@jjstraka34 "This is just no-effort, no responsibility salvation."
I like to call it "pop Christianity". People want all the benefits and no responsibility.
The religious right is more concerned about the federal government legislating against their morality. That's all it's about. They don't care about the actual morals of anybody representing them as long as that person advances that agenda or at least slows down the liberal agenda. I know that for a fact since most of my family has that viewpoint. I admit that even I overlook the faults of candidates that represent my point of view. I'll wager that the same holds for just about everybody out there. If I waited around for somebody perfect to vote for I'd never show up at the polling station!
Faults are one thing. Believing being gay should be ILLEGAL while also apparently being someone who lured teenage girls into sex acts as a Assistant DA is quite another.
I may agree with you but the religious right does not. I have the mind of a scientist so I can see the difference between government and religion. Unfortunately most people don't see the distinction. I agree with them on one point, only action matters on the macro (ie: governmental) scale. The individual who votes in your favor is better than one who doesn't, regardless of what a piece of crap that person is as a human being. Sorry but it's true. I'd rather vote for someone who advances my view than one who doesn't. I'll venture to bet that I'm not the only one. Hillary would never had been able to run for president if I'm wrong. I dare a liberal to tell me she was your best bet for winning the election!
I just so happened to read an article before the election that detailed the most damning oppo research on Bernie Sanders. Hillary clearly had it and DIDN'T use it, but Trump and the GOP would have. Two main ones: when he was younger, he stole electricity from a neighbor's house and was on unemployment til his mid-30s. But beyond that, the Republicans had video of him at a Sandinista rally in Nicaragua in 1985. Point being, Bernie Sanders was going to be painted as a communist Jew looking to turn the US into South America. And if you think the alt-right hates Clinton, you can't imagine what they say about Jews. Bernie would have been turned into the second coming of Lenin and Trotsky in the media.
And quite frankly, though I agree with them in principle, more than a few of Bernie's policies were just as pie in the sky as Trump's wall.
The religious right loves Jews. My family is a good cross-section of that. They would sink our economy to save Israel and there is no disputing that. Read any of the Chick comics or pamphlets...
I believe it would be more accurate to say they believe the Jews need to be in Israel as a sign of the Second Coming and the end of the world, at which point they will either finally accept Jesus as their savior, or fall under the sword of the Lamb of God. In 2013, 77% of Evangelicals believed we are living in end times. #1, it is unbelievably arrogant and convenient for anyone to believe that (considering the length of human history), but beyond that, #2 it also significantly contributes to why many people don't believe we should do anything about.....well, ANYTHING really. It's all God's plan, and who cares?? The world is ending. Yikes.
I agree. I was never supposed to be here past 1984. My problem with my family religion is I have a very good memory. If I had $1 for every prophecy that was a pile of crap I'd be a rich man. A good memory does not score me any points with my family however...
See, I can buy people falling for one end-times prophecy. But 3, 6, 10?? For 30 years?? That's just madness.
I'm the way I am because of education and experience. Remember, there are many scriptures denigrating intelligence. My parents think I'm an intelligent idiot!
The question is this: deep down, they know you remember all the failed prophecies. You know they remember them too. They know you know they know. So what kind of cognitive dissonance causes this kind of behavior?? Who decides that intelligence is the work of the devil?? That is the way to....well, quite honestly it's the way to American circa 2017.
Unfortunately it doesn't make it any easier for me. My mom has told me straight up that she has to turn off her brain and that I should too. I have a really hard time believing that a real God would want me to do that. They absolutely do not believe when I tell them about prophesies that didn't come true. They just say that 'Well they missed that one'. When I ask them to produce any prophecy that actually came to pass they say well 'Daniel' or ' Revelations'. How can you refute a prophecy that could be true anytime in the distant future???
It is odd to me that the religious and far right seem to love Israel, do anything for it, but on the other hand they really don't like jewish people.
Maybe it's like prisons, everyone wants more of them but just not here, not here in my backyard.
Much less how these people seem to they think a braggart reality tv star and casino owner who lies every time he breathes and has kids from 3 different wives and has gone bankrupt several times and was captured on tape saying he could get away with sexual assault is a godly man.
@jjstraka34 "This is just no-effort, no responsibility salvation."
I like to call it "pop Christianity". People want all the benefits and no responsibility.
The religious right is more concerned about the federal government legislating against their morality. That's all it's about. They don't care about the actual morals of anybody representing them as long as that person advances that agenda or at least slows down the liberal agenda. I know that for a fact since most of my family has that viewpoint. I admit that even I overlook the faults of candidates that represent my point of view. I'll wager that the same holds for just about everybody out there. If I waited around for somebody perfect to vote for I'd never show up at the polling station!
Faults are one thing. Believing being gay should be ILLEGAL while also apparently being someone who lured teenage girls into sex acts as a Assistant DA is quite another.
I may agree with you but the religious right does not. I have the mind of a scientist so I can see the difference between government and religion. Unfortunately most people don't see the distinction. I agree with them on one point, only action matters on the macro (ie: governmental) scale. The individual who votes in your favor is better than one who doesn't, regardless of what a piece of crap that person is as a human being. Sorry but it's true. I'd rather vote for someone who advances my view than one who doesn't. I'll venture to bet that I'm not the only one. Hillary would never had been able to run for president if I'm wrong. I dare a liberal to tell me she was your best bet for winning the election!
I just so happened to read an article before the election that detailed the most damning oppo research on Bernie Sanders. Hillary clearly had it and DIDN'T use it, but Trump and the GOP would have. Two main ones: when he was younger, he stole electricity from a neighbor's house and was on unemployment til his mid-30s. But beyond that, the Republicans had video of him at a Sandinista rally in Nicaragua in 1985. Point being, Bernie Sanders was going to be painted as a communist Jew looking to turn the US into South America. And if you think the alt-right hates Clinton, you can't imagine what they say about Jews. Bernie would have been turned into the second coming of Lenin and Trotsky in the media.
And quite frankly, though I agree with them in principle, more than a few of Bernie's policies were just as pie in the sky as Trump's wall.
The religious right loves Jews. My family is a good cross-section of that. They would sink our economy to save Israel and there is no disputing that. Read any of the Chick comics or pamphlets...
I believe it would be more accurate to say they believe the Jews need to be in Israel as a sign of the Second Coming and the end of the world, at which point they will either finally accept Jesus as their savior, or fall under the sword of the Lamb of God. In 2013, 77% of Evangelicals believed we are living in end times. #1, it is unbelievably arrogant and convenient for anyone to believe that (considering the length of human history), but beyond that, #2 it also significantly contributes to why many people don't believe we should do anything about.....well, ANYTHING really. It's all God's plan, and who cares?? The world is ending. Yikes.
I agree. I was never supposed to be here past 1984. My problem with my family religion is I have a very good memory. If I had $1 for every prophecy that was a pile of crap I'd be a rich man. A good memory does not score me any points with my family however...
See, I can buy people falling for one end-times prophecy. But 3, 6, 10?? For 30 years?? That's just madness.
I'm the way I am because of education and experience. Remember, there are many scriptures denigrating intelligence. My parents think I'm an intelligent idiot!
The question is this: deep down, they know you remember all the failed prophecies. You know they remember them too. They know you know they know. So what kind of cognitive dissonance causes this kind of behavior?? Who decides that intelligence is the work of the devil?? That is the way to....well, quite honestly it's the way to American circa 2017.
Unfortunately it doesn't make it any easier for me. My mom has told me straight up that she has to turn off her brain and that I should too. I have a really hard time believing that a real God would want me to do that. They absolutely do not believe when I tell them about prophesies that didn't come true. They just say that 'Well they missed that one'. When I ask them to produce any prophecy that actually came to pass they say well 'Daniel' or ' Revelations'. How can you refute a prophecy that could be true anytime in the distant future???
I guess that explains nearly everything, if your parents are typical examples of this mindset. Sad really. I started questioning things in the Bible when I was still an altar boy on Saturday nights asking questions like "why don't people live to be 250 years old anymore??" and "how the hell could anyone live inside of a whale for a week??" and "why don't people get turned into salt nowadays"?? (and as an aside, there was no inappropriate stuff going on at my church, though looking back I do get the distinct feeling the priest I did Mass with was definitely constraining himself in that regard).
Actually, one of my friends from high school (who I would never describe as smart) actually had the best insight into religion I ever received. When talking about how I just didn't buy it anymore he said "well you might as well, what have you got to lose??" Which is actually very profound and makes sense. Problem is my brain can't just make that happen.
It is odd to me, an outsider, that the religious and alt-right seem to love Israel, do anything for it, but on the other hand they really don't like jewish people.
Maybe it's like prisons, everyone wants more of them but here, but not in my backyard.
I don't mind Jewish people. Israel is one of our strongest allies and one of the better examples of democracy outside of the U.S. If the conflict between them and the Palestinians could be resolved peaceably I think it would work out splendidly. The roots of hatred burn very strong unfortunately...
It is odd to me, an outsider, that the religious and alt-right seem to love Israel, do anything for it, but on the other hand they really don't like jewish people.
Maybe it's like prisons, everyone wants more of them but here, but not in my backyard.
I don't mind Jewish people. Israel is one of our strongest allies and one of the better examples of democracy outside of the U.S. If the conflict between them and the Palestinians could be resolved peaceably I think it would work out splendidly. The roots of hatred burn very strong unfortunately...
There is no doubt that Israel is often under attack from Hamas. People in Israel do die because of Hamas rockets. Thing is, most of them fall harmlessly in the desert. And when Israeli citizens get killed, the government often just bombs hospitals and schools in Gaza. The argument to that is often "well Hamas is just using women and children as human shields". Which is often true. That doesn't change the fact that you decided to bomb them anyway.
@jjstraka34 "This is just no-effort, no responsibility salvation."
I like to call it "pop Christianity". People want all the benefits and no responsibility.
The religious right is more concerned about the federal government legislating against their morality. That's all it's about. They don't care about the actual morals of anybody representing them as long as that person advances that agenda or at least slows down the liberal agenda. I know that for a fact since most of my family has that viewpoint. I admit that even I overlook the faults of candidates that represent my point of view. I'll wager that the same holds for just about everybody out there. If I waited around for somebody perfect to vote for I'd never show up at the polling station!
Faults are one thing. Believing being gay should be ILLEGAL while also apparently being someone who lured teenage girls into sex acts as a Assistant DA is quite another.
I may agree with you but the religious right does not. I have the mind of a scientist so I can see the difference between government and religion. Unfortunately most people don't see the distinction. I agree with them on one point, only action matters on the macro (ie: governmental) scale. The individual who votes in your favor is better than one who doesn't, regardless of what a piece of crap that person is as a human being. Sorry but it's true. I'd rather vote for someone who advances my view than one who doesn't. I'll venture to bet that I'm not the only one. Hillary would never had been able to run for president if I'm wrong. I dare a liberal to tell me she was your best bet for winning the election!
I just so happened to read an article before the election that detailed the most damning oppo research on Bernie Sanders. Hillary clearly had it and DIDN'T use it, but Trump and the GOP would have. Two main ones: when he was younger, he stole electricity from a neighbor's house and was on unemployment til his mid-30s. But beyond that, the Republicans had video of him at a Sandinista rally in Nicaragua in 1985. Point being, Bernie Sanders was going to be painted as a communist Jew looking to turn the US into South America. And if you think the alt-right hates Clinton, you can't imagine what they say about Jews. Bernie would have been turned into the second coming of Lenin and Trotsky in the media.
And quite frankly, though I agree with them in principle, more than a few of Bernie's policies were just as pie in the sky as Trump's wall.
The religious right loves Jews. My family is a good cross-section of that. They would sink our economy to save Israel and there is no disputing that. Read any of the Chick comics or pamphlets...
I believe it would be more accurate to say they believe the Jews need to be in Israel as a sign of the Second Coming and the end of the world, at which point they will either finally accept Jesus as their savior, or fall under the sword of the Lamb of God. In 2013, 77% of Evangelicals believed we are living in end times. #1, it is unbelievably arrogant and convenient for anyone to believe that (considering the length of human history), but beyond that, #2 it also significantly contributes to why many people don't believe we should do anything about.....well, ANYTHING really. It's all God's plan, and who cares?? The world is ending. Yikes.
I agree. I was never supposed to be here past 1984. My problem with my family religion is I have a very good memory. If I had $1 for every prophecy that was a pile of crap I'd be a rich man. A good memory does not score me any points with my family however...
See, I can buy people falling for one end-times prophecy. But 3, 6, 10?? For 30 years?? That's just madness.
I'm the way I am because of education and experience. Remember, there are many scriptures denigrating intelligence. My parents think I'm an intelligent idiot!
The question is this: deep down, they know you remember all the failed prophecies. You know they remember them too. They know you know they know. So what kind of cognitive dissonance causes this kind of behavior?? Who decides that intelligence is the work of the devil?? That is the way to....well, quite honestly it's the way to American circa 2017.
Unfortunately it doesn't make it any easier for me. My mom has told me straight up that she has to turn off her brain and that I should too. I have a really hard time believing that a real God would want me to do that. They absolutely do not believe when I tell them about prophesies that didn't come true. They just say that 'Well they missed that one'. When I ask them to produce any prophecy that actually came to pass they say well 'Daniel' or ' Revelations'. How can you refute a prophecy that could be true anytime in the distant future???
I guess that explains nearly everything, if your parents are typical examples of this mindset. Sad really. I started questioning things in the Bible when I was still an altar boy on Saturday nights asking questions like "why don't people live to be 250 years old anymore??" and "how the hell could anyone live inside of a whale for a week??" and "why don't people get turned into salt nowadays"?? (and as an aside, there was no inappropriate stuff going on at my church, though looking back I do get the distinct feeling the priest I did Mass with was definitely constraining himself in that regard).
Actually, one of my friends from high school (who I would never describe as smart) actually had the best insight into religion I ever received. When talking about how I just didn't buy it anymore he said "well you might as well, what have you got to lose??" Which is actually very profound and makes sense. Problem is my brain can't just make that happen.
If religion is right and you're wrong, infinite loss. If you're right and religion is wrong, no loss. If religion is wrong and you're wrong no loss. Odds are not in your favor. Can't remember who said this but it's troubling none the less...
@jjstraka34 "This is just no-effort, no responsibility salvation."
I like to call it "pop Christianity". People want all the benefits and no responsibility.
The religious right is more concerned about the federal government legislating against their morality. That's all it's about. They don't care about the actual morals of anybody representing them as long as that person advances that agenda or at least slows down the liberal agenda. I know that for a fact since most of my family has that viewpoint. I admit that even I overlook the faults of candidates that represent my point of view. I'll wager that the same holds for just about everybody out there. If I waited around for somebody perfect to vote for I'd never show up at the polling station!
Faults are one thing. Believing being gay should be ILLEGAL while also apparently being someone who lured teenage girls into sex acts as a Assistant DA is quite another.
I may agree with you but the religious right does not. I have the mind of a scientist so I can see the difference between government and religion. Unfortunately most people don't see the distinction. I agree with them on one point, only action matters on the macro (ie: governmental) scale. The individual who votes in your favor is better than one who doesn't, regardless of what a piece of crap that person is as a human being. Sorry but it's true. I'd rather vote for someone who advances my view than one who doesn't. I'll venture to bet that I'm not the only one. Hillary would never had been able to run for president if I'm wrong. I dare a liberal to tell me she was your best bet for winning the election!
I just so happened to read an article before the election that detailed the most damning oppo research on Bernie Sanders. Hillary clearly had it and DIDN'T use it, but Trump and the GOP would have. Two main ones: when he was younger, he stole electricity from a neighbor's house and was on unemployment til his mid-30s. But beyond that, the Republicans had video of him at a Sandinista rally in Nicaragua in 1985. Point being, Bernie Sanders was going to be painted as a communist Jew looking to turn the US into South America. And if you think the alt-right hates Clinton, you can't imagine what they say about Jews. Bernie would have been turned into the second coming of Lenin and Trotsky in the media.
And quite frankly, though I agree with them in principle, more than a few of Bernie's policies were just as pie in the sky as Trump's wall.
The religious right loves Jews. My family is a good cross-section of that. They would sink our economy to save Israel and there is no disputing that. Read any of the Chick comics or pamphlets...
I believe it would be more accurate to say they believe the Jews need to be in Israel as a sign of the Second Coming and the end of the world, at which point they will either finally accept Jesus as their savior, or fall under the sword of the Lamb of God. In 2013, 77% of Evangelicals believed we are living in end times. #1, it is unbelievably arrogant and convenient for anyone to believe that (considering the length of human history), but beyond that, #2 it also significantly contributes to why many people don't believe we should do anything about.....well, ANYTHING really. It's all God's plan, and who cares?? The world is ending. Yikes.
I agree. I was never supposed to be here past 1984. My problem with my family religion is I have a very good memory. If I had $1 for every prophecy that was a pile of crap I'd be a rich man. A good memory does not score me any points with my family however...
See, I can buy people falling for one end-times prophecy. But 3, 6, 10?? For 30 years?? That's just madness.
I'm the way I am because of education and experience. Remember, there are many scriptures denigrating intelligence. My parents think I'm an intelligent idiot!
The question is this: deep down, they know you remember all the failed prophecies. You know they remember them too. They know you know they know. So what kind of cognitive dissonance causes this kind of behavior?? Who decides that intelligence is the work of the devil?? That is the way to....well, quite honestly it's the way to American circa 2017.
Unfortunately it doesn't make it any easier for me. My mom has told me straight up that she has to turn off her brain and that I should too. I have a really hard time believing that a real God would want me to do that. They absolutely do not believe when I tell them about prophesies that didn't come true. They just say that 'Well they missed that one'. When I ask them to produce any prophecy that actually came to pass they say well 'Daniel' or ' Revelations'. How can you refute a prophecy that could be true anytime in the distant future???
I guess that explains nearly everything, if your parents are typical examples of this mindset. Sad really. I started questioning things in the Bible when I was still an altar boy on Saturday nights asking questions like "why don't people live to be 250 years old anymore??" and "how the hell could anyone live inside of a whale for a week??" and "why don't people get turned into salt nowadays"?? (and as an aside, there was no inappropriate stuff going on at my church, though looking back I do get the distinct feeling the priest I did Mass with was definitely constraining himself in that regard).
Actually, one of my friends from high school (who I would never describe as smart) actually had the best insight into religion I ever received. When talking about how I just didn't buy it anymore he said "well you might as well, what have you got to lose??" Which is actually very profound and makes sense. Problem is my brain can't just make that happen.
If religion is right and you're wrong, infinite loss. If you're right and religion is wrong, no loss. If religion is wrong and you're wrong no loss. Odds are not in your favor. Can't remember who said this but it's troubling none the less...
Pascal's wager. Not logically sound, though. Choosing the wrong religion could be worse than having none at all. The true god might prefer freethinkers. Etc. Argument only works if it is a binary choice between Christianity and Atheism, with no options thinkable.
It is odd to me, an outsider, that the religious and alt-right seem to love Israel, do anything for it, but on the other hand they really don't like jewish people.
Maybe it's like prisons, everyone wants more of them but here, but not in my backyard.
I don't mind Jewish people. Israel is one of our strongest allies and one of the better examples of democracy outside of the U.S. If the conflict between them and the Palestinians could be resolved peaceably I think it would work out splendidly. The roots of hatred burn very strong unfortunately...
There is no doubt that Israel is often under attack from Hamas. People in Israel do die because of Hamas rockets. Thing is, most of them fall harmlessly in the desert. And when Israeli citizens get killed, the government often just bombs hospitals and schools in Gaza. The argument to that is often "well Hamas is just using women and children as human shields". Which is often true. That doesn't change the fact that you decided to bomb them anyway.
The Holocaust has made the Jews very wary of dealing with things from a point of view other than 'strength'. I can't say I blame them...
I have to say (and I never thought I would say this) that during the Bush years, hell, even during the Obama years, there were many politicians/pundits/personalities on the right who were the bottom of the barrel. People like Bill Kristol, Joe Scarbourough Jennifer Rubin, Max Boot, Nicole Wallace, Ana Navarro etc. All either shills for the Bush, McCain or Romney crowds. It did turn out that some of them DID have principles. There were Republicans who stood up to Trump, would not go along, saw what it was going to lead to. And here we are, now debating whether pedophilia should disqualify you from a Senate seat. Point being, what I thought was the worst in 2000, 2008 and 2012 wasn't the worst. We are at the worst now. I still won't ever forgive or forget Bush the 2nd. But it wasn't this. It wasn't this kind of moral degradation and national sickness.
@jjstraka34 "This is just no-effort, no responsibility salvation."
I like to call it "pop Christianity". People want all the benefits and no responsibility.
The religious right is more concerned about the federal government legislating against their morality. That's all it's about. They don't care about the actual morals of anybody representing them as long as that person advances that agenda or at least slows down the liberal agenda. I know that for a fact since most of my family has that viewpoint. I admit that even I overlook the faults of candidates that represent my point of view. I'll wager that the same holds for just about everybody out there. If I waited around for somebody perfect to vote for I'd never show up at the polling station!
Faults are one thing. Believing being gay should be ILLEGAL while also apparently being someone who lured teenage girls into sex acts as a Assistant DA is quite another.
I may agree with you but the religious right does not. I have the mind of a scientist so I can see the difference between government and religion. Unfortunately most people don't see the distinction. I agree with them on one point, only action matters on the macro (ie: governmental) scale. The individual who votes in your favor is better than one who doesn't, regardless of what a piece of crap that person is as a human being. Sorry but it's true. I'd rather vote for someone who advances my view than one who doesn't. I'll venture to bet that I'm not the only one. Hillary would never had been able to run for president if I'm wrong. I dare a liberal to tell me she was your best bet for winning the election!
I just so happened to read an article before the election that detailed the most damning oppo research on Bernie Sanders. Hillary clearly had it and DIDN'T use it, but Trump and the GOP would have. Two main ones: when he was younger, he stole electricity from a neighbor's house and was on unemployment til his mid-30s. But beyond that, the Republicans had video of him at a Sandinista rally in Nicaragua in 1985. Point being, Bernie Sanders was going to be painted as a communist Jew looking to turn the US into South America. And if you think the alt-right hates Clinton, you can't imagine what they say about Jews. Bernie would have been turned into the second coming of Lenin and Trotsky in the media.
And quite frankly, though I agree with them in principle, more than a few of Bernie's policies were just as pie in the sky as Trump's wall.
The religious right loves Jews. My family is a good cross-section of that. They would sink our economy to save Israel and there is no disputing that. Read any of the Chick comics or pamphlets...
I believe it would be more accurate to say they believe the Jews need to be in Israel as a sign of the Second Coming and the end of the world, at which point they will either finally accept Jesus as their savior, or fall under the sword of the Lamb of God. In 2013, 77% of Evangelicals believed we are living in end times. #1, it is unbelievably arrogant and convenient for anyone to believe that (considering the length of human history), but beyond that, #2 it also significantly contributes to why many people don't believe we should do anything about.....well, ANYTHING really. It's all God's plan, and who cares?? The world is ending. Yikes.
I agree. I was never supposed to be here past 1984. My problem with my family religion is I have a very good memory. If I had $1 for every prophecy that was a pile of crap I'd be a rich man. A good memory does not score me any points with my family however...
See, I can buy people falling for one end-times prophecy. But 3, 6, 10?? For 30 years?? That's just madness.
I'm the way I am because of education and experience. Remember, there are many scriptures denigrating intelligence. My parents think I'm an intelligent idiot!
The question is this: deep down, they know you remember all the failed prophecies. You know they remember them too. They know you know they know. So what kind of cognitive dissonance causes this kind of behavior?? Who decides that intelligence is the work of the devil?? That is the way to....well, quite honestly it's the way to American circa 2017.
Unfortunately it doesn't make it any easier for me. My mom has told me straight up that she has to turn off her brain and that I should too. I have a really hard time believing that a real God would want me to do that. They absolutely do not believe when I tell them about prophesies that didn't come true. They just say that 'Well they missed that one'. When I ask them to produce any prophecy that actually came to pass they say well 'Daniel' or ' Revelations'. How can you refute a prophecy that could be true anytime in the distant future???
I guess that explains nearly everything, if your parents are typical examples of this mindset. Sad really. I started questioning things in the Bible when I was still an altar boy on Saturday nights asking questions like "why don't people live to be 250 years old anymore??" and "how the hell could anyone live inside of a whale for a week??" and "why don't people get turned into salt nowadays"?? (and as an aside, there was no inappropriate stuff going on at my church, though looking back I do get the distinct feeling the priest I did Mass with was definitely constraining himself in that regard).
Actually, one of my friends from high school (who I would never describe as smart) actually had the best insight into religion I ever received. When talking about how I just didn't buy it anymore he said "well you might as well, what have you got to lose??" Which is actually very profound and makes sense. Problem is my brain can't just make that happen.
If religion is right and you're wrong, infinite loss. If you're right and religion is wrong, no loss. If religion is wrong and you're wrong no loss. Odds are not in your favor. Can't remember who said this but it's troubling none the less...
Pascal's wager. Not logically sound, though. Choosing the wrong religion could be worse than having none at all. The true god might prefer freethinkers. Etc. Argument only works if it is a binary choice between Christianity and Atheism, with no options thinkable.
It's only sound when the infinite is in play. It presupposes the existence of Hell. In that context it's very much something to consider...
I have to say (and I never thought I would say this) that during the Bush years, hell, even during the Obama years, there were many politicians/pundits/personalities on the right who were the bottom of the barrel. People like Bill Kristol, Joe Scarbourough Jennifer Rubin, Max Boot, Nicole Wallace, Ana Navarro etc. All either shills for the Bush, McCain or Romney crowds. It did turn out that some of them DID have principles. There were Republicans who stood up to Trump, would not go along, saw what it was going to lead to. And here we are, now debating whether pedophilia should disqualify you from a Senate seat. Point being, what I thought was the worst in 2000, 2008 and 2012 wasn't the worst. We are at the worst now. I still won't ever forgive or forget Bush the 2nd. But it wasn't this. It wasn't this kind of moral degradation and national sickness.
How about Bill Clinton and Ted Kennedy? You talk like the only reprehensible people are on the right...
Edit: Forgot about Wiener but you could throw him into the equation too.
I have to say (and I never thought I would say this) that during the Bush years, hell, even during the Obama years, there were many politicians/pundits/personalities on the right who were the bottom of the barrel. People like Bill Kristol, Joe Scarbourough Jennifer Rubin, Max Boot, Nicole Wallace, Ana Navarro etc. All either shills for the Bush, McCain or Romney crowds. It did turn out that some of them DID have principles. There were Republicans who stood up to Trump, would not go along, saw what it was going to lead to. And here we are, now debating whether pedophilia should disqualify you from a Senate seat. Point being, what I thought was the worst in 2000, 2008 and 2012 wasn't the worst. We are at the worst now. I still won't ever forgive or forget Bush the 2nd. But it wasn't this. It wasn't this kind of moral degradation and national sickness.
How about Bill Clinton and Ted Kennedy? You talk like the only reprehensible people are on the right...
The problem I have with Bill Clinton's accusers is that two of them testified, under oath, that he had never made any unwanted advances toward them, until they changed their story. Paula Jones simply cashed in. Monica Lewinsky would certainly ADMIT the affair was consensual, and that in many ways she encouraged it. Point being, there was alot of money that was thrown the way of Bill Clinton's accusers in the 90s, from tabloids, book deals, etc etc. As far as I know, not one accuser of Donald Trump or Bill Cosby has done the same thing. I don't even know the NAMES of any of those women, but I can certainly name off Juanita Broderick, Kathleen Willey and Paula Jones immediately. The Clinton accusations, to me, seem more like a spectacle than anything else. If recent history shows anything, most women have no interest in money from actual incidents of abuse. But I don't know. He was a serial philanderer for sure.
Ted Kennedy....yeah, he definitely got drunk, crashed that car, and that girl drowned. Hard to get around that. However, that is also the reason he never became President, which he probably would have otherwise. I don't know if he tried to save her, maybe he did, maybe he didn't. But he didn't report it for 10 hours. That is clearly because he waned the alcohol to wear off.
As for Weiner, I'm glad to talk about him. Because the first scandal when he was in Congress was simply a routine sexting scandal that didn't yet (years later) involve an underage girl. Yet Nancy Pelosi kicked his ass to the curb and forced him to resign within 48 hours. She threw him off the ship immediately. Republicans kept David Vitter around after a prostitution scandal and not only voted him in for another Senate term, but ran him for Governor of Louisiana.
I hope to god I'm wrong about this, but not only do I think Moore is going to still win in Alabama, I think this is going to BOOST his poll numbers among Republicans. In this case we are talking about a man going INTO an election facing child molestation allegations. Nothing remotely similar I can even think of.
@jjstraka34 "This is just no-effort, no responsibility salvation."
I like to call it "pop Christianity". People want all the benefits and no responsibility.
The religious right is more concerned about the federal government legislating against their morality. That's all it's about. They don't care about the actual morals of anybody representing them as long as that person advances that agenda or at least slows down the liberal agenda. I know that for a fact since most of my family has that viewpoint. I admit that even I overlook the faults of candidates that represent my point of view. I'll wager that the same holds for just about everybody out there. If I waited around for somebody perfect to vote for I'd never show up at the polling station!
Faults are one thing. Believing being gay should be ILLEGAL while also apparently being someone who lured teenage girls into sex acts as a Assistant DA is quite another.
I may agree with you but the religious right does not. I have the mind of a scientist so I can see the difference between government and religion. Unfortunately most people don't see the distinction. I agree with them on one point, only action matters on the macro (ie: governmental) scale. The individual who votes in your favor is better than one who doesn't, regardless of what a piece of crap that person is as a human being. Sorry but it's true. I'd rather vote for someone who advances my view than one who doesn't. I'll venture to bet that I'm not the only one. Hillary would never had been able to run for president if I'm wrong. I dare a liberal to tell me she was your best bet for winning the election!
I just so happened to read an article before the election that detailed the most damning oppo research on Bernie Sanders. Hillary clearly had it and DIDN'T use it, but Trump and the GOP would have. Two main ones: when he was younger, he stole electricity from a neighbor's house and was on unemployment til his mid-30s. But beyond that, the Republicans had video of him at a Sandinista rally in Nicaragua in 1985. Point being, Bernie Sanders was going to be painted as a communist Jew looking to turn the US into South America. And if you think the alt-right hates Clinton, you can't imagine what they say about Jews. Bernie would have been turned into the second coming of Lenin and Trotsky in the media.
And quite frankly, though I agree with them in principle, more than a few of Bernie's policies were just as pie in the sky as Trump's wall.
The religious right loves Jews. My family is a good cross-section of that. They would sink our economy to save Israel and there is no disputing that. Read any of the Chick comics or pamphlets...
I believe it would be more accurate to say they believe the Jews need to be in Israel as a sign of the Second Coming and the end of the world, at which point they will either finally accept Jesus as their savior, or fall under the sword of the Lamb of God. In 2013, 77% of Evangelicals believed we are living in end times. #1, it is unbelievably arrogant and convenient for anyone to believe that (considering the length of human history), but beyond that, #2 it also significantly contributes to why many people don't believe we should do anything about.....well, ANYTHING really. It's all God's plan, and who cares?? The world is ending. Yikes.
I agree. I was never supposed to be here past 1984. My problem with my family religion is I have a very good memory. If I had $1 for every prophecy that was a pile of crap I'd be a rich man. A good memory does not score me any points with my family however...
See, I can buy people falling for one end-times prophecy. But 3, 6, 10?? For 30 years?? That's just madness.
I'm the way I am because of education and experience. Remember, there are many scriptures denigrating intelligence. My parents think I'm an intelligent idiot!
The question is this: deep down, they know you remember all the failed prophecies. You know they remember them too. They know you know they know. So what kind of cognitive dissonance causes this kind of behavior?? Who decides that intelligence is the work of the devil?? That is the way to....well, quite honestly it's the way to American circa 2017.
Unfortunately it doesn't make it any easier for me. My mom has told me straight up that she has to turn off her brain and that I should too. I have a really hard time believing that a real God would want me to do that. They absolutely do not believe when I tell them about prophesies that didn't come true. They just say that 'Well they missed that one'. When I ask them to produce any prophecy that actually came to pass they say well 'Daniel' or ' Revelations'. How can you refute a prophecy that could be true anytime in the distant future???
I guess that explains nearly everything, if your parents are typical examples of this mindset. Sad really. I started questioning things in the Bible when I was still an altar boy on Saturday nights asking questions like "why don't people live to be 250 years old anymore??" and "how the hell could anyone live inside of a whale for a week??" and "why don't people get turned into salt nowadays"?? (and as an aside, there was no inappropriate stuff going on at my church, though looking back I do get the distinct feeling the priest I did Mass with was definitely constraining himself in that regard).
Actually, one of my friends from high school (who I would never describe as smart) actually had the best insight into religion I ever received. When talking about how I just didn't buy it anymore he said "well you might as well, what have you got to lose??" Which is actually very profound and makes sense. Problem is my brain can't just make that happen.
If religion is right and you're wrong, infinite loss. If you're right and religion is wrong, no loss. If religion is wrong and you're wrong no loss. Odds are not in your favor. Can't remember who said this but it's troubling none the less...
Pascal's wager. Not logically sound, though. Choosing the wrong religion could be worse than having none at all. The true god might prefer freethinkers. Etc. Argument only works if it is a binary choice between Christianity and Atheism, with no options thinkable.
It's only sound when the infinite is in play. It presupposes the existence of Hell. In that context it's very much something to consider...
Again, not really sound even then. The Problem is that different religions do not agree about how to avoid hell. Which one is correct? Maybe the one true god is the Lady of Pain Form Sigil, and she hates being worshipped.
If religion is right and you're wrong, infinite loss. If you're right and religion is wrong, no loss. If religion is wrong and you're wrong no loss. Odds are not in your favor.
This also presupposes that you would want the afterlife on offer. I'm agnostic about the idea of a God, but my idea of Hell would be to be in Heaven with a God who required you to worship Him.
If religion is right and you're wrong, infinite loss. If you're right and religion is wrong, no loss. If religion is wrong and you're wrong no loss. Odds are not in your favor.
This also presupposes that you would want the afterlife on offer. I'm agnostic about the idea of a God, but my idea of Hell would be to be in Heaven with a God who required you to worship Him.
I find the notion of being in Heaven while people I loved/liked are being tortured in eternity for hell even more disturbance. Sure, the concept of Heaven implies that if you are there you happy. But if I am happy while those I love suffer, how am I even remotely me anymore? This would be just a worse death.
Voltaire thought Pascal's wager was rubbish because "the interest I have to believe a thing is no proof that such a thing exists". It's strange how we some 300 years later still have to remind ourselves of this very obvious thing. In both religion and politics.
Voting is a funny thing. During the brexit vote it's a shame the 16 + population couldn't vote as it impacts them more them the majority of the oaps who voted leave and are going to be pushing up daisys in a few years.
I think the idea that it was "the old" that voted for Brexit is largely propaganda. Preti Patel is certainly a lot younger than me and millitantly pro-brexit.
And those who didn't vote are perhaps the most honest of the lot. It wasn't apathy, it was honestly admitting "I don't know".
I saw some stats on it, and there was a definite tendency to vote for brexit the older you were. It wasn't overwhelmingly so though.
But the data gathering is dubious: It's a secret ballot, so there is no way of telling how someone actually voted. You have to depend on them telling you. And people lie. It could just be that young people where less willing to admit to voting to leave the EU than older people.
Usury. Christians used to be forbidden from charging interest on loans (how times change!). So Jews, who where allowed, became bankers and money lenders. As a consequence they became very rich. This led to jealousy, and a simple desire to get out of repaying loans by killing the person you owe money to.
@jjstraka34 "This is just no-effort, no responsibility salvation."
I like to call it "pop Christianity". People want all the benefits and no responsibility.
The religious right is more concerned about the federal government legislating against their morality. That's all it's about. They don't care about the actual morals of anybody representing them as long as that person advances that agenda or at least slows down the liberal agenda. I know that for a fact since most of my family has that viewpoint. I admit that even I overlook the faults of candidates that represent my point of view. I'll wager that the same holds for just about everybody out there. If I waited around for somebody perfect to vote for I'd never show up at the polling station!
Faults are one thing. Believing being gay should be ILLEGAL while also apparently being someone who lured teenage girls into sex acts as a Assistant DA is quite another.
I may agree with you but the religious right does not. I have the mind of a scientist so I can see the difference between government and religion. Unfortunately most people don't see the distinction. I agree with them on one point, only action matters on the macro (ie: governmental) scale. The individual who votes in your favor is better than one who doesn't, regardless of what a piece of crap that person is as a human being. Sorry but it's true. I'd rather vote for someone who advances my view than one who doesn't. I'll venture to bet that I'm not the only one. Hillary would never had been able to run for president if I'm wrong. I dare a liberal to tell me she was your best bet for winning the election!
I just so happened to read an article before the election that detailed the most damning oppo research on Bernie Sanders. Hillary clearly had it and DIDN'T use it, but Trump and the GOP would have. Two main ones: when he was younger, he stole electricity from a neighbor's house and was on unemployment til his mid-30s. But beyond that, the Republicans had video of him at a Sandinista rally in Nicaragua in 1985. Point being, Bernie Sanders was going to be painted as a communist Jew looking to turn the US into South America. And if you think the alt-right hates Clinton, you can't imagine what they say about Jews. Bernie would have been turned into the second coming of Lenin and Trotsky in the media.
And quite frankly, though I agree with them in principle, more than a few of Bernie's policies were just as pie in the sky as Trump's wall.
The religious right loves Jews. My family is a good cross-section of that. They would sink our economy to save Israel and there is no disputing that. Read any of the Chick comics or pamphlets...
I believe it would be more accurate to say they believe the Jews need to be in Israel as a sign of the Second Coming and the end of the world, at which point they will either finally accept Jesus as their savior, or fall under the sword of the Lamb of God. In 2013, 77% of Evangelicals believed we are living in end times. #1, it is unbelievably arrogant and convenient for anyone to believe that (considering the length of human history), but beyond that, #2 it also significantly contributes to why many people don't believe we should do anything about.....well, ANYTHING really. It's all God's plan, and who cares?? The world is ending. Yikes.
Interestingly, I used to commute to work an hour each way and when driving home late at night, I would pick up a station in Iowa where some maniac named "Brother Stair" bought time from 10-midnight. He was an end-times preacher from South Carolina, and it sounded like he was broadcasting from a shack in the middle of nowhere. It was sort of scary and funny at the same time, but by far the most interesting thing to listen to on the drive. Eventually, I did some research on him, and not only had he had multiple arrests over the years based on sexual assault claims in regards to his commune in South Carolina, he had also been making end of the world predictions on a yearly basis since the early 1980s.
That doesn't explain Priti Patel. She was sacked for trying to divert UK aid money to the Israeli army. However, whist she is certainly of the Far Right, she is not (at least openly) Christian.
People who blindly follow religious leaders because they think that leader has some special insight or connection to God wind up dead in a compound in Guyana or burned alive in a building outside Waco. Of course, people who blindly follow anything, whether an idea, person, or political party, are weak-minded and willingly choose what happens to them. Religion is supposed to help people find peace in life, not set people at each other's throats.
On a related topic, why do so many Fundamentals keep thumping the Old Testament when, in reality, that half doesn't apply to them *at all*? If you believe the events of the New Testament then the Old Testament is the Old Law and that set of laws expired when the veil covering the entrance to the Holy of Holies was rent. Besides, if you profess yourself to be a Christian yet think that certain groups of people are "perverted" and that you should be actively working against them you clearly missed out on that whole "love your neighbor as you love yourself" message. You might want to reread your instruction manual which you claim to cherish so much.
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Let me start by stating that Moore is probably guilty of the allegations made against him. That being said, in the interest of keeping true to the foundation of our system of justice--innocent until proven guilty--let's just put aside my personal opinion for a minute. On the one hand, at this moment these allegations are only that--allegations (again, probably true, but we are putting that on the back burner for now). Anyone can make an accusation against someone else for the purpose of slandering that person's name or character. However, in the vast majority of all accusations of sexual misconduct/predation the accuser has nothing to gain by making the allegation--in fact, the accuser often faces *more* scrutiny than the person they are accusing of misconduct, especially if the person in question is wealthy, an entertainer, a politician, a high-profile corporate executive, or some combination of those. In this instance, by coming out and accusing Moore publicly these poor women will probably have to wind up moving out of the State--you know they are going to start being stared at or confronted while grocery shopping. Anyway...accusations are not proof and in this instance Moore will probably dodge actual punishment because the statute of limitations has long since expired and the cases boil down to "he said she said".
On the other hand--there is always another hand--an *honest* man would step down and withdraw from the political contest so that he can work to clear his name (or figure out how he is going to stay out of jail). Of course, an *honest* man probably wouldn't have committed the offenses in the first place.
Apparently 2017 will be remembered as The Year of Speaking Out.
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edit/add: I meant to add this earlier but forgot. Protesting against something takes you only so far, usually a night or two in jail. No, if you want to make a change then this is how you make a change--you throw your hat into the ring, you get your message out to the voters, you get them motivated to support your platform, and you get elected to office. Mr. Winston, former protester, is now on the city council for Charlotte and has pledged to focus on economic development for his city and to hold the police accountable for their actions.
There will be no legal consequences for Moore, the only way he can be held accountable is by Alabama voters not sending him to the Senate (which they probably will do despite this). And read the article a few times. If Roy Moore didn't do this, I'll eat this cell phone.
If religion is right and you're wrong, infinite loss. If you're right and religion is wrong, no loss. If religion is wrong and you're wrong no loss. Odds are not in your favor. Can't remember who said this but it's troubling none the less...
It could be worse than "you're wrong no loss"
If you're right, and religion is wrong you could spend your life misguided and following immoral greedy people who take advantage of you.
If religion is right and you're wrong, infinite loss. If you're right and religion is wrong, no loss. If religion is wrong and you're wrong no loss. Odds are not in your favor. Can't remember who said this but it's troubling none the less...
It could be worse than "you're wrong no loss"
If you're right, and religion is wrong you could spend your life misguided and following immoral greedy people who take advantage of you.
But the televangelists make them feel good so it may be an illusion but it's no 'loss' from their perspectives. I think religion makes people feel more powerful and special because of 'secret knowledge'. Televangelists (and cult leaders) capitalize on this in spades!
Let's talk for a minute about WHY many Republicans will still welcome Moore into the fold if he wins....the tax cuts. Three things:
1.) The Financial Times estimates that if the GOP tax plan goes through, and what it does to deductions for charity, that charitable giving will decline by (get this) 100 BILLION dollars.
2.) In ten years when it fully takes effect, a family with kids that makes $40-50,000/year will see their taxes INCREASE by $250 dollars. A person with no kids who makes over a million will receive nearly a $200,000 tax cut. What can that $250 buy for your average family?? How about a winter coat, snow pants and boots for one child. How about a year's worth of school supplies. A nice birthday party for you kid and their friends you may not have been able to afford otherwise.
3.) Once this is passed (if it passes) you are going to find out very quickly (shock) you will see Republicans say they need to further slash social programs like Social Security and Medicaid to shore up the increase in the deficit they JUST created by these said tax cuts.
Voltaire thought Pascal's wager was rubbish because "the interest I have to believe a thing is no proof that such a thing exists". It's strange how we some 300 years later still have to remind ourselves of this very obvious thing. In both religion and politics.
That's not really a good response to it though, because the Wager is looking at the theism question from a pragmatic point of view, one of self interest rather than empiricism. Given the question is an open one with no definitive answer either way and no clear path to obtaining such an answer looking at it from the perspective of which choice is most useful to us isn't without merit. I wouldn't really consider myself a religious person but I see where that argument is coming from.
So many allegations of sexual misconduct this year where do we even begin. Weinstein, Spacey, Louis C.K, a whole slew of male feminists, an insider list of male journalist sexual predators, the use of spies to keep victims in line, and now Moore. If such allegations are true, he should step down immediately as anyone in his position should. I don't mean to sound biased but this is the guy who bodyslammed a journalist just weeks before the end of his campaign so I can't say I would put it past him.
Louis C.K. just released a statement that.....admits to everything, which is.....stunning, when compared to nearly everyone else who has been accused the past month or so. I don't want to heap praise on him, but it IS better than issuing ridiculous press releases and denials or (in the case of Kevin Spacey) trying to cover up his his attempted sexual assaults of young men by coming out of the closet, which did nothing but perpetrate the myth that gay people are more likely to be pedophiles, when pedophilia has nothing to do with being gay.
Last week, Senator (and former presidential candidate) Rand Paul was beaten by a neighbor so severely that he has six broken ribs.
And it wasn't even a blip on the news with everything else going on.
I feel for Rand, he has been witness to a lot of violence lately. He was at the Scalise shooting, then deals with a politically motivated attack at his own home. I have points of disagreement with Rand but him and his father have always struck me as principled, good people who stuck to what they believe in.
Last week, Senator (and former presidential candidate) Rand Paul was beaten by a neighbor so severely that he has six broken ribs.
And it wasn't even a blip on the news with everything else going on.
I feel for Rand, he has been witness to a lot of violence lately. He was at the Scalise shooting, then deals with a politically motivated attack at his own home. I have points of disagreement with Rand but him and his father have always struck me as principled, good people who stuck to what they believe in.
I don't see any presented evidence yet that it was politically motivated until either Rand Paul or the assailant tell us so or admit to it. Considering they were literally next door neighbors in a gated community, it seems just as likely it could have been a dispute over each other's lawns. It may have been, maybe it WAS. But that's hardly been substantiated.
Comments
Maybe it's like prisons, everyone wants more of them but just not here, not here in my backyard.
Much less how these people seem to they think a braggart reality tv star and casino owner who lies every time he breathes and has kids from 3 different wives and has gone bankrupt several times and was captured on tape saying he could get away with sexual assault is a godly man.
Actually, one of my friends from high school (who I would never describe as smart) actually had the best insight into religion I ever received. When talking about how I just didn't buy it anymore he said "well you might as well, what have you got to lose??" Which is actually very profound and makes sense. Problem is my brain can't just make that happen.
Edit: Forgot about Wiener but you could throw him into the equation too.
Ted Kennedy....yeah, he definitely got drunk, crashed that car, and that girl drowned. Hard to get around that. However, that is also the reason he never became President, which he probably would have otherwise. I don't know if he tried to save her, maybe he did, maybe he didn't. But he didn't report it for 10 hours. That is clearly because he waned the alcohol to wear off.
As for Weiner, I'm glad to talk about him. Because the first scandal when he was in Congress was simply a routine sexting scandal that didn't yet (years later) involve an underage girl. Yet Nancy Pelosi kicked his ass to the curb and forced him to resign within 48 hours. She threw him off the ship immediately. Republicans kept David Vitter around after a prostitution scandal and not only voted him in for another Senate term, but ran him for Governor of Louisiana.
I hope to god I'm wrong about this, but not only do I think Moore is going to still win in Alabama, I think this is going to BOOST his poll numbers among Republicans. In this case we are talking about a man going INTO an election facing child molestation allegations. Nothing remotely similar I can even think of.
See The Merchant of Venice.
On a related topic, why do so many Fundamentals keep thumping the Old Testament when, in reality, that half doesn't apply to them *at all*? If you believe the events of the New Testament then the Old Testament is the Old Law and that set of laws expired when the veil covering the entrance to the Holy of Holies was rent. Besides, if you profess yourself to be a Christian yet think that certain groups of people are "perverted" and that you should be actively working against them you clearly missed out on that whole "love your neighbor as you love yourself" message. You might want to reread your instruction manual which you claim to cherish so much.
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Let me start by stating that Moore is probably guilty of the allegations made against him. That being said, in the interest of keeping true to the foundation of our system of justice--innocent until proven guilty--let's just put aside my personal opinion for a minute. On the one hand, at this moment these allegations are only that--allegations (again, probably true, but we are putting that on the back burner for now). Anyone can make an accusation against someone else for the purpose of slandering that person's name or character. However, in the vast majority of all accusations of sexual misconduct/predation the accuser has nothing to gain by making the allegation--in fact, the accuser often faces *more* scrutiny than the person they are accusing of misconduct, especially if the person in question is wealthy, an entertainer, a politician, a high-profile corporate executive, or some combination of those. In this instance, by coming out and accusing Moore publicly these poor women will probably have to wind up moving out of the State--you know they are going to start being stared at or confronted while grocery shopping. Anyway...accusations are not proof and in this instance Moore will probably dodge actual punishment because the statute of limitations has long since expired and the cases boil down to "he said she said".
On the other hand--there is always another hand--an *honest* man would step down and withdraw from the political contest so that he can work to clear his name (or figure out how he is going to stay out of jail). Of course, an *honest* man probably wouldn't have committed the offenses in the first place.
Apparently 2017 will be remembered as The Year of Speaking Out.
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edit/add: I meant to add this earlier but forgot. Protesting against something takes you only so far, usually a night or two in jail. No, if you want to make a change then this is how you make a change--you throw your hat into the ring, you get your message out to the voters, you get them motivated to support your platform, and you get elected to office. Mr. Winston, former protester, is now on the city council for Charlotte and has pledged to focus on economic development for his city and to hold the police accountable for their actions.
If you're right, and religion is wrong you could spend your life misguided and following immoral greedy people who take advantage of you.
John Oliver on Televangelists
1.) The Financial Times estimates that if the GOP tax plan goes through, and what it does to deductions for charity, that charitable giving will decline by (get this) 100 BILLION dollars.
2.) In ten years when it fully takes effect, a family with kids that makes $40-50,000/year will see their taxes INCREASE by $250 dollars. A person with no kids who makes over a million will receive nearly a $200,000 tax cut. What can that $250 buy for your average family?? How about a winter coat, snow pants and boots for one child. How about a year's worth of school supplies. A nice birthday party for you kid and their friends you may not have been able to afford otherwise.
3.) Once this is passed (if it passes) you are going to find out very quickly (shock) you will see Republicans say they need to further slash social programs like Social Security and Medicaid to shore up the increase in the deficit they JUST created by these said tax cuts.
So many allegations of sexual misconduct this year where do we even begin. Weinstein, Spacey, Louis C.K, a whole slew of male feminists, an insider list of male journalist sexual predators, the use of spies to keep victims in line, and now Moore. If such allegations are true, he should step down immediately as anyone in his position should. I don't mean to sound biased but this is the guy who bodyslammed a journalist just weeks before the end of his campaign so I can't say I would put it past him.
Last week, Senator (and former presidential candidate) Rand Paul was beaten by a neighbor so severely that he has six broken ribs.
And it wasn't even a blip on the news with everything else going on.
Here's more if anyone wants to read about it.
http://www.wnky.com/story/36764458/senator-paul-assaulted-at-home-in-bowling-green