# buttonjockey308, get in here... **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [August 2, 2006, 9:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buttonjockey308-get-in-here/367001 "2006-08-02T09:26:59Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![threemae](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/5f9b8f/32.png) [@threemae](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/threemae)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2006, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buttonjockey308-get-in-here/367001/21 "2006-08-02T17:54:00Z")
Allow me to add from other experiences beyond the cited thread in the OP that **buttonjerkoff** is a prick of the highest order. If ya’ll recall a pit thread regarding a media report on police intimidation of people asking to file complaints, this piece of work defended the practice because, “cops already have a hard job, and you never know who might file a false complaint, yadda yadda yadda.” A bastard without any empathy. Frankly I doubt he makes much of a cop nor much of a Doper. ---
**Author:** ![Rubystreak](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Rubystreak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rubystreak)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2006, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buttonjockey308-get-in-here/367001/22 "2006-08-02T17:57:51Z")
[QUOTE=buttonjockey308] If you’re doing things today the same way you did them 3,000 years ago… [/QUOTE] Cite? Do you honestly, truly believe that things in Africa have been the same for 3,000 years? Or are you just talking out your ass? ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2006, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buttonjockey308-get-in-here/367001/23 "2006-08-02T18:04:49Z")
He clearly chose to be pitted, so I say we give him what he’s asking for. Daniel ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2006, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buttonjockey308-get-in-here/367001/24 "2006-08-02T18:39:45Z")
[QUOTE=Cluricaun] No, no. Instead of building mud huts, they should dream big and be making mud castles and mud Bellagios complete with mud chandeliers and fluffy mud beds. :dubious: [/QUOTE] Color me confused. What would they fill their bathtubs with? ---
**Author:** ![Dag\_Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@Dag\_Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dag_Otto)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2006, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buttonjockey308-get-in-here/367001/25 "2006-08-02T18:48:31Z")
[QUOTE=tdn] Color me confused. What would they fill their bathtubs with? [/QUOTE] Champagne, of course. But only if they CHOOSE to do so. ---
**Author:** ![Kythereia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e8c25b/32.png) [@Kythereia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kythereia)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2006, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buttonjockey308-get-in-here/367001/26 "2006-08-02T18:58:19Z")
[QUOTE=DxZero] Social Darwinism lives!! [/QUOTE] The scary thing for me is, I did a project on this for my first year in university and I know _exactly_ what you’re talking about. Also, the Pittee is being an ass. ---
**Author:** ![Contrapuntal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e274bd/32.png) [@Contrapuntal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Contrapuntal)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2006, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buttonjockey308-get-in-here/367001/27 "2006-08-02T18:58:29Z")
**buttonjockey** , You really do not have a clue. You have no historical perspective. You have no context into which to put your assertions. You are ignorant. You are guilty of oversimplification of a stupendous order. Unless you have had to fight against overwhelming odds for every scrap of bread and every sip of water you are in no position to judge those who have. Until you have seen your husband murdered and your children enslaved, your home destroyed and your fields ravaged, been raped and left for dead on the scrapheap, you have NO CALL TO SPEW YOUR INSANE RAMBLINGS. **Get The Fuck Over Yourself** , … such as it is. ---
**Author:** ![Contrapuntal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e274bd/32.png) [@Contrapuntal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Contrapuntal)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2006, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buttonjockey308-get-in-here/367001/28 "2006-08-02T19:36:07Z")
**buttonjockey** , You really do not have a clue. You have no historical perspective. You have no context into which to put your assertions. You are ignorant. You are guilty of oversimplification of a stupendous order. Unless you have had to fight against overwhelming odds for every scrap of bread and every sip of water you are in no position to judge those who have. Until you have seen your husband murdered and your children enslaved, your home destroyed and your fields ravaged, been raped and left for dead on the scrapheap, you have NO CALL TO SPEW YOUR INSANE RAMBLINGS. Get The Fuck Over Yourself, such as you are. ---
**Author:** ![DxZero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@DxZero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DxZero)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2006, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buttonjockey308-get-in-here/367001/29 "2006-08-02T19:44:52Z")
[QUOTE=Kythereia] The scary thing for me is, I did a project on this for my first year in university and I know _exactly_ what you’re talking about. Also, the Pittee is being an ass. [/QUOTE] There was a girl in my poli sci department a few years back who was a walking talking embodiment of a Social Darwinist. I never seen a more hated person in my life. It got to the point where professors wouldn’t call on her and then someone stole her stupid totebag she carried around and shoved it in the toilet. I think she evidentually transferred. Man, I miss her. Good times when she was around. ---
**Author:** ![DxZero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@DxZero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DxZero)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2006, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buttonjockey308-get-in-here/367001/30 "2006-08-02T19:45:12Z")
[QUOTE=Kythereia] The scary thing for me is, I did a project on this for my first year in university and I know _exactly_ what you’re talking about. Also, the Pittee is being an ass. [/QUOTE] There was a girl in my poli sci department a few years back who was a walking talking embodiment of a Social Darwinist. I never seen a more hated person in my life. It got to the point where professors wouldn’t call on her and then someone stole her stupid totebag she carried around and shoved it in the toilet. I think she eventually transferred. Man, I miss her. Good times when she was around. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2006, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buttonjockey308-get-in-here/367001/31 "2006-08-02T20:09:36Z")
[QUOTE=woodstockbirdybird] Oh, **buttjockey** ’s right. I, as an American with unlimited opportunities, have chosen to be poor. . [/QUOTE] Yes, _you_ have. Although I agree that many parts of Sub-saharan Africa aren’t brimming over with opportunities- American _is._ You, as a Californian, can go to a nice two year college- at night, after your shitty job- bascily for what amounts to \*free. \* This can get you a Nursing credential (for example; or police science, or dental tech, or…) amoung many other excellent and well paid job opportunities. Yes, you have to get your ass off the couch after work, skipping the nightly TV, and into college for a few years. But you _have no fucking excuse_. (OK, if you are PD, _maybe_ you have an excuse, but even so, the opportunities for a disabled person here in the USA are many and varied). Unless you’re stupid or lazy, you can get a decent job (here in America) if you strive. Sure, being a Nurse (for example) is hard work- but the pay isn’t bad at all, and there’s scads of openings. Shit-loads better than fry-cook at fast food, anyway. And, even there- one of my Ex’s freinds left her abusive husband. She had no job skills, and yes, she went on welfare for a year. Then, she got a job at McDonalds, but her determination and hard work got her promoted to crew chief within 6 months, and when I last heard from her, they were sending her to Hamburger Univ. All she had was a GED, average IQ, and scads of determination and get up and go. Oh, and two young kids, too. And, she lived in East San Jose, not exactly a better neighborhood. If she can do it, you can. \*\*buttonjockey308 \*\* is more or less wrong. But- only “more or less”. For although most of Sub-saharan Africa is hardly opportunity rich, a person can still strive and make things better. Still, their chances and opportunities are crap compared to here, but there _are_ chances and opportunities. ---
**Author:** ![Sarahfeena](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sarahfeena/32/519_2.png) [@Sarahfeena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sarahfeena)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2006, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buttonjockey308-get-in-here/367001/32 "2006-08-02T20:19:28Z")
I have to agree that you can in no way compare the opportunity level in the U.S. with that in African countries. I think what is really shown by the problems in much of Africa is what happens when you have bad government, more than anything it says about the people. It is shown all over the world that when the people are given nothing but the economic freedom needed to start & run businesses, then they will work hard and thrive. When those opportunities are hampered by endless political unrest and unreasonable control over businesses, then the opposite happens. To fault the average person living in Africa for this is completely unreasonable. ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2006, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buttonjockey308-get-in-here/367001/33 "2006-08-02T20:23:50Z")
[QUOTE=buttonjockey308] Listen, I’m not saying I’m not lucky. I’m damn lucky to live here, I’m damn lucky to have had ancestors who risked everything to get here [/QUOTE] I may not remember my family lore correctly, but I believe my ancestors were mostly trying to get out of being drafted. Ah, the smell of nobility in the morning. ---
**Author:** ![MagicXylophone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b19c9b/32.png) [@MagicXylophone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MagicXylophone)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2006, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buttonjockey308-get-in-here/367001/34 "2006-08-02T20:28:19Z")
[QUOTE=DrDeth] Yes, _you_ have. Although I agree that many parts of Sub-saharan Africa aren’t brimming over with opportunities- American _is._ You, as a Californian, can go to a nice two year college- at night, after your shitty job- bascily for what amounts to \*free. \* This can get you a Nursing credential (for example; or police science, or dental tech, or…) amoung many other excellent and well paid job opportunities. Yes, you have to get your ass off the couch after work, skipping the nightly TV, and into college for a few years. But you _have no fucking excuse_. (OK, if you are PD, _maybe_ you have an excuse, but even so, the opportunities for a disabled person here in the USA are many and varied). Unless you’re stupid or lazy, you can get a decent job (here in America) if you strive. Sure, being a Nurse (for example) is hard work- but the pay isn’t bad at all, and there’s scads of openings. Shit-loads better than fry-cook at fast food, anyway. And, even there- one of my Ex’s freinds left her abusive husband. She had no job skills, and yes, she went on welfare for a year. Then, she got a job at McDonalds, but her determination and hard work got her promoted to crew chief within 6 months, and when I last heard from her, they were sending her to Hamburger Univ. All she had was a GED, average IQ, and scads of determination and get up and go. Oh, and two young kids, too. And, she lived in East San Jose, not exactly a better neighborhood. If she can do it, you can. \*\*buttonjockey308 \*\* is more or less wrong. But- only “more or less”. For although most of Sub-saharan Africa is hardly opportunity rich, a person can still strive and make things better. Still, their chances and opportunities are crap compared to here, but there _are_ chances and opportunities. [/QUOTE] Wow. I had to read that twice to make sure you weren’t kidding. Please say you’re kidding. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2006, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buttonjockey308-get-in-here/367001/35 "2006-08-02T21:11:09Z")
[QUOTE=MagicXylophone] Wow. I had to read that twice to make sure you weren’t kidding. Please say you’re kidding. [/QUOTE] I wasn’t kidding. I just don’t know which statement in my post you think is wrong. 😕 Is it that I said there are comparitively plenty of opportunities here in the USA? Do you contend otherwise? 😕 I had to work my way through college as a night watchman. Both my parents worked. But now I am a well-paid professional. Not rich, no. I also said that in Sub-Saharan Africa the opportunities are slim compared to here. Or are you saying that in Africa there are lots of opportunties and everything is just ducky? 😕 Or that you think there are no chances and no opportunities at all; and that no one can make it, no matter how hard they try? 😕 ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2006, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buttonjockey308-get-in-here/367001/36 "2006-08-02T21:27:06Z")
There is a little daylight between “there are no chances and no opportunities at all,” and “suboptimal results can ONLY be attributed to sub-acceptable effort.” ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2006, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buttonjockey308-get-in-here/367001/37 "2006-08-02T21:27:35Z")
[QUOTE=DrDeth] Is it that I said there are comparitively plenty of opportunities here in the USA? Do you contend otherwise? [/QUOTE] The operative word is “comparitively.” ---
**Author:** ![woodstockbirdybird](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/woodstockbirdybird/32/7905_2.png) [@woodstockbirdybird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/woodstockbirdybird)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2006, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buttonjockey308-get-in-here/367001/38 "2006-08-02T21:28:15Z")
[QUOTE=DrDeth] Yes, _you_ have. Although I agree that many parts of Sub-saharan Africa aren’t brimming over with opportunities- American _is._ You, as a Californian, can go to a nice two year college- at night, after your shitty job- bascily for what amounts to \*free. \* This can get you a Nursing credential (for example; or police science, or dental tech, or…) amoung many other excellent and well paid job opportunities. Yes, you have to get your ass off the couch after work, skipping the nightly TV, and into college for a few years. But you _have no fucking excuse_. (OK, if you are PD, _maybe_ you have an excuse, but even so, the opportunities for a disabled person here in the USA are many and varied). Unless you’re stupid or lazy, you can get a decent job (here in America) if you strive. Sure, being a Nurse (for example) is hard work- but the pay isn’t bad at all, and there’s scads of openings. Shit-loads better than fry-cook at fast food, anyway. And, even there- one of my Ex’s freinds left her abusive husband. She had no job skills, and yes, she went on welfare for a year. Then, she got a job at McDonalds, but her determination and hard work got her promoted to crew chief within 6 months, and when I last heard from her, they were sending her to Hamburger Univ. All she had was a GED, average IQ, and scads of determination and get up and go. Oh, and two young kids, too. And, she lived in East San Jose, not exactly a better neighborhood. If she can do it, you can. \*\*buttonjockey308 \*\* is more or less wrong. But- only “more or less”. For although most of Sub-saharan Africa is hardly opportunity rich, a person can still strive and make things better. Still, their chances and opportunities are crap compared to here, but there _are_ chances and opportunities. [/QUOTE] Actually, I’m not poor - I was using myself in the example to stand in for a poor American. I _have_ been poor, though, and the reason I’m not has more to do with luck than hard work. I used to work 2 full-time shitty jobs just to get by, and there was no way I would have been able to squeeze school in. Anyway, if you think all people have to do to get out of poverty is “get off the couch after work and skip the TV” and they’ll be able to get a degree because money for school is dripping off the trees for the impoverished, you’re a fucking loon. Guess what? Plenty of poor people do work their asses off and they’re still poor. And if your idea of “opportunity” is attending Hamburger University, we’re obviously not going to see things eye to eye. As far as sub-Saharan African citizens who are living in poverty striving and making things better, I’m sure the ones that can, do - but if you’re not even afforded the opportunity to get an education or you’re being brutally oppressed by your government, you’re pretty much fucked. Much like the dipshit arguments you’re making here. ---
**Author:** ![MelCthefirst](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eada6e/32.png) [@MelCthefirst](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MelCthefirst)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2006, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buttonjockey308-get-in-here/367001/39 "2006-08-02T21:41:51Z")
[QUOTE=DrDeth] Yes, _you_ have. Although I agree that many parts of Sub-saharan Africa aren’t brimming over with opportunities- American _is._ You, as a Californian, can go to a nice two year college- at night, after your shitty job- bascily for what amounts to \*free. \* This can get you a Nursing credential (for example; or police science, or dental tech, or…) amoung many other excellent and well paid job opportunities. Yes, you have to get your ass off the couch after work, skipping the nightly TV, and into college for a few years. But you _have no fucking excuse_. (OK, if you are PD, _maybe_ you have an excuse, but even so, the opportunities for a disabled person here in the USA are many and varied). Unless you’re stupid or lazy, you can get a decent job (here in America) if you strive. Sure, being a Nurse (for example) is hard work- but the pay isn’t bad at all, and there’s scads of openings. Shit-loads better than fry-cook at fast food, anyway. And, even there- one of my Ex’s freinds left her abusive husband. She had no job skills, and yes, she went on welfare for a year. Then, she got a job at McDonalds, but her determination and hard work got her promoted to crew chief within 6 months, and when I last heard from her, they were sending her to Hamburger Univ. All she had was a GED, average IQ, and scads of determination and get up and go. Oh, and two young kids, too. And, she lived in East San Jose, not exactly a better neighborhood. If she can do it, you can. \*\*buttonjockey308 \*\* is more or less wrong. But- only “more or less”. For although most of Sub-saharan Africa is hardly opportunity rich, a person can still strive and make things better. Still, their chances and opportunities are crap compared to here, but there _are_ chances and opportunities. [/QUOTE] People and the things that influence them aren’t as simple as you seem to think they are - otherwise, all those who are motivated to work very hard (for money not for the love of the job) would be well off, and yet they are not. ---
**Author:** ![OneCentStamp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/13edae/32.png) [@OneCentStamp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OneCentStamp)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2006, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buttonjockey308-get-in-here/367001/40 "2006-08-02T21:47:17Z")
[QUOTE=Ensign Edison] Dude, seriously, put down the Ayn Rand and back slowly away. It will do you no favors in life. [/QUOTE] Hey, **Edison**. I like you and all, but don’t _even_ go pinning this guy’s delusions on Rand. :mad:😉 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buttonjockey308-get-in-here/367001.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buttonjockey308-get-in-here/367001.md?page=3)