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There's is no doubt that WW2 was a major factor in ending the depression. But the Great depression ended in 1939 while WW2 started in '39 as well. But due to the lend-lease act most of the payment was in land for American bases. And even before WW2 the country was well on it's way to recovery. FDR was creating jobs through the CCC,WPA and etc. People also started putting their money bank into banks and investing again.
No, he actually just spent a bunch of money trying to get us out of the depression, it didn't work. The war economy from WWII did. He didn't make the government responsible for the people, he taxed others and forced them to be responsible. FDR greatly increased the size of the nations government and debt, he was not great.
I never recognised it as Genghis Khan, I had always assumed it to be from a computer game. Though I think you're right about it being the only historical avatar.
I have to plead ignorance on this... I'm not familiar with that? He was the first ambassador to France and supposedly a ladies man... even though he wasn't much of a looker.
I'm not trying to offend you when I say this but Leary was a bit of an idiot, he talked so much about what should be, he was such a dreamer, he convinced so many to follow him, but he had very little to back up what he was saying. It's one of the reasons they managed to close the gates back up after the 60's, too many hippies with nothing but pie in the sky ideas to offer. I've always preferred Aldous Huxley (among many others associated with that era).
But even Ram Dass (formerly Richard Alpert) Leary's second in command always seemed to me to more likeable as he wasn't so lost (in his own head) that he couldn't propose practical measures that could have changed certain things.
While I will agree that at times Leary was lost in his own head, I will have to disagree with your notion that he was an idiot. He was an extremely intelligent man, not to mention a Ph.D of Psychology. He definitely had a more unique perspective on issues, then that of a normal person (That is, someone who has never used LSD before).
"He was an extremely intelligent man, not to mention a Ph.D of Psychology"
Intelligence alone does not preclude someone from being labelled an idiot, some of the worlds most intelligent people are in my view some its biggest idiots.
"He definitely had a more unique perspective on issues,"
I know exactly what perspective he had, I know what he did and what he did not do, please don't try to lecture me, have you ever even read the version of the Tibetan book of the dead he wrote?
"hat is, someone who has never used LSD before"
LSD is only tool, a tool that most people have no idea how to use.
I am genuinely sorry, I assumed it was you given that you contradicted me and then my argument was down-voted without reply. My problem is very difficult to define so let's not go there.
Its all good man, simple misunderstanding. I wasn't trying to lecture you or anything, it is very clear that you know what you are talking, I was just trying to give my opinion. I am not very informed on Leary at all, I have done very minimal reading, and have only seen a couple of interviews.
I'm sorry if my reply was a bit over the top, I've never been the most tactful person in the world. It did seem as though you were trying to debate me, I agree he was an intelligent man but I feel many of insight were impracticable and of little use, he may well have ruined many lives, although people make their own choices in life.
"Feel free to disagree."
I already did.
"Im not trying to lecture you"
Fair enough, it did seem as though you were slightly.
"Once again I am simply stating my opinion."
Which you are fully entitled to.
"Yes LSD is only a tool that most people don't know how to use"
Not only that but most people don't even want to use it.
"I'm sure you can agree it is an extremely powerful too"
Haha nothing to debate dude! I even would agree with you that I myself prefer Aldous Huxley over Leary. I am not familiar with Ram Dass though. Do you use Psychedelics? You don't have to answer, I just always get delighted when I meet a fellow traveler, because you're right, most people do not want to use LSD, or any Psychedelic substance for that matter, which is very sad and discouraging.
"even would agree with you that I myself prefer Aldous Huxley"
You should read what Huxley wrote about Leary, he wasn't very fond of him. Admittedly when I first came across Leary I loved everything he had to say, but I suppose over time I just began to look at the situation differently, part of me still agrees with your original opinion, but as you can tell that part isn't very vocal.
" I am not familiar with Ram Dass though."
He was originally called Richard Alpert, he was Leary's contemporary, and unofficial second in command. His story is also very interesting, as is the work he has produced, he still lectures even today. Terrance McKenna interviewed him, I remember watching it a long time ago.
"Do you use Psychedelics?"
Yes, since I was 12.
"most people do not want to use LSD, or any Psychedelic substance for that matter, which is very sad and discouraging."
It's a complicated question, I've given it a lot of thought over the years, but psychedelics are not necessary, you can reach the same experience without taking any such substance, theoretically anyway.
I'd say Terence McKenna was the craziest of them all.
Like logicsoup, I'm not very familiar with Leary's works, other than the little I've bothered to read. Like religious teachings, I think it is mostly pointless to hear what other people have to say (Leary and McKenna for psychedelics, everybody after the religious text for religion), preferring to experiment myself.
I think Alexander Shulgin would have been a better choice on my part, but he isn't very much of an historical figure.
Not only that but most people don't even want to use it.
Because of all the propaganda against it! Everybody says "don't do acid, man, you'll jump out of a window\". Few people seem able to comprehend a true, purposeful acid trip.
Rock on man! Timothy Leary was great, although I myself personally prefer Terence McKenna. I think LSD wasn't the only drug that Leary got involved with, because after watching several of his interviews, he was a little cooky nearing the end of is life.
I'm even less familiar with McKenna than I am with Leary, and neither of them am I very familiar with. I've read some by Leary, and only perused through a few of McKenna's writings.
He also did weed, I know that, and I'm pretty sure he also used psilocybin. I'm sure I'll be pretty cooky by the end of my life if I keep up at the rate I've been going.
Hahaha "used Psilocybin" is about as loose as a statement as you can get my friend. The man advocated Psychedelics to his death, but none as dearly as the sacred Magic Mushroom. But yes you are correct he was also a very avid user of Cannabis as well. He was a great man, and a very extraordinary thinker, I really encourage you to look him up on Youtube, there are hours upon hours of his lectures and speeches and I learn something new on every one I watch!
I watched this one about an hour ago, right after posting whatever I last posted. I wish I could believe that he was just trying to act funny, but the guy was crazy.
Hahaha I actually saw this one last night! The interview is incredible, as I can't believe the interviewer would actually force Leary to stay on the show. He should have received a swift punch in the face for grabbing him like that. I think Leary acted pretty well considering the circumstance that he was in. I think some of what it was, is was acting funny. Like at the beginning "Im under arrest!" Hahaha that had me cracking up. But he at this time in his life he was definitely a little bit more far out. I really do think that he got involved with other drugs other than Psychedelics.
Yeah, he's a lot more coherent in this interview, wherein he speaks negatively about non-psychedelics. I don't know, I've never touched cocaine or heroin, stuff like that; I agree with him that they are mind-closing, whereas psychedelics are mind-expanding.
I will agree it is EXTREMELY annoying when your standard run of the mill teenager, goes out and buys a Che Guevara T Shirt (or anything with his face on it for that matter), without knowing a shred of information on the man himself, except that he was a "rebel". I do admit, I am the proud owner of a Che Guevara shirt, but I have done extensive research on his life, read his fantastic biography, and have formed my own opinions free of biases from the political left or right.
I must diagree with you on Che. While his rebelliousness is admirable (and clearly strikes a tune within the youth of today), he couldn't have made communism work. Aside from the fact that the system is inherently flawed, Che was too murderous and, contrary to your point, selfish to lead communism.
I still have a Che Guevara clock though, although that was just to piss off my friend, but anyway...
Isn't Terrence Mckenna the crazy guy who came up with Timewave Zero?