musings :: philosophy de la snarko!

Three Things that Drive me Buggy

posted by snarko on Thursday, September 2 2010

but could change World

In the Zogby surveys, there's always the question: Do you consider yourself a member of your neighborhood, city, state, country or Planet Earth?

Something like that; I don't have the quiz in front of me. I always answer: Planet Earth.

That said, here are a few things that drive me absolutely buggy as questions, that would have a huge impact on said planet. I'm often told I think like a child; so be it:

1. Why don't we all call other countries as they call themselves? How much harder is it to teach a child, in English (there are further versions), "Japan" versus "Nippon"?

I absolutely see no reason to "translate" a name of a country into your own language. If I travel to a foreign country, I am still "Sherry snarko Monarko". I don't get the reasoning for this, at all.

2. Why hasn't the USA transferred to metric? It's a far better measurement system. Rest of world uses it. Not that hard a transition. Lemme explain.

A. Stop teaching kids English measurements, and teach them metric instead.

B. I know replacing all known measurements would be costly; just every new one put metric first, and English second.

Like, new speed limits signs would put metric first; so would your new car. You'd quickly get used to it, that way.

Seriously, a "gallon" is about "2.5 liters", international standard. People are already used to "2 liter" for soda; wouldn't take that long to convert. Just put metric first, and English second, instead of common other-way-around.

Just do it every new thing put out; you have to pay up-front cost, anyway (not asking replace old things, at first. That'd cost too much). It'd take less than ten years to convert everyone--even your grandmother--to international standard.

Love my Arab Neighbors

posted by snarko on Monday, August 2 2010

get to know them

I was never one of the "bomb em all"; but you gotta respect: they are no different than us. Not at all. Get off high-horse, and listen to them.

"Ala" and "Sammy" (just taught real name; ugh, now forget. Saehead? It sounds "holy" or "terrorist" thanks to our fearful news, but it actually just means same as "Sam"). They work my corner-store, where I buy cigarettes.

If you're in a major city, you probably have these people too; they are courtesy, friendly, likeable people. They probably, like mine do, SPEAK 14+ LANGUAGES. So you kinda wonder, why are you stuck here, when you could work interpreter for more?!

Though Ala is manager; still seems somewhat off they can speak so many languages, and stuck corner store bullshit.

Sammy (main one; there is now two "Sammy's") is a DRU'ID! This is actually fascinating, at least to me:

Lebanon, only country in WORLD to divide parliament based on religious belief, up front. No bull: like, Christians get most Parliament without pretending, because they actually have more the population. There's no bullshit behind back like here; seats are divided among religion. Done.

Equal here in US is he's now Green Party; they killed them all there, to point of extinction, and why he's here instead.

He loves to garden; you want a terrorist? You're outta your mind. He's more concerned saving his plants from Texas sun than any political movement; pure earth religion. Even though he's hunted for it.

He represents less than 10% population; they still hold court, because of law. These are hardly bad people...

Ala is kinda just trying to get chicks and has good hair. Like, really. And a nice car, which he's always trying to sell.

Doesn't sound much different, to me, than anything an American dude would do. But cuter.

I don't want to blow them up. That's stupid. They are just like us. And frankly, nicer to me than born-Americans.

They are not spies. That's silly. Silly! I love my Arab neighbors: I don't care you shoot me for that. They are so sweet, so honest, so caring about stuff as stupid as their plants in their garden; you're nuts.

These are GOOD people.

A Druid Saved My Sanity

posted by snarko on Monday, July 19 2010

now tell me what I'm forgetting

Now I can't find link, but believe this 99.9% true. Happy when losing it a Dru'id blessed me. They're rare; I'll take blessing. (but it's Sammy I KNOW he's a Druid...)

Librarians unite, I forget FACTS, but remember why I think it interesting. Love being epileptic: that's how your memory works:

1. Only country in world to divide Parliament partly on RELIGIOUS VIEW. I also forget name for type of government; I thought Lithuanian; not correct (at glance; maybe I was correct), but based on how my memory works, probably starts "L" and not THAT uncommon to an American a foreign country.

Government seats divided by census of religious view among people; PLEASE refresh name of government style, and what country.

There is only one. Only one, that does this formally, instead of pretending the religious right don't do anything...

2. Dru'id IS druid. They are the remainers of an Earth religion, and equal to American Green party as a body, but a heard "non-majority".

What country and politic do I speak of? I FORGET. It's actually NOT an oddball; I just can't remember...

Sammy is one of like 1,000 not murdered. A rare race. But can't remember which...

But he's a Druid. Of that, certain. Asked point-blank; why he's in America. Hunted for being a tree-hugger: gimme the religion/parliament style...

PS: Sammy speaks 14 languages, do you? But English is not his best of those. I can only "hint" this kind of conversation; he understands basics all languages, but if going more philosophical/law, loses it in some of them.

Doesn't make him stupid (I only speak two languages, not 14); he's not able at higher English, so I can't ask him. We actually usually speak in French; mine is not good enough for philosophy (his is, actually). Also embarrassed to ask him AGAIN after I NAILED him as a Druid, cuz I went home that night, and read about his country.

But now forget. Please spare me the embarrass...