Dear lifelong atheists, how do you see yourself within the universe?

Fred_Snerd comments on Jul 15, 2020:

I have come to have reverence for all life. I respect my species, because it is alive. I feel compelled to expose the mechanisms we employ for our own personal gain. I don't enjoy seeing my species abuse itself. Abuse isn't fun for me either.

LovinLarge replies on Jul 15, 2020:

@Fred_Snerd Wow. I don't even know what to say without sounding corny so please forgive me. That is extremely impressive. You have added decades to your life without taking anyone else's. That is a true success story worthy of respect and admiration. You are a true role model in an age of abject selfishness. Thank you very much for sharing your accomplishments. Yours must be an amazing journey. I hope you will not find it weird if I watch for your posts strictly out of respect.

Dear lifelong atheists, how do you see yourself within the universe?

Fred_Snerd comments on Jul 15, 2020:

I have come to have reverence for all life. I respect my species, because it is alive. I feel compelled to expose the mechanisms we employ for our own personal gain. I don't enjoy seeing my species abuse itself. Abuse isn't fun for me either.

LovinLarge replies on Jul 15, 2020:

@Allamanda That makes good sense to me although I really admire the vegans. To me, their approach is the greatest control of the carbon footprint as well as the healthiest. They are caring for themselves while caring for others and I am ashamed that I can't live up to that standard. I know that most don't agree but I was not raised or educated in the US so many of my beliefs are not mainstream and that doesn't bother me. Many progressive ideas were not popular at first.

Poof! I had a very nasty response and won’t allow these things to bother me so “block” ...

LucyLoohoo comments on Jul 15, 2020:

Sorry--I never understand the need to harass other people on message boards. Sadly, you'll miss every thread he/she posts on.

LovinLarge replies on Jul 15, 2020:

@LucyLoohoo I think you're right about the disappearance of all posts and comments by the blocked person, just not the threads they comment on posted by someone else. On other sites there is usually a way to unblock them but I don't know about here. Sounds like there needs to be.

Poof! I had a very nasty response and won’t allow these things to bother me so “block” ...

FearlessFly comments on Jul 15, 2020:

I haven't blocked anyone. "I try hard not to offend, but I try harder to not be offended" -- Navy SEAL veteran and congressman-elect Dan Crenshaw

LovinLarge replies on Jul 15, 2020:

@FearlessFly That is a good idea. It had not occurred to me. I concur, thank you.

Dear lifelong atheists, how do you see yourself within the universe?

Fred_Snerd comments on Jul 15, 2020:

I have come to have reverence for all life. I respect my species, because it is alive. I feel compelled to expose the mechanisms we employ for our own personal gain. I don't enjoy seeing my species abuse itself. Abuse isn't fun for me either.

LovinLarge replies on Jul 15, 2020:

@Fred_Snerd Yes, that is true, but comparatively humans are valued over other species and that gives me pause.

Well --- I am starting to understand "mansplaining" and I'm going to be more careful from now on ...

LovinLarge comments on Jul 14, 2020:

Systemic sexism is as prevalent as systemic racism. An example I've noticed on this site is the absence of gender-inclusive language, like "humankind". Thank you for raising this issue.

LovinLarge replies on Jul 15, 2020:

@Petter I'm not confused about anything and I'd appreciate it if you would stop saying that I am.

Dear lifelong atheists, how do you see yourself within the universe?

Fred_Snerd comments on Jul 15, 2020:

I have come to have reverence for all life. I respect my species, because it is alive. I feel compelled to expose the mechanisms we employ for our own personal gain. I don't enjoy seeing my species abuse itself. Abuse isn't fun for me either.

LovinLarge replies on Jul 15, 2020:

But all species are alive except those extinct so for me the struggle is how I view my own species in relation to other species. Why do we value humans so much more and is that valid?

Poof! I had a very nasty response and won’t allow these things to bother me so “block” ...

BitFlipper comments on Jul 15, 2020:

I have one concern about blocking. I have blocked a couple of individuals, but unfortunately all posts become invisible as soon as any of those individuals responds to or comments on them. I want to block individuals, but don't want to block entire threads just because those individuals become ...

LovinLarge replies on Jul 15, 2020:

I have blocked people and still been able to see the thread but with their comments removed. Why would blocking someone remove threads that they commented on? I could also be wrong but I don't think that it does. Thank you for summoning the powers that be because it is an important point that was also raised earlier in this thread.

Poof! I had a very nasty response and won’t allow these things to bother me so “block” ...

FearlessFly comments on Jul 15, 2020:

I haven't blocked anyone. "I try hard not to offend, but I try harder to not be offended" -- Navy SEAL veteran and congressman-elect Dan Crenshaw

LovinLarge replies on Jul 15, 2020:

@FearlessFly You can, but making that assessment takes time and often I've already read it before I've reached that conclusion. It's more time effective to block someone whose input I've already determined has no value to me, or in the case of the OP, why would she give someone a second opportunity to send her a nasty message? I'm glad your approach works for you but it does not work for everyone.

Poof! I had a very nasty response and won’t allow these things to bother me so “block” ...

FearlessFly comments on Jul 15, 2020:

I haven't blocked anyone. "I try hard not to offend, but I try harder to not be offended" -- Navy SEAL veteran and congressman-elect Dan Crenshaw

LovinLarge replies on Jul 15, 2020:

I agree with the sentiment but it only works with reasonable people. Some people gravitate online because they are ostracised from the community for unreasonable conduct. Once I have seen enough to determine that I am not interested in what someone has to say, I value my own time by blocking that person.

Poof! I had a very nasty response and won’t allow these things to bother me so “block” ...

LucyLoohoo comments on Jul 15, 2020:

Sorry--I never understand the need to harass other people on message boards. Sadly, you'll miss every thread he/she posts on.

LovinLarge replies on Jul 15, 2020:

My understanding is the only things you won't see are the posts and messages posted by the person you blocked, you would still see threads they commented on just not their comments.

Well --- I am starting to understand "mansplaining" and I'm going to be more careful from now on ...

LovinLarge comments on Jul 14, 2020:

Systemic sexism is as prevalent as systemic racism. An example I've noticed on this site is the absence of gender-inclusive language, like "humankind". Thank you for raising this issue.

LovinLarge replies on Jul 15, 2020:

@Petter I'm not confusing anything. Progressive countries began to adopt gender-inclusive language some time ago. The appropriate use of language changes over time.

Did anyone see the black malitia that marched on Stone Mountain, Georgia?

MsAl comments on Jul 13, 2020:

On July4 https://twitter.com/naomiruta/status/1279506948334006272?s=09

LovinLarge replies on Jul 14, 2020:

@MsAl No offence at all. I was just sharing that info from the Newsweek article because the Coalition made a point of making the distinction.

Let's talk about Trump being right, kind of.... - YouTube

barjoe comments on Jul 14, 2020:

Just like this guy Beau says Trump is right about something, nope he's 100% wrong. I usually agree with Beau, not this time. Maybe in the past people who hung rebel flag weren't racist, but today in this climate EVERYBODY who hangs a Confederate flag is a fucking racist piece of shit. We are paying ...

LovinLarge replies on Jul 14, 2020:

He didn't say they weren't racist, in fact he said they were racist for exercising if not celebrating their white privilege. That was the whole point of the rant.

Black Lives Matter?

Grecio comments on Jul 13, 2020:

It depends on whether you are a republican or democrat, I think.

LovinLarge replies on Jul 14, 2020:

@Grecio Responding to others who comment on your post is one thing but being the first to comment on your own post makes it look like you are just doing it for points by using a comment to say what you could have included in your original post.

I just got banned from FB for 30 days for this photo.

Observer-Effect comments on Jul 14, 2020:

Oh, maybe down in the lower right corner?

LovinLarge replies on Jul 14, 2020:

Oh sorry, you meant the god reference. Of course that's why. FB is ridiculous.

I just got banned from FB for 30 days for this photo.

Observer-Effect comments on Jul 14, 2020:

Oh, maybe down in the lower right corner?

LovinLarge replies on Jul 14, 2020:

Can't make it out.

Did anyone see the black malitia that marched on Stone Mountain, Georgia?

AnneWimsey comments on Jul 13, 2020:

That would be black protestors and "militia" is spelled with an "i". Estonians need better grammar!

LovinLarge replies on Jul 14, 2020:

@Grecio Fine, thank you. I have removed my last comment. Thank you for posting about the black militia.

Did anyone see the black malitia that marched on Stone Mountain, Georgia?

BitFlipper comments on Jul 13, 2020:

I think it's wonderful that they did that, if only to make people think.

LovinLarge replies on Jul 14, 2020:

@TheInterlooper Argument from authority involves opinion, not fact. The APA is the singular authority on the classification of mental illness so their determinations are factual. Anytime someone refers to DTS it is a dead giveaway that they don't know what they're talking about so they rely on falsities. Random people don't just get to make up mental illnesses, there is an extensive and detailed professional protocol in establishing the uniformity and reliability of mental health diagnosis as there must be. I don't expect everyone to know that, at least not until I have explained it to them. On the upside, I credit you for your admissions and the time you took and effort you made to reach them. They will assist you in future arguments and you proved that you are willing to reexamine your own arguments, which will also benefit you. Thank you for your candor. I don't expect the ceasefire to last, but I'm not here to joust. I have argued with and before bigger and badder authorities than anyone here and it's not going to get us anywhere anyway. I admit to becoming less tolerant of bs now and I am in the process of learning how to overlook it as insignificant. It's very nice to have reached the position where the only opinion that matters to me is my own.

(Trump) It’s not a campaign, it’s a criminal enterprise. [lincolnproject.us]

PBuck0145 comments on Jul 13, 2020:

I wistfully remember the days before Obama was elected, before insanity became the norm in US politics. With the Obama election the Republicans went crazy. Then Trump was elected and the Democrats went even more insane. I would like to see some rational opposition to the Trump presidency, instead...

LovinLarge replies on Jul 13, 2020:

@PBuck0145 Irrelevant.

Black Lives Matter?

Grecio comments on Jul 13, 2020:

It depends on whether you are a republican or democrat, I think.

LovinLarge replies on Jul 13, 2020:

@SanDiegoAirport In fact he was the very first to comment on his own post, if you can believe it.

Did anyone see the black malitia that marched on Stone Mountain, Georgia?

BitFlipper comments on Jul 13, 2020:

I think it's wonderful that they did that, if only to make people think.

LovinLarge replies on Jul 13, 2020:

@TheInterlooper How do you know that law is still in effect? Where in our Constitution is the right of revolution enshrined? Yes, are you?

Did anyone see the black malitia that marched on Stone Mountain, Georgia?

LovinLarge comments on Jul 13, 2020:

I would monitor the situation, but I would be more concerned with a white militia. The only reason the KKK hasn't been labelled a terrorist organization is because the president is a member.

LovinLarge replies on Jul 13, 2020:

@Grecio Bull. https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/national/obama-legacy/racism-during-presidency.html https://www.obama.org/anguish-and-action/

(Trump) It’s not a campaign, it’s a criminal enterprise. [lincolnproject.us]

PBuck0145 comments on Jul 13, 2020:

I wistfully remember the days before Obama was elected, before insanity became the norm in US politics. With the Obama election the Republicans went crazy. Then Trump was elected and the Democrats went even more insane. I would like to see some rational opposition to the Trump presidency, instead...

LovinLarge replies on Jul 13, 2020:

@PBuck0145 Psychiatric disorders are exclusively defined and categorized by the American Psychiatric Association in their Diagnostic and Statistical Manual. TDS is not included there so it is not a legitimate diagnosis. Nor is ODS.

Did anyone see the black malitia that marched on Stone Mountain, Georgia?

MsAl comments on Jul 13, 2020:

On July4 https://twitter.com/naomiruta/status/1279506948334006272?s=09

LovinLarge replies on Jul 13, 2020:

@MsAl They are the NFAC, the Not Fucking Around Coalition and they are not affiliated with BLM.

Did anyone see the black malitia that marched on Stone Mountain, Georgia?

BitFlipper comments on Jul 13, 2020:

I think it's wonderful that they did that, if only to make people think.

LovinLarge replies on Jul 13, 2020:

@TheInterlooper Who tried to overthrow the government? Is that law you referenced still in effect? If so, why would it be unconstitutional? Are you a lawyer?

Did anyone see the black malitia that marched on Stone Mountain, Georgia?

AnneWimsey comments on Jul 13, 2020:

That would be black protestors and "militia" is spelled with an "i". Estonians need better grammar!

LovinLarge replies on Jul 13, 2020:

NFAC: "We are a black militia. We are not protestors". Kindly refrain from spreading misinformation (again).

How low can a man go?

LovinLarge comments on Jul 13, 2020:

My doctors let me experiment with dosages. Have you asked your dr about that?

LovinLarge replies on Jul 13, 2020:

@Petter So you took 50 mg when your reading was 140? Does that mean you'll try 25 mg next time for a similar reading?

Okay, I will throw the short version of my story out there.

callmedubious comments on Jul 11, 2020:

the worst thing about old age is knowing that the world is totally, irrevocably fcked up; run by sociopaths. and there is nothing we can do about it.

LovinLarge replies on Jul 13, 2020:

@callmedubious There are lots of things brewing in that regard: Medicare For All, the expansion of Social Security or Guaranteed Annual Income, defunding the police in order to bring in professionals better equipped to deal with emergency situations, more steeply progressive taxation, inheritance tax and the taxing of corporations and churches. Like Bernie says, we need a government based on love and compassion. By the way, I have dual citizenship and I lived in Calgary for 37 years.

I was asked by a friend to share this.

LovinLarge comments on Jul 12, 2020:

It will pass but a lot of us did not and will not get through it. Please don't diminish the significance of 130,000 and counting preventable American deaths. My father was born in '26. The changes to come in his lifetime were unimaginable, including the unprecedented corruption we're watching ...

LovinLarge replies on Jul 13, 2020:

@SpikeTalon Right. And no, more than 130,000 of us won't get through this. Who knows? You could be one of them.

Not my research or authorship, but good details.

Trod comments on Jul 12, 2020:

IMHO, hospitals are over inflating the numbers. If they show it as a COVID death, they can get extra money from the government. So, they pressure these doctors to say that its COVID related death based on a pre existing condition.

LovinLarge replies on Jul 12, 2020:

Do you have any evidence to support any aspect of your opinion?

I was asked by a friend to share this.

LovinLarge comments on Jul 12, 2020:

It will pass but a lot of us did not and will not get through it. Please don't diminish the significance of 130,000 and counting preventable American deaths. My father was born in '26. The changes to come in his lifetime were unimaginable, including the unprecedented corruption we're watching ...

LovinLarge replies on Jul 12, 2020:

@SpikeTalon How many times have you edited your original post?

Once upon a time I scoffed at the idea that Trump could become president.

LovinLarge comments on Jul 12, 2020:

Just what we need, another unqualified cartoon character. On the upside, he would split the right wing vote although I sincerely doubt he has his shit together enough to get himself onto the ballot. Although quite frankly, anyone would be an improvement. I thought Trump would get us killed in...

LovinLarge replies on Jul 12, 2020:

@Bobby9 I said he would split the "right wing vote". I did not mention "Republicans".

I was asked by a friend to share this.

LovinLarge comments on Jul 12, 2020:

It will pass but a lot of us did not and will not get through it. Please don't diminish the significance of 130,000 and counting preventable American deaths. My father was born in '26. The changes to come in his lifetime were unimaginable, including the unprecedented corruption we're watching ...

LovinLarge replies on Jul 12, 2020:

@SpikeTalon No opportunity for discussion once someone is rude.

Once upon a time I scoffed at the idea that Trump could become president.

LovinLarge comments on Jul 12, 2020:

Just what we need, another unqualified cartoon character. On the upside, he would split the right wing vote although I sincerely doubt he has his shit together enough to get himself onto the ballot. Although quite frankly, anyone would be an improvement. I thought Trump would get us killed in...

LovinLarge replies on Jul 12, 2020:

@Bobby9 He always takes conservative positions so those are the people who would support him.

Okay, I will throw the short version of my story out there.

bootaski comments on Jul 11, 2020:

I had a couple of courses of ECT in 2008 for schizoaffective disorder. Painless, done under anesthesia. It was only temporarily helpful though, and left me with permanent partial short term memory loss, unfortunately. I can live with it though - when I read novels for example I have to reread ...

LovinLarge replies on Jul 12, 2020:

@bootaski I'm glad you've had some success. Sounds like you've done some exploring to get there. I guess that's part of your journey. I'm always looking for a silver lining, hoping that nothing is 100% negative or at least that something negative can lead us to something positive if we look hard enough. And I never want to quit looking.

Okay, I will throw the short version of my story out there.

AncientNight comments on Jul 11, 2020:

I've learned from, of all places, the TV show Lucifer on Netflix, that we don't choose the circumstances that we have to live through, but we can choose how we react to those circumstances. I found that this is more true than one might think possible, coming from a fantasy show like Lucifer.

LovinLarge replies on Jul 11, 2020:

Yes, an excellent lesson regardless of the source. And being able to take something of value from an unlikely source is a valuable skill itself, so good on ya. When I have a bad experience, after I've asked myself what I could have done differently to achieve a different outcome, I ask myself what insight I can gain from having gone through that experience. There's always something and often it is that if I'd just tweaked my response slightly, I might have achieved a better result. Just like you said.

Okay, I will throw the short version of my story out there.

bootaski comments on Jul 11, 2020:

I had a couple of courses of ECT in 2008 for schizoaffective disorder. Painless, done under anesthesia. It was only temporarily helpful though, and left me with permanent partial short term memory loss, unfortunately. I can live with it though - when I read novels for example I have to reread ...

LovinLarge replies on Jul 11, 2020:

Interesting, thank you. Did you decide not to continue because of the memory loss? Do you mind if I ask if any other type of treatment has been helpful? If that is not an appropriate question, I apologize.

Okay, I will throw the short version of my story out there.

callmedubious comments on Jul 11, 2020:

the worst thing about old age is knowing that the world is totally, irrevocably fcked up; run by sociopaths. and there is nothing we can do about it.

LovinLarge replies on Jul 11, 2020:

I have great faith in the young people. If we can begin to address climate change in a smeaningful way next year, perhaps there is still a chance. I must seek, maintain and contribute hope or I won't make it. Sometimes I have to relinquish the big picture and focus only on the things that I can do something about. Being productive every day keeps me going on to the next. Most people are good people who want to do the right thing. I can't prove it, but I can feel it. We must be satisfied with doing the best that we can, whatever that amounts to on any given day. We must give what we can to help others, in whatever form that takes. After all, we're all in this together.

Okay, I will throw the short version of my story out there.

Freedompath comments on Jul 11, 2020:

The one thing that I have found is...the more awareness of how you react to what happens in your life the more you can cope with emotional events that will surely come your(my) way. I am 80 and I have a great deal of peace and understanding, but a lot of my emotional traits will surface under ...

LovinLarge replies on Jul 11, 2020:

Thank you, that makes good sense to me. I'm glad you have found your way and understand your journey. I always remind myself that as long as I am doing my best and helping as many people as I can along the way that I am meeting a reasonable standard, although I do ask myself from time to time if I think this or that is normal and healthy just to keep myself on track. I take other peoples' standards into consideration but I am the final arbiter. Very nice hearing from you.

Okay, I will throw the short version of my story out there.

RavenCT comments on Jul 11, 2020:

I'm very glad you were able to put the work into feeling better. A lot of folks seem to give up and that just doesn't work. (I mean we all sometimes throw our hands in the air and "give up" but you just aren't allowed to do that long term and get anywhere!). Also - I recently had a friend go ...

LovinLarge replies on Jul 11, 2020:

Thanks, I am glad to hear there is another viable option available to us. I have no one to care for me on the off chance that something went wrong so it was not a risk I could take. So glad it is working for people because many continue to suffer from both the illness and the stigma. I think groups like this help whittle away at the stigma and for that I am thankful.

I love being able to have reasonable conversations with like minded people (godless skeptics), but ...

LovinLarge comments on Jul 10, 2020:

Agreed, in fact the truth is that at least in my experience, religious people seem to make more of an effort to get along with other people. I went to a Meetup group for skeptics for awhile and most of the regular attendees had very poor social skills and quite frankly, were not very nice to each ...

LovinLarge replies on Jul 10, 2020:

@Wallace Thank you for that. I felt a bit guilty for arriving at that conclusion but the more times I attended, the more it seemed to be true. That group still meets, so I'm glad it's working for someone but I doubt I'll be back.

YouTube - mask / no mask/ god / constitution

LovinLarge comments on Jul 9, 2020:

I never knew there were Americans this stupid until Trump was elected.

LovinLarge replies on Jul 9, 2020:

@19dacar52 I am thankful rarely to be exposed to them.

I am alone in this world.

RobertMartin comments on Jul 9, 2020:

I prefer to be a loner. I enjoy my own company. I don't have to deal with other people's drama and stupid crap like that. Appearances can be deceiving, a couple who looks happy on the outside may be miserable behind closed doors, but won't get out of the relationship because they feel trapped. ...

LovinLarge replies on Jul 9, 2020:

I'm not sure being a loner necessarily means being alone all the time. Of course there's nothing wrong with being a loner but I don't think being alone all the time is natural or healthy. I have become so comfortable alone that now I have to work to tolererate the occasional, necessary company of others (housekeeper, Assistant, doctors, therapists). Thank you for your input and insight.

Bill Nye on why we should all wear a face mask - CNN

Sgt_Spanky comments on Jul 9, 2020:

I wonder how long before there's a televised debate between Bill Nye and Ken Hamm on the reasons why we should and shouldn't wear masks.

LovinLarge replies on Jul 9, 2020:

Not sure Bill Nye does comedy.

Supreme Court Moments in History: Clarence Thomas and Anita Hill [youtube.

barjoe comments on Jul 9, 2020:

Clarence Thomas is such an asshole. The worst Supreme Court Justice ever.

LovinLarge replies on Jul 9, 2020:

100% agree. Remember this? https://www.patheos./blogs/progressivesecularhumanist/2014/05/constitutional-horror-clarence-thomas-argues-states-can-establish-official-religion/

Interested in the take of the non-religious demographic on this take on Independence Day by Colin ...

prometheus comments on Jul 7, 2020:

244 years on and we are still just dreaming not "living the dream" that "all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. So yeah, take a knee, take the Internet, take to the ...

LovinLarge replies on Jul 7, 2020:

Beautifully expressed. Having this to look forward to and work toward gives me hope.

Interested in the take of the non-religious demographic on this take on Independence Day by Colin ...

dermot235 comments on Jul 7, 2020:

I'm not a sports fan but I have always been a fan of Kaepernick

LovinLarge replies on Jul 7, 2020:

Damn fine answer. He is a maverick and I can't help admire him and what he is doing.

Treatment with Hydroxychloroquine, Azithromycin, and Combination in Patients Hospitalized with ...

TheMiddleWay comments on Jul 4, 2020:

Bad news: > The World Health Organization said on Wednesday that testing of the malaria drug hydroxychloroquine in its large multi-country trial of treatments [1] ----- ...

LovinLarge replies on Jul 5, 2020:

@TheMiddleWay The false claim that littered this thread was that the study that was the subject of this thread was halted for reasons of safety. It was false every time she posted it and it will remain false regardless of what has happened or does happen in any subsequent studies, until and unless evidence proving that the study in question was halted for safety reasons emerges.

Treatment with Hydroxychloroquine, Azithromycin, and Combination in Patients Hospitalized with ...

TheMiddleWay comments on Jul 4, 2020:

Bad news: > The World Health Organization said on Wednesday that testing of the malaria drug hydroxychloroquine in its large multi-country trial of treatments [1] ----- ...

LovinLarge replies on Jul 5, 2020:

@WilliamFleming You are too kind. I am so relieved that you feel better today. I was impressed with how you handled yourself yesterday and I hope you feel good about it. Please feel free to call on me for support or to bounce ideas off of, etc. Nice to meet you!

Treatment with Hydroxychloroquine, Azithromycin, and Combination in Patients Hospitalized with ...

TheMiddleWay comments on Jul 4, 2020:

Bad news: > The World Health Organization said on Wednesday that testing of the malaria drug hydroxychloroquine in its large multi-country trial of treatments [1] ----- ...

LovinLarge replies on Jul 5, 2020:

@TheMiddleWay The very first thing I did was point out my initial concerns with this study. You continue to try to paint me as a big proponent of the value of this study. This is false so please stop. All I have said is that I hope it has some utility toward resolving our emergency just as anyone who us not trying to politicize the issue would.

Treatment with Hydroxychloroquine, Azithromycin, and Combination in Patients Hospitalized with ...

AnneWimsey comments on Jul 3, 2020:

Ummm, they halted this study in only about 3 weeks because of Very high cardiac incidents leading to death rates much higher than Untreated patients. There is No known treatment as of July, stop pouring gasoline on the fire, please! In addition, young people are now getting Covid at a much higher ...

LovinLarge replies on Jul 5, 2020:

@Mofo53 You've made factual claims unsupported by evidence so yes, I am embarrassed for you. Perhaps I am holding you to too high a standard if it is commonplace in this forum for supporting evidence not to accompany factual assertions. If you come across any accessible evidence regarding that common knowledge of Bayer's ownership of Chloroquine, I remain interested.

Treatment with Hydroxychloroquine, Azithromycin, and Combination in Patients Hospitalized with ...

redhog comments on Jul 3, 2020:

dangerous to share outdated information.

LovinLarge replies on Jul 5, 2020:

@AnneWimsey Factual claims require evidence to establish credibility and the onus of proof lies with the professor. You littered this thread with the false claim that this study was halted for safety reasons. If you had any integrity, you would remove each and every one of those comments and apologize for trying to mislead us and for the way you addressed the OP. In a very short time, I have witnessed that being rude is a pattern for you. That coupled with lack of credibility means that your comments are not worthy of my time so I won't be reading them anymore. I would prefer that you not address me again.

Treatment with Hydroxychloroquine, Azithromycin, and Combination in Patients Hospitalized with ...

TheMiddleWay comments on Jul 4, 2020:

Bad news: > The World Health Organization said on Wednesday that testing of the malaria drug hydroxychloroquine in its large multi-country trial of treatments [1] ----- ...

LovinLarge replies on Jul 5, 2020:

@WilliamFleming My friend, you did absolutely nothing wrong here. You provided access to information that some of us might have missed and that is a good thing. Most of the opposition came from one person who attempted to politicize the study by littering the thread with the false claim that it was halted for safety reasons. People who don't support their factual claims with evidence are not credible. There was no reason to become uncivil during this discussion and you did not fall into that trap. We are all better off the more efforts that are made to address the pandemic and anyone who rebuffs those efforts has an ulterior motive. Thank you for helping to keep us informed about it because that is one of our few sources of hope at this time.

Treatment with Hydroxychloroquine, Azithromycin, and Combination in Patients Hospitalized with ...

AnneWimsey comments on Jul 3, 2020:

Ummm, they halted this study in only about 3 weeks because of Very high cardiac incidents leading to death rates much higher than Untreated patients. There is No known treatment as of July, stop pouring gasoline on the fire, please! In addition, young people are now getting Covid at a much higher ...

LovinLarge replies on Jul 4, 2020:

@Mofo1953 Honoraria are not fees. There's no evidence that Bayer funded the study. The study may have some utility. Your link doesn't work. Stop moving the goalpost.

Treatment with Hydroxychloroquine, Azithromycin, and Combination in Patients Hospitalized with ...

TheMiddleWay comments on Jul 4, 2020:

Bad news: > The World Health Organization said on Wednesday that testing of the malaria drug hydroxychloroquine in its large multi-country trial of treatments [1] ----- ...

LovinLarge replies on Jul 4, 2020:

@TheMiddleWay I don't object to anything that is true, but a June shutdown has no application to a study that concluded in May as was claimed throughout this thread. The utility of the studies are separate issues.

Treatment with Hydroxychloroquine, Azithromycin, and Combination in Patients Hospitalized with ...

redhog comments on Jul 3, 2020:

dangerous to share outdated information.

LovinLarge replies on Jul 4, 2020:

@AnneWimsey I take issue with your claim that you stick to facts. You've insisted repeatedly throughout this thread that this study was halted after three weeks as dangerous. You were asked repeatedly for a citation so that we could consider all the relevant facts but never supplied any evidence to support your claim. Turns out your claim has no application to this study. Even if you'd had some relevant evidence, it would have been more effective to reference it in a civil manner.

Treatment with Hydroxychloroquine, Azithromycin, and Combination in Patients Hospitalized with ...

LovinLarge comments on Jul 3, 2020:

I'm trying to understand the hostility generated by the study cited in this comment, particularly when no other research was properly referenced. Are we interpreting this research as a partisan issue because I just don't see it since Trump touted hydroxychloroquine as prevention not treatment, and ...

LovinLarge replies on Jul 4, 2020:

@TheMiddleWay It's a peer reviewed study accepted by the International Journal of infectious Diseases. I'm certainly not qualified to do a thorough analysis, I just hope it ends up having some utility even if that is only excluding these drugs as safe and effective treatment.

Treatment with Hydroxychloroquine, Azithromycin, and Combination in Patients Hospitalized with ...

TheMiddleWay comments on Jul 4, 2020:

Bad news: > The World Health Organization said on Wednesday that testing of the malaria drug hydroxychloroquine in its large multi-country trial of treatments [1] ----- ...

LovinLarge replies on Jul 4, 2020:

The study discussed in this thread concluded on May 02 so this action by WHO on June 17 has no application to it.

Treatment with Hydroxychloroquine, Azithromycin, and Combination in Patients Hospitalized with ...

AnneWimsey comments on Jul 3, 2020:

Ummm, they halted this study in only about 3 weeks because of Very high cardiac incidents leading to death rates much higher than Untreated patients. There is No known treatment as of July, stop pouring gasoline on the fire, please! In addition, young people are now getting Covid at a much higher ...

LovinLarge replies on Jul 4, 2020:

@Mofo1953 The only evidence of a conflict regarding Bayer is the one speakers' honoraria to someone not named in the study and no evidence at all that Bayer funded the study. I am not in the pharmaceutical industry and I can't be an expert in every field so thank you for the link. Unfortunately it didn't work. Got anything else?

I really don't like religion.

Wallace comments on Jul 4, 2020:

Does anyone else have a problem with the Pledge of Allegiance (even without the “under God” phrase)? It seems to me to perform the same function for American nationalism that the Apostle’s Creed does for Christianity. That is, the purpose of both seems to be to indoctrinate—and to solidify ...

LovinLarge replies on Jul 4, 2020:

Agreed. And that will be the day when I pledge my allegiance to an inanimate object!

Treatment with Hydroxychloroquine, Azithromycin, and Combination in Patients Hospitalized with ...

Storm1752 comments on Jul 4, 2020:

So it looks like Trump MAY get a rare 'W.' Good for him, IF true.

LovinLarge replies on Jul 4, 2020:

I don't see how this has anything to do with Trump because he touted Hydroxychloroquine for prevention but this study only tests it with respect to treatment.

Treatment with Hydroxychloroquine, Azithromycin, and Combination in Patients Hospitalized with ...

Storm1752 comments on Jul 4, 2020:

So it looks like Trump MAY get a rare 'W.' Good for him, IF true.

LovinLarge replies on Jul 4, 2020:

@AnneWimsey Tough to assess the credibility of your claim without supporting evidence.

Treatment with Hydroxychloroquine, Azithromycin, and Combination in Patients Hospitalized with ...

AnneWimsey comments on Jul 3, 2020:

Ummm, they halted this study in only about 3 weeks because of Very high cardiac incidents leading to death rates much higher than Untreated patients. There is No known treatment as of July, stop pouring gasoline on the fire, please! In addition, young people are now getting Covid at a much higher ...

LovinLarge replies on Jul 4, 2020:

@Mofo1953 Only one person received an honoraria from Bayer, a "speakers' bureau honoraria", and that person's name is not on the study, so no, Bayer did not fund this study according to this information, which undermines the significance of the involvement of Bayer, but can you direct me to the evidence regarding Bayer's ownership of synthesized Chloroquine because I couldn't find it?

Treatment with Hydroxychloroquine, Azithromycin, and Combination in Patients Hospitalized with ...

AnneWimsey comments on Jul 3, 2020:

Ummm, they halted this study in only about 3 weeks because of Very high cardiac incidents leading to death rates much higher than Untreated patients. There is No known treatment as of July, stop pouring gasoline on the fire, please! In addition, young people are now getting Covid at a much higher ...

LovinLarge replies on Jul 4, 2020:

@Mofo1953 To clarify, this study was not funded by Bayer, who did issue honoraria to a few people involved with the study. Also, Bayer is not the maker of the drugs involved.

Treatment with Hydroxychloroquine, Azithromycin, and Combination in Patients Hospitalized with ...

LovinLarge comments on Jul 3, 2020:

I'm trying to understand the hostility generated by the study cited in this comment, particularly when no other research was properly referenced. Are we interpreting this research as a partisan issue because I just don't see it since Trump touted hydroxychloroquine as prevention not treatment, and ...

LovinLarge replies on Jul 3, 2020:

@WilliamFleming Well, thank you for posting the study, it was well worth noting and no contrary evidence has been cited. I think civility can and should prevail in all circumstances (violence excepted). Hopefully this study moves us a step forward in the direction we all want to go.

Treatment with Hydroxychloroquine, Azithromycin, and Combination in Patients Hospitalized with ...

redhog comments on Jul 3, 2020:

dangerous to share outdated information.

LovinLarge replies on Jul 3, 2020:

@redhog The first one says the article was submitted on May 28 and accepted by the Journal on June 29, which was this week.

Treatment with Hydroxychloroquine, Azithromycin, and Combination in Patients Hospitalized with ...

AnneWimsey comments on Jul 3, 2020:

Ummm, they halted this study in only about 3 weeks because of Very high cardiac incidents leading to death rates much higher than Untreated patients. There is No known treatment as of July, stop pouring gasoline on the fire, please! In addition, young people are now getting Covid at a much higher ...

LovinLarge replies on Jul 3, 2020:

@Triphid Could you point out where he says that because I can not find it.

Treatment with Hydroxychloroquine, Azithromycin, and Combination in Patients Hospitalized with ...

LovinLarge comments on Jul 3, 2020:

Interesting. Looks like there may be something here, although two sentences jumped out at me: 1. Prospective trials are needed to examine this impact; and 2. Limitations to our analysis include the retrospective, non-randomized, non-blinded study design. But perhaps this is a starting ...

LovinLarge replies on Jul 3, 2020:

@AnneWimsey The onus of proof is on the professor.

Colleges do not pay taxes on tuition and income tax yet recieve massive amount of taxpayers money!! ...

MrBeelzeebubbles comments on Jul 3, 2020:

Let me guess: "y'all" didn't do very well at school.

LovinLarge replies on Jul 3, 2020:

Yes, he's clearly not a proponent of education.

Hello all.

AnneWimsey comments on Jun 23, 2020:

Why are you selling everything? This is not a group for poverty-loving m9nastics.........

LovinLarge replies on Jun 23, 2020:

I'm selling everything because I'm dying and I'm trying to relieve my family of the subsequent burden. Thanks so much for asking.

Hello all.

t1nick comments on Jun 21, 2020:

Welcome, fellow Coloradan. I grew up in Longmont, just down the road from you. Line in NM now.

LovinLarge replies on Jun 22, 2020:

@t1nick It's nice that you found a state that works for you. Some people continue to move and never really find their place. I like the mild Colorado climate after 37 years in Western Canada.Thanks for touching base.

Hello all.

Fred_Snerd comments on Jun 21, 2020:

I like to play Lost Cities IRL. https://en.boardgamearena.com/gamepanel?game=lostcities

LovinLarge replies on Jun 22, 2020:

Thank you kindly, Fred, I will give it a whirl and see if I am up to the task. Much appreciated.

Hello all.

Omnedon comments on Jun 21, 2020:

What kind of game do you mean? The game "Portal" has been out for years, and is an intellectually stimulating game that does not involve shooting or killing. Portal 2 is even better. They are basically puzzle-solving games. Some puzzles seem insoluble at first but then you discover they are not.

LovinLarge replies on Jun 22, 2020:

Thank you very much Don, I will definitely check those out. They sound like just what I'm looking for. Always looking for ways to keep my brain sharp. I knew I had come to the right place!

Hello all.

dkp93 comments on Jun 21, 2020:

May I ask why you are selling all of your possessions? You must be keeping a few things, right? The games I like to play online... 1. Words with Friends 2. Einstein Riddle (solo game) 3. Mahjong (solo game)

LovinLarge replies on Jun 22, 2020:

Of course. I have reached the point in life where even having too many beautiful things is a liability. I'm trying to whittle it down to just what I need. Last week I sold the large concrete gargoyle from in front of my house for four times what I paid for it after enjoying it for several years. Thanks very much for the suggestions!

Hello all.

KKGator comments on Jun 21, 2020:

Welcome to the asylum. Enjoy your stay. Sorry I have nothing to suggest. I'm not a gamer.

LovinLarge replies on Jun 22, 2020:

Thanks for the welcome and for touching base just the same.

Hello all.

LiterateHiker comments on Jun 21, 2020:

Welcome. As someone who never played video games, I have no idea.

LovinLarge replies on Jun 21, 2020:

Thank you for the welcome. Video games are not for everyone, but if there are some good ones, I would like to find them. Different strokes and all. In a former life, I did some hiking in the Lake Louise area. Hope you can make it sometime.

Hello all.

Fred_Snerd comments on Jun 21, 2020:

"I am in the process of selling all of my worldly possessions online. " This is a great idea. It really took a load off my ego. However, I had so much stuff, I still have books, board games, and musical instruments. What are some games you like?

LovinLarge replies on Jun 21, 2020:

Hi Fred. Yep, too much stuff is a burden so off it goes. Musical instruments can be quite valuable although I know nothing about them. I am bad at Scrabble but I do play a little Wordscapes online, which is easier. Need some variety, though. Thank you.

Hello all.

t1nick comments on Jun 21, 2020:

Welcome, fellow Coloradan. I grew up in Longmont, just down the road from you. Line in NM now.

LovinLarge replies on Jun 21, 2020:

Hi Nick. Do like Longmont. Have family in Albuquerque but they are big time religious so we are not close. I left CO and am back, probably to stay. Thanks for the welcome.

Have you ever been offended by being an agnostic or atheist?

LucyLoohoo comments on Jun 19, 2020:

Hi, new member! I'm puzzled by your question. Can you say more about what you meant to ask? I'm sure we'll be happy to respond. (WELCOME, by the way.)

LovinLarge replies on Jun 19, 2020:

Thank you, you said it so much more nicely than the others.

Brushfire started at shooting range yesterday. Gun nuts are a threat to public safety.

SCal comments on Jun 19, 2020:

"a gun nut likely tossed a lit cigarette on litter, starting the fire." I'd just like to point out that accusations are not proof. That is all.

LovinLarge replies on Jun 19, 2020:

@SCal Yes. https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2017/02/27/517100594/whats-the-leading-cause-of-wildfires-in-the-u-s-humans https://www.umass.edu/newsoffice/article/humans-responsible-more-wildfires https://www.livescience.com/63458-wildfires.html https://www.thoughtco.com/the-causal-history-of-forest-fires-1342893

Brushfire started at shooting range yesterday. Gun nuts are a threat to public safety.

SCal comments on Jun 19, 2020:

"a gun nut likely tossed a lit cigarette on litter, starting the fire." I'd just like to point out that accusations are not proof. That is all.

LovinLarge replies on Jun 19, 2020:

False. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/study-shows-84-wildfires-caused-humans-180962315/

Brushfire started at shooting range yesterday. Gun nuts are a threat to public safety.

SCal comments on Jun 19, 2020:

"a gun nut likely tossed a lit cigarette on litter, starting the fire." I'd just like to point out that accusations are not proof. That is all.

LovinLarge replies on Jun 19, 2020:

Even if we don't know how, we still know who in the generic sense by the location of the fire.

MAGA Cultist Bill Mitchell: Systemic Racism is a “Fantasy Created by the Media” | Hemant Mehta |...

Silver1wun comments on Jun 17, 2020:

People who didn't live in times when racism was accepted as common and legal protections from discrimination weren't yet available, don't know what real (original meaning of) racism is. Like other terms such as misogyny and 'hate', they've been conveniently and purposely eroded to mean just about ...

LovinLarge replies on Jun 17, 2020:

There went two minutes of my life I'd like to have back.

Stolen from my friend on Facebook Blaming all cops for the thuggish and murderous behavior of a ...

WilliamFleming comments on Jun 8, 2020:

My experiences with the police have all been positive, but I am a white guy. I understand that in some areas the police are more thuggish.

LovinLarge replies on Jun 8, 2020:

@LimitedLight Care to define "wrong side of town"?

Stolen from my friend on Facebook Blaming all cops for the thuggish and murderous behavior of a ...

jlynn37 comments on Jun 8, 2020:

When just 1 dark skinned American does something wrong, the response is "see what THOSE people do". When a light skinned American does something wrong, the response is" see what THAT person did".

LovinLarge replies on Jun 8, 2020:

@JohnnyQB By definition, there can't be racism against the dominant race. Also, since when are people obligated to support their opinions with evidence. And finally, you sound very angry. I am not here for that.

Stolen from my friend on Facebook Blaming all cops for the thuggish and murderous behavior of a ...

Jolanta comments on Jun 8, 2020:

Sure, however it does not seem like it is the behavior of a FEW cops, just look at how those cops who resigned because the two cops got put on no pay suspension, how they all clapped when they got out of court. What does that say.

LovinLarge replies on Jun 8, 2020:

@Lorajay "The entire Buffalo Police Department Emergency Response Team has resigned". https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/501378-57-buffalo-officers-resign-from-emergency-response-team-in-response-to

Stolen from my friend on Facebook Blaming all cops for the thuggish and murderous behavior of a ...

Lorajay comments on Jun 8, 2020:

This forum is largely populated by logical people. Logical people have strong emotions just like everyone else. I seem to have started a firestorm of sorts with this post. Please understand that if there is just one good cop in the world, it is not logical to say all cops are thugs and murderers....

LovinLarge replies on Jun 8, 2020:

If that one "good" cop fails to intervene in the inappropriate actions of their colleagues, they are as guilty as their colleagues.