Am I missing something here? I know they are

silverotter11 comments on May 30, 2021:

trump supporters for sure.

TomMcGiverin replies on May 31, 2021:

@silverotter11 You are right on the money about that movie and I don't blame you a bit. Banjo music now makes me run for the hills.

Am I missing something here? I know they are

silverotter11 comments on May 30, 2021:

trump supporters for sure.

TomMcGiverin replies on May 31, 2021:

True that, but I was also thinking of a couple characters in the movie Deliverance..... Cue the banjo music, which always gives me the creeps after seeing that film..

Am I missing something here? I know they are

TomMcGiverin comments on May 30, 2021:

Just goes to prove that there's a match out there for everybody, lol!.

TomMcGiverin replies on May 31, 2021:

@TheoryNumber3 For all we know, they are...

Am I missing something here? I know they are

Marcie1974 comments on May 30, 2021:

Always great to make fun of the way people look. I’m a middle aged overweight woman..want to make fun of me too? I’ll even include a picture. Have at it.

TomMcGiverin replies on May 31, 2021:

I think you look fine, Marcie. If I lived in your area and you weren't young enough to be my daughter, I would be interested in dating you.

Yes please think hurting people because they are different is wrong

Tejas comments on May 31, 2021:

I don't know anyone in an ska band.

TomMcGiverin replies on May 31, 2021:

@HippieChick58 Ska music is a hybrid form of music that is a cross between reggae and rock music. It began in Jamaica in the early sixties and then in the late 70s it was revived in the UK by young bands, often with a mix of white and black musicians.

Lip service, platitudes, tokenism, performative gestures, empty promises, and let downs, that is ...

Leetx comments on May 28, 2021:

Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid ???

TomMcGiverin replies on May 29, 2021:

@Leetx Overall tho, he was still way to the left of today's Dem Party on economics affecting the working class and middle class. He had to be, in order to beat McGovern in 1972.

I Need a true and sincere relationship.text me

Cyklone comments on May 24, 2021:

Buy a dog.

TomMcGiverin replies on May 29, 2021:

I think Bob Dole, the greatest wit in modern politics, once said that "If you want a friend in Washington, DC, get a dog"...

Lip service, platitudes, tokenism, performative gestures, empty promises, and let downs, that is ...

Leetx comments on May 28, 2021:

Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid ???

TomMcGiverin replies on May 29, 2021:

@RoboGraham Exactly! They have done nothing significant since I was a child and LBJ was prez. He was the last progressive prez we had, at least on economic policies, unless you count Nixon, who was way to the left of the modern Dems on economic policy.

Lip service, platitudes, tokenism, performative gestures, empty promises, and let downs, that is ...

Leetx comments on May 28, 2021:

Civil rights act of 1964. Are you pretending there are viable options ?

TomMcGiverin replies on May 29, 2021:

That was in 1964. What have they done since LBJ that was substantial and meaningful? Candy ass stuff like unpaid family leave doesn't count, at least in my book, and neither does gay rights or Obamacare. Why? Because none of those cost the rich or corporations any real amounts of money or power. Even Obamacare was a profitable gift to the health insurance and drug companies, as well as hospital systems.

Let's form a viable Third Party. We need it!

Druvius comments on May 26, 2021:

Unfortunately after Shirley Chisolm's surprisingly strong showing in the seventies, the GOP/Dems set it up so that the chances of a viable third party are almost nonexistent. A healthy democracy has multiple parties reflecting multiple POVs, as many European and other democracies show. The US is a ...

TomMcGiverin replies on May 26, 2021:

As Jimmy Carter himself said recently, the US no longer has a functioning democracy...

If someone has already posted this, sorry for the repeated info.

TomMcGiverin comments on May 25, 2021:

No surprise here. Religious people tend to cover up or put on a front of being more nice, moral, etc. because they want to impress their religious peers and also to convince themselves they are getting to go to heaven.

TomMcGiverin replies on May 25, 2021:

@Gwendolyn2018 I agree, people's bad intentions matter the most, because they say everything about their character.

If someone has already posted this, sorry for the repeated info.

TomMcGiverin comments on May 25, 2021:

No surprise here. Religious people tend to cover up or put on a front of being more nice, moral, etc. because they want to impress their religious peers and also to convince themselves they are getting to go to heaven.

TomMcGiverin replies on May 25, 2021:

@Gwendolyn2018 Not sure that it's mostly the leaders who are into fooling people. I have met way too many rank and file Christians who are hypocrites and phonies, that are into fooling those around them about their real character. As to whether believing lies makes you a liar, I'm not sure about that. Depends on the individual.

If someone has already posted this, sorry for the repeated info.

bobwjr comments on May 25, 2021:

The religious beliefs are a main source of hate and prejudice

TomMcGiverin replies on May 25, 2021:

@Gwendolyn2018 Religion is used to make their hate and prejudice respectable.

If someone has already posted this, sorry for the repeated info.

TomMcGiverin comments on May 25, 2021:

No surprise here. Religious people tend to cover up or put on a front of being more nice, moral, etc. because they want to impress their religious peers and also to convince themselves they are getting to go to heaven.

TomMcGiverin replies on May 25, 2021:

@Gwendolyn2018 True, but their primary mission is fooling others, like their neighbors and fellow citizens, that they are righteous people.

Talk me through this?

TomMcGiverin comments on May 23, 2021:

Have you ever watched the WE TV show Love After Lockup? What it confirms is that the people who end up dating inmates after forming connections online before the inmate's release are very dysfunctional people who are very desperate for a relationship, much more so than most other people on dating ...

TomMcGiverin replies on May 23, 2021:

@carlyhorton I think that people who readily date inmates or recently released cons are usually people who are very needy and dysfunctional, similar to people who choose to become a nurse with a purse for some old sick guy. They desperately want a relationship with anybody so they will latch onto whoever will take them. Being choosy is a sign of better mental health. Sometimes being alone, at least for a while, is healthier than pairing up with the first person who will take them.

I can only imagine the righteous ire and indignation of people if they saw on the news that, from ...

Druvius comments on May 23, 2021:

Yes, living in a country where whites are advantaged in every way is infuriating. Claiming this is the equivalent is both ignorant and offensive, white fragility and distressed privilege illustrated. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dw_mRaIHb-M

TomMcGiverin replies on May 23, 2021:

Very telling and insightful.

Quite possibly the only thing worse than not having your spouse be interested in you, is finally ...

Silver1wun comments on May 19, 2021:

If YOU aren't interested in you, nobody else will be; spouse or otherwise.

TomMcGiverin replies on May 20, 2021:

@Silver1wun Your explanation makes sense. Thanks for elaborating.

Quite possibly the only thing worse than not having your spouse be interested in you, is finally ...

Silver1wun comments on May 19, 2021:

If YOU aren't interested in you, nobody else will be; spouse or otherwise.

TomMcGiverin replies on May 20, 2021:

Isn't that kind of hard to define?

I am seeking an intelligent woman who chooses knowledge over belief.

HeAdAkE comments on May 18, 2021:

you're going to be seeking for a long time, women dont care about that shit, they only care about what u can provide for them, truth hurts!

TomMcGiverin replies on May 19, 2021:

@SeaGreenEyez I keep looking because I know, from my one LTR and marriage, that I am way happier when I am in a positive relationship than when I am alone, so I won't give up looking. As far as all that happy, fairy tale stuff about how you always find the right one once you stop looking, I think it is exactly that, garbage... I don't buy it, at least not at my age. It just doesn't happen that way. I have never said or felt that it was pointless, as I did find someone fairly compatible after two years of active, constant searching on Batch, even tho in the end it didn't work out. It was enjoyable and I was happier when I was dating that woman for six months. I have recently also met another woman on Batch that I have had three dates with. She seems pretty compatible and is attractive to me and vice versa, so in no way does it seem "pointless", just an uphill battle against long odds that usually involves a lot of waiting between times that the few compatible women for me come onto the market and the dating site with each round of deaths and divorces among coupled people. As for complaining, I have to respectfully disagree with you. I find it is helpful to both complain AND continue showing up and taking my shots at finding someone. Complaining helps with venting and getting the negative emotions out, while at the same time continuing to do the footwork necessary to use the opportunities on Batch and reach out to those who seem compatible.

I am seeking an intelligent woman who chooses knowledge over belief.

kiramea comments on May 18, 2021:

please delete five of these. You posted this six times which is very unnecessary.

TomMcGiverin replies on May 19, 2021:

@Sgt_Spanky That has happened to me before, but I was conscientious enough to notice soon after and delete the extra posts. Some people just post away and never even come back to read or check on the comments about their post.

Holy fuck, if I weren’t already atheist, I’d be asking where to sign up! 10 Rules of Sex for...

Leelu comments on May 19, 2021:

And yet, if you told these people that they are prize winning Fetish Life Participants they'd be offended. I haven't seen anything like this except in Fet Life Dom/Sub lifestyle guides. IMO, these women are indoctrinated into abusive life choices because most of these women have been programmed from...

TomMcGiverin replies on May 19, 2021:

@Leelu Agreed. Like you, I am always skeptical of how little their consent is coerced.

Holy fuck, if I weren’t already atheist, I’d be asking where to sign up! 10 Rules of Sex for...

Leelu comments on May 19, 2021:

And yet, if you told these people that they are prize winning Fetish Life Participants they'd be offended. I haven't seen anything like this except in Fet Life Dom/Sub lifestyle guides. IMO, these women are indoctrinated into abusive life choices because most of these women have been programmed from...

TomMcGiverin replies on May 19, 2021:

Well said. I agree that few, if any women would choose this if they already had an open and free mind. And those would probably would be people in the Fetish crowd, which is fine with me.

Holy fuck, if I weren’t already atheist, I’d be asking where to sign up! 10 Rules of Sex for...

TomMcGiverin comments on May 19, 2021:

So much of what I would call "Happy Horseshit". The last couple rules are really telling, saying that the woman is the husband's trophy to be on full display for everyone to see and the final rule that confirms that the wife is no more than a pet, like a dog or cat to obey and please the man. Makes ...

TomMcGiverin replies on May 19, 2021:

@Apunzelle You would be correct. I would bet the house on it!

I am seeking an intelligent woman who chooses knowledge over belief.

HeAdAkE comments on May 18, 2021:

you're going to be seeking for a long time, women dont care about that shit, they only care about what u can provide for them, truth hurts!

TomMcGiverin replies on May 19, 2021:

@SeaGreenEyez I never said they all are, it just appears that most of them in my local dating pool, or puddle, appear to be. And yes, geo is a dealbreaker for me. I need the emotional support of my local longtime friends too much to risk moving away and then hoping the relationship works out. Same thing with LD dating, too much time, money, and emotional rollercoaster for my tastes. In my local area, the dating pool is more like a puddle or wading pool, at least for people like me who are not part of the cultural mainstream, which I have defined for my local area on these boards ad nauseum. I am not going to change to fit into that dating pool of having to be religious, be very family-oriented, into college sports bigtime, into country music, conservative politics, and having social drinking as the center of one's social life. Not for me. So I have to settle for seeking a partner from the 2-3% of the local dating pool that are compatible for me. You also underestimate my intelligence and self control. On Agnostic here, I can vent and bluntly state my feelings and opinions about the dating game, as does everyone else here. On Batch or actual dating sites, where few or more likely, none, of the single women in my local area from dating sites are likely to ever venture, much less read anything I post here on Agnostic, I am more than careful to keep my opinions to myself about the dating game and such. In fact, when women from Batch try to engage me in a game of sharing war stories about the dating game and dating sites, I politely decline and say I would rather focus on the positive and learn more about them. Seems to work every time. So, in a nutshell, I effectively manage my messaging on dating sites, as well as offline interactions with women from dating sites, not here, to avoid tipping my hand on the things you feel I am too negative about. Nice try at pegging me for self sabotaging with women I connect with on Batch, but you're wrong about me on that. I am willing to date within 55 miles of where I live. I think most people are like that. If that's too limited for your standards, too bad.

Holy fuck, if I weren’t already atheist, I’d be asking where to sign up! 10 Rules of Sex for...

TomMcGiverin comments on May 19, 2021:

So much of what I would call "Happy Horseshit". The last couple rules are really telling, saying that the woman is the husband's trophy to be on full display for everyone to see and the final rule that confirms that the wife is no more than a pet, like a dog or cat to obey and please the man. Makes ...

TomMcGiverin replies on May 19, 2021:

@Apunzelle In other words, you not only need to diet, work out, etc., to keep your body looking beautiful, you also need to agree to any cosmetic surgery, such as boob jobs, that your hubby recommends. And in the meantime, I bet, hubby is free and entitled to have as large a beer gut as he wishes, etc.

I am seeking an intelligent woman who chooses knowledge over belief.

HeAdAkE comments on May 18, 2021:

you're going to be seeking for a long time, women dont care about that shit, they only care about what u can provide for them, truth hurts!

TomMcGiverin replies on May 19, 2021:

@SeaGreenEyez I have humor and intellect, but have remained pretty much untaken for a few years now in the dating game. Unfortunately, SGE, the women in my local dating pool my age are pretty much very different than you, as in they are hung up on only dating men that are the newest shiny toy, ie. handsome, wealthy, and with kids. I do not fall into any of those categories, as I am average-looking, financially comfortable but far from having sugar daddy money, and childless by choice. I simply don't fit their shopping list. Too bad all the women like you live hundreds or more miles away.

Tell me honestly. You've all thought this, right???

TomMcGiverin comments on May 16, 2021:

I must confess I identify a lot with this feeling. It often comes down to hoping their eccentricities match up well with mine.

TomMcGiverin replies on May 18, 2021:

@StarvingArtist I'm willing to settle for someone who is reasonably physically attractive to me, has some common interests, and matching neuroses for mine, lol!

I am seeking an intelligent woman who chooses knowledge over belief.

Sgt_Spanky comments on May 18, 2021:

Someone should tell you that while this site claims to be a possible dating resource, it mostly isn't. We mostly just chat here without a whole lotta dating going on. You're probably better off at one of the sites designed specifically for dating. That being said, I do enjoy the Saturday night ...

TomMcGiverin replies on May 18, 2021:

I am here for the community and discussion, even tho it ain't what it used to be before we lost a lot of members, I'm on Batch for the dating...

I am seeking an intelligent woman who chooses knowledge over belief.

HeAdAkE comments on May 18, 2021:

you're going to be seeking for a long time, women dont care about that shit, they only care about what u can provide for them, truth hurts!

TomMcGiverin replies on May 18, 2021:

@Sgt_Spanky I'll take "What is Yes?" for $500, Alex....

I am seeking an intelligent woman who chooses knowledge over belief.

kiramea comments on May 18, 2021:

please delete five of these. You posted this six times which is very unnecessary.

TomMcGiverin replies on May 18, 2021:

No fucking shit!

I am seeking an intelligent woman who chooses knowledge over belief.

MrDragon comments on May 18, 2021:

Just how many times are you going to post this???

TomMcGiverin replies on May 18, 2021:

No shit! It either makes him look retarded or desperate, probably both.... And even if he only posted it once, posting what is essentially a personals ad on the forum looks really desperate and tacky... As Sweeney Todd would say, "He will learn."....

One fact stands out.

TomMcGiverin comments on May 14, 2021:

This guy needs criminal charges against him and civil lawsuits against him by the injured officers and the families of the dead officers.

TomMcGiverin replies on May 16, 2021:

@BirdMan1 No loss, unless it prevented testimony that without which Trump could not be convicted.

It takes a fool to hope that the Israeli/Hamas conflict will end any time soon. Discuss.

RoboGraham comments on May 15, 2021:

It will not end until Israel ceases it's colonization of Palestine. The Israelis will not stop with their aggression until they lose the backing of the United States, their patron and weapons provider. We Americans have the power to bring the conflict to an end.

TomMcGiverin replies on May 16, 2021:

But our government never will. Between the support of evangelicals who support Israel so the time of Armageddon will come, to the rich Jews in the US who support Israel's aggression, our government will never stop supporting whatever Israel does in that region.

Who can use a chuckle? :) [youtube.com]

HippieChick58 comments on May 15, 2021:

That's a bold little kitty slapping on someone much bigger than her/him.

TomMcGiverin replies on May 15, 2021:

There seem to be lots of cats that are not afraid of slapping dogs and other animals much larger than them. I think most cats have no idea of their size relative to other creatures.

One fact stands out.

TomMcGiverin comments on May 14, 2021:

This guy needs criminal charges against him and civil lawsuits against him by the injured officers and the families of the dead officers.

TomMcGiverin replies on May 15, 2021:

@mcgeo52 That approach might work, but there's always the risk that Trump's minions might arrange a convenient "suicide" for that person who flips on Trump, like what happened with Jeffrey Epstein, so that he is never able to testify against Trump.

Fauci Suggests ‘Some Senators’ Wear a Mask to Hide from Punchy Neighbors ...

HippieChick58 comments on May 14, 2021:

I'd get in line to punch "some senators."

TomMcGiverin replies on May 14, 2021:

@PondartIncbendog I would too, as long as there were no chance for criminal charges or civil lawsuits against me. It would be like spending money on a vacation, and just as satisfying.

We need paid family and medical leave -- and a new bill in Congress would give it to us — Ask a ...

Jewelee65 comments on May 14, 2021:

We do have paid family medical, I’m confused about rios post. Do you believe it’s not enough? Then how much do you think is reasonable? Just asking?

TomMcGiverin replies on May 14, 2021:

The federal govt. in the US, under the Family Leave Act, one of Bill Clinton's few accomplishments intended to help working class people, requires employers to allow a number of weeks of time off for qualifying situations, but it requires nothing in the way of employers to pay for that time off. As far as I know, there are also no states here that require the employer to provide paid time off. In fact, about half of the employers in the US no longer provide any real or meaningful benefits to employees. They don't need to, at least not until Covid, because they had plenty of desperate slaves they could exploit by underpaying them and not providing benefits.

So we can stop washing our hands too, right? (Not that I ever have...)

godlessinal comments on May 14, 2021:

Problem solved! I just got through sanitizing my genitals.... Ouch!

TomMcGiverin replies on May 14, 2021:

@godlessinal Hard pass....I'm also not interested in manscaping. I try to avoid pain and risk to my body.

So we can stop washing our hands too, right? (Not that I ever have...)

godlessinal comments on May 14, 2021:

Problem solved! I just got through sanitizing my genitals.... Ouch!

TomMcGiverin replies on May 14, 2021:

TMI.

How do you feel about unvaccinated people singing (maskless) along with every song at a concert, ...

Fernapple comments on May 14, 2021:

PS. Is it not an contradiction in terms anyway. Surely if you sing at dinner tables, you wont have any friends.

TomMcGiverin replies on May 14, 2021:

@Julie808 If I were in your shoes and shared your attitude towards those who refuse to get vaxed and who show no concern for infecting others, I simply wouldn't get together with her anymore, at least not indoors.

Live video of man hitting on teen girl offers a glimpse of what young women experience daily - ...

TomMcGiverin comments on May 11, 2021:

It might help some people get it if the video had the man in the frame, but even just listening to his talk it was pretty obvious he was being a creep and ignoring her boundaries and reaction to him.

TomMcGiverin replies on May 12, 2021:

@Deb57 Agreed. I'm just saying some people might find it easier to accept him as being inappropriate if they had the additional data of watching his facial expressions, body language, etc.

Yes, they are actually trying to use this instead of an actual vaccination card -

Charles1971 comments on May 11, 2021:

Are you sure that isn't meant as humor?

TomMcGiverin replies on May 12, 2021:

@Charles1971 It'll cure you of being alive...

Sean Hannity Threatens Jimmy Kimmel: 'Don’t Talk About My Show Anymore' | HuffPost

Davekp comments on May 11, 2021:

Is there a middle finger big enough?😂😂

TomMcGiverin replies on May 11, 2021:

You mean we now need a middle finger emoji?

Capitalism Is A Misanthropic, Dystopian Religion

linxminx comments on May 9, 2021:

My viewpoint is one that believes humans are greedy, self-centered, and competitive. However, I caution myself in being too negative by wondering...are Americans truly greedy, self-centered, and competitive, or are these attributes a manifestation of surviving within a capitalistic society that ...

TomMcGiverin replies on May 9, 2021:

I think the culture, esp. the mass media propaganda, drives us, at least most of us.

Oregon’s People Church tied to covid-19 outbreak of at least 74 people, authorities say - The ...

CuddyCruiser comments on May 8, 2021:

I don’t give a rats ass if all these motherfuckers drop dead.

TomMcGiverin replies on May 8, 2021:

If they didn't always end up infecting innocent, intelligent people they encounter at the grocery store or the hospital, etc., I would agree with you..

Just an FYI.

nicknotes comments on May 6, 2021:

I got a personal message from a woman who raved about how handsome I am. I was flattered but then she disappeared.

TomMcGiverin replies on May 7, 2021:

Same things happened to me a couple times recently. Scammers come and go all the time.

While I don't agree with her politically she has ethics

Davekp comments on May 6, 2021:

When someone like Liz Chaney is the longed for face of the "Old Guard" Republican you know massive upheavals are imminent. But I think Biden is mistaken in opining for the beloved 2 party system. It is what abetted the American political scene to become so polarized. Now is the time to advocate for ...

TomMcGiverin replies on May 6, 2021:

Exactly, as long as both major parties support endless war and empire, economic inequality, trading away our jobs thru trade agreements that only benefit corporations, and letting the planet die thru climate change, we will continue to get endless ping ponging between the parties for control of the White House and congress as neither party represents average people, only the rich and corporations, when it comes to economics and the class war of the 1 % against the 99%.

Christians worry me.

racocn8 comments on May 5, 2021:

Don't worry. Christians have developed work-around's so that they can cheat, molest and murder to their hearts content. And they do...

TomMcGiverin replies on May 5, 2021:

In their minds, all they have to do is ask dog's forgiveness, and they are off the hook and no longer guilty of any wrongdoing.

Just an FYI.

SeaGreenEyez comments on May 4, 2021:

They've been here since I've been here. I'm not certain how long that's been ... at least 2 years. You only made it 18 months? I started online dating in 2000 when Kiss.com was the only pay site out there. I dabbled in the online dating cess-pool on and off for about 20 years (mostly off.) ...

TomMcGiverin replies on May 5, 2021:

@SeaGreenEyez I don't doubt that. In a culture that serves so much trash and anti-intellectual content, as well as trashing intellectuals, no wonder that wicked smart is hard to find. That's why I still appreciate this site, because there are still some wicked smart people here, men and women, and they are appreciated here, at least more than in our society in general.

Just an FYI.

SeaGreenEyez comments on May 4, 2021:

They've been here since I've been here. I'm not certain how long that's been ... at least 2 years. You only made it 18 months? I started online dating in 2000 when Kiss.com was the only pay site out there. I dabbled in the online dating cess-pool on and off for about 20 years (mostly off.) ...

TomMcGiverin replies on May 5, 2021:

@SeaGreenEyez It is rough. I may watch the TV show you mentioned on You Tube, just for the stories of the two average looking people. No doubt I would relate. I 've said it a ton of times here on these forum boards, and it often seems like no one hears me, but the dating game is a totally different reality for people who are average or below average-looking, compared to those who are 7s or above on the looks scale. It usually feels, at least to me, that those who are 7s or above either don't see this or want to admit how much better they've got it than folks like me. If they're frustrated with the dating scene, it's either because they have too many choices or because they are looking to end up with a 10 in looks, money etc. With those of us lower on the scale, it's usually more a matter of not enough choices, as most people of the opposite sex, even those at our level of looks or below, are still chasing after people who are better looking than us, so we end up with more limited choices.

Just an FYI.

SeaGreenEyez comments on May 4, 2021:

They've been here since I've been here. I'm not certain how long that's been ... at least 2 years. You only made it 18 months? I started online dating in 2000 when Kiss.com was the only pay site out there. I dabbled in the online dating cess-pool on and off for about 20 years (mostly off.) ...

TomMcGiverin replies on May 5, 2021:

@SeaGreenEyez I am way too sensitive to do hookups or FWB, so Tinder would not be for me. All the dating sites now require you to pay for any real chance of meeting anyone. A free membership doesn't even allow you to see all of someone's profile or even their main pic if they send you a Like or a real message, so how can you ever make a connection with anyone? Batch allows a free member to send a free message each week to someone, who is a paid member only, whose profile and pics you've seen, then after that you and them can message for free for a few months as much as you want, even video chat, but only if they choose to reply back to you in the first place. So in the end, it's just a teaser come-on to get you to buy a membership so you can make connections more often than with the free membership. I don't agree with you about Meetup groups, I tried them along with Batch, and I never met any women to date from them. I did meet one good male friend from a Meetup group, that was it. I found that the same women who were at those groups were also on dating sites, so I dropped the groups as a waste of time and a duplication of the dating site. I didn't want to put up with the games of sorting out who was interested in dating and who wasn't among the Meetup group women or deal with approaching them in the groups. I am not confident about approaching women in person, so that doesn't play to my strong suit, which is being a good writer. So I stick with the dating site. More efficient and less wasted time and effort. I know some women, maybe most women, prefer meeting men thru activity groups, but that's easy for them to do when it's usually the men who have to make the first move and approach them. I think most women, esp. ones who are not above average-looking, unlike you, might see it differently if they had to usually make the first move in the Meetup groups. Personally, I find it much easier, tho never easy, to take rejection on a dating site, esp. before meeting in person, than to get shot down repeatedly to my face in a group setting. That experience is no different than the old days when I was young and would approach women at bars with live music or without music. It was not fun then and it's still no fun now when I try it at a live music show in a bar, asking them to dance. Approaching women in person at a bar, live music show, or even in a Meetup group, all hinges way too much on one's looks, and I have never been that confident about my looks towards doing that. I know that nowadays most women who are average or above average are probably going to reject me if all the have to go on initially is my looks. The same way that the vast majority of my first messages to women on Batch don't even get read, because the women see my main profile pic in ...

Just an FYI.

SeaGreenEyez comments on May 4, 2021:

They've been here since I've been here. I'm not certain how long that's been ... at least 2 years. You only made it 18 months? I started online dating in 2000 when Kiss.com was the only pay site out there. I dabbled in the online dating cess-pool on and off for about 20 years (mostly off.) ...

TomMcGiverin replies on May 5, 2021:

@SeaGreenEyez I'm not surprised to hear any of that. It seems to me that, esp. now that all the dating sites and services are all owned by a few conglomerates, same as the mass media companies in TV, radio and newspapers, that the dating sites and services get worse and more expensive each year. I predict it won't be long until all of them, except maybe E-Harmony, will be just profile pics and/or short interview videos, and very little info about the site or service members. As it is already, someone has to really beat the odds to meet anyone who turns out to be a longtime compatible friend or partner like what you have described. Because the real goal or priority of the dating sites and services is money, nothing else. They only need to have just enough success to seem credible to the public as a service that works for some, along with the fact that the companies are now so monopolized they have no real competition or anyone regulating them from the government to force them to improve any of their services. I also agree with you about what is realistically possible for most of us and how you define success in finding good relationships. Our movies and TV shows give us a very fantasized view of what is realistic in finding longtime partners and such. Sometimes the best we can expect is someone who continues to share sex with us, enjoys spending most, but not all, of their free time with us, and that never feels like killing us at the end of some days.....

Just an FYI.

SeaGreenEyez comments on May 4, 2021:

They've been here since I've been here. I'm not certain how long that's been ... at least 2 years. You only made it 18 months? I started online dating in 2000 when Kiss.com was the only pay site out there. I dabbled in the online dating cess-pool on and off for about 20 years (mostly off.) ...

TomMcGiverin replies on May 5, 2021:

That must have been a fascinating experience to see how online dating has changed over two decades. Please PM me and give me a lengthy report on what you have seen and experienced. My guess is that online dating sites have, if anything, gotten worse since 2000, providing less info in the profiles with which to use in seeing who might or might not be a match for someone. And I'm sure the prices have also gone up as the sites have consolidated and are now owned by just a few conglomerates. Please tell me, either here or in a PM, how much success have you had with dating sites in actually finding men you really liked, were compatible, and actually dated for any length of time. In almost three years on Match, I only met one woman who was compatible enough to date a while, six months in that case.

Just an FYI.

TomMcGiverin comments on May 4, 2021:

I have three years of online dating experience with Batch, and the scammers have been here on Agnostic since the beginning, as far as I can tell. They should be obvious to spot.

TomMcGiverin replies on May 5, 2021:

@Mooolah Thanks. I think she is very reasonable about religion and respects my difference with her. I dated a practicing Catholic for six months before Covid and that was not part of why that ended, was never really an issue in that relationship either.

Just an FYI.

TomMcGiverin comments on May 4, 2021:

I have three years of online dating experience with Batch, and the scammers have been here on Agnostic since the beginning, as far as I can tell. They should be obvious to spot.

TomMcGiverin replies on May 4, 2021:

@Larry68Feminist She is a moderate Episcopal believer, not an always attender of church either. She was a clergy wife in her last marriage before being widowed, but she believes we should all think for ourselves rather than blindly believe.

Just an FYI.

bobwjr comments on May 4, 2021:

Excessive compliments, very attractive , if they want to contact off site . We have a scammer site report them

TomMcGiverin replies on May 4, 2021:

@Holysocks Whatever you want, you just keep telling yourself that, lol...

Just an FYI.

bobwjr comments on May 4, 2021:

Excessive compliments, very attractive , if they want to contact off site . We have a scammer site report them

TomMcGiverin replies on May 4, 2021:

I've gotten more of those than I can count here on Agnostic. And like Holysocks says, they are always very young, attractive, wearing tight clothes.

Just an FYI.

TomMcGiverin comments on May 4, 2021:

I have three years of online dating experience with Batch, and the scammers have been here on Agnostic since the beginning, as far as I can tell. They should be obvious to spot.

TomMcGiverin replies on May 4, 2021:

@Krish55 I use a rhyme instead of the real name, in case that dating site wanted to sue Agnostic for something they didn't like being posted. As for catching a match, I am beginning to see someone who has potential. Stay tuned.

Hedges: Don’t Be Fooled By Joe Biden - scheerpost.com

MsHoliday comments on May 4, 2021:

As usually Chris Hedges hits that nail square on the head. Brilliant man. 💙🇨🇦

TomMcGiverin replies on May 4, 2021:

@WilliamCharles I agree. So many comfortable liberal Dems, mainly just liberal on social issues and ID politics, think that just voting for any corporate Dem is all they need to do and everything will be fine, like there's really much diff between corporate Dems and Repubs on the really important issues.

Update time.

BitFlipper comments on Apr 29, 2021:

You're having phenomenal results! A dinner date at her house? In the age of covid that's a marriage proposal. I've never had more than one talker at a time. The best I've been able to do is buying a socially-distanced meal at a restaurant. I would focus on the one with pink hair.

TomMcGiverin replies on May 4, 2021:

You're right, Dave, in this era, dinner at her house is not only an open invitation to sex, it is practically a marriage proposal, lol...

Update time.

BitFlipper comments on Apr 29, 2021:

You're having phenomenal results! A dinner date at her house? In the age of covid that's a marriage proposal. I've never had more than one talker at a time. The best I've been able to do is buying a socially-distanced meal at a restaurant. I would focus on the one with pink hair.

TomMcGiverin replies on May 4, 2021:

@Happycanuck You're so right about all the damaged women on dating sites who are divorced. It's no coincidence that the one I am seeing now is widowed, rather than divorced, and that's no doubt why she seems so much more positive and emotionally healthy compared to most of the women I've met from Batch. Unfortunately, at my age there aren't that many widows around yet on Batch for me to choose from, so I am mostly forced to try dating divorced women, who dominate the profiles on Batch for my area and age group. Until now, I have had little success getting replies or connections with any of the widowed women I have reached out to on Batch. Why that is, I have no clue...

Increasing Desperation as the U.

girlwithsmiles comments on May 3, 2021:

Interesting, and American offshore interests? https://www.gobankingrates.com/saving-money/shopping/all-american-brands-products-actually-made-overseas/ The fact that people are still buying products sold as food which have little nutritional value and some consume things which are making them...

TomMcGiverin replies on May 4, 2021:

@girlwithsmiles Doesn't look like any of those brands are ones I've seen in stores around here. I'm probably too poor to afford them anyway.

Hedges: Don’t Be Fooled By Joe Biden - scheerpost.com

MsHoliday comments on May 4, 2021:

As usually Chris Hedges hits that nail square on the head. Brilliant man. 💙🇨🇦

TomMcGiverin replies on May 4, 2021:

I just wish some of my friends who are centrist Dems would finally wake up about how corrupt their party is and that it's now so far to the right of even Nixon these days. They don't want to hear the truth about corporate Dems. Obama was the same way, lots of happy talk, but nothing that really helped the lower classes. He was a sellout all the way, that's why I hated and still hate him. He talked all that talk about helping unions, but when he had a supermajority at the start of his administration, he didn't even try to pass the card check bill, a very simple act that would have made union organizing immensely easier. But he didn't even try because his corporate masters opposed it.

What is a good conversation starter?

Benjamin123 comments on May 3, 2021:

I meant good conversation starter to get to know someone for a relationship. I don’t want her to be upset at the questions I ask, or completely ignore me.

TomMcGiverin replies on May 3, 2021:

@Benjamin123 I've tried that with women on first meetings. Some of them get the hint and move on from it and some don't. I'm at the point that any woman who's that lacking in self awareness, I am going to move away and on from, because that's a red flag that they aren't emotionally open, healed and ready for a relationship yet. Nobody with self awareness and good emotional health would bring up that kind of stuff in a first in person meeting.

What is a good conversation starter?

Benjamin123 comments on May 3, 2021:

I meant good conversation starter to get to know someone for a relationship. I don’t want her to be upset at the questions I ask, or completely ignore me.

TomMcGiverin replies on May 3, 2021:

@resserts I agree with your serious suggestions. I try to hang back most of the time in a first in person meeting. It's better if you can at least have a video chat or phone call before the big step of the first in person meeting, but some women are so cautious about their safety or feelings that they won't agree to either of those. If that's that case, you have to think long and hard about whether they might be trying to hide something from you or possibly that they are just very sensitive and afraid of sharing much about how they really look or sound. If you think they are hiding something or too guarded about themselves, then you may decide, as I probably will in the future, that they are either not worth the continued effort on my part or not really that interested in meeting me or possibly dating me. If you do make it to the first in person meeting, I know that many or even most people don't like their jobs that much, and because I am not that materialistic or into status things like cars, clothes, or someone's resume or if they had a high status career, I simply ask what things they are passionate about in their life and what they would do if they won the lottery and could live anywhere, travel anywhere, or do whatever they wanted in the future. That will tell you a lot about who they really are, what matters to them, and what their hopes and dreams are. Always stay with positive stuff in how the the first meeting's conversation goes. I can't believe how some women choose to bring up or share negative stuff about other men in their past or about how bad some of their past experiences have been, whether in relationships or how they have interacted with others. Always a bad move to gripe about things in that first meeting.

What is a good conversation starter?

resserts comments on May 2, 2021:

Here are just some of the icebreakers that have worked for me: - I know it's tough to pick just one, but which dictator from history do you most admire? - How many abortions have you had? - What's your least favorite ethnicity? - Does this look infected to you? - Tell me all about your sexual...

TomMcGiverin replies on May 3, 2021:

@resserts You still succeeded plenty in my book...

What is a good conversation starter?

resserts comments on May 2, 2021:

Here are just some of the icebreakers that have worked for me: - I know it's tough to pick just one, but which dictator from history do you most admire? - How many abortions have you had? - What's your least favorite ethnicity? - Does this look infected to you? - Tell me all about your sexual...

TomMcGiverin replies on May 3, 2021:

I can only speak for myself, ressert, but most of us here enjoy hearing from a professional smart-ass... You certainly qualify. Looks like the OP was looking for something else from the commenters. There's always a perfect straight man for the part.

What is a good conversation starter?

resserts comments on May 2, 2021:

Here are just some of the icebreakers that have worked for me: - I know it's tough to pick just one, but which dictator from history do you most admire? - How many abortions have you had? - What's your least favorite ethnicity? - Does this look infected to you? - Tell me all about your sexual...

TomMcGiverin replies on May 3, 2021:

Forgot to ask the most obvious and crucial one, " What is your weight?" Always a good go-to ?, at least if you want to get punched.....

Sticks48 (Larry) would be so disappointed in me.

BitFlipper comments on May 1, 2021:

Sorry about this experience. One thing I'll add is that some women have a lot of pent up anger, and it doesn't really harm me to listen to it. My theory is that they have to let it out somehow and maybe they'll warm up after that.

TomMcGiverin replies on May 2, 2021:

Apparently my coffee date did, and she's in therapy right now to boot, but I get the feeling she is a long way from being able to open up, let down her guard, and be vulnerable anytime soon with other men she might meet from Batch. She keeps saying she is on there mainly because her therapist recommended it and she might benefit from meeting men and seeing how there are some good men out there. But after my experience with her, it's "Next!" and, as Mr. T. might say, "I pity the fool that tries to get thru to her or make a connection with her!".

Sticks48 (Larry) would be so disappointed in me.

TomMcGiverin comments on Apr 30, 2021:

Personally, tho I know it will sound like sour grapes, I and a friend I processed this experience with, think that I dodged a bullet here. All is not lost, tho, because tomorrow night I have sort of a first meeting/date with a woman that I have been not only messaging with on Batch, but also moved ...

TomMcGiverin replies on May 1, 2021:

@MsHoliday At my age, early 60s, I think I am like most single folks out there. New relationships are more about companionship, sharing interests, coming to know someone deeply and be known by them just as deeply. And of course, sex is also usually part of it. All of that is about having someone as a partner for whatever time we may have left alive, rather than the limitless future we contemplate as young singles. At this age, it's about having someone special to share the rest of the ride with, not about families and big goals, projects, and dreams, because for most of us, it's too late for all that if it hasn't happened already. Unfortunately, my local dating pool is chock full of women who are still pretty tied at the hip to their families, so finding my partner with the attitude I expressed above in this paragraph is almost like seeking a unicorn.

Arizona Atheist Lawmaker Stands Up To Christian Bully: [youtube.com]

redhog comments on May 1, 2021:

As soon as he grabbed a mic I felt the uncontrollable urge to punch him.

TomMcGiverin replies on May 1, 2021:

I sometimes feel that same way towards smug, arrogant jerks. Glad to know I'm not alone and that it doesn't make me an overly violent person.

Sticks48 (Larry) would be so disappointed in me.

TomMcGiverin comments on Apr 30, 2021:

Personally, tho I know it will sound like sour grapes, I and a friend I processed this experience with, think that I dodged a bullet here. All is not lost, tho, because tomorrow night I have sort of a first meeting/date with a woman that I have been not only messaging with on Batch, but also moved ...

TomMcGiverin replies on May 1, 2021:

@MsHoliday I agree, I think we are living different realities, each of which are real and valid.

When you claim to be "pro-life", but your god isn't

LenHazell53 comments on May 1, 2021:

It is so simple all you need do is Remember that when baby is inside his or her poverty stricken mum, its a helpless unborn and a cause worth fighting for, once it is out side of the vagina, its a worthless parasite feeding on your tax dollars and consuming precious resource.

TomMcGiverin replies on May 1, 2021:

I call it fanatical worship of the womb, with no regard for the woman containing the womb.

Sticks48 (Larry) would be so disappointed in me.

TomMcGiverin comments on Apr 30, 2021:

Personally, tho I know it will sound like sour grapes, I and a friend I processed this experience with, think that I dodged a bullet here. All is not lost, tho, because tomorrow night I have sort of a first meeting/date with a woman that I have been not only messaging with on Batch, but also moved ...

TomMcGiverin replies on May 1, 2021:

@MsHoliday Believe me, or not, if you have seen most of my other comments on this subject, I am patient to a fault when it comes to sex in a new relationship. I wait much longer than most men, so by the time I feel ready, if the woman still doesn't have the trust or whatever for her to feel sexual chemistry by then, it ain't ever gonna happen for her at all.....at least not regarding me....

Sticks48 (Larry) would be so disappointed in me.

Sticks48 comments on May 1, 2021:

Sorry it didn't work out. I find the online dating more fustating and dissapointig than anything else. Now that l have had my second vaccine a month ago and we are playing some, l might meet someone not so far away., but we need to play more away from here. It is a very small town and at my age the ...

TomMcGiverin replies on May 1, 2021:

@Sticks48 I hear you Larry, I struggle with depression too, partly from getting older and having some regrets, partly from all the loss in my life the last ten years. But music is a wonderful thing, sometimes even an addictive escape. That's why I love singing karaoke, at least on the nights when the show is good. When I am up there singing and really into it, like with you, all the bad stuff and noise goes away, at least temporarily.... Most of the time, even watching a good concert or live music show, can also do that for me. And, like you, I am probably somewhat pickier nowadays about who I find attractive, while at the same time, I am not as relatively attractive-looking, compared to my male competition, as I was when I was younger. So, sadly so, it seems like I am increasingly doomed to be trying to date out of my league, lookswise, as long-haired Gwendolyn would say, which feels really depressing whenever I think about it. Damned if I do, damned if I don't. Try dating women who aren't that attractive to me and feel unhappy and sexually frustrated, or try dating who I find attractive and end up being continually rejected early on. I could join a gym and work out, which might help me out some in the dating competition, but I find body-building really boring and it wouldn't do anything about me being bald, which is still probably the biggest factor going against me in looks.

Sticks48 (Larry) would be so disappointed in me.

Sticks48 comments on May 1, 2021:

Sorry it didn't work out. I find the online dating more fustating and dissapointig than anything else. Now that l have had my second vaccine a month ago and we are playing some, l might meet someone not so far away., but we need to play more away from here. It is a very small town and at my age the ...

TomMcGiverin replies on May 1, 2021:

Man, I really hope you are wrong about that and find someone. You are a cool guy and, for it's worth, I think you are good looking, and a musician to boot! I always thought musicians attract lots of women, maybe that changes once they get older....

Hey, gals! If you're tired of the 'soy boy swamp,' this new 'Christian' dating site is for you!

praytothemilkjug comments on Apr 30, 2021:

GO FOR IT!!!!! If you were a guy I would suggest doing it as a woman, so perhaps you might want to do it as a guy?? And do invite all your friends. Jest say'n!

TomMcGiverin replies on Apr 30, 2021:

Actually, why shouldn't men go on there trolling and pretending to be women? Most of the scammers on dating sites are already men pretending to be women.

Ever the kitchen helper... Alastair.

TomMcGiverin comments on Apr 30, 2021:

The cat was going to help wash the dishes?

TomMcGiverin replies on Apr 30, 2021:

@Zster So that was his aim, to shower in the sink with the sink as a bathtub. Unusual that a cat would like getting wet.

Update time.

TomMcGiverin comments on Apr 29, 2021:

22 hour drive? Is she too broke to fly? I would never put myself thru that long of a car trip, even when I was young.

TomMcGiverin replies on Apr 29, 2021:

@Happycanuck To each their own, I guess. That trip would not be fun for me, even tho I do enjoy driving.

I respect human rights, does the government Or the herd mentally respect mine?

Gemini-1947 comments on Apr 27, 2021:

Good luck. Stay healthy. There are so many conspiracy theories and miss info. It's hard to sort out what is really going on, and things are changing all the time.

TomMcGiverin replies on Apr 27, 2021:

@Castlepaloma To me, herd mentality is sheeple swallowing whole all the propaganda the corporate media throw at them and continuing to vote for the duopoly, as well as to believe that either of the major parties give a shit about them.

I respect human rights, does the government Or the herd mentally respect mine?

Charles1971 comments on Apr 27, 2021:

Reading this post what I primarily see is "me, me, me... me, me, me...". Travel bans, social distancing, lockdowns... these are necessary and important means to try and control and reduce the spread of a worldwide pandemic. It's not just about YOU getting sick. It's about YOU contracting covid, ...

TomMcGiverin replies on Apr 27, 2021:

I'm a proud socialist and his attitude is the complete antithesis of socialism-all about the individual and their comfort, nothing about the collective good, much less about those who are less well off than him.

I don't get intimate relationships but platonic I do... Anyone else who has views similar to me?

Deb57 comments on Apr 27, 2021:

All my relationships will start with being platonic. Intimacy requires trust, and trust is never instant, or at least, it shouldn't be. If someone wants to start with sex, or gets impatient at reaching that stage in the relationship, I will assume he is trying to get me into bed before I can ...

TomMcGiverin replies on Apr 27, 2021:

@Deb57 I'm glad that it has. It makes sense that patience regarding sex and trustworthiness would go together because they both involve whether a person respects your boundaries and values you as much as themselves.

I don't get intimate relationships but platonic I do... Anyone else who has views similar to me?

Deb57 comments on Apr 27, 2021:

All my relationships will start with being platonic. Intimacy requires trust, and trust is never instant, or at least, it shouldn't be. If someone wants to start with sex, or gets impatient at reaching that stage in the relationship, I will assume he is trying to get me into bed before I can ...

TomMcGiverin replies on Apr 27, 2021:

From everything you've said in the past, I don't blame you for wanting to be absolutely sure of a man's character before taking a risk again with someone and getting emotionally hurt again. Makes sense.

I don't get intimate relationships but platonic I do... Anyone else who has views similar to me?

Sticks48 comments on Apr 27, 2021:

I have had platonic and still do, FWB, and intimate relationships. All three are fine, but intimate is the best. My experience has been platonic lasts until one of you gets into an intimate relationship and that usually ends that because there is no real time. FWB will end if one of you gets serious...

TomMcGiverin replies on Apr 27, 2021:

Wise and eloquent as always. I totally agree with you, Larry. I have only been in platonic and intimate, too sensitive to do FWB, but make no judgement or have anything against consenting adults who do FWB.

I don't get intimate relationships but platonic I do... Anyone else who has views similar to me?

BitFlipper comments on Apr 26, 2021:

I don't get *to have* intimate relationships. I'm only permitted to have platonic relationships until, somehow, I become the last man on earth.

TomMcGiverin replies on Apr 27, 2021:

I feel your pain and can relate. I can't count the number of times on dating sites that I have messaged a woman soon after they join, missed their first round of men that they replied to (no doubt because my main profile pic wasn't good-looking enough, so they passed me up for the better-looking men who messaged them, not even reading my first message), traded messages with, and then met in person or went out with. And then later, when they finally got around to replying to my later message, following up with them and telling them I was still interested in them, they cry me a river about all the bad experiences they had with other men (undoubtedly ones who were better-looking and more impressive than me in their profiles) on that dating site and how they are leaving the site soon and giving up on meeting any more men from the site, etc. As if that is supposed to make me feel better that I got passed up by them when they were still interested in meeting men for dating and to make me feel it was "nothing personal" that they don't want to get to know me then or meet me. Small consolation and more like a slap in the face, to be told that you're never going to get a chance to prove yourself worthy or compatible with that woman because you never measured up enough to make the first cut with them, so you have to accept that they passed you up then and are now not interested in seeing if you might have been a match for them if you had made the first round cut. I know, I sound like a pathetic doormat, but that is the fate of men who are average-looking or below in the competitive world of online dating. I have no doubt it is no better for women who are in the same league for looks. The only difference is that those women usually sit passively on the sidelines, being passed up by most men in favor of messaging the better-looking women, and they end up getting only a handful of messages per month on the dating site. Same result as the men, they end up meeting very few people in person from the dating site. And I know full well, before anyone reminds me of it, that those seemingly shallow women who pass me up in their first round of messaging and meeting some of the men from the site are obviously not my type if they passed me up so casually, but it still doesn't take away from the fact that nobody who loves themselves and has some self esteem and self respect, doesn't feel some sadness or regret at being rejected by so many solely on the basis of looks, without even having their initial message read.

Pastor Accidentally Says “Marriage is Between One Man and One Husband” | Hemant Mehta | Friendly...

xenoview comments on Apr 25, 2021:

Maybe the pastor is secretly gay.

TomMcGiverin replies on Apr 25, 2021:

May well be true, it's called a Freudian slip (of the tongue).

In the aftermath of the George Floyd murder I feel that many are not asking the right questions.

think-beyond comments on Apr 25, 2021:

That $20 something or other is no longer the issue. You don't kill a man for that. The issue, the only issue, is the knee on the neck while murdering this man in cold blood. Was this Chauvin's wise guy response to taking the knee at sport events to protest the murdering of other blacks by cops. Was ...

TomMcGiverin replies on Apr 25, 2021:

From the trial testimony, it was obvious that killing Floyd was Chauvin's response to the bystanders who were begging him to get off of Floyd. He was basically telling them, thru his actions, "I'm going to kill this guy and you can't do anything to stop me". Fortunately, it turned out that they couldn't stop him, but they could make him pay for it.

Regarding: yesterday's verdict.

Beowulfsfriend comments on Apr 21, 2021:

And, elsewhere, some states are pushing to make filming cops illegal.

TomMcGiverin replies on Apr 21, 2021:

And that is something that should make everyone afraid, even white folks, because once cops are above all accountability, then everyone is vulnerable to being victimized. And I have no doubt that without the video, Chauvin would have walked.

When your white priviledge expires

HippieChick58 comments on Apr 20, 2021:

I thought that when I watched that happen. Way cool. I hope he gets a very warm and cozy reception at the jail and prison.

TomMcGiverin replies on Apr 20, 2021:

I wish, but I'm sure he'll get sent to a federal prison where he is segregated from violent criminals and probably only around white collar crooks in a high security prison.

George Floyd and his Family can now breath!!! Guilty on all 3 charges!!!!

BufftonBeotch comments on Apr 20, 2021:

Chauvin is not smirking tonight.

TomMcGiverin replies on Apr 20, 2021:

I watched the motherfucker's eyes as the judge read the verdicts. Chauvin's eyes kept darting left and right, like the fucking cornered rat that he is.

The testimony of Chauvin’s “experts” and the pseudo-legal framework of police terror

TomMcGiverin comments on Apr 20, 2021:

I now predict a guilty verdict on at least one charge, now that jury deliberations lasted less than two days. If it had gone longer than that, I would have predicted a hung jury or an acquittal on all charges.

TomMcGiverin replies on Apr 20, 2021:

@altschmerz I love being right, and most of the time I am. Most of those times, it's no fun because I am predicting very negative things, but this time it was something positive.

Bo Burnham - From God's Perspective. [youtu.be]

TomMcGiverin comments on Apr 19, 2021:

Nice song. I like how his voice is simple and unembellished, without all that American Idol crap where they do all these vocal tricks and such to show off. He just sings the lyrics with some emotion and lets that do the job. Sometimes the untrained singers are the best conveyors of the song's ...

TomMcGiverin replies on Apr 19, 2021:

@JGal I like a lot of rockabilly, but I still can't stand country, new or old. Probably because I also hate rednecks. I just do my best to stay the hell away from rural areas and the people who live in them as much as possible, unless it's someone I personally know that, like me, doesn't fit in with most of their neighbors. That would be people with intelligence, some education (self-taught or otherwise), and some taste in entertainment and culture, similar to mine. I am a proud cultural snob.

Bo Burnham - From God's Perspective. [youtu.be]

TomMcGiverin comments on Apr 19, 2021:

Nice song. I like how his voice is simple and unembellished, without all that American Idol crap where they do all these vocal tricks and such to show off. He just sings the lyrics with some emotion and lets that do the job. Sometimes the untrained singers are the best conveyors of the song's ...

TomMcGiverin replies on Apr 19, 2021:

@JGal You're welcome. Do you hate country music too? His song was such a breath of fresh air for someone drowning in country music land like me. And in the song he sounds exactly like all these fake cowboys and farmers.

Bo Burnham - From God's Perspective. [youtu.be]

TomMcGiverin comments on Apr 19, 2021:

Nice song. I like how his voice is simple and unembellished, without all that American Idol crap where they do all these vocal tricks and such to show off. He just sings the lyrics with some emotion and lets that do the job. Sometimes the untrained singers are the best conveyors of the song's ...

TomMcGiverin replies on Apr 19, 2021:

@JGal I really hate country music, even tho it's been all around me here in Iowa my whole damned life, so that's why I really like his fake country song.

I honestly couldn't make this shit up.

Davekp comments on Apr 18, 2021:

Not sure why you are going for the free food when you don’t need it but I can see how that would clash with her temperament considering she found the government offer of support for her business to be morally unacceptable. I would say it was a bit of oil and water. Carry on. 🖖

TomMcGiverin replies on Apr 18, 2021:

I get it because I don't cook, the food is ok, and it's usually a hot meal. She also wasn't planning to get vaxed for Covid and was eating at restaurants during Covid without getting vaxed, so there's that bit of crazy too.

🤣😂😅😂🤣😂😅

HippieChick58 comments on Apr 15, 2021:

I dated a younger man once (only) he had gone to college on a baseball scholarship and then somehow blew that... worked in call centers but had recently quit, now was working in landscaping, and was looking for a woman who could "help him find his way." I told him that was his mama's job and all my ...

TomMcGiverin replies on Apr 15, 2021:

Good for you. Probably tho he eventually found a lonely older woman who gave him what he wanted, since he had the looks. Male or female, if someone has the necessary level of looks, they always eventually find someone willing to play their game. Men have their trophy wives and girlfriends, women have their boy toys.

I'd like to meet a beautiful-1 American woman on this site.

Secretguy comments on Apr 15, 2021:

Hurry, girls! This one won't last!

TomMcGiverin replies on Apr 15, 2021:

Ding, ding, we have the winner...

Growing up, my brother’s experiences within our family was very different to my experience in the ...

TomMcGiverin comments on Apr 15, 2021:

Interesting ideas. Seems to make sense.

TomMcGiverin replies on Apr 15, 2021:

@MsHoliday I agree. The system encourages everyone to play their prescribed roles.

I had a productive afternoon.

TomMcGiverin comments on Apr 14, 2021:

I get my second shot tomorrow, and can't wait to start socializing again on the 29th.

TomMcGiverin replies on Apr 15, 2021:

@HippieChick58 I continued to get monthly massages all during Covid, once the state began allowing them to practice again, with me and the therapist wearing masks. Same thing with barbers about once every couple months, so I could get a head shave. The barber is a one-man shop where everybody wears a mask and he sanitizes between customers, so it's low risk. I will start going to movie theaters again after I finish this process, but I only go anyway to weekday matinees normally where the room is pretty empty. I will also go back to karaoke shows and maybe an occaisional meal in a restaurant.

I'm not sure if this belongs more in the Politics forum instead of here, but I'll post it in Health ...

Zster comments on Apr 14, 2021:

I live in GA. Our governor opened the state in May 2020, outlawed city mask mandates, and required schools open with in person attendance instead of Zoom. In blue counties, you’ll see some masks, esp university counties. In more rural red counties, you’d likely not see any and are very likely to...

TomMcGiverin replies on Apr 15, 2021:

@Zster One thing I've been missing, since Covid became bad, is visiting one of my old friends in the Kansas City area. Once both of us finish vaxing, I intend to visit him again for a weekend sometime in May.