Elevator sticks at the Burj

[OMDB-PiLoT]

You believe that building these monuments to greed and stupidity is an achievement. That, dear fellow, is the problem. How is bankrupting your state (Dubai is a state, not a nation) by doing these things an achievement? So caught up in the razzle dazzle culture that you wouldn't know what a real 'achievement' was if it landed on your head.

The real problem is that all you see here in Dubai (yes its a state or emirate as they call it and not a country, I know that, so stop being a smart-ass) are the buildings and all the glitter but never really bothered or studied about what this city has really "achieved"! Buildings are just a part of it and if you look beyond it you will understand the real achievements that I'm referring to.

You are talking about education? and health care? Do you know the real state of education or health care in your own country? Dubai took an initiative a LONG time back with Knowledge Village (which now moved to Academic City) and Healthcare City. I'm sure you have no idea about how much money was spent in that area. Have you heard of the media city or the internet city? I guess not! Have you heard of Jebel-Ali free zone or anything about the commercial trade in this country? Nope! You have no idea! So dont make a fool out of yourself by just looking at the real-estate market crash which was obviously due to GFC, and which was a result of your own "civilized" country's failed financial model! You dont want me to even begin with the state of health care in US! You'll die in shame. And talking about education in UK, first go visit a school there and you will not understand a single slang kids are using these days. They've apparently invented a new slang language and let me not even bring the crime statistics or it will make you cry in shame. Stop believing in the "achievements" of your own so called "civilized" or "developed" nations coz in reality they have all gone backwards in many important sectors.

Now that you have nothing else to comment on, you bring the topic of democracy! LOL. Your approach on this subject is just as brilliant as Bush's administration, but I wont blame you, after all you come from such a "developed" nation to understand the meanings of 'achievement'. Ruining millions of lives is part of your national achievement too. Remember that!

Similarly, I could go on and on. You get the idea right? If you are from USA then what 'achievements' are left to sell to the world when your own country is in TRILLION DOLLAR of debts!!! If you're from UK then your country is in about 800 BILLION POUNDS of debt! Now compare that with UAE. Oh yes, you can thank me later for opening your eyes. :-)

[ferris]

I think it would be best if you actually understood "straw man argument", as clearly you don't, and keep going down that path. I don't come from either the US or the UK, but feel free to continue railing with your straw man 'arguments'.

But, I digress...

Look, as far as the Burj goes- let's say I came to your neighbourhood and procured some land. I went to the bank and borrowed a huge sum of money, then proceeded to use that money, plus all my family's money, to build a great big house. Twice as big as yours, that's right, TWICE as big as your house. Huge. Then when it was complete, and just as they were hoisting the big neon sign saying "ferris lives here!" onto the roof, the bank foreclosed because i couldn't pay my debts, they hauled me off to jail, and my family would face ruin and huge debts for a generation or more.

Would you sit there looking at my big, empty house (with the 'mortgagee auction' sign on the front) and say "wow, what a guy, what an achievement!!"

Or would you sit there and say "What a vain, ego-driven fool. His family will suffer for a long time because of this folly"?

Ponder that for a while, then think about how the world views your 'achievement'.

[Jet II]

Originally Posted by mensaboy

My goodness,it was not a stuck elevator, it 'FELL' before the back-up brake system kicked in and saved everyone's lives. And no, this does not happen in the UK or any civilized country.

Oh dont be daft - 5 minutes searching on Google found many instances where the same has happened all around the world - even in 'civilized' countries

Elevator fall scares student

ELEVATOR FELL FOUR FLOORS

[OMDB-PiLoT]

Would you sit there looking at my big, empty house (with the 'mortgagee auction' sign on the front) and say "wow, what a guy, what an achievement!!"

So in short, you bought something that you didn't deserve! Maybe an investment in a smaller house would've made you realize the reality of the situation. Just because you failed in making a good decision (and I certainly hope you dont make such in air), you can't blame the city! I don't want to continue with this silly argument anymore as clearly you haven't grasped the reasons for my post. You've been arguing endlessly not just against my views, but also against reality! So stop giving my arguments a silly straw-man term and live to accept the reality of your own failures. (I understand you narrated that story as an example, but I have a feeling it was your own).

If everyone started living in big mansions with borrowed money then obviously any state will crash, so did Dubai's real estate market. It was your and many others' greediness that led to such situation! I'm sorry that you had to go through such a hard time, but you just can't blame the city for your own mistakes. Goodluck with your life and I hope you cope well with all the hard time and trauma you had to go through during this period. May God bless you.

[Nightfire]

Guys, calm down. Economic recessions come and go, and this one will also pass. Some people will go bust, others will benefit, and it all has nothing to do with being "fair".

Eventually we will see what comes out in the end, and who survives in better shape.

No use in making every little headline you pick from the Gulf News into a sensation. It doesn't prove anything, neither this way nor the other.

[EGGW]

This getting boring, each side of the fence has had its say.

Closed.

EGGW.

[5star]

Ferris,

Forget it. The guy can't help it. I have tried understanding what they want to achieve here and sometimes I think humbleness is a word that a big part of them have never heard.
Anyone who attended history classes will know that most crazy booms were followed by more crazy falls...

On a positive note. I must say I prefer the ME over china. The Chinese have no moral values at all...

Sorry for drifting off...