OT: Exemplary government!

[dk]

https://www.bbc.com/news/stories-55020994

Finland and New Zealand have the best PMs!

dk

[Henk vT]

Post by dk
Finland and New Zealand have the best PMs!

Hmmm. I would vote for Germany. Angela Merkel hasn't done too much harm in all these years. Sanna Marin has yet to prove that she can lead a small country like Finland through a crisis. Jacinda Ardem is a great number two. She manages the covid crisis really well.

Henk

[dk]

Post by Henk vT

Post by dk
Finland and New Zealand have the best PMs!

Hmmm. I would vote for Germany. Angela Merkel hasn't done
too much harm in all these years.

That is certainly open to debate. Also note that "not doing much
harm" does not add up to a great job!

Post by Henk vT
Sanna Marin has yet to prove that she can lead a small country
like Finland through a crisis.

She has already!

Post by Henk vT
Jacinda Ardem is a great number two.

Number two ?!? She is the best prime minister on the planet!

Post by Henk vT
She manages the covid crisis really well.

Certainly! Too bad she is not in the running for POTUS! Why
cannot the US do any better than senile and/or delusional
septuagenarian white males ?!?

dk

[[e-mail]]

Post by dk

Post by Henk vT

Post by dk
Finland and New Zealand have the best PMs!

Hmmm. I would vote for Germany. Angela Merkel hasn't done
too much harm in all these years.

That is certainly open to debate. Also note that "not doing much
harm" does not add up to a great job!

Post by Henk vT
Sanna Marin has yet to prove that she can lead a small country
like Finland through a crisis.

She has already!

Post by Henk vT
Jacinda Ardem is a great number two.

Number two ?!? She is the best prime minister on the planet!

Post by Henk vT
She manages the covid crisis really well.

Certainly! Too bad she is not in the running for POTUS! Why
cannot the US do any better than senile and/or delusional
septuagenarian white males ?!?
dk

Mainly because real younger talent hasn´t got the gravitas to attract the huge amounts of money required to make a run for the top job in the US, where the almighty dollar is king.

https://www.investopedia.com/insights/cost-of-becoming-president/

Most leaders in the rest of the western world depend on many years of grass roots public service, and clawing their way up the ladder through talent and determination. There are exceptions, where in the case of the UK, any idiot can go to Eton and get elected.

Ray Hall, Taree

[Oscar]

Post by ***@gmail.com
Mainly because real younger talent hasn´t got the gravitas to attract the huge amounts of
money required to make a run for the top job in the US, where the almighty dollar is king.
Most leaders in the rest of the western world depend on many years of grass roots public service,
and clawing their way up the ladder through talent and determination. There are exceptions, where
in the case of the UK, any idiot can go to Eton and get elected.

So funny, Mr. Hall. The two nations you reserve for vituperative attack are responsible for 3 Covid vaccines between them. U-S-A! U-S-A! God save the Queen. You're the type who thought giving Governor Cuomo an Emmy Award in 2020 was a brilliant idea.

[[e-mail]]

Post by Oscar

Post by ***@gmail.com
Mainly because real younger talent hasn´t got the gravitas to attract the huge amounts of
money required to make a run for the top job in the US, where the almighty dollar is king.
gets in
Most leaders in the rest of the western world depend on many years of grass roots public service,
and clawing their way up the ladder through talent and determination. There are exceptions, where
in the case of the UK, any idiot can go to Eton and get elected.

So funny, Mr. Hall. The two nations you reserve for vituperative attack are responsible for 3 Covid vaccines between them. U-S-A! U-S-A! God save the Queen. You're the type who thought giving Governor Cuomo an Emmy Award in 2020 was a brilliant idea.

I would hardly call my remarks a ´vituperative attack´. Just stating some facts, is all. Besides, what has a vaccine got to do with any politician. It is science that always triumphs, not idlers like DT and BJ, who deride science mostly and also when it suits them to say so!! If anything, Trump and Johnson have handled the Covid19 crisis appallingly. Misinformation, lies, stupidity, indifference, are their trademarks by default.
Keep taking the disinfectant or bleach. Stay safe Oscar.

Ray Hall, Taree

[Oscar]

Post by ***@gmail.com
Keep taking the disinfectant or bleach. Stay safe Oscar.

Oh, I'm safe all right . . . from yr vituperativity and hand-biting-feedingness. Take the cure, bro: Conservatism now, conservatism tomorrow, conservatism forever!

[Oscar]

Post by ***@gmail.com
Besides, what has a vaccine got to do with any politician.

Operation Warp Speed.

[dk]

Post by Oscar

Post by ***@gmail.com
Besides, what has a vaccine got to do with any politician.

Operation Warp Speed.

China and Russia beat everybody else in developing a vaccine.

dk

[Oscar]

Post by dk
China and Russia beat everybody else in developing a vaccine.

That no one outside of those respective nations will take.

[Henk vT]

Post by Oscar

Post by dk
China and Russia beat everybody else in developing a vaccine.

That no one outside of those respective nations will take.

Some do, here in the Netherlands.

Henk

[dk]

Post by Oscar

Post by ***@gmail.com
Mainly because real younger talent hasn´t got the gravitas to attract the huge amounts of
money required to make a run for the top job in the US, where the almighty dollar is king.
Most leaders in the rest of the western world depend on many years of grass roots public service,
and clawing their way up the ladder through talent and determination. There are exceptions, where
in the case of the UK, any idiot can go to Eton and get elected.

So funny, Mr. Hall. The two nations you reserve for vituperative attack are
responsible for 3 Covid vaccines between them. U-S-A! U-S-A! God save
the Queen. You're the type who thought giving Governor Cuomo an
Emmy Award in 2020 was a brilliant idea.

The "two nations" are also responsible for centuries of colonialism
and slavery, and for 80% of the global mess-up on this planet. The
UK fucked up most of Africa and the Middle East, as well as India,
Pakistan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, and parts of China. God save the
Queen? NOT!

dk

[Oscar]

Post by dk
The "two nations" are also responsible for centuries of colonialism
and slavery, and for 80% of the global mess-up on this planet. The
UK fucked up most of Africa and the Middle East, as well as India,
Pakistan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, and parts of China.

Magna Carta is all, bitch.

[dk]

Post by Oscar

Post by dk
The "two nations" are also responsible for centuries of colonialism
and slavery, and for 80% of the global mess-up on this planet. The
UK fucked up most of Africa and the Middle East, as well as India,
Pakistan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, and parts of China.

Magna Carta is all, bitch.

What does Magna Carta have to do with the rest of the world beyond the
British Islands? The Magna Carta is a 800+ year oid sheet of medieval
toilet paper between a bunch of robber barrons and the Chief Thief of
England. One must be seriously retarded to take it seriously, let alone
claim it is ALL!

dk

PS. How do "monoglot deplorables" even know about the
Magna Carta? Lying and misrepresented oneself as usual?

[Oscar]

Dan, you're right. Screw the Magna Carta. We got MAGA! President Trump is responsible for:

Rebuilding military, fixing Veterans Administration, pulling troops out of pointless wars, fighting ISIS, bringing jobs back home, lowest unemployment in history, record stock market & economy, moving US embassy to Jerusalem, working with large corporations to make PPE & ventilators in America, putting "Dr." Tedros in his place, Operation Warp Speed, making our allies in NATO 'pay their fair share', USMCA, holding China & Iran accountable, fighting human & drug trafficking, school choice, removing ACA mandate, lower drug prices, energy independence, support for Native Americans including payment for lands, money to HBCUs, more Federal protected lands, The 1776 Project, etc.

[Herman]

Post by Oscar
Rebuilding military, fixing Veterans Administration, pulling troops out of pointless wars, fighting ISIS, bringing jobs back home, lowest unemployment in history, record stock market & economy, moving US embassy to Jerusalem, working with large corporations to make PPE & ventilators in America, putting "Dr." Tedros in his place, Operation Warp Speed, making our allies in NATO 'pay their fair share', USMCA, holding China & Iran accountable, fighting human & drug trafficking, school choice, removing ACA mandate, lower drug prices, energy independence, support for Native Americans including payment for lands, money to HBCUs, more Federal protected lands, The 1776 Project, etc.

That list is just hilarious, in that Trump c.s. fixed NONE of those things, apart from the Israel embassy thing.

I love those Finnish and NZ PMs, too, and I think Merkel, too, presented great leadership in the Covid Crisis. Overall I'm not sure NZ is this paradise we picture.

I'm a little surprised to see op. Warp Speed mentioned here, when Pfizer spokespeople have been 100% clear they did not partake in that program, which looks like yet another phoney Trump venture that's just there to channel money to cronies and claim glory.

There is no way around it, Trump and his cronies handled the Covid crisis uniquely bad. Trump and Pence and the rest of them don't give a damn whether 350.000 or more Americans will be dead by the time of the inauguration (that is many times the nr of Americans who died in Vietnam), it looks like Trump really enjoys the viscerality of it, because he survived Covid, so it makes him 350.000 times better than other people. That's how human he is.

[Oscar]

Post by Herman
That list is just hilarious, in that Trump c.s. fixed NONE of those things, apart from the Israel embassy thing.

The Middle East peace agreements that Jared and Pompeo struck?? Hello? And the Jerusalem Embassy _is_ a big deal. No turning back now. Birthright citizenship executive order is next. Take it all the way to the Soo-Preem Court, baby!

Post by Herman
I love those Finnish and NZ PMs, too, and I think Merkel, too, presented great leadership in the Covid Crisis.
Overall I'm not sure NZ is this paradise we picture.

They can stand in line and receive their shots when we tell them.

Post by Herman
I'm a little surprised to see op. Warp Speed mentioned here, when Pfizer spokespeople have been 100% clear
they did not partake in that >program, which looks like yet another phoney Trump venture that's just there to
channel money to cronies and claim glory.

So, all of sudden, you believe Big Bidness over the word of the Federal Gubmint? Screenshotting this!!

Post by Herman
There is no way around it, Trump and his cronies handled the Covid crisis uniquely bad. Trump and Pence and
the rest of them don't give a damn whether 350.000 or more Americans will be dead by the time of the
inauguration (that is many times the nr of Americans who died in Vietnam), it looks like Trump really enjoys the
viscerality of it, because he survived Covid, so it makes him 350.000 times better than other people. That's how human he is.

“We have met the [Chinese] president. We have seen the level of knowledge he has on the outbreak. Don’t you appreciate that kind of leadership? We don’t say anything to please anyone.” -Tedros at the headquarters of the United Nations health agency, Geneva, 2/12/2020.

In January, Tedros was quoted by Chinese state media as saying that “China’s speed, China’s scale and China’s efficiency … is the advantage of China’s system”. Ohh, really? Who butters yr bread, Ted? (He's not a real doctor, but he plays one in a pandemic.)

Back to February: Fending off criticism that he made the appreciative remarks just to save China “face” (a _big_ deal for Chinamen), Tedros insisted that China “doesn’t need to be asked to be praised” for its efforts to contain the spread of the virus. “China has done many good things to slow down the virus. The whole world can judge. There is no spinning here.”

Tedros took pains to add that his comments were not merely personal, but that they represented the view of the W.H.O. He said one British board member of the agency characterised the Chinese decision to lock down Wuhan, a city of 11 million, as “heroic”.

And you wonder why President Trump yanked (geddit?) the U.S. out of that blasted, corrupt, useless W.H.O. We'll create and distribute our _own_ vaccines, thankyouverymuch. Pfizer, Moderna, Gilead—Operation Warp Speed!

[dk]

Post by Oscar

Post by Herman
That list is just hilarious, in that Trump c.s. fixed NONE of those
things, apart from the Israel embassy thing.

The Middle East peace agreements that Jared and Pompeo struck??
Hello? And the Jerusalem Embassy _is_ a big deal. No turning back
now.

Not as big a deal as you claim. In case you didn't notice, there was no
war between Israel and the Emirates or Sudan or Saudi Arabia. In fact,
there have been pretty good business and commercial relations going
on all along. So this isn't "peace" by any stretch of imagination. Please
send us a postcard when Syria, Iraq and Iran join the "peace".

Moving the US Embassy to Jerusalem was nothing more than a PR
stunt that did not change any reality on the ground.

dk

[Todd Michel McComb]

Moving the US Embassy to Jerusalem was nothing more than a PR stunt
that did not change any reality on the ground.

You must not be awaiting the Rapture.

[dk]

Post by Todd Michel McComb

Post by dk
Moving the US Embassy to Jerusalem was nothing more
than a PR stunt that did not change any reality on the ground.

You must not be awaiting the Rapture.

It already happened:

Seriously, here are the facts on the ground. The US owns two big
buildings in Israel, one in Tel-Aviv and one in Jerusalem. The sign
on the former said "US Embassy" and the sign on the latter said
"US Consulate". They simply swapped signs between the two!

dk

[Todd Michel McComb]

The US owns two big buildings in Israel, one in Tel-Aviv and one
in Jerusalem. The sign on the former said "US Embassy" and the
sign on the latter said "US Consulate". They simply swapped signs
between the two!

Hey, you can also satisfy God by eating a cracker.... Mysterious
ways, my friend.

[dk]

The US owns two big buildings in Israel, one in Tel-Aviv and one
in Jerusalem. The sign on the former said "US Embassy" and the
sign on the latter said "US Consulate". They simply swapped signs
between the two!

Hey, you can also satisfy God by eating a cracker.... Mysterious
ways, my friend.

Do won-tons and Shanghai steamed dumplings also qualify?

dk

[Todd Michel McComb]

Post by dk
Do won-tons and Shanghai steamed dumplings also qualify?

I dunno, with meat? Jesus wasn't made of meat.

[dk]

Post by dk
Do won-tons and Shanghai steamed dumplings also qualify?

I dunno, with meat? Jesus wasn't made of meat.

No meat, just veggies! ;-)

dk

[Frank Berger]

Post by dk

The US owns two big buildings in Israel, one in Tel-Aviv and one
in Jerusalem. The sign on the former said "US Embassy" and the
sign on the latter said "US Consulate". They simply swapped signs
between the two!

Hey, you can also satisfy God by eating a cracker.... Mysterious
ways, my friend.

Do won-tons and Shanghai steamed dumplings also qualify?
dk

Ask a priest.

[dk]

Post by Frank Berger

Post by dk

The US owns two big buildings in Israel, one in Tel-Aviv and one
in Jerusalem. The sign on the former said "US Embassy" and the
sign on the latter said "US Consulate". They simply swapped signs
between the two!

Hey, you can also satisfy God by eating a cracker.... Mysterious
ways, my friend.

Do won-tons and Shanghai steamed dumplings also qualify?

Ask a priest.

Thanks for your kind advice!
I have no use for the clergy.
Regardless of religion.

dk

[Frank Berger]

Post by dk

Post by Frank Berger

Post by dk

The US owns two big buildings in Israel, one in Tel-Aviv and one
in Jerusalem. The sign on the former said "US Embassy" and the
sign on the latter said "US Consulate". They simply swapped signs
between the two!

Hey, you can also satisfy God by eating a cracker.... Mysterious
ways, my friend.

Do won-tons and Shanghai steamed dumplings also qualify?

Ask a priest.

Thanks for your kind advice!
I have no use for the clergy.
Regardless of religion.
dk

Oh. I get it. You didn't want an answer to your question.
Just more flippancy. If a Catholic person had answered and
cited the teachings of the Church to support his answer, you
would have ridiculed priests.

[dk]

Post by dk

Post by Frank Berger

Post by dk

The US owns two big buildings in Israel, one in Tel-Aviv and one
in Jerusalem. The sign on the former said "US Embassy" and the
sign on the latter said "US Consulate". They simply swapped signs
between the two!

Hey, you can also satisfy God by eating a cracker.... Mysterious
ways, my friend.

Do won-tons and Shanghai steamed dumplings also qualify?

Ask a priest.

Thanks for your kind advice!
I have no use for the clergy.
Regardless of religion.

Oh. I get it. You didn't want an answer to your question.
Just more flippancy. If a Catholic person had answered and
cited the teachings of the Church to support his answer, you
would have ridiculed priests.

I wasn't looking for answers from the clergy. I
asked Todd Michel McComb for a clarification.
It makes no difference to me whether answers
come from lay people or from "clergy". I don't
accept the notion clergy has more or better
answers than other people. Please explain
this to your Rabbi and give him my respect!

dk

[Frank Berger]

Post by dk

Post by dk

Post by Frank Berger

Post by dk

The US owns two big buildings in Israel, one in Tel-Aviv and one
in Jerusalem. The sign on the former said "US Embassy" and the
sign on the latter said "US Consulate". They simply swapped signs
between the two!

Hey, you can also satisfy God by eating a cracker.... Mysterious
ways, my friend.

Do won-tons and Shanghai steamed dumplings also qualify?

Ask a priest.

Thanks for your kind advice!
I have no use for the clergy.
Regardless of religion.

Oh. I get it. You didn't want an answer to your question.
Just more flippancy. If a Catholic person had answered and
cited the teachings of the Church to support his answer, you
would have ridiculed priests.

I wasn't looking for answers from the clergy. I
asked Todd Michel McComb for a clarification.
It makes no difference to me whether answers
come from lay people or from "clergy". I don't
accept the notion clergy has more or better
answers than other people. Please explain
this to your Rabbi and give him my respect!
dk

If you want to know whether a dumpling can substitute for a
wafer in a Catholic ritual (I know you really didn't want to
know) you have to ask an expert in Catholic ritual, which is
likely going to be priest not a lay person who may or may
not be an expert in ritual. It is illogical to ask the
question and not care how a priest would answer it.

[dk]

Post by Frank Berger

Post by dk

Post by dk

Post by Frank Berger

Post by dk

The US owns two big buildings in Israel, one in Tel-Aviv and one
in Jerusalem. The sign on the former said "US Embassy" and the
sign on the latter said "US Consulate". They simply swapped signs
between the two!

Hey, you can also satisfy God by eating a cracker.... Mysterious
ways, my friend.

Do won-tons and Shanghai steamed dumplings also qualify?

Ask a priest.

Thanks for your kind advice!
I have no use for the clergy.
Regardless of religion.

Oh. I get it. You didn't want an answer to your question.
Just more flippancy. If a Catholic person had answered and
cited the teachings of the Church to support his answer, you
would have ridiculed priests.

I wasn't looking for answers from the clergy. I
asked Todd Michel McComb for a clarification.
It makes no difference to me whether answers
come from lay people or from "clergy". I don't
accept the notion clergy has more or better
answers than other people. Please explain
this to your Rabbi and give him my respect!

If you want to know whether a dumpling can substitute for a
wafer in a Catholic ritual (I know you really didn't want to
know) you have to ask an expert in Catholic ritual, which is
likely going to be priest not a lay person who may or may
not be an expert in ritual. It is illogical to ask the
question and not care how a priest would answer it.

It is illogical to not understand that the only thing
that matters is for the answer to be accurate, not
who provides the answer.

dk

[Frank Berger]

Post by dk

Post by Frank Berger

Post by dk

Post by dk

Post by Frank Berger

Post by dk

The US owns two big buildings in Israel, one in Tel-Aviv and one
in Jerusalem. The sign on the former said "US Embassy" and the
sign on the latter said "US Consulate". They simply swapped signs
between the two!

Hey, you can also satisfy God by eating a cracker.... Mysterious
ways, my friend.

Do won-tons and Shanghai steamed dumplings also qualify?

Ask a priest.

Thanks for your kind advice!
I have no use for the clergy.
Regardless of religion.

Oh. I get it. You didn't want an answer to your question.
Just more flippancy. If a Catholic person had answered and
cited the teachings of the Church to support his answer, you
would have ridiculed priests.

I wasn't looking for answers from the clergy. I
asked Todd Michel McComb for a clarification.
It makes no difference to me whether answers
come from lay people or from "clergy". I don't
accept the notion clergy has more or better
answers than other people. Please explain
this to your Rabbi and give him my respect!

If you want to know whether a dumpling can substitute for a
wafer in a Catholic ritual (I know you really didn't want to
know) you have to ask an expert in Catholic ritual, which is
likely going to be priest not a lay person who may or may
not be an expert in ritual. It is illogical to ask the
question and not care how a priest would answer it.

It is illogical to not understand that the only thing
that matters is for the answer to be accurate, not
who provides the answer.
dk

The next time you have a medical problem (God forbid) I
suggest that you are more likely to get good advice from a
doctor than a medical student. You may disagree.

[dk]

Post by Frank Berger

Post by dk

Post by Frank Berger

Post by dk

Post by dk

Post by Frank Berger

Post by dk

The US owns two big buildings in Israel, one in Tel-Aviv and one
in Jerusalem. The sign on the former said "US Embassy" and the
sign on the latter said "US Consulate". They simply swapped signs
between the two!

Hey, you can also satisfy God by eating a cracker.... Mysterious
ways, my friend.

Do won-tons and Shanghai steamed dumplings also qualify?

Ask a priest.

Thanks for your kind advice!
I have no use for the clergy.
Regardless of religion.

Oh. I get it. You didn't want an answer to your question.
Just more flippancy. If a Catholic person had answered and
cited the teachings of the Church to support his answer, you
would have ridiculed priests.

I wasn't looking for answers from the clergy. I
asked Todd Michel McComb for a clarification.
It makes no difference to me whether answers
come from lay people or from "clergy". I don't
accept the notion clergy has more or better
answers than other people. Please explain
this to your Rabbi and give him my respect!

If you want to know whether a dumpling can substitute for a
wafer in a Catholic ritual (I know you really didn't want to
know) you have to ask an expert in Catholic ritual, which is
likely going to be priest not a lay person who may or may
not be an expert in ritual. It is illogical to ask the
question and not care how a priest would answer it.

It is illogical to not understand that the only thing
that matters is for the answer to be accurate, not
who provides the answer.

The next time you have a medical problem (God forbid) I
suggest that you are more likely to get good advice from a
doctor than a medical student. You may disagree.

Comparing clergy and physicians does disservice to both.
And keep in mind one never wants to use them both at the
same time!

dk

[Frank Berger]

Post by dk

Post by Frank Berger

Post by dk

Post by Frank Berger

Post by dk

Post by dk

Post by Frank Berger

Post by dk

The US owns two big buildings in Israel, one in Tel-Aviv and one
in Jerusalem. The sign on the former said "US Embassy" and the
sign on the latter said "US Consulate". They simply swapped signs
between the two!

Hey, you can also satisfy God by eating a cracker.... Mysterious
ways, my friend.

Do won-tons and Shanghai steamed dumplings also qualify?

Ask a priest.

Thanks for your kind advice!
I have no use for the clergy.
Regardless of religion.

Oh. I get it. You didn't want an answer to your question.
Just more flippancy. If a Catholic person had answered and
cited the teachings of the Church to support his answer, you
would have ridiculed priests.

I wasn't looking for answers from the clergy. I
asked Todd Michel McComb for a clarification.
It makes no difference to me whether answers
come from lay people or from "clergy". I don't
accept the notion clergy has more or better
answers than other people. Please explain
this to your Rabbi and give him my respect!

If you want to know whether a dumpling can substitute for a
wafer in a Catholic ritual (I know you really didn't want to
know) you have to ask an expert in Catholic ritual, which is
likely going to be priest not a lay person who may or may
not be an expert in ritual. It is illogical to ask the
question and not care how a priest would answer it.

It is illogical to not understand that the only thing
that matters is for the answer to be accurate, not
who provides the answer.

The next time you have a medical problem (God forbid) I
suggest that you are more likely to get good advice from a
doctor than a medical student. You may disagree.

Comparing clergy and physicians does disservice to both.
And keep in mind one never wants to use them both at the
same time!
dk

Many religious people would find that advice strange,
especially during end-of-life situations.

[dk]

Post by Frank Berger

Post by dk

Post by Frank Berger

Post by dk

Post by Frank Berger

Post by dk

Post by dk

Post by Frank Berger

Post by dk

The US owns two big buildings in Israel, one in Tel-Aviv and one
in Jerusalem. The sign on the former said "US Embassy" and the
sign on the latter said "US Consulate". They simply swapped signs
between the two!

Hey, you can also satisfy God by eating a cracker.... Mysterious
ways, my friend.

Do won-tons and Shanghai steamed dumplings also qualify?

Ask a priest.

Thanks for your kind advice!
I have no use for the clergy.
Regardless of religion.

Oh. I get it. You didn't want an answer to your question.
Just more flippancy. If a Catholic person had answered and
cited the teachings of the Church to support his answer, you
would have ridiculed priests.

I wasn't looking for answers from the clergy. I
asked Todd Michel McComb for a clarification.
It makes no difference to me whether answers
come from lay people or from "clergy". I don't
accept the notion clergy has more or better
answers than other people. Please explain
this to your Rabbi and give him my respect!

If you want to know whether a dumpling can substitute for a
wafer in a Catholic ritual (I know you really didn't want to
know) you have to ask an expert in Catholic ritual, which is
likely going to be priest not a lay person who may or may
not be an expert in ritual. It is illogical to ask the
question and not care how a priest would answer it.

It is illogical to not understand that the only thing
that matters is for the answer to be accurate, not
who provides the answer.

The next time you have a medical problem (God forbid) I
suggest that you are more likely to get good advice from a
doctor than a medical student. You may disagree.

Comparing clergy and physicians does disservice to both.
And keep in mind one never wants to use them both at the
same time!

Many religious people would find that advice strange,
especially during end-of-life situations.

Read again!

dk

[Bob Harper]

Post by dk

Post by dk

Post by Frank Berger

Post by dk

The US owns two big buildings in Israel, one in Tel-Aviv and one
in Jerusalem. The sign on the former said "US Embassy" and the
sign on the latter said "US Consulate". They simply swapped signs
between the two!

Hey, you can also satisfy God by eating a cracker.... Mysterious
ways, my friend.

Do won-tons and Shanghai steamed dumplings also qualify?

Ask a priest.

Thanks for your kind advice!
I have no use for the clergy.
Regardless of religion.

Oh. I get it. You didn't want an answer to your question.
Just more flippancy. If a Catholic person had answered and
cited the teachings of the Church to support his answer, you
would have ridiculed priests.

I wasn't looking for answers from the clergy. I
asked Todd Michel McComb for a clarification.
It makes no difference to me whether answers
come from lay people or from "clergy". I don't
accept the notion clergy has more or better
answers than other people. Please explain
this to your Rabbi and give him my respect!
dk

If you want to know whether a dumpling can substitute for a wafer in a
Catholic ritual (I know you really didn't want to know) you have to ask
an expert in Catholic ritual, which is likely going to be priest not a
lay person who may or may not be an expert in ritual.  It is illogical
to ask the question and not care how a priest would answer it.

I am a Catholic layman, but I know the answer to the question is no, it
cannot.

Bob Harper

[Frank Berger]

Post by Bob Harper

Post by Frank Berger

On Thursday, November 26, 2020 at 8:56:58 AM UTC+8, Frank

On Thursday, November 26, 2020 at 8:02:21 AM UTC+8,

Post by Frank Berger

On Thursday, November 26, 2020 at 6:06:25 AM UTC+8,

Post by Todd Michel McComb

The US owns two big buildings in Israel, one in
Tel-Aviv and one
in Jerusalem. The sign on the former said "US
Embassy" and the
sign on the latter said "US Consulate". They simply
swapped signs
between the two!

Hey, you can also satisfy God by eating a
cracker.... Mysterious
ways, my friend.

Do won-tons and Shanghai steamed dumplings also qualify?

Ask a priest.

Thanks for your kind advice!
I have no use for the clergy.
Regardless of religion.

Oh. I get it. You didn't want an answer to your question.
Just more flippancy. If a Catholic person had answered and
cited the teachings of the Church to support his answer,
you
would have ridiculed priests.

I wasn't looking for answers from the clergy. I
asked Todd Michel McComb for a clarification.
It makes no difference to me whether answers
come from lay people or from "clergy". I don't
accept the notion clergy has more or better
answers than other people. Please explain
this to your Rabbi and give him my respect!
dk

If you want to know whether a dumpling can substitute for
a wafer in a Catholic ritual (I know you really didn't
want to know) you have to ask an expert in Catholic
ritual, which is likely going to be priest not a lay
person who may or may not be an expert in ritual.  It is
illogical to ask the question and not care how a priest
would answer it.

I am a Catholic layman, but I know the answer to the
question is no, it cannot.
Bob Harper

How much confidence should I have in a lay person's
knowledge? The few times I've questioned lay Christians
about doctrine I got different answers. Like if Mary was
supposed to be virgin (immaculate conception and all that),
what is the relevance of Joseph's descent from King David as
given to open the New Testament?

I know three different theological answers to this, all
perfectly valid. One is probably Catholic doctrine, one some
kind of Protestant, the other I don't know.

[Frank Berger]

Post by dk

Post by Oscar

Post by Herman
That list is just hilarious, in that Trump c.s. fixed NONE of those
things, apart from the Israel embassy thing.

The Middle East peace agreements that Jared and Pompeo struck??
Hello? And the Jerusalem Embassy _is_ a big deal. No turning back
now.

Not as big a deal as you claim. In case you didn't notice, there was no
war between Israel and the Emirates or Sudan or Saudi Arabia. In fact,
there have been pretty good business and commercial relations going
on all along. So this isn't "peace" by any stretch of imagination. Please
send us a postcard when Syria, Iraq and Iran join the "peace".
Moving the US Embassy to Jerusalem was nothing more than a PR
stunt that did not change any reality on the ground.
dk

Chances are it increased the value of my daughter's home in
Jerusalem.

[dk]

Post by dk

Post by Oscar

Post by Herman
That list is just hilarious, in that Trump c.s. fixed NONE of those
things, apart from the Israel embassy thing.

The Middle East peace agreements that Jared and Pompeo struck??
Hello? And the Jerusalem Embassy _is_ a big deal. No turning back
now.

Not as big a deal as you claim. In case you didn't notice, there was no
war between Israel and the Emirates or Sudan or Saudi Arabia. In fact,
there have been pretty good business and commercial relations going
on all along. So this isn't "peace" by any stretch of imagination. Please
send us a postcard when Syria, Iraq and Iran join the "peace".
"Moving" the US Embassy to Jerusalem was nothing more than a PR
stunt that did not change any reality on the ground.

Also note Israel signed peace treaties with Egypt in 1979 and with
Jordan in 1994. Syria did not sign a peace treaty with Israel simply
because Bashir prefers to have the IAF bomb his own people rather
than have the Syrian Army kill them -- it looks so much better for PR!

dk

[dk]

Post by Oscar
“We have met the [Chinese] president. We have seen the level of knowledge he
has on the outbreak. Don’t you appreciate that kind of leadership? We don’t say
anything to please anyone.” -Tedros at the headquarters of the United Nations
health agency, Geneva, 2/12/2020.
In January, Tedros was quoted by Chinese state media as saying that “China’s
speed, China’s scale and China’s efficiency … is the advantage of China’s system”.
Ohh, really? Who butters yr bread, Ted? (He's not a real doctor, but he plays one in
a pandemic.)
Back to February: Fending off criticism that he made the appreciative remarks just
to save China “face” (a _big_ deal for Chinamen), Tedros insisted that China “doesn’t
need to be asked to be praised” for its efforts to contain the spread of the virus.
“China has done many good things to slow down the virus. The whole world can
judge. There is no spinning here.”
Tedros took pains to add that his comments were not merely personal, but that they
represented the view of the W.H.O. He said one British board member of the agency
characterised the Chinese decision to lock down Wuhan, a city of 11 million, as “heroic”.

Recognizing idiots and idiocy is no great achievement and does not require great
intelligence. In fact, it takes one to know one.

dk

[Frank Berger]

Post by dk

Post by Oscar
“We have met the [Chinese] president. We have seen the level of knowledge he
has on the outbreak. Don’t you appreciate that kind of leadership? We don’t say
anything to please anyone.” -Tedros at the headquarters of the United Nations
health agency, Geneva, 2/12/2020.
In January, Tedros was quoted by Chinese state media as saying that “China’s
speed, China’s scale and China’s efficiency … is the advantage of China’s system”.
Ohh, really? Who butters yr bread, Ted? (He's not a real doctor, but he plays one in
a pandemic.)
Back to February: Fending off criticism that he made the appreciative remarks just
to save China “face” (a _big_ deal for Chinamen), Tedros insisted that China “doesn’t
need to be asked to be praised” for its efforts to contain the spread of the virus.
“China has done many good things to slow down the virus. The whole world can
judge. There is no spinning here.”
Tedros took pains to add that his comments were not merely personal, but that they
represented the view of the W.H.O. He said one British board member of the agency
characterised the Chinese decision to lock down Wuhan, a city of 11 million, as “heroic”.

Recognizing idiots and idiocy is no great achievement and does not require great
intelligence. In fact, it takes one to know one.
dk

You must know that remark makes no sense. Keep
wisecracking. Some of them will make sense. The law of
averages, you know.

[Bob Harper]

Post by Herman
I'm a little surprised to see op. Warp Speed mentioned here, when Pfizer spokespeople have been 100% clear
they did not partake in that >program, which looks like yet another phoney Trump venture that's just there to
channel money to cronies and claim glory.

Pfizer got a $2 Billion with a B contract from Uncle to supply
100,000,000 doses of their vaccine. So while it may be technically
correct to say that they did not receive funds from the Evil One to
develop the vaccine, they got a great deal to supply it. And without the
ah, encouragement given to the agencies to speed approval, we'd still be
waiting for trials to be completed and evaluated.

Bob Harper

[dk]

Post by Bob Harper

Post by Herman
I'm a little surprised to see op. Warp Speed mentioned here, when Pfizer spokespeople have been 100% clear
they did not partake in that >program, which looks like yet another phoney Trump venture that's just there to
channel money to cronies and claim glory.

Pfizer got a $2 Billion with a B contract from Uncle to supply
100,000,000 doses of their vaccine. So while it may be technically
correct to say that they did not receive funds from the Evil One to
develop the vaccine, they got a great deal to supply it. And without the
ah, encouragement given to the agencies to speed approval, we'd still be
waiting for trials to be completed and evaluated.

It may have been a conspiracy by the dry ice and
refrigerated transport industries.

dk

[Frank Berger]

Post by dk

Post by Bob Harper

Post by Herman
I'm a little surprised to see op. Warp Speed mentioned here, when Pfizer spokespeople have been 100% clear
they did not partake in that >program, which looks like yet another phoney Trump venture that's just there to
channel money to cronies and claim glory.

Pfizer got a $2 Billion with a B contract from Uncle to supply
100,000,000 doses of their vaccine. So while it may be technically
correct to say that they did not receive funds from the Evil One to
develop the vaccine, they got a great deal to supply it. And without the
ah, encouragement given to the agencies to speed approval, we'd still be
waiting for trials to be completed and evaluated.

It may have been a conspiracy by the dry ice and
refrigerated transport industries.
dk

Didn't Trump tweet that already?

[dk]

Post by Frank Berger

Post by dk

Post by Bob Harper

Post by Herman
I'm a little surprised to see op. Warp Speed mentioned here, when Pfizer spokespeople have been 100% clear
they did not partake in that >program, which looks like yet another phoney Trump venture that's just there to
channel money to cronies and claim glory.

Pfizer got a $2 Billion with a B contract from Uncle to supply
100,000,000 doses of their vaccine. So while it may be technically
correct to say that they did not receive funds from the Evil One to
develop the vaccine, they got a great deal to supply it. And without the
ah, encouragement given to the agencies to speed approval, we'd still be
waiting for trials to be completed and evaluated.

It may have been a conspiracy by the dry ice and
refrigerated transport industries.

Didn't Trump tweet that already?

.... just learning .... 15 easy conspiracy theory exercise for beginners ....

dk

[Oscar]

BREAKING: A day which began with Obama again being very disappointed in those who disagree with him, this time so-called "evangelical Hispanics", who he deems are obviously okay with racism because they are religious bigots . . . it ended with the newly installed golden child, er, mother of 7, A-C-B, doing a Moses Malone-esque slam DUNK on his corny Magic Johnson-ness.

The New York Times
@nytimes
Breaking News: The Supreme Court blocked New York’s virus-imposed limits on religious services. Justice Amy Coney Barrett was a decisive vote in the 5-4 ruling.
9:51 PM · Nov 25, 2020

As they say, BOO-YAHH!

[dk]

Post by Oscar
BREAKING: A day which began with Obama again being very disappointed in
those who disagree with him, this time so-called "evangelical Hispanics", who
he deems are obviously okay with racism because they are religious bigots . . .
it ended with the newly installed golden child, er, mother of 7, A-C-B, doing a
Moses Malone-esque slam DUNK on his corny Magic Johnson-ness.
The New York Times
@nytimes
Breaking News: The Supreme Court blocked New York’s virus-imposed limits
on religious services. Justice Amy Coney Barrett was a decisive vote in the
5-4 ruling.
9:51 PM · Nov 25, 2020
As they say, BOO-YAHH!

The vocabulary used in this post exceeds by far the monoglot deplorable
allowance. You should be fined and have your monoglot deplorable license
suspended for a year.

dk

[Oscar]

Post by Bob Harper
Pfizer got a $2 Billion with a B contract from Uncle to supply
100,000,000 doses of their vaccine. So while it may be technically
correct to say that they did not receive funds from the Evil One to
develop the vaccine, they got a great deal to supply it. And without the
ah, encouragement given to the agencies to speed approval, we'd still be
waiting for trials to be completed and evaluated.

Bob, these people don't even know that the head of Operation Warp Speed is a registered Democrat who happens to be a person of color from the Dark Continent of Africa: Moroccan-born Moncef Slaoui (منصف السلاوي‎). Doesn't matter that he has 30 years of experience and all kinds of degrees and post-graduate degrees and honorary degrees and what not. He's a Trumpster, appointed by Trump, tainted by Trump and shall be dragged like Trump! Amen.

[Bob Harper]

Post by Oscar

Post by Bob Harper
Pfizer got a $2 Billion with a B contract from Uncle to supply
100,000,000 doses of their vaccine. So while it may be technically
correct to say that they did not receive funds from the Evil One to
develop the vaccine, they got a great deal to supply it. And without the
ah, encouragement given to the agencies to speed approval, we'd still be
waiting for trials to be completed and evaluated.

Bob, these people don't even know that the head of Operation Warp Speed is a registered Democrat who happens to be a person of color from the Dark Continent of Africa: Moroccan-born Moncef Slaoui (منصف السلاوي‎). Doesn't matter that he has 30 years of experience and all kinds of degrees and post-graduate degrees and honorary degrees and what not. He's a Trumpster, appointed by Trump, tainted by Trump and shall be dragged like Trump! Amen.

I was not aware of that, but it does not surprise me. Of all the
ridiculous charges made against Donald Trump, the notion that he is a
'racist' strikes me as the most ridiculous. Not making obeisance to the
niceties of identity politics does not equal the 'R' word.

Bob Harper

[Herman]

Post by Bob Harper
I was not aware of that, but it does not surprise me. Of all the
ridiculous charges made against Donald Trump, the notion that he is a
'racist' strikes me as the most ridiculous. Not making obeisance to the
niceties of identity politics does not equal the 'R' word.
Bob Harper

Well, there is an extensive history (amply documented) of Trump's racism, from the legal problems he and his dad got into by systematically banning colored people from the Trump housing projects, to his insistence the Central Park Five should get the death penalty and should be executed forthwith, even after they had been exonerated. There is his remark in his Atlantic City era that he didn't want black people "handling his money;" he wanted guys in yarmulkes. (There are a lot of embarrassing Jewish stereotypes Trump has been spooting over the years, embarrassing, too, because his daughter (or as he calls it, his "piece of ass") has converted to Judaism.)

His "Where is my black guy?" at a rally, as if he were a slave owner. The way he tried to scare "suburban housewives" with stories of low income ( = black) people into their neighbourhoods. The whole thing in Michigan just now, where a 150.000 votes in Wayne Cy were to be removed because they were black votes. The list is endless, the man is a deep-dyed 20th century racist, and if that makes you uncomfortable, too bad. I am aware you have found ways to think around this and say it's just the Left saying Trump is a racist, and so be it.

[Frank Berger]

Post by Herman

Post by Bob Harper
I was not aware of that, but it does not surprise me. Of all the
ridiculous charges made against Donald Trump, the notion that he is a
'racist' strikes me as the most ridiculous. Not making obeisance to the
niceties of identity politics does not equal the 'R' word.
Bob Harper

Well, there is an extensive history (amply documented) of Trump's racism, from the legal problems he and his dad got into by systematically banning colored people from the Trump housing projects, to his insistence the Central Park Five should get the death penalty and should be executed forthwith, even after they had been exonerated. There is his remark in his Atlantic City era that he didn't want black people "handling his money;" he wanted guys in yarmulkes. (There are a lot of embarrassing Jewish stereotypes Trump has been spooting over the years, embarrassing, too, because his daughter (or as he calls it, his "piece of ass") has converted to Judaism.)
His "Where is my black guy?" at a rally, as if he were a slave owner. The way he tried to scare "suburban housewives" with stories of low income ( = black) people into their neighbourhoods. The whole thing in Michigan just now, where a 150.000 votes in Wayne Cy were to be removed because they were black votes. The list is endless, the man is a deep-dyed 20th century racist, and if that makes you uncomfortable, too bad. I am aware you have found ways to think around this and say it's just the Left saying Trump is a racist, and so be it.

Except that some of the "examples" aren't evidence of
racism. Favoring the death penalty for certain violent
crimes, for example, has zero to do with racism. The ads
Trump took out reflected general support for capital
punishment for certain violent crimes. They didn't mention
race or even the Central Park Five. Look it up.

"Where is my black guy" has nothing to do with slavery or
racism either. It means "Let's bring out that black
supporter front and center so people can see not all black
people hate me." It's not racist at all. It was political.

Regarding discrimination in renting. It was 50 years ago.
The Trumps entered into a consent decree not to discriminate
without admitting they did. At the time Trump said they
didn't rent to certain people, welfare cases, white or
black. It sounds like business people trying to maintain
the value of their investments. Possible evidence of
institutional racism, but certainly no real evidence of any
personal, let alone virulent racism. Weak evidence at best.
Not to mention ancient.

Whether Trump carries a certain amount of racism in his
heart I can't say. I wouldn't be surprised if he does, or
did. But as I've said many times, there are degrees of
evil. Making jokes about Jews being good with money on a
1-10 scale of antisemitism is a 1.

Are you embarrassed to have used the term "colored people?"
Doesn't that make you a racist?

[Bob Harper]

Post by Herman

Post by Bob Harper
I was not aware of that, but it does not surprise me. Of all the
ridiculous charges made against Donald Trump, the notion that he is a
'racist' strikes me as the most ridiculous. Not making obeisance to the
niceties of identity politics does not equal the 'R' word.
Bob Harper

Well, there is an extensive history (amply documented) of Trump's
racism, from the legal problems he and his dad got into by
systematically banning colored people from the Trump housing projects,
to his insistence the Central Park Five should get the death penalty
and should be executed forthwith, even after they had been exonerated.
There is his remark in his Atlantic City era that he didn't want black
people "handling his money;" he wanted guys in yarmulkes. (There are a
lot of embarrassing Jewish stereotypes Trump has been spooting over
the years, embarrassing, too, because his daughter (or as he calls it,
his "piece of ass") has converted to Judaism.)
His "Where is my black guy?" at a rally, as if he were a slave owner.
The way he tried to scare "suburban housewives" with stories of low
income ( = black) people into their neighbourhoods. The whole thing in
Michigan just now, where a 150.000 votes in Wayne Cy were to be
removed because they were black votes. The list is endless, the man is
a deep-dyed 20th century racist, and if that makes you uncomfortable,
too bad. I am aware you have found ways to think around this and say
it's just the Left saying Trump is a racist, and so be it.

Except that some of the "examples" aren't evidence of racism.  Favoring
the death penalty for certain violent crimes, for example, has zero to
do with racism.  The ads Trump took out reflected general support for
capital punishment for certain violent crimes. They didn't mention race
or even the Central Park Five.  Look it up.
"Where is my black guy" has nothing to do with slavery or racism
either.  It means "Let's bring out that black supporter front and center
so people can see not all black people hate me."  It's not racist at
all. It was political.
Regarding discrimination in renting.  It was 50 years ago. The Trumps
entered into a consent decree not to discriminate without admitting they
did.  At the time Trump said they didn't rent to certain people, welfare
cases, white or black.  It sounds like business people trying to
maintain the value of their investments.  Possible evidence of
institutional racism, but certainly no real evidence of any personal,
let alone virulent racism.  Weak evidence at best. Not to mention ancient.
Whether Trump carries a certain amount of racism in his heart I can't
say.  I wouldn't be surprised if he does, or did.  But as I've said many
times, there are degrees of evil.  Making jokes about Jews being good
with money  on a 1-10 scale of antisemitism is a 1.
Are you embarrassed to have used the term "colored people?" Doesn't that
make you a racist?

Thanks, Frank.

Bob Harper

[Frank Berger]

Post by Bob Harper

Post by Frank Berger

On Friday, November 27, 2020 at 12:55:05 AM UTC+1, Bob

Post by Bob Harper
I was not aware of that, but it does not surprise me. Of
all the
ridiculous charges made against Donald Trump, the notion
that he is a
'racist' strikes me as the most ridiculous. Not making
obeisance to the
niceties of identity politics does not equal the 'R' word.
Bob Harper

Well, there is an extensive history (amply documented) of
Trump's racism, from the legal problems he and his dad
got into by systematically banning colored people from
the Trump housing projects, to his insistence the Central
Park Five should get the death penalty and should be
executed forthwith, even after they had been exonerated.
There is his remark in his Atlantic City era that he
didn't want black people "handling his money;" he wanted
guys in yarmulkes. (There are a lot of embarrassing
Jewish stereotypes Trump has been spooting over the
years, embarrassing, too, because his daughter (or as he
calls it, his "piece of ass") has converted to Judaism.)
His "Where is my black guy?" at a rally, as if he were a
slave owner. The way he tried to scare "suburban
housewives" with stories of low income ( = black) people
into their neighbourhoods. The whole thing in Michigan
just now, where a 150.000 votes in Wayne Cy were to be
removed because they were black votes. The list is
endless, the man is a deep-dyed 20th century racist, and
if that makes you uncomfortable, too bad. I am aware you
have found ways to think around this and say it's just
the Left saying Trump is a racist, and so be it.

Except that some of the "examples" aren't evidence of
racism.  Favoring the death penalty for certain violent
crimes, for example, has zero to do with racism.  The ads
Trump took out reflected general support for capital
punishment for certain violent crimes. They didn't mention
race or even the Central Park Five.  Look it up.
"Where is my black guy" has nothing to do with slavery or
racism either.  It means "Let's bring out that black
supporter front and center so people can see not all black
people hate me."  It's not racist at all. It was political.
Regarding discrimination in renting.  It was 50 years ago.
The Trumps entered into a consent decree not to
discriminate without admitting they did.  At the time
Trump said they didn't rent to certain people, welfare
cases, white or black.  It sounds like business people
trying to maintain the value of their investments.
Possible evidence of institutional racism, but certainly
no real evidence of any personal, let alone virulent
racism.  Weak evidence at best. Not to mention ancient.
Whether Trump carries a certain amount of racism in his
heart I can't say.  I wouldn't be surprised if he does, or
did.  But as I've said many times, there are degrees of
evil.  Making jokes about Jews being good with money  on a
1-10 scale of antisemitism is a 1.
Are you embarrassed to have used the term "colored
people?" Doesn't that make you a racist?

Thanks, Frank.
Bob Harper

It's interesting that they we refer to "institutionalized
racism," but apparently only people of one political
persuasion are actually racist.

[Oscar]

Post by Herman
I'm a little surprised to see op. Warp Speed mentioned here, when Pfizer spokespeople have been 100% clear
they did not partake in that program, which looks like yet another phoney Trump venture that's just there to
channel money to cronies and claim glory.

WRONG. The confusion over the company's participation in Warp Speed stemmed from Pfizer SVP Kathrin Jansen's misleading statement as quoted in The New York Times: "We were never part of the Warp Speed. We have never taken any money from the US government, or from anyone." But another spokesperson later clarified, as did the Times, that the company is involved in Operation Warp Speed "as a supplier of a potential coronavirus vaccine."

herman is apparently a Twitter follower of The Mooch:

Anthony Scaramucci
@Scaramucci
Thank you @JoeBiden for developing a COVID-19 vaccine. @realDonaldTrump had four years to do it and couldn’t.
5:23 AM · Nov 9, 2020 · Twitter for iPhone

As BLM likes to say, "do better".

[Graham]

Post by Oscar
Rebuilding military, fixing Veterans Administration, pulling troops out of pointless wars, fighting ISIS, bringing jobs back home, lowest unemployment in history, record stock market & economy, moving US embassy to Jerusalem, working with large corporations to make PPE & ventilators in America, putting "Dr." Tedros in his place, Operation Warp Speed, making our allies in NATO 'pay their fair share', USMCA, holding China & Iran accountable, fighting human & drug trafficking, school choice, removing ACA mandate, lower drug prices, energy independence, support for Native Americans including payment for lands, money to HBCUs, more Federal protected lands, The 1776 Project, etc.

Your delusions never cease to amuse!

[Frank Berger]

Post by Graham

Post by Oscar
Dan, you're right. Screw the Magna Carta. We got MAGA!
Rebuilding military, fixing Veterans Administration,
pulling troops out of pointless wars, fighting ISIS,
bringing jobs back home, lowest unemployment in history,
record stock market & economy, moving US embassy to
Jerusalem, working with large corporations to make PPE &
ventilators in America, putting "Dr." Tedros in his place,
Operation Warp Speed, making our allies in NATO 'pay their
fair share', USMCA, holding China & Iran accountable,
fighting human & drug trafficking, school choice, removing
ACA mandate, lower drug prices, energy independence,
support for Native Americans including payment for lands,
money to HBCUs, more Federal protected lands, The 1776
Project, etc.

Your delusions never cease to amuse!

Do you disagree with every single one of these? Do you
disagree that Trump did some of these things, but that they
shouldn't have been done? Or do you just want to wisecrack?

[Todd Michel McComb]

Post by dk
The "two nations" are also responsible for centuries of colonialism
and slavery, and for 80% of the global mess-up on this planet.

Sounds like a good guestimate.

[Andrew Clarke]

Post by dk
Certainly! Too bad she is not in the running for POTUS! Why
cannot the US do any better than senile and/or delusional
septuagenarian white males ?!?

So are you running in 2024?

Inquiring minds want to know.

Andrew Clarke
Canberra

[dk]

Post by Andrew Clarke

Post by dk
Certainly! Too bad she is not in the running for POTUS! Why
cannot the US do any better than senile and/or delusional
septuagenarian white males ?!?

So are you running in 2024?
Inquiring minds want to know.

Not at all -- have better things to do!

dk

[[e-mail]]

Post by dk
https://www.bbc.com/news/stories-55020994
Finland and New Zealand have the best PMs!
dk

You are not far off the mark. I´d add Angela Merkel to the list.

Ray Hall, Taree

[dk]

Post by ***@gmail.com

Post by dk
https://www.bbc.com/news/stories-55020994
Finland and New Zealand have the best PMs!

You are not far off the mark. I´d add Angela Merkel to the list.

Ing Wen Tsai first! ;-) She installed 2 presidential cats
as advisers to her cabinet: "Think Think" and "Ah Tsai".

dk

[MELMOTH]

Post by dk
https://www.bbc.com/news/stories-55020994
Finland and New Zealand have the best PMs!
dk

Thank you for staying ON CHART...

[Reinhold Gliere]

Post by dk
https://www.bbc.com/news/stories-55020994
Finland and New Zealand have the best PMs!
dk

Was it you who stated having no interest in politics? If so how can you explain any interest in government?

[Frank Berger]

Post by Reinhold Gliere

Post by dk
https://www.bbc.com/news/stories-55020994
Finland and New Zealand have the best PMs!
dk

Was it you who stated having no interest in politics? If so how can you explain any interest in government?

Since when do you have to have an interest in (or knowledge
of) a subject to talk about it?

[Gerard]

Post by Reinhold Gliere

Post by dk
https://www.bbc.com/news/stories-55020994
Finland and New Zealand have the best PMs!
dk

Was it you who stated having no interest in politics? If so how can
you explain any interest in government?

Since when do you have to have an interest in (or knowledge of) a
subject to talk about it?

Indeed. Interest and knowledge are not required. Just the wish to 'talk'
endlessly.

[Frank Berger]

Post by Gerard

Post by Frank Berger

On Tuesday, November 24, 2020 at 11:16:53 AM UTC-5, dk

Post by dk
https://www.bbc.com/news/stories-55020994
Finland and New Zealand have the best PMs!
dk

Was it you who stated having no interest in politics? If
so how can you explain any interest in government?

Since when do you have to have an interest in (or
knowledge of) a subject to talk about it?

Indeed. Interest and knowledge are not required. Just the
wish to 'talk' endlessly.

Thanks for making explicit what I implied. I'm sure it will
be helpful for the less perceptive among us.

[dk]

Post by Frank Berger

Post by Reinhold Gliere

Post by dk
https://www.bbc.com/news/stories-55020994
Finland and New Zealand have the best PMs!

Was it you who stated having no interest in politics? If
so how can you explain any interest in government?

Since when do you have to have an interest in (or knowledge
of) a subject to talk about it?

Just look at POTUS .....

dk

[dk]

Post by Reinhold Gliere

Post by dk
https://www.bbc.com/news/stories-55020994
Finland and New Zealand have the best PMs!

Was it you who stated having no interest in politics?
If so how can you explain any interest in government?

There are no politics in my statement. I have an interest
in what competent, intelligent people accomplish in all
walks of life.

dk

[Todd Michel McComb]

I have an interest in what competent, intelligent people accomplish
in all walks of life.

Declaring this to be an apolitical position does not, alas, make it
so.

[dk]

Post by Todd Michel McComb

I have an interest in what competent, intelligent people accomplish
in all walks of life.

Declaring this to be an apolitical position does not, alas, make it
so.

I am not only apolitical, but also anti-political. Watching events
that happen around one does not make one political. I do not
promote or encourage or vote for the left or the right, or for
Democrats or Republicans, or for the North or the South,
or for East or West. I only notice and care about people.

I am a visitor/observer from another planet.

dk

[Todd Michel McComb]

Post by dk
I am not only apolitical, but also anti-political.

The latter is probably more common than the former.

Post by dk
Watching events that happen around one does not make one political.

No, but taking positions does. You take positions. Repeatedly,
forcefully, etc.

Post by dk
I only notice and care about people.

Another position.... Albeit more mild than how you feel about
pianists.

[dk]

Post by Todd Michel McComb

Post by dk
I am not only apolitical, but also anti-political.

The latter is probably more common than the former.

Post by dk
Watching events that happen around one does not make one political.

No, but taking positions does. You take positions. Repeatedly,
forcefully, etc.

I do not take "positions". I state my opinions. I
do not ever hint or suggest other people should
adopt them.

Post by Todd Michel McComb

Post by dk
I only notice and care about people.

Another position.... Albeit more mild than how you feel about
pianists.

This is not a "position". It is a description of what
I care about -- no more, no less, and nothing else.

You do not seem to understand a "position" is
more than a person's opinion, even when stated
by an individual. "Positions" are logical constructs
or theories that can be examined independently of
any individual espousing them.

dk

[Todd Michel McComb]

You do not seem to understand a "position" is more than a person's
opinion, even when stated by an individual.

Ah, well, whatever language you prefer then. You have things that
are important to you. You even state them.

[dk]

You do not seem to understand a "position" is more than a person's
opinion, even when stated by an individual.

Ah, well, whatever language you prefer then. You have things that
are important to you. You even state them.

Don't we all?

dk

[Todd Michel McComb]

"Positions" are logical constructs or theories that can be examined
independently of any individual espousing them.

Does that actually sound like politics to you?

Don't we all? [ state opinions ]

Not really. "Posters" obviously differ from the public on that
point, at least statistically.

[dk]

Post by Todd Michel McComb

"Positions" are logical constructs or theories that can be examined
independently of any individual espousing them.

Does that actually sound like politics to you?

No, it doesn't. Politics is the intent of convincing
others (i.e. manipulating their minds) to do or not
do things one likes/wants or doesn't like/want. I
harbor no such intentions. I never try to convince
anyone of anything.

dk

[Todd Michel McComb]

Politics is the intent of convincing others (i.e. manipulating
their minds) to do or not do things one likes/wants or doesn't
like/want.

Politics is the art of making civic (i.e. of the polis, political)
decisions.

Sometimes it involves convincing. Sometimes not.

[dk]

Post by Todd Michel McComb

Politics is the intent of convincing others (i.e. manipulating
their minds) to do or not do things one likes/wants or doesn't
like/want.

Politics is the art of making civic (i.e. of the polis, political)
decisions.
Sometimes it involves convincing. Sometimes not.

Either way, it is fundamentally, inherently evil.

dk

[Frank Berger]

Post by dk

Post by Todd Michel McComb

Politics is the intent of convincing others (i.e. manipulating
their minds) to do or not do things one likes/wants or doesn't
like/want.

Politics is the art of making civic (i.e. of the polis, political)
decisions.
Sometimes it involves convincing. Sometimes not.

Either way, it is fundamentally, inherently evil.
dk

Not really. It's humans that are fundamentally, inherently
evil.

[number_six]

Post by dk

Post by Todd Michel McComb

Politics is the intent of convincing others (i.e. manipulating
their minds) to do or not do things one likes/wants or doesn't
like/want.

Politics is the art of making civic (i.e. of the polis, political)
decisions.
Sometimes it involves convincing. Sometimes not.

Either way, it is fundamentally, inherently evil.
dk

Not really. It's humans that are fundamentally, inherently
evil.

Politics is not limited to humans -- it's part of primatology.

How far down you want to go (pack animals, social insects) is open to debate, definition, and new research and discovery.

[Todd Michel McComb]

Post by number_six
Politics is not limited to humans -- it's part of primatology.
How far down you want to go (pack animals, social insects) is open
to debate, definition, and new research and discovery.

Massumi's _What Animals Teach Us about Politics_ can be an interesting
(& not very long) read.

[number_six]

Post by Todd Michel McComb

Post by number_six
Politics is not limited to humans -- it's part of primatology.
How far down you want to go (pack animals, social insects) is open
to debate, definition, and new research and discovery.

Massumi's _What Animals Teach Us about Politics_ can be an interesting
(& not very long) read.

Does sound interesting -- I have not read that one.

I was thinking of issues -- perhaps similar -- explored in Demonic Males - Apes and the Origins of Human Violence (Peterson and Wrangham) and Edward O. Wilson's work with ants.

[Frank Berger]

Post by number_six

Post by Todd Michel McComb

Post by number_six
Politics is not limited to humans -- it's part of primatology.
How far down you want to go (pack animals, social insects) is open
to debate, definition, and new research and discovery.

Massumi's _What Animals Teach Us about Politics_ can be an interesting
(& not very long) read.

Does sound interesting -- I have not read that one.
I was thinking of issues -- perhaps similar -- explored in Demonic Males - Apes and the Origins of Human Violence (Peterson and Wrangham) and Edward O. Wilson's work with ants.

I (knowing nothing about this kind of primatology) would
have thought that humans, though driven in part by instinct,
are rational (even Trump voters) and make choices, whereas
animals (even primates) are driven entirely by instinct. Boy
am I ignorant.

[number_six]

Post by Frank Berger

Post by number_six

Post by Todd Michel McComb

Post by number_six
Politics is not limited to humans -- it's part of primatology.
How far down you want to go (pack animals, social insects) is open
to debate, definition, and new research and discovery.

Massumi's _What Animals Teach Us about Politics_ can be an interesting
(& not very long) read.

Does sound interesting -- I have not read that one.
I was thinking of issues -- perhaps similar -- explored in Demonic Males - Apes and the Origins of Human Violence (Peterson and Wrangham) and Edward O. Wilson's work with ants.

I (knowing nothing about this kind of primatology) would
have thought that humans, though driven in part by instinct,
are rational (even Trump voters) and make choices, whereas
animals (even primates) are driven entirely by instinct. Boy
am I ignorant.

Don't be harsh with yourself. Primatologists themselves took a long time to study and come to grips with the scope of intrigue, alliance building and yes, violence, especially but not exclusively among the chimps. The bonobos are far more peaceful, but I suspect that without a river to protect them, the bonobos would have lost all their territory.

[Todd Michel McComb]

Post by number_six
Primatologists themselves took a long time to study and come to
grips with the scope of intrigue, alliance building and yes,
violence, especially but not exclusively among the chimps.

Rhesus monkeys are quite popular for sociological experiments.
(Which is a bit of a different milieu from that of the evolutionary
biologists you reference, although obviously contributing to similar
knowledge.)

[number_six]

Post by Todd Michel McComb

Post by number_six
Primatologists themselves took a long time to study and come to
grips with the scope of intrigue, alliance building and yes,
violence, especially but not exclusively among the chimps.

Rhesus monkeys are quite popular for sociological experiments.
(Which is a bit of a different milieu from that of the evolutionary
biologists you reference, although obviously contributing to similar
knowledge.)

Yes -- and so not to over-focus on violence, it should be noted that many primates (including rhesus I believe?) also show a strong impulse to comfort a member of the band that is in distress.

[[e-mail]]

Post by Todd Michel McComb

Post by number_six
How far down you want to go (pack animals, social insects) is open
to debate, definition, and new research and discovery.

Massumi's _What Animals Teach Us about Politics_ can be an interesting
(& not very long) read.

All is OK. Hopefully, fairly soon, Biden´s dogs are coming to the rescue. That in itself will lift the intelligence/quotient of the White House by a very considerable margin.

Ray Hall, Taree

[Frank Berger]

Post by number_six

Post by dk

Post by Todd Michel McComb

Politics is the intent of convincing others (i.e. manipulating
their minds) to do or not do things one likes/wants or doesn't
like/want.

Politics is the art of making civic (i.e. of the polis, political)
decisions.
Sometimes it involves convincing. Sometimes not.

Either way, it is fundamentally, inherently evil.
dk

Not really. It's humans that are fundamentally, inherently
evil.

Politics is not limited to humans -- it's part of primatology.
How far down you want to go (pack animals, social insects) is open to debate, definition, and new research and discovery.

The most common online definition of "politics" seems to be
"Politics is the way that people living in groups make
decisions."

[Bob Harper]

Post by dk

Post by Todd Michel McComb

Politics is the intent of convincing others (i.e. manipulating
their minds) to do or not do things one likes/wants or doesn't
like/want.

Politics is the art of making civic (i.e. of the polis, political)
decisions.
Sometimes it involves convincing. Sometimes not.

Either way, it is fundamentally, inherently evil.
dk

Not really.  It's humans that are fundamentally, inherently evil.

Inherently evil? No. Fallen? Yes. There's a difference.

Bob Harper

[Frank Berger]

Post by Bob Harper

On Friday, November 27, 2020 at 10:40:38 AM UTC+8, Todd

Post by Todd Michel McComb

Politics is the intent of convincing others (i.e.
manipulating
their minds) to do or not do things one likes/wants or
doesn't
like/want.

Politics is the art of making civic (i.e. of the polis,
political)
decisions.
Sometimes it involves convincing. Sometimes not.

Either way, it is fundamentally, inherently evil.
dk

Not really.  It's humans that are fundamentally,
inherently evil.

Inherently evil? No. Fallen? Yes. There's a difference.
Bob Harper

Well, I didn't mean completely and only evil. We have
conflicting natures is the Jewish way of looking at it. A
good inclination and an evil inclination. I don't know how
it relates to the Christian concept of original sin.
Probably an important difference in doctrine but not so much
in practice.

[gggg gggg]

Post by Bob Harper

Post by dk

Post by Todd Michel McComb

Politics is the intent of convincing others (i.e. manipulating
their minds) to do or not do things one likes/wants or doesn't
like/want.

Politics is the art of making civic (i.e. of the polis, political)
decisions.
Sometimes it involves convincing. Sometimes not.

Either way, it is fundamentally, inherently evil.
dk

Not really. It's humans that are fundamentally, inherently evil.

Inherently evil? No. Fallen? Yes. There's a difference.
Bob Harper

- Human nature is weak.

Dr. Fauci

[Henk vT]

Post by dk
Politics is the intent of convincing
others (i.e. manipulating their minds) to do or not
do things one likes/wants or doesn't like/want. I
harbor no such intentions. I never try to convince
anyone of anything.

An equals sign between politics and rhetoric? If only that were true. <g>

Henk

[Frank Berger]

Post by Henk vT

Post by dk
Politics is the intent of convincing
others (i.e. manipulating their minds) to do or not
do things one likes/wants or doesn't like/want. I
harbor no such intentions. I never try to convince
anyone of anything.

An equals sign between politics and rhetoric? If only that were true. <g>
Henk

Assigning a bunch of sometimes associated charactreristics
or behaviors to a word is not a definition. Recognizing
that words can have multiple definitions, the are standard
acccepted definitions of words and making up one's own does
not enhance commmunication.

Politics has to do with cooperation and compromise,
principally in the context of government. Even when people
say "I do not play politics," the mean they hold some
principle so dear (or so they say) that they can not
compromise on it.

[Henk vT]

Post by Frank Berger
Assigning a bunch of sometimes associated charactreristics
or behaviors to a word is not a definition. Recognizing
that words can have multiple definitions, the are standard
acccepted definitions of words and making up one's own does
not enhance commmunication.
Politics has to do with cooperation and compromise,
principally in the context of government. Even when people
say "I do not play politics," the mean they hold some
principle so dear (or so they say) that they can not
compromise on it.

Imho, politics = state affairs, in whatever form. We are subject to it - whether we want to participate or not.

I agree with you that the way politics is conducted (or not) is also a (derivative) form of politics (pace DK).

Henk

[gggg gggg]

Post by dk

Post by Todd Michel McComb

"Positions" are logical constructs or theories that can be examined
independently of any individual espousing them.

Does that actually sound like politics to you?

No, it doesn't. Politics is the intent of convincing
others (i.e. manipulating their minds) to do or not
do things one likes/wants or doesn't like/want...

- It's easier to fool people than to convince them that they have been fooled.

- Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect.

Mark Twain

[gggg gggg]

Post by gggg gggg

Post by dk

Post by Todd Michel McComb

"Positions" are logical constructs or theories that can be examined
independently of any individual espousing them.

Does that actually sound like politics to you?

No, it doesn't. Politics is the intent of convincing
others (i.e. manipulating their minds) to do or not
do things one likes/wants or doesn't like/want...

- It's easier to fool people than to convince them that they have been fooled.
- Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect.
Mark Twain

- No amount of evidence will ever persuade an idiot.

Mark Twain

[Owen]

Post by gggg gggg

Post by dk

Post by Todd Michel McComb

"Positions" are logical constructs or theories that can be examined
independently of any individual espousing them.

Does that actually sound like politics to you?

No, it doesn't. Politics is the intent of convincing
others (i.e. manipulating their minds) to do or not
do things one likes/wants or doesn't like/want...

- It's easier to fool people than to convince them that they have been fooled.
- Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect.
Mark Twain

- I find that wherever I've been quoted lately, it's been for something
I never said.

Mark Twain

[Frank Berger]

Post by dk

Post by Todd Michel McComb

I have an interest in what competent, intelligent people accomplish
in all walks of life.

Declaring this to be an apolitical position does not, alas, make it
so.

I am not only apolitical, but also anti-political. Watching events
that happen around one does not make one political. I do not
promote or encourage or vote for the left or the right, or for
Democrats or Republicans, or for the North or the South,
or for East or West. I only notice and care about people.
I am a visitor/observer from another planet.
dk

Not surprised.

[Andrew Clarke]

Post by dk
https://www.bbc.com/news/stories-55020994
Finland and New Zealand have the best PMs!
dk

The PM of NZ has a baby, a big smile, and possibly not much else. All she had to do to effectively respond to the Covid crisis was to close her international border, which, as NZ is a small country made up of 2 main islands, was not particularly hard to do.

The PM of Australia also coped with the COVID crisis by closing his international border, which, as Australia is a large island, was also not hard to do. Alas, he's male and conservative.

The real test will be how well Ms Ardern handles the parlous state of the NZ economy. Should it be wiped out, Australia will be able to help, as we have a replacement for the entire NZ population living over here ...

Andrew Clarke
Canberra

[dk]

Post by Andrew Clarke

Post by dk
https://www.bbc.com/news/stories-55020994
Finland and New Zealand have the best PMs!

The PM of NZ has a baby, a big smile, and possibly not much else.
All she had to do to effectively respond to the Covid crisis was to
close her international border, which, as NZ is a small country made
up of 2 main islands, was not particularly hard to do.

?!? She banned machine guns shortly after the Christchurch murders.
She also showed she cared about children, which we rarely see any
politicians do in the US (if ever).

Post by Andrew Clarke
The PM of Australia also coped with the COVID crisis by closing his
international border, which, as Australia is a large island, was also
not hard to do. Alas, he's male and conservative.

Not to mention he cannot hold a candle with Kevin Rudd.

Post by Andrew Clarke
The real test will be how well Ms Ardern handles the parlous state of
the NZ economy. Should it be wiped out, Australia will be able to help,
as we have a replacement for the entire NZ population living over here ...

Now you are showing your true colors. You dislike and envy your smarter
neighbours to the East. Par for the course, isn't it?

dk

[Frank Berger]

Post by dk

Post by Andrew Clarke

Post by dk
https://www.bbc.com/news/stories-55020994
Finland and New Zealand have the best PMs!

The PM of NZ has a baby, a big smile, and possibly not much else.
All she had to do to effectively respond to the Covid crisis was to
close her international border, which, as NZ is a small country made
up of 2 main islands, was not particularly hard to do.

?!? She banned machine guns shortly after the Christchurch murders.
She also showed she cared about children, which we rarely see any
politicians do in the US (if ever).

A truly great leader would have banned machine guns BEFORE
the Christchurch murders.

Post by dk

Post by Andrew Clarke
The PM of Australia also coped with the COVID crisis by closing his
international border, which, as Australia is a large island, was also
not hard to do. Alas, he's male and conservative.

Not to mention he cannot hold a candle with Kevin Rudd.

Post by Andrew Clarke
The real test will be how well Ms Ardern handles the parlous state of
the NZ economy. Should it be wiped out, Australia will be able to help,
as we have a replacement for the entire NZ population living over here ...

Now you are showing your true colors. You dislike and envy your smarter
neighbours to the East. Par for the course, isn't it?
dk