So what is God?

Flyingsaucesir comments on Sep 13, 2023:

Hmmm. The concept of God in Yoga as described above is not very different from the sky daddy of the Abrahamic religions. A singular, supreme soul (whatever that is), an omniscient being, above all tribulations, blah, blah, blah. Oh, yeah, and one more very important characteristic: so inscrutable as...

Flyingsaucesir replies on Sep 14, 2023:

@ChestRockfield Frankly, in my last comment I was really just looking for an offramp from the conversation. I definitely didn't want to go back to the text of the post and dissect it, pore over it, analyze it, research a counter argument, etc., etc. Discussions about god, whatever god, are, to me, like trying to determine how many angels can dance in the head of a pin: pretty much a waste of time. There are much more pressing things in the world that we have to worry about: climate change, MAGA, genocide in Ukraine, coups and famine in Africa, to name a few. Anyway thanks for affirming my original impression. Now I definitely will not ever feel tempted to go back for another bite if the proverbial apple! 🍎 😂

So what is God?

Flyingsaucesir comments on Sep 13, 2023:

Hmmm. The concept of God in Yoga as described above is not very different from the sky daddy of the Abrahamic religions. A singular, supreme soul (whatever that is), an omniscient being, above all tribulations, blah, blah, blah. Oh, yeah, and one more very important characteristic: so inscrutable as...

Flyingsaucesir replies on Sep 13, 2023:

@Heraclitus Roger that; the similarity only goes so far.

Climate triptych + 1:

273kelvin comments on Sep 13, 2023:

They say all political careers end in failure (we don't have term limits) I recall the most successful politician ever Denis Howell. It was 1976, Denis was a former football referee and the type of guy who was well-liked on both sides of the house. So he got the job of Minister of Sport, a soft spot...

Flyingsaucesir replies on Sep 13, 2023:

I hear that the climate is becoming more conducive to grape growing (and wine making) in England than it is in France. Instead of a Bordeaux, I think next time I'll try a nice, dry Dover! 😂

So what is God?

Flyingsaucesir comments on Sep 13, 2023:

Hmmm. The concept of God in Yoga as described above is not very different from the sky daddy of the Abrahamic religions. A singular, supreme soul (whatever that is), an omniscient being, above all tribulations, blah, blah, blah. Oh, yeah, and one more very important characteristic: so inscrutable as...

Flyingsaucesir replies on Sep 13, 2023:

@FvckY0u You are so good to me...😍

Do you get into fights?

Flyingsaucesir comments on Sep 13, 2023:

Soooo, is that what Fani Willis, Jack Smith, Leticia James, and Alvin Bragg should do? In the interest of peace, not insist that they are right in indicting Orange Foolius and his co-conspirators? That would be a lot easier for them. No need to worry about Trump's stochastic terrorism. Just let it ...

Flyingsaucesir replies on Sep 13, 2023:

@FvckY0u Best of luck 😃🤞

Ran into this in my online travels.

Flyingsaucesir comments on Sep 13, 2023:

You might consider calling them something other than "aliens." How about extraterrestrials? After all, where they live, they're not alien. And they have never been here. And probably never will be. 😂

Flyingsaucesir replies on Sep 13, 2023:

@FvckY0u So you're not suggesting I piss off? Cool. 😎👍

Do you get into fights?

Flyingsaucesir comments on Sep 13, 2023:

Soooo, is that what Fani Willis, Jack Smith, Leticia James, and Alvin Bragg should do? In the interest of peace, not insist that they are right in indicting Orange Foolius and his co-conspirators? That would be a lot easier for them. No need to worry about Trump's stochastic terrorism. Just let it ...

Flyingsaucesir replies on Sep 13, 2023:

@FvckY0u I just call them as I see them. ⚾

So what is God?

Flyingsaucesir comments on Sep 13, 2023:

Hmmm. The concept of God in Yoga as described above is not very different from the sky daddy of the Abrahamic religions. A singular, supreme soul (whatever that is), an omniscient being, above all tribulations, blah, blah, blah. Oh, yeah, and one more very important characteristic: so inscrutable as...

Flyingsaucesir replies on Sep 13, 2023:

@FvckY0u Really? Oh, thank you! 😂

Ran into this in my online travels.

Flyingsaucesir comments on Sep 13, 2023:

You might consider calling them something other than "aliens." How about extraterrestrials? After all, where they live, they're not alien. And they have never been here. And probably never will be. 😂

Flyingsaucesir replies on Sep 13, 2023:

@FvckY0u Hooo-weee, nice side-step! 🦀 Look, you're welcome to block me, if you can't handle my 2 cent's worth. But you are not giving me the bum's rush from this site. Who the Fvck do Y0u think you are?

Do you get into fights?

Flyingsaucesir comments on Sep 13, 2023:

Soooo, is that what Fani Willis, Jack Smith, Leticia James, and Alvin Bragg should do? In the interest of peace, not insist that they are right in indicting Orange Foolius and his co-conspirators? That would be a lot easier for them. No need to worry about Trump's stochastic terrorism. Just let it ...

Flyingsaucesir replies on Sep 13, 2023:

@FvckY0u Sounds like you are trying hard to be right 😂

So what is God?

Flyingsaucesir comments on Sep 13, 2023:

Hmmm. The concept of God in Yoga as described above is not very different from the sky daddy of the Abrahamic religions. A singular, supreme soul (whatever that is), an omniscient being, above all tribulations, blah, blah, blah. Oh, yeah, and one more very important characteristic: so inscrutable as...

Flyingsaucesir replies on Sep 13, 2023:

@FvckY0u I'm glad that's settled 😂

Ran into this in my online travels.

Flyingsaucesir comments on Sep 13, 2023:

You might consider calling them something other than "aliens." How about extraterrestrials? After all, where they live, they're not alien. And they have never been here. And probably never will be. 😂

Flyingsaucesir replies on Sep 13, 2023:

@FvckY0u It may appear to you that I know everything, but I assure you, I do not. Nevertheless, at least 850 members have valued my input here at one time or another. (I am perhaps more surprised [and gratified] by that than even you.) 😂

Do you get into fights?

Flyingsaucesir comments on Sep 13, 2023:

Soooo, is that what Fani Willis, Jack Smith, Leticia James, and Alvin Bragg should do? In the interest of peace, not insist that they are right in indicting Orange Foolius and his co-conspirators? That would be a lot easier for them. No need to worry about Trump's stochastic terrorism. Just let it ...

Flyingsaucesir replies on Sep 13, 2023:

@FvckY0u Did I miss something? Where exactly did you say this was only to be applied to individuals? Or that backing down for peace should only occur when the issue is unimportant? Where? If you deal in blanket, unqualified pronouncements, expect pushback.

So what is God?

Flyingsaucesir comments on Sep 13, 2023:

Hmmm. The concept of God in Yoga as described above is not very different from the sky daddy of the Abrahamic religions. A singular, supreme soul (whatever that is), an omniscient being, above all tribulations, blah, blah, blah. Oh, yeah, and one more very important characteristic: so inscrutable as...

Flyingsaucesir replies on Sep 13, 2023:

@FvckY0u No worries; I don't miss what isn't and never was.

Do you get into fights?

Flyingsaucesir comments on Sep 13, 2023:

Soooo, is that what Fani Willis, Jack Smith, Leticia James, and Alvin Bragg should do? In the interest of peace, not insist that they are right in indicting Orange Foolius and his co-conspirators? That would be a lot easier for them. No need to worry about Trump's stochastic terrorism. Just let it ...

Flyingsaucesir replies on Sep 13, 2023:

@Zealandia I can see how one might interpret his writing that way, but that message is not made explicit. Instead, he implies that we must always mute ourselves, in the interest of peace. Sounds like some New Age claptrap to me.

DeSantis triptych:

CourtJester comments on Sep 11, 2023:

Not true. The KKK was/still is an arm of the Democrat party.

Flyingsaucesir replies on Sep 11, 2023:

In the middle of the 20th century, the Republican and Democratic parties switched positions vis-a-vis race relations and civil rights. https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/factcheck/2020/06/30/fact-check-democratic-party-did-not-found-kkk-start-civil-war/3253803001/

Trump triptych no. 2:

DenoPenno comments on Sep 11, 2023:

Trump held his support rallies all during his term as president. In any normal world he would have been removed for not doing his job. Think on that.

Flyingsaucesir replies on Sep 11, 2023:

Dereliction of duty is the Donald's daily drill.

Trump triptych no. 1:

HippieChick58 comments on Sep 10, 2023:

Good ones!!

Flyingsaucesir replies on Sep 10, 2023:

What will the Trump library contain? Subpoenas, indictments, , fingerprints, mug shots, court records, cancelled hush money checks, recordings and contemporaneous notes of phone calls, transcripts of witness testimony, text messages, falsified business records, empty folders marked "classified,"...

Climate triptych + 1:

HippieChick58 comments on Sep 10, 2023:

Sadly true and likely prescient.

Flyingsaucesir replies on Sep 10, 2023:

Everything the scientists said would happen is happening, only faster than expected. And this is only the beginning.

Trump triptych no. 2:

HippieChick58 comments on Sep 10, 2023:

Good ones!!

Flyingsaucesir replies on Sep 10, 2023:

The man has distinguished himself in so many ways, and none of them are good 😂

DeSantis triptych:

HippieChick58 comments on Sep 10, 2023:

Good ones!

Flyingsaucesir replies on Sep 10, 2023:

He's such an easy target, you almost feel sorry for the slimy SOB 😂

Boy Scout whistleblower: Mormon church swayed abuse policy -- Axios

Flyingsaucesir comments on Sep 9, 2023:

There is nothing wrong with the basic idea of teaching boys how to tie knots, set up tents, and build campfires. But the organization has to be a lot more circumspect in its recruitment of leadership. And they need to address issues quickly and forthrightly. No covering for bad apples!

Flyingsaucesir replies on Sep 10, 2023:

@snytiger6 Yeah, they could definitely jettison the religious bits and be better for it.

Why did NATO refuse to not threaten Russia by continuing encroaching on its borders?

Flyingsaucesir comments on Sep 9, 2023:

I read Stoltenburg's comments as merely him quoting Putin (or Putin's stated position vis-a-vis NATO) and then very accurately pointing out that Putin's actions have brought about exactly what Putin said he didn't want: expansion of NATO. As for why Russia invaded Ukraine, that has less to do ...

Flyingsaucesir replies on Sep 9, 2023:

@FrayedBear As for BRICS, I'll just quote @Garban: "BRICS is a financial agreement, not a security agreement. Putin has demonstrated that a security agreement with him is useless."

Why did NATO refuse to not threaten Russia by continuing encroaching on its borders?

Flyingsaucesir comments on Sep 9, 2023:

I read Stoltenburg's comments as merely him quoting Putin (or Putin's stated position vis-a-vis NATO) and then very accurately pointing out that Putin's actions have brought about exactly what Putin said he didn't want: expansion of NATO. As for why Russia invaded Ukraine, that has less to do ...

Flyingsaucesir replies on Sep 9, 2023:

@FrayedBear Blah blah blah what-about-ism. Yes, trying to rid Iraq of its tyrant and set up a democratic government was not only illegal, it was stupid. Afghanistan was a little different; in that case there was a clear provocation (the Taliban hosting the authors of 9/11). Does that make what Putin is doing in Ukraine, trying to erase another country's sovereign identity annex their land, OK? No. Two wrongs have never made a right.

Joe Kennedy, the praying football coach, quit because the athletes never mattered to him

fnaf12 comments on Sep 8, 2023:

This one-of-a-kind game has sparked a lot of attention. In [poppy playtime](https://poppy-playtime.io) you must visit the Playtime toy factory. The question of what happened to the missing employee must be answered. There are several revenge toys available. Make every attempt to avoid capture while ...

Flyingsaucesir replies on Sep 9, 2023:

Sounds rather nightmarish.

Why did NATO refuse to not threaten Russia by continuing encroaching on its borders?

Scott321 comments on Sep 9, 2023:

Yeah, there’s no Russian propaganda. RT is not a Putin mouthpiece. Multiple people haven’t been poisoned or defenestrated. Former Iron Curtain members weren’t acting as free agents in choosing NATO membership over the years, they were duped or coerced by the bully US. Sweden and Finland better...

Flyingsaucesir replies on Sep 9, 2023:

Love the dripping sarcasm 💖

The "stable genius" plots and strategizes...

HippieChick58 comments on Sep 8, 2023:

stable genius, belongs out there with the horses and goats.

Flyingsaucesir replies on Sep 8, 2023:

Lock him up!

A dinosaur denier interviewed a dinosaur liar. Now my head hurts.

Flyingsaucesir comments on Sep 7, 2023:

Allie Beth Stuckey is an idiot. Ken Ham is also an idiot. They are two idiots, mutually reinforcing each other's idiocy. 😂

Flyingsaucesir replies on Sep 8, 2023:

@Fernapple You have a point there. So he's either an idiot or a pathological liar, maybe even a sociopath. Either way, not good.

26 min - Polly - THE GLOBAL CABAL USES ADL TO SILENCE, EXTORT AND CONTROL - SOROS UKRAINE VINDMAN ...

CuddyCruiser comments on Sep 7, 2023:

..

Flyingsaucesir replies on Sep 8, 2023:

@CuddyCruiser I'd say high probability

26 min - Polly - THE GLOBAL CABAL USES ADL TO SILENCE, EXTORT AND CONTROL - SOROS UKRAINE VINDMAN ...

CuddyCruiser comments on Sep 7, 2023:

..

Flyingsaucesir replies on Sep 7, 2023:

Poor blighter doesn't seem to realize there's a difference. 😐

It's down to us.

HippieChick58 comments on Sep 7, 2023:

Sadly way toooo accurate.

Flyingsaucesir replies on Sep 7, 2023:

A lot of people appear way more willing to suffer the effects of climate change (and bellyache about it, blame others for it, and scream for relief or indemnification), than make any changes in their own behavior. So they keep buying Earth-destroying SUVs and pickup trucks, keep driving them to the 5-and-dime, keep flying jet planes to wherever on a whim, just because they can... it's disgusting!

I've always been fascinated by those who are predisposed to conspiracy theories and pseudoscience.

skado comments on Sep 7, 2023:

It would be interesting to read the unredacted study but I get the gist. A big piece of the puzzle may just be garden variety ignorance, but I’m pretty sure paranoia plays a role. A couple of minor nits I would pick are “9/11” and “religious/spiritual”. By any legal definition, ...

Flyingsaucesir replies on Sep 7, 2023:

@skado 9/11 and J6 seem pretty cut-and-dried to me. But I have never been satisfied with the explanation of JFK's assassination.

I've always been fascinated by those who are predisposed to conspiracy theories and pseudoscience.

skado comments on Sep 7, 2023:

It would be interesting to read the unredacted study but I get the gist. A big piece of the puzzle may just be garden variety ignorance, but I’m pretty sure paranoia plays a role. A couple of minor nits I would pick are “9/11” and “religious/spiritual”. By any legal definition, ...

Flyingsaucesir replies on Sep 7, 2023:

Well yeah, 911 was a conspiracy among a bunch of mostly Saudi nationals including Osama Bin Laden. And that is not merely hypothetical. The identities of the hijackers were all confirmed. That's conspiracy fact. The conspiracy theory is that it was a false flag operation, engineered by the CIA or FBI to get the US into a war. There isn't any evidence to support that hypothesis; it's just pure 🐂 💩.

I do not think it is too far a stretch of a conclusion that agnosticism and/or Atheism are generally...

Flyingsaucesir comments on Sep 5, 2023:

I have had many go-rounds with alt-right trolls, made many good arguments, articulated the facts, exposed falsehoods, shredded conspiracy theories, and, to the best of my knowledge, have changed no minds. Going forward, my policy will be not to comment on their posts, and only add supportive replies...

Flyingsaucesir replies on Sep 6, 2023:

@skado Some people are more flexible than others.

So what are everyone's thoughts on changing God's pronouns to "They" and "Them" since in the ...

jackjr comments on Aug 30, 2023:

So yet once again this so called higher entity has to have another human construct - gender.

Flyingsaucesir replies on Sep 6, 2023:

@jackjr But people sure have made up a lot of shit, haven't they? 😂

No sooner had the Fulton County Sheriff released Donald J.

FvckY0u comments on Sep 5, 2023:

What a great point! Yes, totally! Makes me laugh even harder. The mug shot, after having seen it many times now and thought about it this is how I see it. He's trying to give that "I'm a badass, I'm gonna get you" look. It's lost all meaning. You see how a mighty narcissist turns to dust right...

Flyingsaucesir replies on Sep 5, 2023:

Yes! His aura of invincibility is wearing thin. The curtain jas been drawn aside to reveal a cheap crook.

No sooner had the Fulton County Sheriff released Donald J.

MyTVC15 comments on Sep 5, 2023:

I have a confession...I kinda secretly want a mug shot bobble head .

Flyingsaucesir replies on Sep 5, 2023:

Me too! 😂

No sooner had the Fulton County Sheriff released Donald J.

HippieChick58 comments on Sep 5, 2023:

He's such a shyster, I hope this is another nail in his freedom coffin.

Flyingsaucesir replies on Sep 5, 2023:

You and me both sistah!🤞

I do not think it is too far a stretch of a conclusion that agnosticism and/or Atheism are generally...

DenoPenno comments on Sep 5, 2023:

Yes, this is happening. I have seen new names and idiotic conservative posts. Another thing that has returned is a conservative post that you cannot post in. When you click on it you are not allowed to comment. Banned I suppose coz it pops up that the group is not available. We had that before and ...

Flyingsaucesir replies on Sep 5, 2023:

They won't allow comments because they can't handle being corrected.

I do not think it is too far a stretch of a conclusion that agnosticism and/or Atheism are generally...

racocn8 comments on Sep 5, 2023:

Putin is desperate to reinstall Trump and is deploying an extremely extensive campaign as in 2016. Data from Manafort and Cambridge Analytica were used to target people and may well have put Trump in. All of these new posters should be suspected as being members of a Moscow troll farm or brainwashed...

Flyingsaucesir replies on Sep 5, 2023:

Wish I could give you double points for that comment. 🎯

Why does Trump relentlessly attack the free press?

AnneWimsey comments on Sep 4, 2023:

Dachau, the first Concentration Camp, was built soon after Hitler took office specifically for journalists, publishers, letter-to-the-editor writers and other dissenters....he understood the necessity of silencing dissent.

Flyingsaucesir replies on Sep 4, 2023:

Exactly my point! Thank you!

So what are everyone's thoughts on changing God's pronouns to "They" and "Them" since in the ...

jackjr comments on Aug 30, 2023:

So yet once again this so called higher entity has to have another human construct - gender.

Flyingsaucesir replies on Sep 4, 2023:

@Julie808 It all started with a big bang, and things have been getting more complex and interesting ever since. There is absolutely no evidence of intelligence or intention behind any of it.

So what are everyone's thoughts on changing God's pronouns to "They" and "Them" since in the ...

MacStriker comments on Aug 30, 2023:

Anytime i'm in discussion with a believer, i say, "Your god" and deflect the ownership to them. i don't recall using a pronoun for god. Always wondered, if god is a "he" (male) doesn't he want a mate? or he just gets off watching and manipulating?

Flyingsaucesir replies on Sep 4, 2023:

I also like, "your hypothetical god," or "that supposed deity."

Why does Trump relentlessly attack the free press?

Thibaud70 comments on Sep 4, 2023:

Just being curious: is there such a thing as *free press* in the USA today? All seem to be more or less puppets of some ideology or "community" or pressure group or lobbyists.... Example: the noble NYTimes used to be the epitome of independence, but now it's been taken over by a vocal but ...

Flyingsaucesir replies on Sep 4, 2023:

Journalism is a human endeavor, and therefore not perfect. But it's mostly done right by institutions like NY Times, Washington Post, The Atlantic, PBS NewsHour, Reuter's, Associated Press, the New Yorker, Harpers, and others. It's hacks like Brightbart, OAN, Newsmax, and Fox "News" that you really have to be careful with. Is there a lot more lying and propaganda on the right than there used to be? Absolutely! So much so that just telling the straight facts will get you labelled a libtard, commie, pinko progressive.

Why does Trump relentlessly attack the free press?

HippieChick58 comments on Sep 4, 2023:

Trump is a wanna be dictator with a small pr_ck and limited brain power. He wants to control stuff to compensate for his lack of endowment.

Flyingsaucesir replies on Sep 4, 2023:

And he was raised by vampires.

Dawk Richard Dawkins finds a circumstance for which he can recommend Christianity, and speaks ...

Flyingsaucesir comments on Aug 29, 2023:

The thing about religion, or conspiracy theory, or tribal affiliation to a political ideology, is that these things provide easy answers to difficult questions. You don't really have to think, or work hard for your answers. Science, on the other hand, requires years of arduous study, after which...

Flyingsaucesir replies on Sep 3, 2023:

@skado I never said religion is the sole culprit in our current predicament. It's a contributing factor. I do like your analysis from an evolutionary biology standpoint. What is it EO Wilson said? "...the problem with humanity is that we have paleolithic emotions, medieval institutions, and godlike technology."

Dawk Richard Dawkins finds a circumstance for which he can recommend Christianity, and speaks ...

Flyingsaucesir comments on Aug 29, 2023:

The thing about religion, or conspiracy theory, or tribal affiliation to a political ideology, is that these things provide easy answers to difficult questions. You don't really have to think, or work hard for your answers. Science, on the other hand, requires years of arduous study, after which...

Flyingsaucesir replies on Sep 3, 2023:

@skado You wrote, "All of those people ride in cars. Maybe it’s the cars’ fault?" That's why the paragraph on transportation. 😂

One storm we could actually halt.

Tejas comments on Sep 2, 2023:

How can you prevent a criminal from committing crime?

Flyingsaucesir replies on Sep 3, 2023:

@Tejas You're overlooking the gun show and private sale loopholes. The fact that many different methods are employed for killing is both well understood and irrelevant. To stack up bodies with knives or boots takes time, and a lot of isolated incidents (of which there can be many in a country of 350 million people). For those intent on killing a lot of people quickly, the AR-15 is the weapon of choice. The idea that civilians should have military rifles today because they did 250 years ago...now that's nonsensical.

One storm we could actually halt.

Tejas comments on Sep 2, 2023:

How can you prevent a criminal from committing crime?

Flyingsaucesir replies on Sep 2, 2023:

@Tejas Well the thing is, we do NOT have universal background checks. That's a problem. And if you look at these mass shootings, a handgun is usually only a backup to an AR-15. You know, a highly proficient minuteman could maybe get off 3 shots from his muzzle loader in a minute, two if he aimed carefully. And the muzzle velocity from that smooth bore was only a fraction of that from a modern assault rifle. Yeah, things have changed a lot. And the laws have not kept pace.

One storm we could actually halt.

Tejas comments on Sep 2, 2023:

How can you prevent a criminal from committing crime?

Flyingsaucesir replies on Sep 2, 2023:

@Tejas Still got the hat 🤠

One storm we could actually halt.

Tejas comments on Sep 2, 2023:

How can you prevent a criminal from committing crime?

Flyingsaucesir replies on Sep 2, 2023:

@Tejas There's a lot to unpack here. First. About 1,100 of the 15k were accidental shootings. About 800 were police shootings. 60 years ago there was no internet, no social media, no torrent of disinformation and wacko conspiracy theories, no Russian meddling in our elections. The world has changed. Our laws have to change with it, just to keep up. I think you miss the mark by saying "most people say ban rifles or ban all guns." (I certainly don't say that. I have been a gun owner since way before I could legally buy one.) The legislation I see being called for is a ban on military-style assault rifles, not on handguns, hunting rifles or shotguns. And universal background checks. Close the gun show loophole. Institute red flag laws, so when someone is unstable we can take their guns away. Have safe storage laws. Disallow conversion kits to make semi-autos into machine guns. No bump stocks. No untraceable ghost guns.That's all sensible, straightforward stuff. Not at all an infringement on the 2nd Amendment. It's what the NRA used to advocate, back in the day (when I was a member).

One storm we could actually halt.

Druvius comments on Sep 1, 2023:

There's tons that could be done to reduce gun violence without any law abiding citizens losing their rights. The Republicans though are almost a purely ideological party these days, they aren't interested in solving problems, just defending their ideology.

Flyingsaucesir replies on Sep 2, 2023:

@Druvius We obviously have very different views on the origins and meaning of the Ukraine conflict. Yes, I do see it as a struggle against autocracy. That's the big picture. But on the smaller scale, it's people who were living peacefully in cities and villages being bombed into oblivion. Ukraine did not invade Russia; Russia invaded Ukraine --- an undeniable fact. And one of the two main political parties in America has abandoned it traditional embrace of the rule of law and the Constitution to become a cult of authoritarian personality (one that is aligned with Russia). That's why the CPAC held its annual conference in authoritarian Hungary this year, why the authoritarian leader Victor Orban was a featured speaker. Come on, man! Russia's meddling in our elections to elect the would-be authoritarian strong man Trumpty Dumpty did not take place in a vacuum. There is a larger game afoot. Putin saw a chance to sweep the board, and he went for it. Now he is on his back foot, very much taken aback and surprised by the manifest will and resolve of free people not to be ruled by tyrants.

Dawk Richard Dawkins finds a circumstance for which he can recommend Christianity, and speaks ...

Flyingsaucesir comments on Aug 29, 2023:

The thing about religion, or conspiracy theory, or tribal affiliation to a political ideology, is that these things provide easy answers to difficult questions. You don't really have to think, or work hard for your answers. Science, on the other hand, requires years of arduous study, after which...

Flyingsaucesir replies on Sep 2, 2023:

@skado I never said science is the only source of wisdom or the holder of all answers. But in this technological world where humans have the ability to change the planet (for the worse), we cannot afford to ignore what science has to tell us. Religious instruction that conflicts with science does not only teach harmless myths; it also teaches a habit of mind where the indoctrinated feel free to believe whatever they want to believe, with or without evidence to back it up. I think that's why 85% of Evangelical Christians voted for Trump in 2016, and 80% repeated the mistake in 2020, even after seeing the chaos and wreckage left in the wake of only 4 years of a Trump administration. And it helps explain why so many have drunk the conspiracy theory kool-aide, swallowing a whole pack of lies that would otherwise never get off the ground for lack of evidence. And where has all this flabby thinking brought us? To the brink of civil war! I call that toxic.

Dawk Richard Dawkins finds a circumstance for which he can recommend Christianity, and speaks ...

Flyingsaucesir comments on Aug 29, 2023:

The thing about religion, or conspiracy theory, or tribal affiliation to a political ideology, is that these things provide easy answers to difficult questions. You don't really have to think, or work hard for your answers. Science, on the other hand, requires years of arduous study, after which...

Flyingsaucesir replies on Sep 2, 2023:

@skado You can't expect individual people to solve the transportation problem on their own. First, there isn't enough lithium to make the whole fleet battery EVs. Hydrogen fuel cells will probably be a big part of the solution in the future, but do you see a lot of hydrogen-powered cars today? No. Second, the price of EVs is still out of range for most people. 3rd, many changes in urban planning and sustained investments in infrastructure must be made over a long period of time. We should have started sooner, but the fossil fuel industry launched a disinformation campaign that puzzled the will to act. And let's be frank: most people still don't see flying as the horrible carbon emitter that it is. We're still behind the 8 ball in terms of basic education, thanks to the fossil fuel industry, its think tanks, lobbyists, and bought politicians.

One storm we could actually halt.

Tejas comments on Sep 2, 2023:

How can you prevent a criminal from committing crime?

Flyingsaucesir replies on Sep 2, 2023:

@Tejas Yes, a large portion of the gun deaths are suicides. @273kelvin adequately addressed that so I won't say more than to point out that the raw number of non-suicide the gun deaths in America is around 15 thousand so far this year. Please don't tell me that's an acceptable number.

Qualified tutor urgently needed.

DenoPenno comments on Sep 2, 2023:

But of course. We need to change history. They are doing it now.

Flyingsaucesir replies on Sep 2, 2023:

They're trying, yes.

One storm we could actually halt.

Druvius comments on Sep 1, 2023:

There's tons that could be done to reduce gun violence without any law abiding citizens losing their rights. The Republicans though are almost a purely ideological party these days, they aren't interested in solving problems, just defending their ideology.

Flyingsaucesir replies on Sep 2, 2023:

@Druvius You mean the USA and the 11 other European countries that are contributing significantly to the defense of Ukraine? Yeah, we are the good guys in this thing. (The USA ranks 12th in terms of percentage of GDP spent helpng to Ukraine, btw.)

One storm we could actually halt.

Tejas comments on Sep 2, 2023:

How can you prevent a criminal from committing crime?

Flyingsaucesir replies on Sep 2, 2023:

Heh heh, I knew I was letting myself in for questions like that by using the word "halt." I'm more than happy to amend it. How does "slow" work for you? I mean, other countries with stricter gun laws have far less gun violence. It can be done here. I don't think American exceptionalism extends so far as to preclude it.

Dawk Richard Dawkins finds a circumstance for which he can recommend Christianity, and speaks ...

Flyingsaucesir comments on Aug 29, 2023:

The thing about religion, or conspiracy theory, or tribal affiliation to a political ideology, is that these things provide easy answers to difficult questions. You don't really have to think, or work hard for your answers. Science, on the other hand, requires years of arduous study, after which...

Flyingsaucesir replies on Sep 2, 2023:

@skado As I explained previously, the kind of toxicity I refer to is manifested more at a systemic level. Individuals who embrace beliefs that conflict with science may be perfectly pleasant, moral, and upright. But the influence of those beliefs on policy and politics may be quite damaging, and un-American. I think that is what we are seeing with the backlash against gay rights, the epidemic of censorship, banning books, draconian anti-abortion laws, assaults on voting rights, anti-woke rhetoric....the whole panoply of right-wing culture war nonsense. And of course they feel justified in refusing to bake a wedding cake for a gay couple because homosexuality is a sin, right? And this sense of justification extends to their calling to stay in power at all costs... including shredding the Constitution.

One storm we could actually halt.

BD66 comments on Sep 2, 2023:

In an average year, 400 people are killed by rifles, and 1500 people are killed by knives. The graphic would make more sense if you had knives instead of rifles.

Flyingsaucesir replies on Sep 2, 2023:

Nothing about 2023 is average. There have already been 479 mass shootings this year. The number of gun deaths is almost 30 thousand. Around half of those were suicides.

Apparently Ramaswamy is heavily invested in the fossil fuel industry.

racocn8 comments on Sep 2, 2023:

Trump is 'suspected' of taking positions that benefit Putin because he is in some way under Putin's control. Ramaswamy takes these same positions because... (he supposedly likes Trump's policies??!!). (i.e. Putin owns Ramaswamy too)

Flyingsaucesir replies on Sep 2, 2023:

I admit that I entertained the hypothesis that Trump is a puppet of Putin, that Putin has some kind of power over Trump. But after mulling it over for years I have decided that's not the way to understand their relationship. I think Trump considers himself at least Putin's equal, if not his superior. Trump admires Putin for his brutality and cunning, and ability to stay in power indefinitely, enriching himself along the way. Putin is a model to he emulated. Trump is friendly to Putin because he sees him as a valuable ally in tearing down American democracy and installing himself as the American version of Putin: the head of a criminal gang with sovereign powers. Ramaswamy is just an interloper, riding on Trump's coat tails.

One storm we could actually halt.

Druvius comments on Sep 1, 2023:

There's tons that could be done to reduce gun violence without any law abiding citizens losing their rights. The Republicans though are almost a purely ideological party these days, they aren't interested in solving problems, just defending their ideology.

Flyingsaucesir replies on Sep 2, 2023:

@Druvius What is Democrat foreign policy ideology? Like, nurturing alliances with other democracies around the world? Engaging in trade abroad? Supporting a rules-based world order? Supporting a European country that has been invaded by a neighbor bent on genocide? All that stuff was very much in the Republican wheelhouse, before the Party became a cult of authoritarian personality.

One storm we could actually halt.

racocn8 comments on Sep 2, 2023:

Not with the NRA being funded by Putin... That is a significant means for Russia to compromise GOP members. The bigger question is why aren't the DOJ, DIA, CIA etc. doing their jobs?

Flyingsaucesir replies on Sep 2, 2023:

What makes you think they aren't doing their jobs?

Dawk Richard Dawkins finds a circumstance for which he can recommend Christianity, and speaks ...

Flyingsaucesir comments on Aug 29, 2023:

The thing about religion, or conspiracy theory, or tribal affiliation to a political ideology, is that these things provide easy answers to difficult questions. You don't really have to think, or work hard for your answers. Science, on the other hand, requires years of arduous study, after which...

Flyingsaucesir replies on Sep 1, 2023:

@skado Evangelical Christians. There are Creation Museums here and there, scattered around the country. There's one in Santee, California, some 30 miles from where I live.

Dawk Richard Dawkins finds a circumstance for which he can recommend Christianity, and speaks ...

Flyingsaucesir comments on Aug 29, 2023:

The thing about religion, or conspiracy theory, or tribal affiliation to a political ideology, is that these things provide easy answers to difficult questions. You don't really have to think, or work hard for your answers. Science, on the other hand, requires years of arduous study, after which...

Flyingsaucesir replies on Sep 1, 2023:

@skado As a matter of policy? Probably none. They seem to think the propaganda they present in their "museums" and other teachings constitute science, or is consistent with science.

One storm we could actually halt.

Druvius comments on Sep 1, 2023:

There's tons that could be done to reduce gun violence without any law abiding citizens losing their rights. The Republicans though are almost a purely ideological party these days, they aren't interested in solving problems, just defending their ideology.

Flyingsaucesir replies on Sep 1, 2023:

...and holding on to power, by hook or by crook.

One storm we could actually halt.

HippieChick58 comments on Sep 1, 2023:

That is the most lethal one of all.

Flyingsaucesir replies on Sep 1, 2023:

479 mass shootings so far in 2023 😐

Apparently Ramaswamy is heavily invested in the fossil fuel industry.

HippieChick58 comments on Sep 1, 2023:

Yeah, we don't need a livable planet.

Flyingsaucesir replies on Sep 1, 2023:

Well, a billionaire might feel like he can ride out the unfolding environmental collapse in comfort, and die of old age before it can catch up with him.

Dawk Richard Dawkins finds a circumstance for which he can recommend Christianity, and speaks ...

Flyingsaucesir comments on Aug 29, 2023:

The thing about religion, or conspiracy theory, or tribal affiliation to a political ideology, is that these things provide easy answers to difficult questions. You don't really have to think, or work hard for your answers. Science, on the other hand, requires years of arduous study, after which...

Flyingsaucesir replies on Sep 1, 2023:

@skado Hmmm. Was it not clear that I was referring only to sects that reject science?

Trump should be barred from taking office.

silverotter11 comments on Sep 1, 2023:

Not holding those at the top accountable got us where we are today. Justice is brutal for those at the bottom of our social class system. Those at the top have never really been held accountable. I am not optimistic this time around we will see anything really earth shattering. Sadly one ...

Flyingsaucesir replies on Sep 1, 2023:

"The very people who would be most harmed by the curtailing of or outright removal of the social safety net programs they have come to rely on wanted trump as their leader." True, true. Here's why: those same programs would also benefit people they view as not only less deserving, but also beneath them in the social pecking order. They would literally rather do without than have the other get any benefit.

Dawk Richard Dawkins finds a circumstance for which he can recommend Christianity, and speaks ...

Flyingsaucesir comments on Aug 29, 2023:

The thing about religion, or conspiracy theory, or tribal affiliation to a political ideology, is that these things provide easy answers to difficult questions. You don't really have to think, or work hard for your answers. Science, on the other hand, requires years of arduous study, after which...

Flyingsaucesir replies on Sep 1, 2023:

@skado I am not privy to their internal memoranda, but we hear their preachers, see their "museums," lament their members in school board meetings,...

Dawk Richard Dawkins finds a circumstance for which he can recommend Christianity, and speaks ...

Flyingsaucesir comments on Aug 29, 2023:

The thing about religion, or conspiracy theory, or tribal affiliation to a political ideology, is that these things provide easy answers to difficult questions. You don't really have to think, or work hard for your answers. Science, on the other hand, requires years of arduous study, after which...

Flyingsaucesir replies on Sep 1, 2023:

@skado Any sect that interprets literally an ancient scripture that contradicts science is engaging in de facto rejection of science. Evangelical Christianity is an example that comes to mind.

Dawk Richard Dawkins finds a circumstance for which he can recommend Christianity, and speaks ...

Flyingsaucesir comments on Aug 29, 2023:

The thing about religion, or conspiracy theory, or tribal affiliation to a political ideology, is that these things provide easy answers to difficult questions. You don't really have to think, or work hard for your answers. Science, on the other hand, requires years of arduous study, after which...

Flyingsaucesir replies on Sep 1, 2023:

@skado I am thinking about this less on an individual level and more on a systemic level. Any creed that rejects science is bound to result in large numbers of people failing to appreciate the gravity of climate change, failing to make adjustments in their own behavior to lower their carbon footprints, and failure to support policies designed to solve the problem. (I'm choosing to use climate change here as my example because it really does pose an existential threat to human civilization, and possibly the very survival of our species. But there are other issues that also can only be addressed intelligently by taking science into account. For instance the controversy around abortion should be considered in the context of biological evolution; not doing so leads to all kinds of harmful policies, and even polarization of communities.) A person could check all the other boxes to appear moral and upright in their behavior, but falling down on climate change has real consequences. Arguably, we are in a more precarious situation today because we have not taken appropriate action, and this torpor was only possible because people who are already disposed to dismiss science are easily swayed by the false propaganda put out by the fossil fuel industry. We shall soon see tens of thousands of people dying from heat in a weekend --- a pretty severe consequence of a belief-driven behavior that may appear benign at first glance.

Dawk Richard Dawkins finds a circumstance for which he can recommend Christianity, and speaks ...

Flyingsaucesir comments on Aug 29, 2023:

The thing about religion, or conspiracy theory, or tribal affiliation to a political ideology, is that these things provide easy answers to difficult questions. You don't really have to think, or work hard for your answers. Science, on the other hand, requires years of arduous study, after which...

Flyingsaucesir replies on Aug 31, 2023:

@skado I think the definition of toxic is important too. For me, any rejection of science in favor of religious dogma is toxic. So I suppose, by that standard, ANY sect that goes in for literal interpretations of scripture is toxic.

Dawk Richard Dawkins finds a circumstance for which he can recommend Christianity, and speaks ...

Flyingsaucesir comments on Aug 29, 2023:

The thing about religion, or conspiracy theory, or tribal affiliation to a political ideology, is that these things provide easy answers to difficult questions. You don't really have to think, or work hard for your answers. Science, on the other hand, requires years of arduous study, after which...

Flyingsaucesir replies on Aug 30, 2023:

@skado Which ones are not?

[bigthink.

Flyingsaucesir comments on Aug 29, 2023:

Whatever the reason, it's a good trend.

Flyingsaucesir replies on Aug 30, 2023:

@FrayedBear It is or it isn't. Belief is (ironically) irrelevant. 😂

Dawk Richard Dawkins finds a circumstance for which he can recommend Christianity, and speaks ...

Flyingsaucesir comments on Aug 29, 2023:

The thing about religion, or conspiracy theory, or tribal affiliation to a political ideology, is that these things provide easy answers to difficult questions. You don't really have to think, or work hard for your answers. Science, on the other hand, requires years of arduous study, after which...

Flyingsaucesir replies on Aug 30, 2023:

@skado The sects that embrace literal interpretations are certainly toxic.

[bigthink.

Flyingsaucesir comments on Aug 29, 2023:

Whatever the reason, it's a good trend.

Flyingsaucesir replies on Aug 30, 2023:

@skado Religious belief is not declining?

THE MANY TRIALS AND TRIBULATIONS OF INMATE NUMBER P01135809 Donald Trump claims that all the ...

MyTVC15 comments on Aug 29, 2023:

I think he might be guilty of something.

Flyingsaucesir replies on Aug 29, 2023:

That's probably a good bet 😂

Dawk Richard Dawkins finds a circumstance for which he can recommend Christianity, and speaks ...

Flyingsaucesir comments on Aug 29, 2023:

The thing about religion, or conspiracy theory, or tribal affiliation to a political ideology, is that these things provide easy answers to difficult questions. You don't really have to think, or work hard for your answers. Science, on the other hand, requires years of arduous study, after which...

Flyingsaucesir replies on Aug 29, 2023:

@skado That's also true. For instance, I would place Buddhism above any of the Abrahamic belief systems.

Dawk Richard Dawkins finds a circumstance for which he can recommend Christianity, and speaks ...

Flyingsaucesir comments on Aug 29, 2023:

The thing about religion, or conspiracy theory, or tribal affiliation to a political ideology, is that these things provide easy answers to difficult questions. You don't really have to think, or work hard for your answers. Science, on the other hand, requires years of arduous study, after which...

Flyingsaucesir replies on Aug 29, 2023:

@skado Oh yes, some political ideologies are inherently superior to others. And conspiracies do occur. Witness Donald Trump's fake elector scheme! 😐

Dig the perp number 😂

HippieChick58 comments on Aug 26, 2023:

of course he does everything bigger and better than anyone else ever has, and this will be no different.

Flyingsaucesir replies on Aug 26, 2023:

He will soon flame out and disappear into obscurity.

Liberty or Death

UrsiMajor comments on Aug 25, 2023:

Thank you. I am so tired of people trashing Biden or saying he is just like Trump.

Flyingsaucesir replies on Aug 25, 2023:

@silverotter11 Yes.

Liberty or Death

MyTVC15 comments on Aug 25, 2023:

The Kubrick stare...

Flyingsaucesir replies on Aug 25, 2023:

Ha! Three good actors affect a look in the creation of art, and one bad actor tries to hide the fact that he's scared shitless and about to pee his pants.

It takes a worried man to sing a worried song 🎵 An innocent man would be eager to clear his ...

CourtJester comments on Aug 23, 2023:

A criminal would have been charged and jailed long before the elections rolled up.

Flyingsaucesir replies on Aug 25, 2023:

@CourtJester Haven't you read the DC and Georgia indictments? Well, you don't really need to. The trial in Atlanta will be televised. There the evidence will be laid out for all to see. You should tune in.

One must state it plainly.

ml58n2 comments on Aug 23, 2023:

I agree, caveman saw comets and eclipse's or even extraterrestrial visitors from outer space and made them their gods and said what the hell is that thing? I don't believe in ghosts or spirits, but I do believe in UFO'S it is the most logical thing that could happen with the size of our ...

Flyingsaucesir replies on Aug 24, 2023:

There have been all kinds of unidentified flying objects, but no evidence that any originated from anywhere but Earth (meteors being an exception).

One must state it plainly.

FrostyJim comments on Aug 24, 2023:

Come-on folks ...I kinda doubt this is not a fake scamner? ...with poor grammar too? It may be a real person - but I kinda doubt these are their real photos? What do Babe selfies have to do with the posts? Guys seem to fall for Babe photos often...

Flyingsaucesir replies on Aug 24, 2023:

That was my thought too. But no harm in commenting. (S)he will either turn out to be real or not. Time will tell.

It takes a worried man to sing a worried song 🎵 An innocent man would be eager to clear his ...

CourtJester comments on Aug 23, 2023:

A criminal would have been charged and jailed long before the elections rolled up.

Flyingsaucesir replies on Aug 24, 2023:

@CourtJester Trump did his crimes (pressuring state and local officials, marshalling fake electors, breaking into voting machines, etc.) in battleground states where he thought he had a chance of tipping the scales: Georgia, Wisconsin, Arizona, Pennsylvania, Nevada, Michigan, and New Mexico. 😂

It takes a worried man to sing a worried song 🎵 An innocent man would be eager to clear his ...

CourtJester comments on Aug 23, 2023:

A criminal would have been charged and jailed long before the elections rolled up.

Flyingsaucesir replies on Aug 24, 2023:

The criminal conspiracy and acts in furtherance of same continued for months after January 6, 2020. But even if we call that the end date, there are still 2½ years left on the Georgia statute of limitations. 😂

It takes a worried man to sing a worried song 🎵 An innocent man would be eager to clear his ...

FrostyJim comments on Aug 24, 2023:

I feel sorry for his cell-mate...

Flyingsaucesir replies on Aug 24, 2023:

Lightweight humanitarian care package: foam ear plugs 🙉

It takes a worried man to sing a worried song 🎵 An innocent man would be eager to clear his ...

CourtJester comments on Aug 23, 2023:

A criminal would have been charged and jailed long before the elections rolled up.

Flyingsaucesir replies on Aug 23, 2023:

The wheels of justice turn slowly.

One must state it plainly.

Flyingsaucesir comments on Aug 23, 2023:

Yup, thousands of years before modern science. 😎👍

Flyingsaucesir replies on Aug 23, 2023:

We still barely know anything 😂

The grift that keeps on grifting:

DenoPenno comments on Aug 22, 2023:

What I see is the grifter who wants his trial put off until he is re-elected. How can his followers even go for this? Most of them think his charges are all made up and phony.

Flyingsaucesir replies on Aug 23, 2023:

It's a cult of personality. They're hypnotized.

I fully understand that no one, when the original laws were written, could possibly have anticipated...

Marionville comments on Aug 21, 2023:

He will pardon himself…isn’t that what is expected to happen? I think if this quite farcical scenario does actually transpire …the jocular expression “the lunatics have been put in charge of running the asylum” will have become a horrifying reality!

Flyingsaucesir replies on Aug 22, 2023:

He will not get back into the White House. 🤞

I fully understand that no one, when the original laws were written, could possibly have anticipated...

Garban comments on Aug 21, 2023:

There is an argument that the constitution forbids anyone that has assisted someone convicted of sedition from running for public office. Some lawyers give it credence and others question it because it’s never been used. I don’t know the right answer, I just wish he would die a slow painful ...

Flyingsaucesir replies on Aug 22, 2023:

It looks like it's going to be a long, slow meltdown. First he got fired. Then he got investigated. Then he was indicted, arrested, arraigned, and fingerprinted. Later today he will have his mug shot taken. Soon he will stand trial. All the while he is becoming more and more desperate and erratic. He can't keep his mouth shut. He knows he's toast.

I fully understand that no one, when the original laws were written, could possibly have anticipated...

RobertNappi2 comments on Aug 21, 2023:

I point to the 14th Amendment, section 3. He is in FACT Ineligible to run!!! LOOK IT UP MY FRIENDS!!!

Flyingsaucesir replies on Aug 22, 2023:

I believe he would have to be convicted of sedition.

I fully understand that no one, when the original laws were written, could possibly have anticipated...

LiterateHiker comments on Aug 21, 2023:

I still don't understand why anyone voted for Trump.

Flyingsaucesir replies on Aug 22, 2023:

@racocn8 ✔️✔️✔️

The grift that keeps on grifting:

CuddyCruiser comments on Aug 22, 2023:

..

Flyingsaucesir replies on Aug 22, 2023:

What book is held aloft?

Did not know Neil's back story.

Flyingsaucesir comments on Aug 21, 2023:

Upon reading the first few paragraphs, my first thought was, "They want to make the USA into a THIRD-WORLD country!" When I saw, near the end of the article, that the author used the same term to describe this "conservative" project, what would have been a moment of self-congratulation was dashed by...

Flyingsaucesir replies on Aug 22, 2023:

@silverotter11 Where we're heading now is 1930s Germany with social media, AI, nuclear weapons, and climate change. 😐

Did not know Neil's back story.

Sticks48 comments on Aug 21, 2023:

Just as they have for centuries, the "ruling class", also known as the rich, will eventually bring the country down if they don't change their mindset.

Flyingsaucesir replies on Aug 21, 2023:

@Organist1 Time to bring out the pitchforks!