Posts by Keith Miller30

Morgan Williams said:I'm back. Finally. 🙂

I am. ☕

EDIT:

Look, I draw a line between personal beliefs and what happened here. It’s one thing to have an opinion, but it’s another entirely to celebrate a genocidal regime at a concert, toast to the slaughter of innocent people, or start a song with a salute from a totalitarian era. That specific slogan wasn't even the official greeting of the modern United States. European nations have already made their stance on this crystal clear.

Take someone like a political commentator criticizing certain views—there's a massive difference between holding a debate and the blatant extremism I just described.

I was actually referring more to the core convictions held by Walter Grant5, because I believe those fundamental beliefs are what shape a person's stances on broader issues like religion, patriotism, or even our views on veterans and national service. My point wasn't limited strictly to just the local political figures or specific leadership controversies. As for how he celebrates or the way he kicks off his concerts—well, I've never actually attended a Metallica show myself, so that whole aspect of his persona remains a bit of a mystery to me. ☕

brightpilot6 said:Well, look at how many people are absolutely captivated by certain political leaders and how those views drive them.

It isn't merely about mindless imitation of an opinion; rather, it’s more about the deliberate push toward elements that trigger a regression in the collective psyche. Think back to the heightened tensions we saw during our own historical conflicts.

What else would explain the sudden obsession with military uniforms, wartime rhetoric, or those intense, divisive clashes we experienced on the streets of D.C.?

I suspect we are looking at a small minority here—those individuals who have become somewhat obsessed with the Pope's specific stances. To be honest, I look at my own perspective and realize there isn't some papal figure who is going to dictate how I think, especially since even the current leadership hasn't exactly resonated with me. When I observe those folks over on Wall Street, I see people who seem genuinely broken, perhaps struggling with mental health issues or just deep-seated frustration. If you add the fact that maybe George thought he was a much bigger player in society than he actually is, you end up with the exact situation we’re seeing now. We have to acknowledge that we didn't experience combat; we didn't endure what they went through, and we simply cannot grasp what it means to live when a comrade is killed by shrapnel or when you lose a limb. For that reason, and because they were the ones defending our country, I can't hold their choice of uniform or their "both sides" rhetoric against them. In my view, these people aren't really so easily swayed that anyone can just force their opinions upon them.

James Anderson5 said:How does it not matter who was whose mistress? Haven't you noticed that yesterday's secretary just became the CEO of a massive municipal corporation in Chicago?? Or look at who was handling procurement for those big city agencies before the current leadership took over...

There's a difference between someone earning media attention through their credentials and someone being forced upon us as a media figure. Look at guys like Siniša Cmrk, who vanished from the news after one huge blunder, versus that guy from the news who became even more politically desirable and popular right after getting caught dealing drugs. Using criteria like that is just toxic for any society...

Is Raspudić ideologically unappealing to me? Well, that depends on what you think his ideology should be—should he represent a truly neutral center-right view, or the party line of the GOP? And which of those two rhetorics do you think he actually uses?

Yeah, the administration is largely like that, and it's because those were the standards set back during the Bush era, when half the cabinet barely spoke English and the Secretary of Homeland Security only had a high school diploma. The current crowd has continued that pattern, maybe slightly less extreme since they at least have a professional for Treasury, whereas under the old guard, things were a lot messier...

Regarding Kolaricka, my intention was simply to say that it hardly matters, as I have no way of knowing whether she was involved with anyone or not.

As for Bujanec, why on earth do you assume he has become more politically desirable? It’s much like my previous point; I think we all tend to assign far too much importance to certain individuals. Who exactly finds him politically attractive? Even if there were such a person, it would surely be a fleeting interest, because anyone who has sat through a single episode of Bujanec's show knows exactly what kind of intellectual capacity we are dealing with. Is there really anyone in this country whose views are shaped by him, or who considers him a politically acceptable figure? I suspect what we see on real life news or here on these forums is often just people clashing due to personal dislikes rather than actual political substance.

When it comes to Raspudić, he really ought to simply represent the ideology he believes in; if you enjoy his perspective, then read him, and if you don't, then don't. We could probably debate the merits of Raspudić for another three days and still never reach an agreement.

And regarding that final point about Sanders—yes, he was the one who established those standards, but we can't keep using him as a universal excuse for everything. It reminds me of how Biden reacts to every critique by just shouting "Republicans, Republicans, Republicans!" Yes, the GOP messed up, Sanders messed up, and now he's where he belongs—I was driving home earlier and heard on the radio that he's facing heart issues and likely some form of dementia. At some point, one has to take responsibility and move forward. They knew they weren't taking over Switzerland or Sweden, so why bother with things like Plan 21 or similar grand schemes?

Walter Grant5 said:It’s not about personal beliefs. It’s about pushing that whole warrior mentality twenty years too late. Digging up history when you shouldn't, dragging everyone's headspace back into all that negative crap, keeping the war complex alive. Shouldn't winning a war actually feel like a win? Like some kind of closure? Instead, it's just sitting there like bad takeout in your stomach. How does that help anyone? It's a total paradox.

I think you might be placing a bit too much weight on these things. And let's be honest, it absolutely comes down to personal belief—though I'm not sure where you're from, I'll just assume you're somewhere like Chicago ☕—so let's not kid ourselves. What do you mean by "reviving history" or dragging people back to that era? This guy is a singer, plain and simple; he isn't some messianic leader followed by millions. He’s a musician. I listen to his tracks just like I'd listen to Foo Fighters, even though Dave Grohl holds completely different views, and that's the end of the story. One artist has great songs, another has great songs, and that's that. I don't quite grasp this notion that people are losing their minds over celebrity opinions or being led astray by them. Some people don't like it when a certain commentator speaks their mind, others dislike it when a specific politician shares a view, and some object to what a rock star or a folk singer has to say. But if you can't stand someone's perspective, why not just turn off the radio and move on? They are perfectly free to express themselves as they please.

Ultimately, everything traces back to individual beliefs, whether we care to admit it subconsciously or not. ☕

OK.

Matthew Young35 said:But then again, in what context should it be taken?

Well, I suppose it’s just meant as trolling or perhaps a bit of light provocation. Personally, I refuse to form an opinion about anyone based solely on their internet posts. After all, we might be insulting one another online today, only to find ourselves grabbing a coffee together tomorrow, wouldn't you agree?☕

James Anderson5 said:The main point was really this: who on earth are Raspudić and Kolaric?? Kolaric got all that PR during the Račan administration, and everyone whispered it was just because she was his lover. Beyond that, she doesn't seem to have any credentials that justify taking up so much space in the media...

It's the same with Raspudić—what books has he actually written, or what scientific papers has he published in his field? He's just a self-proclaimed intellectual who thinks he's an expert on everything. It's just like Marić over at GOP in economics—the guy basically just drove a printing press into bankruptcy, worked as a football referee, and sat on the board of a major bank during the Protege era (where, of course, he missed all the embezzlement) only to drone on about how to run the Federal Reserve...

That's the real issue in this country. Every single person tries to act like an authority on subjects they know nothing about and have zero background in. It's one thing to do that on internet forums, but it's a disaster when that crowd is running ministries, dominating the news, and actually governing the nation...

Whether there was a romantic connection or not, I don't think those are things we should be considering here. And why shouldn't she receive media attention? If the public wants to hear from her, let them; at least the woman knows how to hold a conversation. We can't exactly act as gatekeepers for media space, can we? Because if we tried, someone would always find a reason to dislike someone else. For instance, I’m not particularly fond of Frljic—he could certainly make a living if our society weren't so divided and playing on such low instincts—but even so, why should his media presence be denied? Who, ultimately, is qualified to decide who deserves a platform?

James Anderson5 said:The main point was really this: who on earth are Raspudić and Kolaric?? Kolaric got all that PR during the Račan administration, and everyone whispered it was just because she was his lover. Beyond that, she doesn't seem to have any credentials that justify taking up so much space in the media...

It's the same with Raspudić—what books has he actually written, or what scientific papers has he published in his field? He's just a self-proclaimed intellectual who thinks he's an expert on everything. It's just like Marić over at GOP in economics—the guy basically just drove a printing press into bankruptcy, worked as a football referee, and sat on the board of a major bank during the Protege era (where, of course, he missed all the embezzlement) only to drone on about how to run the Federal Reserve...

That's the real issue in this country. Every single person tries to act like an authority on subjects they know nothing about and have zero background in. It's one thing to do that on internet forums, but it's a disaster when that crowd is running ministries, dominating the news, and actually governing the nation...

Actually, I wouldn't say he's just "self-proclaimed." To be honest, I quite enjoy his way of thinking; I'd much rather read one of his columns than some leftist columnist who tries to wrap their "hatred"—and I use quotes there to avoid being too literal—for certain values people hold dear, inside a joke or a charming writing style. Though, whether you want to admit it or not, it seems you simply don't like Raspudić for ideological reasons. If I had to find a fault, perhaps it's what GQ wrote—that he lacks a bit of flavor, lacking that edge of malice or mockery directed at the opposition. To put it another way, he is as restrained as Dragutin Lesar.

James Anderson5 said:The main point was really this: who on earth are Raspudić and Kolaric?? Kolaric got all that PR during the Račan administration, and everyone whispered it was just because she was his lover. Beyond that, she doesn't seem to have any credentials that justify taking up so much space in the media...

It's the same with Raspudić—what books has he actually written, or what scientific papers has he published in his field? He's just a self-proclaimed intellectual who thinks he's an expert on everything. It's just like Marić over at GOP in economics—the guy basically just drove a printing press into bankruptcy, worked as a football referee, and sat on the board of a major bank during the Protege era (where, of course, he missed all the embezzlement) only to drone on about how to run the Federal Reserve...

That's the real issue in this country. Every single person tries to act like an authority on subjects they know nothing about and have zero background in. It's one thing to do that on internet forums, but it's a disaster when that crowd is running ministries, dominating the news, and actually governing the nation...

Well, that’s just how the administration works. 🤷 You have people who haven't earned enough in their entire lives to buy a single bicycle, individuals who couldn't manage a small local pharmacy, those who have completely dismantled our education system, and people who spend their entire nights judging others on Facebook...

Someone voted for them, so I suppose they can go ahead and run the country if that's what they want. ☕

Casey White13 said:Alright, who’s stepping up to kick off the new league threads?

Premier League
La Liga
Serie A
Bundesliga
Ligue 1

I suppose I could take care of opening all of them myself.

Well, look, Raspudić is an academic and an intellectual, not some economic specialist. But hey, he’s my number one choice, and if you aren't feeling him, that's perfectly fine by me.

Now, Aleksandra Kolaric is quite a handful—she’s exactly what you might call a "tough old bird." I find myself disagreeing with her more often than not, yet there's something about people like her that I truly admire. She tends to tear down everything I hold dear, but she does it with such style that it doesn't actually get under my skin; in fact, she's the kind of person you'd still want to grab a coffee with. Or perhaps even more than that, though I won't dwell on it. I simply don't take it personally. 🙂

So, I wouldn't necessarily label them as media fabrications; this one could have easily sold us a dream just to protect her seat, but she didn't. As for Bernardica, I think we can find some common ground there.

James Anderson5 said:I hope Keith Miller30 isn't taking issue with Dežulović just because he isn't considered "statesmanlike" enough. Personally, I can't say I always agree with his takes, but he really is a high-quality and occasionally hilarious columnist... I also find reading Raspudić interesting, even if it's a bit tough to take someone seriously who used to be a fashion advisor for a celebrity cat

In the Jutarnji list, you'll occasionally see some great pieces from Pofuk and Kustić, but for me, Ratko Bošković is still the standout among them all

Why would it be difficult to take someone seriously who was an advisor to that fashion guy? That was actually discussed on NU2 when Raspudić mentioned that people were criticizing him for helping the fellow write his book. In my view, that is simply a credit to Raspudić—that he didn't let prejudice get in the way and helped a man who is likely 100% ideologically different from him. Raspudić is by far the smartest columnist out there.

It really has nothing to do with whether someone is "state-building" enough. Just look at the hosts; on one hand, you have Bujanac, and on the other, you have Stankovic. Strictly speaking, Bujanac should be closer to me ideologically, so it makes no sense for me to say he's anything but a nuisance compared to Stankovic. Keep in mind that I don't worship Stankovic either, but when you compare them, you have this little guy who runs his show so unprofessionally it’s almost abnormal, whereas on the other side, you have Stankovic, who is well-trained, eloquent, knows how to manipulate quite well, and knows how to draw parallels that make no sense just to prove a point—and I actually respect that tremendously.

I actually find Bujanac somewhat charming in a way; seeing him, that small, stout man with his Ostoja Rankovic, constantly attributing quotes to guests... when I hear those absurd claims—like yesterday, when he claimed he knows from reliable sources that Milanović said only the poor and uneducated went to war. It is so comical that you almost have to find it endearing, even considering he doesn't realize the GOP will probably abandon him after the elections because someone like him would only end up hurting the Pope, or rather, the political party itself.

Alright, we have drifted toward talking about hosts now, but the core point remains. You can see that it doesn't matter to me who is considered sufficiently patriotic or "state-building." ☕

brightpilot6 said:Find me an American sports journalist who wrote something close to this using just these few links from this site, and I'll be all ears.

No, really, the only thing that truly matters here is Dežulović. Is there anything more tiresome than the endless drone of those self-righteous communists?And, by extension, everything they touch seems to turn to ash, doesn't it? It’s as if their very presence guarantees that nothing will work quite right.

Good grief.

Did I ever actually claim that he was a communist or suggest that everything he does is inherently flawed? Take Tomić, for instance; when I speak about him as an individual, I truly mean the absolute worst, so I have no issue pointing out that he occasionally writes things that are frankly bottom-tier. That being said, I did go so far as to purchase his books.

Anyway, I haven't really sat down to read through all that stuff about ZZ; I tend to focus my attention more on the political side of things.

As Robin Fox2 says, I suppose they'll eventually find some publication willing to host their writing. 🤷 Everyone is just waiting around, seemingly lost without various figures like "Dežulović" to guide them. 🤣

Larry Fox5 said:You're a weird one. 🤔

I can't even remember the last time I picked up an American newspaper—but if anything stuck in my head, it was those killer pieces by Dežulović and Raspudić.

Well, honestly, I find it strange that anyone could think Dežulović is okay. At least we can agree on Raspudić, right? 🙂

Of course, when I say "strange," I don't mean it in a malicious or negative way. ☕

Avoiding Dežulović is a brilliant tactical move. 👍 Much like the various antics involving Butkovica, Tomica, and their ilk. 👍

I also notice that Karamarko is throwing around threats of liquidation—likely aimed at forum members, which explains why they know firsthand—so this is just his standard operating procedure. 🤣

It’s just Raspudić. 👍 And Index, though that seems to be more of a habit for them.

Peter Thompson4 said:Quote

And some people here are out here rooting for guys jacked up on hormones, but let's not get off track.

What even is this?

You’d have to ask the VB16 crew about that, but I’m pretty damn sure my diet is way more balanced than yours, yeah? And I guarantee I eat way more veggies.
It’s honestly hilarious that you actually feel the need to defend yourself by saying you eat vegetables.🤦

That was truly a top-tier moment. 🤣 😁

I was quite satisfied with the Game of Thrones finale. ☕

James Anderson5 said:By the way, Keith Miller30, I think Silicon Valley is absolutely fantastic—I’ve watched everything and can't wait to download the season finale tomorrow... 👍 based on your recommendation

Aha, I had a feeling anyone who gave it a shot would be completely hooked. 👍

By the way, who is this skinny lady you're referring to?

Patrick Martin said:So this mosquito flies up to some absolute loser and asks him:

- Who do you root for?!

- Real Madrid!

- Me too!

- BFFs!

- Yeeeeeees!

And that’s how they lived happily ever after, just chilling together, looking out for one another until the very end...

So, man, are you actually trying to say that a mosquito and a cockroach both root for Real Sociedad?

neonheron202 said:What absolute pests... I ended up with ten bites in just half an hour...

Not bad, though; I only managed to get bitten by two or three mosquitoes in the last thirty minutes.

James Anderson5 said:Are you on something? I didn't even mention steroids. It looks like the hormones from all that meat are already hitting you—you're making typos and struggling to even read the screen...

Actually, now I'm curious about something else, purely for scientific reasons—how many of you in VB16 follow a diet mostly consisting of imported meat? Maybe we can find the common thread connecting you all...

Just give him some steak.
😂

Zachary Nguyen2 said:I can't live without meat. I eat it because it tastes great, and nothing green can ever compete with that flavor.

Out of habit, I still eat meat, though it’s fairly rare for me—maybe once a week at most. To be honest, I just find other foods more enjoyable. It’s a bit frustrating when vegetarians start lecturing me about how much an animal suffered or similar sentiments, if you know what I mean. At the end of the day, it's all part of the cycle of life; the strong consume the weak. That is simply how the world is designed.🤷

Jason Newman said:At first aid today, someone asks, "Who's this guy on your ID?" then this Cristiano Ronaldo just kicks him out. 😂

It seems someone is trying to tell us they'll be behind the wheel very soon. ☕

Matthew Anderson4 said:I don't kill anything. I eat meat, sure, but I don't kill. Not perfect, yeah, I'm a weakling. But if a mosquito wakes me up in the middle of the night, I just move to a different room. Baby steps, man. Even if you think that's hypocritical, hey, at least I'm doing something right.

do you really think someone shouldn't give a damn about non-human life just because they're a carnivore? Like, since you had chicken for lunch, does that mean you can just squash a bug later because "whatever, I eat meat anyway"?

In theory, a mosquito could actually drive you out of your own house. You head into the living room only to find "Mirko" the mosquito waiting for you, so where do you go then?

Any real pro would just download one of those mosquito repellent apps and call it a day.

Larry Fox5 said:Exactly—why waste prison space on idiots like that? That guy belongs in a psych ward, preferably with broken limbs... just to level the playing field.

That's precisely the point. 👍People like that don't even deserve a place in civilized society, do they?

Walter Grant5 said:you gotta screw up the whole scheme. that's the only damn scheme you actually need to mess up.

Aha, honey, I’ve been waiting for you to say that. So, essentially, nothing is mandatory, except for the obligation to ignore everything labeled "mandatory," right? Whether you want to admit it or not, there is still a rule to follow there.

All jokes aside, you really should give this series a look. 👍

I just want to clarify exactly how incredible this series is—it is so good that Walter Grant5 simply MUST watch it. Seriously—he MUST.