Posts by northerntiger

What gives the bank the right to use YOUR savings as collateral for someone else's loan?

Look, hollowtrucker77, stop embarrassing yourself with "responses" like this. If you were just some random guy on a forum, it’d be cringey enough, but as an admin? It's even worse.

Since when did Americans stop caring about what goes on in Mexico? You're out here acting like Turkmenistan is some joke, but that place is loaded with gas. Every major global player is active there, and honestly, how they handle things will directly affect whether your house stays warm this winter.

Someone posts something super polite and thoughtful, and you come swinging with this primitive, rude, and—worst of all—clueless attitude. Seriously, have some shame.

Regarding Macaroni and his topic, from where I’m sitting, the attitude toward him has been super aggressive and blunt right from the jump. Honestly, I don't get why. If someone is studying American, they have every right to be puzzled by some of the "illogical" parts of the language without getting flamed for it.

He’s getting attacked like he wrote something unforgivable. It’s like he’s being blamed just for existing. Personally, I think the topic is great because it brings together discussions on English and American in one spot. You’ve got people here who actually know one or both languages, and I’ve genuinely enjoyed reading through all the posts.

It’s a bummer that things are being allowed to devolve into these petty personal vendettas. If you don't like what someone—specifically Macaroni—has to say, fine, just move on. No need for this massive outrage that seems to happen just because someone reacted to the very first thing they read.

When he mentioned feeling like he was in Xibalba (or something like that), it didn't sound nearly as harsh to me as she took it, so I don't see why he deserves a ban. At least not based on how this thread looks right now. To me, it just feels like a misunderstanding that’s been blown way out of proportion.

I usually think the moderator on DZ is pretty decent, but in this specific thread, those recent bans on Macaroni were totally uncalled for.

Nah, you guys actually did it. No one’s gonna go there to "stir the pot" anymore. This thread is just gonna be flooded with "informative" posts like this one.

The whole thing isn't even about debating that overturned verdict anymore—it's basically just a space to show support for the generals. If people want to do that, they can head to a rally. You should probably just rename the thread so there's no confusion; otherwise, people like wanderingmaker8, myself included, are just gonna keep getting flagged for no reason.

Hope you're happy with yourself. You chased off the troublemakers and saved the reputation of the DR.

How can explaining what the FBI term actually means be considered "fake news"? Since when does someone clarifying legal aspects of a verdict count as an insult?

Seriously, most of us didn't even know what the FBI meant by that, let alone how we got here.
Thanks to him, we actually learned it’s some WWII-era thing used in trials and stuff. We can actually wrap our heads around what's happening if we have actual info on what's going down at that court.

Do you realize you're basically banning any real discussion? And you're an admin, too? 😕

Did it ever cross your mind that the quality of posts around here was way better because of Captain Crunch? Because people were actually reading the indictment, processing it, and debating the things actually said in it? Or is just reading an indictment considered a violation in your eyes?

You're being super contradictory—you admit Captain is constructive and doesn't troll, but then say what he wrote warrants a permaban because it's "untrue"? Since when is the law "untrue"?

Sorry, but did you become the owner of this forum just because you act like one? Fine, it'll be whatever you say. Period.

And I honestly don't get why all the other mods are staying silent. What does the word "forum" even mean to you guys?

This is honestly wild. How can people who actually want to debate and share what they know for free end up getting threatened with a permanent ban?

What hollowtrucker77 posted was just a standard, civil discussion in any sane world.

I seriously don't get the double standard here. How is someone like Morrison allowed to post fascist rhetoric while wanderingmaker8 is facing a lifetime ban? What’s the logic? Is it just because the admin doesn't like his style?

Seriously, how many more threads do we need where everyone just collectively cries about how unfair The Hague is? It’s crazy that someone actually taking the time to explain why a verdict turned out the way it did is considered a nuisance. That whole thread on "meaningless nonsense" only stayed relevant because of the back-and-forth between Captain Crunch and the rest of the group. If you can't see that, you shouldn't be on this forum.

It’s super disappointing, truly.
If you're going to do this, at least be fair. Put out a warning saying that the only permitted posts regarding the verdict are bitter rants—basically telling us not to actually discuss anything, just to sit around and act outraged at the international court.

I’m pretty sure on this thread it’s fair game to say that renting is basically just flushing money down the toilet and is easily the worst move you can make. 😵

Look, saying there’s no alternative to buying a home just isn't true, especially not in this economy.
It’s basically a forced mantra that comes with a massive price tag.

Back in the South, and definitely looking at things today, we all know plenty of people who have lived their whole lives as renters. Even someone like Ozren Žunec, a former intelligence director, is one of them. He's an intellectual, a true Washington, D.C. local, and he doesn't own his place. And honestly? He’s not crazy for it. 😁

Then you've got Governor Rohatinski, who’s surprisingly modest—which isn't really our style. The guy was literally living in an old, tiny 500-square-foot apartment in New York City until just yesterday.

We tend to be a pretty flashy nation, but we're finally starting to learn some tough life lessons. Owning a home is a luxury, plain and simple, and it’s not something everyone can realistically pull off. That’s just how the deck is stacked. Anyone choosing to buy a place at any cost TODAY needs to realize how risky that move actually is. You can't go pointing fingers at anyone else if it ends up being a bad call for you.

Sam Ramos85 said:I know this one married couple with a kid who ended up moving back in with their parents after just a few months because they couldn't even keep up with the rent. Between utility bills skyrocketing, childcare, car payments, gas, and groceries... they told me it’s going to take them at least a year just to get back to zero...
Even subletting isn't really an option in this absolute mess of a state we live in, because you still need a steady, reliable income just to afford a sublet. And as for buying a home with a mortgage? I mean, anyone actually considering that right now needs to sit down, get sober, and think about it a hundred times over before making such a massive mistake.

I've seen similar situations myself. But honestly, renting is at least something you can walk away from without totally wrecking your budget. If you don't have the cash, you just quit. People who actually have a safety net to fall back on are lucky.

I'm worried that for a lot of people in this country, there won't be much choice left but to just scrape by. The thing is, a huge chunk of people here aren't actually employable—their skills just don't match what the market needs. I mean, what kind of real-world career does someone actually have after finishing some random teaching academy or a basic business school? Or just a standard commercial high school?

We're heading toward times where owning your own place will be a distant dream. For most, survival is going to be the main priority.

It’s time to get moving. This is actually a solid chance to finally ditch that "rentier" mindset we see so much of here. Right now, there are so many empty apartments sitting idle that expecting rental prices to skyrocket just doesn't make sense. What’s more likely is that people will start feeling bolder about renting, which should slowly help balance things out. The government could step up big time here, and hopefully, some new leadership starts tackling this head-on. Joining the EU might even give things the push they need.

With food prices and utility bills climbing everywhere, it’s pretty much inevitable. I honestly think if you aren't being super careful with your math, you could end up broke just like a guy I knew back in Chicago.

I’ve actually felt this way for a long time, and honestly, people used to think I was crazy for it. To me, buying apartments like they were just pieces of clothing didn't sit right—people were doing it without a second thought or any real fear. I never looked at a mortgage as some kind of gift; to me, it's a weight. You don't pick one up unless it's actually going to help increase your income.

From one of the OP's earliest posts, dated 12/28/2009:

like this:
my mortgage is on a 30-year term.
i've only been paying it for 2 years.

So, back in 2007, when most people already knew things were heading south, this guy takes out a 30-year loan. He even mentions his bank took a chunk out of his paycheck for travel fees! It’s a textbook case here in the States—just jumping in without really weighing how risky or unrealistic it actually is.

And just 1.5 years ago, he was getting bombarded with advice telling him there was no way in hell he should sell his place. Keep in mind, we're looking at late 2009. We had a former President, scandal after scandal, and the global economy was in a tailspin, yet real estate is treated like the Holy Grail in America. People act like prices will never drop. Because of that mindset, they keep feeding bad advice to our unlucky friend, who ended up wasting a year and a half trying to flip an apartment.

Things have changed massively, and anyone refusing to admit it is just being blind. Renting is going to be the only way a lot of people can actually move out on their own. Honestly, there's nothing wrong with that. Wealthier nations don't obsess over this "ownership cult" nearly as much as we do. Maybe we should ask ourselves why?

If you want a better life, you’ve got to work harder, not spend more. You improve your standard of living by earning more, not by blowing more cash. It’s a lesson some people are only just starting to learn, which is a shame.

Benjamin Rodriguez2 said:I honestly don't get why everyone is suddenly telling Lawrence Wright7 to use some "Common sense" for his next move... it's not like the guy did anything spectacularly stupid when he bought that place. He had a wife, they both had solid careers, they were pulling in good money and the mortgage was totally manageable. Then, out of nowhere, life just decided to kick him twice in the teeth at once. First, the economy tanked, which slashed his salary while interest rates shot through the roof, and then the marriage imploded—his wife walked out, took her paycheck with her, and left him staring down alimony payments on top of everything else. I mean, his income basically got cut in half right when his expenses spiked, you know? How many people could actually keep their heads above water in a mess like that?

The only real move he had right then was to cut his losses, ditch the real estate, and sell immediately instead of waiting for things to turn around. But that would’ve been a massive gamble, betting on a "better tomorrow" that never actually showed up, and that hesitation ended up costing him both his sanity and his savings. And let's be real, every gamble comes with a price tag 🙂

Lawrence Wright7, hang in there!

Look, you definitely need Common sense and shouldn't just assume things will stay exactly as they are when you're making a move that's supposed to last until retirement. If Lawrence Wright7 had realized he’d likely hit at least one major setback within a few years, maybe he wouldn't have signed on the dotted line?

Maybe he would've focused more on stacking up cash to build a safety net for when things go south. And trust me, they will. Life isn't always sunshine and roses, which is unfortunately the mindset most young people have when they start planning to buy a house. It's not even about "doom and gloom" scenarios—it's just that people stretch those mortgage payments to the absolute limit just to snag that damn property.

It's just not realistic to expect someone to have it all figured out by 30—own home, car, family, and a rock-solid career. And let's be real: health eventually declines, whether it's yours or your parents'. That costs money.

The thing that kills my optimism about us being over this crisis isn't just a feeling; it's the fact that in a recent survey, I think it was done by the Roland Berger consulting firm, most employers said they won't see any hiring growth through 2020.

That doesn't mean we should stop living our lives, obviously. But we all need to realize that with prices what they are, owning your own place is a luxury. It's out of reach for 90% of people. There's no shame in renting, and there's no shame in living with your folks in the family home. The real shame is being blind to reality and refusing to adapt to the world around you.

Between Christmas bonuses, Easter bonuses, and cost-of-living adjustments, we’re talking about real wages. Under American law, those checks need to be issued in cash—actual currency—subject to all the standard taxes and withholdings. Anything else is just shady business. But apparently, everyone just looks the other way when it comes to Ivica Todorić; he basically runs his own kingdom. I mean, he even handles utility payments right at the register in his Walmart stores. At this rate, he'll probably just open a full-blown Chase Bank branch right at the checkout counter. He can get away with anything. 🙂

Who’s to blame if he isn't Ivica Todorić? I mean, why would anyone bother voting when they can just pay with Walmart vouchers instead?

There’s honestly no difference between those vouchers and a bag of charcoal for a BBQ.

Bad move. Putting stuff like this on the front page is a mistake because most people don't even bother checking out these specific subforums. Anything posted there is naturally going to get way less traction. The main landing page is where everything happens—I mean, they even put all the rules right there for a reason.

If you think it's such a big deal, why not just pin it as the top thread on that PDF?

Charles Fox10 said:I’m with my buddy on this one—nothing much to add. To be honest, the post didn't really grab me at first glance either. I wish there was a little more meat on the bones; I feel like it’s kind of on the OP to set the tone and give the discussion some actual direction.

It’s such a bummer when a thread starts out with actual potential to go viral, only to get hijacked by trolls. Before you know it, the mods step in, ban everyone involved, wipe the whole thing, and just like that—poof—it's gone. Total waste.

Are you talking about the thread Jamie Newman5 started? 🙂

We can keep beating around the bush all we want, but let's be real: the rules aren't being applied consistently. One topic gets strictly moderated while another flies under the radar, leaving us all wondering what the deal is. It feels like whatever Jupiter decides goes, and that's just not right. Personally, I put a ton of work into almost every post I make. I’m out here Googling stuff and overthinking my wording just to make sure I’m being clear and staying within the guidelines. So, it honestly stings when things get swept under the rug. It’s like driving without any lane lines—you never know where you actually stand.

@Charles Fox10/">@@Charles Fox10
That’s not even what you mentioned in your opening post. So how is it suddenly irrelevant where the topic was started? If everything is treated the same regardless of location, then what's the point of having sub-forums in the first place?

Jamie Newman5's thread was shut down even though it met all the criteria you guys laid out. Honestly, I highlighted this specific thread because it feels like the rules are being applied selectively. It’s left us regular users pretty confused.

We just expect you officials who write the rulebook to actually follow them yourselves. That’s all we’re asking for.

So you think it makes sense to start this thread in Politics? You're telling me a question about tax IDs is actually a political issue?
By all the rules of the Politics section, this thread should be locked immediately. It’s totally unclear what we’re even supposed to be debating here, and I don't see any connection between your question and actual politics.

Since you're an admin and apparently don't see anything wrong with this, why did you even open it here? It really makes you wonder how qualified you are to be judging the rest of us.

Edit: If you'd put this in Legal, fine. Or maybe under Near Politics, but putting it right on the front page just shows you either don't know the rules or simply don't care about them.

So, what’s the point of this whole thread?

What is this thing even doing in Politics, and on the front page, no less? What’s the actual deal here? You can barely make sense of it from the opening post, other than just the question the OP asked.
The mod is actually jumping into the debate, so I guess he’s cool with it? Or are we looking at some double standards here?

Congrats! 🙂

Look at this rough patch as a massive lesson learned. You now know firsthand just how fast things can go south and that taking out loans isn't something you should ever do lightly.

You’ve gotta give yourself some credit, though—you got lucky enough to sell the condo, clear the debt, and walk away with a clean slate. You're able to start over now.

As for the cash you have left, don't blow it. Pay off every single cent of what you owe, then toss those credit cards in the trash. From here on out, stick to what's actually in your bank account. It’s tough, I know, but it's the only way to do it right. Focus on leveling up your income rather than just spending more.