Where did disco go?

TomMcGiverin comments on Jun 17, 2020:

I always hated disco and country music. It sucks to be so marginalized as these two genres have always been really popular, one or the other, ever since I was a late teenager. At the same time, I have always liked soul, R& B, and blues, so it's not about race. Disco was just very repetitious, bland ...

TomMcGiverin replies on Jun 17, 2020:

@Fred_Snerd I'm fine. Time to block since you want to play troll, Fred. Toodles...

Where did disco go?

TomMcGiverin comments on Jun 17, 2020:

I always hated disco and country music. It sucks to be so marginalized as these two genres have always been really popular, one or the other, ever since I was a late teenager. At the same time, I have always liked soul, R& B, and blues, so it's not about race. Disco was just very repetitious, bland ...

TomMcGiverin replies on Jun 17, 2020:

@Fred_Snerd I enjoy your comments on politics, Fred. Are we done here? You are being a pest..

Where did disco go?

TomMcGiverin comments on Jun 17, 2020:

I always hated disco and country music. It sucks to be so marginalized as these two genres have always been really popular, one or the other, ever since I was a late teenager. At the same time, I have always liked soul, R& B, and blues, so it's not about race. Disco was just very repetitious, bland ...

TomMcGiverin replies on Jun 17, 2020:

@Fred_Snerd I was not into dancing then when disco was big. I realize that the music was all made for the purpose of being dance music, but a lot of it ended up on the radio too back then. I have never enjoyed hearing it. I am proud of not being a typical Boomer in my music tastes.

Where did disco go?

TomMcGiverin comments on Jun 17, 2020:

I always hated disco and country music. It sucks to be so marginalized as these two genres have always been really popular, one or the other, ever since I was a late teenager. At the same time, I have always liked soul, R& B, and blues, so it's not about race. Disco was just very repetitious, bland ...

TomMcGiverin replies on Jun 17, 2020:

@Fred_Snerd I get that, but I prefer music with lyrics that are either intelligent or at least saying something heartfelt and passionate, not the typical disco lyrics of "Ohh, baby do that to me...etc.".

People talking past each other.

nogod4me comments on Jun 16, 2020:

Combating racism? This woman did a great job, ...starting with one of the sources: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FBl1XcUsLIM

TomMcGiverin replies on Jun 16, 2020:

Yes, Karen, not only are you a racist, but your ass DOES look really huge in that dress....

Single again.

TomMcGiverin comments on Jun 15, 2020:

Same thing happened with me recently. The relationship began before Covid, but didn't get serious enough for her to want to risk getting infected by continuing to see me during Covid, since I seemed to be taking more, but not that much more, risk by going out to places with people. I now plan to ...

TomMcGiverin replies on Jun 15, 2020:

@UUNJ I am safer or more careful about avoiding Covid risk than most people I know, just not as careful as my former girlfriend. It is what it is...

Ex-US Police Officer debunks 'Black Lives Matter', taking a knee & protests - Brandon Tatum - BQ 19 ...

TomMcGiverin comments on Jun 13, 2020:

Oreo..

TomMcGiverin replies on Jun 13, 2020:

@Jetty I watched several minutes of it, that was enough to see that he was the typical black conservative, which I see as traitors to their race.

Confessions of a former bastard cop.

t1nick comments on Jun 10, 2020:

I would love to see the Trumpsters, Republicams, conservatives. Libertarians, and so called protectors of capitalism on the web site read this all the way through. That is they are capable of it.

TomMcGiverin replies on Jun 12, 2020:

@t1nick In a nutshell, they are selfish people who don't believe in sharing. That has been my experience with most Libertarians.

This made me laugh....

Lilac-JadeCanada comments on Jun 9, 2020:

Welcome home!

TomMcGiverin replies on Jun 9, 2020:

Who could ever turn away such a cute kitten with her suitcase?

Can’t be denied.

K9Kohle789 comments on Jun 8, 2020:

MAGA= MeAGiantAsshole

TomMcGiverin replies on Jun 8, 2020:

If they were going to be honest, I always thought their red hats should say MAWA, as in Make America White Again...

Four days ago Bubba Wallace, NASCAR's only African American, called out the others in his "sport" ...

Observer-Effect comments on Jun 7, 2020:

Not to stereotype . . . except I will - most NASCAR fans must have *hated* that!

TomMcGiverin replies on Jun 7, 2020:

No doubt. Outside of a Trump rally, I can't imagine a gathering that would be as full of rednecks, racists, and confederate flags.

Trump now

Emerald comments on Jun 7, 2020:

I love the racoon eyes. Nice attention to detail.

TomMcGiverin replies on Jun 7, 2020:

@Athena Raccoons are notorious for eating garbage, and yet, here they are the higher life form..

The elite are starting to sweat. "Everyone's running scared." Jun 5, 2020 [youtube.com]

FearlessFly comments on Jun 6, 2020:

Fox News ? . . . right, these protests are **just like** the weather underground (not). :P

TomMcGiverin replies on Jun 7, 2020:

The Weather Underground was blowing up govt. buildings and threatening to overthrow the federal govt.. These protests are, at most, connected to burning a few buildings and wanting to cut funding to police depts.. Apples and oranges..

The elite are starting to sweat. "Everyone's running scared." Jun 5, 2020 [youtube.com]

TomMcGiverin comments on Jun 6, 2020:

Conservative propaganda to scare the base and make sure they vote Repub in Nov.. These protests and any reform they might force in policing will not cost the rich or corporate America anything in the way of money or power, but they will probably succeed in fooling the masses into thinking we still ...

TomMcGiverin replies on Jun 7, 2020:

@Fred_Snerd I don't think they're worried about any real threat to the status quo, maybe just sweating that they might lose the prez election in Nov.. But we both know Fred, that anytime either party of the duopoly wins the election for prez with a neoliberal corporatist, the ruling class wins no matter what.

I had a really good conversation with a co worker this week.

DenoPenno comments on Jun 6, 2020:

Nicely worded. Today I went uptown to the local Christian mission place. It's a store that sells used things for profit and I was looking for some chair cushions I saw there the other day. They had already sold them but I was told they had to hold them 72 hours without anyone touching them to know ...

TomMcGiverin replies on Jun 7, 2020:

If this pandemic were really caused by 5G cellphone use, then I would be in the clear since I only have a tracphone that I almost never use these days. The tracphone is less than 5G, maybe 3G. I have no doubt this virus is real and that is why I am holed up at home about 95% of my waking hours.

So - for those of you, like myself, who wouldn't mind finding a partner, it seems yet more ...

BitFlipper comments on Jun 5, 2020:

I found one who meets all those criteria. I'm just not good enough.

TomMcGiverin replies on Jun 7, 2020:

@BitFlipper So David, to make sure I have this right, the woman in the photo with you found you thru FB, decided to try dating you because you resembled her previous boyfriend, then decided you didn't measure up to her standards? If so, that sounds pretty strange. Sorry it went that way.

I had a really good conversation with a co worker this week.

DenoPenno comments on Jun 6, 2020:

Nicely worded. Today I went uptown to the local Christian mission place. It's a store that sells used things for profit and I was looking for some chair cushions I saw there the other day. They had already sold them but I was told they had to hold them 72 hours without anyone touching them to know ...

TomMcGiverin replies on Jun 6, 2020:

Maybe she needs to remove her tin foil hat..

Sanders to supporters: Refusing to back Biden is "irresponsible" - Axios

TomMcGiverin comments on Jun 6, 2020:

As far as I'm concerned, Bernie betrayed his supporters, at least this time if not last time, and ought to refund their campaign contributions as he once again caved to the party without fighting to get his policies included in the Dem platform and promised to be promoted by Biden. Bernie no longer ...

TomMcGiverin replies on Jun 6, 2020:

@bobwjr Biden is a terrible candidate and his dementia is only getting worse. If the DNC doesn't replace him in August, I am afraid he will lose to Trump. I think Bernie would not have.

So - for those of you, like myself, who wouldn't mind finding a partner, it seems yet more ...

Pralina1 comments on Jun 5, 2020:

I gave up long ago . There are no men around 50 who are willing to take their time . Everyone at this age is looking to get married , and I have no desire for that . Also , everyone pretty much does some type of drugs , and that’s a huge turn off for me . They see a high tech nurse and an ...

TomMcGiverin replies on Jun 6, 2020:

There are good men out there, I'm sure, but the ones who are not desperate to get married and willing to take their time are probably also not that confident or flashy in making a first impression. Most of them probably get ignored or rejected by most women who are more after the latest shiny toy in their vision.

So - for those of you, like myself, who wouldn't mind finding a partner, it seems yet more ...

BitFlipper comments on Jun 5, 2020:

I found one who meets all those criteria. I'm just not good enough.

TomMcGiverin replies on Jun 6, 2020:

I've been there. Connected with a few women on Batch that seemed perfect matches on paper, but none of them chose to date me, most of them wouldn't even meet me. Like you, I apparently wasn't good enough or check all the boxes on their list. Probably included looks, money, how I dress, not having kids, etc.

Biden formally clenches the democratic nomination. [apnews.com]

TomMcGiverin comments on Jun 6, 2020:

Don't get used to it. He will drop out in August for a "personal health emergency" (dementia) and will be replaced by the DNC at convention time with probably Cuomo or Warren.

TomMcGiverin replies on Jun 6, 2020:

@UrsiMajor Feel free. If I'm proven wrong, I'll admit it. I'm confident enough that I was willing to make $25 bets to friends on it, but no one would take me up on it.

Now that all four cops have been charged, and, I assume, arrested as well, do you think the protests...

intrepidinfidel comments on Jun 3, 2020:

Yes the protests should end, for now. But our federal government, which is currently headed by a racist I have to add, should consider working with state governments in building a database for blacklisting police officers that continually abuse their positions of power. It would be like maintaining ...

TomMcGiverin replies on Jun 3, 2020:

Good idea. We already should, but don't, have that for teachers that are sexual predators.

That's one way to get noticed!

TomMcGiverin comments on Jun 3, 2020:

Driving nude might also do the trick, at least for getting attention, as well as an arrest...

TomMcGiverin replies on Jun 3, 2020:

@Lorajay As if.... I am nothing if not very modest about my body..

Has anyone dated a narcissist? Breaking up might be freeing but still hurts.

t1nick comments on Jun 3, 2020:

Stormy Daniels did. Lol

TomMcGiverin replies on Jun 3, 2020:

Not sure I would call that one dating, more like a transaction..

Has anyone dated a narcissist? Breaking up might be freeing but still hurts.

Sticks48 comments on Jun 3, 2020:

No, I love myself way too much to do date a narcissist. :)

TomMcGiverin replies on Jun 3, 2020:

You are the man Larry! Being a musician makes you enough of a chick magnet that you don't need to settle for one of them.

Has Trump declared the opening of Civil War in America with the threat of unleashing the military ...

TomMcGiverin comments on Jun 2, 2020:

America held a presidential election during the civil war, so there is no legit excuse for Trump to cancel the election this Nov., despite the pandemic or the protests. I think most Americans and the military are smart enough to see that and would not stand for him doing that.

TomMcGiverin replies on Jun 2, 2020:

@FrankA It will and it should. Even the cops would see it for what it is...the end of even a pretense of democracy and an official dictatorship. Fuck the virus, if it comes to that even I will get out in the street and protest. I would rather risk dying from the virus than sit at home and just take it if Trump tries this.

Minnesota and New York governors spoke today about the murder of George Floyd.

RoboGraham comments on May 31, 2020:

So all of this public outrage and unrest is having some real effects on those in power. Wonderful. If we keep it up, they might actually do something about these systemic issues we have.

TomMcGiverin replies on Jun 1, 2020:

@RoboGraham The problem is nowadays few TV channels will show that brutality the way they did back then. Maybe MSNBC, if even that...

How Many Would Put Themselves In The Middle of This Diagram

RoboGraham comments on May 31, 2020:

The looting and burning is an unfortunate byproduct of the uprising but I was happy to see that police precinct burn.

TomMcGiverin replies on Jun 1, 2020:

@RoboGraham I doubt a bunch of rednecks and their guns could beat the cops and military with their tanks, superior firepower and much superior communications systems, and, don't forget aircraft.. You a fan of The Clash? "Police and thieves in the street... Fighting the nation with their guns and ammunition..."

Minnesota and New York governors spoke today about the murder of George Floyd.

RoboGraham comments on May 31, 2020:

So all of this public outrage and unrest is having some real effects on those in power. Wonderful. If we keep it up, they might actually do something about these systemic issues we have.

TomMcGiverin replies on Jun 1, 2020:

@RoboGraham I would hope you're right, but I am pessimistic. I doubt enough Americans would be selfless enough to risk their lives fighting the power in the streets here.

How Many Would Put Themselves In The Middle of This Diagram

RoboGraham comments on May 31, 2020:

The looting and burning is an unfortunate byproduct of the uprising but I was happy to see that police precinct burn.

TomMcGiverin replies on Jun 1, 2020:

@RoboGraham I agree with every word of your comment. We have to be strategic in how we act, because the bad guys own the media and have way more weapons than we do. The only chance we have for peaceful change is if we have the sympathy of the military and the overwhelming support of the people in the 99%.

How Many Would Put Themselves In The Middle of This Diagram

TomMcGiverin comments on Jun 1, 2020:

The only people who would not be in the middle are those who are either racists and/or believe that order matters more than justice..

TomMcGiverin replies on Jun 1, 2020:

@BD66 I still have to agree with the lower right. See my comment below. Champions for social justice realize that fighting the system means respecting the rule of law as well and accepting the punishment that goes with breaking unjust laws or commiting civil disobedience if they lose in the courts. Doing so is part of maintaining the legitimacy of your cause and gaining public sympathy for it.

Minnesota and New York governors spoke today about the murder of George Floyd.

RoboGraham comments on May 31, 2020:

So all of this public outrage and unrest is having some real effects on those in power. Wonderful. If we keep it up, they might actually do something about these systemic issues we have.

TomMcGiverin replies on Jun 1, 2020:

@RoboGraham True. As long as the govt. is owned by the rich and corporations, we will never get any lasting systemic reform. At best any reform we get will be temporary and only if the ruling class feels they have no choice for the time being with the cost of the unrest being too great or the threat of revolution becoming real in their minds. I think if the 99% attempts violent revolution again, like in the 60s, we will get mowed down by the brainwashed military and cops who would not side with us..

How Many Would Put Themselves In The Middle of This Diagram

RoboGraham comments on May 31, 2020:

The looting and burning is an unfortunate byproduct of the uprising but I was happy to see that police precinct burn.

TomMcGiverin replies on Jun 1, 2020:

I can understand that feeling, but I have read a lot recently about the radical movements of the 60s and 70s and I don't feel the same anymore about the legitimacy or feasibility of waging violent revolution against the government. Those groups tried it in those days and it didn't work. Burning or blowing up police stations or other government buildings is not the way to go. Too much like Tim McVeigh for me, whether the buildings are empty or not. It is a slippery slope, in my mind, to burn an empty police station.

Minnesota and New York governors spoke today about the murder of George Floyd.

RoboGraham comments on May 31, 2020:

So all of this public outrage and unrest is having some real effects on those in power. Wonderful. If we keep it up, they might actually do something about these systemic issues we have.

TomMcGiverin replies on Jun 1, 2020:

I hate to feel this way, but you are right. Continued unrest, as well as the threat of even worse violence from the Black Panthers and leftist radicals during the 60s, were why we got some temporary systemic change back then. The ruling class and their bought pols gave us some change rather than risk civil war and continued unrest. Of course, those were reversed beginning with Nixon and continuing under Reagan..

Morning cuteness!!!!

FrayedBear comments on May 31, 2020:

C'mon feed me! I didn't eat your face whilst you snored all night in bed!

TomMcGiverin replies on May 31, 2020:

That's one reason I don't have a cat. I have that fear of dying alone, except for the cat, and having my face eaten off before someone finds me and feeds the cat.

Good Afternoon Everyone!! Happy Sunday!! Wow up all night watching riots protesting racial ...

WonderWartHog99 comments on May 31, 2020:

>Peaceful non-violent protest is the way to go. It takes longer to get positive results than violent protests.

TomMcGiverin replies on May 31, 2020:

@Lorajay Getting real change against the capitalist and racist power structure in America takes both violent and non-violent protest at the same time. Don't think for a minute that the change brought about, temporarily, in the sixties happened only because of MLK and non-violent protests. The other part of it was Malcom X, The Black Panthers and other militant groups operating then that posed the threat and actual use of violence against the system. It was only because of that combination that LBJ and the power structure decided to make some concessions and allow change, because they chose to grant the demands of the non-violent groups rather than face worse consequences from the militant groups.

The Revolution Has Begun! Which side are you on? [edition.cnn.com]

Beowulfsfriend comments on May 30, 2020:

Need to burn the homes of the elite.

TomMcGiverin replies on May 31, 2020:

That and targeted assassinations of the elite would maybe get the ruling class to at least start making concessions to the 99%. But suggesting this stuff usually gets me bashed as being crazy or too supportive of violence. Plus, the rich and their homes are way too well-protected for either of these to happen. I think our best chance is not thru the above or electoral politics. It will take general strikes coupled with non-cooperation with corporate America over a long period of time to get real change in our economic system.

Prompted by calls to 'give grace' to cop who killed George Floyd, black activists question the rush ...

linxminx comments on May 30, 2020:

"To speak of violence done by black people without uttering so much as a word about the violence done to them is perverse. And by violence, I don’t mean merely that of police brutality. I mean the structural violence that flies under the radar of most white folks but which has created the broader ...

TomMcGiverin replies on May 31, 2020:

And that forgiveness needs to be earned...

A very sad commentary on the closed society of the police forces.

Petter comments on May 30, 2020:

Large cities seem to create extremist actions and opinions. Smaller societies are far more tolerant.

TomMcGiverin replies on May 30, 2020:

The larger the city, the more alienation there seems to be between the cops and the public, esp. on the part of the cops.

A very sad commentary on the closed society of the police forces.

Fred_Snerd comments on May 30, 2020:

It's nice here too. When I was in Texas, it varied greatly from county to county.

TomMcGiverin replies on May 30, 2020:

Same here in Iowa. Some cities have cops that are generally assholes and others have cops that are mostly good, caring people..

I just love all of the strange pickup lines I get from women in my junk box.

HippieChick58 comments on May 29, 2020:

It sounds like a line from a horror movie.

TomMcGiverin replies on May 29, 2020:

@JayOleck38 Quite. He gives new meaning to a lot of expressions of speech...

I just love all of the strange pickup lines I get from women in my junk box.

HippieChick58 comments on May 29, 2020:

It sounds like a line from a horror movie.

TomMcGiverin replies on May 29, 2020:

@JayOleck38 Maybe there should be. I heard that back when that movie came out many women found Hannibal Lecter to be quite charming and sexy. Takes all kinds I guess...

In my lifetime, I have imagined and lived through the very worst I thought a Mother could live ...

CarolinaGirl60 comments on May 29, 2020:

It’s so troubling. I want to go through my screen and tackle that horrible cop, even though I can’t. Why didn’t the watching crowd gang up? How can this have happened?

TomMcGiverin replies on May 29, 2020:

From the video I saw, there was an Asian cop off to the side that was keeping bystanders back from where Floyd was on the ground, plus, the cop on Floyd's neck pulled his mace one or two times when bystanders tried to move towards him to stop his murdering ass...There was nothing the bystanders could do without likely endangering their own lives. I think it took courage just to film the cops and keep confronting them verbally. How could they be sure the cops might not shoot them just to cover up for themselves?

In my lifetime, I have imagined and lived through the very worst I thought a Mother could live ...

KKGator comments on May 29, 2020:

There is nothing surprising about this. It sucks, and it's as wrong as it can possibly be, but it isn't remotely surprising. It's been going on for the better part of the last 350 years. Black people, other minorities, and all the indigenous people of this continent have been subjected to the...

TomMcGiverin replies on May 29, 2020:

@SeaGreenEyez After the shooting of the sleeping black woman in Louisville, I sure as hell might be afraid of sleeping at night if I was black.

MINNEAPOLIS on fire [powerlineblog.

barjoe comments on May 29, 2020:

I understand the frustration and anger. I can even understand rioting. I can't understand looting and burning down businesses in your own neighborhood.

TomMcGiverin replies on May 29, 2020:

@linxminx Saw plenty of white faces in the crowd in Minneapolis. That is encouraging.

MINNEAPOLIS on fire [powerlineblog.

barjoe comments on May 29, 2020:

I understand the frustration and anger. I can even understand rioting. I can't understand looting and burning down businesses in your own neighborhood.

TomMcGiverin replies on May 29, 2020:

@barjoe I know. It's been going on ever since the history of riots..

George Floyd was accused of trying to pass a fake $20.

CarolinaGirl60 comments on May 28, 2020:

This sickened me. If I saw it happening to a stranger, I’d try to make it stop. I understand protests; if it was my family, I’d be in front of the station every damn day. They could arrest me, every damn day. There’s an excellent Jackson Browne song, “Lives in the Balance”...’ the ...

TomMcGiverin replies on May 29, 2020:

Seems like tonite's song on topic should be "For What It's Worth" by The Buffalo Springfield. " We've got to stop, hey, what's that sound? Everybody look what's going down". Unfortunately, timeless...

42% Of Total U.S. Covid Deaths Are From The 0.6% Of The Population In Long-term Care

barjoe comments on May 29, 2020:

That means over 60,000 Americans who are NOT elderly and in nursing homes have passed away from the Coronavirus. Thanks for the statistic, you are helping to draw attention to how truly serious the Covid-19 pandemic really is.

TomMcGiverin replies on May 29, 2020:

That's the thing that scares me and pisses me off, all the younger people that are going around without masks and gathering recklessly when it leads to lots of people who are 40-75 yo getting infected and dying. They have their younger folks to thank or blame for that..

MINNEAPOLIS on fire [powerlineblog.

davknight comments on May 29, 2020:

Burn baby burn!

TomMcGiverin replies on May 29, 2020:

I can't in good conscience support that, but I sure do understand it.

MINNEAPOLIS on fire [powerlineblog.

barjoe comments on May 29, 2020:

I understand the frustration and anger. I can even understand rioting. I can't understand looting and burning down businesses in your own neighborhood.

TomMcGiverin replies on May 29, 2020:

I saw that some business owners were writing graffiti on their windows that they were a black or minority-owned business, but I can see how that would make little difference to some violent people.. I agree with you on that barjoe, it is senseless. Makes much more sense to burn cop cars or a police station, both of which they did...

George Floyd was accused of trying to pass a fake $20.

BestWithoutGods comments on May 28, 2020:

I hope those police officers ended up in prison for the crime of murder.

TomMcGiverin replies on May 29, 2020:

@FearlessFly I'll gladly take your word on that one..

George Floyd was accused of trying to pass a fake $20.

Observer-Effect comments on May 28, 2020:

There are millions of good people in the United States, but collectively? We are not good. We are a shitty country. America is the new "Evil Empire" - replacing the USSR . . . and it doesn't matter how many people who read that don't like it, and don't agree. The rest of the world pretty well ...

TomMcGiverin replies on May 29, 2020:

Precisely! I fear my own fed govt. and the way its military, as well as my local police, may be turned on me someday when the shit hits the fan, more than I do any foreign terrorist group or another country's military. I wish more Americans would wake the fuck up to that.. And let me state for the record that I am anything but some gun-loving, Trump-voting prepper. I'm just someone who was around for all the horrors of the 60s. 70s, and 80s while being intelligent enough to watch and learn how evil our fed govt. and military can be.

George Floyd was accused of trying to pass a fake $20.

BestWithoutGods comments on May 28, 2020:

I hope those police officers ended up in prison for the crime of murder.

TomMcGiverin replies on May 29, 2020:

@FearlessFly So this was a black cop murdering a white woman? No wonder he got nailed...

George Floyd was accused of trying to pass a fake $20.

Observer-Effect comments on May 28, 2020:

There are millions of good people in the United States, but collectively? We are not good. We are a shitty country. America is the new "Evil Empire" - replacing the USSR . . . and it doesn't matter how many people who read that don't like it, and don't agree. The rest of the world pretty well ...

TomMcGiverin replies on May 29, 2020:

We are like a chimpanzee with a machine gun, as Jimmy McGill/Saul Goodman's brother described him in Better Call Saul...

George Floyd was accused of trying to pass a fake $20.

KKGator comments on May 28, 2020:

I'm listening to the law enforcement press conference. Those speaking keep insisting that this investigation cannot be "rushed". Those cops sure did RUSH to use lethal force on an unarmed man over an ACCUSATION which proved to be untrue. The lawyers are talking in circles. Typical. The ...

TomMcGiverin replies on May 29, 2020:

@KKGator Sounds like the usual "thoughts and prayers" bullshit we get after each mass shooting. I'll pass on that..

George Floyd was accused of trying to pass a fake $20.

CarolinaGirl60 comments on May 28, 2020:

This sickened me. If I saw it happening to a stranger, I’d try to make it stop. I understand protests; if it was my family, I’d be in front of the station every damn day. They could arrest me, every damn day. There’s an excellent Jackson Browne song, “Lives in the Balance”...’ the ...

TomMcGiverin replies on May 29, 2020:

Actually, it reminds me of the horrible things done by Reagan's beloved Contras, Freedom Fighters he called them, that killed and maimed in Central America during the 80s when there were civil wars going on there. Same things, same time that inspired the Browne song. The one I liked from then was by Canadian folksinger Bruce Cockburn that went, " If I had a rocket launcher, I would retaliate"..

George Floyd was accused of trying to pass a fake $20.

Amzungu comments on May 28, 2020:

From what I am able to see here, all that have commented here thus far are not African American, and we are outraged at the lack of humanity displayed in this situation. Think for a moment how they all must feel watching this. We are all pissed as hell. Seeing red. I cannot even watch this longer ...

TomMcGiverin replies on May 29, 2020:

@KKGator You got that right. Things will only change when enough white people give up their privilege enough to identify down, instead of up, and side with those who are oppressed against the systems of oppression, whether it's police brutality or the prison-industrial complex or the poverty draft of our military since Vietnam or women or queer people being oppressed by attacks on reproductive rights or gay rights by the Bible thumpers and their Repub pols.

George Floyd was accused of trying to pass a fake $20.

Amzungu comments on May 28, 2020:

From what I am able to see here, all that have commented here thus far are not African American, and we are outraged at the lack of humanity displayed in this situation. Think for a moment how they all must feel watching this. We are all pissed as hell. Seeing red. I cannot even watch this longer ...

TomMcGiverin replies on May 29, 2020:

We were making progress in the 60s. I was a very precocious, curious child then who read the newspaper and watched all the TV news of the protests, the riots and the Vietnam War. In short, what went wrong was Nixon, then Reagan being in power while most white Americans either sold out to the system for their own comfort and/or became calloused and indifferent to those who were poorer or members of a racial minority group. White America did become more tolerant of queer people and feminist women, but when it came to systems of power regarding criminal justice and war, white America has not changed at all when it comes to valuing the lives of non-white people, whether it's here in America or overseas in some country we've invaded for empire or oil.... Trump is the symptom, not the disease. Racism and misogyny were already there rotting much of America before he was elected. The diff is with him leading by example, it is now encouraged and shameless for racists and misogynists to be open about it in polite society.

George Floyd was accused of trying to pass a fake $20.

OldWiseAss comments on May 28, 2020:

Hand in his pocket, smirk on his face. Other, equally guilty, cops standing by doing nothing. I can't imagine what it must feel like to be black in America, especially right now. It makes me furious that this is still happening in 2020. Angry and ashamed.

TomMcGiverin replies on May 29, 2020:

I totally share your shame and anger. In fact, I feel rage, and I'm a privileged white male..

George Floyd was accused of trying to pass a fake $20.

Charlene comments on May 28, 2020:

It was straight up Murder..🤬🤬, if they don't arrest Chauvin, charge and convict this cold blooded Murderer, he and his partner, Thoa, will be lynched..

TomMcGiverin replies on May 29, 2020:

@Charlene I am too old and at risk with the virus to get out there with all the young people like the ones on the street in Minneapolis, but, like in the 60s, it is heartening to see the courage and passion of the young people being willing to risk the virus and getting assaulted or gassed by the cops on behalf of their values and convictions. Maybe there is hope for our future with those kind of millennials..

George Floyd was accused of trying to pass a fake $20.

Charlene comments on May 28, 2020:

It was straight up Murder..🤬🤬, if they don't arrest Chauvin, charge and convict this cold blooded Murderer, he and his partner, Thoa, will be lynched..

TomMcGiverin replies on May 29, 2020:

@Larry68Feminist Watching it tonite on MSNBC, I feel like I am having flashbacks of watching the 60s riots on TV.

George Floyd was accused of trying to pass a fake $20.

itsmedammit comments on May 28, 2020:

I can't bring myself to watch this. I saw a shorter version and am too angry. May I ask in what capacity you were working in civil rights? Are you an attorney? Will a case like this be handled someplace other than at the state level?

TomMcGiverin replies on May 29, 2020:

@SeaGreenEyez Even before I found about your work, I figured you were one of the good guys! Thank you for your long service.

George Floyd was accused of trying to pass a fake $20.

Amzungu comments on May 28, 2020:

From what I am able to see here, all that have commented here thus far are not African American, and we are outraged at the lack of humanity displayed in this situation. Think for a moment how they all must feel watching this. We are all pissed as hell. Seeing red. I cannot even watch this longer ...

TomMcGiverin replies on May 29, 2020:

Actor Will Smith got it right. The only thing that bystander videos have changed is that now we have much greater awareness as a country of how often this shit happens. What hasn't changed is how rarely there is any justice for blacks murdered by cops. It happened all the time, I'm sure, when I was a child and a teenager, but there were no cellphone cameras, so the word of bystanders was dismissed out of hand by the authorities.

George Floyd was accused of trying to pass a fake $20.

mcgeo52 comments on May 28, 2020:

The most just thing that can happen to the four cops involved is to be thrown into prison, and turned out in general population with the guards' backs turned.

TomMcGiverin replies on May 29, 2020:

Without protective custody, they won't last a week in a regular prison with the black inmates and gangs being able to figure out really quickly who they are.

George Floyd was accused of trying to pass a fake $20.

Marcie1974 comments on May 28, 2020:

I live in MN and a photographer friend went to the protest. He said tear gas and flash bombs were deployed by police while the protest was still peaceful. There’s pictures all over Facebook of the guy who broke into the autozone store and started the fire. Apparently he ran into the 3rd ...

TomMcGiverin replies on May 28, 2020:

Wouldn't surprise me. In the 60s and 70s the cops were always sending undercover cops into lefty groups to try to infiltrate them and encourage violence by the group. When that failed, the undercover provacatuers would then commit violence themselves during protests so it could be blamed on the non-violent lefty groups.

George Floyd was accused of trying to pass a fake $20.

GreatNani comments on May 28, 2020:

It is murder. And he had a history of excessive force.

TomMcGiverin replies on May 28, 2020:

I saw online today that he tried to kill another unarmed black man back in 2008. If the system had worked then by firing him, instead of taking no action against him, Floyd would be alive today. The system in Minneapolis is complicit in this murder in that sense...

Is anybody weirded out by how we had no special tributes by the federal govt.

JimG comments on May 28, 2020:

I think that those medical professionals who died during the pandemic are as deserving of our respect and gratitude as anyone who died in combat. Their sacrifice is as worthy of tribute as any, and we should do something to show our gratitude if for no other reason than to demonstrate to their loved...

TomMcGiverin replies on May 28, 2020:

Here, here. I hope when this pandemic is over, if not sooner, that we see this happen. It would not by any means cheapen the honors given dead soldiers.

Is anybody weirded out by how we had no special tributes by the federal govt.

glennlab comments on May 28, 2020:

No, Memorial Day is about service members that have died, I am angered that Trump did not acknowledge the 100,000 that have died, but it would have been inappropriate for Memorial Day.

TomMcGiverin replies on May 28, 2020:

@glennlab I hear you. I am just sharing my observations about how that date is practiced these days. I feel the same way about how Labor Day has lost all of its original meaning regarding unions, socialism, etc.

Is anybody weirded out by how we had no special tributes by the federal govt.

glennlab comments on May 28, 2020:

No, Memorial Day is about service members that have died, I am angered that Trump did not acknowledge the 100,000 that have died, but it would have been inappropriate for Memorial Day.

TomMcGiverin replies on May 28, 2020:

While that is technically true, I also know that Memorial Day has now become a day that is also used by most churches and families to honor and remember their dead loved ones that are not military veterans. Thus, that is the reason for my wonder why there is no acknowledgement of the dead from Covid. Maybe that will change in the future.

Four in 10 Americans prefer socialism to capitalism, poll finds [theguardian.

TomMcGiverin comments on May 28, 2020:

Too much propaganda against socialism for it to happen in this country due to the corporate media and the government.

TomMcGiverin replies on May 28, 2020:

@Fred_Snerd Agreed.

[abcnews.

TomMcGiverin comments on May 28, 2020:

I'm a former school bus driver and I think that it's going to be a long time before they go back to work, whether it's transporting kids to school and home or even driving activity trips like sports teams, field trips, or charter trips with adult groups. No way you can social distance enough in a ...

TomMcGiverin replies on May 28, 2020:

@sassygirl3869 I've been in touch with some of my fellow drivers since March and they have all been out of the job. They agree with me about the future until there is a vaccine. They say that the kids who can't get to school without busing will probably just have to stay home, have the school provide them with a computer if necessary, and do distance learning at home next fall, assuming that in person classes resume then for K-12.

Trump adviser says America's "human capital stock" ready to return to work, sparking anger

NotReligious71 comments on May 28, 2020:

He's just saying out loud what we've known all along since Reagan inspired the "welfare queen" myth in the 1970s. If we're not rich, we don't matter and we're certainly not human.

TomMcGiverin replies on May 28, 2020:

%The sad thing is that it's not just the Repubs in DC that feel that way. Most of the Dems in congress feel the same way about the 99%. The difference is that the Dems at least pretend in the way they talk that they care about the non-rich, but in their actions they show that they too have been bought off by the corporations and the same rich donors as the Repubs.

WHAT IT IS REALLY LIKE TO BE INTUBATED AND PLACED ON A VENTILATOR Written by a nurse who works ...

TomMcGiverin comments on May 23, 2020:

Everyone should be wearing masks when around other people indoors, even if they are healthy, because they may well be infected without symptoms or knowing they are infected.

TomMcGiverin replies on May 27, 2020:

@bbyrd009 You have Asberger's? What a nonsurprise. Seems like you would be a jerk even without it.

WHAT IT IS REALLY LIKE TO BE INTUBATED AND PLACED ON A VENTILATOR Written by a nurse who works ...

bbyrd009 comments on May 23, 2020:

Nurses and doctors live about 5 to 7 years less than the rest of us, I guess; “dead doctors don’t lie.” Iow She may reliably be ignored, as long as one is not immune compromised or breathing compromised. Healthy people should not be wearing masks

TomMcGiverin replies on May 26, 2020:

@HippieChick58 He probably feels entitled to drive drunk too..Sure sounds like a social Darwinist and likely a Libertarian or some other kind of Trumper.

WHAT IT IS REALLY LIKE TO BE INTUBATED AND PLACED ON A VENTILATOR Written by a nurse who works ...

TomMcGiverin comments on May 23, 2020:

Everyone should be wearing masks when around other people indoors, even if they are healthy, because they may well be infected without symptoms or knowing they are infected.

TomMcGiverin replies on May 26, 2020:

@bbyrd009 My heart condition, atril fib, was inherited from both of my parents. You going to blame me for that? You are a selfish asshole and I bet most members on this thread agree with me..Maybe you need to suffer a little if you get this infection and maybe it might teach you some compassion and real empathy..You may live to get old one day or develop an inherited medical condition. I hope you receive the same lack of consideration from others as you extend to those like me. Karma can be a bitch, bbyrd...

WHAT IT IS REALLY LIKE TO BE INTUBATED AND PLACED ON A VENTILATOR Written by a nurse who works ...

TomMcGiverin comments on May 23, 2020:

Everyone should be wearing masks when around other people indoors, even if they are healthy, because they may well be infected without symptoms or knowing they are infected.

TomMcGiverin replies on May 25, 2020:

@bbyrd009 You are a selfish ass and probably a Trump supporter too, I bet. I do not deserve to be treated as a second class, expendable citizen for your "freedom". I have no choice but to occaisionally go out in public where I may end up around younger people like you who are unknowingly infected. Your being selfish just makes those necessary risks on my part more risky than they need to be. That is why I am a socialist and you are likely a Trumper..I doubt you empathize at all, asshole...

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...

TomMcGiverin replies on May 25, 2020:

@Paul4747 Stuttering and confusion that comes with dementia, as well as behavioral changes that come with dementia, are two different things. Biden has gotten a lot worse in his ability to track a conversation or his own thoughts as well as be oriented to time, place, and people around him compared to several years ago or less. These changes did not occur due to simple aging or the stutter he has had his whole adult life. Good luck convincing someone else who is not trying to cover up for Biden out of a Blue No Matter Who view of politics, like you have...…..

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

itsmedammit comments on May 25, 2020:

He has always exhibited many of the symptoms mentioned. He has always just been a sociopath.

TomMcGiverin replies on May 25, 2020:

@Gwendolyn2018 Of course that could be true. It happens. My sister in law has Borderline Personality Disorder and most likely will develop dementia like her sister-my late wife- and their mother and grandmother before them.

WHAT IT IS REALLY LIKE TO BE INTUBATED AND PLACED ON A VENTILATOR Written by a nurse who works ...

TomMcGiverin comments on May 23, 2020:

Everyone should be wearing masks when around other people indoors, even if they are healthy, because they may well be infected without symptoms or knowing they are infected.

TomMcGiverin replies on May 25, 2020:

Won't let me edit my comment. Wanted to add that I am over 60 yo. above.

WHAT IT IS REALLY LIKE TO BE INTUBATED AND PLACED ON A VENTILATOR Written by a nurse who works ...

TomMcGiverin comments on May 23, 2020:

Everyone should be wearing masks when around other people indoors, even if they are healthy, because they may well be infected without symptoms or knowing they are infected.

TomMcGiverin replies on May 25, 2020:

@bbyrd009 Except for people like me, who are over and have a heart condition, or something else that makes them vulnerable, getting infected to build immunity is an unacceptable risk. If infected, I stand a good chance of at least getting seriously ill and ending up on a ventilator or dying. The right of younger, less vulnerable people to not wear masks and run around risking getting infected so that they may later run into me and infect me at a store or some other public place, or infect a medical worker who treats them for the virus, is not acceptable to me. I am fine with people taking their risks if it only stood a chance of impacting them.

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

Stilltrying1964 comments on May 25, 2020:

I see it mentions repetitive compulsive behavior, and we have seen enough evidence of that. But does it mean anything that he repeats himself frequently? And I mean he ends his statements with the same words said twice. I am inclined to think this is his inferiority complex striving subconsciously ...

TomMcGiverin replies on May 25, 2020:

Sounds very likely. In my experience, the people that most easily notice dementia are those who have seen the patient up close and then not again until much later. The symptoms are easier to notice if the observations are interrupted by some amount of time. The other group that sees the symptoms early are those that are looking for them because they are trained and knowledgeable and are looking because they have been asked to evaluate the patient or because they are part of the patient's social system and they are aware of a family history of inherited dementia. In my late wife's case, we were both looking out for signs of it because of her mother and grandma's history of dementia late in their lives.

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

itsmedammit comments on May 25, 2020:

He has always exhibited many of the symptoms mentioned. He has always just been a sociopath.

TomMcGiverin replies on May 25, 2020:

Unlike dementia, sociopathy is a personality disorder while both are forms of mental illness. The big diff is that dementia is all about cognitive disability while personality disorders do not affect cognitive functioning like memory, intelligence, reasoning, etc. The truth be told, most CEOS of large companies, as well as some pols in DC, are probably sociopaths because that personality and its lack of empathy are actually advantages in making it up the corporate ladder or the political food chain. OCD, Obssessive compulsive disorder, is also a personality disorder type of mental illness. I have no doubt that Trump has some of this as well as some paranoid features.

Idiots they will get sick and some will die.

davknight comments on May 25, 2020:

If they are going to die, let them do it, and decrease the surplus population! The fewer Trumplerite fascists around,the better! Less room for them, and more room for us!

TomMcGiverin replies on May 25, 2020:

If only they did it around their own kind and did not fan out to spread it among innocent, more intelligent sane people, then I'd be fine with the Darwinian herd thinning. But that's not how it plays..

I became draft age in ’75 as America’s direct military involvement in the Vietnam conflict had ...

WilliamCharles comments on May 25, 2020:

This regularly comes to mind when I hear the standard phrase about "fighting for our freedom." The best way to honor veterans in my mind is to not use them as cannon fodder in illegal and immoral wars. But we are conditioned to see our militarism as noble regardless of the reality in so many ways....

TomMcGiverin replies on May 25, 2020:

These modern wars are never about our freedoms. They are about empire, for some country's natural resources, their geopolitical important location, and/or our multinational corporations expanding their markets. People who believe the wars are about protecting our freedoms make easy cannon fodder for the military to join the rest of the troops who join as victims of the poverty draft.

It blows my mind that in the year 2020 the democrats are still propping up leaders who have ...

VeronicaAnn comments on May 25, 2020:

This sucks and is disappointing. The Democratic party has regressed and is becoming shit :( Reason number 1,000 why I am not voting for Biden. I'm not heavily into conspiracy theories, but something isn't right to me about all this.... Like how Biden, the WORST Democratic candidate out of all the ...

TomMcGiverin replies on May 25, 2020:

Biden became the frontrunner and the presumptive nominee right before the virus shut down the primary race. He got there, I believe, with a combination of covert moves by the DNC, the help of the corporate media promoting him and screwing Bernie, and lastly, there may well have been some election fraud in the SC primary and Super Tuesday, again with the help of the DNC.

Have the democrats learned enough?

barjoe comments on May 22, 2020:

It wasn't Hillary or "the Democrats" It was the fact that Donald Trump was the Great White Hope. Same reason for Brexit. White America loves him, he's their version of MLK. He feeds off racism and white supremacy. If the African American voters don't come out this time, they deserve Trump. I don't.

TomMcGiverin replies on May 24, 2020:

I can't argue with most of your comment, but another part of Trump's appeal, at least last time, was the anger and betrayal that most white Americans felt about how the Dem party has abandoned them in favor of the rich and corporations. Of course Trump was completely lying to them about how he was going to change trade policies and economic policies to help Americans in the lower classes, but at least he seemed to hear their anger and validate it, as well as say he would change things in their favor. Hillary refused to recognize or validate their anger, much less promise any help for those left behind in the economy, plus, she and Bill were already identified as part of the Dem establishment that had betrayed and left behind average Americans in favor of the rich and corporations. She could not convincingly lie to Americans the way Trump could about this because she was already so identified as part of the problem with the Dem party.

Have the democrats learned enough?

nogod4me comments on May 23, 2020:

Trump is the sore, people are hoping that Biden will be the scab that will be picked off later. However, it may turn into cancer. A People's History of the United States by Howard Zinn, reveals how both parties, controlled by the wealthy, using religion, racism and divisiveness have screwed all ...

TomMcGiverin replies on May 23, 2020:

I wish that book were required reading for all citizens, at least all voters.

Have the democrats learned enough?

RoboGraham comments on May 23, 2020:

After Clinton lost, the democrats did no reflecting on their defeat. They engaged in shameful scapegoating. They blamed everyone but themselves and took no responsibility as leaders ought to do. Now they are running the same failed neoliberal strategy with a very similar but, amazingly, slightly...

TomMcGiverin replies on May 23, 2020:

Both four years ago and now it had little to do with trying to win and everything to do with keeping Bernie from power and the White House.

Hell at least he’s giving us some great material to remember him by. 😏

powder comments on May 23, 2020:

Is he officially the candidate yet? If so, when do we know his running mate?

TomMcGiverin replies on May 23, 2020:

My take on it is that he is the current placeholder for the nomination, until he drops out in August for a so-called personal health emergency (his obvious dementia). He also has the Tara Reade accusation against him as well, that's why I predict the DNC will replace him at the convention with someone like Cuomo or Warren.

[youtu.

TomMcGiverin comments on May 23, 2020:

I've said it before on this site and I'll say it again, look for Biden to drop out in about two months-for a "personal health emergency" which we all know is his dementia-before the DNC replaces him at the convention with someone like Cuomo or Warren. So all the uproar over Biden's dementia, sexual ...

TomMcGiverin replies on May 23, 2020:

@gigihein Can't wait to find out in August if I am right about this..

Hell at least he’s giving us some great material to remember him by. 😏

Bobbyzen comments on May 23, 2020:

“You ain’t black” says the white man who legislated mass incarceration of black men to the black man. Priceless.

TomMcGiverin replies on May 23, 2020:

Too bad most older blacks forgot about that history while the primary was still on.

Why to wear a mask.

yogafan108 comments on May 23, 2020:

It really is so simple. Let's also add, I don't drink and drive in order to keep my fellow citizens safe from my impaired condition.

TomMcGiverin replies on May 23, 2020:

Good analogy.

[youtu.

Bobbyzen comments on May 23, 2020:

Well put. To be clear here, I do not support free-form Biden bashing. But Biden brought this critique on himself. It’s clear he’s running on a platform of “I’m not Trump.” Recent history informs this is a losing strategy. But fine. Let him then respond, “If you don’t support me you ...

TomMcGiverin replies on May 23, 2020:

The argument that Biden is better than Trump is, by itself, not enough of a reason to me for voting Biden, but it's about all he's got with white voters.

[youtu.

Buddha comments on May 23, 2020:

he is such a bad choice.. it's like the dems want to lose

TomMcGiverin replies on May 23, 2020:

@RoboGraham Exactly. All the DNC cares about is keeping Bernie out of the White House.

Pretty sure mine would consider it:

FrayedBear comments on May 22, 2020:

Yeah don't expect it to die with you. It won't starve, just eat your face off.

TomMcGiverin replies on May 22, 2020:

I always suspected that cats admired Hannibal Lecter....

Has anybody else received an Agnostic.com T-shirt in the last few months?

BitFlipper comments on May 21, 2020:

I'm expecting to see one in the mail, but since it's free I hesitate to ask questions. I was planning to wear it to the summer festivals, but there won't be any this year.

TomMcGiverin replies on May 21, 2020:

I agree that live music concerts are going to be out for this summer, whether they are indoors or outdoors.

Has anybody else received an Agnostic.com T-shirt in the last few months?

Bobbyzen comments on May 21, 2020:

No shirt. I reach Level 8 on January 15th. When I ordered my shirt the website said they were running behind and wouldn’t ship until April. Also they were low in pens and I might not get one. Could be the pandemic...

TomMcGiverin replies on May 21, 2020:

Probably is, but after messaging the admin. and customer service as well about it with no reply, I figured I would just ask the group openly and try to find out that way. I'm not bummed about it, but I would like to wear it and promote the site that way. I am a bit disappointed a bit by the snark and put down remarks below this.

Has anybody else received an Agnostic.com T-shirt in the last few months?

ZantiMisfit comments on May 21, 2020:

Is there a way to re-submit for the shirt?

TomMcGiverin replies on May 21, 2020:

Good point. I wonder if I could do that, but at the time I reached level 8 I was sent a PM by admin. that had a link for me to use for ordering the shirt. I assume that is the only way to order a free shirt.

President Wilson was suffering from the flu and sometimes described as delirious during the peace ...

TomMcGiverin comments on May 15, 2020:

I dunno about Trump being delirious, but Biden clearly has dementia.

TomMcGiverin replies on May 15, 2020:

@yvilletom I'd say he is mentally ill in multiple ways.

Does anyone here think that a civil war in america isn't inevitable ot this point?

TomMcGiverin comments on Apr 30, 2020:

If the south ever seceeded again, I would welcome it.

TomMcGiverin replies on May 13, 2020:

@LetzGetReal It would greatly improve our politics by ridding us of most of the Repub party's base and leave us with all of our progressive states.