About the Members Round 11: SAM

Umm you do know I'm only kidding you, right? :bugeye:

/visions of melon-sized cojones <--- easy target for stomping. :bawl:
 
What do you think are the best things about America?

What has America done throughout its history that you think was good and/or important?

Who do you think was the best American President, and why?

What is your favorite book? Favorite author?

Favorite TV show? Favorite movie or movies?

Favorite philosopher?

Favorite quotation?

Greatest unfulfilled dream you still hope to achieve?
 
madanthonywayne:

I thought it was over. :D


What do you think are the best things about America?
-The land, there is so much variety and open spaces.
-resilience: people get over anything, broken homes, broken marriages, wars.
-the amount of investment in education and research, though this is falling now.
-the casual attitude to life, they don't take themselves or anyone else seriously



What has America done throughout its history that you think was good and/or important?

open its doors to anyone with merit.


Who do you think was the best American President, and why?
Don't really know anyone that well, but I'd say based on the little I know, it would be FDR on his good days. Mostly because he was smart enough to marry Eleanor, but also because he did the most to bring into the US those qualities for which it is most admired; his role in providing a sound economy after the great depression, in improving the role of blacks and women in mainstream society, etc.

However, he also pulled the US into the second world war, bombed the Japanese and initiated the cold war, so his legacy ultimately was to create many of the problems that persist today.


What is your favorite book? Favorite author?

Keeps changing as I age. :)
I always have a copy of Marcus Aurelius' Meditations.
And one of Assadullah Khan's Diwan-e-Ghalib.


Favorite TV show? Favorite movie or movies?

TV show: Monty Python and To the Manor Born
Movies: Pyasa, Amelie


Favorite philosopher?

That would have to be Mirza Ghalib (aka Assadullah Khan) and Marcus Aurelius


Favorite quotation?

I have never let my schooling interfere with my education.
-- Mark Twain

Swatah melya shivay swarag disat nahi- Marathi proverb
(To see heaven, you must be prepared to die, yourself)

“A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects.” - Robert A. Heinlein


Greatest unfulfilled dream you still hope to achieve?

Hazaaron khwahishen aisi ke har khwahish pe dam nikel
Bahit nikle mere armaan, lekin phir bhi kam nikle


...thousands of desires, each worth dying for...
many of them I have realized...yet I yearn for more...
;)
 
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madanthonywayne:
I thought it was over. :D
Sorry. I didn't notice the thread. I didn't want to miss the chance to find out if you had anything nice to say about the US.

Favorite philosopher?

That would have to be Mirza Ghalib (aka Assadullah Khan) and Marcus Aurelius
I like Marcus Aurelius, but I've never heard of Mizra Ghalib. I googled him, and came across a quote about how the drop of rain is happy in the river. I also found:
ghalib1d.gif

http://www.loveurdu.com/urdu-poetry/titles.asp?PID=196
which wasn't all that helpful.

Favorite quotation?

I have never let my schooling interfere with my education.
-- Mark Twain

Swatah melya shivay swarag disat nahi- Marathi proverb
(To see heaven, you must be prepared to die, yourself)

“A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects.” - Robert A. Heinlein

Hazaaron khwahishen aisi ke har khwahish pe dam nikel
Bahit nikle mere armaan, lekin phir bhi kam nikle


...thousands of desires, each worth dying for...
many of them I have realized...yet I yearn for more...
;)
Good quotes. I especially liked the Heinlein. Have you read any of his novels?
 
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