Posts by reagan

13

Speaking of bathrooms at the DC

by TweetieBird in

jw
friends

reading mulan's thread about her daughter-in-law's experience in the bathroom, i couldn't help remembering what happened at one district convention in jacksonville.. a sister brought her little 2 year old son in to spank.

she whipped him for so long with a thick comb and everytime the little boy would cry she would spank him some more because he was crying.

i went back to my seat crying.

reagan_oconnor

Discipline is important. I am a proponent of spanking.

I am *not* a proponent of abuse, and from your description of the situation, this was abuse.

I see my sisters-in-law spank their children only as a last resort; they use punishment that "fits the crime" and differs from child to child. I see my next door neighbor refuse to discipline her children in any form.

My sisters-in-law (the marjority of them, anyway) have well-behaved, respectful children. My next door neighbor has two little monsters that walk around in children's skin.

Reagan

I am the master of my fate/I am the captain of my soul.

130

America Bashing

by TR in

jw
friends

with all of the america bashing going on of late, i thought i'd mention the fact that america stands for freedom, as flawed as our system may be.

you're even free to be critical of the government and it's leaders.

the many men and women who have died defending this country did so to preserve the rights even of people who hate the u.s. there are many different cultures here, so there are many different attempts at creating laws for the land.

reagan_oconnor

Thanks for the correction. My point is that Americans are the ones that made democracy work. It's a viable form of government that succeeds more than it fails.

DannyBear ---> Hi-fives!

Seeker -----> low-fives!

Prisca sed:

It's no different to JWs arguing their religion is the Truth, when they know nothing about life outside their insular world.

Interesting point; I do not feel that I have left my head in the sand on this. I do not cover my ears and refuse to consider the viewpoints of others who may disagree with my opinions on this issue. And, as I stated before, being well-traveled (or not) has no bearing on my ability to formulate logical opinions about being American.

I do agree effusively with all who have stated that it's more important to concentrate on becoming a good person, as opposed to being caught up in purely nationalistic rhetoric. I don't only strive to be a good person; I strive to be a good American. For me, being a good person=being a good American.

Reagan

I am the master of my fate/I am the captain of my soul.

23

NEW POLL - Number of Known Victims

by Amazing in

jw
friends

please, i am asking that only those who responded to my first poll about the numebr of molesters they know, to respond to this poll.

this way i can make sense between the two polls.. please also, as you did before, avoid comments until i post the results.

here are tow qeustions and how i answer them to kick this poll off to a start:.

reagan_oconnor

2 molesters with 2 known victims.

2 congregations

I am the master of my fate/I am the captain of my soul.

130

America Bashing

by TR in

jw
friends

with all of the america bashing going on of late, i thought i'd mention the fact that america stands for freedom, as flawed as our system may be.

you're even free to be critical of the government and it's leaders.

the many men and women who have died defending this country did so to preserve the rights even of people who hate the u.s. there are many different cultures here, so there are many different attempts at creating laws for the land.

reagan_oconnor

when Americans always talk about their "forefathers" and their Bill of Rights (or whatever it's called). Lots of "free countries" have some sort of Charter of Rights and Freedoms (that is what it is called in Canada). But you never hear a Canadian going on about it, or our "forefathers"

Someone better-schooled in American history please correct me if I am wrong here... Americans are the ones that made democracy work. Our "founding fathers" had the amazing vision to recognize that all other forms of government had failed in some sense or another, and strove to create a form of government that would make room for the most important thing of all: the ability to change.

I can quote from our Bill of Rights, our Constitution and our Declaration of Independence. I say this because these three documents, which are the foundations of law and order in this country, are very important to me. They guarantee me the rights to "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness" whether I earn it or not.

I don't know why Canadians don't "go on about it." I'm not Canadian. All I know how to be is an American.

what's up with statements such as "God bless America"? Like, which God is that? And why should he just bless America? I think Americans are victims of heavy propaganda to make them feel good about having all sorts of young men all over the world in dangerous military occupations. These men are guarding "American interests" more so than "protecting the world". Propaganda just makes it easier to send young men to die.

"God Bless America" is a song, written by Irving Berlin (a Siberian immigrant) in 1918. He re-wrote it in 1938 (or'39) and it was originally broadcast on Armistice Day.

God bless America, Land that I love.
Stand beside her, and guide her,
Thru the night with a light from above.
From the mountains, to the prairies,
To the oceans, white with foam-
God bless America! My home sweet home.
God bless America! My home sweet home.

Those of us who are Christian may pray to God, asking Him to bless us in our daily lives -- our work, our families, our efforts to be good people. What's wrong with extending that to the country you live in? It's not "hey, bless us, but not Canada or Australia."

Unfortunately, it's become a catchphrase for many politicians, who use it in an attempt to stir up patriotic emotions in our citizenry when it's an election year. That's too bad.

I'm not saying all Americans are messed up.

How magnanimous of you!!

many of them seem to have an unusual perception of their place in the world. That they alone are "free" or are somehow responsible for our being "free

I have a very good grasp on "my place in this world." It's not that Americans are the only ones who are free; I think perhaps we're just very proud of it and more vocal than others. That's all.

<wishing I had my old copy of The Federalist Papers>
Reagan

I am the master of my fate/I am the captain of my soul.

130

America Bashing

by TR in

jw
friends

with all of the america bashing going on of late, i thought i'd mention the fact that america stands for freedom, as flawed as our system may be.

you're even free to be critical of the government and it's leaders.

the many men and women who have died defending this country did so to preserve the rights even of people who hate the u.s. there are many different cultures here, so there are many different attempts at creating laws for the land.

reagan_oconnor

OK, so me, TR and Spartacus are all on one side of the table...

...glad I'm in such nice company!

=)
Reagan

I am the master of my fate/I am the captain of my soul.

130

America Bashing

by TR in

jw
friends

with all of the america bashing going on of late, i thought i'd mention the fact that america stands for freedom, as flawed as our system may be.

you're even free to be critical of the government and it's leaders.

the many men and women who have died defending this country did so to preserve the rights even of people who hate the u.s. there are many different cultures here, so there are many different attempts at creating laws for the land.

reagan_oconnor

What if your ancestors had been not been the type of person you'd like to have around? What if your grand-grandpa was a murderer, rapist or whatever? You know, the concept of "inherited pride" reminds me very much of the concept of original sin.

You're right; but that isn't the case. Despite their shortcomings as imperfect humans, they did their best; they fought for their freedoms, and I respect that and fight for mine as well. I'm not sure I understand the reference to orginal sin, though.

there actually is a civilised world outside of the USA. I've noticed that some American people have rather strange ideas about the rest of the world.

Yes, that of which I am fully aware. I appreciate the freedoms provided me by this country, and have no desire to live anywhere else. My ideas about "the world" aren't strange; it's something I haven't experienced, I'm not a "well-traveled" person. I don't think my lack of continent-hopping makes me any less intelligent and able to formulate opinions about truth, justice and the American way.

Er, I don't understand why you bring up this specific example, but OTOH I agree with your observations :-)

I guess I'm just trying to point out that I have no real frame of reference for the ongoing crises between the Jews and the Palestinians. I don't comprehend their religious fervor anymore than some non-Americans can comprehend my patriotism. Sorry if I didn't make that clear...

To Bigboi:

Most of the ppl in this country on welfare are children, that's right children

I agree with you; if you will note, in my post I capitalized the word ABUSEin that statement. I agree that in some situations, welfare is absolutely necessary for the survival of America's children; I am referring to cases where it is ABUSED -- i.e., fraud, which is so prevalent in my area it is appalling.

They don't know what it's like to be poor and disenfrachised in this country, so they can't relate to issues that affect ppl

This is such an excellent point. It's why I am very particular about what candidates I vote for, and why I research the issues so carefully. I grew up with absolutely NOTHING handed to me. I'm 26 years old and I've been paying taxes since I was 13; I'm already vested in the Social Security system. My parents were this close to being on welfare themselves. I've worked my ass off for everything I have. I have minimal debt, pay my bills off every month and try to live my life as a good person. Can I say the same thing for the majority of my state's political representatives? Nope. And that sucks, because they can't truly be in my shoes.

Spartacus wrote:

Also, the conservative do a great job making the religious right wing happy while ignoring the concerns of everybody else. This is going to bite them in the ass. Bush will serve one term because he is allowing himself to be pigeon holed as a religious right-winger.

How ironic that you mention this; I just heard a piece on NPR the other day about how Bush is suddenly realizing the potential voting population in the Roman Catholics. An interesting reference is that, in the past, many RCs have voted Democrat, but more are leaning toward the right these days. Proves that the polls are what count to these men, no matter how noble they try to make themselves look.

Reagan
<edited to respond to Spartacus>
I am the master of my fate/I am the captain of my soul.

28

Songs that remember when

by TweetieBird in

jw
friends

this is the third damn time i have tried to post this.

i keep hitting the wrong button and losing it.. anyway, sometimes i hear songs on the radio that bring back some really great memories of my childhood and teenage years.

despite being raised in the borg, i had a pretty good life.

reagan_oconnor

"Inconceivable!"

"You keep using that word. I do nott-a think itt-a means what you think itt-a means..."

+++++++++++++++++
"Stop it now, I mean it!"

"...anybody wanna peanut?"

I am the master of my fate/I am the captain of my soul.

5

The Atheist and the Bear. (good joke;wrong forum)?

by Big Jim in

jw
friends

atheist and bear .

an atheist was taking a walk through the woods, admiring all that the "accident of evolution" had created.. "what majestic trees!

what powerful rivers!

reagan_oconnor

oops..

I read this wrong, thought that the first line was, "An atheist was taking a walk through the woods, admiring the "accident of evolution" he had created."

...i.e., I thought this meant he'd just shit in the woods. Sorry!!

Laughing anyway; this was good!

Reagan

I am the master of my fate/I am the captain of my soul.

10

Do you choose sides, or do you choose truth?

by Seeker in

jw
friends

for example, ask someone to give their opinion on a political issue, and often you will hear, "well, i'm a (political party), so i think..." that's not thinking about the issue, it's choosing sides.

to be fair, one hopes that much thought went into the decision to choose that side in the first place, but it's still not the point.

no side can contain all truth and no falsehood.

reagan_oconnor

TR: I COMPLETELY disagree with you on this!!!

...See?!

Reagan

I am the master of my fate/I am the captain of my soul.

130

America Bashing

by TR in

jw
friends

with all of the america bashing going on of late, i thought i'd mention the fact that america stands for freedom, as flawed as our system may be.

you're even free to be critical of the government and it's leaders.

the many men and women who have died defending this country did so to preserve the rights even of people who hate the u.s. there are many different cultures here, so there are many different attempts at creating laws for the land.

reagan_oconnor

Hiya, F.

For the record, I am proud, both of being American *and* of having white skin. I am proud of my German/Irish heritage; I am proud of my ancestors and their fight to get to this country, to find freedom for their religious beliefs (ironic, no?) and to raise their children in a better environment. That was their "accomplishment;" I am their "accomplishment" and I carry that with pride and intend to hand that pride down to my own progeny someday.

I do not feel this is silly; and no, it isn't a "religious glaze," it's called respect and appreciation. Do I think that this is the best country in the world? Abso-friggin-lutely.

You have admitted to being somewhat of a nomad, so I expect that you can't really comprehend these feelings. The same way that I cannot comprehend why there is so much nastiness and rock-throwing in the Middle East about the Gaza-Freakin'-Strip. Everyone over there is in a holier-than-thou pissing contest that I just don't get.

...be proud of being a decent person. Unfortunately, that's something we all have to keep working on...

I agree. Completely.

Bigboi wrote:

they seem to look down upon ppl who are not like them

I look down upon people who:

1. ABUSE the welfare system;
2. Refuse to pay taxes;
3. Refuse to obey the laws of this country;
4. Refuse to take responsibility for their actions;
5. Refuse to vote, then bitch and moan.

Am I a better person? No, not necessarily. But I pull my own weight, follow the rules, am civically active, and I see nothing wrong with expecting the same from everyone else. I don't believe in "more government;" rather, I think that the individual states should have more responsibility in governing themselves. Federal government can barely keep itself above water.

Reagan

I am the master of my fate/I am the captain of my soul.

reagan_oconnor

Posts by reagan_oconnor