What about getting 5 million troops trained up to fly jet packs and then send them to Mecca to the ramadan pilgrimage dressed up as Mohamed with the jetpacks disguised as backpacks, then finally when they get to the big shrine, get them to let loose with the jetpacks and fly over all the Meccan pilgrims with machine guns at full blaze, killing every last one of them.

All tech companies borrow from each other to some extent. The legal battles are just part of the game. Samsung got iPhones banned in South Korea for an extended period of time.

Great thread, although I do not know what we can take away.

not taking into account employment rate, for example.  Or cost of living.


One of my most meaningful Employment/Long Term Consumer metrics, is the 'Labor Participation Rate, and that continues ever downward in seeming 'free fall.'

My family settled in Alabama a few years ago due to the very low cost of living, although we also live in North Florida and Georgia. All are huge steps up in our particular brand of lifestyle, from our necessary 15 years in California.

The family of that guy may disagree.
Personally, I don't. I think it's bad policy to negotiate with or give in in any way to terrorist demands.  Yes, I accept that it could and likely would cost lives of some hostages. And I am not without sympathy for them and their families. But I see no reason to be flippant about it. We need to fight terrorists and bring them to justice. And we need to make clear to them that taking hostages will not change our resolve.

Isis crisis: Algerian extremists 'behead' French hostage Hervé Gourdel over airstrikes in Iraq
A video placed online by an Algerian jihadist group linked to Isis appeared to show the beheading of Hervé Gourdel, who was kidnapped earlier this week in a mountainous region of Algeria.

French officials said they believed the video to be authentic but could not immediately confirm Mr Gourdel’s death. President François Hollande was expected to make a statement from the UN in New York tonight.

Earlier this week, Isis called for revenge killings of westerners – especially American and French citizens – after France joined the US and Arab states in air raids on jihadist forces. It was later revealed that Mr Gourdel had been seized by the Jund al-Khilafah, or Soldiers of the Caliphate, jihadist group while trekking in the Tizi Ouzou massif 110 kilometres east of Algiers.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/isis-crisis-algerian-extremists-kill-french-hostage-herv-gourdel-over-airstrikes-in-iraq-9753717.html

While checking out Reddit today, I stumbled across a breakdown of McDonald’s budget. With all the debate on raising the minimum wage, someone compared McDonalds’ sales to their labor costs. Headlining the paper full of figures, the user, MdotBooth, headlined their work:

“Okay, maybe not $15.00 an hour, but come on McDonalds.”

In the comments, the user stated he got the numbers off of the McDonald’s’ website.

    Basically, McDonald’s makes a ton of money weekly ($2 billion to $3 billion).
    Their weekly labor costs range from $326 million to $408 million at $8.00/hour.
    So that gives McDonald’s a weekly income of $2 to 3 billion a week with labor only ringing in at around $382 million. According to the math, that’s 8.9% of the weekly sales.

The poster then wrote this below which really brings it home:

“All labor expenses for the entire company are made within the first 6 hours of the work week.”



Now after asking my husband to do some math following the user’s logic, my husband came to this conclusion: if correct, the minimum wage at $12/hour would still only account for 15 percent of weekly sales. Pretty sure it won’t break the bank to raise the wages of McDonald’s employees.

http://www.liberalamerica.org/2014/09/23/shocking-breakdown-of-mcdonalds-budget-will-make-you-really-angry/

As always, US starts with good intentions and is promised support from alies, which is invariably weak or non-existant. The Arab Countries supporting the US will either play both sides or simply avoid getting into the fray because they are worried that ISIS will target them next

Yes!  But only in our dreams.  I do wish someone or some unit of people had the guts to usurp the presidency for a period of time, until the peoples can vote for someone new.  Turkey used to anyway, when things got bad with the terrorists, go under martial law and when the threat diminished, gave it over to the regular government.  It was what the people wanted.  They wanted martial law.  It would only work if the military commanders were trustworthy enough to give command back to civilians. Do you think that our military would do that?

Now as I said before I really don't care what people do, because I'm not going to be held responsible for what they do, everyone will be held responsible for what they have done... or have not done.

I guess one kind of final thought...

Coming up in the first or second resurrection gives a person hope at least, but I think a wise person would want to find out what a person would have to do or would not have to do in order to avoid the third resurrection, because that resurrection offers absolutely no hope.

It is the most brutal, it describes those that come up in that resurrection can see everything, understand everything and know that they will not have any part in it and they also see what is coming upon them... and the knowledge that they have brought it on themselves.

And universe means all things.

And the promise to Abraham with the covenant, was eternal life, even though physical Israel was promised the land, spiritual Israel was promised the universe... which Abraham looked forward to.

Which I find the whole story to be absolutely fascinating, in the end, those who obey the rules, inherit the universe, get eternal life... will be able to travel at the speed of thought... want to go look at a galaxy, you're there that fast. Want to see the core of a star, you are there, want to get inside the event horizon of a blackhole, you are there...

but it does seem that unless you are willing to obey the rules, you cannot be allowed to do this.

Because right now the Scriptures describe numerous wars occurring in the heavens because there are those who do not want to obey the rules... so in essence there is a universal star wars going on right now...

now as long as this is, I haven't even scratched the surface, I could lay out scripture after scripture after scripture putting a lot of detail into it, the who what when where how and why... and it is fascinating.

The one thing I have found out about the Scriptures, they say a lot of things people don't think they say and they don't say a lot of things people think they say...

and as I pointed out in the beginning of this, the message, the story is a sentence here and sentence there spread out throughout the Scriptures and it is not in a chronological order and it is done this way so the vast majority cannot find it.

And even to get close to finding it, you need to understand a completely different culture that is absolutely foreign to the carnal (human) way of thinking...

Mat 7:14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

And it is absolutely impossible for the carnal mind to understand.

And actually it's not a bad thing, but it is the way it is.

Now the description of when this takes place is kind of interesting, the oceans have disappeared, the mountains melt, surface of the earth melts. These people are in human form, they cannot kill themselves, but as the earth is consumed in the fire, so are they until they die, they get to watch it happening, they know what is coming, they know there is no escape.

The description is basically the same as when our star enters the red giant stage and basically destroys this planet, the oceans disappear, the surface will melt. There is debate whether or not the earth is vaporized and consumed by the sun or if we will be far enough out or move far enough out to where the planet will actually survive this, but still the effects will be the same, the surface of this planet will be melted.

2Pe 3:10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.

Now with some speculation, this one verse could take 5 billion years to complete...

Rev 21:1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.

2Pe 3:13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. (Where everybody keeps the rules)

then what?

I mean after all this is said and done, then what?

Heb 1:2 But now at last, God sent his Son to bring his message to us. God created the universe by his Son, and everything will someday belong to the Son.

Rev 21:7 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; (universe) and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.

Gal 3:29 And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.

God doesn't judge any man, but his committed the judgment to Jesus, Jesus says I did not come to judge the world and then says for judgment I came to this world...

contradiction?

To be unlearned, absolutely a contradiction... and a lot of erroneous teaching over the centuries... basically God is not judging the world at this moment, but you can do things that bring judgment.

Christ did not come to judge the world, but he did come to judge his church.

Now the resurrection of the dead, God is going to judge them, but if he's basically not kept a record, how can he judge them?

You get to do it all over again... but the circumstances have changed. There will be no Satan and you will know there is a God and angels, you will see everything.

That's easy part...

the hard part, Jesus is the example, you will be compared to him, in essence you will have to live a life as he did without sinning, keeping all the wonderful rules.

If you don't pass the judgment, you die, the second death, from which there is no resurrection. You will cease to exist and your body will be cremated in the lake of fire.

If you pass the judgment, then basically you become a spiritual being, but you can still die if you break the rules...

third resurrection...

it is the resurrection to condemnation, by something you have done in this life, you have brought judgment upon yourself and there is no hope of forgiveness, there is no mercy, you have violated one of the core rules and are deemed completely unfit.

But to understand what happens you have to study numerous subjects with the understanding of numerous other subjects to even begin to get a grasp of what happens.

John 3: 13 no one goes to heaven... only if you come from there can you go there... Genesis 2:7 and Genesis 3:19 state very plainly we come from the ground and we return to the ground...

this is the carnal... then there is the spiritual.

Unless there is a resurrection, then when we die, we are dead, cease to exist.

There are three resurrections.

First resurrection, is unto Christ, these are what would be known as the chosen, the called, the elect... lots of promises to these people, mainly, they will never suffer a second death.

1000 years later, comes the second resurrection, this is the resurrection of the dead unto judgment...

this is concerning this time period...

Joh 5:22 For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son

Joh 12:47 And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world.

Joh 9:39 And Jesus said, For judgment I am come into this world, that they which see not might see; and that they which see might be made blind.

Now how's that for confusing?

there are more rules, but this is a general touching of them...

now if you don't do it the way it says, you're automatically in error.

And he basically states this, people can study but never understand...

2Ti 3:7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

And probably the hardest part is you have to let it take you where it takes you, not where you want it to go...

and most do not wish to go there... they prefer it to be like Santa Claus...

1Co 2:13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

Job 32:8 But there is a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding.

So without the Holy Spirit, no matter what you do, how much you want it, you can never understand, it is the absolute impossibility.

Joh 6:44 No man is able to come to me if the Father who sent me does not give him the desire to come:

this is somewhat interesting, contrary to what a lot of doctrines teach that he came to save everyone...

anyway, with all that said, what happens after you die?

You're dead... your body returns to dust, you cease to exist, your memories perish with you...

numerous scriptures covering that.

Actually if you follow the rules, there is only one interpretation...

the rules;

Isa 28:9 Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts.

Heb 5:12 For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.

Act 7:38 This is he, that was in the church in the wilderness with the angel which spake to him in the mount Sina, and with our fathers: who received the lively oracles to give unto us:

Isa 28:10 For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little:

2Ti 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Isa 28:11 For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people.

Isa 28:12 To whom he said, This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear.

Isa 28:13 But the word of the LORD was unto them precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little; that they might go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken.

2Pe 1:20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.

Mat 18:16 But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.

Luk 4:4 And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.

Joh 10:35 If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken;

2Ti 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

Let me get this straight, we bring Afghan soldiers to the US to "train" them and are shocked when they go missing?  And of course our government is telling us that "they are no threat" to us?  I'm sure they're only out sight seeing and will return shortly!    BAhahahahaha.........yeah right!  

Isis fighters are beheading people as they move from village to village, cutting the heads off one or two people and showing them to the villagers.
Boots on the ground is the only thing which is going to stop the spread of ISIS – and sooner is obviously better than later. Alternatively the West should walk away because they are achieving nothing right now!

The decision to put Scottish independence to the vote was agreed upon by all sides. The campaign from both sides of the question was conducted peacefully without violence or threats. And the leader? of those who want independence has graciously conceded. There have been no riots in the streets. I think maybe others should pay attention to the lesson in civility that the people of Scotland has just given.

Down's children have a lot more positives than negatives in terms of character. If he wants to get rid of people on the basis of imperfections lets start with psychopaths and sadists. Laughably all of these toe rags would have passed is subjective little test! Lets think just for one minute how the world will be when scientists are allowed to play God. Who exactly is going to define perfect in 10 years, 20 years, 30 years as the human quest for a marketing man's ideal person reaches ever more ridiculous specifications?

A really comprehensive test of 'basics' of Islam would be edifying and useful for understanding current conflicts - such an exercise wouldn't necessarily involve knowing Quran chapter (sura) and verse, but would consist of defining fundamental doctrinal concepts, how Islam differs from other Abrahamic faiths, key dates/events in Mohammed's life, vocabulary/terms, and historical milestones, demographics.
Maybe I'll devise one.