Why do we behave as we do?

Aurora62 comments on Dec 23, 2019:

I like to learn step by step and I like creativity. Once I get those down my mind can focus on how and why lol.

wordywalt replies on Dec 23, 2019:

The creative side of you is attuned to color, activity, and mood. You enjoy looking at thins and events in different lights, and in placing things into juxtaposition. In that sense, you are somewhat unpredictable. You may also be quite attuned to people and quite empathetic toward them. As you say, once you have and idea or product in mind, then your step by step style enables you to outline and follow the steps to get it done. On the other hand, the two styles sometimes create internal conflicts for you. On one hand, you tend to see things as black and white, with few shades of grey. But the creative side of you wants to see alternatives. One side of you wants things neat and orderly, and other focuses on the act of creation ad does not mind a little mess during creation. One side of you wants to be in control of he situation and others. The other focus more on the joy and value of interaction. By the way, the combination of your two ways of processing information also probably means that you dress neatly an a coordinated, but colorful manner. I also face internal contradictions, but from the juxtaposition of the two other information processing styles. I am a conceptualizer, a model builder ad picture person, and also a problem solver. One side of me wants to focus on clearly understanding why and how. The other wants to solve problems NOW.

Why do we behave as we do?

LatentumCattus comments on Dec 23, 2019:

OK, I'll bite and I know we're on the honor system. However, I do reserve the right to not confirm deets. In order, my preferences are: Step by step learning Big Picture conceptual Detect and solve Creative feely mood driven Obviously, any or all can come into play in specific ...

wordywalt replies on Dec 23, 2019:

@LatentumCattus At age 82,i could not do it today either. But, no matter how demanding, I loved it. I felt more alive then then at any other time in my life.

Why do we behave as we do?

LatentumCattus comments on Dec 23, 2019:

OK, I'll bite and I know we're on the honor system. However, I do reserve the right to not confirm deets. In order, my preferences are: Step by step learning Big Picture conceptual Detect and solve Creative feely mood driven Obviously, any or all can come into play in specific ...

wordywalt replies on Dec 23, 2019:

@LatentumCattus You are obviously a really good project manager. I took my naps at noon and after dinner, then often worked until 1 or 2 AM alone. .

Why do we behave as we do?

LatentumCattus comments on Dec 23, 2019:

OK, I'll bite and I know we're on the honor system. However, I do reserve the right to not confirm deets. In order, my preferences are: Step by step learning Big Picture conceptual Detect and solve Creative feely mood driven Obviously, any or all can come into play in specific ...

wordywalt replies on Dec 23, 2019:

@LatentumCattus I think you and I, if our fields of endeavor overlapped would have made great co-project managers. I designed, implemented and managed several projects during my career. We are both conceptualizers. You ate a detail person, and I am a problem-solver. I would have gotten on your nerves by occasionally bot attending to detail, but my problem-solving skills would have come in handy.

Why do we behave as we do?

LatentumCattus comments on Dec 23, 2019:

OK, I'll bite and I know we're on the honor system. However, I do reserve the right to not confirm deets. In order, my preferences are: Step by step learning Big Picture conceptual Detect and solve Creative feely mood driven Obviously, any or all can come into play in specific ...

wordywalt replies on Dec 23, 2019:

@LatentumCattus love it!

Why do we behave as we do?

Beowulfsfriend comments on Dec 23, 2019:

Similar ideas within teaching strategies.

wordywalt replies on Dec 23, 2019:

which one(s) of the 4 styles does that best fit?

Why do we behave as we do?

LatentumCattus comments on Dec 23, 2019:

OK, I'll bite and I know we're on the honor system. However, I do reserve the right to not confirm deets. In order, my preferences are: Step by step learning Big Picture conceptual Detect and solve Creative feely mood driven Obviously, any or all can come into play in specific ...

wordywalt replies on Dec 23, 2019:

First, it appears that you do have some strength in all four sectors, which makes you quite flexible. Next, as a step by step person, you are driven to focus on details. +You are quite neat and like to maintain operate in a neat environment. Sloppy or careless people irritate you. You prefer to think of things in a black or white manner, with few shades of grey. You would tend to choose and do well in an occupation like accounting or engineering. If you are the boss, you are the boss and there is no question about that. You dress in a neat, color coordinated (but not colorful) manner. You prefer to do things in a routinized way that you have established. As a big picture person you are constantly strive to form conceptual maps which link things together in a truly coordinated and comprehensive manner so that you maps explain how and why. You would be a good academician as you deal with abstract ideas well. You literally live in your mind, in that sense. Your conceptualizing skill and your attention to detail would make you an excellent researcher. You detest sloppiness in thought and lack of attention to detail. You rely on logic and reason. How'd I do so far?

Why do we behave as we do?

Cutiebeauty comments on Dec 23, 2019:

Identify and solve problems and a people person... Go 😊

wordywalt replies on Dec 23, 2019:

From the problem-solver side: Your do not like being told or directed on how to do something. You want to do it your own way. Some people consider you a maverick who does not take directions well. You tend to be intuitive in the sense of how you deal with things, That is you think of step one, step two or three, then something clicks in your mind and you correctly jump to step 10. When you are listening to someone else, you are thinking ahead to what the person will say next. If the person pauses or stops to try find the right words, you step in and finish he statement for him or her. Some people you associate with find that annoying. Even though you are not, by nature a step by step, detail oriented person and/or a big picture builder, you can and will adopt those tactics on a temporary basis if it helps to solve the problem. From the people person side, you are affected by color, atmosphere, and mood. You enjoy colorful things and dress with art and style in mind. You tend to be empathic and genuinely can be close and helpful to others. You sometimes choose being with people rather than dealing with ideas. You can be quite creative, both in making things and in dealing with people. On the reverse side of things, if the creative and people focused person has a mean streak or is genuinely angry with others, such a person can be the worst nightmare of he person(s) being targeted (I doubt that is you) How did I do?

As time goes on, I notice fewer and fewer posts related to philosophy and meaning which are not ...

maturin1919 comments on Dec 22, 2019:

As a general rule, I find discussions on philosophy a waste of time. Everyone thinks they're one of the Greeks... and they ain't.

wordywalt replies on Dec 22, 2019:

A person who thinks that philosophy is just about the ancient Greeks has little understanding of the depth and breadth of philosophy -- or of the utility of engaging in analytical thinking., .

As time goes on, I notice fewer and fewer posts related to philosophy and meaning which are not ...

LiterateHiker comments on Dec 21, 2019:

Navel-gazing doesn't appeal to me. Instead, hiking and helping others give meaning to my life.

wordywalt replies on Dec 21, 2019:

@SenorRotten In my lifetime, I have spent thousands of days in the out-of-doors. Wherever I am, I am observing, mentally "digesting" what I observe, and thinking.

As time goes on, I notice fewer and fewer posts related to philosophy and meaning which are not ...

242Foxtrot comments on Dec 21, 2019:

I like doers, creators and makers. Philosophers are wankers.

wordywalt replies on Dec 21, 2019:

Horse manure. Many highly intelligent and higjhly proactive people are both. I like people who are both thinkers and doers.

As time goes on, I notice fewer and fewer posts related to philosophy and meaning which are not ...

Burner comments on Dec 21, 2019:

Alas, i have neither a velvet jacket and a pipe, nor a tony study with an armchair. I weep.

wordywalt replies on Dec 21, 2019:

Huh?

As time goes on, I notice fewer and fewer posts related to philosophy and meaning which are not ...

JackPedigo comments on Dec 21, 2019:

Get used to it. Philosophy is too deep for many. It is also fraught with contradictions and opinions.

wordywalt replies on Dec 21, 2019:

So is life.

As time goes on, I notice fewer and fewer posts related to philosophy and meaning which are not ...

LiterateHiker comments on Dec 21, 2019:

Navel-gazing doesn't appeal to me. Instead, hiking and helping others give meaning to my life.

wordywalt replies on Dec 21, 2019:

I expect better from you. You know damned well that probing philosophical inquiry is not navel-gazing.

As time goes on, I notice fewer and fewer posts related to philosophy and meaning which are not ...

Word comments on Dec 21, 2019:

There are questions posted about the philosophy and meaning of helping widows and orphans while avoiding worldly corruption?

wordywalt replies on Dec 21, 2019:

Engaging in real philosophical inquiry helps to expose false ideology and corruption.

As time goes on, I notice fewer and fewer posts related to philosophy and meaning which are not ...

xenoview comments on Dec 21, 2019:

Philosophy and meta physics is the only place religion has to try and prove god. Religion has failed to provide objective evidence that a god is real.

wordywalt replies on Dec 21, 2019:

Yo9u do not understand what philosophy really is or how important it is in refuting poorly developed thought and customs -- such as religion.

As time goes on, I notice fewer and fewer posts related to philosophy and meaning which are not ...

1of5 comments on Dec 21, 2019:

Dump religion from the pic and your left with either debating useless, pointless topics (athiesm vrs agnosticism in a world without religion) or rehashing things that have no universal answers, only individual ones. The greatest gift philosophy has given humanity is the concept that someone who ...

wordywalt replies on Dec 21, 2019:

You do not understand philosophy or intellectual discussion.

As time goes on, I notice fewer and fewer posts related to philosophy and meaning which are not ...

Mofo1953 comments on Dec 21, 2019:

And I for one am happy to see less of those pointless and endless discussions about those religious or philosophic discussions about that bullshit "meaning of life" theme. Who wants to waste time in bullshit?

wordywalt replies on Dec 21, 2019:

There is a huge difference between the intellectual masturbation of which you speak, and serious discussion of thoughts and issues.

As time goes on, I notice fewer and fewer posts related to philosophy and meaning which are not ...

Primatheart comments on Dec 21, 2019:

Are philosophy and religion not two sides of the same coin?

wordywalt replies on Dec 21, 2019:

No. Philosophy encompasses much more that religious ideology.

As time goes on, I notice fewer and fewer posts related to philosophy and meaning which are not ...

aintmisbehaven comments on Dec 21, 2019:

what bring you to the table, good sir, to begin such discussion? what morsel of philosophical wisdom and meaning bring ye?

wordywalt replies on Dec 21, 2019:

Simply trying to generate some productive and satisfying discourse or exchange.

It takes more than an Atheist to over throw over obiedience authority of Religion.

wordywalt comments on Dec 20, 2019:

Many of your assertions are not true. a behavioral and biological defining attribute of human beings is that we social animals. That is one of the keys as to how much humans have advanced during the course of their evolution. We learn from and teach each other, We support each other, giving the ...

wordywalt replies on Dec 21, 2019:

@Castlepaloma I am not condemning you as a person, merely the behavior you show which makes no sense.

It takes more than an Atheist to over throw over obiedience authority of Religion.

wordywalt comments on Dec 20, 2019:

Many of your assertions are not true. a behavioral and biological defining attribute of human beings is that we social animals. That is one of the keys as to how much humans have advanced during the course of their evolution. We learn from and teach each other, We support each other, giving the ...

wordywalt replies on Dec 21, 2019:

@Castlepaloma Ramble on with your uninformed egomania.

It takes more than an Atheist to over throw over obiedience authority of Religion.

wordywalt comments on Dec 20, 2019:

Many of your assertions are not true. a behavioral and biological defining attribute of human beings is that we social animals. That is one of the keys as to how much humans have advanced during the course of their evolution. We learn from and teach each other, We support each other, giving the ...

wordywalt replies on Dec 20, 2019:

@Castlepaloma You continue to weave together bits and pieces that do not mesh, and produce incoherent writings that do not mean much of anything.

It takes more than an Atheist to over throw over obiedience authority of Religion.

wordywalt comments on Dec 20, 2019:

Many of your assertions are not true. a behavioral and biological defining attribute of human beings is that we social animals. That is one of the keys as to how much humans have advanced during the course of their evolution. We learn from and teach each other, We support each other, giving the ...

wordywalt replies on Dec 20, 2019:

@Castlepaloma Again, your assertions are false. You continue to deny the social nature of human beings. Your anarchist world of a world of self-absorbed individuals.

It takes more than an Atheist to over throw over obiedience authority of Religion.

wordywalt comments on Dec 20, 2019:

Many of your assertions are not true. a behavioral and biological defining attribute of human beings is that we social animals. That is one of the keys as to how much humans have advanced during the course of their evolution. We learn from and teach each other, We support each other, giving the ...

wordywalt replies on Dec 20, 2019:

@Castlepaloma Again, most of your assertions are false. First, I have been an atheist for over 50 years and the way you talk about atheists does not describe me at all. There is no evidence for your "facts" and figures. I think you have simply cooked them up. Second, anarchism and real community are mutually exclusive. Third, you speak of anarchistic people as though they are the creative people who are, as individuals, are totally responsible for and due all credit for developments, products and learnings that they produce. Nothing could be further from the truth. We all stand of the shoulders of centuries of people whose thoughts, discoveries, products and created knowledge which our new creations are based. True, the creative person deserves credit for the advances that he or she produces, but to act as though he or she it due toe sole credit is absurd. Anarchism is simply embracing the absence of rules, social structures, or normalized ways of interacting. It offers little of merit. I have studies human psychology, sociology, political theory, and philosophy. It would behoove you to do the same.

Welcome to five new members to the group: - @Blindbird who is into blues, bluegrass, sad Irish ...

FrayedBear comments on Dec 15, 2019:

Welcome to @wordywalt. Please pull up a stool to the fire and join in the craic, perhaps telling us about yourself, your likes and experiences with the folk genre.

wordywalt replies on Dec 15, 2019:

I am an old ccot who was born in Georgia and raised in the bible belt of north Florida. Began life as a conservative, but realized the error of my ways in my 20s. Have loved folk music since the Kingston Trio. Have loved the music of Woody and Arlo Guthrie, Joan Baez, Gordon Lightfoot, Pete Seeger and many others.

Two questions: (1) What was the peak membership for this site and when was it achieved?

1of5 comments on Dec 11, 2019:

By peak membership I'd have to assume you mean peak online at any one time. Highest I've ever seen it is close to 450, which was summer of '18 when it was routinly in the high 300 - low 400 range. Dont have a screenshot of that, though.

wordywalt replies on Dec 11, 2019:

My peak membership, I meant the highest number of people who were members of Agnostic.com, not the highest number online at any one time.

In my winter garden here in Florida, my green beans are full of blossoms and little beans.

AnneWimsey comments on Dec 9, 2019:

Fine, just lovely! Today I had the pleasure if driving several hours through thick, dense "snow fog" which is what happens when torrential rain hits piles of snow. But you wouldn't know about that woodya?! *sigh*

wordywalt replies on Dec 9, 2019:

Yeah, I know what winter weather is. I lived in Berlin, Germany for almost 3 years, in northern Illinois for 5 years, and in Kansas for 17 years. II have driven in an ice storm, a blizzard, and in snow fog. And I have seen gtemperatures of -35 F, nd in winter storm winds of 70 mph. Not in the past 20 + years though.

If you are a fruit lover, let me give you an idea for a great treat.

Varn comments on Dec 9, 2019:

“*I add small chunks of pineapple from my garden*” If you grow pineapple, you must have to purchase apples..? Also, do you pour off the water used to boil, or allow it to ..thin out the applesauce?

wordywalt replies on Dec 9, 2019:

Yes, I do have to purchase apples. Leave what water that remains in the mixture. By the way, if you add the pineapple hunks, do it after you take the apple sauce off the burner, raw.

A new, very significant development in Trump cabal corruption.

KKGator comments on Dec 6, 2019:

Everyone needs to start coming forward with their evidence. People have to stop being afraid of that asshole and all the assholes who protect him.

wordywalt replies on Dec 6, 2019:

Damned right!

A new, very significant development in Trump cabal corruption.

Science-guy comments on Dec 6, 2019:

A supervisor intimidating a whistle blower does not in any way implicate Trump of a crime, unless Trump instructed the supervisor directly.

wordywalt replies on Dec 6, 2019:

True, but the odds are that Trump either asked or instructed the whistleblower's superior to threaten the guy. And, the odds are that Trump also asked the political appointee to intervene in his behalf. If you don't think that these things occurred, you have no idea of just how corrupt Trump is.

I wondering what is the basic structure of folks gardens on here--containers, aquaculture, rows, ...

wordywalt comments on Dec 5, 2019:

I grow vegetables in raised beds or rows. I also have a patch of pineapples. In the rest of our back yard my wife has developed an integrated landscape.

wordywalt replies on Dec 5, 2019:

@DavidDuhon Growing pineapples is easy if you have a largely frost-free climate. You simple cut off the leafy top of a pineapple and plant it. It will take several years for the emerging plant to produce the first pineapple After a pineapple is produced, the plant will send off side shoots, each of which will eventually produce pineapples. I started with 2 04 3 pineapple tops, and now have 12 plants producing pineapples each year Once a pineapple bloom appears, it will take at least 2 to 3 months for the bloom to develop into a ripe pineapple. The only care needed is water in dry periods, and periodic fertilizer.

Most women will never experience being a member of a a member of a trained cohesive unit operating ...

Channeler1 comments on Dec 2, 2019:

Not to be disrespectful, but this reads like some kind of "men are superior because..." male chauvinistic rant! And this is coming from a fellow member of the male species! There is Absolutely NO difference in what men and women are capable of mentally... And There are PLENTY of women that have ...

wordywalt replies on Dec 2, 2019:

No. That is not the case at all. In many ways, women are superior to men, as a whole. As a whole, they are more caring, more respectful, equally as intelligent as men, more likely to act on things that matter to them, and better communicators. Most of the people I have truly respected in my lifetime have been women. I simply see what I describe is something that the majority of women have not experienced and do not fully comprehend. It is simply a tempering experience which, if one withstands it, builds character and wisdom.

Most women will never experience being a member of a a member of a trained cohesive unit operating ...

Geoffrey51 comments on Dec 1, 2019:

I suspect you under-estimate some of the situations that women have had to, and do, function. Life and it’s challenges is not localised to military conditions. Camaraderie and discipline under difficult circumstances is not an exclusive male domain.

wordywalt replies on Dec 2, 2019:

@Geoffrey51 You seem to be a person in search of a problem.

Most women will never experience being a member of a a member of a trained cohesive unit operating ...

Cutiebeauty comments on Dec 2, 2019:

I wish men would be able to understand rape, sexual abuse and molestation, lower pay for the same work, posts like this. Etc, etc.. Women are police officers, firemen, national guard , and military...

wordywalt replies on Dec 2, 2019:

I understand those things and I abhor all predatory behavior, including sexual, as well as discrimination against women in any form. . I know that a few women take on those roles you mention, but not the great majority.

Most women will never experience being a member of a a member of a trained cohesive unit operating ...

Geoffrey51 comments on Dec 1, 2019:

I suspect you under-estimate some of the situations that women have had to, and do, function. Life and it’s challenges is not localised to military conditions. Camaraderie and discipline under difficult circumstances is not an exclusive male domain.

wordywalt replies on Dec 2, 2019:

@Geoffrey51 Who said there is a problem? Not me.

Most women will never experience being a member of a a member of a trained cohesive unit operating ...

Geoffrey51 comments on Dec 1, 2019:

I suspect you under-estimate some of the situations that women have had to, and do, function. Life and it’s challenges is not localised to military conditions. Camaraderie and discipline under difficult circumstances is not an exclusive male domain.

wordywalt replies on Dec 2, 2019:

The difference is that most women do not typically face their stressful situations as a member of a cohesive group. That was my point.

I just finished watching the best war movie I have ever seen.

HippieChick58 comments on Dec 1, 2019:

I can't watch war movies, they trip my anxieties into high gear. I watched Saving Private Ryan when it first came out. Great movie, didn't sleep well for a couple of days.

wordywalt replies on Dec 1, 2019:

I can understand.

I grew up in rural, small-town America — and I can tell you the real reason why people love Donald...

FearlessFly comments on Nov 30, 2019:

This article is not news, totally opinion, politics .

wordywalt replies on Nov 30, 2019:

I disagree, strongly. And, I am speaking from the experience of having grown up in what is now a pro-Trump culture.

I grew up in rural, small-town America — and I can tell you the real reason why people love Donald...

wordywalt comments on Nov 30, 2019:

A lot of what the author says is ccorrect. Having grown up in a poor rural town in the south, I knew that most of the people there also look up to people who appear to have financial success, and are all too willing to overlook character flaws in the rich person is not directly mean to them.

wordywalt replies on Nov 30, 2019:

@MizJ They don't timd if the rich person is mean to or takes advantage of "others."

As a military veteran, I am deeply angered and offended by Trump's mindless interference in ...

bingst comments on Nov 28, 2019:

Yep, my mom is pissed about Trump's interference. "He might be Commander-in-Chief, but he doesn't know his ass from a hole in the ground when it comes to the military!" :D

wordywalt replies on Nov 28, 2019:

Trump does not "know his ass from a hole in the ground" when it comes to anything of substance.

The Importance of Seeing Beauty in Everyday Life

wordywalt comments on Nov 27, 2019:

Sometimes it seems to take being in a circumstance of an imminent threat to our existence to make us slow down and focus on the little things which can give life quality.

wordywalt replies on Nov 27, 2019:

@LiterateHiker With me, it was the 3 year-long experience of being an American soldier in West Berlin from 1959-62 surrounded by and outnumbered by Russian soldiers 300 to 1, with the constant threat of imminent attack. That created a sense of immediacy that is rare.

As a military veteran, I am deeply angered and offended by Trump's mindless interference in ...

Happy_Killbot comments on Nov 25, 2019:

I don't even know what he's trying to accomplish unless this is just another distraction tactic.

wordywalt replies on Nov 25, 2019:

@Happy_Killbot His end game is making the forgiving of crimes, with no penalty, acceptable.

As a military veteran, I am deeply angered and offended by Trump's mindless interference in ...

charliemmann comments on Nov 25, 2019:

Ssssoooo, this navy seal was acquitted of murder and all other charges, but was convicted of posing with a corpse. Whose life did his act of posing with a corpse ruin? Whose life, of a living person who is not a terrorist, did this man ruin by posing with this corpse? This man worked HARD, for a ...

wordywalt replies on Nov 25, 2019:

This man KNEW that his behavior was a violation of the Uniform Code of Military Justice and of the Geneva Convention. He committed a crime and should pay for it. Your stance is untenable. Did you serve in the military? I doubt it. If you had, you would understand what I said and why.

As a military veteran, I am deeply angered and offended by Trump's mindless interference in ...

Happy_Killbot comments on Nov 25, 2019:

I don't even know what he's trying to accomplish unless this is just another distraction tactic.

wordywalt replies on Nov 25, 2019:

It is not a distraction. It is a compulsive action driven by his immoral personality.

As a military veteran, I am deeply angered and offended by Trump's mindless interference in ...

girlwithsmiles comments on Nov 25, 2019:

I have an American veteran friend who feels the same way, I do hope things change soon for Americans. It seems like ages that you’ve been dealing with these types of things with the current president now.

wordywalt replies on Nov 25, 2019:

Wish us Yanks luck in solving this problem, either by impeachment or in the election in 2020,

Up until now I had now realize just how extensive Russian political interference was in the 2018 ...

Druvius comments on Nov 25, 2019:

And you actually believe this? This is just as ridiculous as the first McCarthy era.

wordywalt replies on Nov 25, 2019:

@Druvius When have they not been credible? There are damned few instances.

Up until now I had now realize just how extensive Russian political interference was in the 2018 ...

Druvius comments on Nov 25, 2019:

And you actually believe this? This is just as ridiculous as the first McCarthy era.

wordywalt replies on Nov 25, 2019:

You are damned right I believe it. The information comes from our own security services.

Anyone who does not think that Russia under Putin is a real and imminent threat to Europe and the ...

WilliamFleming comments on Nov 22, 2019:

I don’t think that Russia is much of a threat. We should cultivate friendship with all countries where possible.

wordywalt replies on Nov 23, 2019:

@WilliamFleming Putin's behavior you trying to sweep under the rug is exactly the same behavior which Hitler showed with Czechoslovakia in 1936 ..

Anyone who does not think that Russia under Putin is a real and imminent threat to Europe and the ...

WilliamFleming comments on Nov 22, 2019:

I don’t think that Russia is much of a threat. We should cultivate friendship with all countries where possible.

wordywalt replies on Nov 23, 2019:

@.Both the Ukraine and Georgia were ethnically non-Russian areas which were conquered and became part of Russia and later the USSR. The ethnic Russians living there today were placed there by the conquering Russians. They were NOY native inhabitants. At the end of the break-up of the Soviet empire Ukraine and Georgia both became FREE and independent countries. Under Putin, the fact that ethnic Russians live in those two nations today is being used by Putin as an excuse to attack the two countries and re-assert dominance over them. Those actions are nothing more than outright expansionism. You cannot legitimately label it anything else.

Anyone who does not think that Russia under Putin is a real and imminent threat to Europe and the ...

WilliamFleming comments on Nov 22, 2019:

I don’t think that Russia is much of a threat. We should cultivate friendship with all countries where possible.

wordywalt replies on Nov 23, 2019:

@WilliamFleming We don't want to control them. We want to contain their malev0lent misdeeds and make them pay a price for their expansionism. And we must work with Europe in doing this, not abandon or alienate our European allies..

Anyone who does not think that Russia under Putin is a real and imminent threat to Europe and the ...

WilliamFleming comments on Nov 22, 2019:

I don’t think that Russia is much of a threat. We should cultivate friendship with all countries where possible.

wordywalt replies on Nov 22, 2019:

I disagree strongly. I was in West Berlin at the time of the Berlin Crisis and the erection of the Berlin Wall. I saw in person how cruel, repressive and expansionistic the Russians were. The communist regime may be gone, but Russian authoritarian, ultra-nationalistic and expansionistic tendencies of the Russians remain. Putin and many Russians still are angry and resentful about the breakup of the empire of the USSR and the loss of world status that they once had. That is why they are bent on creating chaos in the world -- so that they will be considered a major power again. If you are not mindful of that, you simply do not understand international relations.

Most of the world now thinks religion is the cause of the world's problems! [usnews.com]

Word comments on Nov 16, 2019:

Evolutionary processes is the cause for "world problems ".

wordywalt replies on Nov 18, 2019:

@blahblah What the Bible verse you cite says.

Most of the world now thinks religion is the cause of the world's problems! [usnews.com]

Word comments on Nov 16, 2019:

Evolutionary processes is the cause for "world problems ".

wordywalt replies on Nov 17, 2019:

@blahblah I don't own a bible and have not for well over 40 years. Perhaps you can enlighten me?

Most of the world now thinks religion is the cause of the world's problems! [usnews.com]

Word comments on Nov 16, 2019:

Evolutionary processes is the cause for "world problems ".

wordywalt replies on Nov 17, 2019:

@blahblah What in blue blazes does this have to do with the focus of this post?

Most of the world now thinks religion is the cause of the world's problems! [usnews.com]

Word comments on Nov 16, 2019:

Evolutionary processes is the cause for "world problems ".

wordywalt replies on Nov 17, 2019:

@soquel I Biology was a focus of my undergraduate work. Your perception of evolution is a weird distortion.

Most of the world now thinks religion is the cause of the world's problems! [usnews.com]

Word comments on Nov 16, 2019:

Evolutionary processes is the cause for "world problems ".

wordywalt replies on Nov 17, 2019:

Come on. We already have far too damned many weird conspiracy theories muddying the water and diverting attention from what is real. I am sick of such crap. @blahblah

Most of the world now thinks religion is the cause of the world's problems! [usnews.com]

gater comments on Nov 16, 2019:

Religion is fine as long as it keeps people peaceful. The problem comes from radical Islams - they believe if you don't agree with them they have the right to kill you. I say we need to convert these people to Christianity - they arent ready for the truth.

wordywalt replies on Nov 16, 2019:

Over the past 2,000 years, Christians have killed millions of people in the name of religion. Know your history!! The fact is that any fundementalistic religion which sees others to be enemies will inevitably wage war against them.

Most of the world now thinks religion is the cause of the world's problems! [usnews.com]

Word comments on Nov 16, 2019:

Evolutionary processes is the cause for "world problems ".

wordywalt replies on Nov 16, 2019:

Explain, please. It is possible that evolution will destroy us if we do not behave in a more rational and responsible manner. But, if that is the case, the cause is human stupidity, not evolution, itself.

Donald Trump has accomplished one thing: He has almost singlehandedly turned national level ...

K9Kohle789 comments on Nov 14, 2019:

Mark Rubio, Pam Bondi (she turned down working for him) but she's his "TYPE" blonde, small etc. No it was easy to turn them all into criminals and who knows what they were doing before Dump entered the picture. He speaks to the 'bad' in their nature attracting more 'bad'

wordywalt replies on Nov 14, 2019:

Like many corrupt Republican politicians, Trump tends to appoint attractive, ambitious and ethically challenged women to office. Jeb Bush and Rick Scott did it in Florida.

As a whole American evangelical Christianity is based on rigidly fundamentalistic and authoritarian...

Monicafish20 comments on Nov 13, 2019:

As a Christian, actually questions about God and our faith are very much welcome and they encourage us to ask questions and seek out the answers so that we do the research and study the Bible to know more about our faith! I’m constantly studying the Bible and asking questions when things don’t ...

wordywalt replies on Nov 14, 2019:

@Monicafish20 I no longer waste my time discussing the Bible at any length.

As a whole American evangelical Christianity is based on rigidly fundamentalistic and authoritarian...

Monicafish20 comments on Nov 13, 2019:

As a Christian, actually questions about God and our faith are very much welcome and they encourage us to ask questions and seek out the answers so that we do the research and study the Bible to know more about our faith! I’m constantly studying the Bible and asking questions when things don’t ...

wordywalt replies on Nov 13, 2019:

@Monicafish20 Several things. First, each time I read the Bible, I saw more and more things that did not make sense Second, as I studied science, geology and history in high school and college, it became apparent that much of what the Bible stated could not be true. Third, as a teenager I did not like feeling sinful for simply having normal thoughts and feelings. I knew that I was basically a good person. Fourth, a saw more and more "religious" people who consistently failed to treat others with dignity and respect as human beings. And, last, as I studied reasoning and logic, anthropology and philosophy, I same to see that the entire Bible is a blend of cultural myths and fables which had no basis in reality, a little true history, and a lot of fabricated religious ideology.

As a whole American evangelical Christianity is based on rigidly fundamentalistic and authoritarian...

Monicafish20 comments on Nov 13, 2019:

As a Christian, actually questions about God and our faith are very much welcome and they encourage us to ask questions and seek out the answers so that we do the research and study the Bible to know more about our faith! I’m constantly studying the Bible and asking questions when things don’t ...

wordywalt replies on Nov 13, 2019:

I had read the Bible from cover to cover 3 times by the time I was 15, and could quote verses with the best of them and was a youth leader in my church. I am an insider turned outsider and I understand the whole schmeer all too well. That is why I left religion behind 60 years ago, and am proud that I did. .

As a whole American evangelical Christianity is based on rigidly fundamentalistic and authoritarian...

Allamanda comments on Nov 13, 2019:

We are not doing very well at all in this war. In fact we're rarely even winning a battle. Many people are not even aware that these fundamentalist sects are considered cults in other countries, and that their political clout, money, missionizing, fake aid-work, and meddling overseas are having a ...

wordywalt replies on Nov 13, 2019:

You are cprre4ct/ I know that in Germany, most evangelical denominations are not recognized at all as legitimate religious organizations.

As a whole American evangelical Christianity is based on rigidly fundamentalistic and authoritarian...

boatdude87 comments on Nov 13, 2019:

I grew up as an Evangelical Christian. I was neck deep into our church life. Church on Sunday, youth group on Wednesday, summer camps at the church camp (which happened to only be an hour away), youth conferences....At 14, my life's ambition was to be a pastor. And I was actually pretty damn good ...

wordywalt replies on Nov 13, 2019:

When I use the phrase " as a whole" I mean that it applies to most, but not all/

HOW CAN WE PUT A MORE POSITIVE SPIN ON OUR BRANDING??

birdingnut comments on Nov 12, 2019:

I can certainly see the appeal of believing in an authoritative Deity; people are absolved from responsibility. When negative things happen, it isn't because of human laziness or ignorance, but because god was teaching us a lesson. He has a plan, we just have to submit to authority, keep our ...

wordywalt replies on Nov 12, 2019:

Well stated.

Veterans Day: Don't deport immigrants who served, make them citizens

wordywalt comments on Nov 11, 2019:

Back when I was in the Army, military service was a pathway to citizenship for anyone who did not have a criminal record. It should still be.

wordywalt replies on Nov 12, 2019:

@GreatNani I am sorry. We agree.

Trump supporters use this with everything! [vox.com]

wordywalt comments on Nov 12, 2019:

True. He learned it from his mentor, Roy Cohn.

wordywalt replies on Nov 12, 2019:

@Cutiebeauty Roy Cohn was a vicious staff member of Sen. Joseph McCarthy in his vicious actions, Cohn bragged about how many people's lives he had ruined. Cohn was also Trump's personal attorney. As an attorney he was equally as vicious and unethical. He was eventually disbarred for unethical conduct. When Trump is in trouble today, he often says, "Where is my Roy Cohn."

Veterans Day: Don't deport immigrants who served, make them citizens

wordywalt comments on Nov 11, 2019:

Back when I was in the Army, military service was a pathway to citizenship for anyone who did not have a criminal record. It should still be.

wordywalt replies on Nov 12, 2019:

@GreatNani I find your position reprehensible. When these persons chose to put their lives in danger for a prolonged period in defense of this country. they deserve citizenship. Further, they all entered service with the promise of citizenship, only to have the idiot Trump take that 6 decade long promise away for no good reason.

Evo Morales Has Proven That Socialism Doesn't Damage Economies.

VictoriaNotes comments on Nov 11, 2019:

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/oct/14/evo-morales-reelected-socialism-doesnt-damage-economies-bolivia

wordywalt replies on Nov 11, 2019:

@VictoriaNotes Okay. I was not criticizing, so much as observing

Evo Morales Has Proven That Socialism Doesn't Damage Economies.

VictoriaNotes comments on Nov 11, 2019:

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/oct/14/evo-morales-reelected-socialism-doesnt-damage-economies-bolivia

wordywalt replies on Nov 11, 2019:

Morales was not a good choice for an example. All of Western Europe provides many better examples.

Why are so many people on this site still obsess on religion?

VictoriaNotes comments on Nov 11, 2019:

When you figure out why you're so obsessed with Trump, you'll have your answer. :D

wordywalt replies on Nov 11, 2019:

I know why I have focused on Trump.. He is a narcissistic, egomaniacal, lying, corrupt sociopath who is an imminent danger to our government, democracy, and people.

Why are so many people on this site still obsess on religion?

VictoriaNotes comments on Nov 11, 2019:

When you figure out why you're so obsessed with Trump, you'll have your answer. :D

wordywalt replies on Nov 11, 2019:

@VictoriaNotes Not true. I look for your posts, as I find them to be excellent.

Why are so many people on this site still obsess on religion?

1of5 comments on Nov 11, 2019:

Its almost as annoying and as much of a waste of time as complaining about it is. Takes a shitload of chutzpah to post something so banal and boring when calling people out for not posting things that interest you. Step up *your* game if you don't like what's being posted and put all those ...

wordywalt replies on Nov 11, 2019:

@1of5 You obviously have not been reading my prior posts. They depict how corrupt I believe the entire Trump family to be. Don't make false statements.

Why are so many people on this site still obsess on religion?

VictoriaNotes comments on Nov 11, 2019:

When you figure out why you're so obsessed with Trump, you'll have your answer. :D

wordywalt replies on Nov 11, 2019:

I remember seeing lots of great posts from you on human psychology and behavior. I seldom see them these days, and wish I saw many more. Such posts and ones about science, history, literature, the arts, and other simply poignant human thoughts are what I join the site for. I don't see as many of them anymore.

Why are so many people on this site still obsess on religion?

1of5 comments on Nov 11, 2019:

Its almost as annoying and as much of a waste of time as complaining about it is. Takes a shitload of chutzpah to post something so banal and boring when calling people out for not posting things that interest you. Step up *your* game if you don't like what's being posted and put all those ...

wordywalt replies on Nov 11, 2019:

You seem to find it easy to be judgmental.

Why are so many people on this site still obsess on religion?

Jnei comments on Nov 11, 2019:

Many members on this site were brought up in religious families and societies; thus religion has had a very real influence on their lives and in many cases they feel that leaving it behind improved their lives - so it's understandable that they may wish to discuss religion in order that they might ...

wordywalt replies on Nov 11, 2019:

I grew up in a religious family and was very active in the church as a teenager. But I left religion behind in my 20s, and had nothing to do with religion at all since the age or 30. I dislike it intensely when religious people attempt to proselytize me and I do not ant to do it to them. Also, I understand the aberrant psychology of the religious "true believer" and know that such efforts simply do not work in most cases. You only irritate them and yourself. It is better to work on making your life the best you can without religion and assist others who have doubt or who have already made the choice.

What if God is the wrong thing to call something?

wordywalt comments on Nov 11, 2019:

No such creature exists or will ever exist.

wordywalt replies on Nov 11, 2019:

@blahblah You seem to be still looking for a divine delusion.

Why are so many people on this site still obsess on religion?

Fernapple comments on Nov 11, 2019:

You need to look beyond the front page and into the groups, the front page is really only for those new to the site and general background engagements. Having said that I often wonder, if this is a site for agnostics and atheists, why is so much of the front page about US politics ? But there you ...

wordywalt replies on Nov 11, 2019:

I disagree. I have been on the site for over two years, and I have never liked the division of people on the site to self-reinforcing echo chambers. I use primary the general forum and will continue to do so. I am quite sure that I am not the only one.

I am pleased about how things are developing with Trump in the past couple of days.

St-Sinner comments on Nov 8, 2019:

I want Trump in jail but so far he has proven to be Teflon President or the Houdini of American Politics. Nothing has touched him..... Russia collusion, the Muller report, the bimbo explosions, appointing children the high White House positions, White House officials using Trump hotels for business,...

wordywalt replies on Nov 8, 2019:

I want Trump in jail, too. Once we get the mental and moral idiot out of office, it will be e asy to accomplish that. The fool has a life-long trail of corruption.

Do the rest of you see Mike Pompeo the way I do?

HippieChick58 comments on Nov 5, 2019:

You have such a sexy vocabulary.

wordywalt replies on Nov 5, 2019:

Thank you. Flattery will get you everywhere with me. (chuckle)

Trump Civil War?

wordywalt comments on Nov 2, 2019:

Gohmert is so stupid that he would be a total embarrassment to the constituents of most of America. I cannot imagine who would vote for him.

wordywalt replies on Nov 4, 2019:

@Redheadedgammy That isa tgravesty.

Earlier I promised my hushpuppies recipe.

RiverRick comments on Nov 4, 2019:

1. You should be ashamed posting a hushpuppie recipe with NutraSweet in the recipe. 2. I can hardly wait to try it out with sugar! ;)

wordywalt replies on Nov 4, 2019:

I am a diabetic, so I have to minimize my sugar intake. I do not apologize for my choice.

The burden of evidence upon the positive The Skeptics of antiquity espoused open mindedness to ...

AaronAgassi comments on Nov 3, 2019:

The burden of evidence upon the positive The Skeptics of antiquity espoused open mindedness to the point of suspending all judgment. But the skepticism of scientific rationalism is less extreme, with the maxim of burden of evidence upon the positive, for assertions. And as shall be demonstrated, ...

wordywalt replies on Nov 4, 2019:

Better, but you still need to work on saying what you want to say in as few words as possible. Wordiness is never elegance in writing.

Oh, look! Jr. wrote a book. [yahoo.com]

wordywalt comments on Nov 3, 2019:

He is that literate?

wordywalt replies on Nov 3, 2019:

@OldGoat43 Great pun!

Trump Civil War?

wordywalt comments on Nov 2, 2019:

Gohmert is so stupid that he would be a total embarrassment to the constituents of most of America. I cannot imagine who would vote for him.

wordywalt replies on Nov 3, 2019:

@Freedompath Bush was a genius compared to Gommert.

Green Party communications manager Michael O’Neils, peaking on behalf of the Green Party, Friday.

wordywalt comments on Oct 20, 2019:

Given the fact that about 1/3 of our voting age population is composted of marginally educated, ethnocentric, religious people who feel left out and not in control of a culture that is changing and that they do not understand, and often easily appealed to by right wing demagogues, the emergence of a...

wordywalt replies on Nov 3, 2019:

@ExculpatoryLover I am no Hillary fan, but you sound like one of those idiotic conspiracy theory driven right wing nuts.

Only now do we understand the true cruelty of Trump’s family separation - The Washington Post

wordywalt comments on Nov 2, 2019:

There seems to be no limit to Trump's depravity.

wordywalt replies on Nov 2, 2019:

@BestWithoutGods I stand for America, not for the idiot Trump.

Keystone Pipeline spill over 380,000 gallons of crude oil in North Dakota

WilliamFleming comments on Nov 1, 2019:

That spill is in an older section of the pipeline, not the section recently contested. It’s just a half acre. Maybe they’ll get it cleaned up soon.

wordywalt replies on Nov 1, 2019:

@WilliamFleming current state as petroleum, it is organic ONLY in the sense that it is composed of hydrocarbons.. In its current state, it kills all living plants that it touches heavily.. It is also toxic to animals. Even most bacteria are harmed by it.

We all owe a deep debt of gratitude to the loyal patriots who have defied Trump’s orders not to ...

Matias comments on Oct 29, 2019:

Sure, it is always good when *due process* is going on - but in the end it will have been all in vain.

wordywalt replies on Oct 29, 2019:

@Matias Horse manure! If he is successfully impeached, he and the Republican Party will be so damaged that Trump will lose in 2020 and the Republicans will also suffer heavy losses. One huge difference between the impeachment of Clinton and that of Trump is that during his impeachment attempt, Clinton focused on taking care of the nation's business and won him support. The idiot Trump is so egomaniacal that he will focus primarily on himself and that is already obvious and become more than abundantly obvious. He will continue to lose support and more and more Republicans will abandon him.

We all owe a deep debt of gratitude to the loyal patriots who have defied Trump’s orders not to ...

Secretguy comments on Oct 29, 2019:

They are already trying to discredit this Purple Heart recipient. I'd like to say I'm shocked, but nothing they do can surprise me anymore.

wordywalt replies on Oct 29, 2019:

That is just how low today's Republicans have sunk.

We all owe a deep debt of gratitude to the loyal patriots who have defied Trump’s orders not to ...

Matias comments on Oct 29, 2019:

Sure, it is always good when *due process* is going on - but in the end it will have been all in vain.

wordywalt replies on Oct 29, 2019:

I completely disagree, I fully believe that it will make a difference.

Earlier I promised my hushpuppies recipe.

JacarC comments on Oct 28, 2019:

I haven't done tomatoes. I do include lots of green peppers. and lots of garlic powder, and cumin, and chili powder mix. And i flat "fry" them. Not deep fried. So more like patties.

wordywalt replies on Oct 28, 2019:

If you try my recipe, I think you will find the hushpuppies lighter in texture, tart, and slightly sweet.

Whats the wrong thing about religion?

wordywalt comments on Aug 17, 2019:

There are many things wrong about religion. The greatest among them is the personal attempt to escape from the freedom that we have by becoming a true-believer in a false total system ideology.

wordywalt replies on Oct 27, 2019:

@JeffMurray We always choose to believe. We may be acting with far too limited information, but we are always choosing to believe in something we are told or not. Mu assertion is correct.

Do you think Elizabeth Warren is a LUFTMENSCH (an impractical person with their head in the clouds) ...

Our_existence comments on Oct 20, 2019:

Go Medicare for all and get rid of greedy insurance companies

wordywalt replies on Oct 20, 2019:

@Remiforce If we do not have poorly informed people falsely discrediting her and her thoughts, she would win in a landslide. Why are you sniping at her. What is your purpose? I repeat: Warren is the real thing. You and your incomplete and falsely portrayed incomplete data are not.

We've been disappointed many times to see Trump survive what appears to be a term ending ...

wordywalt comments on Oct 18, 2019:

Be prepared. We MUST defeat as many Republicans as possible in 2020.

wordywalt replies on Oct 20, 2019:

@OldWiseAss I rate them on what they actually accomplished, not what they potentially could have done in ideal circumstances.

We've been disappointed many times to see Trump survive what appears to be a term ending ...

wordywalt comments on Oct 18, 2019:

Be prepared. We MUST defeat as many Republicans as possible in 2020.

wordywalt replies on Oct 20, 2019:

@OldWiseAss If it were not for the corrupt, obstructive Republicans, it is quite possible that Obama could have been a great president.

In 1959 through 1962, KKruschev was threatening to attack our troops in West Berlin if we did not ...

Jolanta comments on Oct 14, 2019:

1959 - 1962 is a long time. The Russians certainly showed a lot of restrain there, more than US does, but then of course they had not quiet figured out how profitable war was and is for them.

wordywalt replies on Oct 15, 2019:

@Jolanta You enjoy being cuttingly snarky, don't you.

In 1959 through 1962, KKruschev was threatening to attack our troops in West Berlin if we did not ...

mischl comments on Oct 14, 2019:

"Despicable human" is right on target. He continues to damage our nation day by day.

wordywalt replies on Oct 15, 2019:

@Jolanta Putin was a communist KBG officer. He was trained totally to conduct espionage, sabotage, and ruthless domestic control. That is who he still is. If you do not understand that, you understand nothing about him.

In 1959 through 1962, KKruschev was threatening to attack our troops in West Berlin if we did not ...

mischl comments on Oct 14, 2019:

"Despicable human" is right on target. He continues to damage our nation day by day.

wordywalt replies on Oct 15, 2019:

@Jolanta Putin is an oligarchic tyrant with extreme nationalistic intents. You seem to depict him as a "nice guy."