[Ludi]

Yes, he is one darn lucky guy!

[charliebrownout]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('joeltrout', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('charliebrownout', ' ')but sometimes I wonder if they do, either.

[Jack]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('charliebrownout', '
')
I'm not sure why you're so eager to go to bat for the ruling class? Secretly aspire to power? Vicarious kicks?

[charliebrownout]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Ludi', 'Y')es, he is one darn lucky guy!

[joeltrout]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('charliebrownout', '
')
I'm not sure why you're so eager to go to bat for the ruling class? Secretly aspire to power? Vicarious kicks?

[dbruning]

Hey, who let you in with a camera during our family picknick?!

[charliebrownout]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Jack', '
')First of all...everyone aspires to power. Oh, people love to deny it. They claim there merely wish to be left alone, to pursue their muse in harmonious humility. It's all utter nonsense. We all lust after raw power. The ability to force our will upon others. Don't think so? Look up the Stanford prison experiment. Here's a LINK

Second - the ruling class pays better than the poor. Unless, of course, one uses the poor, fleeces them, picks their pockets en masse.

I suspect that those who criticize Bush would sell their soul to have his money and contacts. And be glad of the opportunity.

[charliebrownout]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('joeltrout', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('charliebrownout', '
')
I'm not sure why you're so eager to go to bat for the ruling class? Secretly aspire to power? Vicarious kicks?

[charliebrownout]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('dbruning', '[')img]http://www.piratenews.org/bohemian-grove-best-photo-by-bohoclub400.jpg[/img]

Hey, who let you in with a camera during our family picknick?!

[joeltrout]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('charliebrownout', 'I') think it is just a big, nerdy summer camp for old rich farts where they sit around, get drunk, and play elaborate games of D&D and whiz on redwoods before sawing them down just for shits and giggles w/o a permit

[charliebrownout]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('joeltrout', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('charliebrownout', 'I') think it is just a big, nerdy summer camp for old rich farts where they sit around, get drunk, and play elaborate games of D&D and whiz on redwoods before sawing them down just for shits and giggles w/o a permit

[Ferretlover]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('joeltrout', ' ') Very few people see the reports President Bush sees everyday.

[Newfie]

I have a bit of a different take on the elites from you guys. As I recall Marshall McLuhan (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marshall_McLuhan) had the idea that each society/culture will elevate a few people as heroes to worship. I believe that there are other experiments where it has been shown that even Amish children will ostracize one of their own to have some one to pick on.

I tend to think that if we took one million average people, mixed them up in a pot, then let them be for couple of generations we would have a stratum of elites and out casts. It's something we do as humans.

Take Britney Spears, or worse (if possible) Paris Hilton. What makes them superstars except us? We want to hear about them and their outrageous behavior, if we didn't buy the rag mags then they would be without a job.

W as well. We made him. Recently Scientific American did a short piece on some research on facial features and electability. The research was able to 100% predict who would win an election based upon facial features alone. They took an average face (amalgamation of many, overlaid) then laid in either a little of the winner, or a little of the loser. Then told people to pick who they would vote for. Did this for several prominent elections here and abroad: Britain, Australia. 100% accuracy. So, based upon that, we have reduced the Presidency to a High School beauty contest.

The common thread through all of this is that it is "We the people" who make the elites.

[charliebrownout]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Newfie', 'I') have a bit of a different take on the elites from you guys. As I recall Marshall McLuhan (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marshall_McLuhan) had the idea that each society/culture will elevate a few people as heroes to worship. I believe that there are other experiments where it has been shown that even Amish children will ostracize one of their own to have some one to pick on.

I tend to think that if we took one million average people, mixed them up in a pot, then let them be for couple of generations we would have a stratum of elites and out casts. It's something we do as humans.

Take Britney Spears, or worse (if possible) Paris Hilton. What makes them superstars except us? We want to hear about them and their outrageous behavior, if we didn't buy the rag mags then they would be without a job.

W as well. We made him. Recently Scientific American did a short piece on some research on facial features and electability. The research was able to 100% predict who would win an election based upon facial features alone. They took an average face (amalgamation of many, overlaid) then laid in either a little of the winner, or a little of the loser. Then told people to pick who they would vote for. Did this for several prominent elections here and abroad: Britain, Australia. 100% accuracy. So, based upon that, we have reduced the Presidency to a High School beauty contest.

The common thread through all of this is that it is "We the people" who make the elites.

[Micki]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'M')ost likely they are not secretly posting here on peakoil.com so someone has to give them a voice.

I work in the oil industry, my immediate family have worked in the oil industry for 30 years, and I have extended family that has worked in the oil industry for over 50 years. All that to say, I have been defending a misunderstood industry since I was in highschool.

It bugs me when people attack industries or job positions in which 99% of people have no real understanding of it. Very few people see the reports President Bush sees everyday. Very few people have ever run a fortune 500 company worth over $300 BILLION.

Most people cant even balance their checkbook, stay married to their spouse, or keep their children from drugs, alcohol, etc... I think most people should consider looking at themselves before they are so eager to point out all the flaws of these leaders that we the people elect.

[Newfie]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Micki', ' ')

I am not saying GWB is dumber then most people. I just think he is pretty average joe sixpack who prefers to drink whiskey and work as little as possible and who prefers watching big brother over following important news. I would be t he watches a lot of fox and cannot believe there is a single person who thinks badly of him. Except for those darn A-rabs of course who hate his freedoms.

[charliebrownout]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Newfie', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Micki', ' ')

I am not saying GWB is dumber then most people. I just think he is pretty average joe sixpack who prefers to drink whiskey and work as little as possible and who prefers watching big brother over following important news. I would be t he watches a lot of fox and cannot believe there is a single person who thinks badly of him. Except for those darn A-rabs of course who hate his freedoms.

[Ludi]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Newfie', '
')I tend to think that if we took one million average people, mixed them up in a pot, then let them be for couple of generations we would have a stratum of elites and out casts. It's something we do as humans.

[charliebrownout]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Ludi', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Newfie', '
')I tend to think that if we took one million average people, mixed them up in a pot, then let them be for couple of generations we would have a stratum of elites and out casts. It's something we do as humans.

[Ludi]

I never personally advocate "going back" to some previous way of life.

Living in a way to which we are adapted is not "going back" to anything.

Millions of people are currently living in egalitarian bands.