Random Thoughts

[BuffaloWilder]

So Che gets a pass because everybody else did it too? How does thst make sense?

Not at all. But people often act as if this, as well as the executions and tribunals within the revolutionary movement for treason and desertion, was something unique to him and the Cuban Revolution that somehow made it more illicit and immoral than any other, and him as some kind of blood thirsty war-monger - when, it's actually a pretty traditional practice. He was caught up in the dichotomy that affects all revolutionary heroes and figures, who do terrible things for what they see as the greater good.

Washington may not have authorized mass executions, but there were many individual executions for desertion, treason, sedition and other reasons, both immediately after and all throughout the Revolutionary War, the same justifications used by the 26th of July Movement.

A more similar example would be the French Revolution and their use of the guillotine, which was even more public.

[Sycophant]

Okay, correct me if I'm wrong, because I know that I'm sometimes Ms. Sensitive. But surely there's a polite and a less-polite way to mention that someone has been losing weight? Because some of the comments I've been getting have crossed from rude into downright unfathomable.

It strikes me as really intrusive and creepy.

Mind if I ask what's the "less-polite" way you've encountered? I've only had it very nicely when I'm in a period of weight loss (which, ahem, I'm not right now). People generally say things like "Oh, hey, you look like you've lost weight. It looks good." Doesn't get much weirder/less polite than that, in my experience.

I don't doubt that it's possible to be less polite about it, I just can't think of how right now.

[Sven]

But people often act as if...

Pardon me for being rudely blunt, but I think this may be a case of constrained experience. Most of the context in which I've engaged with history covering revolutions has addressed the subsequent (and inevitable) razing of human lives. Who are the people you refer to? Friends? Maybe it's just that Cuba is simply more current...? It seems that news coverage of contemporary revolutions is riddled with footage of killings and rumors of assassinations.

[Yxklyx]

Am I wrong in thinking there wasn't a mass execution of British leaders after America secured its independence? And even if I'm wrong in thinking that or that's a special circumstance that doesn't qualify, one's opposition to Che's mass execution of the old guard doesn't mean that people endorse mass executions carried out in other revolutions. No one I've spoken to gets too happy when talking about the guillotine extravaganza of the French Revolution or what went down when Russia's rulers were deposed. So criticizing Che doesn't imply, in my experience, ignorance or tacit approval of the executions usually found in successful revolutionary movements.

I don't like the saying "first up against the wall when the revolution comes." I don't like it when people get murdered! Not even greedy or corrupt people! I have no idea how that supports your argument!

People are probably more down on Che because people tend to be more down with Che. He gets talked about and praised a lot, so he gets countered a lot.

Just because it's not "anything new or unexpected" doesn't mean it's something I have to embrace or accept with a mind uncritical of the place that thing comes from.

I mean, I take it you're reacting to someone in particular who isn't here in a conversation/argument we aren't privy to, and I don't know what particularly such person said or believes. But I'm not convinced people are "completely ignoring" what you say they're ignoring.

Please note that these areas of history aren't really my strong suit.

What happened in 1776 should not really be called a Revolution. I think the Brits call it more properly the American War of Independence - not American Revolution. Nothing changed in England. There's a big difference between a Secession (like that happened in 1776) and a Revolution, so I don't think it's fair to compare the two that much.

[Yxklyx]

People are executed in Revolutions because there's no where else for them to go. In 1776, if you were loyal to England you just stayed loyal to England.

[Qrazy]

Pardon me for being rudely blunt, but I think this may be a case of constrained experience. Most of the context in which I've engaged with history covering revolutions has addressed the subsequent (and inevitable) razing of human lives. Who are the people you refer to? Friends? Maybe it's just that Cuba is simply more current...? It seems that news coverage of contemporary revolutions is riddled with footage of killings and rumors of assassinations.

I believe he's saying essentially why doesn't everyone think Che is a great guy, this mass execution thing isn't a good enough reason to be critical of him.

There was a very good thread on Rotten Tomatoes about this way back when exposing many of Che's flaws (beyond just deposing the former regime) but I don't remember where it is now nor many of the arguments therein.

[Sycophant]

What happened in 1776 should not really be called a Revolution. I think the Brits call it more properly the American War of Independence - not American Revolution. Nothing changed in England. There's a big difference between a Secession (like that happened in 1776) and a Revolution, so I don't think it's fair to compare the two that much.

A very good point.

[Ezee E]

Mind if I ask what's the "less-polite" way you've encountered? I've only had it very nicely when I'm in a period of weight loss (which, ahem, I'm not right now). People generally say things like "Oh, hey, you look like you've lost weight. It looks good." Doesn't get much weirder/less polite than that, in my experience.

I don't doubt that it's possible to be less polite about it, I just can't think of how right now.

Yeah. Or even ignoring the weight factor and simply saying, "You look good," can imply that you've lost weight. But acknowledging it should already be a compliment.

[Mara]

Mind if I ask what's the "less-polite" way you've encountered? I've only had it very nicely when I'm in a period of weight loss (which, ahem, I'm not right now). People generally say things like "Oh, hey, you look like you've lost weight. It looks good." Doesn't get much weirder/less polite than that, in my experience.

I don't doubt that it's possible to be less polite about it, I just can't think of how right now.

I consider it a little intrusive being interrogated on my lifestyle (what I'm eating and doing.)

I consider it really egregious when people asking me point-blank how much weight I've lost (sometimes repeatedly and with greater insistence when I refuse to tell them.) Also comments on where on my body I've lost (or need to lose) and any and all touching.

The only people I consider genuinely polite are the people who say things like your example, or better yet, "You're looking nice" or "healthy."

[Mara]

Yeah. Or even ignoring the weight factor and simply saying, "You look good," can imply that you've lost weight. But acknowledging it should already be a compliment.

This, exactly.

[Melville]

A more similar example would be the French Revolution and their use of the guillotine, which was even more public.

Are you saying people give this a pass? As Sven said, who are these people? It wasn't called The Terror for nothing. The French Revolutionaries perpetrated astoundingly awful atrocities. And I'm pretty sure Robespierre has a commensurately worse reputation than Che Guevara. Nobody bothers to point out his mass executions because nobody wears his picture on a t-shirt.

If you were pointing to the French revolution as a counter to your own point, ignore me.

[Dukefrukem]

Worst Company in America? It's either gotta be EA, Walmart or Comcast right? I'm not sure why Target is on there...

http://consumerist.com/2012/03/the-8...ite-bunch.html

[ledfloyd]

ticketmaster is pretty awful. i don't see anything wrong with facebook. i've known a couple people who have worked for EA and have only heard horror stories.

[Lucky]

Glad to see Delta, Comcast, and Chase on there. Those are the only three I've had personal frustrations with.

[Spinal]

Ticketmaster has to win it all, right?

[Spinal]

Also, what do people not like about EA?

[Ezee E]

Is this customer dissatisfaction or employee dissatisfaction?

Ticketmaster takes it for customer dissatisfaction. Yeesh.

[Sycophant]

It's Consumerist.com dissatisfaction. Which is a special beast.

[D_Davis]

Also, what do people not like about EA?

Old EA had terrible employee relations and conditions (google EA Spouse), and gamers like to complain about them for some many reasons including the popularity of things like Madden and the annualization of the sports franchises. They also pulled some dick moves back with Sega and the Dreamcast.

However, this generation they've really made an effort to change, and I think they've really come around to being one of the better big publishers, especially with their EA Partners initiative. They've released some amazing games. It's funny because one of the complaints about them was that they relied on sequels too much, but then they tried new things with Mirror's Edge and Dead Space, and both of those games struggled at retail.

With gamers, it's a damned if you do, damned if you don't thing. There probably isn't a bigger group with more of a sense of entitlement. Gamers often think that just because they're buying and playing the games that they have some kind of special connection with the creative and business side, when they don't.

[D_Davis]

Also, many gamers today think that it was EA that ruined Bioware, and they take that very personally. In reality, it was Bioware that ruined Bioware.

[Derek]

B of A vs. Ticketmaster is a brutal match-up of shit-on-customer perfection. The winner of that will be too worn out to handle Wal-Mart, who will go the distance.

[D_Davis]

I'd rather shop at Wal*Mart every day for a week than use Ticketmaster once.

[Winston*]

Is it sad that the key criteria for "worst company" is poor customer service rather than exploiting third world labour or polluting the environment?

[Spinal]

I'd rather shop at Wal*Mart every day for a week than use Ticketmaster once.

This is why I think TM will win. People will think, well, at least I can get cheap stuff at Wal-Mart. With Ticketmaster, all you think about is that extra $10 per ticket.

[D_Davis]

This is why I think TM will win. People will think, well, at least I can get cheap stuff at Wal-Mart. With Ticketmaster, all you think about is that extra $10 per ticket.

And charging me $2.50 to print my own tx at home. And having terrible customer service all around.