Fake News and Russian Propaganda. Have any members read or watched RT or Sputnik?

William_Mary comments on Jan 13, 2018:

I watch a number of people on their program. I find the Russian rhetoric to be an insult to the ability of humans to be able to recognize when we are being brain washed into voting a certain way. But then I witness so many people actually buying into the rhetoric which sends me into mass confusion. ...

William_Mary replies on Jan 14, 2018:

@Treasurehunter Don't get me wrong on Russia, but yes. I see Russia as just as bad as the rest. I may even be convinced they may be a party of the collusion today also. For all meaningful thought, Putin has a shady list and body count behind him as large as the Clinton and Bush families. And they're just as involved as any entity for gain of resources.

Iraq is a bad place ..

azzow2 comments on Jan 14, 2018:

Been there did that. Desert Storm vet. I can tell you we were able to walk around and socialize with the people back then never once did we hear we did not belong there more often was a thank you our lives are better because the U.S. was there. O bomb pulled out troops reprision went back as if king...

William_Mary replies on Jan 14, 2018:

@azzow2 Which issue is it you haven't any knowledge of? The fact that these 2 issues have been well covered for years and you haven't read about them while commenting on them speaks quite loudly. I did the work for you though. I hope you take the time to now start forming and developing an educated opinion. Feel free to analyze and compare to where ever you do get your sources from. Note: Bush signed the agreement in 2008. A deadline for Dec 31 2011. A time after his presidency. Also note during the Obama presidency: With the collapse of discussions about extending the stay of U.S. troops,[34][35] President Obama announced the full withdrawal of troops from Iraq, as previously scheduled, on 21 October 2011. In other words. The Iraqi government wanted us out. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Withdrawal_of_U.S._troops_from_Iraq An interview with Amy Goodman. A simple web search will bring up a number of hits for this book and a number of news sources that covered this story. You can most likely find a number of right wing sites that find a way to spin it to their train of thoughts also. https://www.alternet.org/world/cia-interrogator-time-us-invasion-saddam-hussein-was-focused-writing-novel-not-wmds

Iraq is a bad place ..

azzow2 comments on Jan 14, 2018:

Been there did that. Desert Storm vet. I can tell you we were able to walk around and socialize with the people back then never once did we hear we did not belong there more often was a thank you our lives are better because the U.S. was there. O bomb pulled out troops reprision went back as if king...

William_Mary replies on Jan 14, 2018:

He kept the agreement Bush signed. The Iraqi government wanted us out. Then the Iraqi government started treating their people worse than Saddam did by creating sectarian divisions within the government after we pulled out. I'm by no means a Obama supporter either. There's an article that came out about a X CIA officer that spend time interrogating Saddam who spelled out exactly what would happen when we went in to Iraq. Lets put the blame where it rightfully belongs. Going into Iraq on lies in the first place. Obama was just another puppet working towards a larger picture for the benefit of those behind the curtain.

Fake News and Russian Propaganda. Have any members read or watched RT or Sputnik?

William_Mary comments on Jan 13, 2018:

I watch a number of people on their program. I find the Russian rhetoric to be an insult to the ability of humans to be able to recognize when we are being brain washed into voting a certain way. But then I witness so many people actually buying into the rhetoric which sends me into mass confusion. ...

William_Mary replies on Jan 14, 2018:

@Treasurehunter Chris Hedges is on there now, Ed Schultz, Thom Hartmann, Abby Martin. Although all the Abby Martin shows are retakes of her work I've usually have already seen from following her on facebook or teleSUR. Jesse Ventura is quite interesting. They have a new series now I've been recording called Shadows of Democracy that's interesting. I've caught one so far and have another to watch yet. Going to be 3 documentary type shows. I'm part of the conspiracy, so I'm often labeled, field that believes that establishment politicians, main stream media, are managing a perception over the population to control what we see and hear, thee illusion. To benefit the deep state that controls these 2 entities. I will argue if you seek information from the likes of some of the people I mentioned above, one will begin to see and understand why people like me fall into this line of theory as you learn truths going on around the world our MSM and politicians will not talk about. Especially 2 like Abby Martin and Chris Hedges. Both of them interviewed Ralph Nader during the election cycle in which they pretty much called how the democratic primary would go down. I believe Chris interviewed him in April before. It was quite chilling how they predicted Sanders would sell out his grassroots base and then watch it happen. Even with all the evidence of the shenanigans throughout the primary cycle and people still vote for Clinton. And then him to turn his back on all of it and support her also. I say that with a heavy heart being I was one of his supporters having been following him for over a decade. I don't reserve the establishment, deep state, and their cohorts the MSM to only one country! We place this on a global group of elite bankers, large corporations, and market controlling of all the westernized countries. What is going on today has been in the works by the 3 largest bankers on the planet since at least WWI. As 14 westernized countries interfered with the Russian Revolution, out of fear of a socialized nation that could upset their ability to control resources and the industrialization of the planet to their benefit that was about to change everything we knew then. Today we here in the US just have the displeasure of being labeled Thee Empire while all these global entities reap the rewards of colonization and warring going on around us. What has become our strength, in all aspects, is being used to destabilize the world around us and pillage resources abroad. Which are now being turned on us as we are systematically being taken from a strong middle class to slowly resembling those places we have destabilized. We are indeed becoming the next Roman Empire down fall in modern day terms. The only thing protecting us are the 2 large bodies of water on ...

It's funny how no one talks about the Syrian war which Assad is winning.

BucketlistBob comments on Jan 12, 2018:

As long as it doesn't effect me on my side of the planet...

William_Mary replies on Jan 13, 2018:

As a whole, it is effecting each and every one of us. The picture is rather larger than just what happened in which you know, as you think you know it. The very actions that have taken place since 9/11 worked its way right up to Syria and now beyond. What is going on around us today is a direct relation to that day. And these actions were put into place well before 9/11. Don't be fooled you're not being effected, or your family members. What is going on in Yemen and all the secret missions in Africa today are going to bring a lot more effects to us!

Fake News and Russian Propaganda. Have any members read or watched RT or Sputnik?

SamKerry comments on Jan 12, 2018:

I'm a little conflicted with the RT YouTube Channel. I like Redacted Tonight (with Lee Camp) and The Big Picture (before Thomm Hartmann left) - both shows in the RT network. I also liked Abby Martin's articles produced under RT. But now, I can't say. The U.S. media likes to portray RT as a ...

William_Mary replies on Jan 13, 2018:

I like Thom Hartmann also, but you have to be careful with him at times. His actions as far as voting don't quite match what he tells you. He's really great on his rants with constitutional issues and knowledge on the libertarian party though. I get him on FSTV. Free Speech.

Fake News and Russian Propaganda. Have any members read or watched RT or Sputnik?

SamKerry comments on Jan 12, 2018:

I'm a little conflicted with the RT YouTube Channel. I like Redacted Tonight (with Lee Camp) and The Big Picture (before Thomm Hartmann left) - both shows in the RT network. I also liked Abby Martin's articles produced under RT. But now, I can't say. The U.S. media likes to portray RT as a ...

William_Mary replies on Jan 13, 2018:

Abby Martin works mainly under teleSUR now. You can find her work also at http://theempirefiles.tv/ And you can follow her on facebook.

Fake News and Russian Propaganda. Have any members read or watched RT or Sputnik?

Gringo6 comments on Jan 12, 2018:

I have watched RT and have been skeptical of it. However, I realized that if I am going to be skeptical of it for being influenced by Russia then I need to be skeptical of ALL media for being influenced. I do like Redacted Tonight and Abby Martin fyi. For one, the media in the US will not shut up ...

William_Mary replies on Jan 13, 2018:

Abby Martin rules!

Colorado is using profits from its marijuana industry to help the poor and needy........

misstuffy comments on Jan 12, 2018:

I wish Washington would just legalize this Nationwide. There is no valid reason not to. This plant has so many valid medicinal and industrial uses not to. Medicines made from it help so many people with issues with seisures and it is a really excellent renewable source for bio fuel. It can also go ...

William_Mary replies on Jan 13, 2018:

You're actually talking about 2 different plants. Hemp has no THC content to even be on the ban list. Which was the most moronic action to even have put it on the ban list. Taking it off the ban list and allowing farmers to move to this as a crop would turn the industrial world upside down. Which is why it remains on the ban list.

Colorado is using profits from its marijuana industry to help the poor and needy........

JackPedigo comments on Jan 12, 2018:

It just seems funny to me that drug sales (marijuana is a drug) are being used to help people who often have drug problems to begin with.

William_Mary replies on Jan 13, 2018:

If only we could get the other drug companies to follow suit. Like the alcohol and tobacco companies. Hell, if they just spent the money they spend on lobbying against the legalization of marijuana to these causes would be a major social gain. And how about the opiate drug companies helping to fighting the opiate crises they and our government have caused. Would that seem funny also?

Reasons to leave the 2 party system. [ivn.us]

Atheopagan comments on Jan 9, 2018:

...none of which are persuasive. Third parties only serve to split the vote of major parties, ON THE SIDE YOU WANT TO WIN. Nader gave Republicans the White House in 2000, for example. We have a two-party system. If you really want to make policy, and not just a futile gesture, you adopt one of ...

William_Mary replies on Jan 9, 2018:

I could also say Clinton voters took away Sanders win. With all due respect, we have a right to vote for who ever we wish to vote for. Without having that insult lingering over us to excuse a loss. If you have people with valid reasons who don't want to vote for you, blaming them for a lost is simply a means to degrade and avoid the issues that drives them to their chosen candidate. We should also have the right to have at least 2 other major parties allowed to debate and in the process. I totally dislike the Libertarian Party, but they have enough support they should also be allowed into the process to be heard.

Reasons to leave the 2 party system. [ivn.us]

sassygirl3869 comments on Jan 9, 2018:

Some valid points-Why does Bernie run as a Democrat and not an Independent. Because this is a two party democracy-take a lot to change that.

William_Mary replies on Jan 9, 2018:

He pulled a pretty good con, in my opinion, on us. All said and done by the way the whole primary went down, I'll never vote for a democrat again, or republican. And how the primary went down, I'd argue democracy is dead. Between party suppression, voter suppression, voter purging, and vote tampering, gerrymandering, by both parties, there is no sensible way to even refer to it as democracy. I believe Sanders switch to the democrat party to play the very role that most of us who then supported him was to pull in his supporters to Clinton. Afraid of not having anyone to challenge her would look like she was entitled. They had to cover that so it couldn't be used by the republicans.

To get back a sense of true democracy, those of us already out make a call to the rest to step out ...

Varn comments on Jan 7, 2018:

Guess you’d be advocating for ‘direct democracy,’ applicable only in a presidential election? Otherwise, it’s been so long since anyone I know has ‘debated’ the current US political system ..I likely forget… But most, if not all agreed, ‘it’s not going to happen.’ The problem ...

William_Mary replies on Jan 9, 2018:

@Varn https://ivn.us/2018/01/08/50-reasons-bail-two-party-system-become-independent-voter/

To get back a sense of true democracy, those of us already out make a call to the rest to step out ...

Varn comments on Jan 7, 2018:

Guess you’d be advocating for ‘direct democracy,’ applicable only in a presidential election? Otherwise, it’s been so long since anyone I know has ‘debated’ the current US political system ..I likely forget… But most, if not all agreed, ‘it’s not going to happen.’ The problem ...

William_Mary replies on Jan 8, 2018:

@Varn well at least you own up to your love of empire building. And the mounting war time crimes they have all committed with possibly the exception of Carter. Along with the social injustices they are complicit with here at home. Noted.

Trump and His Lessons Unlearned - TheHumanist.com

twshield comments on Jan 6, 2018:

This is the main reason why People choose to get recruited by Isis and other terrorist groups. America constantly meddling in other country's affairs. America didnt learn anything from Iraq. regime change is not always a good thing for sure.

William_Mary replies on Jan 7, 2018:

@twshield my point is that we are not learning the lesson. For they know exactly what they are doing. The mistake we keep making as a collective is misleading ourselves with statements they aren't learning. Which just helps to keep their plan working by continuing to vote them in.

To get back a sense of true democracy, those of us already out make a call to the rest to step out ...

KKGator comments on Jan 7, 2018:

I've been an Independent since 1983.

William_Mary replies on Jan 7, 2018:

@Varn in Ohio we independents or non affiliated can choose which party we wish to vote in.

To get back a sense of true democracy, those of us already out make a call to the rest to step out ...

Varn comments on Jan 7, 2018:

Guess you’d be advocating for ‘direct democracy,’ applicable only in a presidential election? Otherwise, it’s been so long since anyone I know has ‘debated’ the current US political system ..I likely forget… But most, if not all agreed, ‘it’s not going to happen.’ The problem ...

William_Mary replies on Jan 7, 2018:

We took Sanders to the top of the primary. Some of us will argue he would have won if not for the interferences from day 1 in Iowa. We did that with grass roots donations and using the internet social medias to reach this accomplishment. We can do the same with the green party.

Trump's "fake news" is total bullshit.

William_Mary comments on Jan 7, 2018:

Trump isn't the problem, he's just the new puppet. Yea he's managed to do some terrible shit, but he's doing it for the same people those before him did it for.

William_Mary replies on Jan 7, 2018:

@josmi6699 that's cute. There it is, "conspiracy theory". When all else fails resort to a means of degradation and label another and or their opinion. Disappointing coming from someone, according to your profile, that should be quite more intellectual than myself to get such a blatant response of acting ignorant to a world wide aspect of world governing today. A man has to know his means. And you sir are obviously to intelligent for me to tangle with.

Who else is a proud stoner?

William_Mary comments on Jan 7, 2018:

My like button must be stoned. It will not work on this thread.

William_Mary replies on Jan 7, 2018:

@btroje mine seems to be back now.

Trump and His Lessons Unlearned - TheHumanist.com

ErichZannIII comments on Jan 6, 2018:

You'd need to have some level of humility to be able to learn a lesson. A megalomaniac like Trump will never learn anything.

William_Mary replies on Jan 7, 2018:

It takes more than humility to learn a lesson. It also takes knowing where to retrieve the knowledge and where to deliver the information correctly. I would argue the people on this planet are the one's not learning the lessons.

Trump and His Lessons Unlearned - TheHumanist.com

twshield comments on Jan 6, 2018:

This is the main reason why People choose to get recruited by Isis and other terrorist groups. America constantly meddling in other country's affairs. America didnt learn anything from Iraq. regime change is not always a good thing for sure.

William_Mary replies on Jan 7, 2018:

I might ask, who then is not learning the lesson? Iraq? What happen to Afghanistan? Just something to think about. 17 years ago and we are going to continue with they haven't learn a lesson yet?

Will we ever have world peace?

shockwaverider comments on Jan 4, 2018:

No chance on world peace. Brink of war? Yes. Trump, if the military doesn't stop him. Trump is so insecure that he taunts about his button being bigger. He's an abject moron who might start a nuclear war to distract from the Russia probes.

William_Mary replies on Jan 7, 2018:

@shockwaverider lets hope! I get no sense of sanity from what's going on in this regard to humanity though.

Will we ever have world peace?

shockwaverider comments on Jan 4, 2018:

No chance on world peace. Brink of war? Yes. Trump, if the military doesn't stop him. Trump is so insecure that he taunts about his button being bigger. He's an abject moron who might start a nuclear war to distract from the Russia probes.

William_Mary replies on Jan 6, 2018:

When the military works for the military complex today, that's not likely what's going to stop him. https://medium.com/@caityjohnstone/man-who-kills-children-for-war-profiteers-has-unenlightened-take-on-slavery-a0931c357621

An article about how the US got to where it is now .

Hominid comments on Jan 5, 2018:

All modern empires a funded by the world banks. They owe trillions to them. Banks and corporations rule on the basic concept of debt. It created the pyramid of control they wanted, and got. Power and greed will rule till we decide to overthrow it. How? Not a clue. The Occupy Wall Street ...

William_Mary replies on Jan 5, 2018:

How? I would argue, separate yourself from the 2 party system. Voting within only keeps the illusion of managed perception going. After Obama I swore I'd never vote for either again. Then came Sanders. Then came the his betrayal. Back to never again. Long live the Green Party. Peace People Planet.

An article about how the US got to where it is now .

Hominid comments on Jan 5, 2018:

All modern empires a funded by the world banks. They owe trillions to them. Banks and corporations rule on the basic concept of debt. It created the pyramid of control they wanted, and got. Power and greed will rule till we decide to overthrow it. How? Not a clue. The Occupy Wall Street ...

William_Mary replies on Jan 5, 2018:

OWS became occupied. It lost its relevance and momentum when it became a violent movement. Its a strategy the establishment can always count on when it fears the people as they band together to voice against their actions, or lack of. Once they mange to install the violence they can send in their oppressors, law enforcement, in this case. Sometime we even help their cause ourselves when an opposing groups like antifa engage themselves into peaceful protest under the guise of opposing protest of the fascist groups. You can't have a peaceful protest these days it seems without 1 or more groups providing a reason for law enforcement to also add violence to them.

An article about how the US got to where it is now .

MsOliver comments on Jan 5, 2018:

Eisenhower warned us of the dangers of the military-industrial complex.

William_Mary replies on Jan 5, 2018:

And yet while warning us, was also engaged within. War as a profit started for the US when it was coerced into WWI. In that same time frame the establishment of 14 westernized country's began their assault on socialism when it interfered with the Russian Revolution and it's people's virtually peaceful take over from a tyrant leader. In fear that a socialized ruled society that would benefit the people would lead to them loosing control of their empire building around the globe. Which benefited for the most part the 3 largest bankers at that time. Many of our founding fathers actually warned us this was coming. It was well before Eisenhower however that they became part of the empire building. Unfortunately, we here in the US seem to be the sole owners "The Empire" when you read all the articles put out today. But truth is, we are just being used because we currently hold the major strength to get the job done. While those abroad also reap the rewards.

Has your trust in humanity been destroyed?

evergreen comments on Dec 27, 2017:

I hesitate to lump everyone together. Is it really any different than it always has been ? Some folks are trustworthy, and others, most definitely not ! Even some people you may not necessarily like , could be trusted. And vice-versa.

William_Mary replies on Dec 28, 2017:

@evergreen my point was that technology has provided the means to know what our history classes and media kept from us to know now. In which we debate on social forums. Yet through that debate and sharing facts within we've done nothing to change. The last election cycle was a pure example of why humans suck. Anyone with any sense what so ever of Trump and his fathers past would have known what would come of his win. His entitled children have clearly stayed the path. Same as with the history of Clinton. No matter how much history over decades we shared to the nature of her liberalism policies and lies we posted about her, it wasn't enough for people to seek a 3rd party. We got, she's better than Trump. And vice versa. Sanders killed trust for millions of people. You can only trust yourself. And we often fail ourselves. Trust is and never will be a measure of certainty. As a whole, we are failing each other and this planet. While those that absolutely deserve no trust oppress us and destroy our communities and planet.

Has your trust in humanity been destroyed?

evergreen comments on Dec 27, 2017:

I hesitate to lump everyone together. Is it really any different than it always has been ? Some folks are trustworthy, and others, most definitely not ! Even some people you may not necessarily like , could be trusted. And vice-versa.

William_Mary replies on Dec 28, 2017:

No, it's no different than it has always been. But technology has provided us the means to know this now. Yet we allow the past to continue to be the now.

World's First Sex Robot: A good or a bad idea?

webbew1 comments on Dec 27, 2017:

We're a long, long ways away from developing an artificial life form which is genuinely capable of mimicking those traits which bring about feelings of deep intimacy and fulfilling companionship within us. It's not likely to happen in our lifetimes, and even the youngest of us on this board will ...

William_Mary replies on Dec 28, 2017:

Did you watch the video. I'm fairly certain the one guy with 3 of them contradicts your statement. To some degree if not completely.

World's First Sex Robot: A good or a bad idea?

richiegtt comments on Dec 27, 2017:

To each his own. Unfortunately ,any one that derives pleasure from this sort of thing is psychologically unbalanced . But as an idea goes it sure is a good idea for the inventor who is sure to make big bucks from all the nut jobs out there .

William_Mary replies on Dec 28, 2017:

"any one that derives pleasure from this sort of thing is psychologically unbalanced" I think I would argue that being a benefit to society, if it kept them from producing children that could carry those genes. I can think of some other situations these bots could be beneficial. Am I the only one who at times think certain people just should not reproduce?

Out of curiosity, how many people here are old fashioned?

wordywalt comments on Dec 27, 2017:

Use the right terms. What you are talking about is male domination, not "old-fashioned". I am 80 years old, and my wife and I both worked, and we have always shared decision-making and responsibilities.

William_Mary replies on Dec 27, 2017:

A lot of, if not most, families were formatted in this nature around the mid 1900's up to around the 70's, that had nothing to do with male dominance. Hell, most of human's existence was formatted on this platform of being until the global establishment took over in the 80's. Your 80 and I need to debate this with you? Never mind, I think I see why now.

I’ve been on this site almost a week now, and haven’t received a single unsolicited dick pic so ...

godef comments on Dec 26, 2017:

Here you go.

William_Mary replies on Dec 26, 2017:

@godef Quit it Richard!

I’ve been on this site almost a week now, and haven’t received a single unsolicited dick pic so ...

d_day comments on Dec 26, 2017:

https://imgur.com/a/Ef9Ok

William_Mary replies on Dec 26, 2017:

For fucks sake! To dam funny!

I have around five thousand Facebook friends.

MikeInBatonRouge comments on Dec 26, 2017:

5,000 fb friends?!? Actually, I haven't counted mine, but I think it is several hundred. I just saw a fascinating neuro-science/psychology clip on youtube that points to a lot of evidence that our human frontal cortexes limit our ability to sustain "meaningful" relationships to around 150 people, ...

William_Mary replies on Dec 26, 2017:

His list is also for other means than actual friendship. I get what your saying though, I think. I draw a very thin line between friends and what are really acquaintances. I never came all that close to 200. But since the last election I've cut 3/4 of my list out. I'm under 30, and would consider most of them acquaintances. I'm fairly certain my shares fall on death ears and blind minds :-)

I have around five thousand Facebook friends.

MrLink comments on Dec 26, 2017:

I personally think FB is destructive for society because of all the collection and manipulation of data, and the monetization of the platform.

William_Mary replies on Dec 26, 2017:

It definitely comes with its devils advocate.

I see people who are atheist or agnostic have a prejudice in their mind to almost everything! Do you...

WilliamLee comments on Dec 25, 2017:

There is prejudice in everyone, regardless of whether they are religious or atheist. Most of that comes from socialal indoctrinations. Some heave more prejudices than others. One of the worst prejudices is the one against those who are prejudiced! Think on that.

William_Mary replies on Dec 25, 2017:

When the question of racism comes up, I often get funny looks when I say of course. I am human, it's natural instinct to have some degree of racism and being prejudice. I worry more about those who claim not to understand or acknowledge that by saying the socially accepted, no, without thought. It's all a matter of how to accept it's nature and deal with it from within.

I see people who are atheist or agnostic have a prejudice in their mind to almost everything! Do you...

buck1977 comments on Dec 25, 2017:

Life experiences create prejudices and biases. Atheists are not exempt from brainwashing, misinformation and bad life choices...for example...many atheists are politically liberal...which happens to be the most ignorantly delusional ideology ever dreamed up.

William_Mary replies on Dec 25, 2017:

@MsOliver I fairly certain he was using that quote as an example of ignorance. Not placing it upon us!.

I see people who are atheist or agnostic have a prejudice in their mind to almost everything! Do you...

ollieberry comments on Dec 25, 2017:

I'm not sure what you mean by prejudice?????? Care to clarify?

William_Mary replies on Dec 25, 2017:

Either he doesn't either or he's attempting to lump us all into one group to place a label on us.

Party Affiliations.

Darthpug comments on Dec 25, 2017:

You have to take the money out of politics. Citizens United has done more to corrupt politics and take the decision away from the voters than anything that Russia has done. Until that is done the Bernie Sanders of the world will not be allowed a fair shot.

William_Mary replies on Dec 25, 2017:

Although that would be a great start, history time and time again have shown that our representatives and their corporate donors find ways around these acts. The cycle of how money flows between our representatives and lobbyist always find a way to create loopholes for each to benefit. Just as legislature, these are created with a purpose so lawyers can find ways around. Something a lot of people don't know which Thom Hartmann speaks of on occasion, is that the whole aspect of corporations becoming seen as a person was actually possible by a clerics err while typing out a bill of legislation. Which has never been revisited and addressed. You would think if either party really gave a rats ass to the nature of this err, one or both party's would bring it back to the floor. For one I don't buy into the Russia thing at all! As for Sanders, well, I think my statement on him above says it all. He went from speaking about a problem to supporting it. A fair shot would be ending the monopoly of the 2 party system during elections. Allowing other party's into the debates and process. Which doesn't have anything to do with citizens united.

The New Democratic Activist Movement

swhisper comments on Dec 23, 2017:

when you are given a crappy candidate, you get active. The DNC went globalist and corporatist and lost its base. Trump will bring them back only if the DNC grows a brain. It was the lost dems that gave him the presidency. They regret, but Hillary would have brought immediate wars and wall street ...

William_Mary replies on Dec 24, 2017:

I believe every move the democrats have made since the election cycle only prove they are moving even further to the right. They sure in hell aren't listening to those they turned their noses up at. And have continually been losing supporters in small groups. With virtually no fight against this present administrations nominations I've seen more and more of their supporters become disgruntled and voice their departure.

I am having a “huuuge” problem dealing with the ahole in the White House and his staff of ...

William_Mary comments on Dec 23, 2017:

What is wrong with the tabloid attitude of the American press? Nothing, they're just doing their job helping the establishment work against you. https://medium.com/@caityjohnstone/dems-and-gop-work-together-like-a-boxers-1-2-punch-to-knock-you-out-edbbefc92bf8

William_Mary replies on Dec 24, 2017:

@realdancermn yes, If you read the article I posted it tells you how the MSM is actually working with our politicians to manage a perception over us rather than be that 4 branch of checks and balances. Which is why I get my news from alternative news sources.

Who should be elected president in 2020?

webbew1 comments on Dec 23, 2017:

We need a third party to step in and end this two party circle jerk we've got going on in DC. I voted for Gary Johnson in 2016 and I'd do so again today. It's really saying something about the state of our government when I, who am not a Libertarian, consider the Libertarian candidate to be ...

William_Mary replies on Dec 23, 2017:

I'm quite curious. Did you give Stein a thought? Seriously, someone with actual knowledge of world events. Who knows the the difference between where Aleppo is at over, what it is. Or could name a world leader they have some degree of admiration for without his side kick chiming in as he went totally dumbfounded. I'm really not trying to be a smart ass. I just would like to know why someone would support a candidate like Johnson and a party on steroids in relevance to the one running the country now. Do you know the history of the Libertarian Party and the type of people that started it? They would be doing exactly what the present administration is doing now. And Johnson would be an even bigger puppet than Trump is.

You should see all the theists posting on the Agnostics.

Admin comments on Dec 22, 2017:

Thanks for the heads up... We've been swamped here coding...

William_Mary replies on Dec 23, 2017:

Is that why I couldn't get in last night? I was wondering if some religious nut hacked the site.

How does one put up a poll in the post section?

MsOliver comments on Dec 23, 2017:

Go to Post and choose "Ask a question" the option to start a poll is in small letters toward the bottom next to the "submit" button.

William_Mary replies on Dec 23, 2017:

Thank you.

Should religion be taught in schools?

ColinSC comments on Dec 23, 2017:

I have no problem with teaching religion as a psychological underpinning of our general sociological values. As long as these values are constructively evaluated and not excepted without question. I also like the idea of gaining greater understanding, correlation and potential interrelationships a ...

William_Mary replies on Dec 23, 2017:

"As long as these values are constructively evaluated and not excepted without question". "If these constructs were adapted without all the fiction there could be advantages. In short, if they could take the religion out and keep the good bits I would be for it" Maybe I'm having a brain fart trying to understand these, your post all together even. But it seems to me the upper sentence over rides the bottom sentence. I like the top sentence and agree. But then you really lose me with the second. If you take out the fiction, I'm assuming contradictions and hypocrisies, within the process of teaching, then what value is left for the student towards constructive evaluation in the learning? As one who has read the bible, the contradictions and hypocrisies within were as important as the socialized, as I saw them, messages within. Which provide the very essence for students to fundamentally develop questions to what they are trying to learn and place importance on. Then to apply that to life as a value or valueless. Taking those values to other religious teachings and concentrating the more valuable together.

Should health insurance companies be required to cover birth control?

William_Mary comments on Dec 22, 2017:

I had to go with other. I personally don't believe the company I work for should be involved in my healthcare at all, or insurance companies. Maybe I misunderstand the stance on this issue, but isn't the going argument right now, companies providing birth control, or refusing to? I'm a strong ...

William_Mary replies on Dec 22, 2017:

@MrLizard I'm force-ably doing so now. We're in the realm of religion being involved with government and employers enforcing their religion upon us. When the government allows employers to deny employees this option, religion becomes involved in government. If I'm not mistaken, that breaks the rule of separation. And I could go into a well of thoughts to use against employers, boards of, CEO's, who hypocritically go against their self proclaimed religion to degrees. Proving they are plainly use this as a means to save money. I think my stance on socialized healthcare and my statement of my health being only my, my family and doctors business speaks for itself. I totally agree that if were going to keep the system as it is then employers should have no right to deny birth control.

Alien Astronaut Theory

BookDeath comments on Dec 21, 2017:

Is this still around?I thought von Daniken had been thoroughly debunked by now. (He was arrested for fraud, no less.)

William_Mary replies on Dec 22, 2017:

Which has nothing to do with this subject! oye!

Too many public schools are very poor.

Varn comments on Dec 21, 2017:

It’s long appeared to me that the same political party that’s currently starving our social services had targeted public schools. Back when we ‘fought communism,’ they reluctantly supported an education system that could match that of the soviet union. No longer a need for that - and along ...

William_Mary replies on Dec 22, 2017:

@Varn https://socialistworker.org/2017/11/07/why-we-remember-1917 Not really the one I wanted to share with you. But I couldn't find it. It must be on another site I follow. But this one is also fairly good on the history.

Too many public schools are very poor.

Varn comments on Dec 21, 2017:

It’s long appeared to me that the same political party that’s currently starving our social services had targeted public schools. Back when we ‘fought communism,’ they reluctantly supported an education system that could match that of the soviet union. No longer a need for that - and along ...

William_Mary replies on Dec 22, 2017:

@Varn https://socialistworker.org/2017/12/01/why-they-still-need-their-big-lies-about-socialism

Too many public schools are very poor.

Varn comments on Dec 21, 2017:

It’s long appeared to me that the same political party that’s currently starving our social services had targeted public schools. Back when we ‘fought communism,’ they reluctantly supported an education system that could match that of the soviet union. No longer a need for that - and along ...

William_Mary replies on Dec 22, 2017:

@Varn https://medium.com/@caityjohnstone/dems-and-gop-work-together-like-a-boxers-1-2-punch-to-knock-you-out-edbbefc92bf8

Too many public schools are very poor.

Varn comments on Dec 21, 2017:

It’s long appeared to me that the same political party that’s currently starving our social services had targeted public schools. Back when we ‘fought communism,’ they reluctantly supported an education system that could match that of the soviet union. No longer a need for that - and along ...

William_Mary replies on Dec 22, 2017:

@Varn Democrats are/ were willing to negotiate, Republicans aren’t. Negotiations are a one way street. I would argue we get a two way street from these party's, each calling the same foul when the tables are turned. You're buying into the partisanship divide they've created to help them keep it going. Reasoning, both party's are working for the same donor class. With your own admittance of 0 representation, you have to have some degree of understanding that. It really doesn't matter if they vote republican again, but most will. What matters is that this show will continue. I call our representation the establishment. Their donor class the deep state. The show is called managed perception. Those still supporting either side are stuck in their illusion. The US was ‘fighting’ the Russians in social wars around the world, attempting to convince ‘developing nations’ that Democracy was superior to Communism. Yea, I don't know where you're trying to go with that. Social wars? Democracy being superior to Communism? First off, the Russian Revolution was about workers and lower class citizens taking their country in an attempt to build a stronger middle class and the over throw of a tyrant. Short lived while in the throws of WWI in which they didn't want a part of. Along with 14 westernized country's interference, out of fear if they succeeded it would upset their stage of monopoly of false democracy's. Which lead Russia right back to being another corporate militarized country. In which again gave way to the westernized world to continue to demonize it as a communist country, in order to produce an enemy to the world. As far as Russia goes, it never had a real chance to become a truly socialistic country. And today you see the same thing being perpetrated on Venezuela. The truth is that the power struggle being produced, then and now, is over resources and control. And always will be in this stage of primitive leadership we are trapped in. You cannot ‘blame the Democrats’ for this Adminstations Sec. Of ED. Yes I can. And I believe I did, above. While blaming both party's. I'll provide a link to an article below you might find of interest on how many like myself really see what's going on in DC. Along with a link or two on the Russian revolution to stimulate your knowledge. I didn't mention trade organizations. Advocacy groups have a quite powerful influence on government when they want to. And combined with media they can go a long way for the people. Which you left out the media?

How do we get atheism/nonreligion to influence politics

Reaver85 comments on Dec 21, 2017:

Won't happen unless atheism becomes th e majority in this country, which unfortunately is unlikely do to lack of intelligence

William_Mary replies on Dec 21, 2017:

Actually, people are turning away from religion at an, well, to the church, alarming rate. I just read an article on that the other day. Millennials are trending towards socialism outside of religion. NOW, if we can get all these people into the same party we might get this country back. Peace People Planet

BADASS?

SamL comments on Dec 21, 2017:

Courage to stand alone against many. Never giving up. Succeeding when everyone else thought you were going to fail. On the other hand, Chuck Norris, Arnold Schwarzenegger are good examples of BADASS dudes. Here's a good one. Vlad Tepes was being threatened with an invading force at least 10 times ...

William_Mary replies on Dec 21, 2017:

Yea, I have issues when movie stars and over exaggerated glorified warriors who murdered innocent people, 300 boys in 1 case alone, are considered hero's!

Too many public schools are very poor.

BucketlistBob comments on Dec 21, 2017:

Oh oh... we got a teacher on this forum that might just say something about your statement... just letting you know.

William_Mary replies on Dec 21, 2017:

That's ok. I may have something to say about the way our children are being schooled.

Too many public schools are very poor.

wordywalt comments on Dec 21, 2017:

Thank Republican state governors, bureaucrats and legislators for that. In recent years they have decimated public education. As a retired educational leader, I can state with absolute certainty that the 1970s and 1980s were a time in which a major emphasis on improving teaching, learning, and ...

William_Mary replies on Dec 21, 2017:

I'd put blame on both party's. Democrats aren't doing anything but talk. And you can blame the democrats for not putting up a fight for Trumps Education Secretary nomination. Along with advocacy groups, teachers unions, and the MSM for not protesting and getting the truths out towards the agenda these people were known to work towards. We have no real representation from any resources we fund today to put a fire under our national politicians to govern for the people. We don't pay them enough like the private lobbyist do.

Too many public schools are very poor.

Varn comments on Dec 21, 2017:

It’s long appeared to me that the same political party that’s currently starving our social services had targeted public schools. Back when we ‘fought communism,’ they reluctantly supported an education system that could match that of the soviet union. No longer a need for that - and along ...

William_Mary replies on Dec 21, 2017:

I'd put blame on both party's. Democrats aren't doing anything but talk. I don't think it was communism we were fighting. We were fighting against their attempt to build a better middle class and working class. Again, you can blame the democrats for not putting up a fight for Trumps Education Secretary nomination. Along with advocacy groups, teachers unions, and the MSM for not protesting and getting the truths out towards the agenda these people were known to work towards. We have no real representation from any resources we fund today to put a fire under our national politicians to govern for the people. We don't pay them enough like the private lobbyist do.

Advice for the younger generation?

AMGT comments on Dec 20, 2017:

1. Make a list of characteristics that support well-being, characteristics you’d prefer in a mate.. Then become a person with those characteristics, consistently. 2. Be metacognitive and tell on yourself when you’re full of shit. Be humble. 3. Continue learning throughout your life with ...

William_Mary replies on Dec 20, 2017:

@MrLizard everyone needs a good laugh at themselves some times. Even if it makes you think to yourself, no way I did that. Then be able to laugh it off builds character.

Any polyamorous people on this site?

SlytherinFox comments on Dec 18, 2017:

When it comes to issues like polyamory, it's likely best we all remember we do not have the right to tell people how to live their lives. If no one is getting hurt -- and it makes all involved genuinely happy-- then have at it. I don't know that I could share someone like that. Or maybe I'm ...

William_Mary replies on Dec 20, 2017:

@Pineapple-Pizza fighting back against the idea of possibly being excluded from someone's life because they found someone else is really difficult. That's an issue that can happen in any type of relationship. Having nothing to do with poly. If it's a struggle for you, then it most likely isn't for you. Rather than ask us what it is for us, maybe it would be better for you to tell us what it means to you. Then those of us who have participated in poly relationships or have experience in life styles associated with poly have something to work with. I will say though, within the bdsm realm, one finding them self growing towards needing more than a present partner can provide, it's not uncommon for the participants to maturely recognize there is a time to support the other in their journey to move on.

Do you support the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare)?

dc65 comments on Dec 16, 2017:

we need a single-payer health system in this country. We need to demand the lawmakers put this into effect as soon as possible.!!! PUBLIC DEMAND IT FROM THE LAWMAKERS!!!!

William_Mary replies on Dec 20, 2017:

@dc65 I have to disagree. Our representatives hold an approval rating somewhere around or under 30%, yet have a reelection rate of over 90%. It's not a communication issue, it's a 2 party system issue in which both are working for the same owners. This past election cycle brought out swarms of protest and angry town hall meetings expressing the concerns of the "public". Still today there are protest going on around the country and in DC. When it came to republican representatives, they began to choose not to show up or even hold those town hall meetings as were planed due to the nature on how some of the first turned out. We, the public, are no longer being represented in a large degree. The only problem I see is that the public continues to operate within a failed system of manged perception rather than uniting in another party, a 3rd party. After Sanders betrayed the public I moved to supporting the green party. I'll never turn back.

Someone nominate Morgan Freeman for the next presidency.

Janus819 comments on Dec 19, 2017:

He did a commercial saying we are at war with Russia. I wouldn't vote for him.

William_Mary replies on Dec 19, 2017:

He also went on record of believing the Russians intervened with our last election. Telling me he has a lack of ability to think for himself. Which would indicate he would just be another establishment tool.

Do you support the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare)?

dc65 comments on Dec 16, 2017:

we need a single-payer health system in this country. We need to demand the lawmakers put this into effect as soon as possible.!!! PUBLIC DEMAND IT FROM THE LAWMAKERS!!!!

William_Mary replies on Dec 19, 2017:

They'll just work with their owners and redistribute the funding just like they did with the ACA.

Do you support the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare)?

JackPedigo comments on Dec 16, 2017:

? who voted no? (funny sentence). It was disclosed on NPR that surveys showed a large number of people said to get rid of 'Obamacare' but don't take away their affordable healthcare. This is beyond crazy. Yes let's get rid of the term 'Obamacare' and just have 'affordable care'. Obviously words ...

William_Mary replies on Dec 19, 2017:

ACA was a redistribution of funding to another group of citizens. I was one of them. My monthly premiums went up 400% the first year when it went into effect. Middle class workers without employer healthcare programs took the brunt of this redistribution. It was 2 years of being unable to put money back in my savings and do work on my house. It's good a lot of people benefited from it, but it came with a cost to many others and even more importantly to families with children. As a single male I don't mind helping out, but I was steadily being wiped out while on the program. And on top of that, my last experience with United Healthcare, I was ripped off. And for those of you who think single payer would be good, no, it will not. It will only lead to another redistribution of funding to other groups of Americans again. You can't have a good healthcare program while the same insurance and pharmaceutical companies and corrupt politicians who are bought out by those companies work together writing the laws for healthcare. Socialized healthcare via taxes like Sanders proposed is the only way we get healthcare anywhere near what the rest of the developed countries have. And the ability to buy our drugs abroad.

How well do you know the enemy?

TonesX comments on Nov 25, 2017:

I sometimes listen to a radio sermon and it fascinates me to no end. Depending on the topic, I may have been agreeing for several minutes and then Boom! Magical b.s.! So disappointing! I enjoy the pastor's seemingly intelligent and eloquent approach until, of course, common sense goes off the...

William_Mary replies on Nov 25, 2017:

Try getting a load of CB and truck stop preachers some time! Talk about fascination.

How well do you know the enemy?

wordywalt comments on Nov 25, 2017:

It is important to understand the ideology with which y9ou disagree and to understand what there is about that ideology which attracts and holds people. Having grown up in religion and in a bible belt culture, I understand the ideology and the pull. I took the same approach with Communism ...

William_Mary replies on Nov 25, 2017:

I find it quite unfair to claim communism a flawed system when there has never been a true communist system at work. I'll also extend that to a socialist system also. You can provide any country you're claiming as a failed communist system, and I can tell you why it wasn't a true communist system. Outside of some of Europe's socialized countries that I would argue are successful. And Venezuela's and Cuba's if left alone to progress. But all other so called communist countries, past and present, were not actually build to serve the community. They were or are military and corporate hoarding industrial complexes that took or taken and worked or work against the communities of the people within. You can also find a number of indigenous communities around the planet that have survived for centuries I'm sure would compel one to rethink that claim with informative thought.

Do (negative) emotions serve a greater purpose?

GothRik comments on Oct 29, 2017:

They can help, as part of our experience in life, but not when they start to take control of the drivers seat. I'm not sure jealousy can have any positive effect, though.

William_Mary replies on Oct 29, 2017:

I would argue jealousy is also a means to strengthening character and a mentor towards wider diversity. Being a natural response of jealousy is often anger and or sadness, once realized, one can start to grow from these emotions. I would also argue we all have a sense of jealousy to some nature in many aspects of our lives. Whether it's over love or material possessions, of different degrees.