Should we have intelligence thresholds for voting?

wordywalt comments on Apr 12, 2018:

While I have some emotional leaning toward such a requirementk I am old enough to know how southern states used such requirements to disenfranchise Black and Hispanic voters. That knowledge makes me think that it is better to tolerate some stupid people to prevent discrimination against specific ethnicities.

Trump's political advice comes from...

wordywalt comments on Apr 15, 2018:

Love it!

Mitch McConnell

wordywalt comments on Apr 15, 2018:

McCpnnell;is as morally crooked as they come.

Anyone watch the James Comey interview?

wordywalt comments on Apr 16, 2018:

No, it was not a bombshell. But, that is not the point, at all! What it does show is what a crrooked, duplicitious, lying, morally bankrupt cretin Trump is, We have known that, but Comey makes the pattern abundantly clear. That IS important!

Hannity Says He Totally Forgot Michael Cohen Was His Lawyer When He Criticized F.

wordywalt comments on Apr 16, 2018:

Hannity is such a crook ad damnable liar that the sound of his voice makes me gag.

I see the new Trump action figures are in.

wordywalt comments on Apr 17, 2018:

I don't dislike anyone badly enough to give them that -- except Trump himself.

Death: what do you think will happen when you die?

wordywalt comments on Apr 24, 2018:

When we are born, our neural development gives us the tools to acquire consciousness through interaction with our enviroment. The consciousness, itself, is not there when we are born. Our consciousness consists of the dognitive structures and schema which we have developed. It cannot exist outside of the neural structure which created it and stores it. When we die, it is simply gone.

Never Forget On 2/19/42, the President of the United States authorized our government to ...

wordywalt comments on Apr 24, 2018:

This act was one of the most shameful in our national history.

A friend told me yesterday that he thought Trump was inspiring and worthy of respect.

wordywalt comments on Apr 26, 2018:

No, he is not just worthy of satire. He is worthy of utter contempt!

I took my Little Girl (cat) In for her shots today and discovered she had been chipped.

wordywalt comments on May 1, 2018:

I have dearly loved my cat friends It would be hard giving up such loved little friends. They all have added quality to my life.

Those of you who are 100% certain there is no god...

wordywalt comments on May 2, 2018:

Because that is NO real evidence supporting the myth.

I like to believe in civility even in the face of talking heads.

wordywalt comments on May 6, 2018:

It is almost always a person who is engaging in irrational thought who resorts to incivility when pressed by evidence and sound reasoning. That is almost always a person on the extreme political right.

Atheists are good or bad persons?

wordywalt comments on May 8, 2018:

Atheists are people. Thre are some great atheists and some truly evil ones.

With China Funding New Trump Resort Project! trump as President is in Clear Violation of ...

wordywalt comments on May 16, 2018:

Trump is a corrupt, truly evil man.

Merely reading a profile.

wordywalt comments on May 19, 2018:

Your first response is probably correct: This is not a person you would want to have anything to do with. He or she is also not the kind of person you want to see on this site. Nothing wrong with that.

How do you deal with Door-knockers?

wordywalt comments on Oct 16, 2017:

Politely tell them you are not interested.

Can someone be religious and scientific at the same time?

wordywalt comments on Oct 26, 2017:

Only if one adopts the coping mechanism of compartmentalizing one's existence.

Something that you’ve accomplished that was hard.

wordywalt comments on Nov 5, 2017:

Years ago I started a staff development and school improvement center serving 12 rural school districts -- from scratch. It started on project status from the state department of education. After 3 04 4 years, I felt that the center should move its focus in one direction, and my boss thought it should go in another. I did not believe that the superintendents in the 12 districts would support the center if it became what my boss wanted. My boss was not happy and was prepared to recommend that the center not be continued. I gambled my carrer on my opinion. I asked the state department of education to discontinue its funding at the end of the school year, so that if was going to continue solely with local district support. I also went out and talked with all 12 superintendents and asked them they would want from the center if it was to be continued, and wove together a proposed program of services in line with my own perceptions. At a meeting of all 12 superintendents, my boss recommended that the center be discontinued and that my job be done away with. The superintends voted 11 to 1 to fund the center, continue it, and that the center's focus should be the plan I formulated with them. From that point on, I build the center into a very successful program of staff development services for teachers and administrators, and school improvement services focusing on improved student learning.. A number of the programs I began won state and national recognition. I have always taken chances based on what I thought was right.

For the people who have children, did you raise them not to believe?

wordywalt comments on Nov 8, 2017:

I raised my daughters to make their own decisions about religion. They knew that I did not believe in any religion;, but they always had the freedom to attend a church if they wanted. Both considered it, but are not atheists.

My religious/gullible mother blames me for my ailments. Advice?

wordywalt comments on Nov 8, 2017:

Tell her that the tendencies for the diseases you have are inherited. In other words, you got them from her. Quote to her the biblical phrase: "The sins of the fathers( and mothers) are visited on their children." In other words, your conditions are the results of her sins. That might stop that demeaning crap from her. If that does not work, ask her if she is trying to kill the relationship between you and her?

I just saw Jane Goodall ( Not sure of spelling) sign speaking with her gorilla and some chimps and ...

wordywalt comments on Nov 8, 2017:

All animals (and some plants) kill other organisms for food and, when necessary, to protect one's self, family, and/or group. Killing another organism of any kind for no essential reason is destructive.

Should this girl's parents be prosecuted?

wordywalt comments on Nov 10, 2017:

We are all responsible for our behavior and its consequences, regardless of why we chose to act in that manner.

It's amazing how much control the fear of death holds over us.

wordywalt comments on Nov 11, 2017:

At the age of 80, I do not fear death. As far as wanting to live gain, I do not deal with impossibilities. Below, find a piece I wrote years ago as a metaphor to describe how I feel about death: My old friend, the conductor to death, still waits quietly in the wings. But, as I go through my final years, I converse with him more often. I tell him that I do not hold his role against him because I know that it is the natural order of things. He responds that he appreciates both my understanding and my willingness to face reality. I tell him that I actually appreciate the fact that he will act when the time comes to relieve me from the agony of mental confusion and/or physical pain. He assures me that he will act. I share with him my reflections on how aging is a process of being forced to give up many things that add quality to life, a time of loss of dreams and aspirations, a time when (with few new experiences) we are driven inward to reflect on past experiences, life chapters, successes, failures, loves, losses, memories. He tells me that such inward reflection is a healthy way for people to gain a sense of who they are, a process that is not possible in the aspiring young person. Such is the nature of our dialogue. Both the conductor to death and I know that when the time comes, he will step forward and say, “It is time.” I will shake his hand and follow him into peaceful oblivion. That is as it should be. I find that image most comforting.

Should the U.S. Army allow Turbans, Hijabs, Beards, and Dreadlocks?

wordywalt comments on Nov 11, 2017:

should be allowed IF and ONLY if, they do not compromise the integrity of the mission(s) and/or the safety of members of the unit(s).

What should I do when I get threaten with going to Hell?

wordywalt comments on Nov 26, 2017:

I would respond that the only hell that exists is the senseless pain experienced on earth by cruel and thoughtless people -- and often by highly judgmental ultra-religious people.

What do you do for fitness?

wordywalt comments on Nov 27, 2017:

When I was young, I played team sports. For over 325 years, I walked 3 - 5 miles a day. Over the past 11 years, I have worked out with weights 3 times a week -- from 120 to 360 pounds (depending on the muscle group) on 13 different machines. At the age of 80, I am as strong as I ever was, but don't have the endurance I once had. My weight is 4 pounds grater today than it was when I finished basic training in the Army many years ago.

Does everyone believe they're good?

wordywalt comments on Nov 30, 2017:

I believe that there are people who are willfully vicious, destructive and evil and who actually relish that image. I also know that there are sociopaths and psychopaths who don't give a damn about what is good or evil, but are totally self-absorbed. Donald Trump is one.

DEATH Someone just posted about dealing with another's death. How about your own?

wordywalt comments on Dec 1, 2017:

As an 80 year old, I would suggest that you allow yourself to live every minute of every day to the fullest extent -- not in the sense of cramming things in, but in the sense of a connoisseur of fine brandy would snift the aroma and savor the bouquet. Appreciate the little things for what they are while you still can. Form and carry out short term goals which bring pleasure and quality to your life. For me, I grow, harvest, eat, and share the fruits of a vegetable garden 3 times a year. I

What do you think about Reality Shows on Television? How do you think they impact our culture?

wordywalt comments on Dec 3, 2017:

I donot watch reality shows. They have no substance. I think they are contributing to the "dumbingh down" and coarsening of our culture.

Bright side of the religions

wordywalt comments on Dec 5, 2017:

None of those are bright sides to me. 1. To paraphrase Norman Mailer, we humans too often constantly seek pleasure and try everything possible to avoid pain -- going to extremes like opiates and false ideologies to do so. In so doing we cheat the heart out of life. Pain is hard, but it is a part of life and, if we deal with it well -- , it makes life more. 2. We don't need false ideologies which keep people in their comfort zones. We need viewpoints which challenge people and make them think for themselves. 3. The last damned thing in the world we need is an authoritarian, demagogic, self-serving elite telling us what to do. These are NOT "bright sides." They are curses on the human condition!!!

Do you find this site to be addictive? My daughter pinned this photo for me. She must think I do.

wordywalt comments on Dec 5, 2017:

I would rather spend time on this site than be mindlessly entertained by the boob tube. Unlike much of my life at this stage, this site often challenges me, makes he think, makes me laugh, gives he the sense of intellectual and moral companionship. I would rate anything that accomplishes those things as a worthwhile endeavor -- period!

In your experience, do opposites attract?

wordywalt comments on Dec 5, 2017:

Attracting and meshing are two different things. If opposite get involved and don't mesh well, it is a disaster. If they learn to complement each other and feel comfortable in doing so, it can work well.

My lack of understanding for the people of Alabama that are voting in the upcoming election, is ...

wordywalt comments on Dec 5, 2017:

a whole segment of the culture in Alabama and in much of the rest of the country is going through a moral crisis. They know that Moore is an immoral and dangerous demagogue. But they have sold out so totally to right wing political ideology and to the demagoguery of their evangelical leaders who want power to impose their religious dogma on us all that they value the immorality of those political and religious dogmas above truth, honor, moral decency, and democracy. And the hell of it is that they know how wrong what they are doing is, but can't stop themselves from doing it. They are sick and making our whole nation sick/

WHY WON'T ALIENS TALK TO US?

wordywalt comments on Dec 14, 2017:

What a blithering idiot! And, some people accept this man as a religious "leader"?

What do you do to help the Environment?

wordywalt comments on Dec 14, 2017:

We do everything you do and a few more: 1. We grow a high percentage of our own vegetables. 1. We use NO gasoline-powered tools of any kind -- not even lawnmowers. 3. ALL of our utilities at home are electric -- including tank-less water heater -- and our average total utility bill -- including a/c and heating -- is less than $100/mo.

I've generally regarded agnostics as atheists who want to keep their options open.

wordywalt comments on Dec 15, 2017:

I think that most agnostics are simply not sure, but also unconcerned (don't know and don't care). However, from the post on this site, I would bet that most ofus are our and out atheists, not agnostics.

Share your thoughts about NFL players kneeling during pre-game playing of national anthem.

wordywalt comments on Dec 17, 2017:

Kneeling is a gesture of deference, ergo respect. End of discussion.

I live in the south in a town that would threaten to string up a non believer, recently they did ...

wordywalt comments on Dec 19, 2017:

I would get the hell out of Dodge! Literally, that place is not safe for you -- speaking of both physical safety and mental health. A place that threatening will hurt you, one way or another. I do know what you mean. I grew up in a small southern town-- and want no part of it today.

I noticed that there are a lot of old people on this site and very few Millennials.

wordywalt comments on Dec 20, 2017:

Maybe it's because us old atheists and agnostics have lived in a world seemingly dominated by religious people longer and learned how to cope with them quietly. Also, I believe that for most people, becoming an agnostic or atheists is a long process involving both unlearning some things and finding a solid basis for not believing.

I just want you all to know that I love this site.

wordywalt comments on Dec 20, 2017:

It is not necessarily that we are more intelligent. It is that we are free to think critically, free of dogma, free ti receive data-based information.

Does religion damage Self-Esteem?

wordywalt comments on Dec 22, 2017:

Yes, in several senses. It creates feelings of guilt and inadequacy. It teaches reliance on external dogma and external authorities, as opposed to self-reliance, critical thinking, and independence of thought and action.

Fox News' Tucker Carlson asked Trump about 'filth' in U.

wordywalt comments on Jul 2, 2019:

They need to clean out the filth at Fox News.

Sorry if i ramble.

wordywalt comments on Jul 6, 2019:

I was raised Methodist in a small southern town. I hated the way that religion made me feel sinful for having normal human thoughts and drives. By the time I was 15, I was "saved" three times, but somehow it never really "took" or lasted.

Lying Donald's brains...

wordywalt comments on Jul 7, 2019:

The picture is not accurate. Miller is a sump-shouldered weakling.

Why are people so hostile towards President Donald Trump? - Quora

wordywalt comments on Jul 13, 2019:

Every word true!. The damned excuse for a man is a moral monstrosity and the nadir of human intelligence, morality, and patriotism.

Ok, he's done it.

wordywalt comments on Jul 18, 2019:

I hope that you will do your utmost to see that this vicious, vile excuse of a man will never serve in public office again.

Right on schedule. Here's what's next.

wordywalt comments on Jul 18, 2019:

Regretfully, true.

Trump's USDA buried sweeping climate change response plan [politico.com]

wordywalt comments on Jul 18, 2019:

It's the Trump Cabal. What did you expect?

Germany has his number.

wordywalt comments on Jul 19, 2019:

Oh, yes. Sie wissen dass er verrueckt ist (They know that he is crazy).

Big game hunter killed when shot elephant collapsed on top of him

wordywalt comments on Jul 19, 2019:

I grew up hunting small game for food, but have never understood trophy hunting.

I know, I hate it too, BUT it does make sense. The case against impeachment. [thinkprogress.org]

wordywalt comments on Jul 25, 2019:

I would prefer to see Trump in jail, instead of being impeached.

I'm putting this in the General Forum because I think it goes beyond politics.

wordywalt comments on Jul 28, 2019:

I agree 100 percent. If those supporters do not mean to be bigots and traitors, then it is damned well past time that they wised up and got some moral gonads.

One more ditch mitch

wordywalt comments on Jul 29, 2019:

Moscow Mitch is a good moniker for him.

A brief history of Trump making 9/11 about himself - The Washington Post

wordywalt comments on Jul 30, 2019:

What a damnable fraud and liar Trump is!

Stephen Miller wants Border Patrol, not asylum officers, to determine migrant asylum claims ...

wordywalt comments on Jul 31, 2019:

An evil, heartless man.

disturbing is that we appear to be approaching "White Christian Sharia Law"

wordywalt comments on Aug 4, 2019:

The religious right is trying their utmost. We must stop them!

Many examples of Trumps influence on mass shooters.

wordywalt comments on Aug 5, 2019:

It is time for us to make an incessant drumbeat of criticism about Trump's constant destructive and destructive words and behavior. We must label the dman for what he is -- a damnable promoter of fear, hatred, racism, violence and corruption.

CNN asked 50 GOP lawmakers for an interview. Only 1 said yes [cnn.com]

wordywalt comments on Aug 6, 2019:

That shows their lack of character and integrity.

There is a surge of scientific denial in America.

wordywalt comments on Aug 7, 2019:

Evolution is not just a "theory". It is established scientific fact. To assert otherwise is to embrace irrationality, superstition, and ignorance. We must make that more than abundantly clear.

Complex sentences and multisyllabic words bore him.

wordywalt comments on Aug 8, 2019:

Anything of any complexity is too much for Trump to handle.

If anyone has the slightest inclination that all this BS will end on 01/20/21.

wordywalt comments on Aug 9, 2019:

You are dead wrong! We WILL beat the sociopath Trump!!!

Here's the data on white supremacist terrorism the Trump administration has been 'unable or ...

wordywalt comments on Aug 10, 2019:

The Trump cabal's behavior on this issue is despicable.

Epstein had "help" with that "suicide".

wordywalt comments on Aug 10, 2019:

It is highly suspicious.

From stephen king

wordywalt comments on Aug 13, 2019:

The only part of that statement that is not Trump is an "entertainer". There is NOTHING entertaining about the sociopath.

If a person that doesnt believe in a Higher Power (God) (Christ) do you believe that they should be...

wordywalt comments on Aug 16, 2019:

We should all be held responsible for our actions and decisions, and for the consequences ensuing from those. Actions always speak much louder than words.

ALEC Fails to Denounce Dangerous and Racist Views of Its Leaders and Members - EXPOSEDbyCMD

wordywalt comments on Aug 16, 2019:

The Republican party has become corrupt to the core.

The new Stephen Miller 😡 Who Is Ken Cuccinelli?

wordywalt comments on Aug 18, 2019:

Exactly what one would expect from Trump.

Trump cancels his trip to Denmark because they refused to sale him Greenland.

wordywalt comments on Aug 21, 2019:

How about both?

No need to add funny pic, no need to generate anger but Trump just said at the press huddle that "He...

wordywalt comments on Aug 21, 2019:

If there were a god, Trump would burn in hell.

UPDATE on Religion's professor saying atheism is a religion.

wordywalt comments on Aug 21, 2019:

He is off his intellectual rocker and uses the most fallacious of reasoning for try to call atheism a religion. There is no set of theological beliefs I adhere to. I do not worship anyone or anything. I am not a member of any congregation.

Trump's plan to cage kids indefinitely while denying them vaccines is ethnic cleansing in plain ...

wordywalt comments on Aug 25, 2019:

It is clearly unconscionable and unconstitutional -- indeed criminal.

Ok so I've tried to be good.

wordywalt comments on Aug 25, 2019:

Hope it turns out well.

The Trump presidency is not just unfolding, it is unraveling - The Washington Post

wordywalt comments on Aug 25, 2019:

The absolute truth!

Donald Trump’s wildlife protection board full of people who like killing animals for fun | The ...

wordywalt comments on Aug 25, 2019:

Exactly as one should expect of this destructive monster.

A Campaign Targeting Our Staff | The New York Times Company

wordywalt comments on Aug 26, 2019:

Both dangerous and reprehensible action by Trump, but matches his character.

Something just popped into my head and I don't feel like researching.

wordywalt comments on Aug 28, 2019:

The onlything that Norquist is against is taxation.

Police: Connecticut Man Tests His New Guns By Firing Into Park Full Of Kids Playing Softball – CBS...

wordywalt comments on Aug 29, 2019:

That cretin should be held without bail!

Whats the point of having 2 houses of government when you have a mad dictator doing their jobs?

wordywalt comments on Aug 29, 2019:

It is the job of Congress and the Judicial system to rein him in. Unfortunately, Moscow Mitch will not allow that to occur.

George Conway: Trump engaged in criminal ‘market manipulation’ by lying about China calls ...

wordywalt comments on Aug 29, 2019:

The cretin is incapable of honest, honorable action.

A doctor and medical ethicist argues life after 75 is not worth living

wordywalt comments on Aug 29, 2019:

It may not be worth living for some, but it is for me. I am as mentally alert as I ever was, and physically fit. I still enjoy many facets of life. Through a lifetime of work and public service, I earned the time that I have that I can still enjoy.

In Control of Trump's Brain!

wordywalt comments on Aug 31, 2019:

No one is in control of Trump's brain '' especially not Trump.

People say "older and wiser" my question is, how old will Trump have to be?

wordywalt comments on Sep 2, 2019:

He is incapable of becoming wiser, period!

84 Environmental Rules Being Rolled Back Under Trump [nytimes.

wordywalt comments on Sep 6, 2019:

The longer that Trump stays in office, the more damage he will do -- in all sectors, not just the environment.

Wide concerns about Trump in intelligence community Exclusive: US extracted top spy from inside ...

wordywalt comments on Sep 9, 2019:

The alarming part of that is that the CIA had to extract the Russian to protect him from Trump's leaks of classified information to the Russians.

America's sweeping tide of diversity

wordywalt comments on Sep 12, 2019:

Another example of the stupidity of Trump's ill-conceived policies.

Anyone think emailing Mitch McConnell and calling him Moscow Mitch and a shill for the NRA was going...

wordywalt comments on Sep 12, 2019:

No, it is not going too far. The fact is that he is a terrible congressional leader. He is only capable of ramming ideologues through Congress to Supreme Court seats and obstructing constructive action. He is corrupt and dishonest to the core. .

The reason women are critiqued for everything...

wordywalt comments on Sep 15, 2019:

The only men who do that are not confident ofheir own masculinity.

[alternet.

wordywalt comments on Sep 19, 2019:

There is really no legitimate legal, historical, or constitutional reasoning that justifies the Citizens United Ruling.

I have avoided Chick Fil A for years, now I want to destroy them.

wordywalt comments on Sep 22, 2019:

Like you, I have never eaten atr Chick=fia-A. Now I never will, and

From the NY times Trump in 40 sentences Sometimes it’s worth stepping back to look at the full ...

wordywalt comments on Sep 23, 2019:

I can't even imagine of a single honest sentence that would be complimentary to Trump.

Trump call .

wordywalt comments on Sep 25, 2019:

Exactly what I expected from Trump and his cronies.

Donald Trump Impeachment Inquiry Is ‘Doomed To Fail,’ Says Ken Starr

wordywalt comments on Sep 29, 2019:

I believe that Starr is wrong.

Kellyanne Conway launches an insane sexist attack on Nancy Pelosi — 'she only backed impeachment ...

wordywalt comments on Sep 30, 2019:

Conway has a vicious personality.

Former Trump Campaign Manager Says Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren 'Want to Have Illegal Aliens ...

wordywalt comments on Oct 2, 2019:

The entire Trump cabal only knows how to lie. Truth is their enemy.

Wow! ‘Felony violation of law’: Experts stunned and horrified as Trump openly calls on China to...

wordywalt comments on Oct 3, 2019:

The idiot Trump seems now to be asking for more and more trouble. Perhaps he is getting tired of all of having to deal with the fact that most Americans loathe him.

Trump baselessly accuses drug industry of fueling impeachment push - POLITICO

wordywalt comments on Oct 3, 2019:

Every quote true.

Headlines in tomorrows papers: tRump resigns and is immediately arrested Pence Impeached Barr ...

wordywalt comments on Oct 5, 2019:

That would be fantastic!!

Confederate Flag ::: A comment about those who revere the Confederacy, and the Confederate Flag ...

wordywalt comments on Oct 6, 2019:

Horse manure. All of my great-grandfathers fought in the Civil War on the side of the Confederacy. I refuse to honor any of them for that act. They all chose to embrace the immoral institution of slavery and to commit treason against the United Stated. Regardless of what they thought, they were acting in a profoundly immoral and unpatriotic manner. I will never have any empathy for that fact.

Trump Sees New Polls and Orders Ukraine to Investigate Elizabeth Warren | The New Yorker

wordywalt comments on Oct 6, 2019:

Good and appropriate satire.

Before the next election rolls around, perhaps investigations should be opened into the business ...

wordywalt comments on Oct 6, 2019:

I hope to see them all in jail within two years.