I have I guess a dumb question

[Oss]

Sometimes you just have to meditate on something besides whether the government
can force us to feel this or that (loved the 1984 reference but Brave New World also hits the mark)

Lord knows I tried to concentrate at lunch yesterday but ...........



Robert, you live right near a terrific beach.

Go find me some more gals for my secretary posts.

This one is a nice start but the boys need MORE pics


Oss

[The emperor has no clothes]

So I am about to change my oil what kind should I use? And any recommendations on filter type

 * fork

 * Melitta

No,no,no

   *safflower

   *brita

[dreamaker]

Have you ever heard a saying or something similar to the effect, “If you tell someone something enough, whether it is right or wrong, they will eventually begin to believe it” or except it, which ever you choose?  Now keeping that thought in mind, and let’s talk a little about TV, do you believe in mass hypnosis? Not talking about acting like a chicken, talking about getting you to believe what you are watching. I am just giving you the short answer!!  But if you noticed in the last several months on TV, it has been a tidal wave of them on TV shows, like it is the new fashion statement to be on a show. To me I don’t really care as long as they entertain me on the show, but I understand one thing you do not. You are being conditioned for acceptance, to be the NEW NORMAL. Think back, may be a year ago, and it may not have been as common then, as it is now.  May be I am wrong!! Its just my opinion!!!

There was also a time when you didn't see black people on TV. I'm glad we have evolved a little.

I am 67yrs and as far as I can remember there were always black people on TV. Amos and Andy, Little Rascals, Bowery Boys and many movies I use to watch. May be they only showed in Detroit area. We never looked at them as being different that anyone else.

TV may have had black people on, but they were not portrayed as anything but "different tha(n) anyone else."  These actors were made into comic figures and the characters they played were unscrupulous, dim-witted, servantile and child-like.  Amos 'n Andy - really?  

Keep something in mind, if you are going to air your laundry in public, someone may notice it. I was not born or brought up in a hatred, belittling, condescending criticizing, fault finding, up bringing. I didn't see things the way you do, to me they were just entertainers that made me laugh or just enjoy watching them. In some cases they were greater than I, because they had a talent that I did not have. So the bottom line is when I watched programs with black people in it, to me they were just people, no more.

Ask a person of color what they thought about those shows.  My point is that they were insulting to that ethnic group.  

Read your first sentence over and think about it. There is allot of people in the world that just don't look for the fault in every thing, there is good or bad in anything.
I had to knock it around my head a little, and here is what I came up with. I am Polish, and much of my life I heard Polocks are stupid!! and also came out the Polish jokes. You know what! It never fazed me; I just considered the source and never have been deviated over it, my life was pretty normal.
Our lives are the product of our choices!!  Whatever happens in your life is based on a choice you made in it. So I don’t recall anyone forcing black people to be actors and actresses.  People do things in life because they may be good at it, and possibly can make them a living. I would have to assume that entertainment was their choice, and I am sure they cried about it, all the way to the bank. OK!!
Now looking at your short answer, it tells me allot about you.  Let me tell you something I learned about life, the people that b*tch the most and b*tch the loudest, usually are the ones that contribute the least and generally always demand a guarantee to anything, and act like they are the victim and perpetrator.  May be you should start watching TV, like TMZ, Extra, Wendy Williams Show to gain some perspective.

[Alien]

The only 2 people who's sex life interests me are myself and my wife.  Other than that, I can't be bothered to care who anyone else sleeps with as long as all parties are of legal age and consenting.

I can not believe how much time and energy folks put into worrying about who others are getting horizontal with.  Ask yourself why the subject fascinates you so much.  If you're honest, there is something there that intrigues you enough to make you spend a whole bunch of time thinking about it. 

As far as homosexuality being a sin?  If that is what you believe, that's fine.  The problem comes when you judge others for not living by YOUR beliefs.  Also, isn't there something in the bible about not judging, lest you be judged? 

Live and let live.  Do your thing your way and respect the choices of others when they do the same.  Running around branding people as sinners is such a hateful, foolish thing to do. 

The compulsive need to impose your beliefs on others is a sure sign that those beliefs are not strong enough to stand on their own.

Ride Safe,

Alien

[DK]

I guess my objective got shot to hell! My point was, I don't like people, groups or society telling me how I should feel towards any controversy. suggestion and possibilities are fine. My feelings are mine, my opinions are mine and my choices are also mine. I don't think anyone has the right to dictate to me how I should think!!! I am not a needy person, I don't need anyone blessing, or bad advice, specially when they have more fault and I.

Sounds like you simply want to just keep on being an American Citizen.

Dan

[DK]

If you read these post and think you have to physically act to commit sin, if you are so inclined, take a look at Matthew 5:28.
That's all I got.
Ride Safe!

Yes, that is very true....I thought it would be kinda preachy to get that far into it.  I agree with Willow, a lusting in the heart is still an act we choose to do; a sin.  That is different from an uncontrolled passing thought, the latter is no crime or sin

Remember the discourse regarding President Jimmy Carter's "Lust in my heart" statement in Playboy interview?

Dan

[Robert]

I guess my objective got shot to hell! My point was, I don't like people, groups or society telling me how I should feel towards any controversy. suggestion and possibilities are fine. My feelings are mine, my opinions are mine and my choices are also mine. I don't think anyone has the right to dictate to me how I should think!!! I am not a needy person, I don't need anyone blessing, or bad advice, specially when they have more fault and I.

Society, media, people, ads, all tell you how you should think. This includes the government with what is their right or a right they grant you and what is a God given right. People do it every time they gasp or cast someone out that is not doing something they deem appropriate. Sometimes you are given a false choice just so you can choose and feel good about yourself. Feelings change sometimes with a change in attitude and sometimes it takes a truth, knowledge or realization to go beyond the hype, ridicule, smiles, and fear so we can all pursue a course. Now the question is how do we pursue a true course one that is based on fact and knowing, one that we wont be judged for by the one who matters. We are each given one life to live and we will answer to no man at the end. There is one true compass able to unbiasedly lead us through this life and one that we can rely and count on as not being self serving and putting us back on track when we stray to far to the left or right and that is God. Everyone dictates to us how we should think, laws back up some actions but we decide what is right or wrong or what we will accept in our lives no matter what anyone says. We are born alone we will die alone and the road in between we are granted a few to love and share who we are and who they are. We are given lives to write our lives on. This is the nature of life and death, it is the course of man and almost no one gets away any different. Accept the fact that all want you to do something they want you to do and have the conviction, and strength and wisdom to pursue the path you decided to take even when those around you cannot see the vision you are pursuing. Most of the greatest inventions would never have been made if their inventors listened to the people around them. Jesus would not have died on the cross if He had listened to the people around Him. Each one of us has a direction and most will not understand it for many reasons.