DictatatorDan

[color="#FF0000"]Yay. More reps Yes. That is sarcasm folks.[/color]

[color="#FF0000"]So wait? You expect us to vote on your poor excuse for an original thought? There are far more adept individuals that could have made a far more nuanced approach to this subject.[/color]

[color="#FF0000"]Reps are no laughing matter.[/color]

[quote name='Shodemofi' timestamp='1299086183' post='2649698'] To blueski, how does it feel to be shown as the mindless drone you are? Would you consider it ironic at all, given that's what your side used to accuse NPO members of? [/quote] [color="#FF0000"]Now now children. Let's put a little more thought into what we say.[/color]

[quote name='Il Impero Romano' timestamp='1299048332' post='2649380'] [i]"A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush"[/i] [/quote] [color="#FF0000"][i]"You're fooling yourself if you argue with a fool - others may not know the difference" [/i][/color]

[quote name='MCRABT' timestamp='1298986428' post='2648008'] I don't think you really have a legitimate right to complain, if they don't want to fight you on your own terms then tough luck. They are fighting you in the lower tiers as you have noted but are avoiding a front on skirmish that they would obviously loose heavily in the upper tiers. If you want a square go then all sides need to be even my friend, if not you have no right to complain when your opponent decides to fight a long boring war of attrition. It's part of the game and there is simply nothing that can be done to change it. Moaning about it certainly achieves nothing. [/quote] [color="#FF0000"]I think Doomhouse will make bringing out NPO's upper tier to get demolished a prerequisite for peace. *Claps hands* Regardless, DH will get what it wants either way. I don't see any relief on the horizon for NPO either, and they sure aren't endearing themselves to anyone at the moment.[/color]

[quote name='Shodemofi' timestamp='1299033259' post='2649073'] Which "side" of the web do you currently consider us to be on? [/quote] [color="#FF0000"]Joined to NpO at the hip. I dont really see that changing at all post-war either.[/color]

[color="#FF0000"]Bravo. Best of luck. etc.[/color]

Tillamook Medium Chedder is the best cheese for properly made cold cuts.

[quote name='wickedj' timestamp='1298962701' post='2647778'] So, i seek an answer to a question in our Brave New NPO-less World. ODPs are now a crime to use? correct? why? also oA treaties, when you use the oA portion..also bad? [/quote] [color="#FF0000"]It works this way. To be on the right side is the definition of being in the right.[/color]

[color="#FF0000"]Systematic use of peace mode to avoid war entirely is a strategic, and is not a tactical decision. DH will simply negate any strategy to it by forcing NPO to come out of peacemode. When DH does that, NPO will use it as an opportunity to whine about how the "New Hegemony" is just as bad as they were. Predictable much?[/color]

[color="#FF0000"] Lame reps are lame. Poor show.[/color]

[color="#FF0000"]The byproduct of this war will be that we will not have any large wars for at least the next nine months; unless it is for a "round two". As it is, without reps, it will take either alliance a year to rebuild, and develop a new war-fighting strategy that is more capable of dealing with elite alliances. In short term, it means that they will be pushing for higher war chest requirements, higher rates of compliance, and an emphasis on fighting longer wars of attrition. Will the succeed? Probably not. Players in the upper-tier alliances like Argent, Umbrella, TOP, MK, etc are more skilled and experienced at warfare and are going to be on average more prepared, and easier to organize, than the massive general community alliances.[/color]

[quote name='D34th' timestamp='1298929109' post='2647034'] Oh the irony! [/quote] [color="#FF0000"]Oh even more irony! The pot calls the kettle black.[/color]

[quote name='Schattenmann' timestamp='1298856823' post='2646461'] Also, am I the only person who is irked by the misuse of the word dilettante in the title? First of all, I don't think that means what you think it means (a person whose interest in a subject is superficial rather than professional; a person who takes up a subject merely for amusement, especially in a desultory way [desultory meaning inconsistent]) although it is [i]deliciously[/i] true. Second, dilettante is not a verb as it has been used, and if it's being used as a noun it is not used properly either. [/quote] [color="#FF0000"]I will concede your second point, but the use of the word "dilettante" is purely intentional and applicable. If you read the introduction the my little essay here, you would have learned that I pieced the content together out of a conversation that I was having in an embassy. It was by no means a dedicated editorial, but rather something the developed and voices my opinion on the situation that we face today. With that being said, you may continue with the ad hominem attacks. They are quite delicious.[/color]

[quote name='Maelstrom Vortex' timestamp='1298842911' post='2646312'] Heh, thanks. I'm going to completely ignore your sarcasm and take this as the compliment it should be. [/quote] [color="#FF0000"]Denying the obvious is a condition that is unique to the Orders. [/color]

[quote name='Maelstrom Vortex' timestamp='1298842048' post='2646301'] Propagandists from the same side of the front do tend to co-mingle. [/quote] [color="#FF0000"]My thoughts are propaganda. Your thoughts are the truth. Derp Derp. Dont worry, you are my favorite NPO cheerleader by far. [/color]

[color="#FF0000"]Hereno is my new best friend.[/color]

[quote name='Maelstrom Vortex' timestamp='1298746650' post='2645505'] Our foes realized they could not outperform us in peace.. and so engaged us in war. Where last I checked, they're still dieing harder than we are. [/quote] [color="#FF0000"]I laughed really at this. NPO was not "outperforming" anyone before the war. Hell, you guys were harldy "performing". Your aid slot usage rate was horrible. Your alliance is just a bigger version of GOONS without a sense of humor.[/color]

[quote name='Heft' timestamp='1298705965' post='2645317'] It's sort of a requirement for my position, really. [/quote] [color="#FF0000"]Hurp Derp. Remember that feeling on the eve of the WoTC in regards to Polaris? That's about how DH feels about Pacifica. Dont ask me to explain the relvancy. That requires effort and another wall of text that you... A.) Wont Read B.) Resort to ad hominem attacks[/color]

[quote name='Heft' timestamp='1298705363' post='2645313'] Finally we agree on something. [/quote] [color="#FF0000"]You too have learned the art of the t-force which shall not me mentioned.[/color]

[quote name='Heft' timestamp='1298704622' post='2645305'] The OP reads more like a book report written by a fourth grader than like any sort of actual political analysis or argument. Further, it reads like a book report where the writer clearly didn't understand the book, and has nothing intelligent to say, and has no coherent thesis to put forward. You present a mish-mash of arguments that other people have already put forth elsewhere, and those other people generally presented those views more clearly, succinctly, and articulately. You then stir in some of your own ideas, I think, most of which are more imagination than reality, and finally sprinkle in some out-and-out prejudice. There is nothing new, nothing coherent, and nothing worthwhile about the OP. It's only potential value is muddying actual political discourse and debate. I cannot oversimplify an argument which does not exist. [/quote] [color="#FF0000"]Clearly you have bested me...[/color]

[quote name='Mistress Demona' timestamp='1298703324' post='2645289'] Give me an example of a top ten alliance who has EVER taken some sort of public step (token or not, and I want links) to "smooth over some of their earlier actions" that was not specifically required as a term of surrender. Name one alliance in the top 15 who does not "carry themselves with the same level of arrogance" that they had before the war after a big war (even if they lost) than before that was NOT tied in to the terms of surrender. IF it is correct that NPO should do something more - than so should every alliance that has ever committed the same sort of act(s). (aka: EZI/PZI, high reps, attacking people just because of their team color...no one ever actually apologized in any official capacity for Red Safari, did they? - and so on) Complaining that NPO hasn't done enough might hold some sway IF either a) no other alliance EVER committed the same types of act(s) in their past or b) those other alliances involved in the same sort of actions start making amends beyond what was required of them (if anything ever was) for peace. [/quote] [color="#FF0000"]I dont know of another alliance that has kept someone at war for two years with the terms "die". Maybe DH will surpass that reccord. The circumstances that NPO was placed in were unique to NPO. No other alliance has had such a dramatic change of fortunes as NPO, and no alliance has ever been reviled as much as NPO. So to find another similar situation to theirs, the best I could point you to is FAN, however when they repaired their reputation behind the scenes in private with other alliances.[/color]

[quote name='Heft' timestamp='1298703327' post='2645290'] How does that address anything I said? Furthermore, show me where NPO has said "If you don't like us then come attack us?" Are you so incapable of articulating an original argument that you can't even respond to a simple post without shooting off something totally irrelevant in the hopes that it might stick? [/quote] *shrugs* [color="#FF0000"]The original argument was in the OP. You decided to grossly oversimplify it for the purposes of suiting your own views. Nothing you have said here warrants addressing. Make a coherent argument and then see what happens.[/color]

[quote name='Heft' timestamp='1298702250' post='2645279'] Also, I just have to point out the sheer absurdity of criticizing the Orders as being "arrogant" for not kissing your collective asses and asking nicely to be let inside your clubhouse. [/quote] [color="#FF0000"]...and I would like to point out how many times people have said "If you dont like us, do something about it". Well, it's been done.[/color]