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When I was a little kid I asked my grandfather one time what it was like to “fight evil”. His response was something along the lines of “I didn’t fight evil. They were just a bunch of scared kids doing what they were told. Just like me.”

My grandfather fought in Europe, but Japan was still what kicked off WWII. So, I was super nervous about bringing home the woman that would become my first wife for the first time. Her family was from Okinawa.

When we got there he sat down at the kitchen table and talked to her for a long time. I was in and out doing stuff for the dinner, but they looked happy enough. Later that day he caught me outside and gave me a hug. He told me that she was a good woman and I’d be crazy if I didn’t marry her.

I really miss my grandfather. He was mostly a good dude.

Here’s a picture of him during the battle of the bulge. It’s from a book I have, but this picture was originally published in “Yank” magazine. The original clipping sat over his chair in the living room my entire life.

I thought it was Steven Seagal.

I only know 2 things about Steven Seagal.

1. Steven Seagal is a Russian shill.

2. One time Gene LeBell choked Steven out so hard, that Steven Seagal shit his pants.

Those are the only 2 things I know, and need to know about Steven Seagal.

Why are they doing this? Last I heard China was making their own chips with no problem. I mean China wouldn’t lie to us now would they?

Heh Nah, man you’re good. You’ll never see me be a grammar Nazi. I mentioned that book because Sam O Nella did a YouTube video about the guy that wrote that book.

https://youtu.be/ChSUvdU_Sbk?feature=shared

That’s the video.

“A pickle for the knowing one” was a book written completely without punctuation. When people bitched about it. He printed a second edition that that last few ages were nothing but punctuation with the instructions to put them where you want them.

I used to run a very successful server for BioWare Neverwinter Nights back in the early 2000s. A guy started playing on there when he was 15 and met a married woman in her 30s. She got divorced and a few days after he turned 18 he flew out to meet her.

They got married about 12 or 13 years ago. I was the best man, and they are still married. I talk to them daily and usually see them weekly. It happens.

It doesn’t matter what I think the borders should be. I have no sway over that. Not only do I not have a dog in this fight. I don’t find it entertaining to debate it. I have read a nauseating amount of material about this subject. I have watched enough videos on this subject to be considered torture, and in the end. I can’t help but feel like both of these assholes are made for each other.

But like I said. My feelings mean absolutely nothing. Because I am just a random weirdo on the internet, just like you. Just like you, I don’t have the money or influence to bring peace to the Middle East. Just like you, I did what I felt was enough research and then made a decision. Just like you this conversation isn’t going to sway me. But more importantly. Just like you my feelings on the subject won’t change anything. Innocent people are going to die regardless of what we say. It’s a tragedy, but it’s true.

So, I guess what I’m saying is… Maybe we should agree to disagree.

I typed out a like 6 paragraph explanation of why it’s both of their faults that this is happening. Suffice to say that this is just the latest iteration of a fight that’s been going on for a very VERY long time. At times the Palestinians were in control and horrible, and now the Jews are returning the favor. These two assholes have done nothing but make it worse every time they got a chance to make it better.

That’s why I literally don’t care what happens to either. They are both horrible and I’m a poor person on the other side of the world. Even IF I cared. I lack the money and resources to do anything about it, and debating with people on the internet about things that we can’t change and don’t fully understand is a modern day Sisyphean task.

Edit: wait are we talking US politics? In that case both sides do suck. But one is trying to kill trans and gay people and I can’t support that. So, Biden it is.

Good stuff! I’ll give it a go. Thanks!

I’ll give it another shot. What distribution would you suggest for someone just starting out? I know that’s a polarizing question.

Nah, I should probably try it again for real. I’m sure it has come a long way in almost 25 years. I just haven’t had the time of im being serious.

I did try Linux. I even took a college course and learned enough to pass. But I have a super shitty memory and it was redhat back in the late 90s so ALL THOSE COMMANDS. Jumping Jesus Christ on a pogo stick. I mean Linux had a gui but it was useless. So, instead I’m bashing away at my head with the little animal books, and for what? You couldn’t play games on it. Basically Linux was soooo painfully unenjoyable last time I used it I haven’t touched it since.

Heh, it happens to all of us eventually.

I paid for it too. I mean fuck man. I’ve been using winrar for almost 30 years. That’s more than I can say for most things in my life. I figured it was the least I could do.

That’s pretty funny, but also fuck that snitchin ass rat. I have no respect for snitches, and I hope he has to deal with the repercussions of his choices for the rest of his life.

Well, I mean you’re right about all of that. But, if I’m wrong and I decide to engage you anyway. It’s not really about proving myself right. It really becomes more of a how much time can I eat, and how frustrating can I be.

See, you miss the point. Once I know I’m wrong and the other person is a dick. I’m not trying to be right anymore. It’s only about stealing your time. I am time rich. I have nothing but time. The longer I can keep someone on the hook with half cocked facts and almost getting it the better. I’m a house husband and it literally breaks the monotony of cleaning, and being a chauffeur.

This isn’t something I do all the time. Generally, I spend my time just sharing my old person wisdom. For that matter I haven’t had a problem since coming to Lemmy from Reddit. I’m sure it’s coming. But, people here seem generally more pleasant.

As I said to the other person.

Either way I learned something new. But if you’re a dick I’m not going to let you know that. At best I’m not going to “feed the trolls” and at worst I’m going to make you work for being a dick.

See it has less to do with being wrong. Hell, we’re all wrong sometimes. It has to do with how someone approaches me. All of us have some knowledge that someone else doesn’t. That’s ok. But that doesn’t make you or I special. Likewise, our lack of that particular knowledge doesn’t make us dumb either. So, why be a dick about it?

Also, if you can believe this. I get into quite a few religious debates. I know. It sounds crazy. In those discussions things aren’t always as cut and dry as say 2+2=4. People get really passionate about what amounts to nothing but interpretation and opinion.

I mean, I can live with myself. Plus, if you really stop to think about it. The purpose was served either way. I learned the correct thing. It’s not like I’m going to make that mistake again. Really the only difference is whether my opponent or whatever you want to call them gets the satisfaction of knowing that they taught me something.

With that being said. Maybe I should clarify. It’s ok to be passionate about something. But all of us are wrong from time to time. There’s no need to be a dick when someone has their facts mixed up. Is it any worse being a pain to someone being a dick over perceived greater intelligence?

But a better question is. Has that attitude served you well? I mean, you seem awfully invested in an internet strangers weird habit of being annoying.

It depends. If the person I’m having a discussion with is cool. I’ll admit defeat. If the person is being an ass hat. I’ll first see if I can bend the data a bit to squeeze in my point. If I can’t do that. I’ll look for fringe information. If that doesn’t work. I’ll just ghost them.

Also, if the person is a dick and “technically” right. I will tell you how technically wrong you are all day like Lemmy was my job. However, if you’re cool I’ll admit that we are both technically right, and part ways.

TLDR: it’s ok to be right. Just don’t be a dick about it.