Thread: Mans Intelligence

Originally Posted by JMS

This should have been my post to Bruno. Thank you for saying it Justin.

That's my damn reply Mark --- keep your dad blame hands off my replies or you'll eat two barrels of buckshot -- and get off my land while you're at it --- -- where's my fiddle and moonshine ?


Justin

Originally Posted by jaegerhund

That's my damn reply Mark --- keep your dad blame hands off my replies or you'll eat two barrels of buckshot -- and get off my land while you're at it --- -- where's my fiddle and moonshine ?


Justin

I resemble that remark!

20 acres... You could own that if you were Filthy Rich (Capital F and R) and then only in the less populated areas of Belgium
There are a couple of those with a castle on top
Typically, a Belgian house has about 0.25 acres of land to it. Enough to sit in the garden or play with your kids.

Anyway...

I understand Justin's post about how you feel about government. You had to get rid of one to form the country you have now.

What is now Belgium was occupied by one country or another for as long as there is recorded history.
From Wikipedia:
From the sixteenth century until the Belgian revolution in 1830, many battles between European powers were fought in the area of Belgium, causing it to be dubbed "the battlefield of Europe"[10] and "the cockpit of Europe"[11] – a reputation strengthened by both World Wars.
We had to fight to get our independence, and then we had to fight hard to get a democratic government. Now we have it and we will keep it.

The 'get along at all costs' mentality you mention was born out of necessity.
I think many Americans do not realize what it means to have wars fought on your home ground. We have 'not gotten along' for a full millenium. It didn't work.

Originally Posted by Bruno

20 acres... You could own that if you were Filthy Rich (Capital F and R) and then only in the less populated areas of Belgium
There are a couple of those with a castle on top
Typically, a Belgian house has about 0.25 acres of land to it. Enough to sit in the garden or play with your kids.

Anyway...

.

Believe it or not (I'm sure you're aware), 20 acres of land is not a big deal in Central Texas --- most people commonly own 100 acres or more -- no big deal.

But Bruno, I can understand why things are the way they are in Europe -- I don't think all countries can have the same system -- and that's fine -- whatever works best for your region.

Justin

Edit: I shouldn't say most people own 100 acres of land or more--- but many do and it's not uncommon.

I've been in TX. It is f*ing huge with relatively very few people, so there is enough land to go around I suppose.

sadly, that was in August. The heat was not too bad (nevada was hotter) but the humidity was awful.

And of course, the conference center in Austin was cooled to a chilly 15 degrees celsius, causing the europeans to wear everything they had. I saw people with 3 piece suits wearing the free t-shirts over their shirt and tie, just to keep warm

Originally Posted by Bruno

I've been in TX. It is f*ing huge with relatively very few people, so there is enough land to go around I suppose.

sadly, that was in August. The heat was not too bad (nevada was hotter) but the humidity was awful.

And of course, the conference center in Austin was cooled to a chilly 15 degrees celsius, causing the europeans to wear everything they had. I saw people with 3 piece suits wearing the free t-shirts over their shirt and tie, just to keep warm

Yeah the heat and humidity in Texas (and Louisiana,etc) can be pretty serious in the summer --- that's why us Southerners talk and move so slowly ---got to watch yourself. I know it's a cliche but humidity is the real problem --- makes you miserable and there is no retreat from it (except for air conditioned spaces) The humidity in central Texas isn't as bad and even with temperatures above 100 F , it's not that bad.

Justin

Originally Posted by Bruno

Not sure about why we would have to dominate the government.
We have a constitution that specifies the separation of powers, and the fundamental rights of all citizens.

The governent does what it is supposed to do. It is not grabbing power. It is not doing evil things. It just does its job. We decide who gets to to form a government, dring government formation a broad plan is made by the elected parties that specifies the goals for the next couple of years, and then specific seats get divided between the different parties.

Come next election, a sort of 'grading process' is applied (usually by political tv and newspaper articles) anything they failed at usually gets rubbed in their face by the opposition.

But basically, our government plays the part that it was given when the constitution was made. no more, no less. the system works.

Sounds like an enlightened and educated population.

X

Originally Posted by jaegerhund

Believe it or not (I'm sure you're aware), 20 acres of land is not a big deal in Central Texas --- most people commonly own 100 acres or more -- no big deal.

Justin

Edit: I shouldn't say most people own 100 acres of land or more--- but many do and it's not uncommon.

I visited my parents today.
The plot of land next to them is up for sale.
It is approximately 1800 to 2000 square meters, which is equivalent to 0.47 acres.
That is in the center of my hometown, which is not so much a city as an oversized village. The size of the plot is considered very large for being in or near a town.

The asking price is 200000 euros (268K$)

Originally Posted by Bruno

I visited my parents today.
The plot of land next to them is up for sale.
It is approximately 1800 to 2000 square meters, which is equivalent to 0.47 acres.
That is in the center of my hometown, which is not so much a city as an oversized village. The size of the plot is considered very large for being in or near a town.

The asking price is 200000 euros (268K$)

Ouch!! That sounds like big city California prices

I think my sister bought the 20 acres (maybe 25?) with house ---for about $100K --- the house is fairly small , (at least for Texas standards), a little less than 2000 sq. ft.

You could probably get 100 acres and a really nice house for around $500k but as you start moving into what is called the "Hills Country" (Austin, etc) the prices become a lot more expensive, ---- the Hills Country property is sought after by all types of celebs and rich folk.

If you travel in this part of Texas, you might actually think you are in Africa or some other country (continent) as ranches have all sorts of exotic animals on them. It's not uncommon to see Zebras, antelopes, ostridge, emu, etc. I think I heard or read somewhere that there are more lions (privately owned) in Texas than there are in Africa.

Justin

Originally Posted by JMS

I resemble that remark!

Justin, Mark, You two are going to break out in dueling banjos.