Going back to being Canadian

gearl comments on Jul 4, 2018:

Can I come with you? I promise I'll do it wherever and it does sound fun.

NO THANKS, TRUMP.

gearl comments on Jul 4, 2018:

I saw a pundit today say that Trump should nominate a woman justice implying that would be enough to warrant her getting the position. I've nothing against a woman judge but certainly not one like Barrette.

Church detains Mary, Joseph and Jesus, over immigration status.

gearl comments on Jul 3, 2018:

I appreciate them doing this, as to a lot of folks, their opinion means more that ours. I can join with them in fighting injustice any-day.

Our current government is pushing towards the extreme political right and has support of the ...

gearl comments on Jul 3, 2018:

For me, this is the perfect time to discuss morality when the religious try to push religion. I will soon be 75 and have never see immoral behavior in government like I'm seeing right now and the evangelical Christians are supporting this immorality like no others.

How often do you watch movies or read books that express a nuanced opinion about religion?

gearl comments on Jul 1, 2018:

I enjoy movies or documentaries and read books about religion or history, up until things start becoming clearly untrue and they gain a propaganda slant, then that's it. It is hard to watch or read history without religion being present. What to me is important is if it is portrayed realistically. If I am unsure I look things up.

Are machines capable of experience?

gearl comments on Jul 1, 2018:

I see no reason why they couldn't. If silicon minds keep growing to the point where they self replicate and their intelligence grows exponentially they will be smarter than us soon and why would they not acquire consciousness?

Now everyone can be their own jesus - i'm cross. [facebook.com]

gearl comments on Jul 1, 2018:

Funny!

Jehovahs Witnesses quickly regret coming to my door

gearl comments on Jul 1, 2018:

I believe the best argument to use against JWs right now is the pedophile issue. A&E just did a segment on it in their cults program on Tuesday evenings. I would imagine that bringing something like that up would be more efficient than just yelling at them.

“I just want to say if there’s one hallmark to your presidency that I think we’re finding the ...

gearl comments on Jul 1, 2018:

There are certainly different standards for civility. Trump can say "Lock Her up", "grab em by the pussy, singles out journalists for his special ire, and I could write a page on just what I remember off the top of my head but when the owner of the Red Hen asks the spokesperson for the liar-in-chief to leave her restaurant now that's being uncivil. Democrats need to grow a backbone and I do respect the lady for having one.

I'm concerned about the current schism happening in the Democratic Party.

gearl comments on Jun 30, 2018:

I don't think we have as much of a schism as you portray. The Republicans have been stacking the cards against us and we haven't been fighting back strongly. If you go back 30 years how many Republican wins for the Presidency by the popular vote do they have? I believe the answer is only once when George W won it on his second term. Clinton won twice, Gore got the popular vote then Bush then Obama twice and Clinton last time. We lose votes by the awful Electoral college and by gerrymandering. Laws need a changing. Last time I would have been more than happy to have voted for either Democrat.

I don't understand how ppl my age or any other age get away without knowing basic skills like ...

gearl comments on Jun 30, 2018:

I guess I'm an antique as I grew up having to do all those things. My daughter who turns 21 next month knows how to change tires and simple maintenance but cars are much harder to work on than they were 30 years ago. I could change transmissions and brakes and engines but now it's just not worth it. My body won't allow me to do a lot on cars but there's still a lot of general maintenance around the house l do.

I honestly don't understand how so many people escape the bonds of religion, to remain entangled in ...

gearl comments on Jun 30, 2018:

Maybe their both have as their values, utter nonsense.

Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder

gearl comments on Jun 28, 2018:

Perhaps only eyes peering out of a black void.

So I enjoy the debate with theist about God, but one thing I am getting tired of is the argument ...

gearl comments on Jun 28, 2018:

I would ask what objective is. If objective means something pretty much universally accepted then most folks would agree that murder is pretty much universally seen as an objective moral wrong. Even then there have to be nuances and we can always come up with an example that would break the rule thus proving that morals are not set in stone. The problem that I have seen is that theists try to make objective mean something that is an absolute, out in the ether, that they can’t explain, much like their invisible friend. If you could get a person to admit that any rule has grey areas that must be examined on a case by case merit then you might get somewhere, but most theists have been trained to not be rational.

Quick Name the 9 Supremes (Supreme Court). No Google allowed! I will know!

gearl comments on Jun 28, 2018:

Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Samuel Alito John Roberts Anthony Kennedy Clarence Thomas Neil Gorsuch Elena Kagan Sonia Sotomayor Stephen Breyer

I am listening to the news and see that we are now a Nation which separates children from their ...

gearl comments on Jun 19, 2018:

Yesterday I came up with an idea of what might be happening and lo and behold someone on MSNBC had the same idea. https://crooksandliars.com/2018/06/msnbc-reporter-hhs-wont-let-us-see-girls

Atheists r supposed to b humanists, but sadly we don't see eye to eye on so many world and current ...

gearl comments on Jun 18, 2018:

The only thing we all agree on is disbelief in god.

What Fuck-n Bible is Jeff Sessions Reading?

gearl comments on Jun 18, 2018:

He is using the Bible that all Christians use. Jeff Sessions quoted Romans 13: “13 Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. 3 For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience.” Using that line of reasoning anything that the government does could be justified. People find things that justify the most immoral president ever. He could shoot someone in the middle of the street and people could justify it using that scripture. The Bible is full of contradictions and immorality just like Sessions and his boss are.

A thought on the figures in History Today, as I flipped through articles on various news sites, I...

gearl comments on Jun 14, 2018:

Great post. I grew up in the 40s and 50s and for the time my Dad was pretty non-raciest but by the standards of two years ago he would have been judged harshly. I have said things that I look back on ashamed and have tried to set them right but that is impossible. If we learn and change that is all we can do. What frightens me now is norms seem to be reversing. I too don't want to go back to those times of bigotry.

Someone told me that homosapiens haven't been around long enough to facilitate the evolution ...

gearl comments on Jun 14, 2018:

What differences? Color, shape of the nose, short, tall, thin, fat; what? There is a mother cat in the yard with two black and two white kittens. A couple have longer hair than the other two. There is more variation between those kittens than between most any two people on earth outside of some folks having physical defects and other species of animal have those too. I see more similarities than differences.

What's the worst piece of advice anyone has ever given you?

gearl comments on Jun 14, 2018:

My first wife and I had our son and she thought it would be good if we raised him in a religious home. Fifteen years later our marriage was on the rocks because of that religion and our son decided to stay in the religion. He hasn't spoken to either of us for thirty years. I remarried and had a daughter in a nonreligious home but she is a depressed and sad lady just turning 70 with nothing especially no family. That bit of advice screwed both of us but she paid for it more than I and I am sad for her.

I'm wondering about this Jesus thing, He was born and it was celebrated and they still celebrate it.

gearl comments on Jun 13, 2018:

Looking at the Bible from a skeptical point of view after having studied it for half my life I have become a mythicist. If one reads the Bible in chronological order, as it was written, he gets a completely different point of view. Paul wrote first and then Mark, Matthew and Luke with John last. Also consider that none of the Gospels were written by the people whose names the accounts bear and they were written 40-70 years after Jesus was supposedly crucified. Consider that Paul’s Jesus was a heavenly person and he never talks much about his earthly life. To the skeptic the miracles in the Gospels are fictions so we can remove them. Then the contradictions make them seem like fiction and what little is left is pretty superfluous. Much of what he said is taken from older sources such as the golden rule and what little else that remains isn’t that profound. Scholars question whether Homer, King Author, William Tell ever existed. There is just not any concrete evidence that Jesus was any more real. For those that tell me to do research, believe me, I have spent way to many hours and days on the subject.

Those of you who grew up in a fundamentalist household and had an interest in science, did your ...

gearl comments on Jun 13, 2018:

I grew up in the 1940s & 50s with a Dad that was not religious and a Mom that joined a very controlling religion but never took it as serious as they wanted. I was taught by the religion a lot of things that are similar to today's young earth creationists. I was also taught science in school. Science was looked at as separate from religion and I didn't see the attacks on science that I see every day now. The majority of folks looked favorably on the advances and discoveries that were being made. Sadly it was I that took to religion of my own accord for a time and I certainly can't blame my parents for my screw-ups. My Mother encouraged me but I believe she would have supported me if I had taken the logical path. I finally saw the shear stupidity of religion when I was nearly forty. Slow to learn.

The effects of Christian homeschooling - YouTube

gearl comments on Jun 10, 2018:

My wife is the local library manager. She tells me stories almost daily of kids coming to the library and talking about their ambitions. Some want to move up from MacDonald's to Denny's. A couple of kids she has working for her can't do the simplest math without either a calculator or their fingers. They know nothing about science. Products of home-schooling A really big problem here is the public school has lost virtually all it's competent teachers and if my daughter was ten years younger, it might have been necessary to either move or home-school her myself. Thank goodness she will graduate college next year with a STEM degree.

It is tragic, at least 8 billion people will die in the next hundred years. ??

gearl comments on Jun 10, 2018:

I'm hoping it won't be in the next hundred days.

Free speach in our country is being stifled. This CAN NOT STAND!!

gearl comments on Jun 10, 2018:

I worry about it also. A problem is it happens both on the left and right. As I always say, I'm a bleeding heart liberal but I will also speak out when some on the extreme in my party, try or do pervert free speech. Having said that, the actions of the current commander-in-shit goes so far beyond what is acceptable that all we can do is vote, speak out and hope that there are enough sane Americans left to turn the tide in November.

Please pass this everywhere! This is the truth of all religions and their violent past!

gearl comments on Jun 10, 2018:

Any of us that read history know this. It is what is happening today that we need to worry about though. If someone brings us the past, I'll argue about the past but right now today we just need to worry about not having rights taken away or being deprived from them. If folks are civil and friendly, I'm not going to start an argument about something from centuries past. If they are cantankerous and try to tell me how wonderful the Christian faith has always been, well, that's warrants a different attitude.

Do you refuse to attend religious ceremonies of family and/or friends?

gearl comments on Jun 10, 2018:

It's been years since I've attended anything other than a funeral. If I were to attend a wedding it would be on a case by case decision but I can't imagine going to anything else.

Is Herr Trump a Good Role Model For Kids?

gearl comments on Jun 10, 2018:

Bill Maher ran a clip the other day of Trump's vulgarity at events but as long as he in anti-abortion he could as Giuliani said "Trump could shoot the FBI director in the Oval Office and still not be prosecuted for it." He can say or grab them by the pussy but my goodness a liberal better not quote him because that's obscene!

Looking through some old images and ran across this jewel.

gearl comments on Jun 10, 2018:

My wife is Catholic and I an atheist. My wife sent Sam to CCD for a couple of years but when she voiced the opinion that she no longer wanted to attend her mother let that be her right and never again made her go to church. It's funny now, because my wife is very proud of her daughter who is an outspoken, independent young woman and all my wife's friends seem to hold our daughter up as an example for their girls to strive for.

I once sought the god everyone chases.

gearl comments on Jun 10, 2018:

I'm ashamed to say that I chased that nonsense for way too many years.

Anyone else like the movie LUCY, with Scarlet Johansson and Morgan Freeman?

gearl comments on Jun 10, 2018:

One of mine also. I've watched it twice so far.

Every evening go to the hot springs looking for beaver. i got a better pic of one tonight

gearl comments on Jun 10, 2018:

I've been trying for a while too, but with little success. Congrats!

Do you fear people at your kid's school, neighbors, coworkers will find out that you don't believe ...

gearl comments on Jun 10, 2018:

I live in the reddest part of the state and have since the mid-seventies. At times I've felt that I should move elsewhere but most of the time I have fared well and been treated well. If asked I tell folks that I'm a bleeding heart liberal and a non-believer to boot. Most of my friends are religious conservatives but we persevere. We agree to disagree and move on. I've lost a few since Trump came on the scene but Oh well! I have to, of course, also accept them while not agreeing with their beliefs. If someone burns you for your beliefs they weren't worth the effort to start with. I will also say that it takes time and you shouldn't expect to make real friends overnight.

Sometimes when I see quotes like this it is so obvious and I wonder why I did not say it before I ...

gearl comments on Jun 9, 2018:

I've noticed that Sarah has been speaking out a lot more lately and with intensity instead of humor.

Yep this is true.

gearl comments on Jun 9, 2018:

I'll second that.

Can you name the next president?

gearl comments on Jun 9, 2018:

It's really early but I like Kamala Harris.

Concerned re. Evangelical Christians dividing our nation.

gearl comments on Jun 8, 2018:

They are and it's getting worse. Hopefully the nation wakes before we are so over our heads that the dictator gains enough power there is no turning back.

Arizona police officers brutally beat up an unarmed man.

gearl comments on Jun 8, 2018:

I have to go to Mesa tomorrow. I am ashamed to be a resident of anywhere where this type of conduct takes place.

Recognize what science is

gearl comments on Jun 8, 2018:

Why can't we have someone as intelligent as Neil for president rather than an orange orangutan who has zero respect for truth?

"I want to hate."

gearl comments on Jun 8, 2018:

The pure hatred and constant lies have had the effect on me that Charles describes. I don't want to end my years believing that America has fallen into the clutches of this most immoral creature and his minions in Congress.

Dear Gays: The Left Betrayed You For Islam The left has chosen to protect the feelings of Muslims ...

gearl comments on Jun 8, 2018:

Sounds like hate-mongering to me. I consider myself on the left but I certainly don't support Islam. I support a Muslim's right to believe what they want as long as that believe doesn't infringe on somebody else's beliefs and that includes their own families. If they live here they must live by our laws and if not they go to jail. There are a few extremists on the left but I would say there are more on the right. Both are intolerant. Finally I would say that the Pulse killer was probably both an Islamist and a homophobe but I will concede that there is little real evidence of what his motive was. What I am objecting to is the idea that if someone is left, he is pro-Islam or even pro-Muslim. I didn't leave gays or blacks or any other minority behind and neither did most others on the left. That is nonsense.

Take your pick, I know which book I'm choosing.

gearl comments on Jun 8, 2018:

Great quote.

I enjoy the irony that they (Republicans) want totalitarianism while claiming to be conservative ...

gearl comments on Jun 8, 2018:

I'm pretty much a die-hard liberal and agree with you on everything you listed.

Mind is blown [ideapod.com]

gearl comments on Jun 7, 2018:

A human is a bit smarter than a chimp and the chimp from a monkey and the monkey from a dog and on and on till we get to very primitive creatures that have very small brains. Does an insect's mind exist in a different dimension. At what point in the evolutionary tree does it? Come up with a way to find that link and work up. Me I think it would be a huge waste of time and resource but not much more that this "theory" because this isn't a scientific theory but simply a crazy idea , and should be given about as much credence.

I watched the documentary on HBO, about John McCaine.

gearl comments on Jun 1, 2018:

I agree. I don't know what else to say.

Yes "Roseanne" should have been cancelled.

gearl comments on Jun 1, 2018:

Maybe let the viewers decide. If viewers are offended they can write letters to sponsors or just not watch. I never watched Roseanne and never would because I know what she believes. My choice. I watch Colbert and Samantha Bee and others like The View who get offensive at times and I don't want them removed. Ratings rule. I can see where inciting violence or raciest comments pass a norm though. Norms have been destroyed by this administration and hopefully some type of norm will be resurrected in the future and we can again just say: "Now that's improper."

Why Are Atheists Generally Smarter Than Religious People? | HuffPost

gearl comments on Jun 1, 2018:

I would imagine that people attending public universities tend to be more secular. I doubt that atheists are smarter but that education as taught in public universities tends to make people question beliefs more than people that don't strive for higher education and this would skew the opinion that people who succeed tend to believe less. Of course those same secular universities try and teach kids to rise above their instincts and think both rationally and creatively.

As a non-believer, how do you respond when someone says, "I'll pray for you"?

gearl comments on Jun 1, 2018:

It's been a while. Most folks understand that I'm an unbeliever and don't bring it up. For the rest it opens up a new conversation.

Congressional Candidate In Virginia Admits He’s A Pedophile | HuffPost

gearl comments on Jun 1, 2018:

Just when you thought the morals of government can't sink lower, either somebody like this speaks up or the Prez opens his mouth.

[axios.com] America sliding further toward a dictatorship.

gearl comments on May 23, 2018:

It's not a big stretch to see MSNBC and CNN being shut down because they ask the wrong questions and "HE" doesn't like them.

What are your politcal views in today's environment and how do you think this current ...

gearl comments on May 23, 2018:

Liberal, I can't agree with one thing he had done. It is far worse than I could have ever imagined.

When if ever will the press and dems stand up and rebuff Trumps outrageous distortions of the truth?

gearl comments on May 23, 2018:

Perhaps we watch different programs but what I watch does stand up and rebuff Trump. I will say that everyone was so shocked before the election that literally nobody did call him a liar but now I hear it constantly. I did just hear a pub have the audacity to say that people believe whatever they want. They turn everything on its head. Truth is something that is verifiable and therein lies the problem because it seems that a large proportion of the country don’t seem to understand that. They believe in invisible friends, in conspiracy theories, in so many things without evidence and then they say it’s their “truth.” They equate faith with truth even though the dictionary and even their own holy book defines faith as belief without evidence. I can only hope that people finally stand up and require schools to teach kids what “truth” really is, and what evidence is and what the scientific method is. Teach kids how to think and not what to think. Education can be our savior but there is an all-out assault on it from our liar in chief. The only resolve I see will come in November and I hope enough thinking people that respect truth turn out and turn the tables.

Our Illegitimate POTUS & the Iran nuclear deal: I, for one, believe he withdrew because it was the...

gearl comments on May 21, 2018:

Sadly I agree.

Articles of impeachment against Nixon included his attempt to use the IRS against political ...

gearl comments on May 21, 2018:

Every day it is a new revelation but November is coming. I hope folks vote them out. Until then the present representatives would let him get away with murder.

On a scale of 0 to 100, 100 being totalal loathing, how badly do you detest Trump, Ryan, McConnell, ...

gearl comments on May 21, 2018:

Another 100. I hope enough folks wake up and vote them out.

Trevor Loudon's New Zeal Blog » First-Ever Muslim Candidate For Governor Comes Unhinged Over ...

gearl comments on May 18, 2018:

My goodness! I'm glad I don't have to vote in that election. I have nothing against Muslims but I sure have problems with their religion. I might vote for a person who is a Muslim but never for one who represents and is pushing Islam.

Man shows up to site of Santa Fe High School shooting with American flag, Trump hat and gun

gearl comments on May 18, 2018:

That's sad!

What can you say to those Muslim out there who keep insisting their religion to someone who doesn't ...

gearl comments on May 18, 2018:

I must assume that you are asking what to say to a Muslim who is pushing or forcing his religion on you. I guess you have no other option than informing him that you don't appreciate his constant unwanted proselytizing of BS he believes in all without a smidgen of evidence. I'm sure you'll lose some of that in translation but hope you get the idea. Hey, I just talked to my wife who is visiting her mom in Cebu right now. It's good to know we have some freethinkers over there.

New Age BS

gearl comments on May 18, 2018:

New Age BS was a very short detour on my way to atheism. Some people just don't take to reason quickly. Some sadly never do.

Adorable flannel jammies bodypaint at the Seattle Fremont Solstice parade(2016?). Coming up June 16

gearl comments on May 17, 2018:

She is certainly pleasant to my eyes.

How many of you actually care about the royal wedding? I won’t tease you.

gearl comments on May 17, 2018:

The only thing that I find in anyway appealing is the bride’s being so far from what was once an acceptable choice. Other than that I could care less.

Would it surprise you to learn that the majority of clergyman are in truth atheists or anti theists ...

gearl comments on May 17, 2018:

Years ago when I was betwixt and between I made friends with a Baptist Minister of a large congregation in a nearby town. When I didn’t take he would still call me with questions from the Devil’s Advocate’s point of view. We have stayed friends all these years. He did quit the congregation and got into Gnosticism and spiritual but not religious things. I can’t say he is a non-believer but he has fallen far from the position he used to fill. I think a good percentage of ministers question more than their flocks but I doubt that a majority are agnostic or atheist.

There is a move towards religious fundamentalism in the world, particularly among the Abrahamic ...

gearl comments on May 16, 2018:

Things seem to be progressing toward tribalism quickly. We can work with people who think differently than we if we have a larger common issue to fight. If a religious person is accepting of me I can be accepting of him although we might find fault with each others beliefs . Neither has to be apologetic about their core beliefs. Argue those things later. Niemoller was talking ideologies and it is true that religions are ideologies but not all the religious are part of the problem. We can't really fight the larger problems by ourselves.

Midterms are coming this November 6th All house seat are up and 35 of the senate seats.

gearl comments on May 16, 2018:

If I remember the last election many of the new comers were much worse than those those they replaced. New does not equate with reasonable or good at their job.

Some more of my recent anti Trump creations...:)

gearl comments on May 9, 2018:

I'm impressed!

Hows donald trump doing as president of the united states?

gearl comments on May 7, 2018:

I honestly can't think of anything he has done that I approve of. I also have a suspicion that he is not as rich as he claims. He is very secretive in sharing any information about his wealth. To me he is nothing more than a glorified grifter who convinced a remarkable number of people with his lies.

Who do you think is making the best argument for atheism today--Richard Dawkins?

gearl comments on May 7, 2018:

Different strokes for different folks. I like them all but Dawkins holds a special place in my life.

Did Jesus exist?

gearl comments on May 7, 2018:

I’ve watched Ehrman and Price debate. I’ve read books by both along with Fitzgerald, Carrier, Doherty, Lataster and Zindler. Personally I find the mythical side makes better argument but it’s a 2,000 year old subject and I doubt if it’s ever resolved. I can’t get emotional about it as many do even on the non-believer side of the fence. Bill Cooke writing in “Free Inquiry” seems to argue that the subject shouldn’t even be discussed. In reading books I have come to the conclusion that there are good reasons to doubt the existence of a real flesh and blood Jesus. I certainly wouldn’t fault someone for completely disagreeing with me as long as his arguments are sound.

This is sad and frightening and I can see a lot of reality in what is being said.

gearl comments on May 5, 2018:

I live in the one of the reddest parts of Arizona and out school here have pretty much went to shit for the very reasons stated here. The schools can’t get decent teachers and are importing Filipinos because the wages are so poor. Parents try to badger what decent teachers left to not teach science but instead the parent’s version of it, which has led to an exodus of decent teachers to other areas. The schools have been on a four day schedule for the last five years. The community had a tax increase a couple of years ago and what did they spend the money on? I thought it would go back to five days but all the increase went to sports and none to academics.

The Massacre at Kent State a real day of Infamy! By National Guard Armed Troops firing with live ...

gearl comments on May 5, 2018:

I was in the Ohio National Guard at that time and we were sent out right after Kent State to other universities carrying weapons but no ammunition. I was upset by Kent State and even more upset that we had to carry weapons period. It was a screwed up time for the military.

Last week Trump paying off Stormy Daniels was just fake news.

gearl comments on May 5, 2018:

Michael Avenatti on Stephen Colbert's show hinted that there are a multitude of gals willing to come forth and testify that the commander-in-shit sexually did inappropriate things to them. It's been a year and a half of me wondering what will bring him down and I'm certainly not picky. Whatever it takes, I'll cheer.

Hi folks I keep getting interrupted here.

gearl comments on May 5, 2018:

There has been nothing that the present administration has done that has pleased me.

Trump pulled off the biggest wamboozle ever, or at least since religion.

gearl comments on May 1, 2018:

I’ve come up with an explanation for why “Christians” can and do support people like Trump. It must be that he and they are saved in the "blood of the Lamb" and are thus forgiven for any and all sins. The people that happen to believe a bit different are not saved and consequently destined for hell are not to be forgiven. Even someone whose every sentence is a stretch of the truth at best and pure unadulterated lies otherwise is almost worshiped by adoring groupies. Someone who brags about grabbing women by the pussy, debases the disabled and slimes whole countries is venerated. Once saved always saved and that has to be someone who thinks exactly like them.

Are there any openly Atheist / Secular Humanist is Congress or any state governors or legislators

gearl comments on May 1, 2018:

Kyrsten Sinema states her religion as none. She was raised LDS but left the religion when she graduated BYU at 18. She went on to receive a masters from ASU. She is currently running for the Senate for Flake's position.

Trump and the correspondents dinner

gearl comments on May 1, 2018:

Ana Navarro said it best when she attacked the snowflakes offended by Wolf.

When arguing with a faither (a deeply religious person), against the precepts of their religion, ...

gearl comments on Apr 30, 2018:

I honestly believe if the person is open to reason you might make progress discussing things with them otherwise they are just numb to reason. For most it’s talking to a wall. I would suggest that listening to what they say and then mentioning why what they say doesn’t make logical sense. I have done extensive research on subjects only to have folks fail to show or refuse to discuss subjects. I was a JW for nearly 40 years and have a son who I failed to even recognize when I passed him by at the post office one day, it’s been that long since we have spoken. He admitted previously that there are things that bother him but he won’t address them because he fears he will lose his own family. I believe that no matter what you say, it doesn’t matter until the person has entered a state of mind that is open to accepting truth.

Has Trump met his match?

gearl comments on Apr 26, 2018:

I watched his speech today and I would trade our guy in any day of the week.

A Handmaids Tale

gearl comments on Apr 26, 2018:

Enjoyed both the book and the movie but I haven't seen the series.

My dear friend made a post on her Facebook page about Liberalism. This is just a snippet.

gearl comments on Apr 26, 2018:

Like others I can't really put myself into a person of colors shoes but for most everything else I agree with her.

Existence!

gearl comments on Apr 24, 2018:

I grapple with the question of making purpose in life. It's not that hard.

This my brother Stephen, today I took him to a park.

gearl comments on Apr 24, 2018:

Lucky guy! I'll have to talk to my wife about taking me out and getting me stoned and happy.

Aww look...Melenia has on her 'Father Sarducci' hat today.

gearl comments on Apr 24, 2018:

She looks even better than Clint Eastwood in the spaghetti westerns.

Trumpty Dumpty Says Don't Trust:

gearl comments on Apr 24, 2018:

I really believe that the only invisible friend Trump has is that other guy when he’s talking to himself. He thinks that’s Trump almighty.

Who should we believe experts or the talking heads of the media?

gearl comments on Apr 24, 2018:

Some media shows have talking heads and some have people that are experts in their fields and list that expertise in the introduction. It seems that even now some shows seem to feel the need to get conflicting opinions even when there are no conflicts among the experts.

Face facts, America, Donald Trump is a success. Let's count the ways. [usatoday.com]​

gearl comments on Apr 24, 2018:

Tax cuts for the top 1%. We had economic growth when he was elected. Deregulation to a lot of us in not a good thing, in fact it is terrible. Stock Market comes and goes. Judicial appointments are the worse ever. Trade will bite us in the ass. U.S energy: These policies will destroy the environment. Coal need to be a thing of the past. Climate change will destroy the environment. Schools: Destroying the public school system is good? Obamacare fail: Oh dear. We certainly don’t want insurance. Donald Trump’s only success is destroying our way of life along with the planet.

To all you anti-Trumpers.

gearl comments on Apr 24, 2018:

I’m sure there must be something but right now I can’t think of a single thing I do agree with him on, so it’s a lot easier coming from that direction.

What Do You Think?

gearl comments on Apr 21, 2018:

I try not to use it in every conversation but nothing else carries it's forcefullness.

For the life of me, I cannot see how any atheist could believe in free will.

gearl comments on Apr 21, 2018:

I've read several books including Sam Harris's. The arguments are solid but the subject is personally not that important.

Democratic Party files lawsuit alleging Russia, the Trump campaign and WikiLeaks conspired to ...

gearl comments on Apr 21, 2018:

Rachael Maddow covered this, this evening along with the history of the Democrates doing the same thing during Nixon's administration and winning.

Spot on to what I want to say

gearl comments on Apr 21, 2018:

I think you just did.

Chuck Schumer to Unveil Bill Decriminalizing Marijuana | Time

gearl comments on Apr 21, 2018:

I saw that today on one of the news shows. I hope it gets support but I won't hold my breath.

With regard to Mr.

gearl comments on Apr 19, 2018:

Things being on the internet doesn’t make them true. I did a search and found no proof of anything in those accusations. I neglected to go to sites that I can’t verify with some type of credibility. We just had an election stolen because of Russian planted false information and truth is important to me. That is why I don’t believe in invisible friends and I don’t trust a great deal of things found on the internet. It is one thing to do research from reputable sites and it is entirely a different thing to Google something and believe only those things you wish to believe without sourcing where that information came from. Because someone claims to be a retired ex-FBI agent doesn’t mean crap until you can verify who he is and what he said. The fact that it was removed is extremely suspicious also and should send up red flags.

Say what you will about late night TV shows and political satire, this Colbert interview of Comey is...

gearl comments on Apr 19, 2018:

I watched the show and will watch this tomorrow. Thanks.

Young people sometimes feel, “I can't be bothered to vote cause none of the parties say anything ...

gearl comments on Apr 18, 2018:

Could be that they didn't even bother to listen in the first place to know if politicians said anything they were interested in.

Kneel during the Anthem = Disrespecting the flag. Drape a flag around a porn star = (crickets...)

gearl comments on Apr 18, 2018:

Right now she's my heroine.

Jim Comey

gearl comments on Apr 18, 2018:

Yes he did.

Have we really evolved that much from when these signs were out on display here in America?

gearl comments on Apr 17, 2018:

Three steps forward, two steps back. We are in the midst of those two steps backward right now. We just need to grit our teeth and get moving forward again.

Astronomical Tidbit: Three of every two stars you see in the sky are members of a binary star ...

gearl comments on Apr 17, 2018:

I think you made a mistake. 3 of every 2 stars is pretty impossible.

Has anyone read Richard Carrier's book about the Historicity of Jesus and the weakness of the ...

gearl comments on Apr 16, 2018:

I have in on my bed board but haven't gotten myself through it. For me it's pretty deep. I appreciate his work.