Paul4747's Profile

The role of death anxiety in police culture.

MikeInBatonRouge comments on Sep 26, 2020:

This article is right. It is also only part of the picture. But it reinforces, without addressing directly, what I have been saying for several years, which is that the flood of unregulated highpower weaponry on American streets has garanteed that police officers go to work every day facing what ...

Paul4747 replies on Sep 27, 2020:

Statistically, compared to 25 years ago, gun crime is down. All crime is down dramatically. It has spiked recently, a trend that for some reason seems to happen during Republican administrations, but it's still well below what it was at the end of the first Bush administration, for example. Crime didn't shoot upward when the Brady bill expired, as some predicted. "Mass" shootings have increased, but the total numbers are still low compared to 25 and 30 years ago. Not to say we can't do better, but it's not a rampage of gun violence by any means. The pervasiveness of the media may be making it seem more prevalent than it is.

The role of death anxiety in police culture.

KKGator comments on Sep 25, 2020:

Screening academy applicants better would be a good start. Improving training, with a much greater focus on mental health, both the community's and their own, should be a priority. Once on the force, continued, mandatory mental health care is something that should be another priority. If they ...

Paul4747 replies on Sep 27, 2020:

@dahermit Just as most nations have abandoned the draft because the majority of people are simply not suited to military service, whether physically or temperamentally, most people are also not suited to law enforcement. As a corrections officer, I can't possibly count the number of people who've told me, "I could never do your job;" some of them civilian staff who work with me and see up close what we do. Putting someone in a situation where their very life, and worse, someone else's, can hinge on a split-second decision, is not something to do lightly. Even worse is the idea of putting someone in that situation against their will. One of our officers was set up last month; a fight was staged, and when he responded to it, a steel pick was produced and he was stabbed in the side of the head and neck. If his partner had not reacted as she did, and in the very few seconds that she did, he would likely have been dead. She reacted due to her training and, I feel certain, the motivation that comes with choosing the career. I've also seen veteran officers freeze under pressure. There are no guarantees. But I've found that experience and dedication matter.

MN Priest Who Said COVID Death Toll Was a “Lie” Remains “Firm in His Opinions” | Hemant ...

KKGator comments on Sep 26, 2020:

Explain to me again why it's wrong to dispatch these assholes?? Asking for a friend.

Paul4747 replies on Sep 27, 2020:

Put it like this: Trump thinks that way about people like us. Personally, I want to be able to feel I'm a better person than Trump, minimum. Also for the same reason it's wrong to torture POWs, even if the other side does it. Basic human decency.

It's no mystery why we love Velma 😍

Fred_Snerd comments on Sep 26, 2020:

Since I follow your posts, I landed here. LOL I subscribed so I could reply. I was sitting here multitasking, and then..... It's weird that I get used to seeing women in clothing. I find clothing helpful as well.

Paul4747 replies on Sep 26, 2020:

Good group to be in. It's interesting how many supposedly "plain" women on TV were actually the more attractive of the two to me. Mary Ann vs Ginger, Velma vs Daphne, the list goes on..... maybe because they were also the smart ones.

It's no mystery why we love Velma 😍

Boomtarat03 comments on Sep 26, 2020:

Who is she? ☺

Paul4747 replies on Sep 26, 2020:

And as the fan base grew up, it became fanon among a certain segment that Velma would also be a freak in bed. :D After all, it's a trope that "intellectual=kinky".

It's no mystery why we love Velma 😍

Boomtarat03 comments on Sep 26, 2020:

Who is she? ☺

Paul4747 replies on Sep 26, 2020:

In the cartoon, she was the supposedly less attractive one. (I think "plain" was the term back then.) Daphne, on the right, was meant to be the sexpot (as much as possible in a kids' cartoon). But she was an airhead and always leaning on Fred to rescue her. Velma was the one, often as not, who solved the mystery. I always dug smart girls.

It's no mystery why we love Velma 😍

RoyMillar comments on Sep 26, 2020:

Oh wow ,i do not care that they do not match ,just accents her beauty more

Paul4747 replies on Sep 26, 2020:

It's the Velma costume theme, orange top, red skirt- mirrored in her underwear ;)

It's no mystery why we love Velma 😍

Cutiebeauty comments on Sep 26, 2020:

If the top matched the bottom, she'd look much sexier ☺

Paul4747 replies on Sep 26, 2020:

That's Velma's costume theme from Scooby Doo. Orange top, red skirt- except it's bra and panties ;)

The Death Of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg Pushed Me To Join The Satanic Temple | HuffPost

girlwithsmiles comments on Sep 26, 2020:

Polarisation is scary. Understanding that there are some rotten Christians out there I understand that it’s tempting to rile them further. But I do think that joining something less confrontational may be more useful. Life isn’t black and white, like the bible tries to make out. There are ...

Paul4747 replies on Sep 26, 2020:

@Petter Christianity itself is based in Greek mythology. Jesus is just Orpheus, only celibate.

The Death Of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg Pushed Me To Join The Satanic Temple | HuffPost

girlwithsmiles comments on Sep 26, 2020:

Polarisation is scary. Understanding that there are some rotten Christians out there I understand that it’s tempting to rile them further. But I do think that joining something less confrontational may be more useful. Life isn’t black and white, like the bible tries to make out. There are ...

Paul4747 replies on Sep 26, 2020:

@Petter In that case, look into the Discordian movement https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Discordianism. I think a revival is long overdue. Hail Eris, baby!!

Recovering perfectionist. Weaving in imperfection.

Paul4747 comments on Sep 24, 2020:

I'm trying to help my coworker overcome her OCD (she says that's what she has, anyway, but I suspect it's perfectionism) by convincing her that it's okay to have items sitting out on the desk that everyone uses, because, Hey, I was the one using that! Constantly cleaning up and rearranging things in...

Paul4747 replies on Sep 24, 2020:

@LiterateHiker I realize. I think she's a severe perfectionist about her work area, or else it's a mild enough compulsive problem that she can work in a prison. I know she's a perfectionist about the paperwork.

Yep, they're still there....

HankSherman comments on Sep 23, 2020:

Is it just me, or does she look out of it?

Paul4747 replies on Sep 24, 2020:

I sometimes do the same check first thing in the morning, just 18 inches lower....

Politics and religion are evil... Anarchy!!!! Just kidding I'm not an anarchist but a Marxist :)

MyTVC15 comments on Sep 20, 2020:

I became an atheist the very second I heard the words "Religion is the opiate of the people."

Paul4747 replies on Sep 21, 2020:

@MyTVC15 In the context, the people themselves choose religion as a relief from suffering. It's as much a critique of weakness among the masses as it is of religion.

Politics and religion are evil... Anarchy!!!! Just kidding I'm not an anarchist but a Marxist :)

MyTVC15 comments on Sep 20, 2020:

I became an atheist the very second I heard the words "Religion is the opiate of the people."

Paul4747 replies on Sep 21, 2020:

That's a paraphrase and is taken out of context. Read in full, it takes on a different meaning: > Religious suffering is, at one and the same time, the expression of real suffering and a protest against real suffering. Religion is the sigh of the oppressed creature, the heart of a heartless world, and the soul of soulless conditions. **It is the opium of the people.** The abolition of religion as the illusory happiness of the people is the demand for their real happiness. To call on them to give up their illusions about their condition is to call on them to give up a condition that requires illusions. The criticism of religion is, therefore, in embryo, the criticism of that vale of tears of which religion is the halo. Marx is not denigrating religion as something used to pacify the masses into a state of numb acceptance; rather, religion is their sole refuge and comfort in a world of suffering. They are conscious of their suffering, and they flee to religion for relief. The criticism against religion, as I read it, is that by promising rewards in an illusory afterlife, it distracts the people from changing their conditions in the here & now- something with which I agree.

Politics and religion are evil... Anarchy!!!! Just kidding I'm not an anarchist but a Marxist :)

Jolanta comments on Sep 20, 2020:

Marxist and capitalism are very similar.

Paul4747 replies on Sep 21, 2020:

Like chicken and fish?

Potential SCOTUS Pick Amy Coney Barrett Has a Church/State Separation Problem | Hemant Mehta | ...

Paul4747 comments on Sep 19, 2020:

Trump may well try and nominate a Justice in the last 6 weeks prior to the election, but it would be the height of hypocrisy for the Republicans in the Senate, particularly Mitch McConnell, who spent years blocking President Obama's nominees, to hold hearings and seat a Trump nominee now. After the ...

Paul4747 replies on Sep 19, 2020:

@Lorajay Again, as I say, we only need 3.

Michigan Pastor Faces Backlash After Racist Email Tirade Against Journalist | Hemant Mehta | ...

Paul4747 comments on Sep 18, 2020:

Once more I find myself feeling I should apologize because I live in my own state. (Goddammit.)

Paul4747 replies on Sep 18, 2020:

@snytiger6 And yet.... I feel as if, had I only done more, there would have been fewer of them...

If you could only choose one, know when you will die or manner of death?

creative51 comments on Sep 13, 2020:

Given that knowing when or manner is only possible if you commit suicide, this is a really fucking stupid ass question. Did you leave your brain at the dry cleaners or what? Or you just trying to run up some points? I have absolutely no respect for any one who asks a foolish question like this.

Paul4747 replies on Sep 13, 2020:

I sense much anger in this one....

Anyone else get their whole bio/description deleted?

Paul4747 comments on Sep 13, 2020:

Not I, said he.

Paul4747 replies on Sep 13, 2020:

@p-nullifidian Also, goodnight. ;)

Anyone else get their whole bio/description deleted?

Paul4747 comments on Sep 13, 2020:

Not I, said he.

Paul4747 replies on Sep 13, 2020:

@p-nullifidian The question at the top of the thread was, "Anyone else get their whole bio/description deleted?" I was answering it. "Not I, said he." I frequently speak of myself in the third person when I'm tired.

Here's an unresolved argument. Did Jesus really exist?

Paul4747 comments on Sep 12, 2020:

"Maybe" is as definitive an answer as will ever be given. Generations of Israeli archaeologists have been scouring that country looking for evidence of... anything, and although they've been looking mainly for evidence regarding the Mosaic stories, they also haven't found anything regarding Jesus. ...

Paul4747 replies on Sep 13, 2020:

@Fernapple This is understood. But I invite you to think of the story of George Washington, who we *know* to be a living historical figure, chopping down a cherry tree. We know this is a myth, yet many adults in the US believe it anyway. Or the stories of Lincoln working as a rail-splitter and building his own log cabin, which were only political embellishments but have become popular American mythology, to the point that there's a group called "The Log-Cabin Republicans". And these have come about in an age of very high literacy and education, by comparison to 2,000 years ago. Even the truth about well-documented figures can become distorted by publicity and myth-making. Most people think Patton looked like George C. Scott. The compilers of the NT were not concerned with historical accuracy, they were telling a mythology to persuade an audience that the Messiah had returned and fulfilled Hebrew prophecy. This is why so many inaccuracies abound; the compilers had to wrangle the story around to make Jesus fit the prophecy about being of the line of David, of being born in this city and yet coming from that city, riding into Jerusalem on an ass, yada yada yada. None of the books even agree on the details of his birth. All were composed between 70 and 200 years later, by people who had never met the man, if he did exist. But the same is true of most biographies of famous figures of our time. The standards of historical accuracy did not exist in those days and in that place as we know them. So there may have been such a preacher, claiming to be the Messiah, crucified by the Romans because he was a disruptive influence, and his followers may have been devoted enough to form a cult that survived his death. Certainly the cult survived whether or not there was such a man. It seems odd to me that it would be based on a wholly fictitious person, and his claims may have been made, even if his deeds were mythology.

Anyone else get their whole bio/description deleted?

Paul4747 comments on Sep 13, 2020:

Not I, said he.

Paul4747 replies on Sep 13, 2020:

@p-nullifidian Ummm..... No?

Weirdest Passages You've Read?

Paul4747 comments on Sep 7, 2020:

Deuteronomy 25:11-12 If two men, a man and his countryman, are struggling together, and the wife of one comes near to deliver her husband from the hand of the one who is striking him, and puts out her hand and seizes his genitals, then you shall cut off her hand; you shall not show pity. ...

Paul4747 replies on Sep 7, 2020:

@MyTVC15 Necklace?

These are my grandfather's medals from WWI; they are 100 years old.

K9Kohle789 comments on Sep 7, 2020:

If you can write to a senator take time to tell them to complete the impeachment process and DO THEIR JOB!! That'd about kill his chances of even running. Demand 45 Impeachment by senators https://www.senate.gov/senators/contact I got about half way down the list.

Paul4747 replies on Sep 7, 2020:

Isn't it a little late for that now?

When should you decide to engage in civil discourse?

MaryJane comments on Sep 5, 2020:

I guess I would say I have the same question. I'm a 67 year-old Midwest woman. I'm thinking I would lose any unrest because I do not believe in guns.

Paul4747 replies on Sep 5, 2020:

Well... I don't believe in Republicans, but they exist nonetheless. The question becomes how to keep them out of the wrong hands. (Guns and Republicans both.)

The first rule of fight club is no damned fight club. Who's with me?

Paul4747 comments on Sep 5, 2020:

I'm not sure, but I don't want to fight about it. (I found the movie so boring I couldn't get more than 40 minutes into it anyway... :))

Paul4747 replies on Sep 5, 2020:

@Willow_Wisp Yeah... maybe my testosterone doesn't need to express itself by fantasizing about young office drones beating each other up, or whatever the plot was. (I also find the Fast & Furious series preposterous & peurile.)

Republicans endorsing Joe Biden today.

AgeofReason comments on Sep 4, 2020:

I wish George W. Bush would add his name to this list.

Paul4747 replies on Sep 4, 2020:

@AgeofReason Exactly. Where Democrats don't persuade, a Republican might move someone who is on the fence.

Republicans endorsing Joe Biden today.

Buddha comments on Sep 4, 2020:

Unfortunately, the repubs are taking over the dem party

Paul4747 replies on Sep 4, 2020:

@Buddha You don't have to be a "progressive" to be a Democrat. One can believe in health care for all, to give one example, without buying into the idea that the free market must be abolished immediately. (If there's an effective, efficient and affordable government option, eventually the private insurance market will wither on the vine without having to be forced out.) The Republicans who spoke, and who are endorsing Biden, realize that this is an unprecedented time of crisis when one man and his enablers are assaulting the very foundations of American democracy, and if he gets another four years, it's impossible to predict what added damage might be done. As someone put it, "When you're all in the boat together, you have to focus on the closest alligator. We may decide, down the road, that Biden is a different alligator, but right now he's not threatening to eat everyone in the boat." Or words to that effect. Bottom line: we need to ally with anyone who is willing to push Trump out. There's nothing more important this year. His lack of leadership has done more damage to America's standing in the world, more damage to civil society and the rule of law at home, and has actually cost over 180,000 lives (so far!) that need not have been lost had he done his bare minimum as President. Instead, he put his reelection prospects over the lives of Americans. That's unconscionable. It's worthy of another impeachment, except that we know the Senate would just acquit him again. Trump must go. And even these Republicans know it.

Steep hike today. Descending was a bitch, a technical term.

Paul4747 comments on Aug 30, 2020:

Oh, a technical term. I see. In that case, my work week was a *cast-iron* bitch. I really needed the extra day off.

Paul4747 replies on Aug 31, 2020:

@LiterateHiker I got it, I was running with it.

Christian Crowdfunding Site Raising Money For Kenosha Killer Kyle Rittenhouse | Michael Stone

CourtJester comments on Aug 30, 2020:

I wouldn’t donate to a Christian group and I seldom donate to any cause at all, but I would donate to his legal funding if there was a trustworthy way to do so.

Paul4747 replies on Aug 30, 2020:

@CourtJester Zooming right past the above exchange; how does disliking anyone else's politics influence you to want to contribute to someone who is being charged with murder? Because he was possibly counter-protesting against a liberal march, and carrying a rifle illegally while doing so, resulting (as it appears) in his eventually shooting two people to death when getting into a confrontation? I would not want to contribute to a liberal accused of murdering a conservative protestor. Politics don't enter into shooting people. I decry violence on any side. He carried an AR clone into an already inflammatory situation. First dumb move. He already appeared to be looking for trouble. Second, at his age it's illegal in that state to open carry. Second dumb move. I don't believe all the facts of the incident have been established yet, but a celebrity conservative lawyer is already representing him. How he is being represented by someone who has also been a lawyer for Rudy Giuliani is inexplicable to me unless someone is already viewing this case as a conservative cause celebre. His claim of self-defense seems dubious at least in the first shooting, from the little I've read. It seems a plastic bag was thrown at him. This does not justify deadly force. By the way, regarding your rebuttal to @Healthydoc70; it's a common myth that the Nazi party disarmed the German population. Gun ownership was encouraged... with the exception of Jews, liberals, and other minorities, who genuinely were disarmed. You can look it up.

Survey: Pastors Say Adultery is a Forgivable Sin When Pastors Do It | Beth Stoneburner | Friendly ...

AmyTheBruce comments on Aug 16, 2020:

For once, I agree with them. Adultery is absolutely forgivable. I think that our culture has made far too big a deal of it.

Paul4747 replies on Aug 30, 2020:

@AmyTheBruce I get the feeling from most of these type of people that what they mean by "forgiveness" is, in fact, "pretend it never happened" in the case of well-known religiosi, conservative politicians, and similar mucketymucks; yet they have an entirely different attitude when it comes to people on the opposite side of the fence. Remember Monicagate? That's what I mean by hypocrisy. Just look at the number of conservative ministers who said that Clinton was not fit to lead the nation, yet don't bat an eye at Trump. I may be reading too much into it, of course; but failing to "practice what they preach" has always been a big strike against organized religion for me.

Christian Crowdfunding Site Raising Money For Kenosha Killer Kyle Rittenhouse | Michael Stone

CourtJester comments on Aug 30, 2020:

I wouldn’t donate to a Christian group and I seldom donate to any cause at all, but I would donate to his legal funding if there was a trustworthy way to do so.

Paul4747 replies on Aug 30, 2020:

Because....?

Why do Atheist like to talk about God so much?

Paul4747 comments on Aug 28, 2020:

Why do Democrats talk about Trump so much? Sometimes it's hard to resist the urge to try and explain how so many people can believe the unbelievable.

Paul4747 replies on Aug 30, 2020:

@Trajan61 If anything, it's Trump who has attempted to overthrow the rule of law. Trump has declared himself the nation’s chief law enforcement official. He has pardoned a raft of corrupt officials. He has exacted revenge on those he sees as his impeachment enemies — Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman, the decorated military veteran and national security staffer; and Gordon Sondland, Trump’s own handpicked ambassador to the European Union — simply because they testified under subpoena to what they knew about the White House’s dealings with Ukraine. He praises foreign dictators and fails to criticize concentration camps and the murder of opposition politicians and journalists; indeed, he seems to envy the powers of the authoritarian. He has declared that "voting by mail" in states with Democrat governors is going to lead to a rigged election, but "absentee voting" in states with Republican governors is perfectly safe, and as much as announced that he won't accept any election result except "Trump wins"- thereby attacking the underpinnings of our democracy and the peoples' faith in our nation. He calls the media the "enemy of the people" and refuses to see how this leads to pipe bombs in reporters' mailboxes. Trump has told over 20,000 verified lies since his inauguration- not just exaggerations, but *lies.* Lies like taking credit for legislation that President Obama signed into law (Veteran's Choice). Lies like claiming over and over that the economy was in ruins when he took office, but he somehow turned it around (job growth was actually slower the first 3 years of Trump's term than in the last 3 years of Obama's presidency). Lies like "It's just one person from China" and "One day it will disappear, like magic". Trump is at war with the truth. He's at war with democracy. Trump is at war with America.

I Could Have Suffered Breonna Taylor's Fate. Being White May Have Saved My Life.

CourtJester comments on Aug 29, 2020:

I saw the title and rooted for the aggressor.

Paul4747 replies on Aug 30, 2020:

Okay, I don't understand. You were hoping for someone white to be shot by police? Because if that's the way you're going with that, it's kinda fucked up. I don't want *anyone* innocent being shot by police.

I Could Have Suffered Breonna Taylor's Fate. Being White May Have Saved My Life.

TomMcGiverin comments on Aug 29, 2020:

I think both your skin color and someone knowing you were factors. Also, in your case the police at least knocked and identified themselves, in Taylor's they didn't, they just busted in and began firing.

Paul4747 replies on Aug 30, 2020:

Even considering the testimony from her boyfriend, they may have "identified" themselves just as much as my police did. He stated they heard repeated pounding on the door and she replied many times that they were getting dressed, they were coming, hold on, and words to that effect, before their door was knocked down. It's possible that the police were indeed shouting "Police!" but couldn't be heard over the other noise they were making. Without body cams we'll never know. Yelling something while beating on a door in the middle of the night, to me, does not count as "identifying yourself" as the police, whatever the truth is. What scared me even more was being told, at the station the next day, that if I had been asleep and not heard the ruckus or got to the door in time, they would have kicked my door in and made no apology about it.

I Could Have Suffered Breonna Taylor's Fate. Being White May Have Saved My Life.

TheMiddleWay comments on Aug 29, 2020:

From the telling of your story it seems that the color of your skin was not the mitigating factor but the fact that somebody in that posse knew you. If you were black and somebody knew you, there's every chance that it would have worked out exactly the same. If you were white and nobody knew ...

Paul4747 replies on Aug 30, 2020:

@itsmedammit Exactly the point I made to someone else, and something I have wondered about.

I Could Have Suffered Breonna Taylor's Fate. Being White May Have Saved My Life.

Paddypereira comments on Aug 29, 2020:

Jaysus!!! Happy to know you got away with it. As one of the guys knew you, even if you were black, you'd get away anyway. If nobody knew you, I don't think the colour of your skin would matter. If the guys were good professionals, you could get away like you did. Someone more nervous on the trigger ...

Paul4747 replies on Aug 30, 2020:

Debatable. He only had the time to recognize me because his partner, the one *pointing a gun at my face*, did not immediately pull the trigger. I still don't know whether this was professionalism on his part, cool nerves, or...? I have just started questioning how he might have reacted differently if it were someone else in my shoes.

Why do Atheist like to talk about God so much?

Paul4747 comments on Aug 28, 2020:

Why do Democrats talk about Trump so much? Sometimes it's hard to resist the urge to try and explain how so many people can believe the unbelievable.

Paul4747 replies on Aug 30, 2020:

@Trajan61 Your choice of words is incorrect. Allow me to educate you. Democrats have *never once* attempted to "overthrow" Trump. That word implies an illegal revolt, as when we overthrew George III's dominance. Democrats in Congress impeached Trump, as provided for in the Constitution, which is the law of the land. The Senate then held a trial, also provided for in the Constitution, and acquitted him. The point of impeachment is not reversing the results of the election, as alleged repeatedly by Republicans. It is accusing a President of high crimes and misdemeanors. Trump will always and forever be known as the 4th president in our history who was impeached, and nothing his defenders say will change that.

The antagonism to science, as it's ever increasing in our country, is taking us on a path to ...

twill comments on Aug 20, 2020:

Bible is maybe 10% historically and geographically accurate...? And that is "the book of truth"? But science and reasoning has to be 100% correct, all of the time and never be wrong or unsure... See what I mean Vern?

Paul4747 replies on Aug 23, 2020:

@dermot235 Which is, sadly, what anti-science zealots use against it. Religion is always *certain*. That's comforting. Science is always questioning, coming closer and closer, but can never say with absolute certainty that it has the truth; only a better hypothesis than before. These days, that's derided as "flip-flopping".

There's an ampersand in there somewhere, but basically this guy choose a shirt that says he runs on ...

Fit50something comments on Aug 21, 2020:

I have to assume that he's talking about the beanbag-tossing game, but I still don't understand what he's trying to say.

Paul4747 replies on Aug 22, 2020:

@linxminx That's nothing. We have (had, pre-pandemic) cornhole *tournaments* for the prisoners where I work. Although depending on how you define it, that could be a year-round thing...

What about NDE's (Near Death Experiences)?

Paul4747 comments on Aug 17, 2020:

I have them constantly. It's called "living". The accounts of seeing dead relatives, seeing what's happening in the world while one is "dead", and so on, are all retrospective (naturally) and thus highly colored by the imagination. Enthusiastic exchanges with fellow believers no doubt feed the ...

Paul4747 replies on Aug 20, 2020:

@JeffMesser Apparently those years didn't teach you that making a case requires evidence. Since you refuse to do that, we're bound to fill in the blanks ourselves. Past life regression has been debunked by people much smarter than me, in all cases which I have ever heard of the "verifiable details" turned out to come from sources that the person had read or viewed before their "experience". In other words, they're making it up as they go along.

Survey: Pastors Say Adultery is a Forgivable Sin When Pastors Do It | Beth Stoneburner | Friendly ...

AmyTheBruce comments on Aug 16, 2020:

For once, I agree with them. Adultery is absolutely forgivable. I think that our culture has made far too big a deal of it.

Paul4747 replies on Aug 17, 2020:

Except what we're really talking about here is *hypocrisy*. When they preach a religion that commands "Thou shalt not commit adultery", one would think that the pastors had a particular onus to lead by example and display the virtues they preach. However, all too often it's a case of "Do as I say, not as I do."

Holly's Back

Cutiebeauty comments on Aug 11, 2020:

Sweet Holly

Paul4747 replies on Aug 12, 2020:

And you have to respect the strain holding that pose puts on a back :) Modelling is hard work!!

Holly's Back

ToakReon comments on Aug 11, 2020:

Good. Have you got any of Holly's Front?

Paul4747 replies on Aug 12, 2020:

First posted yesterday https://agnostic.com/group/sexypics/discussion/523463/the-fabulous-holly-peers-i-promise-shell-be-back I promised she would be back, now here's her back! (Plus some bonus sideboob)

The fabulous Holly Peers... I promise she'll be back.

Cutiebeauty comments on Aug 11, 2020:

Very nice boobies :)

Paul4747 replies on Aug 11, 2020:

Boobies are nice :)

The fabulous Holly Peers... I promise she'll be back.

mischl comments on Aug 10, 2020:

Big bountiful breasts. I'm thinking she could feed twins quite easily.

Paul4747 replies on Aug 11, 2020:

Uhhhh......

Serenity.. Personified..

Paul4747 comments on Jul 29, 2020:

Actually, THIS is Serenity, personified

Paul4747 replies on Jul 29, 2020:

@Cutiebeauty Oh yes she is! All great ships are ladies :)

Republican men try to date me, a Democrat. Dead giveaways.

Mitch07102 comments on Jul 22, 2020:

In a discussion of any issue, need to be right rather than seek the right answer. Strongly correlates with a lesser intellect, though not always. Also the personality type that values order over justice.

Paul4747 replies on Jul 23, 2020:

"Needing to be right rather than find the right answer" correlates with everyone, regardless of politics. It's human behavior. I read of a study in which a number of educated people were asked to analyze several problems using statistics (multiple choice). Everyone in the study tended to come up with the same answers, until the questions about the effectiveness of gun control. Liberals and conservatives then gave different answers, based on the same statistics, once the question involved their political beliefs. (No, I don't know what the statistics were or what the question was, that's not the point.)

MAGA Cultist Pastor: If Churches Don’t Open Their Doors ASAP, the Communists Win | Hemant Mehta |...

HannaYou comments on Jul 18, 2020:

Why are they so obsessed with communism?

Paul4747 replies on Jul 21, 2020:

@BirdMan1 That's "pledge of allegiance", not national anthem.

Remember When Fascism Was a Catholic Problem?

Triphid comments on Jul 13, 2020:

Pope Pius XII, I'm pretty sure of it btw, and the College of Cardinals 'created' an Escape Route for Nazi War Criminals via the Vatican as early as 1942-43. The 'cost' to these Nazi Fascists was assumed to be no less than 15% of the sum Total of the worth of the wealth stolen from the Jews, etc, ...

Paul4747 replies on Jul 14, 2020:

@altschmerz Well put. Maybe it would be best to characterize it as "a certain type of belief in god." Or "a belief in a certain type of god"?

Remember When Fascism Was a Catholic Problem?

Triphid comments on Jul 13, 2020:

Pope Pius XII, I'm pretty sure of it btw, and the College of Cardinals 'created' an Escape Route for Nazi War Criminals via the Vatican as early as 1942-43. The 'cost' to these Nazi Fascists was assumed to be no less than 15% of the sum Total of the worth of the wealth stolen from the Jews, etc, ...

Paul4747 replies on Jul 14, 2020:

@altschmerz Hitler was hostile to Christianity, as he believed it made men "weak" and unwilling to do what needed to be done (in his own opinion, that is). Many top Nazis, on the other hand, were devout Catholics or at least pretended to be, not unlike the Mafia in modern times. There's no conflict between being religious and being a complete monster.

Does Trump have PSP Frontotemproal Dementia? I am sure that he does.

TomMcGiverin comments on May 25, 2020:

My view is that both him and Biden have some kind of dementia. Trump's is not as far along as Biden's and also that Trump was more of an asshole before dementia than Biden. But the fact remains that because of the system where both parties are owned by the same people and we are only allowed choices...

Paul4747 replies on Jul 14, 2020:

@jorj Possibly because yours is the only account I've ever seen alleging that Biden "forgets he is live streaming thing to his supporters" and walks off during his address. Why isn't the RNC and Fox News running these tapes 24/7, if they actually happened? It seems as though these would be campaign gold. I must also admit that I grew weary with trying to decode your endless stream of "u" into standard English. Hence I declined to address the rest of your concerns, nor will I.

Does Trump have PSP Frontotemproal Dementia? I am sure that he does.

TomMcGiverin comments on May 25, 2020:

My view is that both him and Biden have some kind of dementia. Trump's is not as far along as Biden's and also that Trump was more of an asshole before dementia than Biden. But the fact remains that because of the system where both parties are owned by the same people and we are only allowed choices...

Paul4747 replies on Jul 14, 2020:

@jorj "He cuts his own self off because of time limits at debate". Really? He follows the rules of the debate forum? Shocking. Clearly he's not in the same class with Trump, who follows no rules at all.

Church singing ban strikes sour note with California pastor

273kelvin comments on Jul 12, 2020:

On a more secular level, the singing ban might not be as necessary as it seems. A musician friend posted an interesting video/experiment which you might want to try at home. Take a lighted candle and hold it in front of your mouth (Have a lighter handy). First whisper, then talk and then sing. You ...

Paul4747 replies on Jul 12, 2020:

But none at all is best...

I'm curious, what useful thing have you learned about yourself during this difficult time?

Paul4747 comments on Jul 12, 2020:

That nobody, with one or two exceptions, really wants to know how I'm doing.

Paul4747 replies on Jul 12, 2020:

@AvisG Thanks for asking, trying to muster up the determination to get back to work tomorrow. Can't sit on the couch forever.

I'm curious, what useful thing have you learned about yourself during this difficult time?

Paul4747 comments on Jul 12, 2020:

That nobody, with one or two exceptions, really wants to know how I'm doing.

Paul4747 replies on Jul 12, 2020:

Side effects of depression; sometimes you feel sorry for yourself. But you don't want to try to get other people to feel sorry for you. Not if you're like me, anyway. Then you feel sorry for yourself, because people don't feel sorry for you. (I know, it doesn't make sense. Depression doesn't.)

Happy Fourth of July?

Paul4747 comments on Jul 4, 2020:

It was fair for its time. Judging the language by our standards is missing the point; their ideas truly were revolutionary.

Paul4747 replies on Jul 4, 2020:

@Fred_Snerd I mean people who come across as very bitter and cynical. "Truth"? You may think you're preaching truths, but to me, it's just your point of view. Your bitter, cynical little point of view. "I should avoid you?" You replied to me. So, in what way was I seeking you out? Seems to me you foisted yourself on me.

Happy Fourth of July?

Paul4747 comments on Jul 4, 2020:

It was fair for its time. Judging the language by our standards is missing the point; their ideas truly were revolutionary.

Paul4747 replies on Jul 4, 2020:

@Fred_Snerd If that's what you think, do something about it. Get involved. Fix the system, don't just criticize the system. I don't have time for negative people.

Happy Fourth of July?

Paul4747 comments on Jul 4, 2020:

It was fair for its time. Judging the language by our standards is missing the point; their ideas truly were revolutionary.

Paul4747 replies on Jul 4, 2020:

@Fred_Snerd And you know that's not what I'm talking about. It's intellectually dishonest of you to equate present-day personalities with 18th century politicians. Because standards evolve, I can disapprove of Bill Clinton's womanizing (while still thinking he's 500 times the president Trump is), while simultaneously recognizing that, by the standards of the late 18th century, Jefferson, Hamilton, et. al. were highly enlightened thinkers who paved the way for where we are today.

"Religion is a practice that counterbalances our animal instincts for the purpose of accommodating ...

Paul4747 comments on Jul 1, 2020:

Let me work on that for a minute: "*Civilization* is a set of practices that counterbalance our animal instincts for the purpose of accommodating *our fellow human beings*." I prefer this version, since religion in general (and especially in its earliest forms) merely codifies tribal taboos ...

Paul4747 replies on Jul 4, 2020:

@skado The Bing online dictionary provides the following for "religion": "the belief in and worship of a superhuman controlling power, especially a personal God or gods" "a particular system of faith and worship" "a pursuit or interest to which someone ascribes supreme importance" Merriam-Webster, on the other hand, says: "a personal set or institutionalized system of religious attitudes, beliefs, and practices" "*archaic* : scrupulous conformity : conscientiousness" "a cause, principle, or system of beliefs held to with ardor and faith" The beliefs and the practices go hand in hand. For example: meditation is just meditation (however much it might do for any given individual). But practicing meditation with the belief that it makes you one with the universal spirit; that's a religion. By all means, call whatever you want "religion". But if it doesn't sound like religion to everybody else, don't be surprised.

"Religion is a practice that counterbalances our animal instincts for the purpose of accommodating ...

Paul4747 comments on Jul 1, 2020:

Let me work on that for a minute: "*Civilization* is a set of practices that counterbalance our animal instincts for the purpose of accommodating *our fellow human beings*." I prefer this version, since religion in general (and especially in its earliest forms) merely codifies tribal taboos ...

Paul4747 replies on Jul 4, 2020:

@skado That would be philosophy; the secular equivalent of religion, without the mythology.

Happy Fourth of July?

Paul4747 comments on Jul 4, 2020:

It was fair for its time. Judging the language by our standards is missing the point; their ideas truly were revolutionary.

Paul4747 replies on Jul 4, 2020:

@Gwendolyn2018 Accepting that they had different standards doesn't mean agreeing with them. They were a product of their times; they advanced beyond that to extoll ideas that changed the world. That we, in our time, don't go along with their standards reflects well on how far we've come, but it doesn't have to denigrate those in the past.

Because I like swords

Radu comments on Jul 1, 2020:

Don't we all :) Can anyone translate her tattoo?

Paul4747 replies on Jul 3, 2020:

@Radu Maybe the artist was distracted by the canvas?

"Religion is a practice that counterbalances our animal instincts for the purpose of accommodating ...

Paul4747 comments on Jul 1, 2020:

Let me work on that for a minute: "*Civilization* is a set of practices that counterbalance our animal instincts for the purpose of accommodating *our fellow human beings*." I prefer this version, since religion in general (and especially in its earliest forms) merely codifies tribal taboos ...

Paul4747 replies on Jul 2, 2020:

@skado If you don't believe our limbic systems and R-complex still drive our behavior, look at politics. Voters act overwhelmingly out of fear and hatred rather than out of any rational calculation of self-interest. Yes, humans have evolved in a technological sense, but in many ways this has only made us more dangerous to ourselves. So what is this "authentic" religion you're talking about, who exactly practices it, and why doesn't anyone seem to have heard of it?

"Religion is a practice that counterbalances our animal instincts for the purpose of accommodating ...

Paul4747 comments on Jul 1, 2020:

Let me work on that for a minute: "*Civilization* is a set of practices that counterbalance our animal instincts for the purpose of accommodating *our fellow human beings*." I prefer this version, since religion in general (and especially in its earliest forms) merely codifies tribal taboos ...

Paul4747 replies on Jul 2, 2020:

@skado > But that struggle is exactly why modern religion evolved Point of order; "modern religion" evolved from ancient religions, and ancient religions evolved from a need to address the questions of where the world came from, where people came from, where we go when we die, and why it all happens. Science now has an almost infinitely better grasp of the first two subjects. There is no provable answer to the third, and philosophy has just as good an answer to the fourth. Moral philosophy is also almost infinitely better than religion at telling us how to live together in peace and harmony, since the majority of philosophers (apart from Nietzsche and such ilk) don't spend time justifying why we should go around smiting one another; while religion is full of contradictions on this point. Perhaps if we actually had a "modern" religion, that wasn't descended from squabbling tribes in the Middle East and yet claimed to know the secrets of the Universe, it might command some moral suasion. Something that didn't say "Thou shalt not commit murder", and then in the next chapter contain explicit commands on who to murder (in the name of God, of course).

Seeing double

Cutiebeauty comments on Jul 1, 2020:

.....

Paul4747 replies on Jul 1, 2020:

@Cutiebeauty (I cheated, I typed the message in and got it translated first ;))

Seeing double

Cutiebeauty comments on Jul 1, 2020:

.....

Paul4747 replies on Jul 1, 2020:

@Cutiebeauty .- .-.. .-.. -..-. .. ... -..-. ..-. --- .-. --. .. ...- . -. -..-. .... .- ...- . -..-. .- -..-. .-- --- -. -.. . .-. ..-. ..- .-.. -..-. . ...- . -. .. -. --. https://morsecode.world/international/translator.html

Because I like swords

Radu comments on Jul 1, 2020:

Don't we all :) Can anyone translate her tattoo?

Paul4747 replies on Jul 1, 2020:

Hard getting a screencap off the small of her back ;)

Seeing double

Cutiebeauty comments on Jul 1, 2020:

.....

Paul4747 replies on Jul 1, 2020:

@Cutiebeauty SIHS and IIIHEI to you too!! (If you're using Morse code, that is)

Because I like swords

Radu comments on Jul 1, 2020:

Don't we all :) Can anyone translate her tattoo?

Paul4747 replies on Jul 1, 2020:

If I had to guess: "Hands Off"

Seeing double

Cutiebeauty comments on Jul 1, 2020:

.....

Paul4747 replies on Jul 1, 2020:

.......?

Because I like swords

BitFlipper comments on Jul 1, 2020:

OK, I've got to post some pictures of women with ropes.

Paul4747 replies on Jul 1, 2020:

Like, mountain climbing?

The following is part 1 of a 3 part series: "Understanding Donald Trump, Part I" I do not know...

Paul4747 comments on Jul 1, 2020:

"Malignant narcissist" pretty much sums it up. What Trump cares about, indeed, is winning. More importantly, he perceives the world in strictly economic terms. Everything is a zero-sum transaction. It's impossible for both parties to win. For one side to win, the other has to lose. There's ...

Paul4747 replies on Jul 1, 2020:

@wordywalt Part 2 is that his core of followers, for reasons I can't begin to comprehend, forgive him completely for all of this. They are people who see compromise and admitting fault as weakness, inflexibility as strength. If you stake out a position and stick to it, no matter what new information comes along that might indicate a change of course, or even indicates you were just plain wrong; that's a sign of determination. Scientists are flip-floppers because their theories are just theories, they change every day, they don't really know anything, and besides, they're all part of the liberal establishment! The economy? All the problems are caused by foreigners taking our jobs and shithole countries ripping us off! Government regulations making it impossible to mine coal the way we used to! And along comes Trump, confirming their biases, reaffirming what they think they know, telling comfortable lies instead of hard truths. I guess I can comprehend why they forgive him. But I can't comprehend how they live with themselves.

8 common mask styles that don't actually protect you from coronavirus.

MrDragon comments on Jul 1, 2020:

The only ones that protect you are the N-95. If what your wearing isn't rated as a N-95 the only thing you're doing is protecting someone else, however, if they are not wearing a mask of any kind then you're screwed.

Paul4747 replies on Jul 1, 2020:

Even if it's not N95, a simple layer of cloth can catch and stop the droplets before you breath them in. Is it perfect? No. Is it a lot better than nothing? Yes. That's what I emphasize to my "clients" who seem to think that, since they tested negative, they don't have to wear the masks any more. (Idiots.)

Russian operation targeted coalition troops in Afghanistan, intelligence finds - The Washington Post

barjoe comments on Jun 30, 2020:

This went out on "The Wire" so it's been well known throughout the intelligence community for months. For Trump to say he wasn't briefed about it is a lie.

Paul4747 replies on Jun 30, 2020:

@barjoe Here's the explanation, in today's *Post*: "President" Trump is the first out of the past 7 presidents who doesn't actually *read* the President's Daily Brief. https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2020/06/30/2-things-that-seem-explain-trumps-ignorance-about-russias-bounties/?utm_campaign=wp_post_most=email=newsletter=nl_most > The first thing to note here is the semantic game the White House appears to be playing. They’re suggesting the President’s Daily Brief document doesn’t itself constitute a “briefing” — despite having “brief” in its name — but that a briefing must be done orally. That’s quite the parse. And as longtime Times national security reporter David Sanger notes, it’s not how this works. > David Sanger@SangerNY·9h I’ve covered national security over four presidencies. This is the first in which a written intelligence product sent to the President didn’t constitute a “briefing.” Quote Tweet Jim Sciutto @jimsciutto · 20h Several intelligence veterans have advised me to beware administration officials parsing the word “briefed”, as in whether they mean orally briefed or contained in briefing documents. > But aside from that, it’s worth distilling the White House’s apparent defense down to its basest form, which is Trump may have actually been provided the intelligence, but he didn’t actually consume it. That makes complete sense, given everything we know about Trump and his approach to both detailed intelligence and — more importantly in this moment — to intel about Russia specifically. > Current and former officials said that his daily intelligence update — known as the president’s daily brief, or PDB — is often structured to avoid upsetting him. Russia-related intelligence that might draw Trump’s ire is in some cases included only in the written assessment and not raised orally, said a former senior intelligence official familiar with the matter. In other cases, Trump’s main briefer — a veteran CIA analyst — adjusts the order of his presentation and text, aiming to soften the impact. “If you talk about Russia, meddling, interference — that takes the PDB off the rails,” said a second former senior U.S. intelligence official. “If you say ‘Russian interference,’ to him it’s all about him,” said a senior Republican strategist who has discussed the matter with Trump’s confidants. “He judges everything as about him.” So it sounds like I guessed right, essentially. Briefing the President and "briefing" the "president" now mean two different things.

Russian operation targeted coalition troops in Afghanistan, intelligence finds - The Washington Post

barjoe comments on Jun 30, 2020:

This went out on "The Wire" so it's been well known throughout the intelligence community for months. For Trump to say he wasn't briefed about it is a lie.

Paul4747 replies on Jun 30, 2020:

But it wasn't on Fox!! It's well known he doesn't pay any attention to his briefings, and has the attention span of a wombat in a tsunami, so he may well *believe* he wasn't briefed, just because he doesn't listen to anything that doesn't interest him or conflicts with his preconceived notions. Or that he just plain doesn't want to hear.

Catholic Bishop Will Spray Holy Water from Helicopter Over City to Defeat Devil | Hemant Mehta | ...

Paul4747 comments on Jun 29, 2020:

Definitely not a new idea, Sny, the article is from 2019.

Paul4747 replies on Jun 30, 2020:

@snytiger6 Happens to everyone.

NYC Mayor Says He Will Shut Down Sales Of Illegal Fireworks : NPR

redhog comments on Jun 29, 2020:

Yeah the trumpers will have a field day with that. "You can't touch mah rats"

Paul4747 replies on Jun 30, 2020:

@redhog (I got it, I was being a goof)

NYC Mayor Says He Will Shut Down Sales Of Illegal Fireworks : NPR

redhog comments on Jun 29, 2020:

Yeah the trumpers will have a field day with that. "You can't touch mah rats"

Paul4747 replies on Jun 29, 2020:

Why would I want to touch anyone's rats?

America is drunk on a warped idea of freedom, and now it's killing people.

Paul4747 comments on Jun 28, 2020:

What the.... “Who made you perpetrators over my life?” What does that even mean? Sounds like she caught the Covfefe virus.

Paul4747 replies on Jun 29, 2020:

@prometheus Good question. I don't have cable TV, so I couldn't really answer this one. Might be a good research project for someone though...

'Window is closing' for US to get coronavirus under control, Trump's HHS secretary warns

QuidamOutrepont comments on Jun 28, 2020:

The border is not about to reopen.

Paul4747 replies on Jun 29, 2020:

@IrishTxJudy Oh, yes, that is true now you mention it, but- it was only obliquely related, at best, to the thread topic.

America is drunk on a warped idea of freedom, and now it's killing people.

WilliamFleming comments on Jun 28, 2020:

The article is based on the false insinuation that the US is the worst affected country. If you want to compare how different countries are doing you have to look at deaths per million. At least eight European countries have a higher death rate than the US. The virus is still spreading in the US ...