivative of a parabola?

[hitchwatch]

It wasn't 24 hours.

[democrat10]

Leave the technicalities to the others. You can't seem to grasp at any.

[hitchwatch]

The assclown can't help himself.

[democrat10]

Haha. At this point, I would say that we're both clowning around. All these comebacks are bouncing right back towards you like a boomerang because they always describe yourself. Starting to get a little self-conscious? Thought so.

[hitchwatch]

"At this point, I would say that we're both clowning around."

Stalker thinks that we have some sort of relationship.

[democrat10]

You call me creepy? That's pretty creepy to even think that we have some relationship. Pointing out commonalities is much different than calling for a relationship. Ugh.

[hitchwatch]

Hey, what's the second derivative of a parabola?

[democrat10]

Oh no, don't even try that. You've already said that in response to someone else who disagreed with you, so that's rather lame. Mathematics is not germane to this discussion. Your social skills are quite poor here. Do you do this in normal conversations? Like, just mention some random thing? Don't worry, I mean, Bill Clinton's a genius, and even when he visited the White House earlier this month, he's said some irrelevant things about the carpet in the Oval Office.

[hitchwatch]

"You've already said that in response to someone else who disagreed with you"

Creep is following me around, not surprising.

"Mathematics is not germane to this discussion."

No, you were the guy who claimed that I couldn't grasp at any technicalities, whatever the fuck that was supposed to mean, and I just exposed you as an idiot who can't perform freshman calculus.

[democrat10]

Calculus relates in no way, shape, or form to geopolitics. And I've actually come across your comments in other YouTube videos by accident, so in fact, I'm not stalking you. Stop flattering yourself.

[hitchwatch]

"Calculus relates in no way, shape, or form to geopolitics. And I've actually come across your comments in other YouTube videos by accident, so in fact, I'm not stalking you. Stop flattering yourself."

Mentally ill person will not be able to stop from responding to this comment.

[democrat10]

You're the one pursuing here. I'm simply defending myself. Hey, you're the crazy one. You got no manners and no business being around normal, courteous people.

[hitchwatch]

"You're the one pursuing here. I'm simply defending myself. Hey, you're the crazy one. You got no manners and no business being around normal, courteous people."

What did I tell you?

[hitchwatch]

"You got no manners and no business being around normal, courteous people."

Good thing I'm on YouTube.

[democrat10]

Being on YouTube doesn't excuse your conduct. And I don't understand your previous question. What did you tell me? Lots of pointless things?

[hitchwatch]

"Being on YouTube doesn't excuse your conduct. And I don't understand your previous question. What did you tell me? Lots of pointless things? "

See what I mean?

[democrat10]

No, I absolutely don't see or hear what you mean, and I've tried in vain to understand where you're coming from. Don't automatically assume that people know what you're talking about, especially when you're a fan of folly and irrationality.

[hitchwatch]

"No, I absolutely don't see or hear what you mean, and I've tried in vain to understand where you're coming from. Don't automatically assume that people know what you're talking about, especially when you're a fan of folly and irrationality."

Last word Decent!

[democrat10]

See that's what happens when you repeat yourself like 5,000 times - people think you're a schizophrenic and mark you as spam.

[hitchwatch]

"See that's what happens when you repeat yourself like 5,000 times - people think you're a schizophrenic and mark you as spam. "

Obsessive freak performs Internet psychiatric analysis.

[democrat10]

It's a hyperbolic expression. You took that so literally, and your response simply demonstrates tone-deafness.

It's clear that no human being can reason with you in an intelligent, informed dialogue. That's your loss, and you're not worth my time.

[hitchwatch]

"That's your loss, and you're not worth my time."

As the obsessed lunatic continues to respond to my posts for the second day.

[democrat10]

You know, there are only so many times you can use argumentum ad nauseum before it becomes stale.

[democrat10]

And "Decent gets excited."

[hitchwatch]

*And "Decent gets excited." *

Ditto.

[democrat10]

You have absolutely nothing more to say. With a Webster's dictionary, you'll be able to expand your vocabulary in no time.

[hitchwatch]

"You have absolutely nothing more to say. With a Webster's dictionary, you'll be able to expand your vocabulary in no time. "

I'm an anti-sesquipedalianist.

[democrat10]

Using varied vocabulary doesn't mean someone has to use extremely big words. You need to offer something a lot more convincing than the same phrases you keep on regurgitating. That's a fair statement.

[hitchwatch]

"You know, there are only so many times you can use argumentum ad nauseum before it becomes stale."

It's evergreen as far as I'm concerned.

[catherineafrench]

Maybe Obama will sign peace treaties with members of Al Qaeda in Mexico and Hamas in Canada, we will all hold hands and sing Kumbaya, and also have Love Hitler parades, as Hamas and other terrorist groups have done many times!

[democrat10]

Sure, just like maybe George W. Bush didn't invade Iraq, didn't let America's entire economy collapse, didn't try and privatize Social Security, didn't let a thousand people drown during Hurricane Katrina, and didn't torture detainees.

Obama's going to fight al-Qaeda. Don't worry about that. And he's going to negotiate peace between the Israelis and the Palestinians, and negotiate with Iran. Why is peace so bad? Bloodshed, hatred, and violence just tickle you pink, don't they?

[hitchwatch]

"Obama's going to fight al-Qaeda."

Decent gets excited.

[democrat10]

So you oppose fighting al-Qaeda? We can disagree on the tactics and policies being used to combat terrorism, but surely al-Qaeda should be defeated, if not contained.

[hitchwatch]

"So you oppose fighting al-Qaeda? We can disagree on the tactics and policies being used to combat terrorism, but surely al-Qaeda should be defeated, if not contained."

Decent gets excited.

[hitchwatch]

Nice to see that Kristof took a break from the whoremongering!

[democrat10]

What do you mean by that exactly?

[hitchwatch]

Do a web search.

[democrat10]

Why don't you just explain yourself?

[hitchwatch]

Go fuck yourself.

[DesolateRaindrop]

Lmao.....

[democrat10]

Lmao indeed. The above gentleman here's getting a bit sensitive...

[democrat10]

So, um, Mister hitchwatch, elaborating on your arguments is relatively simple. See, elaboration only requires typing. Easy as ABC 123. When you request that I "fuck" myself, that requires a psychic and laws of science-defying willpower to physically compel me to do something I may not want. My request for elaboration can be more expediently fulfilled than your request.

Be happy! Be merry! Barack Obama is now our president! (Okay, that was kind of a non sequitur, but do be in the mood!)

[hitchwatch]

"When you request that I "fuck" myself, that requires a psychic and laws of science-defying willpower to physically compel me to do something I may not want."

Pedant.

[democrat10]

Lookatcha! That's the most intelligent thing you've said all day! Keep up the good work!

[hitchwatch]

Fuck off, blabbermouth.

[democrat10]

Lol. Have some originality in your speech. You already used "fuck" before. You also have a sad tendency to use very ineffective one-word insults like "pedant," "blabbermouth," and with regards to Kristof, "whoremonger." Man, you wouldn't last one second on the streets.

[democrat10]

Back to the original issue, I assume you don't like Kristof because you think he somehow exploits people in Third World countries? I'm all against exploitation, but that's not what Kristof's trying to do. He's merely getting information out to the American public about poverty, genocide, and underdevelopment in the Third World. That's more than you can say or do.

[hitchwatch]

"He's merely getting information out to the American public about poverty, genocide, and underdevelopment in the Third World. That's more than you can say or do."

Kristol is a neoliberal apologist for sweatshops.  I'm not impressed that he's run out and bought a few whores out of bondage over the years in order to write a story about it.

[hitchwatch]

What a piece of human garbage.

---

My point is that bad as sweatshops are, the alternatives are worse. They are more dangerous, lower-paying and more degrading. And when I struggle to think how we can really make a big difference in the development of the poorest countries, the key always seems to be manufacturing. If Africa, for example, can only develop an apparel industry, it will boom.

---

Excluded middle fallacy.

[democrat10]

Okay, I never said that Kristof was perfect. In fact, I agree with you on the issue of sweatshops. Kristof is trying to make some sort of humanitarian argument comparing the terrible conditions of sweatshops to the more terrible conditions of non-sweatshop labor. And I think Kristof is wrong, because sweatshops obviously violate the labor rights of workers who work there. Period. Human rights are non-negotiable.

[democrat10]

I don't see eye-to-eye with Kristof on some issues--for example, in his earlier columns, his skepticism of the war in Iraq originally questioned its efficacy rather than its fundamentally unjust nature, and he's tried to justify racial profiling because he thinks it works. But he should be lauded for extraordinary work on some very important issues. He's been an impassioned advocate for the refugees in Darfur, calling time and time again for an end to genocide.

[hitchwatch]

"But he should be lauded for extraordinary work on some very important issues."

He's a fucking attention whore.

[democrat10]

Hey, when you have something new to say, lemme know. You sound like a very unhappy person. There is a wealth of expertly trained therapists and psychologists in our nation to assist those in need. You seem like someone who fits that profile. Those who lack basic human emotions are often those who have been denied them. Get some help and stop hurting yourself. Make some friends. Go out and breathe some fresh air. Have yourself a gourmet meal.

[hitchwatch]

"Hey, when you have something new to say, lemme know. You sound like a very unhappy person. There is a wealth of expertly trained therapists and psychologists in our nation to assist those in need. You seem like someone who fits that profile. Those who lack basic human emotions are often those who have been denied them. Get some help and stop hurting yourself. Make some friends. Go out and breathe some fresh air. Have yourself a gourmet meal."

Internet psychiatrist/mindreader.

[democrat10]

Oh, so I guessed right? Perfect. Them psychiatrists you'll be needing will be much more skilled than I am.

[hitchwatch]

You are a filthy liar. Now, go away.

[democrat10]

He's written columns on the AIDS epidemic and other crippling diseases that rampage the Third World. And, Kristof has been a forceful proponent of diplomacy rather than military coercion in the Middle East. He has said many questionable things, and yet at the same time, credit is given where it's due.

[democrat10]

And when it comes to sex slavery in Southeast Asia, it's incredibly unfair to call the victims "whores." Many of them are children, and they never asked to work as forced prostitutes. Many of these people have been tortured. You're undermining your own argument that Kristof is exploitative by being blind to the very real exploitation of sex slaves. Kristof defends his beliefs on a humanitarian philosophy, and that leads to conclusions that are sometimes sound, and sometimes misguided.

[hitchwatch]

*And when it comes to sex slavery in Southeast Asia, it's incredibly unfair to call the victims "whores."*

Cry me a river, liberal.

[democrat10]

So you are a fan of sex slavery and forced child prostitution. Wow. The world surely needs more caring and kind-hearted people like you. But if you call Kristof a "neoliberal," what does that make you? People who call others "neoliberal" are usually traditional left liberals. But since you take pride in supporting sex slavery, you're definitely not any sort of liberal. Your beliefs are all over the place, and what you promote is simply monstrous.

[hitchwatch]

"So you are a fan of sex slavery and forced child prostitution."

Don't put words in my mouth, you cunt.

[democrat10]

I'm just drawing some very logical conclusions. You blame the victims rather than the culprits of the horrible crimes of sex slavery and forced child prostitution by calling them "whores." Therefore you are complicit in condoning those crimes. You said it yourself. By the way, you are truly racking up an impressive list of dirty words, and now "cunt" can be added to that litany of impropriety. You must have been suspended like 10 times a day in school for being so linguistically uncouth.

[hitchwatch]

You are a filthy liar.  Now, go away.

[democrat10]

Finally, I would just say this: we could have had a very substantive debate like this much earlier if you hadn't been so coy and dodgy in the beginning. Not that it concerns me much, and the initial back and forth was pretty humorous, but couldn't you have simply been more professional and mature? I wouldn't have had to poke fun at you if you were. I mean, no, I'm not a neoliberal either. And yes, I also dislike Christopher Hitchens. But that doesn't always imply an absence of nuance.

[hitchwatch]

"we could have had a very substantive debate like this much earlier if you hadn't been so coy and dodgy in the beginning"

Why would I want to waste my time having a "debate" with human garbage like you?

[democrat10]

I just don't understand. You don't get anywhere in live calling people "human garbage." And again, I gotta tell you, that robotic repetition's surfacing once more.

[hitchwatch]

"And again, I gotta tell you, that robotic repetition's surfacing once more. "

And you keep going on and on like I'm going to eventually take you seriously.

[democrat10]

Hahaha! I don't care if you take me seriously, because you probably won't. But I sure as hell don't take you seriously, evn though I've tried to engage you as respectfully as possible at times. It took you that long to figure that out? I'm not the one acting like a child. I'm not the one who can't back up his arguments with any sort of thoughtfulness. Lol...

[hitchwatch]

"Hahaha! I don't care if you take me seriously, because you probably won't. But I sure as hell don't take you seriously, evn though I've tried to engage you as respectfully as possible at times. It took you that long to figure that out? I'm not the one acting like a child. I'm not the one who can't back up his arguments with any sort of thoughtfulness. Lol..."

Good, go away.

[democrat10]

Hey, you started all this. Don't go calling people names for no reason.

[hitchwatch]

"Hey, you started all this. Don't go calling people names for no reason. "

I had my reasons and it turned out that I was correct. Now, go away.

[democrat10]

Hahaha, you weren't correct about anything. You've still failed to explain yourself here, considering all the dialogue here.

[hitchwatch]

You are a filthy liar. Now, go away.

[democrat10]

Prove that I am a filthy liar. I will not go away when you lob unsubstantiated accusations.

[democrat10]

So you had to post the same comment three times. Calm yourself.

[hitchwatch]

Argumentum ad nauseam.

[democrat10]

And yet youv'e been the one repeating yourself this whole time! Go watch Kristof's video on how to increase your I.Q. (I think it involves greater iodine intake).

[hitchwatch]

I'm actually much smarter than Kristof.

[democrat10]

Then offer intelligent arguments.

[hitchwatch]

I'm not debating you.

[democrat10]

Good. Because you don't have the capacity to do so.

[hitchwatch]

Fine.  Now, go away.

[democrat10]

Those who can't often surrender in exhaustion, precisely as you are. And with that, I am satisfied. Unless you display some more unbecoming behavior.

[democrat10]

I am going away, but in any case, this is completely bizarre because I also abhor Islamophobia and right wing crazies as much as you do, and as much your profile states, so I dunno why we're in so much disagreement. But you've made some poorly conceived comments, and you'll have to be taken to task.

[hitchwatch]

Last word Decent tries to get in the last word.

[democrat10]

Who's decent? Your statements say otherwise.

[hitchwatch]

Remark goes over Decent's head.

[hitchwatch]

"Those who can't often surrender in exhaustion"

Obsessive Kristof defender confesses to Argumentum ad nauseam technique.

[democrat10]

Your intellectual deafness is confounding. Earlier today I said that Kristof had done some great writing, and also that he had written columns that I disagree with. That doesn't not qualify as obsessive defense of Kristof.

[hitchwatch]

Decent calls Kristof a great writer, claims that he is not defending him after dozens of posts.

[democrat10]

My name is not Decent. So, whatever clever inside joke you've got going on in your head is oh-so hilarious to me. I have defended and criticized Kristof's assertions.

I'm also bemused that you've taken to speaking in the third person, like there's a giant audience watching. This video has only been viewed 765 times. Funny, who's demanding attention now?

[democrat10]

You'd probably just say something like "Go away," and I would. But every time you utter something inane, you'll have earned a rejoinder.

[hitchwatch]

"But every time you utter something inane, you'll have earned a rejoinder."

Argumentum ad nauseam.

[hitchwatch]

"I have defended and criticized Kristof's assertions. "

No kidding.

"I'm also bemused that you've taken to speaking in the third person, like there's a giant audience watching."

Keep chuckling.

[democrat10]

No kidding indeed. Except you don't realize that you've just contradicted yourself. Obsessive defense of Kristof is different than simultaneously defending and criticizing Kristof. You have said that you agree with both statements. That is a fallacy. Joke's on you, buddy.

I will keep chuckling, because it is at your expense and I'm extremely content with that.

[hitchwatch]

"That is a fallacy."

Decent declares victory!

"I will keep chuckling, because it is at your expense and I'm extremely content with that. "

Argumentum ad nauseam.

[hitchwatch]

I don't have to prove anything. God knows what you are.

[democrat10]

Every person needs to prove his assertions. That is the essence of reasoning. That is the essence of evidence-based debate. Forget what God thinks of me, if he even exists. You're trying to act like God holding yourself to a higher standard. You ain't better than everybody else. The Declaration of Independence enshrines human equality, and it is a touchstone of liberalism and American ideals, even if we haven't lived up to them at times.

[hitchwatch]

Shut the fuck up already. People like you really make me sick.

[democrat10]

You need to apply that command to your own behavior. People who cannot coherently articulate themselves make me chuckle in pity.

[hitchwatch]

Chuckle all you like. Now, go away.

[rashidaq]

nowadays Girls in cities are out performing

the boys in Pakistan by 2:1

[hillsad]

This will be shown to my high school students. thank you Nicholas.