Bill and Melinda Gates announce they are getting divorced

David1955 comments on May 3, 2021:

Who cares.

Someone again asked if agnostics are scared to say they are atheists.

David1955 comments on May 2, 2021:

On the question of agnostics being too scared to call themselves atheists, although I like to think of atheists and agnostics as being on the same side -- with some qualification on some agnostics whose real purpose, intent and belief I have come to question and be wary of -- it occurs to me that agnosticism can sometimes be little more than Pascal's wagering thinly disguised for in another form.

But Australian Prime Minister Morrison has god on his side. Doesn't he?

David1955 comments on May 2, 2021:

All this sexual bru haha scandal is all very poorly reflecting on Morrison, and should be addressed in this day and age, but it won't get him kicked out next time and tends to reinforce popular negative views on politics generally which helps no one. Meanwhile it's the vacant empty policies of this government that is the real issue being neglected. Since the (alleged) ALP is just as policy vacant there's not much to feel sanguine about.

I was brought up in a Christian home and became a Christian at eight years old, as time passed i ...

David1955 comments on May 1, 2021:

Religion to most so called believers is mostly about habit, ritual and group identity. Once the habit is broken the rituals evaporate and then the group identity disappears. If there is one positive outcome of this pandemic, let it be the decline of religion and religious influence.

Bill Maher's wisdom and humor might save us from this ignorant turn toward Cryptocurrency.

David1955 comments on May 1, 2021:

He's right. Another con of capitalism just waiting to collapse and drag everything down with it, requiring a bail out by governments.

"an agnostic is an atheist without balls" agree or disagree?

David1955 comments on Apr 29, 2021:

Trying to start a war here, are we? (Psst. Between you and me, I agree, but don't tell anyone, ok?)

I don't care if it rains or freezes, long as I have my solar Jesus...

David1955 comments on Apr 28, 2021:

Well delusional Christians always say Jesus is the light of their lives.

Rudy Giuliani’s NYC apartment raided by FBI - New York Daily News

David1955 comments on Apr 28, 2021:

And about friggen time! All these investigations and nothing ever happens. Like Mueller. America, all heat and no light. Plenty of kabuki and precious little reality. Anyone want to bet that nothing will happen to him? Good bet. Like Trump. All investigations and no convictions. I am no longer fooled by the theatre of the American class and power structure. Don't get your hopes up. It's America, where the rich are protected and the poor are imprisoned. All these rich assholes weasel out of this stuff. Except when they become so toxic and nothing can protect them, like Jeffrey Epstein. Then they kill them. Hey, it 's America. ( Oh, apart from a few pawns, like Michael Cohen or Mannafort; then they get reduced sentences.)

I thank God for Him making me an atheist!

David1955 comments on Apr 28, 2021:

I don't.

Bill Gates Chooses Corporate Patent Rights Over Human Lives [jacobinmag.com]

David1955 comments on Apr 26, 2021:

I wish people would stop infatuating this guy. I've been saying it for decades. Corporate Robber Barron and Trust grifter, who takes as much as possible and throws crumbs, usually to fellow trusts/foundations-- the modern grift mechanism of the rich corrupt. ( Trump Foundation, Clinton Foundation ...) No doubt the Bill Gates is wonderful gang will chime in now. Why do Americans worship anyone who's rich, regardless of how they made it.

Saturday 4-23-21 I AM & U R - as ALL is - GOD - as Energy in Life – being EVERY thing - ALL ...

David1955 comments on Apr 25, 2021:

I'm in the market for a second-hand bed of nails. Got any you don't need?

When I first started on this site some 3 years ago, most of the posts are genuine personal personal...

David1955 comments on Apr 24, 2021:

I think a lot of us haven't liked this trend. It has been Facebookized it seems it me, though I don't use Facebook. The focus is more middle of the road, politics, non religion, etc compared to 3-4 years ago. It reflects Admin, in my view.

Apple must face lawsuit alleging that 'buying' media on iTunes is misleading [appleinsider.com]

David1955 comments on Apr 23, 2021:

Good. Apple is a company that needs to be cut down to size. More stories like this please. And I say that as a guy who was an Apple guy from 1985 to 2019. That Apple I knew back then is dead. It died with Jobs, sadly.

Brett Kavanaugh Says Children Deserve Life in Prison With No Chance of Parole [vanityfair.]

David1955 comments on Apr 22, 2021:

I wish investigative journalists would do a number on this guy and his secrets. I'm still hoping some are doing it.

For all our Agnostics who still "wear the red cap"...

David1955 comments on Apr 22, 2021:

Trumpsters used to be quite vocal on this site, back in the day. Now, not a peep. No apologies or regrets either, or "gee, I got sucked in by that old grifter", though lordy knows a lot of people tried to tell them. I guess sorry sometimes is the hardest word.

Incredible and delusional India!

David1955 comments on Apr 22, 2021:

I have never shared the infatuation that Western middle class mystical 'spiritual' types have had with India, and I rather suspect that less religion and more reason would benefit this country. I find it nauseating when rich western journalists make these tiresome documentaries about their stay in India for 'spiritual enlightenment'. I suspect those phoney old gurus see them coming.

Police officers like me need to take the Chauvin verdict personally - The Washington Post

David1955 comments on Apr 22, 2021:

America might want to rethink all those propaganda cop, FBI and CIA TV shows they watch, where the "hereos" run around in every episode week after week blasting away and leaving piles of dead bodies and 'saving America' every week and being 'heroes'. These men grow up on this rubbish and then join the police force, and solve every problem by blazing away with their guns with such abandon that even Doc Holliday would be envious. It's not just police reform that America needs but cultural rebooting. I stopped watching US cop shows long ago. It's all military industrial complex propaganda anyway.

Hi fellows.

David1955 comments on Apr 21, 2021:

I gather Dawkins wears this kind of woke grievancing and cancelling and deplatforming as a badge of honour, like a man of intelligence and perception would. They look smaller, not he.

A man who is.

David1955 comments on Apr 20, 2021:

Dawkins' standing and reputation both in science and in pursuit of secularism is far greater than any of this nonsense. I consider it part of the background noise of idiocy in a world where nuanced thinking is often drowned out by the pollution of self-rightous grievance populism.

Can i get an amen to that

David1955 comments on Apr 19, 2021:

People will hurt you, God will condemn and judge you, People will humiliate you, God will make you feel small and craven. People will judge you, So will God, and also punish you for the sins he created. Avoid all fake Gods always and follow facts, evidence and demonstrable truth. Follow reason. There. A little editing and now you have something useful.

So, I joined Humanist.

David1955 comments on Apr 19, 2021:

Please don't confuse strong condemnation of religion -- well justified -- with hatred towards religious people. A lot of us fall in the first category. Doesn't mean we fall into the second. Forgot to add that this 'let's be nice and polite to religions' attitude is exactly the cover they have used to avoid scrutiny of their hideous activities that have been revealed over recent decades when criticising and exposing religions has become acceptable. Believe me I'm old enough to remember when no one who ever criticise religion because it just wasn't the done thing. We atheists have changed that, and good!

Buddhist monk chops off his own head with a guillotine to please Buddha and reincarnate as a 'higher...

David1955 comments on Apr 19, 2021:

I guess he wanted a head start on eternity. Sorry, bad joke. :-) In the 60s they used to self immolate. Times have changed i see.

I'm sick of Christians telling me i'm gonna be thrown into the lake of fire "forever and ...

David1955 comments on Apr 18, 2021:

Religions are based on 5 things: bad history, absurd mythology, irrational theology, unproven supernatural claims, and emotional blackmail and fear. All horrid, the last the most insidious, like threats of damnation. Tell them you know their game, that you're their Huckleberry, and they frazzle, like a bad illusionist whose tricks you call out.

Capitalism Isn’t Working. But What Would a Viable Socialist System Look Like?

David1955 comments on Apr 17, 2021:

The choice is not capitalism and socialist. It never has been. All countries that are remotely democratic, including the US (remotely) have mixed economies, public and private enterprise, regulation, business enterprise, and government intervention into the economy. The point is getting the balance right. In the US the balance has been skewered against the population in favour of big business and wealth. The choice is not between capitalism and socialism, but getting a better fairer balance in the social democratic mixed economies we now have. It's conservatives who foster this false socialism - capitalism debate. They hijacked the political debate back in the 1970s and are still doing it, constantly attacking government while all the time ruthlessly pursuing political power to use the levers of government to enrich their class and class interests.

Bill nails it again...78% of COVID mortalities were those suffering from obesity. [youtube.com]

David1955 comments on Apr 17, 2021:

Maher's frequent emphasis on the broader health issue, obesity poor diets etc, is something I very much like him for. He's right.

COWARDLY JOE BIDEN Joe Biden stands down at a critical juncture for police reform.

David1955 comments on Apr 16, 2021:

Well you should have supported Bernie, a real reformer. Oh, I forgot, you spent months waging a war against him here touting moderate corporatist Biden. We don't forget the things you post here, you know. Thou art a piece of work, yay verily.

SCOTUS opposes its own expansion. [washingtontimes.com]

David1955 comments on Apr 16, 2021:

It's called slamming the door behind you.

For all the theists out there posing as agnostics and calling me a Gnostic Atheist.

David1955 comments on Apr 16, 2021:

Oh I thought we got rid of DangerDave the primary theist here in agnostic sheep clothing crying out gnostic atheist all the time. Don't tell me he's back. Or are there more like him? Is it any wonder these days that when someone tells me they are an agnostic I am immediately wary until I feel confident that their position is a credible one. I wouldn't have said that a few years ago. Live and learn.

Biden to announce unconditional exit of U.S. from Afghanistan; NATO also to withdraw

David1955 comments on Apr 14, 2021:

Reminds of back then when the yanks pushed helicopters off ships when they hauled ass out of Vietnam. One thing you can't say about post WW2 America and its international policy: not fast learners, in fact prone to frequent memory wipes. How much money? How many lives, American and Afghan? All because of a faulty premise: that 9/11 was planned in Afghanistan, when in fact it was planned and executed from Europe and the Middle East. Bin Laden just happened to be hiding there. Another American tragedy.

Trump says COVID-19 vaccine should be called Trumpcine [independent.co.uk]

David1955 comments on Apr 13, 2021:

TRUMPVID-19, more like.

That's right

David1955 comments on Apr 12, 2021:

Funny really, since I've always thought religion is a lot of wankery.

We just hit 1,800 subscribers! Check out Atheist News on YouTube- give us a subscribe if you can, ...

David1955 comments on Apr 12, 2021:

Done

Richard Dawkins is Still Denying the Basic Humanity of Trans People | Hemant Mehta | Friendly ...

David1955 comments on Apr 12, 2021:

Well, you're not my favourite poster, with your endless news links. Misrepresent him as you wish. I admire Dawkins enormously. The constant attacks on him by lesser minds hardly matters.

Ex-KGB Agent Says Trump Was a Russian Asset. Does it Matter?

David1955 comments on Apr 12, 2021:

If America weren't such a corrupt country, where the rich are mostly above the law, Trump's corruption and foreign connections would have been revealed years ago and he discredited or jailed. Look at that worthless 200 million dollar Mueller investigation for example. Pathetic. Predictable.

Why do people still say "Rest in Peace"?

David1955 comments on Apr 12, 2021:

It's not about the dead, but making the living feel better.

Tom Horn Says an Asteroid Will Strike Earth in 2029, Unleashing an ‘Alien Virus’ That Will Give ...

David1955 comments on Apr 11, 2021:

Look forward to it.

Is Australia a healthy nation or has it been suborned by lazyiness resulting in alcoholism & fast ...

David1955 comments on Apr 10, 2021:

You only have to walk around and look at people to answer that question. Look at archival footage of Australia within our lifetimes, 50-60 years, to get another answer. Look at school classroom photos of the past -- I have mine -- and look at kids now, and the answer is clear. The triumph of junk food, the decline of traditional family structures and working patterns, and the modern value system that says only your career, wealth and toys are important, not your diet or health, also apply. Finally, there's the modern view that every health problem can be solved by a pill from the doctor, peddled by pharma companies.

Just finished watching Elmer Gantry.

David1955 comments on Apr 9, 2021:

Great movie. I doubt you could make a movie in America like that now. Lancaster's portrayal was clearly based on a 50s Billy Graham.

Questions to religious people

David1955 comments on Apr 8, 2021:

1. Why do you choose this religion and god, when there have been religions on this planet for tens of thousands of years? 2. Isn't your religion more about where and when you were born, your country, culture and family, and had that been different -- since you didn't choose those things -- wouldn't your religion be different? 3. If you believe that your god gave you free will and freedom of choice, what is the point of prayer, of praying for guidance, intervention or salvation, since all these are contrary to free will. 4. If you do not practise ALL the theology and rules of your religion, isn't your religious faith an hypocrisy, or is your religion wrong? 5. If your religion is based on a one true God, why has your god allowed so many contrary, conflicting, waring, hating, and inconsistent variations of the 'truth' it has given you?

So.

David1955 comments on Apr 3, 2021:

It's simple really. A monotheistic God has a son (though logically he can't) and sacrificed him (though he didn't, as he came back in a couple of days) to atone for our sins (though you can't atone for other people's sins), and for such sins which he created in the first place since he created everything in heaven and earth. Simple.

I do been thinking about this Hebrew Lord Jesus that many of my friends talk about as the most ...

David1955 comments on Apr 3, 2021:

Apparently Jesus was asked if washing hands before preparing and eating food, or after going to the toilet, was necessary, as some Jews at that time practised what we now call good hygiene. He dismissed it completely. No need, waste of time, why would you do that, he replied. So, son of God, born of a virgin, knew about heaven, God incarnate, miracles, but apparently ignorant of germs. Pity, might have prevented huge number of deaths over 2,000 years due to bad hygiene, had he mentioned it. Guess it wasn't important.

[danielharper.

David1955 comments on Apr 3, 2021:

They left out Scientology, from the 1960s. Big omission. John and Tom will be so pissed.

Let me explain Easter.

David1955 comments on Apr 3, 2021:

If you're going to talk about a myth, then accuracy is necessary. Jesus wasn't in the ground, but in a tomb, wrapped in cloth. Of course, because the Romans always allowed the crucified to be nicely taken down, oiled up and clothed up and put in tombs. Really, they did. Christians wouldn't lie to you, would they now.

I think i would have to say Elvis but Freddie is a close second.

David1955 comments on Apr 3, 2021:

Toss up between John and George. The rest, nah.

A list of defense (aka military) spending by countries this year.

David1955 comments on Apr 2, 2021:

You should know by now when Australia decides how much to spend on defence, the US government will tell us, and we don't answer back if we know what's good for us.

My new home espresso bar - I have fallen into the espresso rabbit hole.

David1955 comments on Apr 2, 2021:

That machine on the right reminds of James Bond's big coffee machine in Live and Let Die, and after an elaborate process of making an expresso for M, M asks, "Does it do anything else?"

Christ! We're eating here!

David1955 comments on Apr 2, 2021:

Only Christians could turn self-canibalism and canibalism into a religion.

I am growing weary of viewing posts of scantily clad females when I browse posts .

David1955 comments on Apr 2, 2021:

It annoys me too, for the same reasons as you. I just scroll down and ignore them now. Plenty of content like this on the internet should that be the interest. It's not like they're scantily clad atheist females, or anything relevant. :-)

Here's hoping everyone has a great bunny week. Try not to OD on chocolate

David1955 comments on Apr 1, 2021:

Only a little dark chocolate, like always. Milk chocolate is terrible stuff. The junk they put in Easter eggs for the kids is appalling. Must confess I loathe Easter. Not just the dead and rising God nonsense, but I teach on both Friday and Monday, so it's just a normal weekend, with interrupted shopping,

Scientists Say Your Soul Doesn’t Die

David1955 comments on Mar 31, 2021:

I'm still not sure if I should take Morpheus's reality pill or not.

We Obtained New FBI Documents on How and Why Fred Hampton Was Murdered

David1955 comments on Mar 31, 2021:

Pretty much the history of the CIA and the FBI and other agencies, and their sordid story over a vast period of time. No amount of recycled agents and fellow travellers on American TV waxing lyrical about the 'hereos' and 'brave men and women', not to mention all those TV shows about these agencies, made with their 'cooperation' can hide the truth, if one cares to look for it. For dirty business of these agencies, try the late 60's and early 70s.

Long live Julian?

David1955 comments on Mar 31, 2021:

I haven't felt proud to be an Australian since November 10th, 1975. That ended the next day. This issue is just more shame and disappointment in our national spinelessness, made all the worse by our incessant boasting and bragging about how wonderful we are.

Rep.

David1955 comments on Mar 31, 2021:

You know the evil looking guys in movies, who always come to a sticky end? He looks like that.

G. Gordon Liddy has died at 90. He was allowed to live too long.

David1955 comments on Mar 31, 2021:

These days the US Republican party is made up entirely of G. Gorfon Liddys. He was ahead of his time, in a perverse kind of way.

Dear Joe Scarborough: Nice Smear. Now Invite Me To Debate Your Network's Russiagate Coverage

David1955 comments on Mar 29, 2021:

Former CIA Director Leon Panetta was caught on a hot mic once saying that every major person who works on US TV news works for 'us' -- the CIA. Having read widely on this subject, watched docos by journalists, and listened to some whistle-blowers on this, I do not doubt it is true. Having watched Joe 'I'm just a stupid country lawyer from Alabama' Scarborough a great deal, if he's not an asset, along with that wife of his, I'd be astonished. There's always some MIComplex line he's running, and is a stupid enough country lawyer to think that people don't know it. Between him and Maddow Russia obsession is an artwork at MSNBC. Truth is, low level flunky of Russia that Trump is, the fact is he just wants to be a Putin clone, a wannabe dictator, and local US fascists are more important and worrying than Putin's undermining efforts.

Big fuckin' surprise.

David1955 comments on Mar 29, 2021:

Why join such a group? Do you sit around an watch right wing tv? I was blocked by the moderator of this group years ago, he said, even though I hadn't any intention of joining, hadn't joined, and wouldn't do so in a million years. That's the kind of mindset you're dealing with here. Why join a crazy town loony bin echo chamber!

Meditation on the cosmic towel🗣🧠☯️ - YouTube

David1955 comments on Mar 28, 2021:

I wish Bruce had discarded chewing cannibis leaf, as strongly advised by a Chinese senior doctor at the Queen Elizabeth hospital in Hong Kong after his first collapse and near death experience in May 1973, as it most likely caused or significantly contributed to the swelling of his brain which killed him at 32 two months later, after chewing cannibis leaf. Sometimes discarding things which we think are good, but in fact are not, is the hardest thing to do.

You do your thing, and I'll do mine.

David1955 comments on Mar 28, 2021:

Since the whole point of religion IS to tell other people how to live, I can't see how religion can ever be fine.

Could I resist from sharing this skit on Australian values with you?

David1955 comments on Mar 28, 2021:

I saw a little piece about these people. They really are a small home based operation, but they are great at what they do. Have you noticed, FrayedBear, that political comedy has almost disappeared from mainstream Australia? At least it seems to me. I think back to the 80s and 90s, Max Gilles, etc, when political comedy used to be around. In humorless Australia, no longer. Of course, the world now is very different. Generally though, I think Australians are less irreverent than they used to be.

Maintaining the fiction?

David1955 comments on Mar 26, 2021:

I no longer buy this honey.

Happy birthday, Richard Dawkins.

David1955 comments on Mar 26, 2021:

Long may he piss off the religious, as well as some who claim to be on the side of the non religious, though I have my doubts about them.

Pope cuts pay for cardinals as Vatican finances hit by pandemic [bbc.com]

David1955 comments on Mar 25, 2021:

Oh dear, what a shame. They're going to have to cut on those little treats for their boyfriends and girlfriends.

There has been a big push to install solar panels in Australia, "Lower your energy bill" they said.

David1955 comments on Mar 24, 2021:

I truly wish I had the know how and means to set up an independent electrical system. I hate electricity companies and the corruption between them and governments. On other words, I agree with you.

Have you ever walked out of a movie and why?

David1955 comments on Mar 24, 2021:

Well certainly not Clockwork Orange did I walk out. In 1973 I saw it and thought I hope I would never live in such a morally corrupt world. I saw it again 30 + years later and thought, oh now I live in morally bankrupt world, like Clockwork Orange, thank you capitalism. You were offended? Perhaps you missed the point. Most movies carry us through a predetermined moral compass; good guy, bad guys, the hero wins. Just like the real world is *not*. Kubrick shows us a society and says, if you think Alex is a monster who got away with rape and murder, then you decide that. If you think Alex is a product of a morally and ethically dead and corrupt society, then you make that decision. I'm not going to spin you a moral compass like most directors, he basically conveys. That it what offended people back then: they weren't told what to believe, which they always want. Had Alex died after the scene when he jumps out the window then people would have been happy. Bad guy, just desserts. But genius director Kubrick doesn't allow you that cop out. So the ending is morally ambivalent. And weren't people upset. Sex and violence, they protested. Rubbish. He pressed against their phoney sense of right and wrong peddled by Hollywood and many couldn't handle it. A movie I wanted to walk out of? Yes, Tarrantino's shit movie about Hollywood and Sharon Tate 2 years ago. Garbage. But I downloaded it without paying for it, so walking out didn't make any sense. Now that's a movie that truly offended me. Hollywood garbage.

I just got banned from FB because this info that I posted, below, is allegedly false/fake.

David1955 comments on Mar 24, 2021:

If i found a lamp, rubbed it and a Genie appeared, my first wish would be to abolish Facebook and all businesses belonging to Mark Zuckerberg.

I am very sadden by the shootings/murder in Boulder, CO.

David1955 comments on Mar 23, 2021:

This is what will happen. A few days with constant references to 'thoughts and prayers' for victims and families. The victims will be shown, their memories revered; then more discussion about gun control. The gun industry and their apologists will reinforce their assets in US politics; there will be talk about people standing up for what's 'right'. In a small amount of time the media will move on. Nothing will change. And soon there will the next one. Repeat the cycle. The ossified American political system, and designed that way.

UFO report details ‘difficult to explain’ sightings, says US ex-intelligence director US ...

David1955 comments on Mar 23, 2021:

No, they're all ball lightning, clouds, aurora activity, reflections of the moon, and Jupiter. Honestly. Even Neil Degrass Tyson, the scientist dancing bear of US mainstream TV, has said so. There's not a scrap of evidence of any real UFOs or anything like that, Dr Neil has said repeatedly in interviews. And if you can't believe a guy who is probably an asset of the American military industrial corporate security agency complex, then who can you believe? There's nothing there, there, so turn off those mobile phone cameras and ignore all that inexplicable stuff captured by satellites and space cameras and the international space station. It's just ball lightning I tell ya.

Pope Francis I, wearing a fabulous vintage chiffon-lined Dior gold lame gown over a silk Vera Wang ...

David1955 comments on Mar 23, 2021:

Isn't that Benedict, the previous one?

Happy Atheist Day.

David1955 comments on Mar 22, 2021:

Answered my own question : "Atheist Day Symbol The symbol of a green circle is two-fold in meaning: The shape of a circle is one of the oldest atheist symbols. It represents symmetry, peace, and harmony. The circle is akin to a zero, symbolizing the null, the lack of, or absence of a belief in a god, i.e., godlessness."

Happy Atheist Day.

David1955 comments on Mar 22, 2021:

What is that symbol? Did a quick check. Does this includes agnostics? (You know how they can be). I found it's for atheists and 'supporters'. Wonder if that means agnostics or if they see it like that. Couldn't find a reference to the symbol.

Fuck Biden. White House staffers fired over marijuana use, Psaki confirms. [forbes.com]

David1955 comments on Mar 22, 2021:

Any you're surprised at a guy who has helped fill prisons with drug takers, strengthened all such laws, and is conservative on everything? I assume hope.

Cornel West: “Bernie Was Crushed by Neoliberalism”

David1955 comments on Mar 21, 2021:

Quite right. I've been saying here and in my personal discussions that the political history of the US over the past few years has been the rise of populism on the Left, Bernie et.al., which the US very much needs, and populism on the Right, US fascism, which, if successful will make the US a failed state. The US ruling class managed to crush Left populism, with a lot of help from its support structures, like the media, but has not been able crush Right populism. Trumpism escaped them, and they just managed to install their political pretorian guard, Biden and co, to take control of the ship - temporarily. But they don't control Trumpist fascism, and indeed, much of the ruling class support it. Their determination to destroy progressive change in the US is paramount, even if they have to destroy America to do it. Prof West, as always, says what few if any will do in the US mainstream: talk about class and power.

Biden Should Stop Making Excuses -- It's Time to Leave Afghanistan

David1955 comments on Mar 20, 2021:

Americans in power cannot seem to understand what any historian would tell you: Afghanistan did not attack the US. The 9/11 attacks were not planned in Afghanistan, but in Europe. The war in Afghanistan hasn't been against terrorism since Bin Laden and co fled weeks and months after the 2001 attacks. Instead the US is fighting as an external invader against an enemy, vile as they may be, but an enemy fighting for their country. Staying there won't bring a victory. Staying there won't prevent further attacks against the US. The only reason the US stays there is pride, and the lack of a phoney 'honourable' exit strategy, like they found in Vietnam. That, and endless war is good for the military industrial complex.

[youtu.be] If your a Bill Gates fan, you may want to think twice.

David1955 comments on Mar 19, 2021:

I have been saying for decades that this guy should not be pandered to. A monopolist, who left Msoft when he couldn't steal any more other people's ideas, a coward who would not front up during the anti monopolist trial against Msoft in the late 90s, a typical rich guy Foundation builder, whereby rich assholes like him exchange money and play the system to their advantage, and someone who never has never will, care about everyday people, despite media spinning of him. And I get sick of seeing articles like '10 books Bill Gates says you should read before you die' and '10 things Bill Gates says will make you a success." Yuk. Spare me. In America the only thing that seems to count is that you are rich and 'successful', not what you did to get there.

Let us all laugh at religion! post something you find very funny about your previous belief system.

David1955 comments on Mar 19, 2021:

Can't help. I thought it was bullshit when I was a kid, a teenager, a young dude, and now an older dude and I still think it's bullshit. So I can't look back and say, what a lot of crap I used to believe.

Trump was a Russian asset, new Intelligence Community report shows.

David1955 comments on Mar 19, 2021:

It seems only 4 years ago that I wrote a post on this site saying that history would show that Trump was a compromised person and asset of Russia's, and I got attacked for being a foreigner who didn't know anything about America and I should zip it. So, like a student and teacher of history that I am, I waited for history to unfold. Good morning history.

Putin challenges Biden to a live public debate after Biden calls Putin a 'killer' | American ...

David1955 comments on Mar 18, 2021:

As loathsome as Putin is, the US ought not get into slanging matches about who and who is not responsible for deaths and killings. The US record of its military and its agencies is far from praiseworthy, whether or not American politicians, the mainstream media, or even Americans themselves would ever admit it. As always, when we -- the US and its allies -- kill, it's morally and legally justified, but when our enemies do it, it is criminal.

One of my favourite modern westerns, Val Kilmer just killed his role and stole the whole movie in my...

David1955 comments on Mar 17, 2021:

And you're a daisy if you do. In pace requiescat!

Margaret Thatcher

David1955 comments on Mar 17, 2021:

Well she certainly did a lot to a lot of British people, and they're still suffering from the consequences of that, just like Reagan did to a lot of Americans. But she didn't mind him being a man did she?

Is science undermining religion ?

David1955 comments on Mar 14, 2021:

I think the anti science attitude of many religions shows exactly that: science has been undermining the basis of religions for centuries. Between cosmology, theoretical physics, evolutionary biology and other fields, the falsehoods of religion have been revealed. God is not needed to explain the universe or the creation of life. While not all fully known, more than enough exists to ignore religion. Also, it's not just the physical sciences, also the social sciences, like history, which has contextualised Christianity so much (another dead and rising God death cult), and Christology ( serious history of Jesus exposes the myth). Believers know about all this in the internet age and can't ignore it. Scratch many of them and resentment is what you will find. Of course, all the trimmings and gadgetry of science, like technology, they're happy to have, just not anything that dispatches their God into irrelevance.

Bill Maher - Official Site

David1955 comments on Mar 13, 2021:

Huge fan of Bill Maher here. It was interesting though. Earlier in the program he repeatedly berated communism and its failures, which we all agree, though no one was touting communism and he seemed to be conflating democratic socialism, like in Europe, with communism, which is a right wing tactic and hardly helpful. Then at the end he's saying the US should be more like China! I know, he meant more purposeful and less fractious, but even still, I laughed at the irony of it. I suspect the Left will too. He's not very popular with the Left these days.

An opinion piece on the US aid package addressing America's woes. [scheerpost.com]

David1955 comments on Mar 12, 2021:

When I was 15 in 1970 an academic friend gave me a book by Professor Noam Chomsky. It was my introduction to the US class and power structure, and started an interest that continues to this day. While it is a relief to see Biden instead of Trump, he and his party are part of a binary political system under the control of the US ruling class, though the rise of right wing Trump fronted populism ( white fascism) escaped them. Populism on the left, Bernie et.al., they have managed to mostly castrate. Expecting major reform from Biden would be folly, though he may yet surprise. The fundamental class and power wedges in the US will remain. Whether this Biden period becomes a turning point at least in the right direction, or an interim period between the first Trump fascist period, and a subsequent Trump/post Trump fascist America, remains to be seen. The writer of this piece is right to point out the underlining issues.

The Congressional Democrats and President Biden and Team deserve kudos on this achievement.

David1955 comments on Mar 10, 2021:

Funny. If Bernie Sanders had become President and passed something like this, you would have railed against all that terrible socialism. But this is ok, huh? Others may forget, but I've not forgotten your anti government campaigning here last year, anti Bernie, anti government doing anything. All I can say is that *someone* has certainly changed their tune, eh?

Wow ! He literally died to own the libs.

David1955 comments on Mar 10, 2021:

If it wasn't so pathetic it might be funny. Stupid is what stupid does, sad to say.

Applied Agnosticism 101

David1955 comments on Mar 8, 2021:

First, I'm an atheist. Second, I don't like Tacos, so, what else is there to say?

HOW MUCH GRAIN AND WATER DOES IT TAKE TO PRODUCE 1 POUND OF MEAT?

David1955 comments on Mar 6, 2021:

For once i agree with you. Haven't eaten red meat in decades, and the doc says I'm in great shape for my age. People eat too much red meat. The world needs to change. Better for people, better for planet. Ps. When people eat 'rare' steak in restaurants, in plates of blood, i feel like throwing up. Reminds me of those Apes in 2001 A Space Oddessy.

If we want to stop publishing books because they are deemed hurtful for some as has happened with 6 ...

David1955 comments on Mar 6, 2021:

Bill Maher is way ahead of you on that one. He said a while back that Jesus and the Bible should be 'cancelled' on all kinds of grounds relating to hideous statements, and he listed them. Wouldnt bet on it.

This "christian" woman tried to hire someone to kill her mother-in-law, saying that she could always...

David1955 comments on Mar 6, 2021:

Three Our Fathers and two Hail Marys should cover it. Hey it worked for lots of predatory priests so why not here?

Makes sense to me. Fairy tales are fairy tales.

David1955 comments on Mar 4, 2021:

Yes, I've said for ages that any link between even the myth of Jesus, and the vile thing called Christianity, especially these evangelical forms, is impossible to see. It's like if the myth of Robin Hood transformed into a character who propped up the rich and ripped off the poor and downtrodden. Weird.

Trump wants to be known as a candidate for president in 2024 so he can say he cannot be investigated...

David1955 comments on Mar 2, 2021:

Michael Cohen got this right in an article recently. Trump is going to spend the next 4 years fleesing his gullible base of morons to grift as much money as possible on the basis that he will run. Stupid them for falling for this grifter again and again.

Nicolas Sarkozy, former French president sentenced to jail in historic ruling - CNN

David1955 comments on Mar 1, 2021:

Hey America, look over at France. Maybe they're on to something here, you know about past crook Presidents, even if gaol is avoided. Someone tell America please.

Agnostics may be the carriers for the most important vaccine in human history.

David1955 comments on Feb 28, 2021:

More anti atheist nonsense from you. Tiresome agnostic self- congratulatory wankery, and that's being polite. The only reason I haven't blocked you up to now is because, like the entry on Earth in The Hitch-hiker's Guide to the Galaxy, you are mostly harmless. I'm glad you are not here to sneeze on me and spread your own strain.

Why the term Atheist Conservative is a true "Oxymoron"- from this educational review; "There is a...

David1955 comments on Feb 28, 2021:

I've never understood how someone could call themselves conservative and an atheist, but they do and that's that. I agree that conservatism is based on elitism and this is hardly consistent with atheism which should also encompass science, reason and progressive social and economic values. Best not to confuse these modern right wing people who call themselves conservatives, however. Many are reactionaries and closet authoritarians. One could at least recognise classic conservatism and its roots. These modern right wing crazies deserve nothing but contempt.

What religion began, nationalism has completed, with the nation as the secular substitute for God.

David1955 comments on Feb 27, 2021:

What i read here is a lot of conflation of issues, garnished with little paranoia and spiced with a touch of conspiracy theory. You lost me with your first pananoia revealing sentence.

I have noticed that from time to time, a debate will ensue on line here, about whether Jesus was a ...

David1955 comments on Feb 26, 2021:

The comments already have dealt with the mythicist/historicists debate about Jesus, so that's covered. I think all these figures were either fictional or largely fictional. Some real people are interweaved into the story, like Pilate in the Jesus story. These days we call it historical fiction, and we find this kind of thing in the fiction section of a library. Moses in another case in point. Until a few decades ago he was considered based a real person. Now the mainstream historical view is that he was a fictional character around which some history and a lot of myth was placed. I think the same will happen with Jesus, eventually. Same with Abraham I suspect.

America's back!!!!!!!!! "The operation sends an unambiguous message: President Biden will act to ...

David1955 comments on Feb 26, 2021:

You'll get roasted by Americans I'm sure, but I get your point. Americans are quick to condemn the world for its inadequacies while maintaining at home a corrupt political and legal system, an archaic and corrupt voting system, government agencies that intervene in the world covertly where ever and whenever they like, while squealing like pigs when other countries interfere with the US, conducts extraordinary rendition (kidnapping) enhanced interrogation (torture) and collateral damage (death of innocents) while singing loudly about American ideals and exceptionalism. And then again there are the gross social, economic and racial inequalities of the US. If any country in this world needs to clean up its own act, its the US. Americans will always take such comments as anti Americanism, which it isn't because my solidarity is with millions of good Americans who live under their corrupt system. If you, or anyone, expect Biden to make fundamental changes to America, disappointment will follow. His goal is to revert to Obama minimalism, with some window dressing in the hope of winning the next elections.

Australia passes law to make Google, Facebook pay for news [apnews.com]

David1955 comments on Feb 25, 2021:

When this started i thought it was just the old media using their political hacks to protect them at a time when their monopolies are under threat. I still think that. But this issue has gone around the world, and encouraged others to think about these new tech monopolies and their actions. That is good. Pity that people just can't just use other resources. I don't use any of Zuckerberg's crap sites, use Duck Duck Go to get what I need, and other alternatives. But most people are sheep and follow the herd.

When I talk to atheists I feel they have thrown the baby out with the bathwater.

David1955 comments on Feb 25, 2021:

Some bathwater should be thrown out, including anything that's in it, know what I mean? Do agnostics also throw out babies and bathwaters, or are they unconvinced as to whether babies in bathwaters exist or are either known or knowable? Just curious.

Somewhere along the way I seem to have lost my agnosticism.

David1955 comments on Feb 22, 2021:

And then you become an atheist and focus on more important issues. Are you an atheist now? I hope so.

Just got 'hailed' by the neighbourhood Evangeloon.

David1955 comments on Feb 21, 2021:

Mate, this is better than Days of Our Lives. Not that I should talk, since if I see my criminal neighbour on my place I'll order him off, lest I call the police for trespass. Do you think he prays for you? :-)