President Donald J. Trump

[Dr. MD MD]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KT-1eyTuszM

[Dr. MD MD]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e297K3uX5Pg

[Dr. MD MD]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RG629uoizro

[Kidnostad3]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-fmZq8lRyJs

There is a reason you shouldn't be half in the bag when doing an interview.  They obviously had been drowning their sorrows after their case was thrown out.  Most of their points were valid but were blunted by their delivery.  She at least was downright sloppy.  He became increasingly irritated by her talking over him. Understandable but I don't think they did themselves much good.

[albrecht]

It's funny.  I was reading a book recently and it had brought up all of the societies, the service clubs and the formal charities that were founded a hundred or two hundred years ago.  And almost all are in severe decline now.

It got me to considering if we become less charitable and less willing to give of our time to help others the more we believe that the government does (or should) fill that role.  Why belong to a service club and clean up a highway when you pay taxes?  Why serve food at a shelter when you contribute to welfare?

I have not given it as much thought as I probably should- but my working theory basically says that the more "left" or the more socialist a country is, the more likely it's citizens are to remove themselves from personally acting charitable (certainly with their time, and {maybe} with their money).  On the other hand, it could also be blamed on the modernization of society as people spend more time online making what they consider friends and forming relationships. Where joining a service club and actually doing something for the betterment of a community used to be a good way to network and socialize, now we have Bellgab... I don't know if you can separate the changes in society enough to be able to lay the blame at the feet of socialism or technology (or other causes.)

Yes. Even social events are 'online' more now. I saw some stats (I guess good?) that teens are even having sex less, drinking less, drug less because online porn, sexting, "gaming," youtubes, parents/society who says a kid can't even go to a park alone or walk to school and the like. But I think also people have to work more? It reminds me when my granddad died all the people who showed up for funeral and the obituary from organizations he belonged to over the decades. Much of it, for sure, was 'networking' of the real kind, but also they did do good for community. Now days much of them are criticized "elitist" possibly "discrimination" (lots of groups were men-only or women-only)  "good old boy networks" etc by the Left or conspiracy crowds. But I thought, at the time, would have the TIME to show up for meetings, or just hanging out, with so many groups? You see also that many of the old buildings owned by various ethnic societies, social clubs, fraternities/sororities, business organizations, fraternal groups, women's clubs, masonic, etc now being rented out or just sold because various social organizations losing members.

[Kidnostad3]

Yes. Even social events are 'online' more now. I saw some stats (I guess good?) that teens are even having sex less, drinking less, drug less because online porn, sexting, "gaming," youtubes, parents/society who says a kid can't even go to a park alone or walk to school and the like. But I think also people have to work more? It reminds me when my granddad died all the people who showed up for funeral and the obituary from organizations he belonged to over the decades. Much of it, for sure, was 'networking' of the real kind, but also they did do good for community. Now days much of them are criticized "elitist" possibly "discrimination" (lots of groups were men-only or women-only)  "good old boy networks" etc by the Left or conspiracy crowds. But I thought, at the time, would have the TIME to show up for meetings, or just hanging out, with so many groups? You see also that many of the old buildings owned by various ethnic societies, social clubs, fraternities/sororities, business organizations, fraternal groups, women's clubs, masonic, etc now being rented out or just sold because various social organizations losing members.

What was once a sense of community even in large cities has been lost.  There are many reasons: more transient populations, electronic communications,, e-commerce and  demise of small town main streets, growth of home entertainment  etc.   IMHO this country and developed nations in general have in the last 30-40 years been going through a transition every bit as impactful on every day life as the industrial revolution and mass electrification. 

P.S.  I guess you're not too badly effected by the storm.

[Gd5150]

I have not given it as much thought as I probably should- but my working theory basically says that the more "left" or the more socialist a country is, the more likely it's citizens are to remove themselves from personally acting charitable (certainly with their time, and {maybe} with their money).

Agreed. Truly giving of yourself, your time, your money, by choice, is one of those great mysteries that for me is proof there is a higher power (God). When you spend money on yourself buying something, you might get happiness for a short period and then you're focused on what you'll buy for yourself next. When you take the time and make the effort to help someone else in need, and make a difference, you will get so much more fulfillment out of it. And become a much happier person. It's illogical that helping others makes us happier than helping ourselves, but it is the case. And to me it's evidence of something much more than the matieral items we can see in front of our faces. One need not have religion to see and experience it.

Big government/socialism/communism strips away our ability to help others. It drains us personally and financially. We lose the ability to be independent and self reliant. To choose if and who we help. The irony is the same happens when you're the receiver of the govt handouts. It doesn't make anyone happy. A little assistance is good. But people still want to be free, to choose, to provide for themselves, and to be able to help others. Socialism on a large scale prevents this and it's why its evil.

When the government takes away 3/4 of our income over our lifetimes, and then take half for themselves, then supposedly gives the other half away to help others, who gets the fulfillment? The government. So not only did they not have to work for the money, they are the ones in control receiving fulfillment by helping some that they have not even earned. It's disgusting. It's one of the many reasons people despise government.

Thats the evil of socialism/communism. It takes away ones independence. It takes away their ability to be self reliant. It takes away their ability to give to help others. It makes everyone the same, except the elite in government who run the system. Self reliance is one of the cores of true conservatism. Provide all people with an equal opportunity to provide for themselves. They will be much more productive, much happier, and society is a much better place because they actually have something they've earned and value.

Socialist/Communist countries lack this. Atheists lack this. And it why they're all miserable. Living life with no freedom, no liberty, no independence, no faith in something more, is a sad pointless existence.

[Kidnostad3]

Agreed. Truly giving of yourself, your time, your money, by choice, is one of those great mysteries that for me is proof there is a higher power (God). When you spend money on yourself buying something, you might get happiness for a short period and then you're focused on what you'll buy for yourself next. When you take the time and make the effort to help someone else in need, and make a difference, you will get so much more fulfillment out of it. And become a much happier person. It's illogical that helping others makes us happier than helping ourselves, but it is the case. And to me it's evidence of something much more than the matieral items we can see in front of our faces. One need not have religion to see and experience it.

Big government/socialism/communism strips away our ability to help others. It drains us personally and financially. We lose the ability to be independent and self reliant. To choose if and who we help. The irony is the same happens when you're the receiver of the govt handouts. It doesn't make anyone happy. A little assistance is good. But people still want to be free, to choose, to provide for themselves, and to be able to help others. Socialism on a large scale prevents this and it's why its evil.

When the government takes away 3/4 of our income over our lifetimes, and then take half for themselves, then supposedly gives the other half away to help others, who gets the fulfillment? The government. So not only did they not have to work for the money, they are the ones in control receiving fulfillment by helping some that they have not even earned. It's disgusting. It's one of the many reasons people despise government.

Thats the evil of socialism/communism. It takes away ones independence. It takes away their ability to be self reliant. It takes away their ability to give to help others. It makes everyone the same, except the elite in government who run the system. Self reliance is one of the cores of true conservatism. Provide all people with an equal opportunity to provide for themselves. They will be much more productive, much happier, and society is a much better place because they actually have something they've earned and value.

Socialist/Communist countries lack this. Atheists lack this. And it why they're all miserable. Living life with no freedom, no liberty, no independence, no faith in something more, is a sad pointless existence.

Very well put.  What is life worth when one is deprived of a sense of personal accomplishment and the rewards thereof some of which can be used to help others.

[albrecht]

What was once a sense of community even in large cities has been lost.  There are many reasons: more transient populations, electronic communications,, e-commerce and  demise of small town main streets, growth of home entertainment  etc.   IMHO this country and developed nations in general have in the last 30-40 years been going through a transition every bit as impactful on every day life as the industrial revolution and mass electrification. 

P.S.  I guess you're not too badly effected by the storm.

Yeah, even things like a poker game, happy hour after work, or bowling league are rarer and rarer it seems. Granted this changes as one ages, naturally. Church attendance in many places down. I did see a funny article about the problems of old people in softball and bb leagues. Some dudes in their 80s. Ha. And the COSTs of everything, and now potential threats from terrorist, illegals, or thugs, and, let's be honest, zero-tolerance drinking and driving laws (good I'm not saying it is good to drive drunk) make decision to go out versus stay home or go to a friends house for a dinner party or watch a movie at home etc? The price of going to sport events and the hassle with traffic, parking, and then prices for everything including water? Versus watching on tv in comfort? And then the places curb tailgating and stuff, if they can't bill you for it or get some corporate deal they don't seem to want the common fan or student?

ps: we good here. Some rain. No floods but I'm far away from coast. Folks I've heard from, including some almost at 'ground zero' near Port O'Connor, who stayed are all ok. Some minor damage to some houses but nothing major on their ranch. People in Houston I heard from say all ok. However, there is still flood threats for wide area.

[Jackstar]

What is life worth when one is deprived of appropriate punctuation?

Just shoot me.

[Dr. MD MD]

There is a reason you shouldn't be half in the bag when doing an interview.  They obviously had been drowning their sorrows after their case was thrown out.  Most of their points were valid but were blunted by their delivery.  She at least was downright sloppy.  He became increasingly irritated by her talking over him. Understandable but I don't think they did themselves much good.

They're emotionally raw at realizing the system is irredeemably corrupt and, like they said, witnesses died (were killed) in their case. I can't blame them.

[Yorkshire pud]

Atheists lack this. And it why they're all miserable. Living life with no freedom, no liberty, no independence, no faith in something more, is a sad pointless existence.

Really? Instead of dishing out useless platitudes such as: "I'm/we're praying for you" and feeling smug that you can abdicate doing anything useful to a fairy story, I'm the bloke who says 'Okay, what's the problem, how can I help you?" Faith like sympathy is a waste of emotion. Do something that actually makes a difference.

[Jackstar]

I'm the bloke who says 'Okay, what's the problem,

Rogue geo-engineering.

how can I help you?"

Harvest the hemlock.

[Yorkshire pud]

Rogue geo-engineering.

Your batteries need changing.

You're welcome.

[Kidnostad3]

Yeah, even things like a poker game, happy hour after work, or bowling league are rarer and rarer it seems. Granted this changes as one ages, naturally. Church attendance in many places down. I did see a funny article about the problems of old people in softball and bb leagues. Some dudes in their 80s. Ha. And the COSTs of everything, and now potential threats from terrorist, illegals, or thugs, and, let's be honest, zero-tolerance drinking and driving laws (good I'm not saying it is good to drive drunk) make decision to go out versus stay home or go to a friends house for a dinner party or watch a movie at home etc? The price of going to sport events and the hassle with traffic, parking, and then prices for everything including water? Versus watching on tv in comfort? And then the places curb tailgating and stuff, if they can't bill you for it or get some corporate deal they don't seem to want the common fan or student?

ps: we good here. Some rain. No floods but I'm far away from coast. Folks I've heard from, including some almost at 'ground zero' near Port O'Connor, who stayed are all ok. Some minor damage to some houses but nothing major on their ranch. People in Houston I heard from say all ok. However, there is still flood threats for wide area.

I hadn't thought of it but the .08 BAC limit and the much harsher penalties are a huge factor.  Why risk a DUI by staying too long at the bar or a party.  I for one am extremely conscious of that now.  Although I never got into an accident, I must confess that back in the day I would drive on occassion when I shouldn't have. Now I don't drive if I've had more than two.  Fortunately for me, my wife is a very light drinker and she is always willing to do the driving. I'm not virtue signaling here. I  just have a real dread of loosing my license and my mobility.  I guess the laws are working.  I hear that in some places they have lowered the legal BAC to .06.

[Jackstar]

Your batteries need changing.

Your worldview is obsolete.

[Dr. MD MD]

I'm the bloke who says 'Okay, what's the problem, how can I help you?"

[Yorkshire pud]

Oh, I forgot...There are exceptions. Damn. 

[Kidnostad3]

Just shoot me.

Punctuation is overrated.

[Gd5150]

Really? Instead of dishing out useless platitudes such as: "I'm/we're praying for you" and feeling smug that you can abdicate doing anything useful to a fairy story, I'm the bloke who says 'Okay, what's the problem, how can I help you?" Faith like sympathy is a waste of emotion. Do something that actually makes a difference.

Ok Spok. This is why the left is miserable and worthless. Who resents someone saying a prayer? The left despises it. If someone wants to say a prayer who's it hurting? Instead of saying a prayer you can get a helmet and bat and go out and hit someone who has a different opinion than you, that will really give back.

Its sad really. I didn't say anything about praying. But when you're hanging on for your life off the side of a cliff Im sure thoughts of Richard Dawkings will give you peace of mind. 😄😄😄

Faith like sympathy like inspiration is what motivates people to be bigger and better than they think they can be. It's what helps people cope with and move on from unimaginable tragedy.  It's what moves humanity forward. Not some dumbass self absorbed atheist professor who hates himself, humanity, and stews in the filth of cynicism.

Study after study after study have proven time after time those on the right, those with faith, give much more back to charity than the self absorbed self pitiers on the left. Like 10:1. But if believing only in the materialistic universe is the existence the left wants, so be it. It's why no one turns to them for leadership, just hand outs.

[WOTR]

I appreciate the thoughts... I had  not even considered the .08 alcohol limit  playing a part-but it does make sense that it could be a contributing factor. 

The football team in town tried stopping people from tailgating and found their attendance plummeted (I believe they allow them again.)  They have some of the only affordable tickets for professional sports.  It is also a reason why when a team asks for hundreds of millions of tax payer dollars to build an arena I laugh.  Lower your ticket prices so that the average person can attend and enjoy a night out, and we will talk.

I can believe in God- but I don't know if I can call charity proof of his existence.  You have Muslims giving, you have the Rockefeller foundation distributing money and, while I believe you have more "Christian" groups who do volunteer work you still have atheists who give of their time and money.  Finally, you have large corporations who donate money to various causes.  Yes, it is to make themselves look good and appealing to their customers in most cases- but they are still large contributors.

Finally, I was not really meaning to suggest that we go back 150 years and rely completely on donations and volunteer labour.  There was a time when schools and libraries were not provided for and individuals and organizations stepped in to fill the gap.  I also do not know if society has changed irreversibly where to go back to relying on individuals to give would be possible.  Say there were not taxes and everybody got to keep everything... I would be interested to see how many would just own a new chair to watch their new flat screen and jump in their new BMW.

I would say that we are overtaxed.  I also believe that leaving more money with individuals would allow them to give more freely to causes that they believe in.  I'm just not sure that as many people today believe in any causes like they did in the past.  Also, in the past most organizations were run on volunteer labour.  Now it is an industry in and of itself.  More money to donate may just equal larger paycheques for those in the charity sector... I think it comes down more to time than money.  If you don't have people give of their time, then the charity just needs to hire staff.  All you do is shift jobs from the public sector to the charitable sector if you only transfer the money... It is the decline of people giving of themselves and giving their time that I see as one of the bigger challenges- the financial side is secondary.

[Kidnostad3]

Ok Spok. This is why the left is miserable and worthless. Who resents someone saying a prayer? The left despises it. If someone wants to say a prayer who's it hurting? Instead of saying a prayer you can get a helmet and bat and go out and hit someone who has a different opinion than you, that will really give back.

Its sad really. I didn't say anything about praying. But when you're hanging on for your life off the side of a cliff Im sure thoughts of Richard Dawkings will give you peace of mind. 😄😄😄

Faith like sympathy like inspiration is what motivates people to be bigger and better than they think they can be. It's what helps people cope with and move on from unimaginable tragedy.  It's what moves humanity forward. Not some dumbass self absorbed atheist professor who hates himself, humanity, and stews in the filth of cynicism.

Study after study after study have proven time after time those on the right, those with faith, give much more back to charity than the self absorbed self pitiers on the left. Like 10:1. But if believing only in the materialistic universe is the existence the left wants, so be it. It's why no one turns to them for leadership, just hand outs.

Hey Hilliary wants to be an ordained minister.  Must be the prospect of pending indictment that is moving her closer to the Lord.

[Gd5150]

The break from sanity continues. This is great stuff! CNN pissed at Trump for trying to hide the pardon and the transgender military ban by dumping it on a Friday, but they're also pissed because he's using the 2 stories to take the attention away from The Hurricane. Zoiks!




https://youtu.be/hDIQ2BjR2mQ

[Gd5150]

Hey Hilliary wants to be an ordained minister.  Must be the prospect of pending indictment that is moving her closer to the Lord.

Tax exempt status? Wait can't be that, she already has the "non-profit" Clinton "Foundation".

[Yorkshire pud]

Ok Spok. This is why the left is miserable and worthless. Who resents someone saying a prayer? The left despises it. If someone wants to say a prayer who's it hurting?

No-one, but that alone is like chewing gum. Worthless. And the person who needs help is still miserable.

My mother was 'left' and so were her sisters and went to church nearly every sunday of their lives. Your point?

[Inglorious Bitch]

Hey Hilliary wants to be an ordained minister.  Must be the prospect of pending indictment that is moving her closer to the Lord.

I'm sure it has nothing to do with wanting a religious exemption.

[K_Dubb]

The fact that those who drafted and approved the speech removed any mention of Radical Islam or radical Islamic terrorism proves that a crucial element of your presidential campaign has been lost…

I think when the president finally said the magic words and nothing happened, he kind of ran out of steam.

[analog kid]

No-one, but that alone is like chewing gum. Worthless. And the person who needs help is still miserable.

My mother was 'left' and so were her sisters and went to church nearly every sunday of their lives. Your point?

That the right is a bunch of gigantic pussies.

They're supposed to take up arms and protect the nation and the constitution from a tyrannical government, yet they can't handle a single crowd of protesting liberal meanies.

They're so tough -- these fat, greasy, basement dwelling neckbeards, hiding behind their keyboards. The second anything gets serious all they can do is finger point and whine like little bitches.

[Dr. MD MD]

That the right is a bunch of gigantic pussies.

They're supposed to take up arms and protect the nation and the constitution from a tyrannical government, yet they can't handle a single crowd of protesting liberal meanies.

They're so tough -- these fat, greasy, basement dwelling neckbeards, hiding behind their keyboards. The second anything gets serious all they can do is finger point and whine like little bitches.

Another internet tough guy.  :

Shouldn't you be dressed up in your black pajamas trying to beat up random white people? 

[analog kid]

Another internet tough guy.

You brainless dipshit.

This from the idiot who thinks the NYT is fake but Alex Jones is real.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TzNeg9D-EZ4