wordywalt's Profile

What religion were you originally steeped in? I was raised Mormon.

wordywalt comments on Sep 26, 2018:

I was raised in the Methodist cchurch.

Boy Scouts?

wordywalt comments on Sep 26, 2018:

It is very possible to pursue interest in the out-of-doors and in self-development other than the Boy Scouts. As a kid, I was a Cub Scout, but found the Boy Scouts too structured and restrictive. But, I stayed active in the out-of-doors and developed related interests and skills on my own. Whatever you and he are comfortable with.

Aren’t the democrats being hypocrites on their dirty war against Kavanaugh after backing Bill ...

wordywalt comments on Sep 25, 2018:

You are using the case of Clinton to justify the Republican's consistent mistreatment of women. It is the Republicans who have blocked the Equal Rights Amendment, attempts to demand equal pay for women, and new rules with teeth for sexual misconduct, as well as verbally assaulting he character of women who dare to challenge their patriarchy. You are being intellectually and morally dishonest. You are trying to portray yourself as taking the high moral ground, while duplicitously taking the low road to justify continuing Republican misdeeds. You should be ashamed.

Can't stand constantly barking, hyper little dogs

wordywalt comments on Sep 24, 2018:

I detest yappers, but am not afraid of them.I can remember a yapper that would bark constantly in the middle of the night. To get sleep, I would have to get up and throw handfuls of pebbles at him until he slunk away. I like animals, but felt no shame or guilt at silencing that dog.

Some people are just born into a lucky life while others aren’t? True or false?

wordywalt comments on Sep 24, 2018:

Partly true. Sometimes a person is simply at the right place at the right time. But, it is what we did before that put us there at that time, and our will and ability to take advantage of the opportunity.

If only they'd open their eyes.

wordywalt comments on Sep 24, 2018:

If only they understood.

Okay.

wordywalt comments on Sep 24, 2018:

Perhaps you have learned that labeling a person with a disgusting label creates unneeded heat, but no light. If you think a person is wrong and/or deceptive, destroy his argument with logic and facts. Label his deceitfulness for what it is. That is all that is needed. You went too far.

The one thing we all have in common is that we don't buy into organized religion, however, is there ...

wordywalt comments on Sep 23, 2018:

I do not believe in any ideological system -- religious, political, or economic. I do believe in constitutional democracy and in treating all human beings with dignity and respect.

Men who never learned to cook

wordywalt comments on Sep 22, 2018:

I never cooked a meal for myself until after I got ot of the military at the age of 25. Today, at the age of 81 make my own breakfasts and lunches, and cook dinner for myself and my wife four days a week or more. And, I am a pretty good cook.

Where do you prefer to be beach or mountain?

wordywalt comments on Sep 22, 2018:

Neither. I would prefer to be in a wooded area near a lake or stream.

Do you agree with stem cell research?

wordywalt comments on Sep 22, 2018:

Absolutely, yes.

Do different colors affect your mood?

wordywalt comments on Sep 21, 2018:

Yes. I find blue and green to be cool, calming colors. Reds are more exciting, as are orange and yellows. I would not want to stay in a room painted orange or very bright yellow. Purples I find somewhat depressing.

Is the human embryo sacred or something special ?

wordywalt comments on Sep 21, 2018:

No life is sacred. It simply exists or is.

If you could live forever, could you guess now when you would choose to stop existing? (Comment)

wordywalt comments on Sep 21, 2018:

I cannot imagine that any sane person would want to live forever.

Is it healthy/better in a relationship to share our respective shadows and triggers from our past ...

wordywalt comments on Sep 21, 2018:

It is definitely better to share those things. But, don't unload everything at once. It can be too difficult to process.

Does having children serve a purpose? Or is it cruel to bring children into a world of suffering?

wordywalt comments on Sep 21, 2018:

I do not care for your hopeless point of view. Almost every living organism goes through easy or good times and difficult circumstances. Trying to live a life in which we have the pleasure and happiness and totally avoid any pain is not only unrealistic. It also cheats the heart out of life. It is the struggle though difficult times which brings progress and which provides comparisons which makes the good times so enjoyable. If you don't want to have kids, that is fine. We already have human overpopulation. But, don't use the avoidance of pain as the excuse.

Is it OK to be racist against white people?

wordywalt comments on Sep 21, 2018:

Any form of racism is abhorrent.

Why do young guys think sarcasm is positive?

wordywalt comments on Sep 20, 2018:

I have known many more sarcastic women than men, many more women who easily and carelessly issue deeply cutting remarks without cause. I, therefore, do not identify with your question.

Has anyone else had a religious friend ask where your sense of morality comes from?

wordywalt comments on Sep 20, 2018:

Yes, I have been asked. I always say that my moral code is based on the concept of minimal violation of (1) human dignity and respect, (2) environmental sustainability. The vast majority of our moral choices in life are choices between comparative rights and wrongs ( between greater and lesser goods or between the lesser of two evils), NOT between absolutes. That is a much more defensible moral code than one based on religion.

Are common interests important to you?

wordywalt comments on Sep 20, 2018:

In a successful relationship, there must be substantial shared interests and values. But, each must also have the freedom and space to pursue interests of their own.

"Physical penetration is sex, which is a very superficial thing.

wordywalt comments on Sep 20, 2018:

Beautifully stated.

"You cannot be a doctor if you believe in superstitions," said by my Catholic professor.

wordywalt comments on Sep 20, 2018:

Religion is based on superstition, magical thinking, mythology, and false total system ideology. Some doctors compartmentalize their existence to allow themselves to have contradictory beliefs.

I'm sorry, but I really need to vent: My grandma is sick, hospitalized and just over 90.

wordywalt comments on Sep 20, 2018:

Of course, you are feeling great sadness over the dying of your grandmother. But, you must realize that death is an inevitable event for us all, and that it is not, in and of itself, awful. You have a treasure trove of great memories of your grandmother and will be able to call upon them every day of the rest of your life until you die or become demented. You must not let yourself become overcome with her death: She would have expected more from you and would have wanted more for you.

Study: people tend to cluster into four distinct personality “types” | Ars Technica

wordywalt comments on Sep 19, 2018:

I agree with youyr commenting critics. As a retired staff developer, I looked at a number of these "personality" scales and concluded that few of them are of real value.The only one I ever found that was useful was Anthony Gregorc's "Style Delineator." Gregorcs' solidly research=based model looks at the person's style(s) of information processing. Those info-processing styles determine behavior much more than any "personality" scale.

Never forget to ask yourself this question: Today is the first day of the rest of my life.

wordywalt comments on Sep 18, 2018:

Why am I here? A lifelong chain of events, decisions, actions, and inactions.

Ever dated a religious person

wordywalt comments on Sep 18, 2018:

There is no problem if (1) both genuinely care for each other and treat each other with full dignity and respect, and (2) both people acknowledge and respect each other's right to believe as he or she chooses. How long has it lasted? So far, over 25 years.

Has anybody ever gone numb emotionally?

wordywalt comments on Sep 18, 2018:

After a very stressful period, both at work and in my first marriage, I suffered a bout with depression and had to take an antidepressant. Te antidepressant left me emotionally numb and that was worse than the depression and I stopped taking it.

Smearing the victim has begun! Do you know she knitted, and wore (gasp!) a pink pussy hat for a ...

wordywalt comments on Sep 18, 2018:

The positive thing about the Kavanaugh accusation is that no matter what happens, Republicans are going to lose. If Republican politicians try to smear Dr. Ford, they they will appear to be heartless and conscienceless charlatans. If they try to use political maneuvering to alter the process, people will see that they value political power over the well-being of our country and its people. There is a good chance that Kavanaugh's nomination will be blocked. Even if the nomination goes through, the taste in people's mouths is so bad that all future nominations will be scrutinized much more closely. And, because of this whole process, Republicans will lose even more seats and ground in November. The Republican party is rapidly painting itself into a corner as a party without courage, honor, integrity, or a moral backbone.

Do you think that living in a foreign country for a long period of time changes people?

wordywalt comments on Sep 18, 2018:

In general, yes. Living in a different culture allows one to see his or her own culture without blinders on. It also provides comparisons which cause one to rethink many of his or her assumptions. It happened to me after living in Germany many years ago, and I am a much better person for it.

So I have a 2nd grade student who was sticking mini Post It notes all over the playground equipment ...

wordywalt comments on Sep 17, 2018:

Chastise the kid for littering. Tell the other kids that everyone has a right to his or her own opinion and that they are not to harass the kid for his.

And Drumpf doesn't care about normal people

wordywalt comments on Sep 17, 2018:

Then all Americans need to stop listening to Republican politicians.

What happens to your spirt / mind when you die?

wordywalt comments on Sep 17, 2018:

Your question begins with a false assumption. No organisms -- including human beings -- have a spirit. The spirit is a religious fabrication.

Dating people with different religious belief , does it work out well or they can both come to an ...

wordywalt comments on Sep 16, 2018:

Ir can work if (1) both people have genuine affection and respect for each other, and (2) if both are willing to acknowledge and respect each other's right to believe as they choose.

Job satisfaction.

wordywalt comments on Sep 16, 2018:

I am retired now, but I can say that having work that you really enjoy and which allows you to accomplish something significant is great. When I had that, I looked forward to going to work and was more than willing to put in long hours.

Does a bad day give you the right to be un-pleasant?

wordywalt comments on Sep 16, 2018:

The right, no. It does cause us to lose our cool, sometimes. Usually we wind up apologizing for such outbursts later.

Do you "dress your age"?

wordywalt comments on Sep 16, 2018:

I have no idea what that phrase means. If we attend to "dress our age", we are allowing others to dictate our behavior.

Are you happy enough?

wordywalt comments on Sep 15, 2018:

Yes.

Are you still involved in highly religious settings despite no longer being a believer?

wordywalt comments on Sep 15, 2018:

I attend no religious sites, rites, or services and not for many years.

I’m tired of living in the south & hearing the same lines & religious conversations.

wordywalt comments on Sep 15, 2018:

I grew up in the southern Bible belt of north Florida and south Gergia. I could not live there today and have no desire to do so. If it is at all possible, get the hell out to preserve your own sanity.

What happens to your spirt / mind when you die?

wordywalt comments on Sep 15, 2018:

Your mind consists of the cognitive structures and schema which you have developed over the course of your life. It exists only in your brain. When you die, your mind simply ceases to exist.

The only non-fake news source gets a makeover!

wordywalt comments on Sep 14, 2018:

I would change the statement at the bottom to "The Trumpadanda Network"

Manafort plea deal! [reuters.com]

wordywalt comments on Sep 14, 2018:

And Trump's professional liars (Sanders and Guilliani)are saying that Mannefort's cooperation agreement has nothing to do with Trump. It is no accident that Mannefort has been doing work for Russian intelligence and oligarchs for at least 15 years, while Trump has been laundering money for Russian oligarchs and mobsters for well over 20 years (Trump would be totally bankrupt today if it were not for the Russians). Russia, Trump, and Mannefort are linked at the hip, and it takes a fool not to see it. Mannefort both sold out to the Russians. They both have betrayed our country and its ideals.

I am 48.

wordywalt comments on Sep 14, 2018:

I went through a divorce at age 57 after over 30 years of trying to live with a woman with borderline personality disorder. At age 58, I married a bright, caring lady and we have been married for 23 years. She was 50 when we married.

Are you very concerned what happens to your body after death?

wordywalt comments on Sep 14, 2018:

No, not at all. At that point, I no longer exist as an organism. All dead organisms decay.

Where are you on the bridge?

wordywalt comments on Sep 13, 2018:

I crossed that bridge over 55 years ago and have never regretted it.

The Real Problem I Love this site and the clarity of thinking exhibited, even love chasing down the...

wordywalt comments on Sep 13, 2018:

I agree that some on this site simply do not comprehend the phenomenon of the "True believer" -- ideological or religious. True believers have literally sold themselves to dogmatic belief and it forms the core of how they define themselves. Their need to escape the feeling of powerlessness, lack of knowledge, and of being alone drives them to tis action, to the extent that, if you take their ideological core away from them, they have nothing. To really understand this, one MUST read Erich Fromm's, ESCAPE FROM FREEDOM.

Are You a Voter?

wordywalt comments on Sep 13, 2018:

Your post is incoherent. I have no idea of what you are trying to say.

Addendum: I did not mean we were couch potatoes I was curious if anyone like organized sports.

wordywalt comments on Sep 12, 2018:

As a young men I played football, fast-pitch softball, a little basketball. As an adult I played competitive volleyball, and racquetball and coached football for 4 years(and loved the latter, but moved out of high school teaching to different horizons in education. I have always loved the out-of-doors. As a teenager and young man, I hunted a lot, but never for trophy kills. I have been an avid fisherman for around 70 years

The source attribution effect, or : Tribal thinking trumps reason

wordywalt comments on Sep 12, 2018:

Tribal reasoning is as old as the human species. Reason is not.

Capitalism works on much the same principle as evolution.

wordywalt comments on Sep 12, 2018:

Evolution is a long term biological process. It has nothing to do with capitalism. Both economic and social Darwinism are false and corrupt philosophical applications of biological concepts.

While in your teens did you see your current age as old?

wordywalt comments on Sep 11, 2018:

Oh, yaah. Waity until you are old enough to be the grandfather of someone in their 30s. At the age of 80+ I don't tyhink about age so much anymore. I just feel like I am hanging in there.

I don't know how to make sense of this.

wordywalt comments on Sep 11, 2018:

He or she is predominantly self-centered, really only cares about himself or herself.

Can science and religion be reconciled?

wordywalt comments on Sep 9, 2018:

In only perspective in which science and religion can be reconciled is the deist point of view -- that God created everything and now sits back and watches it all without intervening. But that requires unprovable assumptions contrary to any scientific point of view.

This is a good piece and worth the read from The Atlantic The Supreme Court Is Headed Back to the...

wordywalt comments on Sep 9, 2018:

Unformately, probably correct.

Where do you find meaning?

wordywalt comments on Sep 9, 2018:

Does the universe have purpose. I do not think so. It simply is. In my own life, I find meaning in relationships with people, in learning, and in comprehending and appreciating my relationship with events and my environment.

the team is important, no time to be selfish.

wordywalt comments on Sep 9, 2018:

Love it!!

Admit it, buddy, you're pissed that a popular president popped up (any place/time) and received so ...

wordywalt comments on Sep 9, 2018:

As a student of American history, I have to say that Pence reminds me of Warren Harding. Like Harding, Pence is a distinguished looking man lacking in both intelligence and moral substance.

Weird?