Yes, very well said!

Yes, well said

@Gwendolyn2018 oh I agree, there are many who are perceived good than actually good. That’s why people congregate with people from a similar ilk, because the find more “good” people amongst their own. Few look past that facade.

@Gwendolyn2018 From years of studying population demographics and politics I agree that all people desire security and a low stress life. When resources get scarce and people start to lose shelter, sustenance and a source of income they rebel and fight. Survival is one of the 2 strongest instincts and when that gets threatened all rules and decency go out the window.

@Gwendolyn2018 My Christian brother in OK hates tRump as much as I do. He calls anyone claiming to be a Christian that likes tRump a "fake Christian". Yes, he will be remembered for it.

@Gwendolyn2018 I hate to use a Ronald Reagan phrase but “Trust but Verify”. I prefer, “Verify then be a skeptic”.

@Gwendolyn2018 I stay connected to old "friends" who have taken to the dark side. I may be the only connection they have with reality.

@Gwendolyn2018 It also helped improve my attitude towards people in general, too, though I must confess it's still pretty poor regardless.

@Gwendolyn2018 The news will do that to a person. It dwells on all the bad things about human nature, all the bad things about life, period.
Don't get me wrong, one should be 'informed,' but all the important things can be found out from places like this, or like from osmosis, from the air, in conversations...
Anyway, a person really can't get away from it, but that doesn't mean one has to rub one's own nose in it. That's the way I look at it. Works for me.

@Gwendolyn2018 I didn't have a TV for years. In fact I had a bumper sticker on my van (in which I lived in southern California) 'Kill Your Television.' Then I had one with only three channels and a DVR and watched only movies I got from the library. When I retired to my present cabin I gave in and got satellite TV because of my isolation. I could have done without it; I see tv as largely propaganda tool for our capitalist consumerism, and I watch mostly commercial-free movies, and movies and programs I record so I can skip through those intensely-hated commercials. I find some programs (Ancient Aliens for instance) are pretty good, but I generally try to limit watching it, not always successfully.
Being a 'neo-communist' (not a Marxist or a fascist totalitarian) I think 98% of the things on TV are obnoxious apologia for the status quo which should be banned for any number of reasons, but mainly because progressive thought has been systematically eliminated as part of an overall right-wing strategy to push political thought toward the conservative end of the spectrum. I'll guess that's part of your feeling.
Unfortunately, this strategy seems to be working, and has greatly led to the great divide between liberals and conservatives, leading to mutual hatred between these now warring camps, and a growing cynicism. I share that hatred and cynicism, resenting those 'sheep' who are falling for this obvious indoctrination. Especially AM radion even more than tv, but both.
Anyway, hopefully that will change someday. Short of a political (or some other type of) revolution, I tend to doubt it.

@Gwendolyn2018 Okay, I will NOT be drawn into a debate about Ancient Aliens, and some of it IS ridiculous, but it's also true some of it contains valid points (how DID they, for instance, move 100+- ton boulders hundreds of miles in some cases, shape them to a fraction an inch of tolerance, and set them stone-upon stone sometimes hundreds of feet tall, without the need for mortar? Things like that are mind-boggling, something we couldn't do today without the utmost difficulty, even with all our machinery and modern technology.)
But I digress. My point is, which I think you realize, the growing animosity driving people apart is largely a deliberate campaign by ultra-rightist fascists, using media (tv, radio, print, internet, etc.) to demonize those with whom they disagree. This is, of course, profoundly un-American and anti-democratic and is extremely detrimental to our sense of community, not to mention our attitudes about our fellow human beings. That's why I refuse to be drawn into political and/or religious 'discussions' with those with whom I know I'll disagree, because I KNOW it'll devolve into an argumentative debate (especially when alcohol is involved, but in any case). Keep those topics off the table, and I find it very easy to get along with pretty much anybody. And THIS is why I avoid media attempts to brainwash me.
Anyway, I continue to believe scientific facts (which themselves are open to modification and interpretation) will eventually overcome attempts to deny, twist, or otherwise defeat reality. I think these attempts will thus, in the end, fail.
I could be wrong, being the romantic idealist I am and insist on remaining, but I'll keep believing it anyway.

@Gwendolyn2018 Okay, I was just putting in my two cents, thinking it might make sense (notice the clever...never mind).
Wish you well.

@Gwendolyn2018 But apathy is still an emotion (sort of a centrist one). I'll still go for reason.

@Gwendolyn2018 I agree, to disagree. I did look it up and part of the definition said it was a mental issue with a lack of emotion.

@Gwendolyn2018 Apparently, for some it has become a mental condition. On several sites I looked it it was classified as that and I can see it as 'sometimes' being so. [webmd.com]

@Gwendolyn2018 I think with some subjects most of us are apathetic. Good it has helped keep you sane (so I'm assuming LOL). Perhaps I should rephrase my 'rational' belief and say 'active rationalism.'

@Gwendolyn2018 Good to know. Aren't we all in our own way.

@Gwendolyn2018 I guess it depends on the kind of crazy.

@Gwendolyn2018 Sorry for this unhappiness. I guess I'm lucky as we had happy crazy in my house while I was growing up. I hear about how the unhappy crazy has affected people in their adult lives and am not surprised at the present state of the world.

@Gwendolyn2018 So many families each with their own story. Glad it has not led to consequences in your later life.
For me it concerned my 1st wife and daughter. The wife left me and married a Naval officer and kidnapped our daughter. He was an active alcoholic and she, bi-polar. They had another child right away. I ended up losing contact with my daughter for 20 years. Now we are back together and the truth has revealed itself. My daughter said she had lived the Cinderella life but is still waiting for prince charming (even though she is married with 2 kids). Luckily for her, she is tough and from day one was very independent.

@Gwendolyn2018 So sorry to hear this. Perhaps there is a genetic connection and you were spared. My 2nd partner was, for a while, a maintenance alcoholic. She knew from an early age she had a problem. Alcoholism ran in the family. We returned to the US and she went through a detox program (and I joined Al Anon to be healed from being an enabler). She did not want to marry and always said if she relapsed I should kick her out. She did not want to have children as she did not want the possibility of making another person having to deal with what she did. Unfortunately, when she did relapse her family got involved and made things very difficult. In the end they actually did a lot of harm to their own daughter. When a child reaches adulthood parents really need to learn to butt out.

My daughter and I have a wonderful relationship. She lives in Brea, Calif. but just found a super job with a major, commercial real estate company. She will eventually have to relocate to Pasadena with her, non-prince charming, husband and son.

@Gwendolyn2018 At least someone found what they were looking for. It amazes me how many families are touched by alcoholism. In my extended family only one was and he was in the family by marriage.
I had a younger brother who also had problems. Always running away and getting into petty trouble. Ran away again and ended up in Alaska. Later, returned home, got his GED and then on to law school and became a lawyer. I asked him why he did those things and he said he also asks himself those things every day. He just did.
Trying not to enable is really difficult especially when it concerns those you love.
Hopefully, when , you know who, is gone the national stress level will go down.

@Gwendolyn2018 The link and alcohol is very common. My 2nd partner had an issue with depression and during the detox program Prozac was prescribed. For 5 years everything was great. She was a special person in a lot of ways. Her doctor moved and her prescription ran out and within a few weeks there was a relapse. From Dr. Jekyll to Ms. Hyde and good bye relationship.

@Gwendolyn2018 Thing is all my failed relationships help me learn about what not to do. The next one made all the failed ones worth the pain. It is said the best revenge is a successful, happy life.

@Gwendolyn2018 Good that you can accept that. I once read that women are often happier and much more adept at being alone as men. I guess too many men still need a 'mommy' to take care of them. However, that is not me. Several people have told me I would make someone a good wife LOL.

@Gwendolyn2018 All good reasons