Phil1111

trump " The embassy staff were heroes because they were captured. I like embassy staff that weren't captured". Re Iranian hostage crisis and a trump interview on it: "Barrett: Obviously you’re advocating that we should have gone in there with troops, et cetera, and brought our boys out like Vietnam. Trump: I absolutely feel that, yes. I don’t think there’s any question, and there is no question in my mind. I think right now we’d be an oil-rich nation, and I believe that we should have done it, and I’m very disappointed that we didn’t do it, and I don’t think anybody would have held us in abeyance. I don’t think anybody would have been angry with us, and we had every right to do it at the time. I think we’ve lost the opportunity."

A perfect example of what a Christian should mean. This is the Wipikida List of honors and awards received by Jimmy Carter only about 150 items long. AFAIK no other person has received 1/4 as many awards The Iranian revolution and the oil crisis were obviously not his fault. When the hostage rescue mission failed he never threw the armed forces under the bus. Imagine what trump would have done in a similar situation.

Nothing signals success in GOP primaries like misdemeanor convictions for anti-democratic violence.

A guest essay in today's NYT Christian Nationalism Is One of Trump’s Most Powerful Weapons It mentions the religious PAC's that are driving political policy. How activists use clergy, Christian media and congregation members to drive fundraising, political ideals and misinformation. "At Christian nationalist conferences I have been reporting on, I have heard speakers go out of their way to defend and even lionize the Jan. 6 insurrectionists." "US federal law allows tax-exempt 501(c)(3) non-profit organisations, including churches that are registered like this, to engage in nonpartisan voter education and registration activities – but it forbids them from engaging in partisan politics such as endorsing or opposing specific political candidates. These groups cannot, says the IRS, participate in “activities with evidence of bias that would favour one candidate over another; oppose a candidate in some manner; or have the effect of favouring a candidate or group”.Yet according to open democracy at churches and religious forums any and all attacks on democrats is allowed and encouraged. The use of these religious and tax exempt organizations to attack public schools, anyone who isn't republican has a political agenda. "Conservative politicians and lobby groups have long opposed the IRS rules. From 2008-2016, more than 2,000 Evangelical Christian clergy “deliberately violated” them in protest, the Washington Post said. Only one of these people had been audited, it added, and none had been sanctioned. Any wonder why John gets riled about activist religious groups? There was also a 10% increase in the number of Protestant pastors who personally endorsed a political candidate in the 2020 election compared to 2016, according to a survey by LifeWay Research, the research arm of the Southern Baptist Convention, the largest Protestant denomination in the US."

For you Sir.

Agree. Western countries have different orientations towards social benefits. The US economy has a dynamic and vibrant business economy. Its shown in the formations of dynamic companies that dominate sectors of the worlds economies. Look at Facebook..er Meta or whatever. Its a cash generating machine because it operates without competitors. Without government oversite. In China the CP would have absolute control and party insiders would have their grubby fingers deep in the profits. The widening disparity of incomes in the US drives people towards the extreme. The recent booing of trumps admissions that he has received Covid vaccinations. IMO an indication that the right has become even more extreme. The failure of the BBB plan to advance an indication that there is overreach on the left. Unity governments in Israel, Sweden, Germany and other countries. Advances policy for business and social policies. Unfortunately unity in the US seems far off.

If in fact the country is under attack, i.e. "going to sh*t". The countries institutions of law and democracy subject to corrupting forces from within. Those lessons become moot. It becomes the incumbent duty of every good citizen to come to the defense of their countries righteous ideals.Which is not to say that courteous debate, debate with respect. Should not be the first option. But when debate is a sham exercise. When lies, obfuscation and obstruction the new norm.The dutiful and brave must stand, must act.

I'm from a similar background. Times have changed. In western countries as people moved away from a religious identity only two countries have weaponized religion, Poland and the US. In the US evangelical Christians and the GOP have entered an unholy marriage. Poland is similar. India, obviously not a western country. Is now on a path to religious strife and insurrection. Is India Headed for an Anti-Muslim Genocide? India's president "Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has achieved the astonishing feat of creating a deep sense of Hindu victimhood" With the result of racism and pseudo-nationalism driving religion based attacks on minorities. Modi has weaponized religion. Non-believers and religious adherents. must always be on guard for such conduct. Such is the danger of mixing politics and religion. The danger of religious adherents looking the other way, feigning ignorance. When politicians use religion for political purpose.

Yes, you should learn something new every day.

I agree, but sometimes you and I get carried away. I agree with what you say. But i can understand the reactions from atheists who rightfully believe that religion is a danger to themselves and their families. i.e. non muslims in Pakistan. As an extreme example. But also the power of the Christian right as it exerts undue influence on American life. An individual needs to be ever vigilant to protect religious beliefs. Because Muslim family killed in 'premeditated' hit and run in London, Ont., driver charged with murder, police say Hatred is not useful in any form.

So what if adults believe in what science beliefs is flawed. Shouldn't individuals believe whatever they want as long as it harms none other than themselves? That doesn't seem to be what you said about "underlying flaws". If religion motivates good deeds to others, those acts deserve praise do they not? On this you and I sit in the same pea pod "I make a habit of "kicking against the pricks" when I feel the need. I lay into them for what they do".

Beside what point? The illogical nature of religious beliefs?

"most choose to pretend to believe because they want to remain in the culture." Is mostly correct. There are other religions that are not defined by creationism.

No you're mistaken. I'd be the first to attack the hypocrisy of the Gulfstream owning televangelists. The politicians and religious leaders who use the names of their gods for political purpose. But like other concepts of human behavior that are difficult or impossible to define in scientific terms. For some religion is useful, beneficial in driving positive behaviors and actions. There are many religious charities and adherents of religion solely devoted to helping mankind.

Another poll said that 40% of republicans agreed that violence against the government was acceptable if necessary. Also a NPR poll also in the last week. Many democrats have refused to seriously deal with the erosion of voting rights caused by gerrymandering and other voting restriction measures. A right wing dictatorship? There are other possibilities. The current GOP leadership has forced almost every moderate republican from the party. Adam Kinzinger won't seek re-election. Liz Cheneyis going to face a severe challenge in primaries and likely won't win re-election. These are the last two moderates. Midterms look to be a challenge for democrats. trump aside, the GOP will be fully in his mold. in their zeal to pursue trumpism.

Are you in cahoots with the National Association of Realtors?

Increased humidity, increased instability, from climate change can cause more lightning. Otherwise I agree with everything. AFAIK there should have been snow on the ground in that area this time of year. At least that was reported in several news dispatches. Be it loss of wildlife, human life, or homes wildfires are bad news.

Ditto and Happy new year. Nice to see you back Ron.

Since Afghanistan was such a tough nut to crack. Latvia, Lithuania, or Estonia might do. Being NATO allies they probably wouldn't expect it. After all if trump can blindside his NATO allies without repercussions. So can President Biden. In all seriousness Joe has a point about Joe, Manchin that is in another thread. Joe, that would be President Biden. Doesn't need a distraction like war. He should move the build back better plan into the fore. Cut the social spending aspects and focus solely on asphalt, concrete and direct physical construction. This requires a serious sit down with fellow democrat leaders first. It requires serious cuts to some democrat dreams. IMO the moderate republicans left, i.e. Liz Cheney, etc. would likely vote for such a plan.

When exhaustion, common sense, a purging of extremism, all come together. Or a national emergency.

Sorry Professor but you're mistaken. Brent is practicing in SC and hopes to replace Alex Jones someday. Even become one of Rupert Murdoch's little puppets. Perhaps in the image of Baghdad Bob he can spin the facts for FOX.

Even smart people can F#$k themselves. See below. Yes, he made a living trolling political issues. Enticing the ignorant and gullible into his cultivated rabbit burrows.How can he participate in discovery when he knew a sharp inquiring mind. Asking pointed questions requiring yes or no answers. Would lay his lies and misrepresentations completely naked?

It stalled, spun down the rabbit hole and a bunch of otherwise smarter people went down the hole to find it.

As George W. Bush so eloquently put it, the trump supporting anti-vaxers are the Dead-Enders.

Careful it could be a conspiracy between her and Alex to raise funds.