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Post by cko on Feb 20, 2010 13:36:17 GMT -5
Hope evilalex won't mind me posting this bit of chat about life in The Netherlands... [evilalex] wow [evilalex] the dutch ministry whent down [cko] what do you mean? [cko] power? [evilalex] government [cko] but what do you mean "went down"? [evilalex] that we are going to get a new goverment [blue sunflower] www.businessweek.com/news/2010-02-20/dutch-government-falls-over-extension-of-afghan-stay-update2-.html[evilalex] yup thats it [evilalex] it was going the last few days [cko] whoa [cko] wow [cko] the govt just collapses? [evilalex] 4:15am this morning [cko] that's kind of amazing [cko] does it make for a setback for society? [evilalex] now waiting for a Press Conference [cko] or just a minor blip to the citizens? [evilalex] time wil tell [cko] are you worried? [evilalex] no [evilalex] Press Conference started [cko] well good you're not worried! [evilalex] we were suposed to get a new government next year [evilalex] anyway [blue sunflower] you have a weird country, alex [cko] oh so ths just hastened the process [blue sunflower] i couldn't imagine all of congress resigning [cko] no kidding! [blue sunflower] much as sometimes i would like them too [cko] it's kinda cool in a way [blue sunflower] to [cko] there have been times i wish our govt would just quietly collapse |
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Post by Blue Sunflower on Feb 20, 2010 21:20:00 GMT -5
Hope evilalex won't mind me posting this bit of chat about life in The Netherlands... [evilalex] wow [evilalex] the dutch ministry whent down [cko] what do you mean? [cko] power? [evilalex] government [cko] but what do you mean "went down"? [evilalex] that we are going to get a new goverment [blue sunflower] www.businessweek.com/news/2010-02-20/dutch-government-falls-over-extension-of-afghan-stay-update2-.html[evilalex] yup thats it [evilalex] it was going the last few days [cko] whoa [cko] wow [cko] the govt just collapses? [evilalex] 4:15am this morning [cko] that's kind of amazing [cko] does it make for a setback for society? [evilalex] now waiting for a Press Conference [cko] or just a minor blip to the citizens? [evilalex] time wil tell [cko] are you worried? [evilalex] no [evilalex] Press Conference started [cko] well good you're not worried! [evilalex] we were suposed to get a new government next year [evilalex] anyway [blue sunflower] you have a weird country, alex [cko] oh so ths just hastened the process [blue sunflower] i couldn't imagine all of congress resigning [cko] no kidding! [blue sunflower] much as sometimes i would like them too [cko] it's kinda cool in a way [blue sunflower] to [cko] there have been times i wish our govt would just quietly collapse  |
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Post by aktarian on Feb 21, 2010 0:45:30 GMT -5
The thing you need to understand is that Netherlands has continental parliamentary system. Which means you have multiparty system (as opposed to biparty) and that governments are formed by coalition of similar oriented parties (instead of just one as in US or UK). which means that if/when one of the parties, usually junior (that is smaller ones) feel their policies are not implemented they withdrew their support. that means that rest of coalition lacks parliamentary majority and as such can't continue to rule (since parties backing it don't have parliamentary majority and so their laws are not supported and are rejected-continental Europe has stronger party discipline and MPs vote according to party policy or face sanctions). Then, depending on details of political system, PM can either invite new party into coalition, thus ensuring sufficient votes. Or he can inform president that he can't do that and resigns. Then president can either ask party leaders to agree on new coalition that will have majority, parties agree on technical (that is composed of "experts" not party apointees) government or disolve the parliament and calls for early elections. If last thing happens than sitting government assumes caretaking position, that is continue with current activities necessary for functioning of the state but can't set new or long term policy.
Again, details vary from country to country but this is general situation in continental Europe. Except Russia where such disputes are settled by everybody sitting down and consuming large quantites of vodka and last men standing/concious is declared winner and he can rule country pretty much as he see fit.
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Post by evilalex on Feb 21, 2010 1:39:00 GMT -5
... If last thing happens than sitting government assumes caretaking position, that is continue with current activities necessary for functioning of the state but can't set new or long term policy. ... lookslike this is going to happen, only the queen has the last word on this, i feel bad for her since she was on vacation. if we get a new election it wil asap, only thy need 90 days to get it all ready for the election and if its going to happen it wil be this summer, |
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Post by FrozenBrainiac on Feb 21, 2010 9:29:47 GMT -5
[...] which means that if/when one of the parties, usually junior (that is smaller ones) feel their policies are not implemented they withdrew their support. that means that rest of coalition lacks parliamentary majority and as such can't continue to rule. [...] In messed up Italy this turned out to be a very "effective" blackmailing system among parties, leading to political instability. Long story short, italian parliament is one of the many portals to hell... just like DMV ;D |
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Post by cko on Feb 21, 2010 14:33:59 GMT -5
This is all so interesting and educational. People in the U.S. are generally so ignorant of other countries' government doings. Well, speaking for myself. But this:
"Except Russia where such disputes are settled by everybody sitting down and consuming large quantites of vodka and last men standing/concious is declared winner and he can rule country pretty much as he see fit"
sounds rather appealing actually. Not that I think we should go from the generally messed-up system we have to this one...
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Post by evilalex on Feb 24, 2010 10:55:28 GMT -5
the new election wil be on june 9, 2010
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Post by cko on Feb 24, 2010 21:58:54 GMT -5
Hahahahah! I heard a rumor about this, but I guess it's true?
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Post by Blue Sunflower on Feb 27, 2010 6:46:40 GMT -5
Turns out, Twitter *does* have a limit. Wishes and prayers to our S. American members. Death toll right now is only at 64, but I suspect that's gonna go up exponentially soon. Hold on guys. The aftershocks will have to stop at some point. So far, USGS only lists about 15 of them, which is about half of what being reported as occurring. earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/recenteqsww/Quakes/quakes_big.php |
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Post by cko on Feb 27, 2010 22:10:00 GMT -5
Blue broke Twitter. Then hopefully got some sleep. So, I won't keep doing this, since I know reading other people's chat logs gets old fast, but this I just had to share. Alex was sending us links to songs that you can't get out of your head (thanks a lot, Alex!), then we had this exchange. [evilalex] one song i cant hear [evilalex] www.youtube.com/watch?v=OPqTXL8vMh0[evilalex] its a theme song used in a well knows dutch theme park [blue sunflower] i can't listen to the smurfs anymore [ccko] ahahahahahhaah [evilalex] Â  [blue sunflower] when i was in middle school we memorized it for our parade [blue sunflower] i think i can STILL play it on my clarinet [evilalex] Â [ccko] clarinet! [blue sunflower] www.youtube.com/watch?v=dy_WqicWcHg[blue sunflower] the topper to that? [blue sunflower] i ended up holding the banner instead of playing [blue sunflower] so i memorized it for nothing [evilalex] traaa laaa lalalala lalalala traaa laaa lalalala laa laalaa laa laaaa [ccko] oh my god blue [ccko] this is the funniest story i ever heard [blue sunflower] I feel sorry for you then |
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Post by beatrixkiddoe on Feb 28, 2010 18:57:52 GMT -5
Hi all, I come soliciting cat advice. First, some backstory: back in September I adopted two cats (a kitten we named Ash and a ten year old called Smudge) the two of them get along pretty well but Ash is always trying to get Smudge to play and, since she's older, she doesn't really want to. So I decided I'd try and get a younger playmate for Ash. I brought Digby home from the shelter this afternoon, he's male and about the same age as Ash, and I tried to introduce them gradually by keeping Digby in my room but he'd have none of that, he just scratched and whined and cried so I let him out. I was keeping an eye on the two of them and they seemed okay, but then Digby started chasing after Ash, he cornered him and then they fought pretty badly till I could break them up. I've had them separated ever since. So, does anyone have any advice on how to try to introduce the two of them again? Any help would be really appreciated.
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Post by cko on Feb 28, 2010 19:42:59 GMT -5
Beatrix, I do believe you've come to the right place; we have many cat afficianados here. Advice, people! And, it's great to see you! If you'd been a tad earlier you could have joined our rewatch/chat. How about next Sunday? One thing that is amusing when the ads pop up here? I just saw one that was so we could "Learn how this mother of two earned $XXXX IN HELL." Ah, word-switcher, how I love you. I'm going to miss the Winter Olympics. I really got into it, even the bitching and complaining. |
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Post by beatrixkiddoe on Feb 28, 2010 19:54:58 GMT -5
Sounds good to me. Which episode are we on? I freaked out a little while ago, I moved over the summer and when I was unpacking I couldn't find my S1 dvds, it turns out that I packed them with some of my books instead of my dvd collection, I was so relieved when I found them.
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Post by cko on Mar 2, 2010 0:09:57 GMT -5
This Sunday we'll be on Episode 4. It's been fun!
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Post by cko on Mar 6, 2010 0:46:52 GMT -5
And in case anyone is worried about what is to come:
[blue sunflower] crimineys chile is STILL getting 5+ mags!
[blue sunflower] hi kathy
[cko] i swear im going to bed early tn
[cko] i know, blue!
[cko] it seems like some kind of record
[cko] and it turns out we did lose some time
[cko] or the earth shifted on its axis
[blue sunflower] that was to be expected
[cko] which i do NOT like to think about
[blue sunflower] the same thing happened after the 2004 quake
[cko] all you geologists and astronomers are so calm about that
[blue sunflower] heh
[cko] i find it terrifying
[cko] and refuse to acknowledge it
[kathyk] lose time how?
[blue sunflower] well does it help to point out the axis is shifting anyways no matter what?
[blue sunflower] or that we're slowing down too due to...well, loss of energy
[blue sunflower] we're basically spinning like a top
[blue sunflower] which wobbles as it slows down
[cko] i SAID the Loma Prieta was 15 seconds, and I was just guessing!
[cko] woohoo
[cko] wobbles!
[cko] nooooooooo
[blue sunflower] ture
[blue sunflower] the north star has not always been polaris, and is in fact moving back
[cko] because we shifted on our axis?
[kathyk] ck the earth has been around for billions of years it will be here when we're gone
[cko] yeah but at some point someone will say that
[cko] and it won't be true
[cko] or ture either
[kathyk] but i doubt i'll be alive
[cko] yeah me either
[cko] it is kind of reassuring
[kathyk] you cant worry about things you have no control over
[cko] on the contrary
[cko] those are the things i worry about
[cko] which is silly i kow
[blue sunflower] actually no ck
[cko] know
[blue sunflower] humans will be long gone b4 the earth is no longer around
[cko] really?
[blue sunflower] y
[cko] because the sun will go nova?
[blue sunflower] most likely from extinction
[blue sunflower] but it's possible we may have space traveled
[cko] well if youre trying to make me feel better
[blue sunflower] or evolved into something else, like a bird
[cko] oh well space travel, that does make me feel better
[cko] the bird thing however does not
[cko] so i guess im breaking even tonight
[cko] on the whole worry-about-the-future thing
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Post by cko on Mar 12, 2010 1:40:13 GMT -5
Oh darn, Kali! Okay, try either:
1) Download Java.
2) Try a different browser. Sometimes Firefox works when Explorer doesn't, or Safari if you have Mac. I've been thru phases where one will work and the other won't. Good luck! We'd love to see you in Chat! Keep trying!
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Post by Kwyjibo on Mar 21, 2010 0:55:18 GMT -5
Well, I guess I missed everyone today.  Hope you're all alright. |
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Post by cko on Mar 21, 2010 13:05:00 GMT -5
Kwy! Yeah, it was an early Saturday night for me, I ate too much of our family-made tapas extravaganza img263.yfrog.com/i/r1bx.jpg/ and went to sleep around 10 pm. Blue's offline while her laptop gets maybe fixed, kathy was hard at work on her fic, and akt's on a new work schedule, and perhaps evilalex otherwise occupied.  But someone is usually on most nights; last night was a bit of an exception. Catch us next time! |
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Post by evilalex on Mar 26, 2010 6:53:22 GMT -5
... and perhaps evilalex otherwise occupied. ...  |
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Post by Blue Sunflower on Mar 28, 2010 18:14:38 GMT -5
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Post by beatrixkiddoe on Mar 31, 2010 14:35:57 GMT -5
I went to the Toronto ComicCon on Saturday and I met Kandyse McClure. She was super nice and we had a little chat about Reaper. Also, and I should note that I say this as a heterosexual female, she is shockingly pretty in real life. Like "one of the most attractive people I've ever met in my life" pretty.
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Post by cko on Apr 1, 2010 22:06:38 GMT -5
Cool, beatrix! I'd love to meet Kandyse. What did she say about Reaper? Does she have any new projects?
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Post by beatrixkiddoe on Apr 2, 2010 8:53:34 GMT -5
cko, Kandyse said that she loved doing Reaper, that it was really fun for her to be on a funny show. She also told me that she was disappointed that she didn't get to come back for S2 and then we spoke about how Cassidy just kind of disappeared. That still kind of bothers me, I really liked Cassidy and Ben's throwaway line about her ditching him when he was in jail never really sat right with me. I'm not sure about future projects, I totally spaced and forgot to ask her.
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Post by Blue Sunflower on Apr 4, 2010 19:50:14 GMT -5
Also, and I should note that I say this as a heterosexual female, she is shockingly pretty in real life. Like "one of the most attractive people I've ever met in my life" pretty. Heh. Thanks for the update! Nice to see you again, beatrix. |
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Post by beatrixkiddoe on Apr 5, 2010 13:23:42 GMT -5
Nice to see you too, Blue! |
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Post by evilalex on Apr 15, 2010 14:07:24 GMT -5
you guys have probably heard about European air traffic,
just now it was the first time in my life i haven't seen an single airplane or those lines created by an airplane in the sky.
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Post by aktarian on Apr 15, 2010 14:40:06 GMT -5
you guys have probably heard about European air traffic, just now it was the first time in my life i haven't seen an single airplane or those lines created by an airplane in the sky. Too bad this didn't happen in western Russia last week....... |
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Post by cko on Apr 15, 2010 22:09:49 GMT -5
Yeah, alex, it must suck to be trying to travel in Europe right now, but the peace and quiet must be rather nice...
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Post by aktarian on Apr 16, 2010 11:21:06 GMT -5
Yeah, alex, it must suck to be trying to travel in Europe right now, but the peace and quiet must be rather nice... actually sucking is the reason for this whole mess 8as in fear of particles being sucked into jet engines) |
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Post by Blue Sunflower on Apr 16, 2010 22:28:43 GMT -5
you guys have probably heard about European air traffic, just now it was the first time in my life i haven't seen an single airplane or those lines created by an airplane in the sky. Hey you! I showed your video to the class the other day! The kids really enjoyed it. You should have seen their reactions to your lane markings. |
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