Someone said that even if you don't believe in God, it is advisable to live your life as if there is...

greyeyed123 comments on Apr 5, 2019:

It might be even better to believe god is just the universe, and that the the universe hates you and is trying to kill you at every turn. I'm sure believing this would make the world as it is make much more sense, and maybe motivate you to solve problems to defend yourself against this hostile ...

David1955 replies on Apr 5, 2019:

I don't know, sometimes I think the universe does hate me, honestly I do. :-)

Anyone favour a mirror site to this one, but just for atheists and agnostics?

Spinliesel comments on Apr 3, 2019:

Stupid idea! It is not what happens on this site that makes us atheists, agnostics, unbelievers. It is what we do every day in your lives.

David1955 replies on Apr 3, 2019:

I don't get your logic, since no one said *what happens on this site makes us atheists* etc but I'll take your comment as a "no".

Anyone favour a mirror site to this one, but just for atheists and agnostics?

Tomaf comments on Apr 2, 2019:

I'm not really sure what a mirror site is. I guess I am internet illiterate. ;-P Anyway I do not think it is a good idea to split the group to make a new group who will be in their own separate bubble. You may as well just make a chat-room somewhere and invite only people you know share your beliefs...

David1955 replies on Apr 2, 2019:

I didn't exclude agnostics, even if some are a bit residually religious. I meant all except stated believers.

Wow, the Lib-Nat Federal Government must be getting very bloody DESPERATE, they going to budget for ...

David1955 comments on Mar 31, 2019:

Yes, never forget that the free market always does things better. Duh! Electricity should be nationalised and run as a non profit essential service. We have a weak country, weak politicians and weak political parties. Don't hold out that the ALP will be any better. I don't any more.

David1955 replies on Apr 2, 2019:

@powder we've been part of the Empire since 1941. That's just a fact. You're either part of the Empire or with the Rebel Alliance, that's how it is. They just don't bother to ask us what we think.

Anyone favour a mirror site to this one, but just for atheists and agnostics?

David1955 comments on Apr 1, 2019:

Well, that post threw the cat amongst the proverbial pigeons on April 1. Interesting points. I suspect, though, that overtime believers will increase in number on this site. We'll see what happens.

David1955 replies on Apr 2, 2019:

@Storm1752 let me correct my punctuation:" I suspect that, over time, believers will increase.." I should be more careful with my grammar.

Greta Christina: Do believers in a tri-omni God act like they believe in one?

Count_Viceroy comments on Apr 1, 2019:

If you're a believer none of this matters. What I mean is that these are details that don't have to interfere with one's faith. My mother just trusts Jesus. That's good enough. My brother, the smartest in the family, has to willfully put aside glaring inconsistencies, logical chasms, and general ...

David1955 replies on Apr 2, 2019:

Yes, well generally the more you can simplify a belief, the easier it is to believe it as a faith based belief. The Catholics developed a complex theology to make people think anything that elaborate must be true. The Protestants went for simple faith theologies to entice believers. It remains, if you want to fool people, either keep it simple or keep it over their heads. In Christianity both are used.

Just wanted to say that I finally managed to find access to the Star Trek the animated series of ...

Count_Viceroy comments on Apr 2, 2019:

One of my life's great mistakes was to be too cool to watch these when they were on originally.

David1955 replies on Apr 2, 2019:

For some reason I've never connected with them. I was aware of them, though. I just happened to find them on this Android app.

Just wanted to say that I finally managed to find access to the Star Trek the animated series of ...

RavenCT comments on Apr 1, 2019:

It's on YouTube: (Glance over the right there are 102 episodes) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VVpRv6rC8RY=PLkDQxsJgx52_kVqtm8qmFjYtBmfMYXx2G Enjoy!

David1955 replies on Apr 1, 2019:

I have found them on an Android App streaming service, and the quality is excellent. I should have thought of YouTube. Quality on YouTube is sometimes not so great though. Thanks

Wow, the Lib-Nat Federal Government must be getting very bloody DESPERATE, they going to budget for ...

David1955 comments on Mar 31, 2019:

Yes, never forget that the free market always does things better. Duh! Electricity should be nationalised and run as a non profit essential service. We have a weak country, weak politicians and weak political parties. Don't hold out that the ALP will be any better. I don't any more.

David1955 replies on Apr 1, 2019:

@FrayedBear oh, that's interesting. Didn't know. Thanks. Have some more points.

Wow, the Lib-Nat Federal Government must be getting very bloody DESPERATE, they going to budget for ...

David1955 comments on Mar 31, 2019:

Yes, never forget that the free market always does things better. Duh! Electricity should be nationalised and run as a non profit essential service. We have a weak country, weak politicians and weak political parties. Don't hold out that the ALP will be any better. I don't any more.

David1955 replies on Apr 1, 2019:

@FrayedBear Australian prosperity is more fragile than our leaders will admit. We should investing in the future, education and technology, but our thinking is regressive. Wanted to show a "like" but it won't work today.

Wow, the Lib-Nat Federal Government must be getting very bloody DESPERATE, they going to budget for ...

David1955 comments on Mar 31, 2019:

Yes, never forget that the free market always does things better. Duh! Electricity should be nationalised and run as a non profit essential service. We have a weak country, weak politicians and weak political parties. Don't hold out that the ALP will be any better. I don't any more.

David1955 replies on Apr 1, 2019:

@FrayedBear yes, I'm having the same problem. I've tried to show like or love on your comments.

Anyone favour a mirror site to this one, but just for atheists and agnostics?

mordant comments on Apr 1, 2019:

Agnostic.com really already is the mirror site you speak of. The perceived problem is the humanist.com mirror site, all of whose users are on both sites, brining in theists. However I am not sure this is the real problem. Most of the god-botherers I have bumped into are just poorly set up scammer...

David1955 replies on Apr 1, 2019:

Good points, all.

Anyone favour a mirror site to this one, but just for atheists and agnostics?

Merseyman1 comments on Apr 1, 2019:

They can still pretend to be atheists...

David1955 replies on Apr 1, 2019:

Damn. Never thought of that. :-)

Wow, the Lib-Nat Federal Government must be getting very bloody DESPERATE, they going to budget for ...

David1955 comments on Mar 31, 2019:

Yes, never forget that the free market always does things better. Duh! Electricity should be nationalised and run as a non profit essential service. We have a weak country, weak politicians and weak political parties. Don't hold out that the ALP will be any better. I don't any more.

David1955 replies on Apr 1, 2019:

@powder blame the contagion called economic rationalism that swept the western world in the 80s, in Australia thanks to Hawke and Keating.

I came into existence by happenstance with an indeterminant probability and I will die by ...

Amisja comments on Mar 31, 2019:

Virgin births are actually fairly common

David1955 replies on Apr 1, 2019:

If you are referring to impregnation without defloration, I have heard of that. But a God impregnating a woman from afar, the Christian story, well now that's another matter.

Posts beginning with "As an agnostic, do you...?

CallMeDave comments on Mar 30, 2019:

If I started a post with: "Do you, as a 30 year old blonde, female, vegetarian without tattoos, owning a late-model, blue Prius with a scratch on the left rear fender..." would you think I was implying that everyone here is a 30 year old blonde, female, vegetarian without tattoos, owning a ...

David1955 replies on Mar 30, 2019:

Clearly not.

Posts beginning with "As an agnostic, do you...?

genessa comments on Mar 29, 2019:

i don't mind that so much. i mind more the posts in which atheists mock agnostics and agnostics tell atheists they're arrogant. i am an atheist and i may be arrogant or not (you may never know) but not by virtue of being an atheist, nor do i mock those who are agnostic. i have to admit i am a ...

David1955 replies on Mar 29, 2019:

@genessa yes I don't equate being religious with bring stupid, just delusional, and we're all capable of that.

Posts beginning with "As an agnostic, do you...?

jondspen comments on Mar 29, 2019:

Well, there are theists on this site. Also, there is a distinction between agnostic and atheist, albeit a fine line to discern the two. I don't really see the problem. If you don't like a post title, then don't click on it - I do that shit ALL the time! ;)

David1955 replies on Mar 29, 2019:

@genessa yes, and I would add the odd New Ager, prattling on about the universe or whatever, more to be pittied than condemned, mostly harmless.

Posts beginning with "As an agnostic, do you...?

genessa comments on Mar 29, 2019:

i don't mind that so much. i mind more the posts in which atheists mock agnostics and agnostics tell atheists they're arrogant. i am an atheist and i may be arrogant or not (you may never know) but not by virtue of being an atheist, nor do i mock those who are agnostic. i have to admit i am a ...

David1955 replies on Mar 29, 2019:

Always a good idea to be suspicious of the spiritual. :-)

Posts beginning with "As an agnostic, do you...?

jondspen comments on Mar 29, 2019:

Well, there are theists on this site. Also, there is a distinction between agnostic and atheist, albeit a fine line to discern the two. I don't really see the problem. If you don't like a post title, then don't click on it - I do that shit ALL the time! ;)

David1955 replies on Mar 29, 2019:

@genessa I don't take much notice of theists here really. In my view they took the wrong turn at Albuquerque anyway.

Posts beginning with "As an agnostic, do you...?

Jolanta comments on Mar 29, 2019:

I hope you feel better now. Just in case you have not noticed but there are a few believers on this site. Blasphemy I say to that, off with their heads.

David1955 replies on Mar 29, 2019:

Well, the site is made up of a number of groups. 17% atheist, 14% agnostic, and then others. That's kind of my point. Posters who post referring to agnostics are usually posting to the community, but as agnostics in a site unfortunately called agnostic they address the post based on their view. What is true is that majority here are non religious. That's why, as I said, I use more inclusive terms when referring to the community of the non religious. As for believers here, frankly I don't care about them. They are here. Fine. Not my call.

Posts beginning with "As an agnostic, do you...?

KKGator comments on Mar 29, 2019:

I get it. Unfortunately, it's just kind of the nature of the beast. I've felt the need to answer some posts by starting with announcing that I am an atheist. The site name is "Agnostic.com". It's not unreasonable to think that most of the membership identify as agnostic. Sure, it gets annoying, ...

David1955 replies on Mar 29, 2019:

In fact, 17.3% identify as atheist and 14.4% as agnostic. So, by any definition, most of the membership is not agnostic.

Posts beginning with "As an agnostic, do you...?

btroje comments on Mar 29, 2019:

If you are not agnostic then it is not addressed to you

David1955 replies on Mar 29, 2019:

No, I think that most posters are addressing the community but say agnostics. That's my point really.

I'm wondering about something which is going to cause me to post this same question twice, once from...

powder comments on Mar 27, 2019:

I don't like the term humanist. Received the prompt to join and declined. No biggy.

David1955 replies on Mar 28, 2019:

Yes, me too. It's not that I don't like the term humanist, it's just that it can mean anything. Religious people call themselves humanists often, so as a description it's too vague. I opted out too, but I'm not sure that does anything. This alternative site is the only decision by admin that I did not like.

Oh yeah... too many times.

David1955 comments on Mar 27, 2019:

Optimists always say, "It's better than the alternative!" Not so sure about that sometimes.

David1955 replies on Mar 27, 2019:

@BeeHappy I'm one of those slightly nihilistic atheists for whom that kind of optimism has to remain an aspirational goal. :-)

G'Day viewers, I've lived in Asia the better part of the last 2 decades, having returned 7odd ...

David1955 comments on Mar 26, 2019:

I lived in Thailand for quite a few years. Came back. Didn't really want to. Never really happy here. I find anglo- Australia stifling. The culture stifling. The mindset stifling. I get you.

David1955 replies on Mar 27, 2019:

@FrayedBear I have nothing but contempt for Hawke and Keating now. And they still argue over who was greater. Great if defined as destroying the ALP for a generation, helping Howard move the country to the far right, and expunging every progressive policy of the ALP. I read with satisfaction that, though frail, Gough Whitlam told Hawke exactly that, after the full impact of the 'Hawke Keating' reforms was known. Slimy Shorten is in the H-K mould. What hope is there. The rank and file wanted Albanese, but the NSW union and factional Right wanted Shorten. Of course. If they win the next election it will be despite Shorten, not because of him. I am far from convinced they will. They'll only have themselves and their faction boses to blame if they lose.

G'Day viewers, I've lived in Asia the better part of the last 2 decades, having returned 7odd ...

David1955 comments on Mar 26, 2019:

I lived in Thailand for quite a few years. Came back. Didn't really want to. Never really happy here. I find anglo- Australia stifling. The culture stifling. The mindset stifling. I get you.

David1955 replies on Mar 26, 2019:

@FrayedBear agree with all that. Howardism corrupted Australia, and still does, including the ALP indirectly. Sorry to say, but this country is so full of Anglo arrogant shit it stinks. And I'm Anglo Australian, but non AA mindset. I can't bear any Oz media, I can't bear the ABC, and I cannot listen to the brainlessness of Oz politics for any length of time.

The Cult that is the Republican Party With Robert "Hey, I don't know.

webbew1 comments on Mar 25, 2019:

You have to understand that the one and only thing Trump has been good at in his entire life is surrounding himself with fall guys and patsies. He’s a con man and a grifter who has been doing it for his entire life, and he’s going to be difficult to catch. Due to the Russian collusion ...

David1955 replies on Mar 25, 2019:

@webbew1 I truly hope you are right. But if a guy like Mueller loses a game of dare with Trump, then the future looks bleak indeed.

Usernames.... How did you choose your username for agnostic and what's the story behind it.... ?

David1955 comments on Mar 25, 2019:

I wish people wouldn't use silly usernames, but use their first name with something added. I like to know I'm dealing with a John, Mary or Frank, and not some silly name. Sorry but that's how I feel.

David1955 replies on Mar 25, 2019:

@Allamanda I certainly understand that point. For me, though, when I know just their first name it feels more real than just some username.

The Cult that is the Republican Party With Robert "Hey, I don't know.

webbew1 comments on Mar 25, 2019:

You have to understand that the one and only thing Trump has been good at in his entire life is surrounding himself with fall guys and patsies. He’s a con man and a grifter who has been doing it for his entire life, and he’s going to be difficult to catch. Due to the Russian collusion ...

David1955 replies on Mar 25, 2019:

I actually think a better analogy is a mob boss whose liutenants get whacked or put away, but he goes on to die in bed peacefully, a life based on murder, extortion and violence, but smart enough to get away with it all at the end. Not all mobsters end up shot or in prison. I've read enough about organized criminals to know this. Had you asked me last week I've have said that Trump will come undone. Not now. The Meuller outcome has shown that America is rotten to the core. Not the people of the US who want and deserve better. The rotting fish head is rotten way above Trump. Informed people around the world can see this now.

Mueller.

TheAstroChuck comments on Mar 23, 2019:

Yup. Mueller, however, was quite savvy. He shifted several investigations to other FBI centers. The Southern District of New York may in fact reveal numerous financial crimes, some of which the State of New York could also pursue. Similar to the conviction of Al Capone last century, they could ...

David1955 replies on Mar 23, 2019:

I know that's the hope here, but I don't buy it. Those things will drag on and be fought over legally, but in the meantime he and his gang will continue on, his supporters feeling vindicated. The anti Trump mainstream media are running with this line that the other legal domains will be his undoing, but I think not. I don't buy this spin. Meuller has let him and his off the hook, just as I predicted some time back. This will prove to be a very poor day for the US. Meuller didn't even interview him. He blinked.

I recently learned the philosophy community defines an atheist more broadly than any definition that...

David1955 comments on Mar 22, 2019:

"*In philosophy, atheism is defined broadly as an affirmation that no god of any type exists. Under that definition, an atheist is required to prove his/her case as much as the deist or believer does*" Professor, who in philosophy asserts this, which area of philosophy, and on what basis is this ...

David1955 replies on Mar 23, 2019:

@TheAstroChuck I'm surprised. This is usually the debate that theists and agnostics like to have with atheists. I never expected this kind of post from you, but that's fine, even as philosophical contemplation. I find the assertion a waste of time, whatever philosophical definition might exist in some places. These definitions are debated at length anyway. The notion of empirically disproving a metaphysical construct is absurd to me. Logically an atheist would have to individually disprove each and every God invented, all thousands of them. All just silly. Next task: proving that the universe is not a cosmic egg laid by a cosmic duck. And now on to fairies...

God does exist .

David1955 comments on Feb 9, 2019:

Are you trying to convince us, or yourself? The latter, I suspect.

David1955 replies on Mar 21, 2019:

@HIGHIQ quite the intellectual aren't you. Why this site attracts believers like you has always baffled me. I don't spend my time hanging around religious places. There's no one to convert here, and argumentatively you are out of your league. Still, you must get *something* out of it. A place to feel at ease with your doubts, perhaps. Well, that's good. Doubt is a heathy by product of a healthy mind, the mind urging itself to reconsider what it wants to believe.

Which of the following persons really existed?

David1955 comments on Mar 19, 2019:

It doesn't matter whether historical figures really existed? Well, it may not matter to you, friend, but as a student and teacher of history, not mythology, it bloody well matters to me. I'm guessing you've never studied history at tertiary education level. Let's just all embrace fake history. It'll...

David1955 replies on Mar 20, 2019:

@Matias well now you're changing the argument. Yes, I agree, historical events and people become mythologised over time. That's inevitable, particularly by less scrutinizing minds. My objection is saying it doesn't matter, or it isn't important to apply rigour to history because, hey that's culture. You doubtless know the saying that those who forget history are deemed to repeat it. Mythologising history from the facts and evidence, as known by objective historical analysis, is one way history is forgotten. Reading Shakespeare's Julius Caesar is one thing. Reading a history book on Julius Caesar by a historian is quite another. I totally separate them. If others don't, then that reflects *their* ignorance of the subject.

Which of the following persons really existed?

David1955 comments on Mar 19, 2019:

It doesn't matter whether historical figures really existed? Well, it may not matter to you, friend, but as a student and teacher of history, not mythology, it bloody well matters to me. I'm guessing you've never studied history at tertiary education level. Let's just all embrace fake history. It'll...

David1955 replies on Mar 19, 2019:

@Matias so, notice how you assert that the Holocaust is a fact, and to be accepted. Yes, based on evidence. Historical figures likewise, based on evidence. It is the social science of history. What bothers me is that you, and some here, tend towards thinking, well, in the end it doesn't matter so much if what we say about history is really true or not, it's all part of culture and its influence. That's bad social science. It is no better than bad physical science. I have too much respect for the social science of history, and the historical method, to ever accept that.

Which of the following persons really existed?

David1955 comments on Mar 19, 2019:

It doesn't matter whether historical figures really existed? Well, it may not matter to you, friend, but as a student and teacher of history, not mythology, it bloody well matters to me. I'm guessing you've never studied history at tertiary education level. Let's just all embrace fake history. It'll...

David1955 replies on Mar 19, 2019:

@Marionville well okay, but the problem is not when people are influenced by culture and stories that they know are a mish mash of history and myth, but when this mish mash is peddled as true and historical. Like Christianity. The poster said it doesn't really matter. I say it does.

Which of the following persons really existed?

David1955 comments on Mar 19, 2019:

It doesn't matter whether historical figures really existed? Well, it may not matter to you, friend, but as a student and teacher of history, not mythology, it bloody well matters to me. I'm guessing you've never studied history at tertiary education level. Let's just all embrace fake history. It'll...

David1955 replies on Mar 19, 2019:

@mordant I agree with all of that. However, concerning this post, Christianity is a prime example of what happens when myth and history fuse together, and people no longer care what was "real" or "true". It doesn't matter, the argument goes, because only the "influence" that the story has had. I fundamentally reject that. It's dangerous, and it leads to, amongst other things, these damn religions that most of us here long to see on the other side of history, as the myths they are based on, possibly with some historical elements that trained historians tease out with careful application of the historical method. I don't think the poster knows what he is talking about. Not separating real history from myth is as poor an intellectual exercise as not separating science from science fiction. To do that would be like saying its doesn't matter if Han Solo really existed, and the influence on people of him in his Millenium Falcon is all that counts. Nonsense.

This is directly from Quora: How much does Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez know about economics in the ...

zesty comments on Mar 17, 2019:

She is dangerous. Has no clue what she is talking about and her proposals are mind-boggling, stupid. Green America? Trillions of dollars for what? How about India and China?

David1955 replies on Mar 18, 2019:

@zesty yeah, his country is running the US through a proxy President and a stupid Republican party. Comparing her to Stalin. Honestly. duh!

Trump, acting EXACTLY like Hitler in the 1930s, before he had achieved dictator powers.

David1955 comments on Mar 15, 2019:

I don't see military or police or similar groups coming out for Trump, but the delusional cap wearing boobies who are too stupid to see what Trump is, they might go rogue, especially if it gives them an excuse to exercise their racist white supremacist beliefs. No one should discount how dangerous ...

David1955 replies on Mar 15, 2019:

@Beowulfsfriend A worrying thought.@dan325 @Beowulfsfriend

Australia's most Senior Catholic cleric, and, until recently, the 3rd most senior world wide, ...

David1955 comments on Mar 13, 2019:

As pleased as I would like to be about this, I advise that this verdict is far from safe, and this story is not yet done. See if I'm right.

David1955 replies on Mar 13, 2019:

@Doubting I'm no Perry Mason, but there is an issue about late instructions the Judge gave to the jury about weighing evidence. I'm sure his legals will look at that.

Is it just me or does the second season of Discovery remind you of classic Trek?

David1955 comments on Mar 11, 2019:

Yes, they're trying to connect back to the TOS better than season 1. With mixed results. I like it, but it's a hotch potch really. I can't really love it. Engineer Anthony Rapp and his boyfriend doctor story line is boring beyond belief, Missy or Prissy or whatever that babbling redhead is called, ...

David1955 replies on Mar 11, 2019:

@towkneed ah, yes, Tilly, that's right. Thanks for the correction. I call her "Babbley". Guess so. I really want to like it more. I'm trying.

Which group of people would be more likely to help those in need... theists, agnostics or atheists?

TheMiddleWay comments on Mar 3, 2019:

There should be a "all of the above" option. Otherwise, you are forcing a possibly false choice by implying that one group *will* be more likely to help than another.

David1955 replies on Mar 3, 2019:

Yes, I quite agree. Attributing a general behavioural characteristic pattern based on a single broad group definition just isn't sound.

I see posts from time to time that say the Agnostic profiles are also on Humanist.

MarvelAnn comments on Mar 2, 2019:

This was a huge topic a few months ago. I dont know why the site owners decided they wanted to create a 2nd site. I do remember that they basically duplicated this site in order to do so and we all ended up in both places. After a lot of backlash, they gave us the option to opt out of that site in ...

David1955 replies on Mar 2, 2019:

@coralisthree well, you just made my point. This site should be for NON believers, as reflected in the terms agnostic and even more so, Atheist,

I see posts from time to time that say the Agnostic profiles are also on Humanist.

MarvelAnn comments on Mar 2, 2019:

This was a huge topic a few months ago. I dont know why the site owners decided they wanted to create a 2nd site. I do remember that they basically duplicated this site in order to do so and we all ended up in both places. After a lot of backlash, they gave us the option to opt out of that site in ...

David1955 replies on Mar 2, 2019:

Yes, totally agree. It was never fully explained. I opted out. I haven't checked, but I understand opting out doesn't guarantee being left off. For me the word humanist is too vague a term. I've heard religious people call themselves humanists. It can mean anything you want.

So the cardinal has been outed.

David1955 comments on Feb 28, 2019:

Can I just say, I loathe George Pell. I loathe the Catholic Church. I loathe people like Pell in the church, reactionaries, anti modernists who thwart change. I would not be surprised if he were guilty of such crimes. At first I was pleased that he was found guilty. But, as I've read about the ...

David1955 replies on Mar 1, 2019:

@Geoffrey51 yes, Pell's days as a power figure is over, no matter the future. That's good.

The Dems have real trouble going into 2020.

Sticks48 comments on Feb 24, 2019:

The last three Dems to win the Presidency came out of nowhere. There is a long way to go. Americans may want less personality and more substance this time. Look at our history and the way we tend to snap back the other way from what we had.

David1955 replies on Feb 25, 2019:

@Sticks48 amen to that!

The Dems have real trouble going into 2020.

Sticks48 comments on Feb 24, 2019:

The last three Dems to win the Presidency came out of nowhere. There is a long way to go. Americans may want less personality and more substance this time. Look at our history and the way we tend to snap back the other way from what we had.

David1955 replies on Feb 25, 2019:

@Sticks48 not substance as progressive politicians they didn't. Personally, I think Clinton sold out to the right after the mid terms in 1994 on all policies. Obama is a good and decent man, but rousing speeches aside, there's little of his Presidency that didn't ultimately serve the interests of Capital, and people knew it.

The Dems have real trouble going into 2020.

David1955 comments on Feb 24, 2019:

I think journalist Mark Shields said it right. When your Democrats create an execution quad, the first thing they do is form a circle. And he's a Democratic supporter! They're busy forming circles at the moment. Odd system you have. For months contenders kick the crap out of each other, ...

David1955 replies on Feb 25, 2019:

@Haemish1 he saw class struggle as the inevitable result of contradictions in the socio economic system, but I was referring to his analysis that politics and culture and the rest are part of the superstructure that reflects the underlying economic system. Essentially and crudely put, economics drives the dynamic of social and political and other change. Not the other way round.

The Dems have real trouble going into 2020.

Sticks48 comments on Feb 24, 2019:

The last three Dems to win the Presidency came out of nowhere. There is a long way to go. Americans may want less personality and more substance this time. Look at our history and the way we tend to snap back the other way from what we had.

David1955 replies on Feb 25, 2019:

Yes, less art and more matter, as Shakespeare might say. Another rousing waffling orator like Clinton or Obama would be a huge mistake. That's why Sanders cut through, despite his grumpy and grizzled appearance. He said exactly what he would do, and who would take the hit, and people knew it. They didn't want style or charisma, they wanted action, policies and goals. They still do. If the Dems pose another speech maker with no substance, they'll deserve to lose.

The Dems have real trouble going into 2020.

David1955 comments on Feb 24, 2019:

I think journalist Mark Shields said it right. When your Democrats create an execution quad, the first thing they do is form a circle. And he's a Democratic supporter! They're busy forming circles at the moment. Odd system you have. For months contenders kick the crap out of each other, ...

David1955 replies on Feb 25, 2019:

@Haemish1 no, not surprising. I'm enough of a Marxist to know that the political structure, and all with it, reflects the underlining economic system, with it class and power structure.

TIL That the term "Agnostic" was coined in 1869 by T.

THHA comments on Feb 23, 2019:

"When I reached intellectual maturity and began to ask myself whether I was an atheist, a theist, or a pantheist; a materialist or an idealist; Christian or a freethinker; I found that the more I learned and reflected, the less ready was the answer; until, at last, I came to the conclusion that I ...

David1955 replies on Feb 24, 2019:

@THHA "Huxley did not expect to stumble upon evidence for god, for the simple reason that the god hypothesis is inherently scientifically non-falsifiable" And that is an assumption, based on what? God is unknown and unknowable, not the same thing of course. This is just assumed. Well, as an atheist I don't assume that. It might be reasonable to assume that any God could make itself in known. Certainly religions claim miracles, saviours and all that. But as an atheist I simply say, there is no proof of any God. Show me proof, I'll revisit it. I'm not making any assumptions about knowability and I don't have to. The agnostic view is very problematic to me. And it's always God singular that agnostics refer to. But to the agnostic Apollo is also a God they have to be agnostic about. And all the other Gods too. Why not? You can't prove Apollo doesn't exist.

Known universe just got bigger by 300,000 more galaxies [businesslive.co.za]

TheAstroChuck comments on Feb 20, 2019:

The headline is misleading. The 200 astronomers did detect 300,000 as yet undiscovered galaxies, but astronomers still haven't studied more than a few percent of all available galaxies in the known universe. If one does the math, a team of 3 astronomers working around the clock counting galaxies ...

David1955 replies on Feb 21, 2019:

@TheAstroChuck very useful info. Thank you.

Known universe just got bigger by 300,000 more galaxies [businesslive.co.za]

TheAstroChuck comments on Feb 20, 2019:

The headline is misleading. The 200 astronomers did detect 300,000 as yet undiscovered galaxies, but astronomers still haven't studied more than a few percent of all available galaxies in the known universe. If one does the math, a team of 3 astronomers working around the clock counting galaxies ...

David1955 replies on Feb 20, 2019:

This is not my field, but I have a problem with statements about how many galaxies there "are". I understand that looking at the universe is looking back at time, that is looking at galaxies that were or were at that time in the past. So I really wonder what, in the present tense, it means how many galaxies there are now? Hopefully you know. And I'm not even sure what the present tense means in the universe. Our present assumes a universal time, like now. Is time universal in the universe? I believe not. This stuff really blows my poor mind Professor.

MEN ONLY: What is your race/ethnic origin?

David1955 comments on Feb 17, 2019:

These are just broad racial groupings with a couple of specific ones, like Native Hawaiian etc. It's also US centric. I am no authority on racial group analysis, and while I'm not questioning your motives, I think this is not well conceived.

David1955 replies on Feb 17, 2019:

@TheMiddleWay ah, so it's just quantity that counts. I see. Really set on reaching L9 aren't you? Well, I qualify things a little differently.

MEN ONLY: What is your race/ethnic origin?

David1955 comments on Feb 17, 2019:

These are just broad racial groupings with a couple of specific ones, like Native Hawaiian etc. It's also US centric. I am no authority on racial group analysis, and while I'm not questioning your motives, I think this is not well conceived.

David1955 replies on Feb 17, 2019:

@TheMiddleWay and you think, what, that the overwhelming response to this post has been positive?

With the "Like a post, comment or reply".

JimG comments on Feb 15, 2019:

The maximums increase with your level. So once you reach the next level you will find that you have a lot more points to gain for those activities.

David1955 replies on Feb 15, 2019:

@Lucy_Fehr we've all been at level 7 so long we've grown old and forgetful. :-) Except for those who seem to go from level 6 to level 8 in a blink of an eye. A miracle! Miracle of the Juniper Bushes! :-)

It has just come to my attention that the 26th of January is not only the date Australia celebrates ...

David1955 comments on Jan 29, 2019:

As always happens, there is the real person who lived, and there is the mythologised figure that people create afterwards. Reagan, Jesus, and yes Churchill. On it goes. I agree with you. Not just Gallipoli, but WW1, the Lusitania wasn't it? Sacrificed because Churchill wanted the US in the war, then...

David1955 replies on Feb 14, 2019:

@Beelzebant I'm rusty on this, but I recall that Churchill directed the navy not to protect ships like the Lusitania, tempting the Germans because he wanted the US in the war, then exerted pressure on the Enquiry into the sinking not to expose the navy's actions, even thinly threatening the Judge heading the Enquiry to play ball, though he did not and refused to be pressured. This went back to Churchill, who defamed the captain of the Lusitania for years to deflect his own actions. New history has shown it was a sordid tale and reflects poorly on Churchill. Some have to be sacrificed for the greater good, especially 'lower classes'.

I argue politics entirely too much.

CeliaVL comments on Feb 14, 2019:

It is very hard to have sensible discussions with people whose ideas are entrenched beyond reason. Like you, I keep trying but I end up frustrated and angry when people refuse to question anything and will not consider evidence.

David1955 replies on Feb 14, 2019:

Very similar to extreme religious people, from my experience.

It's interesting to see all the new atheists

David1955 comments on Feb 10, 2019:

While it is an interesting journey you have described, I'm a little perplexed by two, to me, inconsistent statements. The first, antitheist in 2007, and the second that we're all, religionists and non believers alike, going to the same destination just different paths. And what is that common ...

David1955 replies on Feb 10, 2019:

@JeffMesser oh I see. Rereading, I now see that the use of the preposition "in" in 2007 meant only in that year and not "from" that year. My only follow up comment, and it's not meant critically but as advice, is that be careful not to be on that eternal religion search "kick" that some people do. "First I was this, then I became that, and after I was the other, and now I'm a ...." It's the novelty of finding a new religious "thing" But the novelty wears off. Time to find something new. "I'm on my spiritual journey..yadayadayada" I've heard all that many times. It becomes a kind of addiction. I sincerely hope that is not you.

God does exist .

ProudMerrie comments on Feb 9, 2019:

I think you entered the wrong room.

David1955 replies on Feb 9, 2019:

And indeed the wrong site.

We have 2 quite radical anti Semite Muslim congresswomen who are calling for the destruction of ...

David1955 comments on Jan 30, 2019:

Perhaps it's headed away from crazy right wing thinking. That would be good.

David1955 replies on Jan 30, 2019:

@Trajan61 well, we only have your assertions of that. I'd like more facts on that. But you commented on the country and its direction, and again I would say away from loopy right would be good. Also, it's a bit rich to refer to racism given the Trumpian now Republican white supremacist world view.

I never get tired of watching the car chase scene in "Bullitt". Never.

David1955 comments on Jan 29, 2019:

Steve McQueen wasn't the nicest guy by all accounts, but his movies in the 60s and 70s were really something.

David1955 replies on Jan 29, 2019:

@KKGator I've covered McQueen in a lot of biographies and books of that area that I've read, and the same image emerges: a typical guy of his generation and attitudes towards women, and a put down attitude towards those 'below' him. Also happens to someone born in poorer circumstances who makes it big. Towards the end in his final days he did ameliorate however, even reaching out to people and making amends sort of.

Mueller investigation: My Prediction.

UrsiMajor comments on Jan 28, 2019:

Wasn't Mueller also part of the undoing of Nixon - also a Republican?

David1955 replies on Jan 28, 2019:

@UrsiMajor no, he was named as a co conspirator and resigned before impeachment. Trump has already been named, or as good as that, and far worse. In terms of indictments and convictions Mueller is already well ahead of the Nixon special counsel. Anyone else would have gone already. But Trump is an autocratic looking for autocracy. Nixon, whatever his faults, wasn't a traitor and didn't conspire with the country's enemies. He may have been a crook but he wasn't a rat. Trump is both.

Mueller investigation: My Prediction.

UrsiMajor comments on Jan 28, 2019:

Wasn't Mueller also part of the undoing of Nixon - also a Republican?

David1955 replies on Jan 28, 2019:

A lot has happened since I wrote that post that has surprised me. The momentum against Trump is huge now. I am deeply cynical about the Republican Party, but I did say I hoped I was wrong about what would happen. I still hope I am wrong. If this were the 1970s Trump would have resigned long ago, like Nixon. But it's not the 1970s, and the Republican Party now is like a mutating virus that cannot be treated.

Does anyone here watch The Orville???

David1955 comments on Jan 27, 2019:

Yes yes yes, love it love it love it. How McFarlane manages to get it made at Fox with his anti religious themes, lordy only knows. The great Gene of Star Trek himself would approve. Watched last episode last night where an alien species, quite advanced, reached out to the stars, but when Seth and ...

David1955 replies on Jan 27, 2019:

@slydr68 don't know if you've seen it, but the final episode of season 1 is an absolute cracker, if you don't like religion, like me. I became a heart fan after that episode.

Wanna see something reeeally scary?

Tompain1 comments on Jan 27, 2019:

And look at what those promising faces have become. I grew up in the same town as Paul Manafort. His father was a dirtbag he was a dirtbag as a kid. And now he's going to be a dirtbag in an orange jumpsuit.

David1955 replies on Jan 27, 2019:

A dirt bag who has no qualms selling out his country to the highest bidder. What do they call someone like that? Oh, yes, traitor.

Does anyone here watch The Orville???

webbew1 comments on Jan 27, 2019:

Yep. It's the only real Star Trek in existence right now.

David1955 replies on Jan 27, 2019:

I know what you mean by "real". Meaning the original ideals and themes of the TOS 66-69 series. Right? I totally agree.Yes, it plays more to humour than TOS but the themes are there.

Sometimes Being An Atheist is Hard.

sloryd comments on Jan 26, 2019:

What Deb57 said is pretty much my opinion also.My mother also passed last week.She had the traditional catholic funeral.I went through the motions of the congregational responses to the readings while thinking how ridiculous it all was.I didn't think my mothers funeral was the place to announce my ...

David1955 replies on Jan 26, 2019:

Thank you. A lot of similarities between us. I will attend a catholic funeral this week, an utter nonbeliever, but that's a ceremony, with Catholics, non Catholics, and probably some nonbelievers as well. What I didn't agree to was a religious ritual before her passing. My mother knew I am an atheist. I will speak at the funeral, but I won't read from the bible. The logic and dividing line is clear to me, anyway.

Sometimes Being An Atheist is Hard.

Fernapple comments on Jan 24, 2019:

I am very sorry for your loss I lost both parents in the last three years, and had to arrange christian services for both, since it is what they and others wanted. Just remember that nine out of ten of the other people there will not believe either, most people don't. We only go to these things for ...

David1955 replies on Jan 24, 2019:

Thank you, and I'm sorry for your loss. Both parents in three weeks is very tough.

Sometimes Being An Atheist is Hard.

Amisja comments on Jan 24, 2019:

So sorry to hear of the loss of your Mum. What was she like? She must have had so many memories to share. As for the faith thing, I have been to church on several occasions, bowed my head and said to myself, "this is nonsense, I am here for....(insert event)". Church and traditions are human ...

David1955 replies on Jan 24, 2019:

Thank you. At a 101 she was of that generation who faced so much and always met the challenge. Best of all, unlike some old people who retreat into reactionary and intolerant ways, she never ever did. You are right about the religion. My view is a funeral is a solemn remembrance of a person's life shared with others, sometimes surrounded by religion, but that's just there. Last Rights is a participative ritual, and I just couldn't. Thank you again.

Sometimes Being An Atheist is Hard.

TheAstroChuck comments on Jan 24, 2019:

I'm so sorry for your loss. There's not much we internet friends can say or do to help you through the trauma, but know that some of us care and are available for discussions as you might need.

David1955 replies on Jan 24, 2019:

Thank you for your thoughtful and supportive reply. You truly are one of my, and I think our, favourites here.

Sometimes Being An Atheist is Hard.

Deb57 comments on Jan 24, 2019:

I'm very sorry you have lost your mother. I hope you are comforted by the good memories the two of you made together. Your decisions as to whether to participate in a ritual or not are your own, and you are certainly entitled to them. Had your mother been conscious, you might have decided ...

David1955 replies on Jan 24, 2019:

Thank you. Yes, you've captured that well.

Sometimes Being An Atheist is Hard.

Dancing comments on Jan 24, 2019:

I'm sorry for your loss. My mom was recently in the ER and almost died. She had her preacher in to say prayers with her. She motioned for my hand and I joined the circle. It was weird for me but it was comforting for her.

David1955 replies on Jan 24, 2019:

Thank you. I'm sure it was.

Sometimes Being An Atheist is Hard.

ZantiMisfit comments on Jan 24, 2019:

Sorry for your loss. Its tough. I lost my mother a year next month. And you expressed yourself perfectly.

David1955 replies on Jan 24, 2019:

Thank you.

Just bear with me.

alliwant comments on Jan 23, 2019:

Wealth redistribution is well under way. It's just going towards people who already have more than they can count, let alone need. Tax policies of the past were meant to keep the economy from imploding due to inequality, rather than unnecessarily grab the money of the oppressed wealthy.

David1955 replies on Jan 23, 2019:

Totally totally agree.

Just bear with me.

PalacinkyPDX comments on Jan 23, 2019:

Oh, aren't you BRILLIANT. You really zinged it to her. Good thing she's not on Agnostic.com or I doubt she'd ever be able to recover from your ingenious assault on her hypocrisy. (/sarcasm)

David1955 replies on Jan 23, 2019:

Yes, based on the assumption that she'll get rich, greedy and indifferent to others and the big picture. What an assumption! Bernie Sanders has been in politics a long time, I don't believe he is fabulously rich, and his policies are like hers. Hidden in this post was a dig that she is into "envy politics." This is a common attack on the left.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison appoints Australia’s most ethically bankrupt lawyer to advise on ...

powder comments on Jan 23, 2019:

Being ethically bankrupt is an asset for a lawyer. Be a damn good one. Seriously, I can't see the libs getting back in. About due for our 8-10 cycle of swapping political parties. Mind you, Shorten is useless so........

David1955 replies on Jan 23, 2019:

@Triphid, @FrayedBear does that sack of s--t Palmer really think he can be a clone of Trump in Australia? Got to be joking.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison appoints Australia’s most ethically bankrupt lawyer to advise on ...

powder comments on Jan 23, 2019:

Being ethically bankrupt is an asset for a lawyer. Be a damn good one. Seriously, I can't see the libs getting back in. About due for our 8-10 cycle of swapping political parties. Mind you, Shorten is useless so........

David1955 replies on Jan 23, 2019:

@Triphid Wong, no. She cuts through nothing. I liked Albanese, and his left views, but he seems to have lost his mojo. I do not like Shorten, at all.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison appoints Australia’s most ethically bankrupt lawyer to advise on ...

powder comments on Jan 23, 2019:

Being ethically bankrupt is an asset for a lawyer. Be a damn good one. Seriously, I can't see the libs getting back in. About due for our 8-10 cycle of swapping political parties. Mind you, Shorten is useless so........

David1955 replies on Jan 23, 2019:

It's always worth remembering that lawyers are not seekers of the truth. They aren't trained to be, or are required to be in their job. Their job is to win cases for whomever they are representing. Never use a lawyer if truth is what you are after. Hence, ethics are irrelevant to them, apart from strictly defined ethical conduct as to their job which they observe to avoid personal trouble. The only lawyer I know of who was a truth seeker was Perry Mason, and he was fictitious, played wonderfully by the late Raymond Burr.

Gay people should not join Catholic clergy, Pope Francis says | World news | The Guardian

Seminarian comments on Jan 22, 2019:

They only admitted that the sky doesn't have a dome over it that separates the heavens from the firmament about 400 years ago. Some in their congregations still can't accept it. It will take at least 3 progressive Popes in a row to change that much history. I wish I could get the LGBTQ community ...

David1955 replies on Jan 22, 2019:

What keeps them is the identity and ritual of being Catholic. The beliefs are secondary. The sins of this church can be rationalized away. What you can't offer them, I can only speculate, is enough identity and ritual. That's the truth of religion it seems to be.

Charles Manson’s top follower is now a ‘friendly’ upstate neighbor [nyp.

azzow2 comments on Jan 21, 2019:

When I was much younger my mom had dealings with a lady named Sally Kanarek she was the wife of Irving Kanarek the third attorney in the Charles Manson trials I had spent time with Irving he was a very smart fellow I spent hours in his garage looking at old case files including some from the Manson ...

David1955 replies on Jan 22, 2019:

@azzow2 I am sorry to hear that about Mr Kanarek, but I am most curious about your reference to the victims' families and their support for his work on the trial. The cover story to the cover story is what a wonderful job the families believe Bugliosi did on the case, even Debra Tate and Roman Polanski saying this to this day. I don't believe it. I can only speculate, but I believe the families were smothered by officialdom, for reasons I could go into but won't here. I do not believe they, the authorities, would get away now what they got away with then. Back then, people believed their governments and their tv stations. I remember. We've wised up since then.

Charles Manson’s top follower is now a ‘friendly’ upstate neighbor [nyp.

Infoguy211 comments on Jan 21, 2019:

I thought the entire Manson family would die in prison

David1955 replies on Jan 22, 2019:

We can only hope.

Charles Manson’s top follower is now a ‘friendly’ upstate neighbor [nyp.

azzow2 comments on Jan 21, 2019:

When I was much younger my mom had dealings with a lady named Sally Kanarek she was the wife of Irving Kanarek the third attorney in the Charles Manson trials I had spent time with Irving he was a very smart fellow I spent hours in his garage looking at old case files including some from the Manson ...

David1955 replies on Jan 22, 2019:

Honestly, having emerged myself in this subject since age 15, and a life long Sharon Tate fan, I am of the view that Mr. Kanarek's so-called antics during that show trial were not legal tom foolery, but rather his way of saying, through his actions, what he couldn't say out loud, that it was a legal farce, the longest prosecution only legal case in US history, with little or no relationship to the truth, the facts, and the real story. The guilt of Manson and his cult is without doubt. The question is, why did it happen? Helter Skelter? Not even Bugliosi's no 2 prosecutor believed it.

Whoever, owing allegiance to the United States, levies war against them or adheres to their enemies,...

David1955 comments on Jan 17, 2019:

Why doesn't Mueller release an initial broad finding report now? I know he's very professional, but he could surely release an interim report confirming that Trump interfered with justice, or collided with the Russians, or is a co conspirator in a range of crimes, etc and then he can release a ...

David1955 replies on Jan 18, 2019:

@KKGator interesting though that I was watching NBC yesterday and commentatorso were saying what I'm saying here, that Mueller should release some interim statement. It would help the Congress in its focus on Trump. So I'm not alone here. It would not be inappropriate for him to do that.

Whoever, owing allegiance to the United States, levies war against them or adheres to their enemies,...

KKGator comments on Jan 17, 2019:

Just sayin'. NO ONE IS ABOVE THE LAW.

David1955 replies on Jan 18, 2019:

@KKGator not all of them. The worst faced up. Robespierre went that way.

Whoever, owing allegiance to the United States, levies war against them or adheres to their enemies,...

David1955 comments on Jan 17, 2019:

Why doesn't Mueller release an initial broad finding report now? I know he's very professional, but he could surely release an interim report confirming that Trump interfered with justice, or collided with the Russians, or is a co conspirator in a range of crimes, etc and then he can release a ...

David1955 replies on Jan 18, 2019:

@KKGator agree with all you say. The difference it seems to me is that mob bosses didn't have political parties to pull every dirty trick to protect them, they didn't have the power to pardon any criminal for any cause, they didn't have an attorney general looking to shield them, and they didn't have 25% of the population rooting for them, indifferent to their crimes, lies and misdeads. Trump has all of that. I fear by the time Mueller's done, it will be too late. I very much hope I am wrong.

Whoever, owing allegiance to the United States, levies war against them or adheres to their enemies,...

KKGator comments on Jan 17, 2019:

Just sayin'. NO ONE IS ABOVE THE LAW.

David1955 replies on Jan 17, 2019:

They bloody well saw that Guillotine blade coming down at the end.

Why did religions originate in the first place?

David1955 comments on Jan 17, 2019:

No it's not a natural by-product of human cognition but a distortion of human thinking due to ignorance, a commonly accepted neurological disorder, reinforced by the theatre, architecture and performance of religion from which it draws false respectability. Altruism? The more we look at the ...

David1955 replies on Jan 17, 2019:

@Matias well there's a lot of debate about this, though knowing your posts I doubt that will impress you. https://en.m.wikipedia.or/wiki/Neuroscience_of_religion Most famously Bill Maher has said it often, and I agree with him, though again I doubt you'll be impressed.

Does anybody really still think that accusations of treason against the President are ridiculous ...

David1955 comments on Jan 14, 2019:

I don't know if it's treason or not. The definition seems precise. But Trump has clearly acted to the benefit of an external and hostile power at the expense of his own country. Betrayal and collusion, without doubt. Even his supporters know it now. They just can't accept, can't acknowledge that we...

David1955 replies on Jan 14, 2019:

@MikeInBatonRouge depends how you define "war" I suppose, legally speaking, putting my Perry Mason hat on. :-)

CNN has quoted the NYT that the FBI has opened an investigation of 45 being a Russian asset, which I...

David1955 comments on Jan 12, 2019:

Like we haven't known that from the beginning. One of my early posts here, well over a year ago, I called Trump The Siberian Candidate, and I got comments of a negative kind, but I have thought so from the very beginning. Trump is the most audacious Russian subsersive operation ever, and had ...

David1955 replies on Jan 12, 2019:

@powder these things he has resisted and others in government have done them. Honestly! What are you going to say when the whole ghastly truth comes out, as it will, as it is doing? It's all fake, I suppose? You remind of religious people I've encountered. Doesn't matter how much history or fact you mention, their Jesus is all true.

CNN has quoted the NYT that the FBI has opened an investigation of 45 being a Russian asset, which I...

David1955 comments on Jan 12, 2019:

Like we haven't known that from the beginning. One of my early posts here, well over a year ago, I called Trump The Siberian Candidate, and I got comments of a negative kind, but I have thought so from the very beginning. Trump is the most audacious Russian subsersive operation ever, and had ...

David1955 replies on Jan 12, 2019:

@powder I'm not an apologist for US Imperialism, or the sins of the US Establishment, quite the opposite. I'm a socialist, and would like to see the good people of the US rise up against the US military industrial corporate political complex that rules over them. But Trump is an authoritarian who seeks to inculcate authoritarianism, to destroy western values, and who doesn't give a damn about ordinary people, in fact he has spent his life walking over them and screwing them over. He's blackmailed by Russia and serves their interest. How could anyone with a brain defend that?

CNN has quoted the NYT that the FBI has opened an investigation of 45 being a Russian asset, which I...

David1955 comments on Jan 12, 2019:

Like we haven't known that from the beginning. One of my early posts here, well over a year ago, I called Trump The Siberian Candidate, and I got comments of a negative kind, but I have thought so from the very beginning. Trump is the most audacious Russian subsersive operation ever, and had ...

David1955 replies on Jan 12, 2019:

@freeofgod FOX isn't news just right wing propaganda. As an Australian I apologize for Rupert Murdock and what he has done to the US.

CNN has quoted the NYT that the FBI has opened an investigation of 45 being a Russian asset, which I...

David1955 comments on Jan 12, 2019:

Like we haven't known that from the beginning. One of my early posts here, well over a year ago, I called Trump The Siberian Candidate, and I got comments of a negative kind, but I have thought so from the very beginning. Trump is the most audacious Russian subsersive operation ever, and had ...

David1955 replies on Jan 12, 2019:

@AntaresRose yes, I left out Ukraine, which Trump and his buddies like Manafort, are happy to let and help Putin annex. My list was hardly exhaustive, just off the top of my head. You are very right about Russia broke under Putin, so steal to top up, and a compliant dupe in the White House is just what was needed. To have grown up in the Cold War and live to see a Russian flunky as President in the US. Unbelievable. Truth really is stranger than fiction. @powder

CNN has quoted the NYT that the FBI has opened an investigation of 45 being a Russian asset, which I...

David1955 comments on Jan 12, 2019:

Like we haven't known that from the beginning. One of my early posts here, well over a year ago, I called Trump The Siberian Candidate, and I got comments of a negative kind, but I have thought so from the very beginning. Trump is the most audacious Russian subsersive operation ever, and had ...

David1955 replies on Jan 12, 2019:

@powder Does Russia benefit from an unstable US? Does the sun shine? Trump has destabilized NATO, sought to remove sanctions against Russia, is seeking to pull out of Syria, blurted out classified info in front of Russians in the Oval Office, is now seeking legitimize Russia's invasion of Afghanistan in 1980, in private conversations with Putin that Putin no doubt has recordings of, trying to help Russian oligarchs of Putin, and generally overthrow the western alliances which have kept the USSR and now Russia in check for 70 years, and so on and so forth. But don't reply to me saying all this is wrong. Just keep watching the news.

When in defence of religion, people say ‘Well the church does a lot of good’ but is it not like ...

David1955 comments on Jan 10, 2019:

It's one of the worst defences of religion I hear. Churches "do a lot of good." I retort sharply: "Well then, do genuine good, spare us the Bronze Age mumbo jumbo, and clean up your act." It's pointless of course. The "good" is a ruse, a cover. Reminds me of gangsters like Al Capone, who used to ...

David1955 replies on Jan 10, 2019:

@ASTRALMAX yes, I should have added to my comment that I don't believe Churches do good, but that individuals in them may do good things because they are good people. I've noticed however that even then it's all about spreading their religious nonsense. Everything they do is to that end. I've also noticed that churches will do bandage good things, like charity, but fundamental reform and solutions, never.

According to CNN, 7 independent investigative studies undertaken within the last two years, have ...

TheMiddleWay comments on Jan 10, 2019:

If the studies were conducted by CNN, they are hardly independent or investigative. ?

David1955 replies on Jan 10, 2019:

@jorj well, if CNN has former CIA operatives, how can it be a left wing media organization? Is the CIA a left wing outfit too? BTW, the domestic security CIA program of placing assets all across society, business, media and elsewhere is well known. It is part of the US Establishment control, what Noam Chomsky calls the manufactured consent and dissent of US media. That, friend, is NOT left wing but right wing doing. It goes back to the end of WW2, cranked up in the 1960s, Operation CHAOS, subverting the anti Vietnam movement...etc. The Right Wing, always.

According to CNN, 7 independent investigative studies undertaken within the last two years, have ...

TheMiddleWay comments on Jan 10, 2019:

If the studies were conducted by CNN, they are hardly independent or investigative. ?

David1955 replies on Jan 10, 2019:

@jorj actually, it is said that MSNBC is the Fox News of the left, not CNN, although I think that is false equivalence and I don't agree. Fox is in a category of bias and political alignment all of its own.

According to CNN, 7 independent investigative studies undertaken within the last two years, have ...

TheMiddleWay comments on Jan 10, 2019:

If the studies were conducted by CNN, they are hardly independent or investigative. ?

David1955 replies on Jan 10, 2019:

Oh, now that comment from you is revealing about you. You don't know for that fact that CNN didn't simply refer to 7 studies independent of them. The word independent to me suggest that they were not conducted by CNN.

The liberals running this website tolerate all kinds of crap from the Trump bashing left wing ...

David1955 comments on Jan 8, 2019:

Do you know the irony of this issue? For decades, conservatives have been in the ascendant, attacking progressive social and economic policies, imposing loopy free market fantasy economics on centre and centre left parties, attacking liberals, progressives and socialists personally, dismantling ...

David1955 replies on Jan 9, 2019:

@Veteran229 There are so many false assumptions and generalizations in what you say, and so much false equivalency, it takes me back. And then you lecture about logic and reason. Ok, you're a Conservative, an Ayn Randian "libertarian". Got it. Generally, this site is not so inclined. What are you complaining about? You want a different political profile on the site? It is what it is. You don't like "lefties"? Then don't engage. No one is stopping you from peddling your right wing wares. If there are few buyers, then go peddle somewhere else. The Free Market in economics might be a right wing fantasy, but oddly enough this site is a Free Market of Ideas. Again, what's your problem?

The cows are coming home.

David1955 comments on Jan 8, 2019:

I'm not sure Professor, but are you perhaps possibly suggesting that Mr Trump's preference for living in a fantasy world of his own making might perhaps be beginning to unravel? Lordy, who'd have thought it? :-) Careful Professor, but there are some shall we say more conservative minded folk on ...

David1955 replies on Jan 9, 2019:

@TheAstroChuck like they abandon corrupt religions? Of course I hope you are right.