TomMcGiverin's Profile

Yesterday's Taboos Now Gone 01.

TomMcGiverin comments on Jun 24, 2019:

Currently it is taboo to oppose any part of PC, even when it's carried to a ridiculous extreme. Also Boxdoc is right about criticizing or even disagreeing with many feminists gets you labeled as a misogynist.

TomMcGiverin replies on Jun 25, 2019:

@OwlInASack No problem. I bought two other shirts from them as well. One was a cute funny one of a cat dressed like an old school rapper labeled The Notorious C.A.T. wearing a gold chain and hat. Proves that I'm not always serious and angry. The other shirt was a slam on mainstream culture and lifestyle in Iowa that said " Iowa- A Black Hole That You Will Never Escape From, But A Great Black Hole To Raise Kids In". I guess you have to live somewhere like here as a childfree adult to get it......

I'm categorizing this under Religion and Spirituality for lack of a better one.

TheoryNumber3 comments on Jun 24, 2019:

It makes you wonder whose funeral it is... the deceased... Or Jesus' But this brings to mind something that happened years ago in my family. My husband's grandparents were devout catholics. Every week they put cash in the bucket they pass around the congregation. When my husband's grandfather ...

TomMcGiverin replies on Jun 25, 2019:

That kind of cruel hypocrisy is shameful....Everybody who knew the deceased should have boycotted that church once word got out about the priest's "pay to play" bullshit excuse for not letting him be buried there....

I'm categorizing this under Religion and Spirituality for lack of a better one.

TomMcGiverin comments on Jun 24, 2019:

Since I live in Iowa, which is semi-Bible Belt, I have run into this a lot over the years from attending funerals. I guess I just don't get too fazed over it as it seems to be SOP for any Christian church doing a funeral. So I just show up out of respect, love, or friendship with the deceased and ...

TomMcGiverin replies on Jun 24, 2019:

@IAMGROOT No problem, Dana. You seem like a cool dude...I agree that if I wanted to hear their sermons, I'd show up on Sunday.

Yesterday's Taboos Now Gone 01.

TomMcGiverin comments on Jun 24, 2019:

Currently it is taboo to oppose any part of PC, even when it's carried to a ridiculous extreme. Also Boxdoc is right about criticizing or even disagreeing with many feminists gets you labeled as a misogynist.

TomMcGiverin replies on Jun 24, 2019:

@OwlInASack I dunno Owl, it just seemed to be a good message on the shirt, namely that Thoughts And Prayers are a bullshit response to problems that should instead be addressed by social movements, organizing for power, and trying to change laws. Your mileage may vary..... What exactly is your beef with me here?

I'm categorizing this under Religion and Spirituality for lack of a better one.

TomMcGiverin comments on Jun 24, 2019:

Since I live in Iowa, which is semi-Bible Belt, I have run into this a lot over the years from attending funerals. I guess I just don't get too fazed over it as it seems to be SOP for any Christian church doing a funeral. So I just show up out of respect, love, or friendship with the deceased and ...

TomMcGiverin replies on Jun 24, 2019:

@IAMGROOT I understand your disgust and agree with how impersonal those services are. I guess one way I coped with it was to put a lot of thought and work into planning the memorial service for my late wife, which earned me a lot of compliments from people who attended it, even from Christians, for how well it expressed her personality and honored her life. They all said it was very personal and reflective of how she was. I have also planned my own the same way and hope that it turns out equally well, but I won't be around to see it. I'll just have to trust my friends, the Unitarian church, and the funeral home to carry it out my way, but it gives me peace of mind to know I have already planned it out and that it won't involve my Christian siblings, who I am estranged from, having any say about how the service is done. I can tell you that it gives me a chuckle and a warm feeling to know that it will include not only a Lou Reed song (What's Good) to open it, but also Hallelujah by Leonard Cohen, while finishing with The Circle Game by Joni Mitchell as a sing-along. Yeah, I know that's a little twisted, but not as much as a buddy of mine that's going to have Monty Python's Always Look On The Bright Side Of Life played at his funeral. Not exactly the Roman Catholic funeral mass for either of us, lol.

Sunday schools. Is it a form of child abuse?

TomMcGiverin comments on Jun 24, 2019:

I've never been a parent and I've never wanted to be one. So maybe I'm not qualified to have an opinion here, but as a citizen and an adult who votes, I don't want to see a theocracy for a government nor do I want a government that bans religion or takes away the rights of parents to raise their ...

TomMcGiverin replies on Jun 24, 2019:

@lookinhard Thank you. I haven't heard it used before, but I like your phrase "reign our shit in", it's catchy and makes sense in this case.

Propaganda Is The Root Of All Our Problems [caitlinjohnstone.

TomMcGiverin comments on Jun 23, 2019:

This article says what I have thought and said for many years. The duopoly, as Ralph Nader told us long ago, continues to win as long as most voters stay locked in the two party system. I think that even millions of our eligible voters who no longer vote do so because they have given up hope on ...

TomMcGiverin replies on Jun 24, 2019:

@William_Mary Disturbing, isn't it? That is why I think Bernie will think long and hard about not picking anyone who is corruptible as a running mate should he somehow get the nomination. It will not be Warren, as he has no reason to trust her after she refused to back him last time, instead she helped Hillary in spite of Warren knowing how corrupt and neo-liberal Hillary was. My guess is he would pick a woman who is less known but totally uncorruptible.

Propaganda Is The Root Of All Our Problems [caitlinjohnstone.

TomMcGiverin comments on Jun 23, 2019:

This article says what I have thought and said for many years. The duopoly, as Ralph Nader told us long ago, continues to win as long as most voters stay locked in the two party system. I think that even millions of our eligible voters who no longer vote do so because they have given up hope on ...

TomMcGiverin replies on Jun 24, 2019:

@William_Mary If I were him, I would take threats seriously, as even the top law enforcement agencies may not always be able to protect you, or even want to protect you, if you piss off the wrong powerful people. For example Mel Carnahan of Missouri or Paul Wellstone of Minnesota, both US senators who died in small plane crashes after they pissed off Cheney by opposing the Iraq War. I think they were both assassinated, but, like the real story of what happened on 9-11, we'll never know. I've got a feeling that if Bernie were elected and he had, for example, someone like Liz Warren as his running mate, he might easily suffer a conveniently arranged heart attack with the help of one of our intelligence agencies so she could play LBJ to his JFK and give the corporate boys all the cooperation they asked for.

Propaganda Is The Root Of All Our Problems [caitlinjohnstone.

TomMcGiverin comments on Jun 23, 2019:

This article says what I have thought and said for many years. The duopoly, as Ralph Nader told us long ago, continues to win as long as most voters stay locked in the two party system. I think that even millions of our eligible voters who no longer vote do so because they have given up hope on ...

TomMcGiverin replies on Jun 24, 2019:

@William_Mary I'm very lame at getting snark, so maybe you need to explain for me. What do you mean by the Bill reference? I agree that if Bernie had taken up Jill Stein's offer of running with her as a Green, he might have won because he was already very well known and the Greens were already on the ballot for prez in every state. But he caved and endorsed Killary which was letting us all down. Some say he did it because the Dems threatened him and his family, others say he did it to keep his working relationship with the Dems in the Senate. Either way, I'm sure he knows it wasn't right and he probably regrets it, but did it to fight another day. I don't think I can agree with you about the Greens or SEP becoming winners in big time elections, not as long as most of the sheeple still think like MikeIN BatonRouge. What is SEP, in case I am guessing wrong?

Yesterday's Taboos Now Gone 01.

TomMcGiverin comments on Jun 24, 2019:

Currently it is taboo to oppose any part of PC, even when it's carried to a ridiculous extreme. Also Boxdoc is right about criticizing or even disagreeing with many feminists gets you labeled as a misogynist.

TomMcGiverin replies on Jun 24, 2019:

@greyeyed123 I recently bought a T-shirt from a local snark store that bashes that whole fake response to mass shootings and other real social problems.

We can all live without God, but what is one thing you can't live without?

1of5 comments on Jun 23, 2019:

My wife. Life would be empty without her.

TomMcGiverin replies on Jun 24, 2019:

@linxminx Tried Meetup groups. It really doesn't improve one's odds of meeting someone to date because in my experience, it's the same women there that are on the dating sites. So you are meeting the same people. That's why I am just sticking with the Meetup groups that interest me for themselves, not joining ones that don't interest me because I might or might not meet any women there. Also, Meetup groups by their nature are very fleeting. I have joined three of them that dissolved after meeting for less than two years. One of them never even met once, another met only once. I joined a fourth one about three years ago and quit going after about a year because it was always the same few people, who were all way younger than me and all the group ever met for was to play trivia once a month, even tho it was supposed to be more varied than that.I am currently attending one that is for single and divorced people, altho they allow widowers like me too, but it is pretty much divorced people, mostly women who are way younger than me and all of them Christians who are also in Meetup Christian singles groups as well. So, no hipsters there for me to relate to and connect with. Also, that group pretty much doesn't offer much opportunity now for connecting and socializing at their monthly events, which are just classes about dating led by the group's organizer, a dating and relationship coach who is using the classes to promote her coaching business. I have no illusions about this situation with that group.

We can all live without God, but what is one thing you can't live without?

MsHoliday comments on Jun 24, 2019:

I can live without love but it is a constant push pull. I do want love in my life and after four serious attempts, I don’t want to face that again.

TomMcGiverin replies on Jun 24, 2019:

@InSaNe_97 Everybody see the difference? She is saying much the same thing as bobw above, but notice the difference in how she is treated by this poster instead of Jolanta? Ah, the different standards applied for each gender regarding "neediness".

We can all live without God, but what is one thing you can't live without?

bobwjr comments on Jun 24, 2019:

A girlfriend

TomMcGiverin replies on Jun 24, 2019:

@Jolanta And here she is, right on cue. Time to block.....

We can all live without God, but what is one thing you can't live without?

TomMcGiverin comments on Jun 24, 2019:

Music. If I went deaf, I would probably be suicidal about never being able to hear music again.

TomMcGiverin replies on Jun 24, 2019:

@JacobMeyers That is true for me as well. I would still be able to "hear" the music in my head. Just like the character of Andy in The Shawshank Redemption could hear Mozart's music in his head while he spent his time in solitary confinement for playing the music over the prison loudspeaker.

Voting . . . . Useless as a screen door on a submarine.

QuidamOutrepont comments on Jun 23, 2019:

Collecting taxes and giving away the money to corporations, that's pretty much all our governments seems to do nowadays.

TomMcGiverin replies on Jun 24, 2019:

Well yes, there are those things and then also waging permanent warfare around the globe for oil and empire, that's important too.

We can all live without God, but what is one thing you can't live without?

bobwjr comments on Jun 24, 2019:

A girlfriend

TomMcGiverin replies on Jun 24, 2019:

Thank you for being a lot more brutally honest than most people here. It takes guts for a someone to say that knowing how common it is here for someone to get attacked or labeled as needy or defective for wanting to be in a relationship again. Here comes the chorus of how you need to love yourself first and all that bullshit.......

We can all live without God, but what is one thing you can't live without?

1of5 comments on Jun 23, 2019:

My wife. Life would be empty without her.

TomMcGiverin replies on Jun 24, 2019:

@1of5 Glad it worked out for you. It truly is a lottery. My late wife and I had a long, good and happy relationship and marriage. She was not mentally ill, she just developed dementia in 2011 and the rest was mostly suffering for both of us followed by her death. So I share some of your experience, but not all of it.

We can all live without God, but what is one thing you can't live without?

1of5 comments on Jun 23, 2019:

My wife. Life would be empty without her.

TomMcGiverin replies on Jun 24, 2019:

Trust me, that's how it often feels, no matter how hard I try to find new things to do or fill my life up to replace her part in my life. And the worst part is being treated as defective or suddenly no longer competent for a relationship or desirable to date for being honest about feeling empty or depressed about being alone thru death and wanting to be in a relationship again. People can be very judgmental and cruel about experiences they have not lived themselves. I am just as competent and capable of loving someone and being a good partner as I was years ago. The difference is that after two years of rejection with online dating, I no longer have the confidence about myself and hope about finding someone again that I had two years ago.

Propaganda Is The Root Of All Our Problems [caitlinjohnstone.

TomMcGiverin comments on Jun 23, 2019:

This article says what I have thought and said for many years. The duopoly, as Ralph Nader told us long ago, continues to win as long as most voters stay locked in the two party system. I think that even millions of our eligible voters who no longer vote do so because they have given up hope on ...

TomMcGiverin replies on Jun 24, 2019:

@MikeInBatonRouge And you're full of it. Enjoy being blocked.

Who is planning to watch the Dem primary debates next week?

GreenAtheist comments on Jun 22, 2019:

@HowieHawkins20 is out to break the political backs of both polluter parties with the skill of someone able to actually be an honest President vetoing all corporations welfare

TomMcGiverin replies on Jun 23, 2019:

@GreenAtheist I remember that about Nader. It just went to show how scared the major parties were of him getting anywhere near the debate for fear he might interrupt it and start pointing out the truth. I think that Jill Stein was not allowed anywhere near the debates between Hillary and Trump.

Who is planning to watch the Dem primary debates next week?

GreenAtheist comments on Jun 22, 2019:

@HowieHawkins20 is out to break the political backs of both polluter parties with the skill of someone able to actually be an honest President vetoing all corporations welfare

TomMcGiverin replies on Jun 23, 2019:

@GreenAtheist I don't think it's so much that other corporations bribe the corporate news media to censor or ignore progressive or truthful candidates, it's just that both groups have shared interests and a shared agenda of maintaining the status quo of the system by keeping power between the two corrupt major parties. So the media supports the corporations in everything they do instead of workers and the interests of the masses.

Propaganda Is The Root Of All Our Problems [caitlinjohnstone.

TomMcGiverin comments on Jun 23, 2019:

This article says what I have thought and said for many years. The duopoly, as Ralph Nader told us long ago, continues to win as long as most voters stay locked in the two party system. I think that even millions of our eligible voters who no longer vote do so because they have given up hope on ...

TomMcGiverin replies on Jun 23, 2019:

@MikeInBatonRouge Believe and practice what you want. If parties want my vote, they can earn it. Until then, I will not encourage them in their game. Third party candidates can and have won elections around the country where they did not need big money to be competitive, so no, I will not cave into your arguement for voting the lesser evil. Irresponsibility is continuing to vote for the same shit or evil and expecting something different to magically happen. The Dems continue to move to the right and will continue to do so as long as most sheeple mindlessly waste their free right to vote on the two party system instead of voting for other parties who have actual honest, unbought people to choose from that are in touch with ordinary people and responsive to us, not the rich and corporations. Those mindless sheeple who don't question the system and demand better are the irresponsible ones, not me.... My hunch is that if the sheeple woke up and started voting third party for prez and congressional elections, the ruling class would suddenly lose control of the system and impose a military crackdown with martial law, ala Chile after Allende was elected. And if so, maybe that would be good for the US, as it's time we finally fought these pricks and their hired military in the streets once and for all....

Propaganda Is The Root Of All Our Problems [caitlinjohnstone.

MikeInBatonRouge comments on Jun 23, 2019:

Wow! That is a lot to unpack, maybe too much. I agree with some of it but remain dubious about some. I can agree government is frought with corruption, as is news media. It has gotten even worse since the wretched Citizens United Supreme Court decision. Biden, to me, represents a friendly "guy"...

TomMcGiverin replies on Jun 23, 2019:

I think you are somewhat naive to be so doubtful of conspiracy that is, if not in activity, is clearly there in shared purpose among the players.

Who is planning to watch the Dem primary debates next week?

GreenAtheist comments on Jun 22, 2019:

@HowieHawkins20 is out to break the political backs of both polluter parties with the skill of someone able to actually be an honest President vetoing all corporations welfare

TomMcGiverin replies on Jun 23, 2019:

@GreenAtheist I voted for Jill Stein last time in the general election and I will vote Green again this time in the general if the Dems nominate another corporate candidate. I don't play that lesser evil crap...

Who is planning to watch the Dem primary debates next week?

SeaGreenEyez comments on Jun 23, 2019:

I'll DVR for later, after I get spoilers so I can be prepared for the nonsense and the rigged questions meant to prop Biden, skewer Sanders.

TomMcGiverin replies on Jun 23, 2019:

That's what I'm doing.That's why I'm skeptical of Bernie winning the nomination, because he is not only fighting the party leaders and establishment, he is also fighting the whole corporate media, who are the ones running the debates.

Who is planning to watch the Dem primary debates next week?

bobwjr comments on Jun 23, 2019:

Going to go to a few watch parties by democrats I work with should be interesting and there will be alcohol YES 👍and women could be fun

TomMcGiverin replies on Jun 23, 2019:

Sounds worthwhile. I hope you meet someone to date there.

Who is planning to watch the Dem primary debates next week?

Athena comments on Jun 22, 2019:

Oh, I'll be watching alright. With popcorn.

TomMcGiverin replies on Jun 23, 2019:

@Athena I knew and told people after Bernie got screwed that Hillary would lose to Trump but nobody wanted to hear it or believe me. This time, I still believe the same thing, that any corporate Dem will lose to Trump. And I honestly believe that the Dem establishment and leaders would rather lose to Trump than nominate a real progressive. I really do not trust Warren as she gets more corporate and centrist every day. If she were really an honest, genuine progressive, she would have endorsed Bernie last time instead of Hillary, but instead she was more interested in preserving her own political future ambitions. So now she is serving the interests of the party leaders by splitting the votes of progressives with Bernie and drawing away women voters from him, just like last time, who are so obsessed with having a female prez regardless of how corrupt, centrist, etc. It worked last time against Bernie, and I really think she is sort of a stalking horse this time to stop Bernie. I am hoping that Biden shows his age and cluelessness fairly quickly in the debates and fades away once he loses his support that is solely based on name recognition. As far as Warren and the other Dem candidates who talk progressive, but don't have a record to back it up, I don't trust them at all because it's obvious they are just saying what they think they have to say, with the exception of Biden, to get the support of Bernie's type of voter. Hillary did the same thing last time and was lying thru her teeth. So I trust no one if they weren't already walking the walk long ago, like Bernie, instead of adopting the progressive talk in the last couple years just to compete with Bernie and mimic AOC.

Why do so many women suffer from 'Bad Boy Syndrome'? Is stable too boring?

TomMcGiverin comments on Jun 22, 2019:

I'm not a woman, but that seems like too sweeping a generalization. Also, I think that women being attracted to Bad Boys, when it does occur, is more often something that occurs when they are younger, rather than middle-aged or older. Will be interesting to hear the women weigh in on this. My guess ...

TomMcGiverin replies on Jun 23, 2019:

@GreatNani I'm content and satisfied with average looks that are at least attractive to me, kind, humorous, some amount of adventurous, and affectionate. Charming and fun are bonuses that I don't require. Intelligence goes without saying for all of us intellectuals that are here.

Who is planning to watch the Dem primary debates next week?

GreenAtheist comments on Jun 22, 2019:

@HowieHawkins20 is out to break the political backs of both polluter parties with the skill of someone able to actually be an honest President vetoing all corporations welfare

TomMcGiverin replies on Jun 23, 2019:

@GreenAtheist I have seen one of hers near Iowa City and another outside Des Moines in a farm area.

Who is planning to watch the Dem primary debates next week?

Athena comments on Jun 22, 2019:

Oh, I'll be watching alright. With popcorn.

TomMcGiverin replies on Jun 23, 2019:

@Athena I want him to also, but I volunteered for him last time and I won't do that again during the primary and watch him get screwed again by the party. It would break my heart to go thru all that again. I will support him during the Iowa caucus, but that's it this time unless he gets the nomination. If by some miracle he does, I will volunteer for him in the general election. But I really doubt the Dem leaders and establishment will let him win the nomination.

Who is planning to watch the Dem primary debates next week?

GreenAtheist comments on Jun 22, 2019:

@HowieHawkins20 is out to break the political backs of both polluter parties with the skill of someone able to actually be an honest President vetoing all corporations welfare

TomMcGiverin replies on Jun 23, 2019:

@GreenAtheist So, you're pissed at all the Dem candidates? Please specify who you're mad at Larry.

Has anyone actually tried using this app as a means of dating?

Aryn comments on Jun 22, 2019:

It was better before they changed the format a couple of months ago, now it’s just facebook.

TomMcGiverin replies on Jun 23, 2019:

When and how did the format change? I just notice that when I try to do a member search of women in my area that are my age range and interested in dating, it won't let me make the mileage limit any lower than miles away, which shows what a joke the dating option is.

Who is planning to watch the Dem primary debates next week?

nicknotes comments on Jun 22, 2019:

I notice you are from Iowa....you must have lots of candidates visiting in your area

TomMcGiverin replies on Jun 23, 2019:

Yes, but I usually ignore the clown circus...

Who is planning to watch the Dem primary debates next week?

Athena comments on Jun 22, 2019:

Oh, I'll be watching alright. With popcorn.

TomMcGiverin replies on Jun 22, 2019:

As a Canadian, you are unable to participate in the process, but, out of curiosity, who would you support?

Who is planning to watch the Dem primary debates next week?

GreenAtheist comments on Jun 22, 2019:

@HowieHawkins20 is out to break the political backs of both polluter parties with the skill of someone able to actually be an honest President vetoing all corporations welfare

TomMcGiverin replies on Jun 22, 2019:

I saw your emoji, Larry. Who are you pissed off at, me?

Not one of my goals, nope...

Kafirah comments on Jun 22, 2019:

I personally don't think that outfit is appropriate for either of them... That is just bad decision making on both of their parts. I appreciate the fact that they made it together, though. I do, however, wonder who had the bad idea and who is just going along with it out of love. Mainly because I ...

TomMcGiverin replies on Jun 22, 2019:

To each their own. I like their shared sentiment of loving their shared cat but, the clothing choices seem a bit too much....

WHO’S DATING “LOCAL?

Susieq comments on Jun 10, 2019:

I dated a nice fellow from this site several times, but had to let him go as I was getting involved with a fellow atheist from my Senior Center. Still involved , going on 6 months.

TomMcGiverin replies on Jun 22, 2019:

@BBJong I can imagine it's not much different in Allentown. So is the Billy Joel song fairly accurate?

It’s been a rough day, various reasons, but I shared on my Facebook that I was sad and asked my ...

TomMcGiverin comments on Jun 19, 2019:

Tell me about it, I really miss that too, more than sex, to be honest. It's about the worst part of being widowed and alone.

TomMcGiverin replies on Jun 20, 2019:

@GwenBFree I hope my lack of success in dating changes, but nothing is going to change as far as my siblings or lack of children. Those support system issues are going to remain as they are and they are quite a disadvantage.

Hey folks.

TomMcGiverin comments on Jun 19, 2019:

Was he LD or local? I'm guessing the former....I've been on here two and a half years and have never met anyone in person. Not willing to try dating LD, so I really doubt it will ever happen for me with no new women my age joining in my area for the last two years.

TomMcGiverin replies on Jun 20, 2019:

@Lucy_Fehr You're probably right. I have found that in the dating game, assumptions, no matter how ignorant, incorrect or inaccurate, or narrow-minded, seem to rule the day for most people's thinking rather than being open-minded, Everyone is so quick to assume the negative about others that they have yet to get to know. It's a miracle that anyone gets past that and connects. Also there is so much cynicism that all men are lying until proven innocent, which may well be based on bitter experience, but even if it is, why are those women even bothering to stay on dating sites wasting their time and that of men when their attitude is so negative that they are never going to connect with anyone? And yes, I don't doubt it goes both ways, yada, yada, yada.........

Hey folks.

TomMcGiverin comments on Jun 19, 2019:

Was he LD or local? I'm guessing the former....I've been on here two and a half years and have never met anyone in person. Not willing to try dating LD, so I really doubt it will ever happen for me with no new women my age joining in my area for the last two years.

TomMcGiverin replies on Jun 20, 2019:

@GreenAtheist I don't think those women are too worried about missing out on guys like us, their rules only seem to bother us.

It’s been a rough day, various reasons, but I shared on my Facebook that I was sad and asked my ...

TomMcGiverin comments on Jun 19, 2019:

Tell me about it, I really miss that too, more than sex, to be honest. It's about the worst part of being widowed and alone.

TomMcGiverin replies on Jun 20, 2019:

@GwenBFree Happy for you that you have those things. I have no kids and my siblings are now the only family I have left, but they all live out of state and we are not involved with each other, for good healthy reasons, at least in my book. So our respective situations are very different and my local friends are my family and all I have to help meet my needs. And it's not enough....

Throughout my life people have said you will find someone on a romantic level when you are not ...

indirect76 comments on Jun 20, 2019:

That’s just another one of those dumb things people say that sounds nice, but doesn’t have any value.

TomMcGiverin replies on Jun 20, 2019:

Exactly. It is also wishful magical thinking.

Hey folks.

TomMcGiverin comments on Jun 19, 2019:

Was he LD or local? I'm guessing the former....I've been on here two and a half years and have never met anyone in person. Not willing to try dating LD, so I really doubt it will ever happen for me with no new women my age joining in my area for the last two years.

TomMcGiverin replies on Jun 20, 2019:

@GreenAtheist Beats me man, but I can tell you that on Match, at least in my experience with women in my area, 50 something women will not date a man who is 60 or older, even if they are 55. I'll date 8 years older, but the only women who will date someone my age are at least in their late 50s.

Hey folks.

TomMcGiverin comments on Jun 19, 2019:

Was he LD or local? I'm guessing the former....I've been on here two and a half years and have never met anyone in person. Not willing to try dating LD, so I really doubt it will ever happen for me with no new women my age joining in my area for the last two years.

TomMcGiverin replies on Jun 19, 2019:

@MyLiege Extremely lucky then, congrats...

This world is getting too politically correct. [lfpress.com]

Varn comments on Jun 18, 2019:

..is it spreading..? It’s far easier to take on the weak & considerate ..than the hostile bullies of your world. Instead of going head-to-head with the true (Republican) enemy - ‘progressives’ eat their own.. Cuz ‘their own’ don’t fight back. As the progressives of the world fight ...

TomMcGiverin replies on Jun 19, 2019:

There is a fair amount of truth to that.

Some of these are true, but I don't think all of them are. What do you think?

TomMcGiverin comments on Jun 17, 2019:

Tell me, my fellow Tom, which ones do you think are not true? I really am curious....

TomMcGiverin replies on Jun 17, 2019:

@tnorman1236 I think I'm a hell of a lot more honest than most people and my friends and family have always said I am, to a fault, but you all will just have to take my word on that. I may not be great or superior to that many people in looks, money or charm, but I've always taken great pride in being more honest and morally superior to most folks.

Some of these are true, but I don't think all of them are. What do you think?

TomMcGiverin comments on Jun 17, 2019:

Tell me, my fellow Tom, which ones do you think are not true? I really am curious....

TomMcGiverin replies on Jun 17, 2019:

@tnorman1236 I agree how they might not be phony lines, depending on context. In the end, only the receiver can judge how true the first lines are. The giver of the lines usually is too selfish or in denial to fairly judge the truth of their lines, because, let's face it, most of us are unwilling to see ourselves as the villain or unkind person in the story.

Some of these are true, but I don't think all of them are. What do you think?

Sticks48 comments on Jun 17, 2019:

"It's not me, it's you". That pretty much ends the conversation.

TomMcGiverin replies on Jun 17, 2019:

Probably does on their end. On my end, if I think they're lying about that, I will confront that and then it will be ended for both.

For all women out there

TomMcGiverin comments on Jun 17, 2019:

I would not mind at all if a woman pursued me. I would be flattered and not think any less or differently of her for doing that. Also, it might be a good empathy-building experience for her to better understand how it is for men having to do the pursuing in real life or on dating sites. Might get ...

TomMcGiverin replies on Jun 17, 2019:

@Doraz Maybe , maybe not.

"You shouldn't do that" is a challenge. Is "Watch me" your response?

TomMcGiverin comments on Jun 17, 2019:

My answer is "You shouldn't do that" is often not meant as a challenge, so I don't take it as one at all most of the time. I assume that most of the time it is meant well as a warning to me with my safety in mind. I don't care much about proving things to people, esp. as far as my physical ...

TomMcGiverin replies on Jun 17, 2019:

@LiterateHiker That is true of them. Male and female, they are usually overweight and flabby.

"You shouldn't do that" is a challenge. Is "Watch me" your response?

TomMcGiverin comments on Jun 17, 2019:

My answer is "You shouldn't do that" is often not meant as a challenge, so I don't take it as one at all most of the time. I assume that most of the time it is meant well as a warning to me with my safety in mind. I don't care much about proving things to people, esp. as far as my physical ...

TomMcGiverin replies on Jun 17, 2019:

@LiterateHiker I think your caution about hiking is wise. Not smart to risk being part of the herd that is thinned thru risky behavior. Same reason I am not interested in riding motorcycles and never have been, even tho I am told that getting a motorcycle would greatly help me find women to date. Maybe so, but I also know that I will be on blood thinners the rest of my life and one accident would cause me to bleed out before I even made it to a hospital.

Is it too much to expect one man to be satisfied with one woman?

TomMcGiverin comments on Jun 17, 2019:

Not this man. I'd be grateful to find someone mutually compatible and mutually attractive to even go on one real date with. I've been widowed almost two years and have yet to have a date where I kissed anyone.

TomMcGiverin replies on Jun 17, 2019:

@MojoDave I'm trying very hard not to give up Dave, but it's becoming extremely tough not to. BTW, I have always liked your screen name and avatar. Father Guido Sarducci rocked on the old SNL and the actor who played him wrote a really funny book of letters he wrote to then president Nixon where he punked Nixon into believing all these letters were sincere from a concerned citizen. The Lazlo Letters.

The Truth About Women and Men Our Age.....We've Seen it All?

of-the-mountain comments on Jun 17, 2019:

One problem most that are single are still hunting for the white knight/Prince Charming to carry them away to a blissful reality? If only!!!

TomMcGiverin replies on Jun 17, 2019:

True, how can a real, flawed man compete with their fantasy? They can't....

Have you ever wondered why social media is so popular and "friends" are so much easier to make ...

Sticks48 comments on Jun 17, 2019:

None of the inconvenient things that go along with friendship. They ain't calling you at two in the morning to jump their car, or take them to the airport, or needing to come over and hang out for the evening and talk because they just got dumped. This is friendship light.

TomMcGiverin replies on Jun 17, 2019:

Having hundreds of FB friends doesn't mean shit. To me, the real definition of friendship, Sticks, in addition to your comment, is how many people do you know that will, on short notice, give you a ride to the ER or come visit you in the ER. Those are real friends....

Is it too much to expect one man to be satisfied with one woman?

Marcie1974 comments on Jun 16, 2019:

I get so sick of people saying “ biologically men want to plant their seed in as many women as possible.” Really???? Supposedly we (atheists) all believe in evolution but we don’t think men have evolved to monogamy? Bull shit. I know men who are monogamous and completely devoted to their ...

TomMcGiverin replies on Jun 17, 2019:

@MojoDave I think that speaks volumes and explains a lot of why women on dating sites are, at least in my experience, so goddamned negative and critical of men, esp. the divorced women, who make up the vast majority of who's on there.

For all women out there

Remi comments on Jun 16, 2019:

I don't like this. It's a nice theory, but it's telling women that we are something to be pursued. Why can't we persue what we want? Also, "it's not natural for a man to sit back and let the woman do all the work??" What year is it? Yes, don't keep persuing a douchebag who never makes an effort, but...

TomMcGiverin replies on Jun 17, 2019:

Thank you. By now my confidence is so shot that it is a real struggle to even get myself to message someone new on a dating site.

Black Missouri drivers 91% more likely to be stopped, state attorney general finds | PBS NewsHour

TomMcGiverin comments on Jun 17, 2019:

I am shocked, shocked I say, that law enforcement in Missouri would stop people for DWB.

TomMcGiverin replies on Jun 17, 2019:

@GreenAtheist I have always seen the FBI as an enemy of anyone on the left or any others who oppose the mainstream.

For all women out there

TomMcGiverin comments on Jun 17, 2019:

I would not mind at all if a woman pursued me. I would be flattered and not think any less or differently of her for doing that. Also, it might be a good empathy-building experience for her to better understand how it is for men having to do the pursuing in real life or on dating sites. Might get ...

TomMcGiverin replies on Jun 17, 2019:

@Doraz Maybe so. I am just going by what other women on Agnostic have said about their online dating experiences.

Black Missouri drivers 91% more likely to be stopped, state attorney general finds | PBS NewsHour

TomMcGiverin comments on Jun 17, 2019:

I am shocked, shocked I say, that law enforcement in Missouri would stop people for DWB.

TomMcGiverin replies on Jun 17, 2019:

@GreenAtheist That's why I admired the Black Panthers arming themselves back in the day. Definitely showed the cops they would not be passive victims. Too bad the FBI massacred them.

Black Missouri drivers 91% more likely to be stopped, state attorney general finds | PBS NewsHour

gearl comments on Jun 17, 2019:

We watched a movie the other evening called: "The Hate You Give." If anybody gets the chance I recommend it as it strongly portrays the effects of this issue.

TomMcGiverin replies on Jun 17, 2019:

I did. I defy any white person with a heart and a brain to watch it without wanting to cry or crying, or, for that matter, still believe that white privilege does not exist. White privilege is not all about having more financially or materially than poor blacks. It is mainly about not being harassed or followed by law enforcement or store employees for being white or being shot by law enforcement while unarmed for being black. Those things are the most important parts of white privilege.

Is it too much to expect one man to be satisfied with one woman?

Marcie1974 comments on Jun 16, 2019:

I get so sick of people saying “ biologically men want to plant their seed in as many women as possible.” Really???? Supposedly we (atheists) all believe in evolution but we don’t think men have evolved to monogamy? Bull shit. I know men who are monogamous and completely devoted to their ...

TomMcGiverin replies on Jun 17, 2019:

@Marcie1974 Don't mention it. But I wouldn't put much stock in my opinion as it seems women on dating sites either think I am a chump loser or incel, or else a complete liar who isn't a nice guy at all. It's nice to feel appreciated by at least some women who are attractive.

We Have Five Years To Save Ourselves From Climate Change, Harvard Scientist Says

Sticks48 comments on Jun 16, 2019:

I think we are screwed too. The Earth does not care. We have too many folks on this planet and the planet will thin out the herd. I believe it is inevitable. I don't have children, but I do have friends with children and grandchildren. I do have a real concern that both, especially their ...

TomMcGiverin replies on Jun 17, 2019:

@Geoffrey51 I think it was Krushev talking about nuclear war, who said, " The living will envy the dead".

We Have Five Years To Save Ourselves From Climate Change, Harvard Scientist Says

Sticks48 comments on Jun 16, 2019:

I think we are screwed too. The Earth does not care. We have too many folks on this planet and the planet will thin out the herd. I believe it is inevitable. I don't have children, but I do have friends with children and grandchildren. I do have a real concern that both, especially their ...

TomMcGiverin replies on Jun 17, 2019:

@Emerald Great minds think alike. Every time I sing that song at karaoke here in Iowa, people look at me like I've gone off my meds.....

Is it too much to expect one man to be satisfied with one woman?

Marcie1974 comments on Jun 16, 2019:

I get so sick of people saying “ biologically men want to plant their seed in as many women as possible.” Really???? Supposedly we (atheists) all believe in evolution but we don’t think men have evolved to monogamy? Bull shit. I know men who are monogamous and completely devoted to their ...

TomMcGiverin replies on Jun 17, 2019:

A real man is ready to turn in their players card once they reach middle age, at least, and be monogamous. I think most men are by middle age.

Life is too short to worry about....

Ms_McSteven comments on Jun 16, 2019:

Only reason I'm still here. Can I get a show of hands of all those who haven't blocked me (yet)?

TomMcGiverin replies on Jun 16, 2019:

@Ms_McSteven I've always said that finding the right partner is not about finding someone emotionally healthy, but finding one that has matching neuroses with you, lol!

We Have Five Years To Save Ourselves From Climate Change, Harvard Scientist Says

Sticks48 comments on Jun 16, 2019:

I think we are screwed too. The Earth does not care. We have too many folks on this planet and the planet will thin out the herd. I believe it is inevitable. I don't have children, but I do have friends with children and grandchildren. I do have a real concern that both, especially their ...

TomMcGiverin replies on Jun 16, 2019:

Interesting that you are childless or childfree, like me. No wonder we click so well. I agree with you, once again. Like Bowie used to sing, " We've got five years.....". The older I get, the more I take comfort in the things I will not be alive to see and suffer......

Life is too short to worry about....

Ms_McSteven comments on Jun 16, 2019:

Only reason I'm still here. Can I get a show of hands of all those who haven't blocked me (yet)?

TomMcGiverin replies on Jun 16, 2019:

I'm reading this and replying to it, so, no, I haven't blocked you yet. In fact, you are one of the voices of sanity that I am least likely to ever block or be blocked by.

Does anyone else struggle with hating religion?

Piratefish comments on Jun 16, 2019:

Most days I don't even think about it. It's only when something particularly egregious is done from religion, and it gets a free pass, that it rankles me at all. I am far more bothered by the ease with which the economic and political elite have managed to divide the American people, how they ...

TomMcGiverin replies on Jun 16, 2019:

@Piratefish Seems like most of those that read it are those interested in doing evil.

Does anyone else struggle with hating religion?

Piratefish comments on Jun 16, 2019:

Most days I don't even think about it. It's only when something particularly egregious is done from religion, and it gets a free pass, that it rankles me at all. I am far more bothered by the ease with which the economic and political elite have managed to divide the American people, how they ...

TomMcGiverin replies on Jun 16, 2019:

Religion is the opiate of the masses, as Marx said, but hate and fear are the tools of the elite to divide, conquer and control the masses. As long as most people lack critical thinking skills, these tools will continue to work.

This sounds great to me!

TomMcGiverin comments on Jun 15, 2019:

Too good to be true, at least of the women I have run across on Match. Unlike me, they pretty much seem to be very materialistic, not that my late wife didn't like nice things, but things were not what made her happy or what she valued with other people. She could be good friends with people that ...

TomMcGiverin replies on Jun 15, 2019:

@GreenAtheist I suggest you switch to decaf.....

This sounds great to me!

TomMcGiverin comments on Jun 15, 2019:

Too good to be true, at least of the women I have run across on Match. Unlike me, they pretty much seem to be very materialistic, not that my late wife didn't like nice things, but things were not what made her happy or what she valued with other people. She could be good friends with people that ...

TomMcGiverin replies on Jun 15, 2019:

@GreenAtheist Thanks for editing.

This sounds great to me!

TomMcGiverin comments on Jun 15, 2019:

Too good to be true, at least of the women I have run across on Match. Unlike me, they pretty much seem to be very materialistic, not that my late wife didn't like nice things, but things were not what made her happy or what she valued with other people. She could be good friends with people that ...

TomMcGiverin replies on Jun 15, 2019:

@GreenAtheist Larry, I respect and share much of your passion regarding abortion rights and the rights of women in general, as well as loathing for Kim Reynolds, but please, do not use the c-word in reference to one of my comments. I never use that word in public or private and it offends me, even tho I'm male. Yes, she and Joni Ernst have betrayed women repeatedly, but no one deserves to be called that. Thank you in advance for either deleting or editing your comment.

This sounds great to me!

TomMcGiverin comments on Jun 15, 2019:

Too good to be true, at least of the women I have run across on Match. Unlike me, they pretty much seem to be very materialistic, not that my late wife didn't like nice things, but things were not what made her happy or what she valued with other people. She could be good friends with people that ...

TomMcGiverin replies on Jun 15, 2019:

@GreenAtheist Not sure what all your comment is saying, but you're right about the Dutch women in the Pella area. I don't even bother messaging any of them on Match because, to me, the fact that they still live in that very uptight, traditional, smug conservative town tells me all I need to know about whether I would fit with them.

My appointment for LASIX eye surgery is in less than 12 hours, I’m nervous and excited.

TomMcGiverin comments on Jun 14, 2019:

I'm too chickenshit to take even the small risk of Lasik surgery when I can see fine with my bifocal glasses. I will hold of the Lasik until I develop cataracts when I am older, then I will get that done together with it.

TomMcGiverin replies on Jun 14, 2019:

@GwenBFree What is mono vision?

I just found out that my oldest son's wife left him.

TomMcGiverin comments on Jun 12, 2019:

Glad that I am done with my family once the funeral day is over next week. After that, there's really nothing left except attending a few funerals unless I decide to come visit my siblings or their spouses if they get gravely ill and only if they ask me to visit.

TomMcGiverin replies on Jun 12, 2019:

@GreenAtheist My other siblings attended my late wife's memorial service and conducted themselves appropriately, as also did my father. My younger sister did the no show, no notify or explanation. She recently apologized to me about it, but I took it as too late and insincere. It's much more complex than just being about religion, but I don't want to go into it here on the boards. My two younger siblings actually seem to be fairly non-religious.

Iowa voter: Trump’s lies don’t change my vote for him Now what else we democrats need to ...

SeaGreenEyez comments on Jun 11, 2019:

I don't know who these "people" are that you're typing of. I don't know *anyone* that isn't more concerned about policy than personality. You're referencing a small sample in Iowa. That's Iowa. 85% White, Non-Hispanic High school education or higher in people under 25, 91% High school...

TomMcGiverin replies on Jun 12, 2019:

I agree that CNN is very centrist, not liberal, no matter what Fox News says, and that there seemed to be little to no progressives in the focus group except the Warren supporter.

According to US media, sex = love = marriage.

TomMcGiverin comments on Jun 11, 2019:

Well, all that really cheered me up for today. Moving onto sex, which only happens with me after I've known a woman a while, does mean something to me. But I agree with you that it doesn't mean much to most people, including most of the women I am interested in from online dating or meet ...