A very serious inquiry

[LarsM]

Rip,

how does it make you feel that dirty European socialists are using your program to get stronger?

[Mark Rippetoe]

I feel violated. Like a used Kleenex(TM).

[Konstantinos Kavos]

I feel violated. Like a used Kleenex(TM).

How about clean European socialists? Or dirty European free-market-capitalists?

What I think I am getting at is: are you more sickened by the fact that socialists are reading your books, or by the fact that Europeans are reading your books?

Furthermore, I used to be a socialist (until I learned what socialist really means and that it's not just a cool way of picking up chicks). If I was also to stop being a European, by moving to the US or Aus, would my reading of your books still make you feel violated, or just mildly sexually-harassed?

[Mark Rippetoe]

I think it's just that most Europeans are socialists, even if they think they're not. You guys are raised differently than we are. Most of us. So the generalization is useful, as generalizations sometimes are even if the specific instance is wrong. But perhaps socialists can learn from the process of getting stronger, and thus mature.

[ColoWayno]

Hilarious. Thank you I needed that. I'm feeling the weight of millions of internet morons right now. But my back is still in extension.

[LarsM]

Everyone knows all socialists are dirty.

And I will NEVER abandon the politics of my motherland!

[Konstantinos Kavos]

I think it's just that most Europeans are socialists, even if they think they're not.

This, unfortunately, is absolutely true. Indoctrination can be a subtle process.

Still, we are finally learning that socialism comes at a very very heavy price, including massive and inevitable corruption in the government and bureaucracy (which of course are essentially the same body here).

Here in Greece especially we are learning that lesson hard and fast (410 billion debt!!! WTF?!?! Our GDP is 350 billion!) and I suspect the rest of Europe will do so soon too.

I hope your guys look across the water and realise the dangers inherent in the road they seem to want to lead you down, because if Greece and Europe don't change soon, I am leaving, and the only real choice for a place to go to is the US.

I agree that if more Euros start strength training they might mature and no longer feel the need for the nanny-state. So when are you coming over here to do a Cert? We need all the help we can get. I suggested elsewhere on this site that we could do one in Munich during the Oktoberfest...

[kittenSmash]

I think it's just that most Europeans are socialists, even if they think they're not. You guys are raised differently than we are. Most of us. So the generalization is useful, as generalizations sometimes are even if the specific instance is wrong. But perhaps socialists can learn from the process of getting stronger, and thus mature.

Sorry Rip, but I don't see this happening. Once the socialists realize that they are required to work hard, and that their government will not squat for them...well, no progression. It's a nice thought though.

[strongdaniel]

Sorry Rip, but I don't see this happening. Once the socialists realize that they are required to work hard, and that their government will not squat for them...well, no progression. It's a nice thought though.

Each squatting according to his ability, each linearly progressing according to his need.

[Konstantinos Kavos]

Each squatting according to his ability, each linearly progressing according to his need.

Damn you capitalist swine, I was going to say something clever like that and you beat me to it.