I’ve been on this site almost a week now, and haven’t received a single unsolicited dick pic so ...

godef comments on Dec 26, 2017:

Here you go.

William_Mary replies on Dec 26, 2017:

@godef Quit it Richard!

I’ve been on this site almost a week now, and haven’t received a single unsolicited dick pic so ...

d_day comments on Dec 26, 2017:

https://imgur.com/a/Ef9Ok

William_Mary replies on Dec 26, 2017:

For fucks sake! To dam funny!

I have around five thousand Facebook friends.

MikeInBatonRouge comments on Dec 26, 2017:

5,000 fb friends?!? Actually, I haven't counted mine, but I think it is several hundred. I just saw a fascinating neuro-science/psychology clip on youtube that points to a lot of evidence that our human frontal cortexes limit our ability to sustain "meaningful" relationships to around 150 people, ...

William_Mary replies on Dec 26, 2017:

His list is also for other means than actual friendship. I get what your saying though, I think. I draw a very thin line between friends and what are really acquaintances. I never came all that close to 200. But since the last election I've cut 3/4 of my list out. I'm under 30, and would consider most of them acquaintances. I'm fairly certain my shares fall on death ears and blind minds :-)

I have around five thousand Facebook friends.

MrLink comments on Dec 26, 2017:

I personally think FB is destructive for society because of all the collection and manipulation of data, and the monetization of the platform.

William_Mary replies on Dec 26, 2017:

It definitely comes with its devils advocate.

I see people who are atheist or agnostic have a prejudice in their mind to almost everything! Do you...

WilliamLee comments on Dec 25, 2017:

There is prejudice in everyone, regardless of whether they are religious or atheist. Most of that comes from socialal indoctrinations. Some heave more prejudices than others. One of the worst prejudices is the one against those who are prejudiced! Think on that.

William_Mary replies on Dec 25, 2017:

When the question of racism comes up, I often get funny looks when I say of course. I am human, it's natural instinct to have some degree of racism and being prejudice. I worry more about those who claim not to understand or acknowledge that by saying the socially accepted, no, without thought. It's all a matter of how to accept it's nature and deal with it from within.

I see people who are atheist or agnostic have a prejudice in their mind to almost everything! Do you...

buck1977 comments on Dec 25, 2017:

Life experiences create prejudices and biases. Atheists are not exempt from brainwashing, misinformation and bad life choices...for example...many atheists are politically liberal...which happens to be the most ignorantly delusional ideology ever dreamed up.

William_Mary replies on Dec 25, 2017:

@MsOliver I fairly certain he was using that quote as an example of ignorance. Not placing it upon us!.

I see people who are atheist or agnostic have a prejudice in their mind to almost everything! Do you...

ollieberry comments on Dec 25, 2017:

I'm not sure what you mean by prejudice?????? Care to clarify?

William_Mary replies on Dec 25, 2017:

Either he doesn't either or he's attempting to lump us all into one group to place a label on us.

Party Affiliations.

Darthpug comments on Dec 25, 2017:

You have to take the money out of politics. Citizens United has done more to corrupt politics and take the decision away from the voters than anything that Russia has done. Until that is done the Bernie Sanders of the world will not be allowed a fair shot.

William_Mary replies on Dec 25, 2017:

Although that would be a great start, history time and time again have shown that our representatives and their corporate donors find ways around these acts. The cycle of how money flows between our representatives and lobbyist always find a way to create loopholes for each to benefit. Just as legislature, these are created with a purpose so lawyers can find ways around. Something a lot of people don't know which Thom Hartmann speaks of on occasion, is that the whole aspect of corporations becoming seen as a person was actually possible by a clerics err while typing out a bill of legislation. Which has never been revisited and addressed. You would think if either party really gave a rats ass to the nature of this err, one or both party's would bring it back to the floor. For one I don't buy into the Russia thing at all! As for Sanders, well, I think my statement on him above says it all. He went from speaking about a problem to supporting it. A fair shot would be ending the monopoly of the 2 party system during elections. Allowing other party's into the debates and process. Which doesn't have anything to do with citizens united.

The New Democratic Activist Movement

swhisper comments on Dec 23, 2017:

when you are given a crappy candidate, you get active. The DNC went globalist and corporatist and lost its base. Trump will bring them back only if the DNC grows a brain. It was the lost dems that gave him the presidency. They regret, but Hillary would have brought immediate wars and wall street ...

William_Mary replies on Dec 24, 2017:

I believe every move the democrats have made since the election cycle only prove they are moving even further to the right. They sure in hell aren't listening to those they turned their noses up at. And have continually been losing supporters in small groups. With virtually no fight against this present administrations nominations I've seen more and more of their supporters become disgruntled and voice their departure.

I am having a “huuuge” problem dealing with the ahole in the White House and his staff of ...

William_Mary comments on Dec 23, 2017:

What is wrong with the tabloid attitude of the American press? Nothing, they're just doing their job helping the establishment work against you. https://medium.com/@caityjohnstone/dems-and-gop-work-together-like-a-boxers-1-2-punch-to-knock-you-out-edbbefc92bf8

William_Mary replies on Dec 24, 2017:

@realdancermn yes, If you read the article I posted it tells you how the MSM is actually working with our politicians to manage a perception over us rather than be that 4 branch of checks and balances. Which is why I get my news from alternative news sources.

Who should be elected president in 2020?

webbew1 comments on Dec 23, 2017:

We need a third party to step in and end this two party circle jerk we've got going on in DC. I voted for Gary Johnson in 2016 and I'd do so again today. It's really saying something about the state of our government when I, who am not a Libertarian, consider the Libertarian candidate to be ...

William_Mary replies on Dec 23, 2017:

I'm quite curious. Did you give Stein a thought? Seriously, someone with actual knowledge of world events. Who knows the the difference between where Aleppo is at over, what it is. Or could name a world leader they have some degree of admiration for without his side kick chiming in as he went totally dumbfounded. I'm really not trying to be a smart ass. I just would like to know why someone would support a candidate like Johnson and a party on steroids in relevance to the one running the country now. Do you know the history of the Libertarian Party and the type of people that started it? They would be doing exactly what the present administration is doing now. And Johnson would be an even bigger puppet than Trump is.

How does one put up a poll in the post section?

MsOliver comments on Dec 23, 2017:

Go to Post and choose "Ask a question" the option to start a poll is in small letters toward the bottom next to the "submit" button.

William_Mary replies on Dec 23, 2017:

Thank you.

Should religion be taught in schools?

ColinSC comments on Dec 23, 2017:

I have no problem with teaching religion as a psychological underpinning of our general sociological values. As long as these values are constructively evaluated and not excepted without question. I also like the idea of gaining greater understanding, correlation and potential interrelationships a ...

William_Mary replies on Dec 23, 2017:

"As long as these values are constructively evaluated and not excepted without question". "If these constructs were adapted without all the fiction there could be advantages. In short, if they could take the religion out and keep the good bits I would be for it" Maybe I'm having a brain fart trying to understand these, your post all together even. But it seems to me the upper sentence over rides the bottom sentence. I like the top sentence and agree. But then you really lose me with the second. If you take out the fiction, I'm assuming contradictions and hypocrisies, within the process of teaching, then what value is left for the student towards constructive evaluation in the learning? As one who has read the bible, the contradictions and hypocrisies within were as important as the socialized, as I saw them, messages within. Which provide the very essence for students to fundamentally develop questions to what they are trying to learn and place importance on. Then to apply that to life as a value or valueless. Taking those values to other religious teachings and concentrating the more valuable together.

Should health insurance companies be required to cover birth control?

William_Mary comments on Dec 22, 2017:

I had to go with other. I personally don't believe the company I work for should be involved in my healthcare at all, or insurance companies. Maybe I misunderstand the stance on this issue, but isn't the going argument right now, companies providing birth control, or refusing to? I'm a strong ...

William_Mary replies on Dec 22, 2017:

@MrLizard I'm force-ably doing so now. We're in the realm of religion being involved with government and employers enforcing their religion upon us. When the government allows employers to deny employees this option, religion becomes involved in government. If I'm not mistaken, that breaks the rule of separation. And I could go into a well of thoughts to use against employers, boards of, CEO's, who hypocritically go against their self proclaimed religion to degrees. Proving they are plainly use this as a means to save money. I think my stance on socialized healthcare and my statement of my health being only my, my family and doctors business speaks for itself. I totally agree that if were going to keep the system as it is then employers should have no right to deny birth control.

Alien Astronaut Theory

BookDeath comments on Dec 21, 2017:

Is this still around?I thought von Daniken had been thoroughly debunked by now. (He was arrested for fraud, no less.)

William_Mary replies on Dec 22, 2017:

Which has nothing to do with this subject! oye!

Too many public schools are very poor.

Varn comments on Dec 21, 2017:

It’s long appeared to me that the same political party that’s currently starving our social services had targeted public schools. Back when we ‘fought communism,’ they reluctantly supported an education system that could match that of the soviet union. No longer a need for that - and along ...

William_Mary replies on Dec 22, 2017:

@Varn https://socialistworker.org/2017/11/07/why-we-remember-1917 Not really the one I wanted to share with you. But I couldn't find it. It must be on another site I follow. But this one is also fairly good on the history.

Too many public schools are very poor.

Varn comments on Dec 21, 2017:

It’s long appeared to me that the same political party that’s currently starving our social services had targeted public schools. Back when we ‘fought communism,’ they reluctantly supported an education system that could match that of the soviet union. No longer a need for that - and along ...

William_Mary replies on Dec 22, 2017:

@Varn https://socialistworker.org/2017/12/01/why-they-still-need-their-big-lies-about-socialism

Too many public schools are very poor.

Varn comments on Dec 21, 2017:

It’s long appeared to me that the same political party that’s currently starving our social services had targeted public schools. Back when we ‘fought communism,’ they reluctantly supported an education system that could match that of the soviet union. No longer a need for that - and along ...

William_Mary replies on Dec 22, 2017:

@Varn https://medium.com/@caityjohnstone/dems-and-gop-work-together-like-a-boxers-1-2-punch-to-knock-you-out-edbbefc92bf8

Too many public schools are very poor.

Varn comments on Dec 21, 2017:

It’s long appeared to me that the same political party that’s currently starving our social services had targeted public schools. Back when we ‘fought communism,’ they reluctantly supported an education system that could match that of the soviet union. No longer a need for that - and along ...

William_Mary replies on Dec 22, 2017:

@Varn Democrats are/ were willing to negotiate, Republicans aren’t. Negotiations are a one way street. I would argue we get a two way street from these party's, each calling the same foul when the tables are turned. You're buying into the partisanship divide they've created to help them keep it going. Reasoning, both party's are working for the same donor class. With your own admittance of 0 representation, you have to have some degree of understanding that. It really doesn't matter if they vote republican again, but most will. What matters is that this show will continue. I call our representation the establishment. Their donor class the deep state. The show is called managed perception. Those still supporting either side are stuck in their illusion. The US was ‘fighting’ the Russians in social wars around the world, attempting to convince ‘developing nations’ that Democracy was superior to Communism. Yea, I don't know where you're trying to go with that. Social wars? Democracy being superior to Communism? First off, the Russian Revolution was about workers and lower class citizens taking their country in an attempt to build a stronger middle class and the over throw of a tyrant. Short lived while in the throws of WWI in which they didn't want a part of. Along with 14 westernized country's interference, out of fear if they succeeded it would upset their stage of monopoly of false democracy's. Which lead Russia right back to being another corporate militarized country. In which again gave way to the westernized world to continue to demonize it as a communist country, in order to produce an enemy to the world. As far as Russia goes, it never had a real chance to become a truly socialistic country. And today you see the same thing being perpetrated on Venezuela. The truth is that the power struggle being produced, then and now, is over resources and control. And always will be in this stage of primitive leadership we are trapped in. You cannot ‘blame the Democrats’ for this Adminstations Sec. Of ED. Yes I can. And I believe I did, above. While blaming both party's. I'll provide a link to an article below you might find of interest on how many like myself really see what's going on in DC. Along with a link or two on the Russian revolution to stimulate your knowledge. I didn't mention trade organizations. Advocacy groups have a quite powerful influence on government when they want to. And combined with media they can go a long way for the people. Which you left out the media?

How do we get atheism/nonreligion to influence politics

Reaver85 comments on Dec 21, 2017:

Won't happen unless atheism becomes th e majority in this country, which unfortunately is unlikely do to lack of intelligence

William_Mary replies on Dec 21, 2017:

Actually, people are turning away from religion at an, well, to the church, alarming rate. I just read an article on that the other day. Millennials are trending towards socialism outside of religion. NOW, if we can get all these people into the same party we might get this country back. Peace People Planet

BADASS?

SamL comments on Dec 21, 2017:

Courage to stand alone against many. Never giving up. Succeeding when everyone else thought you were going to fail. On the other hand, Chuck Norris, Arnold Schwarzenegger are good examples of BADASS dudes. Here's a good one. Vlad Tepes was being threatened with an invading force at least 10 times ...

William_Mary replies on Dec 21, 2017:

Yea, I have issues when movie stars and over exaggerated glorified warriors who murdered innocent people, 300 boys in 1 case alone, are considered hero's!

Too many public schools are very poor.

BucketlistBob comments on Dec 21, 2017:

Oh oh... we got a teacher on this forum that might just say something about your statement... just letting you know.

William_Mary replies on Dec 21, 2017:

That's ok. I may have something to say about the way our children are being schooled.

Too many public schools are very poor.

wordywalt comments on Dec 21, 2017:

Thank Republican state governors, bureaucrats and legislators for that. In recent years they have decimated public education. As a retired educational leader, I can state with absolute certainty that the 1970s and 1980s were a time in which a major emphasis on improving teaching, learning, and ...

William_Mary replies on Dec 21, 2017:

I'd put blame on both party's. Democrats aren't doing anything but talk. And you can blame the democrats for not putting up a fight for Trumps Education Secretary nomination. Along with advocacy groups, teachers unions, and the MSM for not protesting and getting the truths out towards the agenda these people were known to work towards. We have no real representation from any resources we fund today to put a fire under our national politicians to govern for the people. We don't pay them enough like the private lobbyist do.

Too many public schools are very poor.

Varn comments on Dec 21, 2017:

It’s long appeared to me that the same political party that’s currently starving our social services had targeted public schools. Back when we ‘fought communism,’ they reluctantly supported an education system that could match that of the soviet union. No longer a need for that - and along ...

William_Mary replies on Dec 21, 2017:

I'd put blame on both party's. Democrats aren't doing anything but talk. I don't think it was communism we were fighting. We were fighting against their attempt to build a better middle class and working class. Again, you can blame the democrats for not putting up a fight for Trumps Education Secretary nomination. Along with advocacy groups, teachers unions, and the MSM for not protesting and getting the truths out towards the agenda these people were known to work towards. We have no real representation from any resources we fund today to put a fire under our national politicians to govern for the people. We don't pay them enough like the private lobbyist do.

Advice for the younger generation?

AMGT comments on Dec 20, 2017:

1. Make a list of characteristics that support well-being, characteristics you’d prefer in a mate.. Then become a person with those characteristics, consistently. 2. Be metacognitive and tell on yourself when you’re full of shit. Be humble. 3. Continue learning throughout your life with ...

William_Mary replies on Dec 20, 2017:

@MrLizard everyone needs a good laugh at themselves some times. Even if it makes you think to yourself, no way I did that. Then be able to laugh it off builds character.

Any polyamorous people on this site?

SlytherinFox comments on Dec 18, 2017:

When it comes to issues like polyamory, it's likely best we all remember we do not have the right to tell people how to live their lives. If no one is getting hurt -- and it makes all involved genuinely happy-- then have at it. I don't know that I could share someone like that. Or maybe I'm ...

William_Mary replies on Dec 20, 2017:

@Pineapple-Pizza fighting back against the idea of possibly being excluded from someone's life because they found someone else is really difficult. That's an issue that can happen in any type of relationship. Having nothing to do with poly. If it's a struggle for you, then it most likely isn't for you. Rather than ask us what it is for us, maybe it would be better for you to tell us what it means to you. Then those of us who have participated in poly relationships or have experience in life styles associated with poly have something to work with. I will say though, within the bdsm realm, one finding them self growing towards needing more than a present partner can provide, it's not uncommon for the participants to maturely recognize there is a time to support the other in their journey to move on.

Do you support the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare)?

dc65 comments on Dec 16, 2017:

we need a single-payer health system in this country. We need to demand the lawmakers put this into effect as soon as possible.!!! PUBLIC DEMAND IT FROM THE LAWMAKERS!!!!

William_Mary replies on Dec 20, 2017:

@dc65 I have to disagree. Our representatives hold an approval rating somewhere around or under 30%, yet have a reelection rate of over 90%. It's not a communication issue, it's a 2 party system issue in which both are working for the same owners. This past election cycle brought out swarms of protest and angry town hall meetings expressing the concerns of the "public". Still today there are protest going on around the country and in DC. When it came to republican representatives, they began to choose not to show up or even hold those town hall meetings as were planed due to the nature on how some of the first turned out. We, the public, are no longer being represented in a large degree. The only problem I see is that the public continues to operate within a failed system of manged perception rather than uniting in another party, a 3rd party. After Sanders betrayed the public I moved to supporting the green party. I'll never turn back.

Someone nominate Morgan Freeman for the next presidency.

Janus819 comments on Dec 19, 2017:

He did a commercial saying we are at war with Russia. I wouldn't vote for him.

William_Mary replies on Dec 19, 2017:

He also went on record of believing the Russians intervened with our last election. Telling me he has a lack of ability to think for himself. Which would indicate he would just be another establishment tool.

Do you support the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare)?

dc65 comments on Dec 16, 2017:

we need a single-payer health system in this country. We need to demand the lawmakers put this into effect as soon as possible.!!! PUBLIC DEMAND IT FROM THE LAWMAKERS!!!!

William_Mary replies on Dec 19, 2017:

They'll just work with their owners and redistribute the funding just like they did with the ACA.

Do you support the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare)?

JackPedigo comments on Dec 16, 2017:

? who voted no? (funny sentence). It was disclosed on NPR that surveys showed a large number of people said to get rid of 'Obamacare' but don't take away their affordable healthcare. This is beyond crazy. Yes let's get rid of the term 'Obamacare' and just have 'affordable care'. Obviously words ...

William_Mary replies on Dec 19, 2017:

ACA was a redistribution of funding to another group of citizens. I was one of them. My monthly premiums went up 400% the first year when it went into effect. Middle class workers without employer healthcare programs took the brunt of this redistribution. It was 2 years of being unable to put money back in my savings and do work on my house. It's good a lot of people benefited from it, but it came with a cost to many others and even more importantly to families with children. As a single male I don't mind helping out, but I was steadily being wiped out while on the program. And on top of that, my last experience with United Healthcare, I was ripped off. And for those of you who think single payer would be good, no, it will not. It will only lead to another redistribution of funding to other groups of Americans again. You can't have a good healthcare program while the same insurance and pharmaceutical companies and corrupt politicians who are bought out by those companies work together writing the laws for healthcare. Socialized healthcare via taxes like Sanders proposed is the only way we get healthcare anywhere near what the rest of the developed countries have. And the ability to buy our drugs abroad.

How well do you know the enemy?

TonesX comments on Nov 25, 2017:

I sometimes listen to a radio sermon and it fascinates me to no end. Depending on the topic, I may have been agreeing for several minutes and then Boom! Magical b.s.! So disappointing! I enjoy the pastor's seemingly intelligent and eloquent approach until, of course, common sense goes off the...

William_Mary replies on Nov 25, 2017:

Try getting a load of CB and truck stop preachers some time! Talk about fascination.

How well do you know the enemy?

wordywalt comments on Nov 25, 2017:

It is important to understand the ideology with which y9ou disagree and to understand what there is about that ideology which attracts and holds people. Having grown up in religion and in a bible belt culture, I understand the ideology and the pull. I took the same approach with Communism ...

William_Mary replies on Nov 25, 2017:

I find it quite unfair to claim communism a flawed system when there has never been a true communist system at work. I'll also extend that to a socialist system also. You can provide any country you're claiming as a failed communist system, and I can tell you why it wasn't a true communist system. Outside of some of Europe's socialized countries that I would argue are successful. And Venezuela's and Cuba's if left alone to progress. But all other so called communist countries, past and present, were not actually build to serve the community. They were or are military and corporate hoarding industrial complexes that took or taken and worked or work against the communities of the people within. You can also find a number of indigenous communities around the planet that have survived for centuries I'm sure would compel one to rethink that claim with informative thought.

Do (negative) emotions serve a greater purpose?

GothRik comments on Oct 29, 2017:

They can help, as part of our experience in life, but not when they start to take control of the drivers seat. I'm not sure jealousy can have any positive effect, though.

William_Mary replies on Oct 29, 2017:

I would argue jealousy is also a means to strengthening character and a mentor towards wider diversity. Being a natural response of jealousy is often anger and or sadness, once realized, one can start to grow from these emotions. I would also argue we all have a sense of jealousy to some nature in many aspects of our lives. Whether it's over love or material possessions, of different degrees.