Temper Temper..

wordywalt comments on Feb 28, 2018:

I have a temper, but I manage it well. lived with a verbally abusive and manipulative wife with a borderline personality disorder, and was frequently legitimately furious, but never hit her. T I only blow my cool verbally (never physically) when a find a person/s behavior and/or words particularly repugnant. If I get angry , I consider my words and actions carefully and if it is important to me, I fight back with planned strategy of words and action -- and have always won (without violence).

How well do you listen actively?

wordywalt comments on Feb 28, 2018:

Depends on how interesting I find the person and/or the topic.

Can someone tell me why atheists, agnostics and freethinkers are so much discriminated in the States...

wordywalt comments on Feb 28, 2018:

When you noted that there are more churches in the USA than pubs, you begin to get the picture., especially when so many of them are loud evangelicals trying to shove their beliefs down everyone's throat by any means possible.

Which TV News Personality Gets Under Your Skin?

wordywalt comments on Feb 28, 2018:

All members of the Fox propaganda machine!

What are a few things you would say that really improve the quality of your life?

wordywalt comments on Feb 28, 2018:

Music, learning, friendships and good relationships, access to the out-of-doors.

Population problems

wordywalt comments on Feb 28, 2018:

The increasing human overpopulation is , in itself, causing more war, disease, famine, environmental degradation and pollution, than anything else. If not contained, it presents the prospect of making the world unfit for human habitation, and for eliminating many species of organisms.

Have any of you agnostics faced death and how did you deal with it?

wordywalt comments on Feb 28, 2018:

I am not sure what you mean by having "faced death." I was in a serious out accident on a bridge with a 60 foot drop below. IAs the accident was happening, I was fighting with every emotion I had in my head, but then realized that there was not a damned thing I could do. As I let go of the fight, I experienced a total sense of calm and peace. That taught me something.

Well - after reading the many posts on the subject, and after being on other dating sites ...

wordywalt comments on Feb 28, 2018:

If you both can truly respect each other's right to believe as you do, there is a real chance. My wife of 23 years is a staunch Catholic and I am an atheist, and our marriage has been a good one.

Different path?

wordywalt comments on Feb 28, 2018:

I can't go back and change anything, so a don't waste my time thinking about it.

Were/are you more productive at work when you were/are in a relationship?

wordywalt comments on Feb 27, 2018:

I was most productive in my career when in the depths of a long, terrible. marriage. My work, my working relationships, and my successes gave me the affirmation and satisfaction which my marriage could not. It was what kept me going.

Sexual Metaphysics

wordywalt comments on Feb 27, 2018:

No. Spirituality is a himan invention. It does not exist in nature.

When we finally start living in the moon or mars when will those people be classed as another ...

wordywalt comments on Feb 27, 2018:

Your question is moot. The nature of lunar dust makes the possibility of human colonization unlikely.

Psychology

wordywalt comments on Feb 27, 2018:

Unlikely.

Are you in favour of a revolution?

wordywalt comments on Feb 27, 2018:

I find your thinking disturbing and dangerous. Benevolent dictators NEVER stay benevolent.

Is it possible to be in love with multiple people at once?

wordywalt comments on Feb 26, 2018:

Oh, yes. It is just not feasible to act on it in most cases.

Where do you see humanity in a thousand years?

wordywalt comments on Feb 26, 2018:

Who knows. Most human predictions are way off.

Do you think there are more men than woman Athiests or are women more covert about it?

wordywalt comments on Feb 26, 2018:

Good question. I would guess that there are more men atheists. To a greater extent, women are taught by their society to be conformists.

Any superstitions you subscribe to?

wordywalt comments on Feb 26, 2018:

None.

Moving--embracing the chaos. Does anyone have tips on making moving less stressful?

wordywalt comments on Feb 26, 2018:

Plan it carefully, but prepared to play it by ear, Murphy's Law is always in force.

Exercise suggestions?

wordywalt comments on Feb 26, 2018:

How about racquetball? It is a very fast paced, and demanding sport. I used to sweat off 8 pounds in an hour of racquetball. Also, you could try weight machines?

They're ba-ack.

wordywalt comments on Feb 26, 2018:

What she is saying is that secularists would deny those religious zealots the right to tyrannize us.

I thought that the gun-control madness would be over here.

wordywalt comments on Feb 26, 2018:

First and foremost, guns are tools for killing -- of humans or other animals. Second, they are tools for control and intimidation. Third, but leas important, they are tools for self-protection. The simple fact is that the more widespread the ownership of guns, the greater the incidence of human deaths from the use of guns. Mo one can deny that and be in his or her right mind. I own a rifle and a shotgun, but I believe strongly that all assault weapons, automatic and semiautomatic weapons, and pistols should be banned.

There have been several mentions of the "political compass" in politics discussion recently.

wordywalt comments on Feb 26, 2018:

I just took the questionnaire. It is pretty accurate. It showed my to be more libertarian than authoritarian, , more left than right -- but not extreme. I guess you would call me liberal, but not an extremist.

Death or Old Age - Which Do You Fear More And Why?

wordywalt comments on Feb 26, 2018:

At 81 years old, I am in old age. I fear neither.

Statistics published recently suggest 42% of US households have at least one gun.

wordywalt comments on Feb 26, 2018:

I own a shotgun and a rifle, but have not fired either in over 30 years. I am for completely banning of assault weapons, all automatic and semi-automatic weapons, and pistols.

What do you mean by "Spiritual"?

wordywalt comments on Feb 26, 2018:

I do not use the term -- ever.

How do you cope with an extreme crisis?

wordywalt comments on Feb 26, 2018:

Whatever tyou do, do NOT withdraw inward. Make yourself stay active and involved with other things so that you do not become consumed by the crisis. I would also consider counseling, but not psychotherapy.

Do you hate arguing or do you enjoy it?

wordywalt comments on Feb 25, 2018:

I love a good, rational, and civil discussion including different opinions. I detest arguing.

I'm hoping someone can shed some insight for me.

wordywalt comments on Feb 25, 2018:

Your only good option is to refuse to argue with him. If he starts in on the topic, walk away.

What are your views on objective religious philosophy?

wordywalt comments on Feb 25, 2018:

Nothing based on irrational belief can be called objective.

Hope this shows up correctly. Can you guys add any?

wordywalt comments on Feb 25, 2018:

I have no idea of what you are talking about.

China's ruling party (C.

wordywalt comments on Feb 25, 2018:

That is the kind of thing that happens when the government is led by dogmatic true believers in an ideology.

I need to quit smoking.

wordywalt comments on Feb 25, 2018:

I quit smoking 22 years ago. I did it by using the gum first, for a while, then switching to the patch to get off nicotine completely. Remember the rule of 6s: If you make it past the first 6 hours, you have a chance. If you make it past the first six days, it will get better. If you make it past the first six months, you have it beat!

Do you have a favorite decade of music?

wordywalt comments on Feb 25, 2018:

The 1970s -- a decade of meaningful and beautiful music -- folk music, protest music, Baez, Lightfoot, Jim, Croce, Cat Stephens, Simon and Garfunkel and many more.

Do you in some way feel superior to those who are religious or have you remained humble?

wordywalt comments on Feb 25, 2018:

I do feel more in touch with the truth, but I don't rub it in.

Why is it so quiet on here when it's Sunday morning in the US?

wordywalt comments on Feb 25, 2018:

Because people are enjoying their freedom to just take it easy, as opposed to getting ready for church.

If you could have a dinner party with 4 people from history (whom are no longer alive) who would ...

wordywalt comments on Feb 25, 2018:

My four would be Charles Darwin, Hermann Hesse, Carl Sagan, and Jean Piaget -- four of the great minds for the ages.

This one is for all the pro-life people on here.

wordywalt comments on Feb 25, 2018:

All pro-life advocates should realize that to choose a pro0life stance for their own lives is find' but when they attempt to force all people to act in accordance with their beliefs they are acting in a totalitarian manner that, in itself, is reprehensible.

I use to be close friends with a woman that I knew since the late 80’s or early 90’s.

wordywalt comments on Feb 25, 2018:

Perhaps you could have been more tactful, but you were corrct in being truthful with the person.C halk that one up to experience, but don't grieve over it.

This is so well put

wordywalt comments on Feb 25, 2018:

Tiedrich shreds Trumps very thin veneer to expose the fact that there is nothing underneath.

What's are the chances of depriving Tramp of a majority in the house and Senate this year in ...

wordywalt comments on Feb 24, 2018:

Let's do everything we an to see that it occurs!!

Is there any point in arguing with people who do not value truth or evidence?

wordywalt comments on Feb 24, 2018:

No. If they are not going to be rational and objective, don't waste your breath.

Atlanta bid for Amazon HQ2 gets new political problem: Georgia adoption bill

wordywalt comments on Feb 24, 2018:

We are seeing some corporations show some moral leadership by distancing themselves from the NRA. Amazon could play a similar role in Georgia. It would be great if responsible corporate leadership would begin to erode regressive and discriminatory politics! It could work!

When someone invites you to a wedding, how do you feel?

wordywalt comments on Feb 24, 2018:

If it is someone I do not know well, or do not particularly like, I beg off due to prior commitments. I have attended 6 weddings in my entire life, including 2 of my own.

What is “worse” to you – being lied to spare your feelings, or being told the truth when the ...

wordywalt comments on Feb 24, 2018:

Told the truth, If I am told in a caring and respectful manner.

Happiness is not a state to arrive at, but a manner of traveling.

wordywalt comments on Feb 24, 2018:

As an older man, I believe that I am at Erikson's stage of integrity. That is, I know who and what I am, where I am, and where I am going, an, as a whole, I am content with that. Really happy? On some rare occasions, but still content.

Am I weird?

wordywalt comments on Feb 24, 2018:

I'm a man, but I find wearing such under-tops simply trashy. I feel the same way about wearing baseball and hunting caps backward (particularly indoors).

Feminist?

wordywalt comments on Feb 24, 2018:

I am a man, but I fully support women's rights and equality in all senses.

I thought you might appreciate this graphic.

wordywalt comments on Feb 24, 2018:

Love it!

As I age, instances where thoughts of what death is are occurring more often.

wordywalt comments on Feb 24, 2018:

At the age of 81, I do not fear death. Rather, I find the certainty of death and of ceasing to exist comforting. It will be over and done! To me, I cannot understand how anyone would want to live forever -- in any sense.

Honesty.

wordywalt comments on Feb 24, 2018:

I agree that we need to be honest about our beliefs and opinions. But, I am not sure of exactly what you are talking about. Please give real examples of what you are trying to show.

Does this look familiar?

wordywalt comments on Feb 24, 2018:

Superb depiction.

When you left your faith did you continue to seek another truth?

wordywalt comments on Feb 24, 2018:

I think we all seek to define ourselves in a way that we feel comfortable with. I found intellectual and emotional strength in an existential point of view -- not as a set of dogma, but a workable framework.

Time to move on It is very evident to me that my career in aircraft part building is over.

wordywalt comments on Feb 24, 2018:

A stressful time for you. I wish you well.

I'm a college professor and for the past 10 years, I've noticed and my colleagues have as well, that...

wordywalt comments on Feb 24, 2018:

As a retired former high school and college teacher, it is my experience that, as a whole, when students do not perform well or do not meet expectations, it is usually because they have not been taught well or that directions or expectations have not been made clear.

Church

wordywalt comments on Feb 23, 2018:

Except for weddings, no. Even for that, it has been over 20 years.

Besides your home and your work, where do you spend most of your time?

wordywalt comments on Feb 23, 2018:

In my vegetable garden and at the gym

U.S. Citizenship And Immigration Services Removes All References To Citizenship

wordywalt comments on Feb 23, 2018:

All that Cissna and the entire Trump administration are doing is showing that they are stupidly and unpatriotically proving that they are the worst of ethnocentric bigots. Throw the entire lot of them out on their rears!!

Conspiracy Theories - Do you believe in any?

wordywalt comments on Feb 23, 2018:

All conspiracy theories are the products of troubled, paranoid minds.

How important is it to people to have political compatibility?

wordywalt comments on Feb 22, 2018:

I find it difficult to believe that two people with very different political beliefs could have a successful relationship. Religion? That is different, An atheist and a religious person can co-exist well if each grants the other the right to believe as he or she sees fit.

A friend told me today that I am vibrant. I wonder, what does that mean?

wordywalt comments on Feb 22, 2018:

I am an 81 year old man. But, in some ways I am still a 14 year old kid in the rural south, a 24 year old soldier in West Berlin, a 40 - 50 year old educational innovator. My body does not let me do many of the things I used to do, but I stay both mentally and physically active. Some days I feel my age physically, but never mentally.

I have lived in the south for most of my adult life.

wordywalt comments on Feb 22, 2018:

I am a native southerner. who grew up "churched." Today, if someone approaches me with some kind of religious invitation, I simply say, "Religion is not a part of my life.", or something like. They get the message without my using the label.

How the Elderly Lose Their Rights | The New Yorker

wordywalt comments on Feb 22, 2018:

What a horrifying story!

Does belief in assertions that cannot be scientifically proved lead to moral or immoral behavior?

wordywalt comments on Feb 22, 2018:

"True believers" (fanatically fervent and unquestioning believers in any total system ideology -- religious and/or political -- can see the dogma they believe in as grounds for committing horrible crimes. It happens often.

Arming public school teachers.

wordywalt comments on Feb 22, 2018:

I am a retired former educator. I will fight to keep ALL guns off the premises of ALL educational institutions. Trump's suggestion is simply more idiocy from an incompetent and egomaniacal person.

Beliefs

wordywalt comments on Feb 22, 2018:

We are ALL full of beliefs. That can't be the point you are trying to make. Write with greater precision.

To dispute or not to dispute?

wordywalt comments on Feb 22, 2018:

As you said, he has made up his mind. Let him be.

Is trump being silly suggesting to fight fire with fire, ie.

wordywalt comments on Feb 22, 2018:

He is not intelligent enough to really think out any strategy well. It's a Trumpish idiotic gut reaction.

Sadly seems to be true

wordywalt comments on Feb 22, 2018:

Beautiful depiction of Republican hypocrisy.

He Became A Celebrity For Putting Science Before God.

wordywalt comments on Feb 22, 2018:

If they cannot control those character flaws, they will eventually pay the price.I am not surprised. A lot of men who are :"good" men in some ways still have some character flaws.

OK.

wordywalt comments on Feb 22, 2018:

I find it most interesting that not ONE of most rabid and vociferous gun pushing advocates has ever dare to attempt to answer this gentlemen's valid questions? Have his questions shamed you into guilty silence?

OK.

wordywalt comments on Feb 22, 2018:

Superbly posed questions!! Those advocating widespread ownership of all kinds of weapons will not be able to answer your questions with any facts, truthfulness, or morality. But their views are far from rational or moral.

YES! I'm turned loose from PT and OT and home health.

wordywalt comments on Feb 22, 2018:

Go for it! Do whatever it takes to provide yourself with some quality of life in your remaining time. I am 81 and 11 years ago after a heart attack and having a pacemaker implanted, I started an exercise routine with weights at the gym I have stayed with and steadily increased the weight training routine over the entire time. Today, my heart strength is above normal, my weight is down by over 20 pounds, and I have been told by trainers that I work out with the heaviest weights of any man my age that they know of. I am physically strong, but don't have the endurance of youth. Go for it. Even giving it a try is worth it.

What's "contagious?"

wordywalt comments on Feb 22, 2018:

A yawn.

SURPRISINGLY SMART?

wordywalt comments on Feb 22, 2018:

I think that a lot of types of animals are more intelligent than humans give them credit for being.

How about a GPS safety device placed on all new guns that engages in proximity to any public ...

wordywalt comments on Feb 22, 2018:

If one assumes that guns must be available, your solution has merit. I don't assume that guns must be available. We, as a society, have every reason to place reasonable restrictions on the ownership of guns to bolt action and lever action rifles and shotguns. The primary purpose of all other weapons is killing people.

Does anyone know about the “for profit” prison system in the US?

wordywalt comments on Feb 22, 2018:

From everything that I have heard the for profit prison programs should be terminated forthwith. They have great potential for abuse, exploitation, graft and corruption, embezzlement and fraud. All of those things have occurred. in for profit prisons.

One of my friend has a friend that wrote his views on religion.

wordywalt comments on Feb 22, 2018:

Love it!

They are really scamming the brainwashed and vulnerable.

wordywalt comments on Feb 22, 2018:

They are greedy charlatans!

Is trump being silly suggesting to fight fire with fire, ie.

wordywalt comments on Feb 22, 2018:

No, he is not being silly. He is an intellectual and moral idiot!

Fellow conservatives and gun rights supporters! I have started a group called conservative atheists.

wordywalt comments on Feb 21, 2018:

I would be happy to see you converse among yourselves. To most of us, what you say is simply illegal, unfounded ideological tripe without a factual, moral, or intellectual base.

Anyone here active with petitions etc to put a stop to the free ride that organized religion is ...

wordywalt comments on Feb 21, 2018:

What it will take is a religious financial scandal so bad that it arouses the anger of many people -- just like the school shootings are doing with the gun issue. We need some great investigative journalism about the financial dealings of churches and religious organizations.

Anyone else feel there is too much political news dominating everyday life lately?

wordywalt comments on Feb 21, 2018:

In the U.S., yes -- because of an egomaniacal, sociopathic president, a Congress domnated by Republicans who only know how to prevent constructive action and to play senseless political games based on moribund ideology. The same is mirrored at the state level in too many states.

Companionship

wordywalt comments on Feb 21, 2018:

If you like doting and unquestioning obedience and affection.

This quote has taken me years to come to understand.

wordywalt comments on Feb 21, 2018:

The Marshall Plan was both humane and brilliant. As a result of it, both Germany and Japan are strong allies. If Israel would make a similar attempt with Arab nations and the Palestinian Arqabs, there might be a chance for peace in the Middle East. But, Netanyahu is too arrogant and demagogic to do that.

Do you try not to think about religion at all?

wordywalt comments on Feb 21, 2018:

Most of the time religion is simply not a part of my thought processes. It is not that I consciously try not to think about it. It is simply not relevant to my life.

Billy Graham, dead today at 99.

wordywalt comments on Feb 21, 2018:

Billy Graham was an honorable man. Franklin is not.

I was recently asked, if I could teach anything in the world, what would it be?

wordywalt comments on Feb 21, 2018:

Start with the theme: Art reveals the culture. Then pick a few periods of history and show what the art reveals about the culture.

The difference between dogs and cats - all you need to know

wordywalt comments on Feb 21, 2018:

I like the spunk in cats!

Do you like tea? If so, what kind do you drink?

wordywalt comments on Feb 21, 2018:

I like strong iced tea, but not much of a hot tea drinker.

What are you favourite roadtriping/driving music or albums?

wordywalt comments on Feb 21, 2018:

Classical music after the Baroque period.

Explain what intimacy means to you, in 20 words or less than that.

wordywalt comments on Feb 21, 2018:

Emotional closeness and poignancy.

Dallas official asks NRA to consider another city for annual convention - ABC News

wordywalt comments on Feb 21, 2018:

Hooray for Dallas! The official shows moral courage and backbone!

Oldies but Goodies..

wordywalt comments on Feb 20, 2018:

My parents didn't really give me any musical influence. My musical tastes are acquired from the places and times which I lived most fully. I was in Berlin from 1959 - 1962 and attended concerts with most of the big names in jazz -- Ella, Satcho, the MJQ, Miles Davis, Stan Getz, John Coltrane, Brubeck, Oscar Peterson -- ad grew to love modern jazz. I lived through the late 1960ws and 70s on college campuses (both in grad school and as a college instructor) and loved the folk and protest music, and the great music of the 1970s. I also acquired a real taste for classical music from Beethoven on to modern composers. My favorite classical composers are Max Bruch, Aaron Copland, Stravinsky, Sebelious, and others.

Second day in a row that the weather was perfect for a bike ride! I love the wind in my hair, the ...

wordywalt comments on Feb 20, 2018:

Up until 3 years ago, I walked 3 - 5 miles a day. My main outdoor activity today is vegetable gardening. I do work out with heavy weight 3 times a week at the gym to compensate for giving up walking. .

Religious suffering

wordywalt comments on Feb 20, 2018:

I didn't have nightmares, but I had fear -- of hell, of not being good enough, etc. I did not like the feeling of being "bad" for just being a normal teenager. That is one of the reasons I moved away from religion.

Do you save seeds from your veggie garden to plant next year?

wordywalt comments on Feb 20, 2018:

Yes, I always save seeds from my heirloom black tomatoes -- the most delicious tomatoes I have ever eaten. They have the size and texture of beefsteak tomatoes, but are more juicy and more delicious. If anyone wants some of the seed, send me a message on this site. This year's tomato crop -- 18 plants -- is already going strong. Plants are 2 - 3 feet tall and full of blossoms. Living in central Florida enables me to get an early start.

I didn't figure I'd encounter trolls on this site.

wordywalt comments on Feb 20, 2018:

There are a few irrational, angry demagogues on this site who do not know how to carry on rational discourse -- an d don't appear to even want to know how to.

If man doesn't exist does the the universe exist?

wordywalt comments on Feb 20, 2018:

That is not an intelligent question. Man is not the crux of the universe and the universe will be here long after all traces of the human species are gone.

Can you fall in love with someone who you've never met in person?

wordywalt comments on Feb 20, 2018:

Through written communication one can certainly feel increasing attraction to the person based on expressed attitudes, beliefs, and emotions. But, the accuracy of those expressed things can only be determined in person. In other words, don't fall too hard before you really know the person.