wordywalt's Profile

Who all likes to play volleyball here?

wordywalt comments on Jul 7, 2018:

When I was younger, I loved to play volleyball. While in my 30s and in grad school at the U. of Florida, I play on two teams which swept the campus-wide intramural championship 2 years in a row without losing a single game until the finals. In the finals both years, we took 2 of 3. Our team was a worldwide one, with players from the US, Brazil, Panama, Argentina, Egypt, Jordan and Pakistan -- mostly grad students. We practiced almost every day, and called all violations on ourselves so that we did develop sloppy play. We even went to the state AAUs and would up 3rd. I am only 5' 8", so I focused on doing what I could do best -- being a very good set men, a good back-line defensive player, and on developing a lethal that curved sharply to the left and dropped like a rock.

“The salvation of a civilization has to be predicated on a resurrection from the corruption of its...

wordywalt comments on Jul 6, 2018:

Language does not matter. In an advancing society it needs to be expressive, precise (both to express exactly what we intend to say and to convey the emotional content we want to portray. As our knowledge and means of ascertaining truth increases, we need to create new terms which convey those advances. At the same time, we need to take real care that adoption of terms from other languages and cultures is NOT seen as corrupting the language. Seeing such advances as corruption is nothing more than ethnocentrism -- bigotry. And, just as we need to guard against increasing incivility and abusive behavior and norms in our culture, we need to guard against increasing terms and speech tactics in our language which express and encourage incivility and attacks against individuals and groups.

DHS & HHS Should Be Investigated for Destroying Immigrant Family Records - CREW

wordywalt comments on Jul 6, 2018:

What ele would one expect from Trump-appointed officials? They know that they did wrong, so they destroy the evidence.

The National Debt

wordywalt comments on Jul 6, 2018:

And, what is worse, the Republicans in Congress are going to use this as an excuse to slash government services such as social security, medicare and medicaid, food stamps, and other programs to aid everyday Americans. And, then, they will try to cut taxes for the rich even more. We MUST flip and House and Senate.!!!

Dostoyevsky or Nietzsche ?

wordywalt comments on Jul 5, 2018:

Neither. I would rather have Hermann Hesse.

Can you "read" a person?

wordywalt comments on Jul 5, 2018:

Yes, I can "read" some people, especially when I am in a skeptical frame of mind. But, there have also been occasions when I saw in the person what I wanted to see, instead of what was really there.

Why have people become so gullible to accept lies as facts?

wordywalt comments on Jul 5, 2018:

It has happened before, particularly during the great depression. Yes, Fox News, Breitbart and Sinclair have abeted this selling of lies and fake news. Without those 3 propaganda machines there would be few vehicles for spreading the lies.

If You Were A Former Believer, What Was The Last Religion You Were Affiliated With?

wordywalt comments on Jul 4, 2018:

That was over 60 years ago.

Is nationalism a way for a group of people to strive towards a common goal, or mearly glorifying ...

wordywalt comments on Jul 4, 2018:

Moderate nationalism (pride in being a citizen of a country and in the principles undergirding the country is a plus. But, extreme nationalism -- ethnocentrism, racism, denigration of other, seeking dominance over others or exploiting them, and expansionism at the expense of others countries -- is destructive and repulsive. Trump's "America first" (placing international relations in a win lose" context) is an obnoxious form of aggressive nationalism.

Should We Be Patriotic? - TheHumanist.com

wordywalt comments on Jul 4, 2018:

Of course, I will be patriotic. I will gladly and openly abide by the principles of our Constitution and Declaration of Independence, as well as the Bill of Rights. I have served my country in the military. I will also denounce all forms of bigotry in all of its forms -- racism or ethnocentirsm, hatred, vilification of others, violence and cruelty toward others, corruption, greed. I will also publicly criticize and stand against administrations and public officials and their actions when they damage our country or fail to uphold the principles undergirding our democracy. With today's corrupt Trump administration, active dissent and resistance are the ultimate form of patriotism. I will raise my voice and stand actively against this damnable corruption of our democracy.

Happy independence day our colonial cousins. Dont know how you made it this far without us

wordywalt comments on Jul 4, 2018:

After the two world wars and a Cold War, I think we can say the same about our British cousins. We are each better off for our joint cooperation. I apologize for the arrogant stupidity of our current administration.

Is there a difference between a southern atheist and a northern atheist?

wordywalt comments on Jul 4, 2018:

I grew up in the bible belt of north Florida, and lived in the north for almost 25 years. I see no difference. There may be differences in he route, but non-belief is non-belief.

While surfing the Web I stumbled upon this ARStechnica story about the evolution vs creationism ...

wordywalt comments on Jul 4, 2018:

There is no rational or empirical defense of creationism. It is a position of myth, led-by-the-nose true believer fictitious dogma.

Should I go for full custody of my child?

wordywalt comments on Jul 4, 2018:

Go for it! Your daughter deserves the better life.

Men, what would you think of a woman if they were forward with you and asked you out on a date.

wordywalt comments on Jul 4, 2018:

If i found the woman emotionally appealing (intelligent, warm, sense of humor, outgoing) and physically attractive.

One-Third of Americans Don't Believe 6 Million Jews Were Murdered During the Holocaust

wordywalt comments on Jul 3, 2018:

I find that difficult to believe. Ten percent of pathological racists, maybe, and ignorant young people, . But, more than that?

What level of skepticism to do use in your daily life?

wordywalt comments on Jul 2, 2018:

I would say that I would rate between level 2 and 3 as a skeptic.

Do you think that duality in thoughts and actions limit the living "experience"?

wordywalt comments on Jul 2, 2018:

Explain, please. I do not understand your question.

For me.

wordywalt comments on Jul 2, 2018:

I agree.

Could someone please explain  1) The meaning and purpose of the word ‘Rude’ as applied to ...

wordywalt comments on Jul 2, 2018:

To me rude means being uncivil, or failing to treat others with dignity and respect. Prudes are people who have extreme sensibilities as to what is "proper."

What was your first job?

wordywalt comments on Jul 2, 2018:

I would not call it a job, because it was not steady employment, but the first paid work I ever did was harvesting tobacco in 90 degree plus heat, glaring sun, and sweltering humidity. On top of that, the work required you to bend over constantly to pick off leaves near the ground. With an hour or so, your arms and much of your shift would be coated with black tar from the leaves and sand.

Should a company who hires workers to work in the heat and cold be responsible for these workers ...

wordywalt comments on Jul 2, 2018:

Of course they should. But the problem is that many such companies treat their workers as independent ontractor instead of employees, and the law lets them get away with it.

What's the best, most meaningful, rewarding, or amazing job you've ever had?

wordywalt comments on Jul 2, 2018:

That would be my role of establishing a staff development and school improvement center for 12 rural school districts. It enabled me to listen to teachers and administrators in those districts and to observe for myself what needs and concerns were if those districts were to reach for excellence in teaching, learning, and leadership. Based on that, the job allowed me to design, create, and deliver a program of services to meet those needs. It was a true joy that gave me the energy to work 60 to 80 hour weeks, to watch the growth taking place, and feeling the joy of knowing that I played a real part in that growth.

I have friends and family who don't think there is a god but refuse the label of atheist because of ...

wordywalt comments on Jul 2, 2018:

We are defined by what we do, say, and believe -- not by labels. I avoid labels of all sorts.

HUMAN DIGNITY - - In modern liberal democracies, dignity is something every human being has simply...

wordywalt comments on Jul 2, 2018:

All people deserve to be teated with dignity and respect. But, when one behaves selfishly and/or destructively on a consistent basis, society has good reason to withdraw that respect.

Is socialism and libertarianism compatible?

wordywalt comments on Jul 2, 2018:

Yes, libertarianism and socialism are incompatible. Libertarianism tends to be self-focused and self-absorbed. Marxist socialism focused on its own total system ideology which places the state above everything and falsely in the name of "the people." Non-Marxist socialism, in its many forms (including social democracy)focuses on the well-being of all people.

Do you think a good person is someone who never gets angry?

wordywalt comments on Jul 2, 2018:

Even the best of people get angry. A good person does not fly off the handle with unprovoked anger, but does show righteous anger when his or her basic principles and values are assaulted.

Do you even read the previous responses before you spout your opinion on the topic?

wordywalt comments on Jul 1, 2018:

Sometimes I do, but sometimes the post grabs my attention so much that I respond to it directly.

So someone created a group simply to get points.

wordywalt comments on Jul 1, 2018:

I still believe that all groups should be removed so that we can have a free and open interchange between all of us. We have groups on this site which were created solely to that we could not see the nefarious posts and criticize them. That defeats the purpose of this site.

Do you feel physically secure in today’s world?i

wordywalt comments on Jul 1, 2018:

I am not worried. We survived Irma last year with no home damage, only loss of 2 trees

Do you ever miss the community that church provided?

wordywalt comments on Jun 30, 2018:

No.

Can anyone do this in only four words?

wordywalt comments on Jun 30, 2018:

We live with dignity.

True Confession.

wordywalt comments on Jun 30, 2018:

I agree. I always put in ear plugs when I go to bed on July Fourth and on New Year's.

Farmers in America are facing an economic and mental health crisis - CBS News

wordywalt comments on Jun 30, 2018:

Yet, so many farmers support Trump. That is hard to understand.

A Short History of Trumponian Racism [nytimes.com]

wordywalt comments on Jun 30, 2018:

Trump is a destructive heap of dung posing as a human being.

Favorite ice cream flavor!

wordywalt comments on Jun 29, 2018:

Jamocca almond fudge.

Bread Preference

wordywalt comments on Jun 29, 2018:

Real Germn Bauern Brot ( rye bread).

Those are extinct and evolved as grammar Nazis now.. maybe still some dinosaurs around... (lol)

wordywalt comments on Jun 29, 2018:

Love it!! When I did a lot of writing, I always kept a thesaurus at my side. To large degree, good writing is wordsmanship -- finding the exact word to express both the meaning and emotion you intend. Precision in expression.

Art and creativity have an incredible ability to heal.

wordywalt comments on Jun 29, 2018:

I do none of that. I turn inward. I agree with Mark Twain: "Happiness, in order to be real happiness, must be shared. Misery can take care of itself."

Surfs Up!!!

wordywalt comments on Jun 29, 2018:

Damned straight. We must stop the abomination Trump from destroying our democracy!!

A friend of mine and I were discussing how the events we go through in our life shape the person we ...

wordywalt comments on Jun 28, 2018:

I have had several over my 80 years. Among them: 1. At the age of 11. moving to a tiny rural town of 250 people in a southern bible belt and poverty stricken culture. It took me a long time to get rid of the effects of that. 2. Winning 2 scholarships which enabled me to go to college. Without that I o not know where and what I would be today. 3. My time in West Berlin at the height of the Cold War. Living in a different culture under those conditions change me hugely for the better. It gave me courage, perspective, and depth I would not have had. 4. Leaving my teaching job in central Florida (with a wife and 2 daughters) and entering graduate school with just a summer check from teaching and the GI Bill. 5. Starting a staff development and school improvement center (serving 12 rural districts in Kans) from scratch -- it didn't exist before,That opened decade long span of great productivity and success.

Is "Luck" real ?

wordywalt comments on Jun 28, 2018:

We wave all experienced fortunate coincidence, and bad timing. But, to a degree, we make out own luck by what we do and do not do. In many cases we would not have experienced that fortunate coincidence had we not done the things that put us there at that time and place.

Fighting Religious Indoctrination in the US Military (w/ Mikey Weinstein) - YouTube

wordywalt comments on Jun 28, 2018:

I had my own way of fighting religious indoctrination in the military almost 60 years ago. I was stationed in the US Army Hospital Berlin and we enlisted men had "character guidance" sessions every other Tuesday afternoon, conducted by a chaplain. The sessions were simply religious and patriotic indoctrination sessions. Three of us (all intelligent, educated, and iconoclastic)decided to enliven the sessions. The chaplain would pose a moral, religious, or patriotic question, expecting a stock answer. One of us, usually me, would respond with a totally unexpected answer. Then at ky points during the argument, one of the others of us would chime in with good, strong, and well-formulated support. Between the three of us, we would take over the discussion and steer it in directions of our choosing. It was fun seeing the chaplain struggling unsuccessfully to regain control. Also higher ranking NCOs would try to argue back, but could not match us. They would reach a point at which they would would scream at us in anger,. When they did, we sat back and grinned, knowing that we had won..

Those of you who are of a certain age (ahem), who grew up in the United States, I'd like to know ...

wordywalt comments on Jun 28, 2018:

I am aware of who they arll are, but I was already a teenager by that time.

What is your view on the Right to Die issue?

wordywalt comments on Jun 28, 2018:

I fully agree with the stance.

Ethical Living

wordywalt comments on Jun 28, 2018:

Why would anyone do that? Ethics are entirely independent of religion.

I'm interested in learning your views on the psychology field.

wordywalt comments on Jun 28, 2018:

Be more specific. What are your real questions?

With three young women I mentored, I hiked Icicle Gorge trail near Leavenworth today for four miles.

wordywalt comments on Jun 28, 2018:

You have more than ample reason to feel pride in both these young women and their achievements, and in the results of the assistance you have provided.

You know what makes me incredibly sad?

wordywalt comments on Jun 28, 2018:

The problem with such people is that they really don't know who they are. That is, their self cincept is poor and their definition of self is diffuse.

What's the worst gift you've ever had?

wordywalt comments on Jun 27, 2018:

My first wife gave me two. The first was a musical beer mug for which I had no desire and never used. The second was a shirt and vest sweater combination (which she probably bought on sale because the store could not get rid of it) of such hideous colors that I never wore them.

I've been thinking more about the angry and dehumanizing tone that a tiny minority of our members ...

wordywalt comments on Jun 27, 2018:

The problem I have is that many on the extreme political right often do not tolerate any disagreement and resort to all sorts of irrational devices and techniques, and all too often quickly turn to deliberate attacks of all sorts. I find them the quickest to use false derogatory labels. How do you deal with that?

What is The root cause of Conspiracy Thinking?

wordywalt comments on Jun 27, 2018:

These are people who feel fear of things they do not understand and also feel relatively powerless. They are also intellectually lazy and find it difficult to pursue real answers to complex problems and issues. So, they look for quick answers and people to blame.

I'll put this right here (This video was made by the US war department in 1943) [youtu.be]

wordywalt comments on Jun 27, 2018:

Racism in the South has never gone away. What is frightening today is that the Republicans have sold their souls to the south to gain power and have allowed racism to spread throughout the country. And Trump has made it 10 times worse.

Oh Bill, you're so funny.

wordywalt comments on Jun 26, 2018:

To O'Reilly: You and Sanders deserve all the damned disapproval you can get!

Have you gotten to the point in your life where you see all the unique differences that set you ...

wordywalt comments on Jun 26, 2018:

I do value greatly many of the differences that set me apart. However, I also know that some those differences are not virtues. They are the small demons which I must guard against.

What are the best and/or your favorite musicians of all time?

wordywalt comments on Jun 25, 2018:

Classical composers -- Aaron Copland and Max Bruch. Jazz -- Dave Brubeck, Paul Desmond, and Errol Garner. Pop - Simon and Garfunkel and Bette Midler. Folk -- Baez and Pete Seeger. z

Why am I the bad guy?

wordywalt comments on Jun 25, 2018:

I agree with you don't speak to her. she will just continue her aggression. But, remain in contact with your cousin, and make sure that he knows what she is doing.

The problem with a two party system is that eventually the two parties get together and decide to ...

wordywalt comments on Jun 25, 2018:

I don't care for your cynicism. If your statement were true, our nation could not have lasted as long as it has. It is up to US -- and not to the politicians -- to make sure that the politicians understand their real job, and that we will hold them accountable for carrying out their job with wisdom and honor. .

Unelectable Atheists: U.

wordywalt comments on Jun 25, 2018:

Those laws are clearly unconstitutional and should all be challenged in court.

Creation / Starting Theory

wordywalt comments on Jun 25, 2018:

Who says that there was a beginning point before which nothing existed? Why do people seem to insist that must be?

Assuming evolution is correct, do you think that if humans went extinct another species as ...

wordywalt comments on Jun 25, 2018:

Maybe. Strength, size, and fecundity could also make another species become dominant.

Find this to be so true.

wordywalt comments on Jun 25, 2018:

I would add a fourth: Too bigoted to even consider an alternative.

Trust no one!

wordywalt comments on Jun 24, 2018:

That there are good, intelligent, and caring women out there. I married her and am still married 23 years later.

The most disgusting food!

wordywalt comments on Jun 24, 2018:

Chitlings (boiled pig intestines), They carry the taste of their original contents.

Stem cell research. For or against?

wordywalt comments on Jun 24, 2018:

Of course, I am for it. Opposition which could deter attempts to improve human health in a manner that does not exploit others is both stupid and immoral.

I had to block someone from the group.

wordywalt comments on Jun 24, 2018:

There is no sensible reason for interjecting stupid political views into the topic of gardening. To whoever that person is: Get lost!! We gardeners want nothing to do with you.

Hello fellow agnostics, Tonight I am thinking about the limits of our own perception.

wordywalt comments on Jun 24, 2018:

Each and every one of us grows up in a specific culture.The enculturation process instills in each of us a set of beliefs, norms, values, assumptions, ways of doing everyday things, ways of interpreting our reality. Unless we question those -- which is difficult when faced with group pressure -- those become our filters. Through exposure to other cultures and social groups, we are often able to lift those blinders or cognitive filters, and expand and enrich our perception of reality.

If FL Town Bends Rules for Orthodox Jews, Satanist Will React with “Giant Dongs” – Friendly ...

wordywalt comments on Jun 24, 2018:

Both sides portray how ridiculous religion is.

UN report: America's poor becoming more destitute under Trump - CNN

wordywalt comments on Jun 24, 2018:

Exactly what is to be expected from he moral imbecile Trump.

Do we really have the right to believe whatever we want?

wordywalt comments on Jun 23, 2018:

You can believe what you want, but acting on those beliefs is a different story. You have no right to foist your fictions on others and you do bear responsibility for the consequences of your actions.

Huckabee at the Red Hen [foxnews.com]

wordywalt comments on Jun 23, 2018:

Let's hope that this is only the first instance of Sanders having to face the disapproval she deserves.

Should I travel and seek a different reality?

wordywalt comments on Jun 23, 2018:

In choosing to ravel, you are not seeking a new reality, but expanding and enriching your total reality.

“People don’t have ideas, ideas have people.

wordywalt comments on Jun 23, 2018:

Jung's statement is tyrue only for those people who choose to escape from their freedom by allowing themselves to become "true believers" in an ideology. Hopefully, most of us have better sense than that.

What is your favorite BEER? Mine is Bud Light Platinum

wordywalt comments on Jun 23, 2018:

Berliner Kindl stark bier.

I believe there are people that truly need the dogma and comfort of religion.

wordywalt comments on Jun 23, 2018:

That is because they feel inherently weak or powerless, and sold their sold to become absolute true believers in the religious dogma. They do that do gain the power of the religious group and the perceived certainty of purpose and meaning. They are captives of their religion and its leaders.

Why do conservative Christians feel oppressed?

wordywalt comments on Jun 23, 2018:

Evangelical true believers feel that the absolute certainty of their dogma entitles them to intrude on the lives of others and to impose their dogma on others to further their cause. They feel that any attempts to limit their intrusive and abusive behavior is oppression. In other words, they really don't give a damned about us and our rights, nor do they feel bound by the U.S. Constitution.

I got a 15 gallon Pomegranate tree, when planting it I noticed it has ants that looks like are ...

wordywalt comments on Jun 23, 2018:

There are a number of sprays that will get rid of the aphids. Watch the ants and see where the worker ants are going. If they have a next in the ground . If the worker ants have a trail from the tree leading to the ant hill or next, get Orthonex (a white powder)and sprinkle powder along the trail. The worker ants will get it on their bodies and take it into the next, where it will wipe out the entire next or colony. Without the ants, you will not have aphids.

Food for thought over the weekend: What is the cause of human suffering?