I am always annoyed when people describe "Atheism" as a belief when it's anything but.

wordywalt comments on Oct 5, 2019:

What you are trying to say (not very well) is that atheism is not an ideological system. But, when you say that there is no philosophy in atheism, you are dead wrong. All serious thought involves philosophical thinking. You need to improve your selection of terms and the accuracy and clarity of ...

wordywalt replies on Oct 5, 2019:

@gNappyHead Oh, really? Prove your assertion. I do not think you can.

Some food for thought: Peter Wessel Zapffe (1899–1990) viewed humans as a biological paradox.

mordant comments on Oct 5, 2019:

It's a fair and accurate observation that self-awareness / consciousness of mortality is a heavy burden and that overall as a species we often as not struggle to cope with it. I think we are making slow but accelerating progress with that, although in my view, our ultimate success is not assured ...

wordywalt replies on Oct 5, 2019:

@mordant I greatly disagree that suffering always diminishes the sufferer. It may. But the opposite is often true. It is often that the dealing with the suffering and its causes that leads one to reach greater levels of strength, resolve, and understanding which leads to real and enduring progress. Overgeneralization is a serious error in reasoning and may lead to false conclusions.

Only an idiot would want to shut down the US oil and gas industry.

wordywalt comments on Oct 4, 2019:

Boll shit. Your are just another oil indoctrinated Okie with a big mouth and few facts. .

wordywalt replies on Oct 5, 2019:

@Trajan61 Again, bull shit . There are not enough of you out of their mind dolts to pull it off.

I am always annoyed when people describe "Atheism" as a belief when it's anything but.

wordywalt comments on Oct 5, 2019:

What you are trying to say (not very well) is that atheism is not an ideological system. But, when you say that there is no philosophy in atheism, you are dead wrong. All serious thought involves philosophical thinking. You need to improve your selection of terms and the accuracy and clarity of ...

wordywalt replies on Oct 5, 2019:

@gNappyHead Yes. That is the core basis for the term atheist.

Only an idiot would want to shut down the US oil and gas industry.

wordywalt comments on Oct 4, 2019:

Boll shit. Your are just another oil indoctrinated Okie with a big mouth and few facts. .

wordywalt replies on Oct 4, 2019:

@Trajan61 Give us time. We will, and our people and nation will be a damned sight better off.

Only an idiot would want to shut down the US oil and gas industry.

gater comments on Oct 4, 2019:

This coming from a blonde haired, blue eyed woman that thought she was an American Indian - the woman is clueless.

wordywalt replies on Oct 4, 2019:

ellow, you are full of it. Warren is more intelligent, rational, and caring than you could ever hope to be.

Whats the wrong thing about religion?

wordywalt comments on Aug 17, 2019:

There are many things wrong about religion. The greatest among them is the personal attempt to escape from the freedom that we have by becoming a true-believer in a false total system ideology.

wordywalt replies on Oct 2, 2019:

@JeffMurray I think you are misinterpreting what I am saying. I am saying that people who choose to believe in either religion or a total system political ideology are choosing to escape from the potential freedom that they have. Evidently you have never read Erich Fromm's classic book on the ps7ychology of religion, ESCAPE FROM FREEDOM.

Whats the wrong thing about religion?

wordywalt comments on Aug 17, 2019:

There are many things wrong about religion. The greatest among them is the personal attempt to escape from the freedom that we have by becoming a true-believer in a false total system ideology.

wordywalt replies on Oct 2, 2019:

@JeffMurray You betcha.

Are we all born bad?

rsabbatini comments on Oct 1, 2019:

Good and bad are moral, socially-designated concepts. So, it depends on education (nurture) and social conditioning. Our brain has been molded by an interaction between society, individual, genetics and biology. There is no way we can extricate them from one another.

wordywalt replies on Oct 2, 2019:

@Grecio "Will" is a bit hard to define. In some ways, it is the courage to act. In other cases it is the facing of bleak reality or feeling that, one has nothing left to lose, or that one has to do something, even if it is the least bad alternative. In some ways it is the comparison of owns avered values with what alternatives which the situation presents and saying to oneself, "If I am the person I claim to be, I must act and the only alternative which affirms my values is A."

Conscousness without a body?

jlynn37 comments on Oct 1, 2019:

How would anyone know this? It would not be something anyone would/could know, it is something someone believes. Believing is not knowing.

wordywalt replies on Oct 2, 2019:

@jlynn37 Your statement does not alter or negate mine. The two are simply different statements of the same thing.

So, this happened yesterday: I blew up at my wife when our 5-year old daughter said that God made ...

wordywalt comments on Oct 1, 2019:

I would simply present following question to my daughter: Do you really think that a loving god would deliberately create people with problems that make life difficult for them? My hunch is that she would mull over that one for years.

wordywalt replies on Oct 1, 2019:

I can remember that as a young child I was presented with thoughts and questions I did not comprehend, but the questions stuck with me for more than a few years, and helped to guide the development of my thinking.

Conscousness without a body?

JeffMesser comments on Oct 1, 2019:

yes, it exists apart from the mind.

wordywalt replies on Oct 1, 2019:

@JeffMesser What are vedas? I have never heard of the term.

Conscousness without a body?

jlynn37 comments on Oct 1, 2019:

How would anyone know this? It would not be something anyone would/could know, it is something someone believes. Believing is not knowing.

wordywalt replies on Oct 1, 2019:

Knowledge is belief so intense and backed by sufficient current evidence that we are willing to act on it. Much of today's "knowledge" will be disproved in the future by better evidence.

Conscousness without a body?

Grecio comments on Oct 1, 2019:

It's amazing that consciousness arises out of a material brain. Sam Harris talks a lot about this. When a person dies, he seems unconscious, and we see no evidence of a soul. Also, I guess a person has to be born in order to get a soul. His/ her/other may not have a soul before they are born. ...

wordywalt replies on Oct 1, 2019:

@dahermit None of us have a soul. The concept is humanly created fiction.

Conscousness without a body?

JeffMesser comments on Oct 1, 2019:

yes, it exists apart from the mind.

wordywalt replies on Oct 1, 2019:

What are your grounds for this assertion. I fail to see any tenable grounds.

So, this happened yesterday: I blew up at my wife when our 5-year old daughter said that God made ...

wordywalt comments on Oct 1, 2019:

I would simply present following question to my daughter: Do you really think that a loving god would deliberately create people with problems that make life difficult for them? My hunch is that she would mull over that one for years.

wordywalt replies on Oct 1, 2019:

@skado It is never too early to get a child to think about serious questions.

Are we all born bad?

rsabbatini comments on Oct 1, 2019:

Good and bad are moral, socially-designated concepts. So, it depends on education (nurture) and social conditioning. Our brain has been molded by an interaction between society, individual, genetics and biology. There is no way we can extricate them from one another.

wordywalt replies on Oct 1, 2019:

@Grecio All that changed them was the belief that something gave them the strength to extricate themselves from the control of the addicting substance. In actuality, that control potential always existed in the person. What was missing was the will. On the weight loss thing, two things made a difference, (1) body chemistry or metabolism changed, and/or (2) he changed his behavior. Most answers are simple.

Donald Trump Impeachment Inquiry Is ‘Doomed To Fail,’ Says Ken Starr

WonderWartHog99 comments on Sep 29, 2019:

## He has a point. NO PRESIDENT HAS EVER BEEN REMOVED FROM OFFICE USING ONLY THE IMPEACHMENT PROCESS. Either the process fails, or in Nixon's case they resign. We need a better process, i.e. a vote of no confidence. # Wait for it: they won't change the impeachment process. ...

wordywalt replies on Sep 30, 2019:

Because something tends not to occur does not mean that it will not occur. To say so is fallacious reasoning.

George Conway posts epic tweetstorm obliterating Lindsey Graham’s ‘pure garbage’ defense of ...

Freedompath comments on Sep 29, 2019:

Thanks George, good for us who do not know the legal jargon! Lindsey Graham has sure went the way of a doo doo bird...makes we wonder what happen to him, almost over night? Surely, Graham isn’t that power thirsty?

wordywalt replies on Sep 29, 2019:

wWithout McCain to keep him honest, Graham's spine has disintegrated, nd he is now slithering in Trump's world of corruption.

"There is a cult of ignorance in the United States, and there has always been.

wordywalt comments on Sep 27, 2019:

An insightful post.

wordywalt replies on Sep 27, 2019:

@WonderWartHog99 Where in northwest Florida? I grew up in a town of 240 in Madison County.

NBC News reported that Trump met with NRA chief LePierre today, asking for funds from the NTA to pay...

242Foxtrot comments on Sep 27, 2019:

He just wants the money the NRA gets from Russia.

wordywalt replies on Sep 27, 2019:

he guy is a leech and a grifter. He wants all the money he can get from anybody.

"There is a cult of ignorance in the United States, and there has always been.

wordywalt comments on Sep 27, 2019:

An insightful post.

wordywalt replies on Sep 27, 2019:

@WonderWartHog99 Not very different from the culture of rural north Florida, where I grew up.

When one grows up poor, in a loving family, and not in an absolute struggle to avoid starvation, one...

St-Sinner comments on Sep 26, 2019:

But it is not necessary to grow up poor, in a loving family, not in an absolute struggle to avoid starvation to be all good things you mentioned, right? Can a child of an affluent family be taught all good values?

wordywalt replies on Sep 26, 2019:

@St-Sinner Sorry, I mistyped what wanted to say. See the edited correction.

When one grows up poor, in a loving family, and not in an absolute struggle to avoid starvation, one...

St-Sinner comments on Sep 26, 2019:

But it is not necessary to grow up poor, in a loving family, not in an absolute struggle to avoid starvation to be all good things you mentioned, right? Can a child of an affluent family be taught all good values?

wordywalt replies on Sep 26, 2019:

@St-Sinner Please read my words more carefully and non-judgmentally. You objection has nothing to domy point. Poverty can, and often break many families and people. My point was that in functional families in or near poverty do often meet those circumstances in a manner which teaches much of value to their children. It is the circumstance which demands a productive response to produce growth. Yes, struggles break some people. But, they also make good and great people.

When one grows up poor, in a loving family, and not in an absolute struggle to avoid starvation, one...

St-Sinner comments on Sep 26, 2019:

But it is not necessary to grow up poor, in a loving family, not in an absolute struggle to avoid starvation to be all good things you mentioned, right? Can a child of an affluent family be taught all good values?

wordywalt replies on Sep 26, 2019:

Yes, they can, but I believe it less likely, as it is less necessary.

A very good opinion piece for history buffs. Not what you learn in school. [rt.com]

wordywalt comments on Sep 26, 2019:

Anyone who has seriously studied political ideologies knows that communism and naziism knows that the two are only alike in that both are totalitarian systems. Other than that, their bases, intellectual structures, and organization are entirely different. ,

wordywalt replies on Sep 26, 2019:

@Fernapple I said in the beginning was that the only ideology they share in common is that both are totalitarian in structure and effect. What is your problem?

A very good opinion piece for history buffs. Not what you learn in school. [rt.com]

wordywalt comments on Sep 26, 2019:

Anyone who has seriously studied political ideologies knows that communism and naziism knows that the two are only alike in that both are totalitarian systems. Other than that, their bases, intellectual structures, and organization are entirely different. ,

wordywalt replies on Sep 26, 2019:

@Fernapple I stand with my prior comment. This is an area in which had an interest in graduate school, and which I studied in detail. My comment dealt with the ideologies themselves. Your deal with side issues irrelevant to ideology and to to my comments.

Why the Private Health Insurance Industry Faces an Existential Crisis | Common Dreams Views

wordywalt comments on Sep 25, 2019:

More and more people are beginning to recognize that universal healthcare will benefit them in every sense. The health insurance industry has more than ample reason to fear that. By the time it is all over, the American health insurance industry will be very small, consisting of a few firms ...

wordywalt replies on Sep 25, 2019:

@MarkiusMahamius Do you realize how dumb and demeaning that sounds?

Why the Private Health Insurance Industry Faces an Existential Crisis | Common Dreams Views

wordywalt comments on Sep 25, 2019:

More and more people are beginning to recognize that universal healthcare will benefit them in every sense. The health insurance industry has more than ample reason to fear that. By the time it is all over, the American health insurance industry will be very small, consisting of a few firms ...

wordywalt replies on Sep 25, 2019:

@MarkiusMahamius We will see. I give the American public more credit for intelligence. Further, universal healthcare will still constitute a substantial, but lesser percentage of the economy. But the difference in cost will result in growth in other sectors of the economy, due to the lesser personal expenditures for healthcare..

What we know and do not know about Greta Thunberg?

wordywalt comments on Sep 25, 2019:

This post is an aggressive attack intended to damage and diminish a courageous and moral young lady. You should be ashamed.

wordywalt replies on Sep 25, 2019:

@St-Sinner I do not quite know how to take your posts. You say some intelligent things, but your posts reek with a presumptuous air of superiority. You are not. You are just a person, like the rest of us.

What we know and do not know about Greta Thunberg?

wordywalt comments on Sep 25, 2019:

This post is an aggressive attack intended to damage and diminish a courageous and moral young lady. You should be ashamed.

wordywalt replies on Sep 25, 2019:

@St-Sinner Ha, Ha. Ha, ha! Your parade irrational spite as fact. Don't be ridiculous. How stupid do you think people are?

Is empathy an emotion or a choice?

wordywalt comments on Sep 23, 2019:

For most people it is a choice. Sociopaths, psychopaths, and people with autism, however, will never experience empathy.

wordywalt replies on Sep 24, 2019:

@Nakedterror Yes.

Pentecostal Christians Are Burning Australia’s Sacred Aboriginal Objects | Michael Stone

wordywalt comments on Sep 22, 2019:

All pentecostals have a screw loose.

wordywalt replies on Sep 22, 2019:

@DenoPenno Hubh

Dear Progressives for Warren: Your Class Is Showing - CounterPunch.org

TomMcGiverin comments on Sep 22, 2019:

I agree with all of this and that's why I support Bernie and don't trust Warren. She is clearly an ally of Hillary and most of her supporters backed Hillary last time. Tells you all you need to know about her and her supporters, neither of whom really want political revolution, no matter how much ...

wordywalt replies on Sep 22, 2019:

You are do dfar wrong that it is difficult to believe. Warren is the candidate most intelligent, most moral, and most concerned about our people and nation. She has no political or ideological linkage to Hillary. I voted for Bernie 9n the 2016 primary over Clinton. This time, I will vote for Warren over Bernie, as the sis the best person in the field.

Those who dispute global warming are either grossly stupid or, even worse, like the poster child for...

HippieChick58 comments on Sep 20, 2019:

Currently my book club is reading The Uninhabitable Earth - Life After Warming by David Wallace-Wells. I'm not confident of the world we're leaving my grand children. It makes me very sad for them.

wordywalt replies on Sep 20, 2019:

Like you, I am not confident that we will; have enough people showing the will; and morality to get the job done.

Those who dispute global warming are either grossly stupid or, even worse, like the poster child for...

WilliamFleming comments on Sep 20, 2019:

How do you feel about highly qualified climatologists such as Roy Spencer who says, yes, the climate is warming at a low pace (0.13C/decade), the human part of that warming is unknown, and it is not known if the trend will continue, and that furthermore the situation does not warrant expensive ...

wordywalt replies on Sep 20, 2019:

97 percent of all climate scientists agree that global warming is a rapidly increasing problem. That is a overwhelming majority. Enough said.

Those who dispute global warming are either grossly stupid or, even worse, like the poster child for...

BigMac10 comments on Sep 20, 2019:

Or may be we just refuse to get sucked into the schemes of the idiot politicians like Al Gore. You would have been underwater by now, according to him!

wordywalt replies on Sep 20, 2019:

My post applies.

Still looking at your thumb, I bet.

wordywalt comments on Sep 19, 2019:

No. I did not look at my thumb once. I just wondered : Why this bunch of meaningless statements?

wordywalt replies on Sep 19, 2019:

@Jolanta I read a lot of garbage statements to make sure that I am giving the person and the post a fair shake.

Redemption for your failing Economy I am an Australian and realise that we follow you guys in the ...

wordywalt comments on Sep 18, 2019:

You vastly overestimate the man. He reminds me, historically, of candidate Upton Sinclair during the Great depression, whose campaign slogan was "a chicken in every pot."

wordywalt replies on Sep 18, 2019:

@rathswohl Yes I have listened closely. He has not really revealed any coherent potential policies.

95% of Black Women plan to vote in 2020

wordywalt comments on Sep 12, 2019:

Great! Now, lets work on getting the Hispanic vote equally as high.

wordywalt replies on Sep 14, 2019:

@gNappyHead There may be some conservative Hispanics, but the vast majority are not so stupid as to vote for Trump.

For any Trump supporters out there, assuming that Trump is the Republican candidate for president in...

BD66 comments on Sep 11, 2019:

If there are no 3rd party candidates, Trump will win with ~50% of the popular vote. The competition from the Democrats is too weak.

wordywalt replies on Sep 13, 2019:

@Bobby9 I tire of your illogic and belligerence. You are not wasting time on. I will not waste my time even looking at any further comments from you.

For any Trump supporters out there, assuming that Trump is the Republican candidate for president in...

skado comments on Sep 11, 2019:

If we’re lucky, and I think that’s a pretty big “if”, the backlash against Trumpism may motivate enough swing voters to deliver a victory to the Democrats, if a genuine progressive can somehow manage to take the primary away from the machine. But the voters are clearly *over* the ...

wordywalt replies on Sep 13, 2019:

@Trajan61 Again, you provide no facts or rational thought supporting your position. You continue to prove that your stance is untenable.

For any Trump supporters out there, assuming that Trump is the Republican candidate for president in...

skado comments on Sep 11, 2019:

If we’re lucky, and I think that’s a pretty big “if”, the backlash against Trumpism may motivate enough swing voters to deliver a victory to the Democrats, if a genuine progressive can somehow manage to take the primary away from the machine. But the voters are clearly *over* the ...

wordywalt replies on Sep 12, 2019:

@Trajan61 Like most empty-headed reactionaries, when you run out of anything to say that sounds at all intelligent, you simply resort to insults. When you do that, have, in effect, admitted that I have won this exchange. I have seen this pattern a few hundred times before. Thank you!

For any Trump supporters out there, assuming that Trump is the Republican candidate for president in...

maturin1919 comments on Sep 12, 2019:

"Put your money where your mouth is." I've seen this from you a few times. I'm not sure how many people are willing to wager with internet strangers, Walt.

wordywalt replies on Sep 12, 2019:

@maturin1919 What in the hell does "K" mean?

For any Trump supporters out there, assuming that Trump is the Republican candidate for president in...

azzow2 comments on Sep 12, 2019:

This would be a foolish wager because Congress is going to put in office the person that is going to make them the most money regardless of what the populations wants.

wordywalt replies on Sep 12, 2019:

@azzow2 You still show no comprehension of the electoral process.

For any Trump supporters out there, assuming that Trump is the Republican candidate for president in...

Trajan61 comments on Sep 12, 2019:

I wouldn’t bet with you liberals under any circumstances as you people are to untrustworthy. If you want to bet I’m sure Los Vegas will take your bet but Trump is favored to win.

wordywalt replies on Sep 12, 2019:

And you are lying like crazy. There is no reason to trust ethnocentrists, bigots, racists and white nationalists, and reactionary right wing ideologues. . They have already proved that they are without conscience.

For any Trump supporters out there, assuming that Trump is the Republican candidate for president in...

skado comments on Sep 11, 2019:

If we’re lucky, and I think that’s a pretty big “if”, the backlash against Trumpism may motivate enough swing voters to deliver a victory to the Democrats, if a genuine progressive can somehow manage to take the primary away from the machine. But the voters are clearly *over* the ...

wordywalt replies on Sep 12, 2019:

@maturin1919 What is that rambling bit of verbal garbage supposed to mean?

For any Trump supporters out there, assuming that Trump is the Republican candidate for president in...

skado comments on Sep 11, 2019:

If we’re lucky, and I think that’s a pretty big “if”, the backlash against Trumpism may motivate enough swing voters to deliver a victory to the Democrats, if a genuine progressive can somehow manage to take the primary away from the machine. But the voters are clearly *over* the ...

wordywalt replies on Sep 12, 2019:

@Trajan61 You are out of your damned mind. Put your money where your screwball big mouth is.

For any Trump supporters out there, assuming that Trump is the Republican candidate for president in...

maturin1919 comments on Sep 12, 2019:

"Put your money where your mouth is." I've seen this from you a few times. I'm not sure how many people are willing to wager with internet strangers, Walt.

wordywalt replies on Sep 12, 2019:

so long as we have a trustworthy intermediary, I am willing to take that chance. I have never met Hippiechick, but from a year of watching her words and actions on this tie, I am willing to trust her as an intermediary. She is an educated and moral veteran, mother and grandmother. .

For any Trump supporters out there, assuming that Trump is the Republican candidate for president in...

azzow2 comments on Sep 12, 2019:

This would be a foolish wager because Congress is going to put in office the person that is going to make them the most money regardless of what the populations wants.

wordywalt replies on Sep 12, 2019:

@azzow2 Have you ever read the U.. Constitution?

For any Trump supporters out there, assuming that Trump is the Republican candidate for president in...

azzow2 comments on Sep 12, 2019:

This would be a foolish wager because Congress is going to put in office the person that is going to make them the most money regardless of what the populations wants.

wordywalt replies on Sep 12, 2019:

Huh? Congress does not elect the president of the USA.

For any Trump supporters out there, assuming that Trump is the Republican candidate for president in...

MsHoliday comments on Sep 11, 2019:

I’ve always said from the get go, that Trump will win, no matter who the democratic candidate is. I hate the thought of him being President, but I’d wager he will win. Just to be clear: I in no way support Republicans.

wordywalt replies on Sep 11, 2019:

@MissKathleen You right, in one sense. We can't count on it. We MUST make it happen!

For any Trump supporters out there, assuming that Trump is the Republican candidate for president in...

skado comments on Sep 11, 2019:

If we’re lucky, and I think that’s a pretty big “if”, the backlash against Trumpism may motivate enough swing voters to deliver a victory to the Democrats, if a genuine progressive can somehow manage to take the primary away from the machine. But the voters are clearly *over* the ...

wordywalt replies on Sep 11, 2019:

@skado She did win the popular vote. But, this time, Trump will not carry a single big population state other than Texas. More than enough people are realizing just how stupid, corrupt and destructive the idiot Trump is. And, this time people realize just how much a third party can draw away from the main candidates, and it will not happen again this time.

For any Trump supporters out there, assuming that Trump is the Republican candidate for president in...

skado comments on Sep 11, 2019:

If we’re lucky, and I think that’s a pretty big “if”, the backlash against Trumpism may motivate enough swing voters to deliver a victory to the Democrats, if a genuine progressive can somehow manage to take the primary away from the machine. But the voters are clearly *over* the ...

wordywalt replies on Sep 11, 2019:

Polls say that Biden, Warren, and Bernie all can beat Trump handily, and that Warren has the least negative ratings of the three in sectors that supported Trump.

For any Trump supporters out there, assuming that Trump is the Republican candidate for president in...

BD66 comments on Sep 11, 2019:

If there are no 3rd party candidates, Trump will win with ~50% of the popular vote. The competition from the Democrats is too weak.

wordywalt replies on Sep 11, 2019:

@BD66 You are simply lying. If you believe that, put your money where your mouth is.

For any Trump supporters out there, assuming that Trump is the Republican candidate for president in...

MsHoliday comments on Sep 11, 2019:

I’ve always said from the get go, that Trump will win, no matter who the democratic candidate is. I hate the thought of him being President, but I’d wager he will win. Just to be clear: I in no way support Republicans.

wordywalt replies on Sep 11, 2019:

@MissKathleen This time is different. Too many people are seeing who he really is and how much damage he can do -- and their numbers will continue to increase.

For any Trump supporters out there, assuming that Trump is the Republican candidate for president in...

skado comments on Sep 11, 2019:

If the DNC would allow the voters to choose their candidate, they could beat Trump, but they didn’t last time, and I see no signs they will this time. The Democrats’ noses are now as browned by corporate money as the Republicans’ so they would rather see Don take another four years than to ...

wordywalt replies on Sep 11, 2019:

Put your money where your mouth is.

For any Trump supporters out there, assuming that Trump is the Republican candidate for president in...

gearl comments on Sep 11, 2019:

I hope your right but I got burnt the last election and I'm not so cocky anymore.

wordywalt replies on Sep 11, 2019:

It is up to us to make sure that it does not happen again.

For any Trump supporters out there, assuming that Trump is the Republican candidate for president in...

Athena comments on Sep 10, 2019:

I believe who is chosen as the democratic candidate will matter!

wordywalt replies on Sep 11, 2019:

@skado Put your money where your mouth is.

For any Trump supporters out there, assuming that Trump is the Republican candidate for president in...

MsHoliday comments on Sep 11, 2019:

I’ve always said from the get go, that Trump will win, no matter who the democratic candidate is. I hate the thought of him being President, but I’d wager he will win. Just to be clear: I in no way support Republicans.

wordywalt replies on Sep 11, 2019:

Thgere are more than enough people who supported Trump the first time who have learned their lesson: " Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me."

For any Trump supporters out there, assuming that Trump is the Republican candidate for president in...

BD66 comments on Sep 11, 2019:

If there are no 3rd party candidates, Trump will win with ~50% of the popular vote. The competition from the Democrats is too weak.

wordywalt replies on Sep 11, 2019:

You are out of your mind!

For any Trump supporters out there, assuming that Trump is the Republican candidate for president in...

Athena comments on Sep 10, 2019:

I believe who is chosen as the democratic candidate will matter!

wordywalt replies on Sep 10, 2019:

I believe that any of the top four Democratic candidates, if they run intelligent and convincing campaigns, will whomp his ass!

I don't know what anyone else calls this, but I call it anti-Americanism.

Matias comments on Sep 10, 2019:

How can unfettered capitalism be anti-American?

wordywalt replies on Sep 10, 2019:

Easy. Laissez faire capitalism is simply a license to exploit. Democracy is government of, by, and for ALL of the people -- meaning that in a real democracy, there must be real curbs on exploitation.

I see lots of comments here about not ‘coming out’ as an atheist.

mongo1977 comments on Sep 10, 2019:

When I'm asked "Do you go to church?". I always answer with a purposely oddball side eyed look, "No, I don't". And the conversation never goes any farther. Because victims of death cult brainwashing don't have loaded answers to the questions they know I'm going to ask them.

wordywalt replies on Sep 10, 2019:

I respond similarly. My answer is "I am not a churchgoer." You don't have to hide it if your are an atheist, but you also have to wear it on your sleeve.

I find it amazing how much so many of us have in common on this site, much of it due to our lack of ...

wordywalt comments on Sep 8, 2019:

There have always been uncivil and aggressive right wing reactionaries on this site, as well as angry anti-theists (not just atheists). If you did not encounter them a year ago, you were lucky.

wordywalt replies on Sep 10, 2019:

@Bushshaker Yes it is broken. Newt Gingrich, Tom Delay and Dick Armee started the dysfunction with their divisive and uncivil brand of politics. Mitch McConnell was the real architect of the dysfunction. For years he told the media that dollars equal speech, and that corporations are people. Like Goebbels, McConnell understood that if you repeat a lie often enough people will begin to believe it. Then the Republicans passed legislation allowing the creation of P ACs. Following that, the right leaning ideologues in the Supreme Court gutted the campaign finance law and issued its Citizens United ruling, taking us to today's political dysfunction. From beginning to end, blame corrupt Republican ideologues.

Warren and Clinton talk behind the scenes as 2020 race intensifies

wordywalt comments on Sep 9, 2019:

Any communications could reveal many of the mistakes that Clinton made, informing Warren's decision-making. Basically, Warren could learn what not to do.

wordywalt replies on Sep 9, 2019:

@If that is what you think, I have to question who is the nut job.

Warren and Clinton talk behind the scenes as 2020 race intensifies

wordywalt comments on Sep 9, 2019:

Any communications could reveal many of the mistakes that Clinton made, informing Warren's decision-making. Basically, Warren could learn what not to do.

wordywalt replies on Sep 9, 2019:

@WilliamCharles That is pure, unadulterated horse manure.

These Alarming Posts Shows How Bad The Student Debt System Is Affecting People

Charlene comments on Sep 9, 2019:

It's about to kill the economy along with Donnie Dumplings trade war..

wordywalt replies on Sep 9, 2019:

Sadly, true.

Warren and Clinton talk behind the scenes as 2020 race intensifies

wordywalt comments on Sep 9, 2019:

Any communications could reveal many of the mistakes that Clinton made, informing Warren's decision-making. Basically, Warren could learn what not to do.

wordywalt replies on Sep 9, 2019:

@WilliamCharles Warren and Clinton are miles apart in their personalities, intelligence, and political strategies. Warren stands head and shoulders above Clinton. No way is she seeking any basic advice from Clinton.

I find it amazing how much so many of us have in common on this site, much of it due to our lack of ...

wordywalt comments on Sep 8, 2019:

There have always been uncivil and aggressive right wing reactionaries on this site, as well as angry anti-theists (not just atheists). If you did not encounter them a year ago, you were lucky.

wordywalt replies on Sep 9, 2019:

@Bushshaker You're dreaming. Even if the libertarians come up with a candidate, I doubt that he or she would draw more than 1.0 percent of the vote.

If anyone ever tells you that he or she is being totally objective, he or she is either lying to you...

thinkwithme comments on Sep 8, 2019:

Please do the same for me.

wordywalt replies on Sep 8, 2019:

Do you mean that you would like for me to list my biases?

After listening to an old DVD with Joseph Campbell, it occurred to me that most worthwhile human ...

Mofo1953 comments on Sep 5, 2019:

and you are sharing your opinion for what purpose?

wordywalt replies on Sep 5, 2019:

I have always shared thoughts expecting to get feedback and input which contributes to the constructive evolution of my thought and action.

After listening to an old DVD with Joseph Campbell, it occurred to me that most worthwhile human ...

Mofo1953 comments on Sep 5, 2019:

and you are sharing your opinion for what purpose?

wordywalt replies on Sep 5, 2019:

Just because it was a thought I had which I believed worth sharing. No ulterior motives.

I am curious what is the general consensus in this community on the notion of death and then the ...

wordywalt comments on Sep 2, 2019:

I have instructed my wife and daughters that when I die, there is to be no funeral, no kind of service or ceremony of any kind. My ashes are simply to be scattered near a lake I fished in often, and simply the "Ashoken farewell" is to be played, with only my two daughters and, if she survives me, ...

wordywalt replies on Sep 4, 2019:

@Gulcheher No, it is not without cost to my family.. I called the University of Florida medical school, and they said that my family would have to pay for the embalming before they would accept my body.

The ONLY consistent factor in ALL of recent years’ mass shootings is the widespread accessibility ...

Sticks48 comments on Sep 1, 2019:

It is unfathomable, and they are always white guys. No Black men, no Hispanic men, and no women.

wordywalt replies on Sep 2, 2019:

@Sticks48 Sadly, true. But, the white population would be blaming he ethnic group, not the proliferation of guns.

If our economy begins to sag in comparison with that of other nations, we can thank Republican ...

Varn comments on Aug 30, 2019:

I’ve long viewed the Republican Party as split between two entities: The Wealthy & the Wannabes… The wealthy have off-shored production to the point I doubt they care about R & D. They’ll let the universities do it, if at all, reap the benefits (as usual), then haul the technology to China ...

wordywalt replies on Aug 30, 2019:

You are on the right track, but it is a bit more complex than that. You need to include the white supremacists -- even the dirt poor ones -- in the wannabees, and the religious right.

It is hard to stand by and let a person for whom you care live their own life when it is going wrong...

MissKathleen comments on Aug 29, 2019:

Sorry you have to watch this happen. The most you can do with an adult is say, I love you and am concerned.” I have a daughter who is similarly inclined and feel helpless.

wordywalt replies on Aug 29, 2019:

I empathize with you, as well.

It is hard to stand by and let a person for whom you care live their own life when it is going wrong...

RavenCT comments on Aug 29, 2019:

Can you suggest therapy to him or AA? It might just be the step that would help him. If he's that miserable he might be looking for a way out and just not able to see one. https://www.aa-intergroup.org/

wordywalt replies on Aug 29, 2019:

All of my family has tried to get him to seek help..

It is hard to stand by and let a person for whom you care live their own life when it is going wrong...

bobwjr comments on Aug 29, 2019:

Get him help

wordywalt replies on Aug 29, 2019:

The only way to get him help is to force him into it. Even then, he thinks that he is so intelligent that he may well reject the efforts to hep him as efforts of incompetent people.

If a person who showed the same kind of erratic, narcissistic, unreliable, constantly lying, ...

1of5 comments on Aug 25, 2019:

And yet, as a capitalist, all of that is apparently acceptable behavior. What's that tell you?

wordywalt replies on Aug 26, 2019:

@1of5 When you said in your bio that you are a jerk, you meant it.

If a person who showed the same kind of erratic, narcissistic, unreliable, constantly lying, ...

1of5 comments on Aug 25, 2019:

And yet, as a capitalist, all of that is apparently acceptable behavior. What's that tell you?

wordywalt replies on Aug 26, 2019:

@1of5 I don't put words in yorr mouth. You say enough very questionable things all by yourself. And, I rely on data, not ideology..

If a person who showed the same kind of erratic, narcissistic, unreliable, constantly lying, ...

1of5 comments on Aug 25, 2019:

And yet, as a capitalist, all of that is apparently acceptable behavior. What's that tell you?

wordywalt replies on Aug 25, 2019:

It is NOT acceptable to the majority of the American people. Please do not portray it as though it is.

If a person who showed the same kind of erratic, narcissistic, unreliable, constantly lying, ...

SimplyJaneen comments on Aug 25, 2019:

Any different though than what the priest in the Catholic church have been doing for decades?

wordywalt replies on Aug 25, 2019:

Oh, yes. Trump is evil personified.

Napoleon Bonaparte said, "Never interrupt the enemy when he is in the process of destroying ...

bobwjr comments on Aug 24, 2019:

Going to take a while to undo this mess

wordywalt replies on Aug 24, 2019:

All too true.

From today’s Republican politicians, both at state and national levels, those who will be ...

Trajan61 comments on Aug 22, 2019:

You left wing people are only interested in a big powerful socialist government to take care of you. To bad you don’t have enough intelligence and ambition to make it in your own. Always looking for a chance to take something away from someone who has worked harder than you. If you would study ...

wordywalt replies on Aug 22, 2019:

those are words I would expect from a lying, irrational reactionary idiot. They do not show even one word of fact or truth. Kiss off, sucker.

Our democracy’s founding ideals were false when they were written.

wordywalt comments on Aug 20, 2019:

Unless you have lived in the southern bible belt, you really have no idea of how crippling white supremacy is to both Blacks and whites is in the south. Blacks have to live with it every day of their lives. It takes painful learning and "soul-searching:" for a white person who grew up in it to ...

wordywalt replies on Aug 22, 2019:

@silverotter11 I am 16 years older than you.

Our democracy’s founding ideals were false when they were written.

wordywalt comments on Aug 20, 2019:

Unless you have lived in the southern bible belt, you really have no idea of how crippling white supremacy is to both Blacks and whites is in the south. Blacks have to live with it every day of their lives. It takes painful learning and "soul-searching:" for a white person who grew up in it to ...

wordywalt replies on Aug 21, 2019:

@silverotter11 I was never a pathological racist, but, as a young man, still had substantial traces of cultural racism. Then, in my mid-twenties, I was living in Berlin Germany, cut off from contact with Americans. My German friends often asked me penetrating questions about racism in the south. At first, I tried to rationalize or explain away the situation. But, after a while, I ran out of excuses and was forced to see the situation as it really was. Most southerners have never had to face such a probing situation.

A National Retirement System, Part II Now, what are workable elements of a national retirement ...

jlynn37 comments on Aug 21, 2019:

The capitalist oligarch does not use the same reason and logic the working population use.

wordywalt replies on Aug 21, 2019:

@jlynn37 It is time for us to stir up some bowels with righteous indignation and make the apathetic feel that they are alive.

A National Retirement System, Part II Now, what are workable elements of a national retirement ...

jlynn37 comments on Aug 21, 2019:

The capitalist oligarch does not use the same reason and logic the working population use.

wordywalt replies on Aug 21, 2019:

@avron That is because too many working people did not vote, and too many voted for the wrong people. If we work at it, we can correct both.

No need to add funny pic, no need to generate anger but Trump just said at the press huddle that "He...

wordywalt comments on Aug 21, 2019:

If there were a god, Trump would burn in hell.

wordywalt replies on Aug 21, 2019:

@EMC2 He has a crazy ego big enough to think that he could.

Kamala Harris Plummets in Recent Poll She now trends at 5% [cnn.com]

wordywalt comments on Aug 20, 2019:

Kamala is a very capable person. But, her personality does not make her a genuinely likeable person. I think she would make a good U.S. Attorney General.

wordywalt replies on Aug 20, 2019:

@St-Sinner I could buy that.

This hits way to close to home.

wordywalt comments on Aug 19, 2019:

To a big degree, he was describing me. In graduate school, I would do the reading and academic research I needed to do for a paper all along. Then I would spend weeks both wasting time and mentally digesting the information I had accumulated. Then, when the last few days were there I would start...

wordywalt replies on Aug 19, 2019:

@avron Good question.

The following are the details of a highly workable universal healthcare program.

callmedubious comments on Aug 17, 2019:

your population is probably still too brainwashed to accept UHC. by the time the avg citizen realizes it would work better for them, incredibly high deficits/debt will make it impossible to pay for. the best way to pay for it is with a value added tax which most progressive countries have. it ...

wordywalt replies on Aug 18, 2019:

Good idea, but opposed by Repuvlicans and big money.

The following are the details of a highly workable universal healthcare program.

Al-Bundy_59 comments on Aug 16, 2019:

The issue for the ruling class will be the lost jobs from insurance companys, hospitals Doctors offices who deal with insurance. And there will be some lost jobs, but overall it would be better for Amrrica.

wordywalt replies on Aug 17, 2019:

@Al-Bundy_59 Many industries come and go over time as society and technologies change.

Hi! Im new here.

wordywalt comments on Aug 17, 2019:

My advice is to keep both religion and love affairs out of the workplace. I never discuss religion with people who are not family or close friends.

wordywalt replies on Aug 17, 2019:

@woodstar So?

"As he has made very clear, Richard Dawkins would far rather have dealings with an honest-to-God ...

wordywalt comments on Aug 17, 2019:

I do not see why some atheist see the need to refer to gurus like Dawkins and others. I do not see the need to look to others to tell me what to do. That is what happens in most religions. To me, my atheist is a personal matter, and I have no need to try to escape my freedom.

wordywalt replies on Aug 17, 2019:

@dare2dream I have read widely on many topics and issues and have studied multiple disciplines. I admire some thinkers and writers and have incorporated some of their thoughts into my own. But, I do not consider any of them to be my "leader."

"As he has made very clear, Richard Dawkins would far rather have dealings with an honest-to-God ...

wordywalt comments on Aug 17, 2019:

I do not see why some atheist see the need to refer to gurus like Dawkins and others. I do not see the need to look to others to tell me what to do. That is what happens in most religions. To me, my atheist is a personal matter, and I have no need to try to escape my freedom.

wordywalt replies on Aug 17, 2019:

@DenoPenno I agree. That is why I do not need to look to gurus for justification for my personal decisions.

The following are the details of a highly workable universal healthcare program.

Varn comments on Aug 17, 2019:

You’d have my vote ...but your competition from the ***opposing party*** would be smothered in money from the medical industry and it’s mega-wealthy benefactors..

wordywalt replies on Aug 17, 2019:

But, if the real word gets out and if we in the middle and working class get out and vote, we can make it happen.

The following are the details of a highly workable universal healthcare program.

davknight comments on Aug 17, 2019:

Plus dis-licensure,forfeiture of assets, imprisonment, and deportation of any medical "professional" who fails to comply with the Peoples' will?

wordywalt replies on Aug 17, 2019:

You are out of your gourd, and trying to spread false propaganda.

The following are the details of a highly workable universal healthcare program.

Al-Bundy_59 comments on Aug 16, 2019:

The issue for the ruling class will be the lost jobs from insurance companys, hospitals Doctors offices who deal with insurance. And there will be some lost jobs, but overall it would be better for Amrrica.

wordywalt replies on Aug 16, 2019:

@AnonySchmoose It is much more than that. It means better healthcare for everyone, especially those with middle and low income, much less stress on families, better mental health due to decreased stress and should mean higher wages and salaries for employees. And, positive results for the whole country and its people.