Resident Evil 5 was a big disappointment for me. Only game I have ever taken back to the store.

Any sport or racing game.

Chinese food is best food.

Sorry to hear that. My sincere condolences.

I know not those feels.

I am pretty close with my internet friends. I have more in common with them than I do most other people. I only have a handful of IRL friends, whereas my pool of internet friends is much larger and I have known them longer.

I want a cat like that.

I like the frost wyrms from Warcraft 3.

Nope. I find the two-party system a bit broken and silly.

Quote from: Ginger on November 03, 2015, 12:52:05 PM

Quote from: OnionBeetle on November 03, 2015, 12:43:04 PM

Quote from: Ginger on November 03, 2015, 12:36:31 PM

Quote from: OnionBeetle on November 03, 2015, 12:33:30 PM

Quote from: Ginger on November 03, 2015, 12:32:24 PM

Christianity as a fundamental component of the constitutional and legal framework of the European Union.

 I can summarise this in two words. 'It's not.'

How so?

I study in great detail the political institutions of the European Union, I've met Councillers and Ministers in Brussels as part of a placement talk and we touched on the subject. Nothing I have read, been taught by professors or have seen/heard first hand suggests in any way that Christianity is a fundemental component of the constitutional and legal framework of the European Union.

Writting an essay on the institutions right now actually.

Although you may have touched on the subject, I think it bears further scrutiny. Fundamental principles such as human dignity (how it is defined and so forth) and subsidiarity have been heavily influenced by religion. And these principles are very important to the functioning of the Union as you can see in case law (Tobacco Advertising case, Omega Spielhallen, and Netherlands vs. EP and Council 2001). Mind you, that is just a topic and not the title per say. Maybe I should have said: How Christianity has influenced fundamental components of the constitutional and legal framework of the European Union.

Yeah, I see your point. It is inveitable that the most influential religion of all time is going to have an affect one way or another. I just honestly don't think it's as influential in modern times as say, even 20 years ago.

I think the reason it is seen as less influential is because Christian values have been absorbed into law and politics. I suppose that would fall under the category of differentiation of secular spheres which is one of the theories of secularization, but again, I am no expert on the subject. I am just starting my thesis, so any insight or sources you may have compiled, feel free to send me some links.

Which institutions are you writing about, and what specifically?

Quote from: Ginger on November 03, 2015, 12:32:24 PM

Christianity as a fundamental component of the constitutional and legal framework of the European Union.

 I can summarise this in two words. 'It's not.'

How so?

I'd likely land in trouble because interaction with people agitates me these days. Somebody starts talking to me and I really don't feel up for listening. Or interacting with them.

Same.

Because BRICS.

My only ban is on Bungie from the auto-ban system. I logged onto Bungie using a computer someone else had used that received a ban.

It is a difficult question to answer. The colonization that is often referred to, encroachment inland, did not largely begin until the 1870s. Of course, South Africa was an exception (colonized by the Dutch in 1652), and there were Portuguese trade outposts for slavery to South America before that in modern day Angola and Mozambique, but much of that slave trade had waned in the first half of the 19th century. The African kingdoms were already raiding, capturing and killing one another which made the European conquest of the area easier (and of course the advanced weaponry).

For the most part, the European empires did not go in and simply plant their own leadership. They often looked for cooperative chiefs, or made friends and gave power to indigenous "policemen" and translators. Sometimes they did take out the indigenous leaders, but then they still worked through mid-level authorities to garner support. The leaders and middle-men maintained the local order using their own, slightly altered, customary law.

Yes, there were truly some atrocities that occurred such as the Belgian Congo, the German repression of the Tanganyika uprising in 1905, the Herero revolt, Boer war etc.; however, I think the death toll could have been the same or higher had colonization not occurred. The different African kingdoms and tribes were in a near constant state of conflict, exacerbated by their trade of people for European weapons and sugar. The European empires were charged with instilling regulation and international law on the populations of Africa, and each colonial power agreed to assure the end of traffic in slaves, arms and liquor (see Berlin Conference of 1884-85 and Brussels 1889-90).

As of the early 1900s, interest groups were entering Africa and making public back home the issues of Africa, which prompted the extension of certain rights and social policies (education, etc.) to the African people. During and immediately following WWII, the British and the French renounced the former colonial doctrine, that each colony should pay for itself, and invested in development of their colonies with the idea that each would evolve in its own way and at its own pace. They invested in schools, transportation, communication, housing, healthcare facilities and agricultural projects. In fact, the 1946 French constitution proclaimed that all inhabitants of their colonies possessed the "qualities" of French citizens. Although it was not full equality, it gave people more opportunities, including moving from their African colony to France.

Lastly, not all of the European empires just packed up their stuff and left Africa. In 1958, the French government offered each of their colonies the option of immediate independence or continued participation, with a large amount of self-government, until they could get on their feet. Only Guinea voted for complete separation.

I think, in time, the African countries will find their way. Their participation in the G-77 is allowing them to address their issues on a global scale as a united front. They are also subject to aid funding from certain EU funds such as the Development Cooperation Instrument and the European Development Fund (by way of the Cotonou Agreement) which are intended to help the initiation and stabilization of a firm infrastructure, develop and maintain an open market, and encourage social policy development.