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Politics, Religion, and Morality
- Thread starter Ranior
- Start date
Well met!
In Defense of Freedom at a Time of Crisis
1. On September 11, 2001 thousands of people lost their lives in a brutal assault on the American people and the American form of government. We mourn the loss of these innocent lives and insist that those who perpetrated these acts be held accountable.
2. This tragedy requires all Americans to examine carefully the steps our country may now take to reduce the risk of future terrorist attacks.
3. We need to consider proposals calmly and deliberately with a determination not to erode the liberties and freedoms that are at the core of the American way of life.
4. We need to ensure that actions by our government uphold the principles of a democratic society, accountable government and international law, and that all decisions are taken in a manner consistent with the Constitution.
5. We can, as we have in the past, in times of war and of peace, reconcile the requirements of security with the demands of liberty.
6. We should resist the temptation to enact proposals in the mistaken belief that anything that may be called anti-terrorist will necessarily provide greater security.
7. We should resist efforts to target people because of their race, religion, ethnic background or appearance, including immigrants in general, Arab Americans and Muslims.
8. We affirm the right of peaceful dissent, protected by the First Amendment, now, when it is most at risk.
9. We should applaud our political leaders in the days ahead who have the courage to say that our freedoms should not be limited.
10. We must have faith in our democratic system and our Constitution, and in our ability to protect at the same time both the freedom and the security of all Americans.
Well, here we are, late 2023, and the debt's never been higher!
(And the world is still waiting for your next post).
Howdy, everybody!
I'm not really back, I've just been burdened by everything that's been happening recently and never found a better group of people to share with than the Heroscapers crew.
In this country right now, there are a lot of people using the name of Jesus and the cause of Christianity as a weapon and I am horrified at what is being done and said. I never thought I would live to see the trappings of my faith twisted into the power fantasies of people pursuing nothing less than their own domination of others around them. To see it happening a mere dozen years after our respectful discussions in this thread turns my stomach.
My perspectives have broadened a lot since I moved from the Bay Area to the Nashville Area. Mostly in ways that have saddened me. I used to think that oppression of people who "aren't like us" was historical. I believed our country had solved those problems and moved past them. Being here has taught me that clannish rejection of the other is alive and well.
The church where I attend is led by a man who has his priorities straight and points the people who go there toward the way the Bible talks about being people of peace, and I appreciate that. Unfortunately, I also know that part of why he is constantly presenting that is because many of my fellow attenders are getting caught up in the hate and violence of the national rhetoric. I lead a class on Wednesday nights and am sometimes shocked by the actions and beliefs presented there. I always try to bring everyone in alignment to what the Bible says, but I find that people rather overwhelmingly want to continue to believe the things they are already convinced of.
Thank you again, all of you, for being so respectful of others and so very willing to listen and consider. If I could take this forum's ethic and spread it over this country like a blanket I would do it in a heartbeat. There has always been something special about this group and I am blessed for having been able to be a part of it.
~Aldin, with fully grown kids and new challenges in life
I'm not really back, I've just been burdened by everything that's been happening recently and never found a better group of people to share with than the Heroscapers crew.
In this country right now, there are a lot of people using the name of Jesus and the cause of Christianity as a weapon and I am horrified at what is being done and said. I never thought I would live to see the trappings of my faith twisted into the power fantasies of people pursuing nothing less than their own domination of others around them. To see it happening a mere dozen years after our respectful discussions in this thread turns my stomach.
My perspectives have broadened a lot since I moved from the Bay Area to the Nashville Area. Mostly in ways that have saddened me. I used to think that oppression of people who "aren't like us" was historical. I believed our country had solved those problems and moved past them. Being here has taught me that clannish rejection of the other is alive and well.
The church where I attend is led by a man who has his priorities straight and points the people who go there toward the way the Bible talks about being people of peace, and I appreciate that. Unfortunately, I also know that part of why he is constantly presenting that is because many of my fellow attenders are getting caught up in the hate and violence of the national rhetoric. I lead a class on Wednesday nights and am sometimes shocked by the actions and beliefs presented there. I always try to bring everyone in alignment to what the Bible says, but I find that people rather overwhelmingly want to continue to believe the things they are already convinced of.
Thank you again, all of you, for being so respectful of others and so very willing to listen and consider. If I could take this forum's ethic and spread it over this country like a blanket I would do it in a heartbeat. There has always been something special about this group and I am blessed for having been able to be a part of it.
~Aldin, with fully grown kids and new challenges in life
Tornado
Fan Fiction Prompt Master
God bless you Aldin. Your posts are missed!
Unfortunately religion has often been used to justify forcing one's beliefs on others even when those beliefs may not totally jive with the religion. In the USA, Christianity has always wielded a certain level of power that has eroded over time and folks want it back.
Unfortunately religion has often been used to justify forcing one's beliefs on others even when those beliefs may not totally jive with the religion. In the USA, Christianity has always wielded a certain level of power that has eroded over time and folks want it back.
Glad to see you post, Aldin. You and I likely have very different ideas about the existence of higher powers, but I have always been glad that you are one of those Christians who truly attempts to live according to the good parts of your faith, and not one of those Gandhi was referring to when he said, "I like your Christ. I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ."
Sadly, Tornado is correct. As overall religiosity declines in the US, and as white Americans shift from being a majority to being a plurality, there has been an inevitable pushback, resulting in our current turmoil. An animal is at its most dangerous when it feels threatened and cornered.
Sadly, Tornado is correct. As overall religiosity declines in the US, and as white Americans shift from being a majority to being a plurality, there has been an inevitable pushback, resulting in our current turmoil. An animal is at its most dangerous when it feels threatened and cornered.
You have my sincerest apologies for the short thread-ruining message in July.
I've been pondering and ruminating over Aldin's well-thought-out post since then.
At the risk of stroking the ego of everyone long-time Heroscaper, I have a theory.
Heroscape as a game requires some baseline level of patience to play, or even set up. A game like Clue, Ticket-to-Ride, or even the similarly-hexed Catan takes no where near the time investment than it does to build a battlefield.
But the setup doesn't end there. You need to spend time to find someone else willing to actually play the game with you. While Heroscape's ruleset isn't as complex as some other miniatures games, the order marker system is rather unique in the space, and has some distinct quirks to it. So you're spending some time explaining the basics of how to play.
The first time I play with someone, I aim to use two relatively simple armies, and include at least one basic power synergy between them. But after that first game, the world is open to full army building or drafting, which is an additional layer of complexity to the system.
But that's assuming I even get the opportunity for a second game. Some find the entire experience tedious. Some find it amazing. A lot of it can come down to the way skulls and shields were rolled in the trial.
But no matter what, you had to negotiate with someone else to spend some time on a game that takes longer than usual to set up, and tabletop gaming generally, despite us being in its golden age, is still enjoyed by a distinct minority of the US Population.
Now, we're in an era 14 full years after the last release of new product (yes, there are new members thanks to Renegade), so most people here have continued to devote time and effort to this children's tabletop game.
To summarize:
From the start, Heroscape requires people with some baseline patience in order to do something as simple as getting a board set up.
Second, it requires some level of negotiation skills to convince another human that it is worth playing this children's game where ninjas fight dragons.
Third, to join Heroscapers generally means that you have those two above skills, and have a desire to (gasp) talk to other people about this game, and want to do so in a space directly dedicated to it instead of simply using your existing reddit or discord account where you can discuss absolutely anything.
And all of this results in a community of people where we have at least some shared experience, and starting from there it is much easier to have a good conversation without devolving into name-calling and fallacious arguments.
Now, who else is looking forward to tonight's debate?
I've been pondering and ruminating over Aldin's well-thought-out post since then.
At the risk of stroking the ego of everyone long-time Heroscaper, I have a theory.
Heroscape as a game requires some baseline level of patience to play, or even set up. A game like Clue, Ticket-to-Ride, or even the similarly-hexed Catan takes no where near the time investment than it does to build a battlefield.
But the setup doesn't end there. You need to spend time to find someone else willing to actually play the game with you. While Heroscape's ruleset isn't as complex as some other miniatures games, the order marker system is rather unique in the space, and has some distinct quirks to it. So you're spending some time explaining the basics of how to play.
The first time I play with someone, I aim to use two relatively simple armies, and include at least one basic power synergy between them. But after that first game, the world is open to full army building or drafting, which is an additional layer of complexity to the system.
But that's assuming I even get the opportunity for a second game. Some find the entire experience tedious. Some find it amazing. A lot of it can come down to the way skulls and shields were rolled in the trial.
But no matter what, you had to negotiate with someone else to spend some time on a game that takes longer than usual to set up, and tabletop gaming generally, despite us being in its golden age, is still enjoyed by a distinct minority of the US Population.
Now, we're in an era 14 full years after the last release of new product (yes, there are new members thanks to Renegade), so most people here have continued to devote time and effort to this children's tabletop game.
To summarize:
From the start, Heroscape requires people with some baseline patience in order to do something as simple as getting a board set up.
Second, it requires some level of negotiation skills to convince another human that it is worth playing this children's game where ninjas fight dragons.
Third, to join Heroscapers generally means that you have those two above skills, and have a desire to (gasp) talk to other people about this game, and want to do so in a space directly dedicated to it instead of simply using your existing reddit or discord account where you can discuss absolutely anything.
And all of this results in a community of people where we have at least some shared experience, and starting from there it is much easier to have a good conversation without devolving into name-calling and fallacious arguments.
Now, who else is looking forward to tonight's debate?
nate the dawg
Well-known member
The wife and I are eagerly awaiting it.
I'm curious to see of either candidate can actually answer a question, though I imagine one will be infinitely more likely to give a cogent response.
Sadly, I'm most looking forward to seeing different networks' coverage, as this will likely have far greater effect on the viewers than whatever comes out of the candidates' mouths. Not a 'changed my mind' effect - I don't know anyone who hasn't mage up their mind about Trump one way or the other - but rather the effect of networks editing and omitting in their coverage to reinforce existing bias.
So many people will be talking about this debate tomorrow, but the greatest part of them will have only learned about it through cable news and social media.
I'm curious to see of either candidate can actually answer a question, though I imagine one will be infinitely more likely to give a cogent response.
Sadly, I'm most looking forward to seeing different networks' coverage, as this will likely have far greater effect on the viewers than whatever comes out of the candidates' mouths. Not a 'changed my mind' effect - I don't know anyone who hasn't mage up their mind about Trump one way or the other - but rather the effect of networks editing and omitting in their coverage to reinforce existing bias.
So many people will be talking about this debate tomorrow, but the greatest part of them will have only learned about it through cable news and social media.
Dad_Scaper
Enjoy the Sausage
Respect & thanks, Aldin, for sharing your learned wisdom with us. This post reminds me of the type of post we'd see from mad_wookiee, back in the day. Despite the post's own melancholy, it does give me hope for a shared future.
It's good to see you post again. Cheers!
Dad_Scaper
Enjoy the Sausage
Anybody reading this thread could have a coherent conversation with Joe Rogan for three hours.
Unhinged Manchild
Active member
You severely underestimate women
but fr idk why they were pushing for... 30 mins or w/e it was? Kinda cringe. Maybe scamala/puppet masters weren't confident in her ability to go longer, that's the major conclusion I draw.A miss for her IMO, joe rogaine allegedly gets lots of attention/views. Could have converted some of those into votes, at least if she goes prepared and avoids the looping definitions/phrases, which is a high bar for her
I await the day that American politics gets past this dumb shit of "orange man good" and "orange man bad" as the primary stances. It does not feel like any of them actually represent me, the American people, or liberty.
Dad_Scaper
Enjoy the Sausage
My views are far more sophisticated than “orange man bad,” I promise you. But he is a grifter and easily manipulated by anyone willing to flatter him, so “orange man should not be president” is definitely among my principles that I will take with me into the polling booth.
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I didn't vote for the guy the first time around (I still wish Gary Johnson had hit 5%).
But Kamala Harris stands for nothing. Her platform on her website was original copypasted from Biden's (right down to originally using his name a few times, and links being to Biden's site), meaning she can't even get a competent web team.
Her existing list of policy positions is entirely fearmonger via associating Trump with The Heritage Foundation's "Project 2025" which has no affiliation with Trump, and basically boils down to "Fewer unelected beaurocrats would be nice and here's why".
Harris got her postion by being a woman of color instead of through any merit of her own, for any claims that can be leveraged against Trump treating women poorly, the same, if not worse, allegations can be thrown at Willie Brown and Doug Emhoff, two of Harris's more prominent lovers throughout her life.
She has demonstrated her inability unable to manage the US border, and the Biden-Harris administration had shown weakness on a global stage, which emboldened bad actors in Russia and other states to pursue military campaigns.
She hasn't been able to perform in any longform interview or townhall, much less one where questions may be freely directed toward her.
In addition, despite President Biden's obvious cognitive decline prior to 2024, the Democratic Party opted to run a full Primary process with Biden on the ticket, completely snubbing better candidates like Newsom, RFK Jr, and probably a few other Democrat Governors/Senators/Reps, instead handing it off to Harris without a single vote being cast for her by the electorate.
AND they conducted the entire delegate vote online without debate instead of allowing the delegates elected during the primary to have a discussion at the Convention, nominate different candidates, and otherwise coalesce behind a better candidate.
The whole thing reeks of corruption up to the highest levels of the party and existing government.
I think everyone knows who Donald Trump is, while Harris is a blank slate who stands for nothing except the way the wind blows.
I've also seen a distinct shift in Trump's public persona since the first assassination attempt. He's more thoughtful, maybe even earnest. He has demonstrated a distinct reverence for the office of president, and knows on a personal level where he failed in his first term.
Neither candidate is going to do a thing about some of the biggest problems with the US as a whole (the existence of the Federal Reserve, the unsustainable ponzi schemes that are Social Security and Medicare) [Side note: I don't have any problem with Medicaid, that is, the need-based medical assistance program, and the real cure to the broken US healthcare system is basically what RFK Jr. is advocating, get poisons out of our food, stop telling people that high-carb diets are healthy, and basically get the obesity rate to match Japan's, then the whole medical system will be so underutilized that prices will necessarily drop.]
The US National Debt is either going to get addressed or it's going to result in default, which will disproportionately harm people holding cash instead of assets, generally the lower and middle classes.
I have serious concerns with Donald Trump's tariff ideas, I'd rather not have all imported goods suddenly have a huge spike in price, but unlike Harris, Trump's platform is to reduce energy costs which will have economic effects making everything cheaper (this is, however, not "reducing inflation", the Federal Reserve is allergic to this, and will not enact a short, yet necessary deflationary era because of their short-sightedness).
But while I can go on and on about my mild annoyances with the particulars of Trump's agenda, I can't with Harris, because every single one of her stated policies on her site is downright stupid or even racist.
She's proposing business subsidies, but only if you're not white.
She suggests $15k to first time home buyers, music to the ears of boomers looking to downsize their homes and pocket an extra $15k.
She claims Donald Trump is would ban abortion when at every single opportunity Trump has said that the issue is now with the States and that is where he wants it to stay.
She stands for nothing except answering questions with incoherent word salads, is incapable of making a joke at her own expense (a personality trait indicative of sociopathy and nsrcissism), while Trump does self-deprecating humor regularly.
All this while peddling the patently absurd claim that Trump is the reincarnation of Adolf Hitler, and Biden (just this past week) said to "lock him up".
The problem with modern politics is that conservatives know leftists are misinformed, misguided, and wrong (and generally understanding the leftist positions), while leftists believe the right is evil and have no desire to understand how their policy positions came to be.
Thank you for reading my blog.
I am voting Trump this time around.
Dad_Scaper
Enjoy the Sausage
I see. You think she speaks in "word salads" and, unlike Trump, she cannot stand up to Russia. Hmm.
You don't understand a thing about me. I do appreciate the investment of time you gave us with your blog entry, though.
You don't understand a thing about me. I do appreciate the investment of time you gave us with your blog entry, though.
I know you like Heroscape and that we get along just fine in every other thread on this forum.
Unhinged Manchild
Active member
"She's proposing business subsidies, but only if you're not white."
No way. Really? Bc subsidies based on skin color is totally not racist
smfh"I think everyone knows who Donald Trump is, while Harris is a blank slate who stands for nothing except the way the wind blows."
Ye, I may know of him, but I certainly don't like him. I think that's mostly bc his face/voice is crammed into my phone by every flaming site/medium possible, be it the ones praising him or the ones hating him. IT'S ANNOYING! I feel like scamala's (and pretty much any democrat that would run at this point) entire schtick is... well, even more laughable. The fact that they talk about racism and literally speak so much about committing anti-white action (like the above subsidies, and don't get me started on reparations; and somehow people don't see the blatant racism here?) has to be the most comical thing I've seen from recent prez candidates.
I don't entirely blame the grifting, though. If I had the ability to rile masses of people up to throw money at me and/or vote for me, I might damn well be doing the same thing, even if deep down I think it's a shitty way to operate. Society nowadays seems to promote this kind of behavior. Perhaps I'll be getting too... esoteric with my statements here, but too much shit nowadays just feels purely transactional such that grifting is just the norm. I might be growing old and grumpy and that's what's talking now, but it seems like there is very little "human" in every day interactions anymore. I take my 6 yo daughter outside to play and there are groups of 4 teens just staring down at their phones while occupying 4 swings on the swing set... are they even socializing with each other at that point? Idk. Local communities are kind of a thing, but feel like less of a thing than when I was a kid. People seem to have few values/cultures anymore except that of materialism, money, and influence (terribly exacerbated by phones/internet, and perhaps lack of parent/adult guidance.)
For the politicians, they almost always seem bought by something/someone. When they platform on some set of ideals and then within 6 months of taking office they pass a bill that does the exact opposite of the ideals they platformed on, there's nothing left for me in the system. Why would a poor, delusional schmuck like me waste my time voting if the highest bidding corporation/donor tends to get their way, in the end? My trust and expectations of the gubmint and even justice systems are so far in the red. I've always had my qualms with voting for the lesser of two evils, but I can't even bring myself to vote for anyone except harambe at this point bc at least a dead ape won't actively destroy my rights and steal my tax dollars while maliciously lying to my face about it
Yes, but those are not my primary grievances.
Regarding the Russia/Ukraine situation, the Biden/Harris administration has just thrown money (we don't have) at the problem and extended what looks like a stalemate to the layperson for two years.
And the word salads are indicative of an inability to think through things, or perhaps just having an incomplete worldview at a level of "I'm 12 and this is deep" when she discusses the "great significance of the passing of time" and how we must "become unburdened by what has been".
Well met!
From Heather Cox Richardson:
"Today, news broke that Trump’s regional field director for western Pennsylvania, Luke Meyer, is a white nationalist who, under the name Alberto Barbarossa, co-hosts a podcast with Richard Spencer, who organized the 2017 Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, Virginia. When Amanda Moore of Politico outed Meyer, he responded: “Like the hydra, you can cut off my head and hold it up for the world to see, but two more will quietly appear and be working in the shadows.” Meyer has called Trump a “con artist” but told Moore he supports Trump because Trump creates chaos that will cause a crisis that will make Americans turn against non-whites, enabling white nationalists to rebuild the country as they wish."
Hail Hydra!
From Heather Cox Richardson:
"Today, news broke that Trump’s regional field director for western Pennsylvania, Luke Meyer, is a white nationalist who, under the name Alberto Barbarossa, co-hosts a podcast with Richard Spencer, who organized the 2017 Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, Virginia. When Amanda Moore of Politico outed Meyer, he responded: “Like the hydra, you can cut off my head and hold it up for the world to see, but two more will quietly appear and be working in the shadows.” Meyer has called Trump a “con artist” but told Moore he supports Trump because Trump creates chaos that will cause a crisis that will make Americans turn against non-whites, enabling white nationalists to rebuild the country as they wish."
Hail Hydra!
Dad_Scaper
Enjoy the Sausage
I wonder if he’s talking about Eisenhower there. Certainly could be.