I originally sent this under politics but it didn’t seem to go through.

racocn8 comments on Aug 5, 2024:

Having embraced a traitor for Russia and indifferent to sedition, these fake Americans have attacked our country on numerous levels. The following link shows one group, but they are dwarfed by the destruction wrought by the Heritage Foundation. ...

pedigojr replies on Aug 6, 2024:

Interesting as I just read in the June/July issue of Freethought Today a long speech by one Amanda Tyler about how many Christians are against the Christian Nationalist movement. She won an award from FFRF. I could get you the talk if you wanted but looked up her group: https://bjconline.org/ These nutjobs trying to make this a Christian Country don't have the brains to understand just what that means. The world went through a period (and some countries still are) called the reformation trying to decide which Christian dogma was the true dogma.

The Cowardly Lyin (bastard).

Diogenes comments on Aug 5, 2024:

I looked up IQ average world standings. US was 31. Canada was 9. I don't agree 100% with either number, BUT Dump supporters have to be amongst the dumbest vegetables in the world; the idea that the professional criminal, Dump, could actually get a voting majority and become the US's first dictator ...

pedigojr replies on Aug 5, 2024:

Seems they are probably in the negative territory.

The latest and great syndicated cartoonist. The guy needs to be shown as the criminal he is.

Killtheskyfairy comments on Aug 2, 2024:

Lock him up. Whatever happened about the Mueller report and the insurrection? Dark Brandon needs to get it done.

pedigojr replies on Aug 2, 2024:

All these things have been put aside or negated by SCROTUS (not the three sane women jurists but the insane republican ones.

The latest and great syndicated cartoonist. The guy needs to be shown as the criminal he is.

HippieChick58 comments on Aug 2, 2024:

Too many deluded amongst us believe he is as pure as the driven snow.

pedigojr replies on Aug 2, 2024:

That goes waaaay beyond delusional. I just heard Kamala got the nomination. I know you follow Heather Cox Richardson and her talk from July 28 is really worth listening to. I am a history major and know something of the period before the civil war. She is spot on with her analysis of that time.

As Republicans Attack Harris on Immigration, Here’s What Her Record Shows WASHINGTON — As they ...

Alienbeing comments on Aug 2, 2024:

Anyone who thinks Kamala does not favor open borders isn't listening very well.

pedigojr replies on Aug 2, 2024:

Some of us not only listen but do research. Anyone in their right mind would not favor open borders. She has other ways of keeping from flooding to this country and they work!!!! Go away.

"Row, Row, Roe v. Wade" Team Houston, BNV Finals 2023 - YouTube

pamagain comments on Jul 28, 2024:

Brings tears to my eyes! With young people like these....I have hope. I see so many bold, committed and powerful young women at Planned Parenthood and they give me hope, too! Thanks, HC!

pedigojr replies on Aug 2, 2024:

@pamagain Tried to look up the convention sites in the west. No luck. Sites have to be in cities in which members live or want to visit.

Elon Musk Shares Manipulated Harris Video, in Seeming Violation of X’s Policies

pamagain comments on Jul 31, 2024:

We all know there are special rules for the BIG MONEY boys...and regular rules for those of us who actually pay their taxes.

pedigojr replies on Aug 2, 2024:

@pamagain And, of course, the first things they want to do is eliminate those that stand in their way. No thought, whatsoever, what that will do to their base and the world in which we all live. Also, if they take away the incomes of the non-wealthy who will they sell their crap to!?

"Row, Row, Roe v. Wade" Team Houston, BNV Finals 2023 - YouTube

pamagain comments on Jul 28, 2024:

Brings tears to my eyes! With young people like these....I have hope. I see so many bold, committed and powerful young women at Planned Parenthood and they give me hope, too! Thanks, HC!

pedigojr replies on Aug 1, 2024:

@pamagain I wonder if there are any left here. Seattle, Portland, LA and, I think, San Diego have all been taken. Denver might be closer to you and me.

Elon Musk Shares Manipulated Harris Video, in Seeming Violation of X’s Policies

pedigojr comments on Jul 31, 2024:

I couldn't get this as one needs to subscribe to the NY TImes. I did look elsewhere and it has come out it was a fake and wannabe Fuhrer Musk admitted it was only intended as a parody. My big problem is why, knowing what a hypocritical POS Musk is do so many still use 'X'? Why give this guy more ...

pedigojr replies on Aug 1, 2024:

@silverotter11 Like sooo many things in their weak minds it must be bad and something no could possibly want. I strongly suspect it is something of which most MAGA maggots have no idea of what it means. Sort of like antifa. I once told an (ex) friend the MAGA crowd was so stupid they didn't know what it meant. He pretended to think and then asked, what does it mean? I then knew he was either totally clueless or one of them.

I am really enjoying this.

pedigojr comments on Jul 31, 2024:

I think a lot of us feel the same way. I for one, would love to see a debate between Kamala, a former prosecuting attorney and Trump a former (and still) a criminal.

pedigojr replies on Aug 1, 2024:

@TomMcGiverin Or the simple fact she is a woman and, in his book, women are for one thing only (but only if he finds her his type).

Elon Musk Shares Manipulated Harris Video, in Seeming Violation of X’s Policies

pamagain comments on Jul 31, 2024:

We all know there are special rules for the BIG MONEY boys...and regular rules for those of us who actually pay their taxes.

pedigojr replies on Aug 1, 2024:

@pamagain Their egos are so huge they think they are a gods gift to humanity. Problem is, they are totally unaware of the real world. Years ago I attended a book discussion by a couple. The book was titled "Common Fire." I was about how evolution tends toward more complexity and more and more humans become specialists in a certain field to deal with the complexities. However, focusing on a certain aspect of a subject one misses the bigger picture. One literally focuses on a tree and misses the forest. The topic became so popular it was re-written but different authors. A lot of moneyed people have focused on acquiring wealth but cannot see what that wealth does to their persona or the affect on the wider world. Money is their focus and not the wider world. Notice one item by these wealthy conservatives is a total denial of climate change or any other environmental problem.

A recent posting by a group indivisible talked about the project 2025.

pamagain comments on Jul 30, 2024:

ALL of us should forward this on to friends & family, asking them to read it & forward it on, also. I'm worried about these comments he's making about ''You don't need to vote....I have enough votes already."

pedigojr replies on Aug 1, 2024:

@puff Knowing thy enemy does not always mean saddling up to them (it could also be a she). With Trump no matter what you do once you show your true colors you are under the bus. He is so self aggrandizing one has to constantly bow down and kiss his ass. That is asking too much of any self-respecting person. How much did Churchill and FDR kiss up to Hitler!? Knowing ones enemy often means fighting them with all one has at their disposal.

Elon Musk Shares Manipulated Harris Video, in Seeming Violation of X’s Policies

anglophone comments on Jul 31, 2024:

If true, then Elon Musk is morally bankrupt, and he needs to be financially bankrupted.

pedigojr replies on Jul 31, 2024:

This is what money does to some people. It would be interesting to know of his family upbringing. Bill Gates' dad was wealthy but advocated to the wealthy to be a force for good in a society. Their foundation seeks to do just that.

Elon Musk Shares Manipulated Harris Video, in Seeming Violation of X’s Policies

silverotter11 comments on Jul 31, 2024:

I think Elon has his own personal version of racial bias and misogyny. He creeps me out.

pedigojr replies on Jul 31, 2024:

He is starting to creep a lot of people out. I guess with 10 kids his wife (or harem) is not one of the childless, cat ladies.

Elon Musk Shares Manipulated Harris Video, in Seeming Violation of X’s Policies

Scott321 comments on Jul 31, 2024:

NYT is paywalled for me. Here’s another article: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/elon-musk-retweets-altered-kamala-harris-campaign-ad-rcna163985

pedigojr replies on Jul 31, 2024:

Thank you for this. One thing I noticed is political ads must disclose they are AI generated. So here's another case for the small, fine print hidden at the bottom of the screen.

Elon Musk Shares Manipulated Harris Video, in Seeming Violation of X’s Policies

pamagain comments on Jul 31, 2024:

We all know there are special rules for the BIG MONEY boys...and regular rules for those of us who actually pay their taxes.

pedigojr replies on Jul 31, 2024:

All one needs to do is look around at the things they propose. Here there is a moneyed guy, Brian Heywood, from Arizona who moved here and started a voter initiative to get rid of our Climate Change rules and eliminate the capital gains tax for tow of several. Some were tossed out as being against the laws. Bill Gates started countering this guys attempts. The guy then complained he was being targeted by big money? Talk about hypocritical and laughable! Here's a link to one of his initiative's https://ballotpedia.org/Washington_Initiative_2109,_Repeal_Capital_Gains_Tax_Initiative_(2024)

Trump shooting: Thomas Crooks' plan and the botched security

racocn8 comments on Jul 28, 2024:

"The agency (FBI) said in a statement: "What struck former President Trump in the ear was a bullet, whether whole or fragmented into smaller pieces, fired from the deceased subject’s rifle." Oh yeah? What would be the forensic basis for making that statement? Did said bullet also leave the two ...

pedigojr replies on Jul 31, 2024:

I had thought of that and, obviously, did others. It would then make him a living martyr.

A recent posting by a group indivisible talked about the project 2025.

Organist1 comments on Jul 30, 2024:

It's the ultimate control instrument and money grab. These criminals must be defeated and dealt with aggressively by the next administration.

pedigojr replies on Jul 31, 2024:

I think what the oligarchs fail to understand is the simple fact that they also need us to buy their crap. Notice how many ads are being placed in periodicals, on the internet and all around. Our rights and income is being taken away but then we are told to buy more to keep the corporations afloat. It's the same short shortsightedness among the Christian Nationalists (who are apposed by basic Christian groups who see where this will take us) that there are hundreds of sects that come under the wing of 'Christian' so which one should reign? We may end up having a modern day reformation and anyone who has studied history knows of the violence and death that caused. At one time I discovered that the apartment in which I lived in the old city of Heidelberg Germany (built in 1683 and then destroyed in 1690) had been a victim of the reformation. The city had converted to Lutheranism and, in 1690, the French Catholics laid siege to the city in punishment for their change. The apartment, in which I lived, had a cellar under the living room. Most probably a family went to the cellar to escape the bombardment (as did most during a time of siege) but were buried alive. When I came along the space had never been lived in (it was, at first a stable, then a smokehouse and finally a storage area). I wondered about this and asked a local historian and he told me what probably had happened.

A recent posting by a group indivisible talked about the project 2025.

puff comments on Jul 30, 2024:

"Will this article be biased?" I consciously think when I view articles. You can tell by the language used, whether it is inflammatory or extreme. The first sentence in this one. "Donald Trump’s first term was destructive, cruel, and—for far too many—literally fatal." Yep, a balanced ...

pedigojr replies on Jul 31, 2024:

Many of us did experience how that first term went and especially after the term ended the unbelievable fallout from one unwilling to stop. I seriously wonder where some people get their information. Certainly not from facts on the ground.

A recent posting by a group indivisible talked about the project 2025.

Julie808 comments on Jul 30, 2024:

Michael Moore recently posted on social media: "69% of Americans support legal abortion. 72% of Americans don’t own a gun. 90% of the country wants more gun control laws. 72% of us believe the Climate Crisis is real. 71% of all Americans approve of labor unions. 79% of us insist the ...

pedigojr replies on Jul 31, 2024:

That is who we once were before money and criminality took over. The fact that the ultra-conservatives are able to be where they are, at this point in time, shows something is very wrong with our core beliefs. Unfortunately, too many of 'us' don't want to get more involved with serious issues and simply want to enjoy life (especially after retirement) says something negative about the average American.

A recent posting by a group indivisible talked about the project 2025.

pamagain comments on Jul 30, 2024:

ALL of us should forward this on to friends & family, asking them to read it & forward it on, also. I'm worried about these comments he's making about ''You don't need to vote....I have enough votes already."

pedigojr replies on Jul 31, 2024:

@puff I think you flatter him waaay too much. He simply says what he feels like at that moment (and often contradicts himself as he knows his enablers will believe anything he says). He also cannot be contradicted so there is also a fear element. Anyone who follows anything about this POS already has a lot of screws loose.

Trump shooting: Thomas Crooks' plan and the botched security

pamagain comments on Jul 28, 2024:

HC...there's a LOT we've yet to learn about this, isn't there?

pedigojr replies on Jul 31, 2024:

@pamagain Having been a former prosecuting attorney and VP for two jobs I'm sure she's well aware of the danger. She has gained tremendous traction in just the first week and things will only go up for her and down for the Republicans. They will become desperate and we should not be surprised at the extremes they will do to get her out of the picture. She has become a breath of fresh air and hope. It's been shown she has already passed Biden's popularity.

"Row, Row, Roe v. Wade" Team Houston, BNV Finals 2023 - YouTube

pamagain comments on Jul 28, 2024:

Brings tears to my eyes! With young people like these....I have hope. I see so many bold, committed and powerful young women at Planned Parenthood and they give me hope, too! Thanks, HC!

pedigojr replies on Jul 31, 2024:

@pamagain I believe the next one is in Denver.

I previously mentioned a writer/stripper/atheist who wrote an editorial in a recent Free Inquiry ...

racocn8 comments on Jul 28, 2024:

I never considered the deadly fate of all the rest of the animals in the Ark fable. Jerk doesn't begin to cover it. And those that behave themselves to avoid hell have been deprived of any understanding of morality. The article highlights real morality quite well.

pedigojr replies on Jul 30, 2024:

One thing that amazes me was why did no one consider the huge number of non-mammalian species. The birds, reptiles and millions of insect species upon which the world needs to pollinate our crops. To think all the numbers (all religious minded) people trying to find any remains of this mysterious ark just beyond insane.

Trump shooting: Thomas Crooks' plan and the botched security

pamagain comments on Jul 28, 2024:

HC...there's a LOT we've yet to learn about this, isn't there?

pedigojr replies on Jul 29, 2024:

Hopefully, a lot more attention must be given to Kamala! Especially given all the MAGA, right wing nuts roaming large.

"Row, Row, Roe v. Wade" Team Houston, BNV Finals 2023 - YouTube

pamagain comments on Jul 28, 2024:

Brings tears to my eyes! With young people like these....I have hope. I see so many bold, committed and powerful young women at Planned Parenthood and they give me hope, too! Thanks, HC!

pedigojr replies on Jul 29, 2024:

@pamagain I nor you were in the right place at that time. It's been some 6 years and I'm just now finding out about this interesting woman. Have you been to any conventions since?

"Row, Row, Roe v. Wade" Team Houston, BNV Finals 2023 - YouTube

pamagain comments on Jul 28, 2024:

Brings tears to my eyes! With young people like these....I have hope. I see so many bold, committed and powerful young women at Planned Parenthood and they give me hope, too! Thanks, HC!

pedigojr replies on Jul 28, 2024:

@HippieChick58 That was quick. I added a bit though. Okay I will. pamagain and I met at that convention and heard Salman Rushdie. In her book she talked about how it was even harder to come out as an atheist than a former stripper and how welcoming FFRF and the staff were to her.

"Row, Row, Roe v. Wade" Team Houston, BNV Finals 2023 - YouTube

pamagain comments on Jul 28, 2024:

Brings tears to my eyes! With young people like these....I have hope. I see so many bold, committed and powerful young women at Planned Parenthood and they give me hope, too! Thanks, HC!

pedigojr replies on Jul 28, 2024:

I just read something that amazed me. I've discovered stripper/writer/Atheist who found her group at the San Francisco FFRF convention. I first read about her in a "Free Inquiry" editorial she wrote (which I submitted to this group). From the editorial I got her book, "Expose Yourself, How to take risks, question everything and find yourself - humor and insights from my life as a stripper. I looked her up on the FFRF site: https://www.freethoughttoday.com/free/erin-louis-the-bible-taught-me-that-god-is-a-jerk/ This is good. Maybe I should post it. Here's her bio. https://www.erinlouis.com/bio

It surprises me how many of my skeptic acquaintances believe the misinformation put out by the ...

Fernapple comments on Jul 23, 2024:

Its called fear mongering, and sadly its very profitable. It is also one of the most mindless movement every created. It supposes that traditional chemicals, which have never been tested, are safer than modern ones which have undergone modern testing. For years the Soil Association allowed copper ...

pedigojr replies on Jul 27, 2024:

@Fernapple In a perfect world of which this is not even close. There are groups dedicated to not being supported by corporations. One such group is nutritional scientists who do studies onto what's healthy, food wise, and what is not. https://www.cspinet.org/

The only way to achieve peace ...

pedigojr comments on Jul 24, 2024:

And what is it we need to understand? During Einsteins time there was a major war going on. Now we are not only fighting ourselves but nature as well. I think it's a bit hard for 8 Billion+ of humans from different backgrounds and languages to understand one another.

pedigojr replies on Jul 27, 2024:

@snytiger6 Actually the world population as more than doubled. Absolutely, our pro growth system is the source of all our (and other species) ills. A partner in a firm I once worked for once told me when he hears sustainable he thinks stagnation.

I am god ...

pedigojr comments on Jul 26, 2024:

So killing is an act of love. Makes one wonder how one will be treated in the so called Heaven!?

pedigojr replies on Jul 27, 2024:

@snytiger6 Not just one entity but billions of radical religionists.

It surprises me how many of my skeptic acquaintances believe the misinformation put out by the ...

pedigojr comments on Jul 26, 2024:

I gave this issue a lot of thought and, after reading the many replies, have come to realize what the issue is all about, Social justice. First off, I have come to see social justice issues actually often make the problems worse! We, on this site are atheists. We don't believe in supernaturalism...

pedigojr replies on Jul 27, 2024:

@Julie808 Thank you for being more open minded than many on this site. One does need to be aware that more money being involved also means more lies. Overpopulation used to be clear and understandable by most until corporations saw this as a threat to the economic system that requires constant growth. Look up overpopulation and the first hits are about how it's not true and technology will save us (so according to them there is no limit to the number of humans the planet can support). I was on the Seattle Board of ZPG for 8 years and when a new director came along he saw the need for money to get the message out. The name got changed from ZPG to the Population Connection )which only advocated family planning). PBS reported that ZPG and the Sierra Club worked out a deal with certain anonymous entities for $100 million to remove any talk of immigration as a source of population gain for a country). What's going on in the food industry (including GMO's - Monsanto a huge chemical comp[any) is exactly the same. Some major food companies (like cattle companies) lobby congress to outlaw and criticism of food especially the foods they produce. Now just writing about conditions at stockyards or any other big food company gets one in jail. Years ago one Howard Lyman appeared on Oprah Winfrey and told his story. The Cattleman companies sued Oprah (Lyman didn't have much money so they went after the one who did). She fought back and won but spent a lot to defend herself. https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Mad-Cowboy/Howard-F-Lyman/9780684854465 Too many refuse to do any real research into the most important aspects of ones life. In this age of science and knowledge people chose to be ignorant. There are independent organizations that are dedicated to their field and they are the ones we need to follow. One is a group Nutrition Action https://www.cspinet.org/ Again I mentioned the Netflix video on the Stanford University experiment with twins. It seems too many are willing to let their sense of sensuality (eating is often a sensuous activity) affect how we think or even our health. In the case of diet it also has a huge impact on the natural environment and the future of our progeny. https://youtu.be/oygkWmXyOaM

A whole new direction for our upcoming presidential election.

Paul4747 comments on Jul 26, 2024:

While I certainly hope Harris receives extra support from people of all ethnicities and heritages, I still feel her biggest advantage is "not being Trump".

pedigojr replies on Jul 27, 2024:

Fortunately very few people are.

A whole new direction for our upcoming presidential election.

puff comments on Jul 26, 2024:

About as relevant as Tiger Woods being half Thai. Her Indian roots are centuries old, she has Caribbean heritage more than anything else. High cast Indians would view her as a half caste mongrel.

pedigojr replies on Jul 27, 2024:

@annewimsey500 Unfortunately stupid says as stupid believes. Many people do have a heritage and are proud of it and continue to try and immerse themselves in parts of their culture. My late partner was of Persian heritage and even though she fully embraced the US culture she still relished in things she had grown up with. It is said one is Jewish if their mother is Jewish which means the heritage gets passed on especially to all the females of the group. Many consider themselves cultural, secular or even atheist Jews but still follow parts of their heritage. The problem I have is that if one has one white parent and one black (or other ethnic group) one is often considered the other. If one has a black mother and white father they are black but if the mother is white and the father is black one is still black. Seems on way of tribalizing people for something of which they have no control.

It surprises me how many of my skeptic acquaintances believe the misinformation put out by the ...

Charles1971 comments on Jul 25, 2024:

I believed the non-GMO nonsense for a while. But if people want to pay extra for their food because of nonsense then let them throw their money away.

pedigojr replies on Jul 27, 2024:

@Charles1971 Sorry but I totally disagree. In order to be labeled ORGANIC the crop must pass tests that there are NO pesticides or Herbicides or artificial fertilizer used. Seems when it come to food too many people let their emotions run wild and totally refuse to look into facts. Also, there is a huge difference between natural chemicals and human made chemicals. Perhaps people should do as a certain orange anus advised and go out and drink bleach.

It surprises me how many of my skeptic acquaintances believe the misinformation put out by the ...

Lizard_of_Ahaz comments on Jul 24, 2024:

I have some extremely bad news for the anti-GMO movement.... Everything humans eat has been modified to some degree or it wouldn't be very edible at all...

pedigojr replies on Jul 26, 2024:

Of course but is that a bad thing. The question is how is it modified? Many foods are hybridized which does not require chemicals or gene altering. Apples do not grow true from seed. Every seed will row an apple tree very different from the parent. When a viable apple comes along scions are cut from the tree and grafted to a root stock. All the apples on the market have come from one tree. Sometimes researchers will cross fertilize different apples to get a specific trait. Again, no chemicals. Apples are one of many plants that exhibit this trait. Almost all the food (including organic) started very different than what it is today. Nutrition values often also increase. This has been going on for a long time and here we come along with gene splicing and somehow think we can fool mother nature. The only people we are fooling is ourselves.

It surprises me how many of my skeptic acquaintances believe the misinformation put out by the ...

Charles1971 comments on Jul 25, 2024:

I believed the non-GMO nonsense for a while. But if people want to pay extra for their food because of nonsense then let them throw their money away.

pedigojr replies on Jul 26, 2024:

Organic is not some sort of status idea. It is about personal health and, in the end, the health of the planet on which we share with a multitude of life forms. I could also say if you want to eat chemically laden foods which will harm your body go ahead but doing so also increases money being spent for health care which affects everyone. I gladly pay extra for organic as it means not having to spend money, and suffer, from a myriad of diseases. I get a medical checkup (including blood work) annually and am not having to take any prescription meds. How many at my stage of life can say the same thing. Seems, for many ones body is not a temple but simply a way of getting instant gratification with certain foods.

The only way to achieve peace ...

pedigojr comments on Jul 24, 2024:

And what is it we need to understand? During Einsteins time there was a major war going on. Now we are not only fighting ourselves but nature as well. I think it's a bit hard for 8 Billion+ of humans from different backgrounds and languages to understand one another.

pedigojr replies on Jul 26, 2024:

@snytiger6 Of course. Actually, at that (WWII) time there was a guy bicycling across Belgium. He thought there must be a better way to help people know and accept other cultures. He was from Bellingham, a big city north of Seattle. He created such a group and it is still around (I am a member and host). It's called SERVAS, international https://servas.org/ Unfortunately, what we really need to understand is that this planet and all the parts of it have what's known as a carrying capacity. We have overshot that critical restriction. https://youtu.be/ozW7y-y6Ymw

It surprises me how many of my skeptic acquaintances believe the misinformation put out by the ...

Fernapple comments on Jul 23, 2024:

Its called fear mongering, and sadly its very profitable. It is also one of the most mindless movement every created. It supposes that traditional chemicals, which have never been tested, are safer than modern ones which have undergone modern testing. For years the Soil Association allowed copper ...

pedigojr replies on Jul 26, 2024:

@Fernapple It has been shown the 'green revolution' is dead. An article in the National Geographic about the great lakes showed how chemical sprays and fertilizers were finding their way to the upper Great Lakes and being carried down the the lower ones. This has caused major algae blooms. A professor it the UC Davis said those who eat organic are elitists in that it takes more land and is more expensive than non-organic which leaves out those that can't afford that type of food. The problem is NOT the way we grow food but the increasing number of us needing food. The recent Netflix video "You are what you eat" said studies have shown we will need at least two planets to provide all the grasslands needed to raise cattle. The Amazon forest is being burnt to gain grassland for those the 'say' they will only eat grass fed meat. In a recent report it was said that there are now major forest fires in the Amazon forest due to the slash and burn techniques used there (of course it did not say why that system was being done). TO me yesterdays conventional science will be today's conventional science in the future. The problem with 'conventional' science is who does it serve?

Biden just announces....he won't run. OK...here we go!

Druvius comments on Jul 21, 2024:

The Dems are hoist by their own petard, they bet they could fake it and keep Biden's cognitive decline under wraps. The debate ended that farce, and now it will take a bold miracle to win. I can see why Biden pulled out, he knew his chances were grim, get out while he can and at least he won't be ...

pedigojr replies on Jul 26, 2024:

@Druvius With some people one simply needs to give up. This is supposed to be a site for sane and reasonable people but often someone slips through the cracks.

It surprises me how many of my skeptic acquaintances believe the misinformation put out by the ...

Fernapple comments on Jul 23, 2024:

Its called fear mongering, and sadly its very profitable. It is also one of the most mindless movement every created. It supposes that traditional chemicals, which have never been tested, are safer than modern ones which have undergone modern testing. For years the Soil Association allowed copper ...

pedigojr replies on Jul 24, 2024:

@Julie808 When GMO's came out (Monsanto) there were lots of issues and many animals, when fed GMO crops, wouldn't touch it. There have been problems with GMO crop pollen blowing into anothers field and ruining their organic crops. The list went on and on. Being on an island famous for its small farms (all organic because that's what people want) there were lots of discussions and talks. Many people can actually taste the difference between organic and GMO. Organic is always much better. A group of us once visited N. Italy to see their farming practices. We sat in on a discussion from some chemical scientists bragging how they modified many fruits to naturally repel certain pests and diseases. These guys were upset as most farmers there wanted nothing to do with this. We all laughed as these professors were talking to us who found natural ways to deter pests and pathogens. The biggest problem is this is simply a way of using unnatural means to grow enough food for an exploding human population. So lets see what's next for the genetic science - ways of genetically altering the weather or to bring thousands of species back from extinction.

Biden just announces....he won't run. OK...here we go!

Druvius comments on Jul 21, 2024:

The Dems are hoist by their own petard, they bet they could fake it and keep Biden's cognitive decline under wraps. The debate ended that farce, and now it will take a bold miracle to win. I can see why Biden pulled out, he knew his chances were grim, get out while he can and at least he won't be ...

pedigojr replies on Jul 24, 2024:

@Druvius And whose job is it to be informed? Both sides have their own version of what to vote for but it's up to the voter to decide or simply follow yard signs or even do a coin toss vote which many dumbasses do.

Biden just announces....he won't run. OK...here we go!

Druvius comments on Jul 21, 2024:

The Dems are hoist by their own petard, they bet they could fake it and keep Biden's cognitive decline under wraps. The debate ended that farce, and now it will take a bold miracle to win. I can see why Biden pulled out, he knew his chances were grim, get out while he can and at least he won't be ...

pedigojr replies on Jul 24, 2024:

@Druvius Says the supposed mind reader. In the end it is the voters that determine who wins or loses.

Biden just announces....he won't run. OK...here we go!

Druvius comments on Jul 21, 2024:

The Dems are hoist by their own petard, they bet they could fake it and keep Biden's cognitive decline under wraps. The debate ended that farce, and now it will take a bold miracle to win. I can see why Biden pulled out, he knew his chances were grim, get out while he can and at least he won't be ...

pedigojr replies on Jul 23, 2024:

@Druvius Again, I'm seeing a major problem with understanding my comment. It's NOT my candidate but voting for any candidate or issue. Also, I did not say telling the people they are stupid but helping them learn how to vote properly. Communication is not an exact science but for some it's an impossible task.

I drove down south today toward Mount Rainier, to attend my high school reunion.

pedigojr comments on Jul 20, 2024:

Interesting as I would think people in this area were more open minded and democratic. We are a heavily blue area in a blue state (despite protestations from those in the Eastern part). At my only HS reunion (the 30th) from Federal Way HS I found I knew very few. I was there only my senior year ...

pedigojr replies on Jul 22, 2024:

@Julie808 @Julie808 To show how things change I thought I'd send a picture of my old house with a Monkey Puzzle tree I planted in 1993 (it was about 4' ). Now look at it.

I drove down south today toward Mount Rainier, to attend my high school reunion.

pedigojr comments on Jul 20, 2024:

Interesting as I would think people in this area were more open minded and democratic. We are a heavily blue area in a blue state (despite protestations from those in the Eastern part). At my only HS reunion (the 30th) from Federal Way HS I found I knew very few. I was there only my senior year ...

pedigojr replies on Jul 22, 2024:

@Julie808 Imagine how I would feel. We live there from 1965 to 67. Now there are two HS's in the area. I once had a plan to buy 2 lots and put in a manufactured home next to a lake - Star Lake. The military intervened and years later I went back to that area. The lake had shrunk, there were many trailer homes and it looked even seedier than before.

Gawd doesn't even intervene right. Stupid imaginary being.

Fernapple comments on Jul 17, 2024:

No, five or six secret service agents, who are not invincible, intervened.

pedigojr replies on Jul 22, 2024:

@Fernapple The news report he missed his head (and possibly our country) by a mere 1/4 inch.

I drove down south today toward Mount Rainier, to attend my high school reunion.

pedigojr comments on Jul 20, 2024:

Interesting as I would think people in this area were more open minded and democratic. We are a heavily blue area in a blue state (despite protestations from those in the Eastern part). At my only HS reunion (the 30th) from Federal Way HS I found I knew very few. I was there only my senior year ...

pedigojr replies on Jul 22, 2024:

@Julie808 You might be surprised at it's size. We had some good friends that lived across an alley next to the school. The school is just a few blocks from my former house on Kenyon and 35th Ave. SW.

A modern classical piece that’s interesting.

Marionville comments on Jul 20, 2024:

Sir Peter Maxwell Davies, who was actually English and who was made Master of the Queen’s Music in 2004, a very prestigious role for a classical musician…usually a composer/conductor to hold. He was quite a controversial figure in his time, being gay and at the forefront of gay and ...

pedigojr replies on Jul 22, 2024:

Thank you as it's always good to have some history to augment a piece of art. Again, I discovered this work in the latest Alexander McCall Smith novel "The Conditions of Unconditional Love" in the Isabel Dalhousie series. This series is devoted to philosophy and just came out.

Biden just announces....he won't run. OK...here we go!

Druvius comments on Jul 21, 2024:

The Dems are hoist by their own petard, they bet they could fake it and keep Biden's cognitive decline under wraps. The debate ended that farce, and now it will take a bold miracle to win. I can see why Biden pulled out, he knew his chances were grim, get out while he can and at least he won't be ...

pedigojr replies on Jul 22, 2024:

@Druvius Some of us blame the voters for being lazy and looking for those with the loudest voice and biggest lies. I worked in a Seattle precinct for 5 years and saw the average voter is a nitwit. They want to be spoon fed and even don't know how the voting system works. I blame the school system for not teaching basic voting knowledge in the Sociology/Gvt. 101 classes in HS.

Gawd doesn't even intervene right. Stupid imaginary being.

Fernapple comments on Jul 17, 2024:

No, five or six secret service agents, who are not invincible, intervened.

pedigojr replies on Jul 20, 2024:

My first thought was that this guy must have been a lousy shot to have missed a target as big as this one.

oleaginous: 1 : resembling or having the properties of oil : oily also : containing or producing ...

FrayedBear comments on Jul 20, 2024:

A word to describe most of Trump's speech presentations?

pedigojr replies on Jul 20, 2024:

And probably most of his followers.

I finally met another Agnostic friend today! Since I'm visiting my son and daughter who live in ...

pedigojr comments on Jul 18, 2024:

Sometime I need to learn how to pose for photographs. Still, I love showing people around this island and had a great time. I wonder if your grandson understands how lucky he is to be living in such a beautiful and dynamic area.

pedigojr replies on Jul 20, 2024:

@Julie808 That's an experience I've never had. Lucky, you.

I drove down south today toward Mount Rainier, to attend my high school reunion.

silverotter11 comments on Jul 20, 2024:

Looks like the sort of day I had back in 1973 when I flew into Sea-Tac for the first time. The pilot did a fly around so both sides of the plane got see the mountain. I knew flying in I was not going back to NJ. I have never gone back for any of my HS reunions. Too many republicans and ...

pedigojr replies on Jul 20, 2024:

Flying around Mt. Rainier was often a joyful scare. Often the plane would skirt the mountain for everyone to admire. However, this also meant wind conditions that created a lot of buffeting of the plane. Flying into Seattle at night was also a treat as, with the mountains, water and layout of the city it was not like flying into every other city I'd been to. One interesting item was that often one saw sparkling lights. The houses were on hillsides and in woods which hid the views but then the lights would be seen on and off as they shone through the trees. The city center was right along Elliot Bay and with the dark bay and the lights of the many boats and even Ferry the city really earned the name "Emerald City.' https://www.thoughtco.com/why-is-seattle-the-emerald-city-2964993 Sometimes I miss it, sometimes I don't.

oleaginous: 1 : resembling or having the properties of oil : oily also : containing or producing ...

Marionville comments on Jul 19, 2024:

It’s a word I’ve posted in the past. It’s one of these words that, to my mind, exactly conveys the properties of its meaning…”oily”

pedigojr replies on Jul 19, 2024:

I gathered this too in the story. I can have a double meaning. I'm sure there are a lot of words that share the same idea.

I finally met another Agnostic friend today! Since I'm visiting my son and daughter who live in ...

pedigojr comments on Jul 18, 2024:

Sometime I need to learn how to pose for photographs. Still, I love showing people around this island and had a great time. I wonder if your grandson understands how lucky he is to be living in such a beautiful and dynamic area.

pedigojr replies on Jul 19, 2024:

@Julie808 That's great you have such discussion with him. Having an experienced family member is so important to kids these days. I wish we had had more time together and the three of us could talk more about things like other cultures. I've lived and traveled in various places in the world and would love to share some of the lessons I learned with him. Although, I do know such things take time and are best received from another close family member. With your prior warning he must have thought, Grandma is really smart! Thanks for sharing. The identity of a true island (that is not so easily accessible) is different than one that is. Anacortes is also on a large island (Fidalgo) but with the big I-20 bridge and the smaller, Rainbow bridge, this fact is often surprising to many.

I finally met another Agnostic friend today! Since I'm visiting my son and daughter who live in ...

pedigojr comments on Jul 18, 2024:

Sometime I need to learn how to pose for photographs. Still, I love showing people around this island and had a great time. I wonder if your grandson understands how lucky he is to be living in such a beautiful and dynamic area.

pedigojr replies on Jul 19, 2024:

@Julie808 Somewhere I read that most hate pictures of themselves. However, we seem to feel the pictures are less attractive than a mirror image. Thought like this often get me to do a little research so I looked this up. https://northshots.com/blog/which-is-more-accurate-mirror-or-photo/ Really interesting and maybe I should post it as most feel this way- I do.

I finally met another Agnostic friend today! Since I'm visiting my son and daughter who live in ...

pamagain comments on Jul 17, 2024:

Cool! I had the pleasure of meeting Jack at an FFRF conference in San Francisco a few years ago. Wish we could all have a convention!

pedigojr replies on Jul 19, 2024:

@Julie808 That would be fun but, for me the idea of being on a crowded plane during the latest outbreak of Covid is a bit scary. Perhaps a town or small or large city in the West might be good. I would definitely attend.

Project 2025 - Americans United

racocn8 comments on Jul 15, 2024:

Putin has won. His sock puppet installed equally corrupt judges on SCOTUS and they've shredded the Constitution on cue. The US is a Jenga stack that has tipped over, but just hasn't fallen, yet. In a major way, Biden is to blame. He inherited an ongoing coup, but refused to mobilize the ...

pedigojr replies on Jul 19, 2024:

@Organist1 I think most don't know about a similar problem during WWII and France. Under Hitler a part of 'independent" France a form of government known as the Vichy was created. Top officials, in the regime, were either jailed or shot and a lot of sub par bureaucrats put in their place. These people simply did the bidding of the Nazis for fear of losing their lives. The MAGA crowd has yet to fully take over but this is a tactic they started under the first tRump regime. I think more people are waking up to what is going on but the tactic of having the coward crowd installed in high places has begun.

Project 2025 - Americans United

racocn8 comments on Jul 15, 2024:

Putin has won. His sock puppet installed equally corrupt judges on SCOTUS and they've shredded the Constitution on cue. The US is a Jenga stack that has tipped over, but just hasn't fallen, yet. In a major way, Biden is to blame. He inherited an ongoing coup, but refused to mobilize the ...

pedigojr replies on Jul 18, 2024:

@Organist1 A big problem was and may still be we do not have a majority in both houses. One house on the bad side can and has been sidetracking everything.

I finally met another Agnostic friend today! Since I'm visiting my son and daughter who live in ...

pamagain comments on Jul 17, 2024:

Cool! I had the pleasure of meeting Jack at an FFRF conference in San Francisco a few years ago. Wish we could all have a convention!

pedigojr replies on Jul 18, 2024:

We did talk about that convention and Salman Rushdie. She said she didn't know he had such a good sense of humor and he was to speak at a future writers convention which she is attending.

Ice cream for lunch?

pedigojr comments on Jul 12, 2024:

I also tried to message but it ended up being addressed to another member. You did pass Lopez as we are the first island one comes to. There is no Lopez Island Creamery but it is simply a name by a dairy on the mainland. Orcas is the biggest and, due to it's shape the one that requires a lot of ...

pedigojr replies on Jul 15, 2024:

@Julie808 Contractors here work in a funny way. There is no competition and all have about the same rates. This includes costs + 6%. We had the shell of the first phase done which went 50% over budget (the contractor was forced to eat $9K due to his lack of diligence. We then found a contractor off island and he not only did what we wanted (I did a lot of the construction) but gave us a 10% discount on items he bought at a wholesaler. He also did a lot of extra things.

There was a helicopter crash straight into the ocean off the coast of Kauai yesterday.

pedigojr comments on Jul 13, 2024:

Funny how that works. So many of the religious fanatics are such because of their fear of death but they allow themselves to totally believe in an afterlife in a so called heaven. So, to the real zealots death is something to be glorified in. To the rest of (secretly doubters) the bunch they ...

pedigojr replies on Jul 15, 2024:

@Julie808 C. Hitchens once worked for her (probably to see how she really worked) and wrote a book, "The Missionary Position." 60 Minutes also did an expose' and showed how she took a perfectly good building and made it dangerous. She did not want her volunteers to have luxuries as elevators and had them disconnected. A lot of other things she did went against code and she was forced to leave. This is how zealots work. I wonder how she would feel about tRump and his (faux) promotion of Christianity.

Ice cream for lunch?

pedigojr comments on Jul 12, 2024:

I also tried to message but it ended up being addressed to another member. You did pass Lopez as we are the first island one comes to. There is no Lopez Island Creamery but it is simply a name by a dairy on the mainland. Orcas is the biggest and, due to it's shape the one that requires a lot of ...

pedigojr replies on Jul 13, 2024:

@Julie808 Sorry to hear about Alki. Alki was our go to place while living in W. Seattle. Of course it became more and more popular. It was called the Venice Beach of Washington state but, as such, it became a hassle to keep up with the products which, I imagine, had to be outsourced and mass produced. This is the first I've heard of one ferry, already at a terminal having to back off and waiting. Usually the arriving ferry had to wait. However, at this time the system is a mess. New rules are coming in to make the system more efficient and, I suspect this is one of them. Funny thing, when one lives on a real island (not one connected by a bridge) there are limits. Of course the business people don't seem to see this and sustainable simply means constant growth. I did get you message and replied. It seems my two closest friends are throwing in the towel and permanently relocating to their condo on the Big island (Hawaii). They have daughters with kids both in Berkeley and Langley and will come for visits. Maintaining their properties have become too onerous (and with me as well). Here's a video of a home tour last year and they are the first ones in the 'round' house. It's a bit confusing as there's a 2nd home under the carving studio. They built this home entirely. Chuck is a retired physicist and a contractor (and an over builder and perfectionist). This place will be hard to sell as it is unique with only one bedroom in the main house with another in a basement (which is inaccessible from the main house). https://youtu.be/x-yOVuW1Pkw

Project 2025 led by the Heritage Foundation, explained

Lauren comments on Jul 8, 2024:

Even with the absolute GLUT of information about the positive state of the economy, there's a huge group of uninformed, stubborn Republicans who still spout the "Democrats spend, Republicans are fiscally responsible" crap which has NEVER been true. I long ago recognized this to be the curtain ...

pedigojr replies on Jul 12, 2024:

Since you often visit this area you might know of a great business journalist named Jon Talton. He published an item in last Sunday's Times titled Boeing and Wall Street. This is about companies all vying to get on the stock market and delivering short term returns to shareholders. Unfortunately we are all complicit in this race to the bottom as we have come to depend on investments to finance our retirements. It's not about services or products but profits especially for those at the top. These people do not want to pay taxes and see government regulations as being a limiting factor to their profits. The article talked about both Roosevelt presidents trying to bust the out of control moguls. Little has changed and those at the top want to reign totally. It's a fantastic article which points in the direction we are headed. The one thing the republicans tried to do was get rid of Biden's attempt to finance the IRS to be able to go after the 'loopholes' and scammers. This is telling. When the rich get tax breaks the deficit goes up and services for the masses goes down. There has been talk of reducing Social Security and Medicare.

Seems the only way ‘some’ people will wake up to the calamity that life is facing is through ...

Marionville comments on Jul 5, 2024:

Religion is the major stumbling block to sensible birth control policies….especially in predominantly Catholic and Muslim countries.

pedigojr replies on Jul 12, 2024:

@Marionville Sorry, it's been a while since I responded but some issues with my property forced me to put my energies elsewhere. This is becoming a common issue among many of us of a 'certain age' in that property maintenance has become too much and we need to look at a more viable life change. I agree with you comments but also realize there are often more at stake. As I said in my original comment what's going on now applies to all life forms. *"The phenomenon is best explained as an ecological response that naturally sets in for a population when that species’ population is nearing the limits of its habitat’s carrying capacity. The pressures of the limits to growth aren’t necessarily what’s causing it; rather, a species’ tendency to see its members cluster together as a resource acquisition and sharing strategy increases that species’ average population density."* The global human population growth rate is falling and it is the constant growth based economic system that is in panic and trying to reverse the trend. Religion is often used as a weapon but so are other tactics. In thins country the attempt to outlaw abortion was seen as a way to increase our numbers but the reverse is happening. It is not a simple situation.

Hope everyone had a special 4th of July (a British friend once told me this was their Thanksgiving ...

LenHazell53 comments on Jul 5, 2024:

I think your British friend was taking the piss, we have no thanks giving day, unless they meant we gave thanks to be rid of the American colonies. Our fireworks day is November 5th, celebrating the foiling of the Gun powder plot of 1605, a terrorist attack on the UK houses of parliament and King ...

pedigojr replies on Jul 6, 2024:

Exactly. Too bad they didn't learn when they, you tried it again. Still, when you won the 2nd time you chose not to stick around. Good to know as I've been sharing an event, involving fireworks, from a city I once lived in, Heidelberg, German. In 1690 the French laid siege to the city. The city had become Lutheran and the French Catholics decided to punish them hence the siege and burning of the famous castle. Now in commemoration of the burning (and to get in more tourists) the city commemorates this with fireworks. https://youtu.be/aror_uHBbf8

Never mind God, does admin really exist?

Lauren comments on Jul 5, 2024:

Good luck getting your level back.

pedigojr replies on Jul 6, 2024:

And how many are committing acts of violence or having affairs or committing crimes or, the list can go on? At least, some of us are learning.

Seems the only way ‘some’ people will wake up to the calamity that life is facing is through ...

Marionville comments on Jul 5, 2024:

Religion is the major stumbling block to sensible birth control policies….especially in predominantly Catholic and Muslim countries.

pedigojr replies on Jul 6, 2024:

@Marionville That works in a developed country but most of the time women in undeveloped countries don't have a choice or sometimes even know that such options, as birth control even exist. In many counties even birth control is illegal (and maybe even here if SCROTUS gets a chance to change the law). I have been using that term as our Supreme Court still has 3 (women) who are sane and vote as true justices. It was said after some of the horrible decisions by the others these 3 go into a room to cry. There needs to be a separation between the sane group and the activists ones. Supreme Court Republicans of the US. The name fits for those 6 Justices.

Seems the only way ‘some’ people will wake up to the calamity that life is facing is through ...

Marionville comments on Jul 5, 2024:

Religion is the major stumbling block to sensible birth control policies….especially in predominantly Catholic and Muslim countries.

pedigojr replies on Jul 5, 2024:

I just received a newsletter by a, now (it was once a fringe group but has become more influential) group known as Negative Population Growth https://npg.org/ Their latest newsletter was titled *"In praise of population decline"* and was about how changing world circumstances are driving a lower fertility rates globally. Here is a portion of that newsletter *"The phenomenon is best explained as an ecological response that naturally sets in for a population when that species’ population is nearing the limits of its habitat’s carrying capacity. The pressures of the limits to growth aren’t necessarily what’s causing it; rather, a species’ tendency to see its members cluster together as a resource acquisition and sharing strategy increases that species’ average population density. This then amplifies the stress factors that individuals in that population must deal with. In these more crowded conditions, the “cost of living” for individuals increases. It takes more time and effort to acquire resources competitively. It becomes more difficult to find available or adequate nesting grounds. Organisms tend to cluster together because this makes life easier initially, but eventually, the crowding becomes too much and life becomes more difficult instead – something works until it doesn’t work anymore. As population density increases, these stress factors compel those individuals, both behaviorally and biologically, to give birth to fewer offspring in an effort to alleviate this stress. Ecologists call this density dependence, and this force has been found to influence population dynamics for nearly all organisms on Earth. There is an expanding body of evidence that shows density dependence – simply put, rising population density – is the force behind globally collapsing birth rates. That is the ecological reason for falling birth rates."* *"Here are the sociological explanations: stress, fear, and anxiety about the future. It is true that science, philosophy, reason and the modern popular consensus on morals and human rights, often disagree with the teachings of religion. But it is also true, that even where they do agree with religious teaching, they often provide far stronger proofs for those points of agreement. Which in at least, one way that is actually perhaps even more important than the disagreements. In this world that we live in, where humans exist in service to the economy, those humans are working longer and harder for this “growth first and foremost” model economy, and for far less pay when weighed against inflation. Their cost of living – especially housing – soars and soars with each passing year, especially in jurisdictions where population expansion is outstripping home construction, as it always does and ...

‘Friendship improves happiness and abates misery, by the doubling of our joy and the dividing of ...

pedigojr comments on Jun 22, 2024:

Unless that friend turns out to not be what you thought.

pedigojr replies on Jul 5, 2024:

@Marionville Did you have a god time? Not sure of your relationship history but mine has been several and varied. All relationships should and often do start out as friendships. Also, many friends do have a close personal relationship (friends with benefits LOL). With my last marriage we considered ourselves both friends and partners. I guess everyone has their own definition of what their relationship entails. Too bad we cant' contact Cicero and ask him what he means. Still, ideas often change with changing times.

Hope everyone had a special 4th of July (a British friend once told me this was their Thanksgiving ...

Julie808 comments on Jul 5, 2024:

Sounds like something to try one of these years. I'm in Marysville, WA visiting my son today, and we had a quiet holiday. I got to see a pretty sunset shining on the mountains, they looked purple! Now that it's dark, I'm able to sit in the cool darkness and see a light show right outside my open ...

pedigojr replies on Jul 5, 2024:

Did you watch the Behind the scenes video? I did and learned a lot of fascinating facts (we are the largest all volunteer fireworks group in the country). The whole process and the art form it is is something special. I am a firm believer when one learns about a piece of art (fireworks can be such) the more one appreciates it. I have met women in Marysville and it's an interesting place. I have close friends that live along Marine View Drive. Even more interesting is Bow/Edison. I go through that area at least once a month on my way to Bellingham (Chuckanut Drive). Seems like another coincidence between us.

More younger adults requesting a vasectomy or tubal ligation after ‘Roe’ overturned : Shots - ...

Lauren comments on Jul 3, 2024:

I always found the dramatic "save her or the baby" moments in movies offensive because they asked the husband, not the woman whose life was on the line. Now the state has taken that decision out of the family altogether and I'm stunned that so many people are okay with that. I feel similarly ...

pedigojr replies on Jul 5, 2024:

@HippieChick58 There needs to be name changes for certain groups like your daughters. Years ago my then partner did not want to have kids (she was alcoholic and alcoholism ran in the family. She did not want to take a chance to pass on this disease and have another person have to live what she was dealing with. We were not married but agreed no kids and if one happened an abortion would happen. There was a group started nearby called child Free by choice. Less implies something negative and free something positive. I am God FREE not God less. More words need to be changed to reflect a more positive stance. BTW, I did have a daughter from a previous marriage and did notify the group (they printed my letter in their newsletter). They understood and accepted my reason for joining.

And an addendum to my earlier post about why Xtians evangelize for selfish reasons.

pedigojr comments on Jun 25, 2024:

Funny, growing up and attending parochial school we were taught things that seem outdated in today's world. One was not to wear one's religion on one's sleeve (don't advertise your faith). Another was the idea of Agape love ...

pedigojr replies on Jul 4, 2024:

@Gwen_Wanderer It's true but our one big issue is nothing like what women have to go through. For me it has become clear a lot of these issue, especially the dysfunction ones are self inflicted to to inactivity and poor diet. The Netflix series "You are what you eat" shows how a change in diet can affect a woman's arousal among other things.

And an addendum to my earlier post about why Xtians evangelize for selfish reasons.

pedigojr comments on Jun 25, 2024:

Funny, growing up and attending parochial school we were taught things that seem outdated in today's world. One was not to wear one's religion on one's sleeve (don't advertise your faith). Another was the idea of Agape love ...

pedigojr replies on Jul 1, 2024:

@Gwen_Wanderer It appears they are at an early age. The time is menopause. Men who form gender based negative opinions are basically egoists and may suffer from low self esteem. Many have said my late partner was the most rational person they have ever known. She had a super quick mind and could put anyone in their place with a few words. She was also an immigrant and English was her 2nd language (learned at the age of 24). Maybe she was an exception but one cannot make generalities especially gender based ones.

Lagophthalmos: the inability to close the eyelids completely.

ThinkingFree comments on Jun 29, 2024:

Jack, my message won't go through, keeps disappearing. I tried 3 times. 😒

pedigojr replies on Jun 30, 2024:

@ThinkingFree Seems we are not only diametrically opposed (geographically and climate) we are also politically opposed. I recently found out our wonderful, three term governor is actually from Lopez Island. The present nominee, for the position, is like his predecessor. I am tired of maintaining a piece of property. More and more of us are in that boat and looking for ways out. Being single only makes matters worse but it's important to me and so I keep plodding on and hope for a bit of luck. Otherwise life is good here and I count what luck I've had so far. Any ideas for a future change for you (besides a new governor)?

Lagophthalmos: the inability to close the eyelids completely.

ThinkingFree comments on Jun 29, 2024:

Jack, my message won't go through, keeps disappearing. I tried 3 times. 😒

pedigojr replies on Jun 30, 2024:

@ThinkingFree Hi Micky. How's Florida at this time? Have you even been to the NW of the country? Things seem to have changed since it was turned over to a computer. Our little 'foray' into AI.

Lagophthalmos: the inability to close the eyelids completely.

ThinkingFree comments on Jun 29, 2024:

Jack, my message won't go through, keeps disappearing. I tried 3 times. 😒

pedigojr replies on Jun 30, 2024:

Funny, did you get mine? I guess we'll have to put things in the 'open.' I've done that with several members.

And an addendum to my earlier post about why Xtians evangelize for selfish reasons.

pedigojr comments on Jun 25, 2024:

Funny, growing up and attending parochial school we were taught things that seem outdated in today's world. One was not to wear one's religion on one's sleeve (don't advertise your faith). Another was the idea of Agape love ...

pedigojr replies on Jun 30, 2024:

@Gwen_Wanderer Basic fact is that women's brains are wired differently than men: *"The male brain is wired from front to back, with few connections across the two hemispheres. Women, on the other hand, have more wiring from left to right, so the two hemispheres are more inter-connected."* Unfortunately this might be in response to the need for nurturing the next generation but because of the need for childbearing their plumbing is also different and after a certain age plumbing issues arise (like I'm telling you something you don't already know). Funny, but I'm a huge fan of the video series "Grantchester" In the new season the detectives wife is having 'issues' and been put on tranquilizers which has also changed her personality. The husband got an older female aid to talk to is wife and she told the wife it is simply a part of hormone imbalance. It will end and when it does so her life will be amazing. No more pills and more understanding. This series is taking place in 1961.

Seems the only way ‘some’ people will wake up to the calamity that life is facing is through ...

racocn8 comments on Jun 29, 2024:

That would be a fine sentiment if there were a path to achieving the goal. How are you going to persuade women not to have babies?

pedigojr replies on Jun 30, 2024:

By educating them AND letting them have more control over their bodies. The global birth rate is going down but the major source of population growth is from people fleeing their country's that have been ravaged by environmental ills and moving to developed countries. It is the developed countries that have the biggest environmental impact and are the most in need of population reduction.

Seems the only way ‘some’ people will wake up to the calamity that life is facing is through ...

rogerbenham comments on Jun 28, 2024:

The Elvis song is really powerful. No I do not agree that these songs will make people take Global Warming seriously. They will just want to dance. Politicians will keep them happy with beer, TV and sports. They will hear what they want to hear.

pedigojr replies on Jun 29, 2024:

It's true but they can plant a few seeds and, now it seems, this issue has been around a long time.

This morning, I got a message on Facebook from a man whom I dated about ten years ago.

pedigojr comments on Jun 27, 2024:

Lets just hope he doesn't take you on as a challenge and double up on his attempts to convert you. Still it might be fun to duel for a while.

pedigojr replies on Jun 29, 2024:

@Gwen_Wanderer It's a matter of avoiding temptation. For some it takes a little longer.

And an addendum to my earlier post about why Xtians evangelize for selfish reasons.

pedigojr comments on Jun 25, 2024:

Funny, growing up and attending parochial school we were taught things that seem outdated in today's world. One was not to wear one's religion on one's sleeve (don't advertise your faith). Another was the idea of Agape love ...

pedigojr replies on Jun 29, 2024:

@Gwen_Wanderer True but that's not a personal issue but a cultural one that is slowly changing. My daughter seemed ahead, mentally, but behind physically. She started walking a little later than expected.

And an addendum to my earlier post about why Xtians evangelize for selfish reasons.

pedigojr comments on Jun 25, 2024:

Funny, growing up and attending parochial school we were taught things that seem outdated in today's world. One was not to wear one's religion on one's sleeve (don't advertise your faith). Another was the idea of Agape love ...

pedigojr replies on Jun 28, 2024:

@Gwen_Wanderer An item in the 'Atlantic' was about red-shirting boys in the first grade. The girls have a mental advantage at that age and leaving boys behind for that first year helps them keep up with the females. I had tonsillitis at that time and had to repeat the 1st grade. Little did I know that would, later give me an advantage. Problem is, boys from lower income families could not wait as school is a day care for many families. Only the wealthy can afford to do this which may give the upper classes an edge.

This morning, I got a message on Facebook from a man whom I dated about ten years ago.

pedigojr comments on Jun 27, 2024:

Lets just hope he doesn't take you on as a challenge and double up on his attempts to convert you. Still it might be fun to duel for a while.

pedigojr replies on Jun 28, 2024:

@Gwen_Wanderer I fully understand as I recently got int a verbal scuffle with a female Conspiracy theorist. After the first round I figured this could go on forever and simply stopped. It's a waste of time even with certain members here.

Overturning Roe Didn’t Just Cut Off Access. It Sabotaged Science, Too. – Mother Jones

pedigojr comments on Jun 26, 2024:

Two items appeared in the (legit) paper. One was about how no abortions were supposed to save lives but studies have shown more children and even mothers are dying from complications during birth. More women, worldwide, die from pregnancy related issues than just about anything else). The 2nd was ...

pedigojr replies on Jun 27, 2024:

@snytiger6 Seems the one critical element for many conservatives is to increase the country's population. An NPG paper I just read this morning dealt with that topic and the simple proof is that most of our present ills are due to too many of us already. Many countries are in the negative population arena and things are actually getting better for those countries.

And an addendum to my earlier post about why Xtians evangelize for selfish reasons.

pedigojr comments on Jun 25, 2024:

Funny, growing up and attending parochial school we were taught things that seem outdated in today's world. One was not to wear one's religion on one's sleeve (don't advertise your faith). Another was the idea of Agape love ...

pedigojr replies on Jun 27, 2024:

@Gwen_Wanderer It might be interesting to see if women left religion at an earlier rate than men as it is (and getting worse) the women that were put in a position of increasing restrictions. Still growing up I had lots of other interests and religion wasn't really on my radar. I was hoping to find something that could help me make a decision and now I see there is proof everywhere. My late partner was Iranian and the first thing I learned in Farsi was fes fes zu (slowpoke).

Religious leader wants to display Indian scriptures in Louisiana public classrooms

ThinkingFree comments on Jun 25, 2024:

Freedom From Religion Foundation has already filed a lawsuit against Louisiana for Gov. Landry's stupid law.

pedigojr replies on Jun 27, 2024:

@Lizard_of_Ahaz And lots of non-religious groups. Actually FFRF had their display stolen and later found beside the highway. This kind of fighting is what made the issue contentious and the decision made to ban all special interest groups.

Religious leader wants to display Indian scriptures in Louisiana public classrooms

ThinkingFree comments on Jun 25, 2024:

Freedom From Religion Foundation has already filed a lawsuit against Louisiana for Gov. Landry's stupid law.

pedigojr replies on Jun 26, 2024:

@Lizard_of_Ahaz We had that issue at our airport hears ago. The then governor said if one is allowed ass are allowed. Funny thing, everybody and their dog wanted to display something and, in the end, the airport authority had to determine if something is allowed (and they nixed all special groups that didn't serve the public good).

Religious leader wants to display Indian scriptures in Louisiana public classrooms

ThinkingFree comments on Jun 25, 2024:

Freedom From Religion Foundation has already filed a lawsuit against Louisiana for Gov. Landry's stupid law.

pedigojr replies on Jun 26, 2024:

I just read about that this morning. How many times do we have to keep fighting this same, tired battle!? I guess someone hopes (and it may come to pass) that SCROTUS (supreme court republicans or religious) of the US) will turn things around and totally re-interpret the 1st amendment.

poikilothermy: the state of having a body temperature that varies with that of the environment.

HippieChick58 comments on Jun 24, 2024:

Fascinating, and also makes me glad I sleep essentially alone. The kitties don't try to hog the covers..

pedigojr replies on Jun 26, 2024:

@HippieChick58 I'll be the kittens are as well.

And an addendum to my earlier post about why Xtians evangelize for selfish reasons.

pedigojr comments on Jun 25, 2024:

Funny, growing up and attending parochial school we were taught things that seem outdated in today's world. One was not to wear one's religion on one's sleeve (don't advertise your faith). Another was the idea of Agape love ...

pedigojr replies on Jun 26, 2024:

@Gwen_Wanderer I see all the time that the religious (not just Ctians) think they have the higher moral ground. Of course this comes with an inability to think things through. For me religion was benign and didn't really affect me. That's why it took me so long to have the Duh moment as to how any religious beliefs are narcissistic and totally without value or substance.

poikilothermy: the state of having a body temperature that varies with that of the environment.

HippieChick58 comments on Jun 24, 2024:

Fascinating, and also makes me glad I sleep essentially alone. The kitties don't try to hog the covers..

pedigojr replies on Jun 25, 2024:

Funny, I seem to have the opposite reaction. Even if I open the window and the rooms gets cooler in the morning I seem warmer. My late partner had a similar problem and it's called menopause. She would wake in the middle of the night and start to fan the covers to cool herself (and me).

More evidence in why the split in governing parties.

Druvius comments on Jun 24, 2024:

Let me see if I understand this correctly .... the Greens lost ground in the election because they didn't jump on the Right's irrelevant racist bandwagon. Yeah, it's called having principles.

pedigojr replies on Jun 25, 2024:

No it's called being ignorant. It is NOT about racists (emotion). It's about reality. Too many equate immigration using emotion but there are very strong reason based reasons this needs to be addressed. When emotions are used we get exactly what we have right now. Entrenched people unwilling to look at facts and find a common ground. I have posted items from the overpopulation group before and they are all reasoned based. BTW my late partner was an immigrant and was also the most reason person anyone ever met. She understood, fully how damaging this issue is. Perhaps people should look at the video is attached below. It clearly shows the limits of too many.

‘Friendship improves happiness and abates misery, by the doubling of our joy and the dividing of ...

pedigojr comments on Jun 22, 2024:

Unless that friend turns out to not be what you thought.

pedigojr replies on Jun 24, 2024:

@Marionville Unfortunately only partly true. Many have their tipping point and even long term marriages fail due to any number of reasons. My late partner started telling me "Jack, no matter how much I love you and no matter how hard it would be, if you should ever step out on me I would leave you." My first wife had 3 affairs and we broke up and I answered, my late partner, that "I know how that feels and could never do that to another." She would respond, "Just so you know." But then I got it and the next time she told me this I answered, "so are you telling me for my benefit or yours?" That time (the last) she said, "Just saying." Things happen in relationships and nothing is ever certain.

More evidence in why the split in governing parties.

Polemicist comments on Jun 24, 2024:

"I would ask, what good is trying to help others when that help involves perhaps billions of others and, in the end, only makes matters worse!?" (sic) I'm alright Jack. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8kUSGYg48Js

pedigojr replies on Jun 24, 2024:

Thank you for giving me yet another chance to post one of my favorite ways to show that, despite all our best (but misguided) intentions we still ignore the simple fact of limits. I've posted this many time before but always get a kick out of watching it. https://youtu.be/c5MgI7zpHKs

More evidence in why the split in governing parties.

yvilletom comments on Jun 23, 2024:

Helping others DOES NOT only make matters worse. When you get out of your present funk you will be better off. I’m so sure you will be better off that I’ll say no more.

pedigojr replies on Jun 24, 2024:

A typical, narrow anthropocentric response. Problem is population demographics is a science and, as such, does not put one life form ahead of the system the supports all life forms. I expected, as the study said, there would be push back along the lines of humans above all. Sounds very much like religion- we are a special species (we are not and pride for our species is one of the deadly sins).

‘Friendship improves happiness and abates misery, by the doubling of our joy and the dividing of ...

pedigojr comments on Jun 22, 2024:

Unless that friend turns out to not be what you thought.

pedigojr replies on Jun 23, 2024:

@Marionville I learned the hard way (living on an island that values tolerance only made things worse) that being associated with others, even for years often can and does hide their true nature. Leave it to a global pandemic to expose some peoples 'true' nature. Many have lost 'friends' due to discovering the other's true nature.

Floccinaucinihilipilification Rare.

silverotter11 comments on Jun 21, 2024:

I am so surprised this has not popped up at all during the trump years. In many ways that fat clown is the epitome of this word.

pedigojr replies on Jun 22, 2024:

@silverotter11 I'll be waiting to see one of these words in your future correspondence.

Floccinaucinihilipilification Rare.

silverotter11 comments on Jun 21, 2024:

I am so surprised this has not popped up at all during the trump years. In many ways that fat clown is the epitome of this word.

pedigojr replies on Jun 22, 2024:

We don't need another complicating word for the jerk. Too many hide behind long, complicated words of which most have no idea. It makes him seem something other than what he really is. And one doesn't need a degree in English language to know that.