Politics and world news

[Guard Dog]

5 hours ago, ShadySands said:

Are spiritual needs a real thing? Serious question. If so what are they?

 

I really don't know. The relationship between a person and God (whomever they acknowledge that to be) is actually extremely personal. A prayer is such a quiet thing. Words only meant for one to hear. It's ironic that such a private and singular connection is inextricably tied with collective activities such as public worship services in churches, temples, mosques, etc.  I've managed to become a pretty religious man while eschewing any participation in organized religion. Going to church certainly reinforces faith. Doctrine gives it structure and differentiates on faith from another. But, to my knowledge, God himself has never issued any specific instructions regarding what those faiths or doctrines should be outside of the four eyewitness accounts of Jesus's life. And even then for those to be credible you'd have to acknowledge Jesus's divinity. Certainly something not everyone can do. And those four eyewitness accounts of Jesus's teaching do not exalt any faith over another. If anything they reinforce the idea that the relationship between humans and the divine in entirely personal and singular. 

When it comes to spiritual needs I think people want to know there is a meaning and purpose in life. That there are reasons why things happen the way they do. Maybe there is. Maybe there isn't. And even if there isn't it does not preclude the existence of God. And even if there is it does not mean it's something we can understand.

Quote

 Isaiah 55:8-9 King James Version (KJV)
8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.

9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

Attending church services, salat in a mosque, shabbat in a temple, or mass in Rome will certainly make people feel like they are a part of something bigger than themselves. That might be called a spiritual need. The affirmation you are not alone. It's no too unlike being at a home game for your favorite sports team. I don't know if that makes you closer to God. But, IMO only, no matter what you are doing if you feel closer to God then you are. 

So I guess my answer is:

1. Is there a meaning in life?
2. Am I alone or part of a greater whole? 

The only two I can come up with. 

Edit: Just re-read this. I kind of wandered around it a little. Hope it makes sense. 

Edited December 24, 2019 by Guard Dog
Bad grammar

[Hurlshort]

I'd say spiritual needs are definitely a thing. Asking 'why we are here' is a big part of what separates us from all the other lifeforms kicking around on this planet. The 'what' is a lot more complicated.

[Gorth]

Split from previous thread, as to not interrupt conversation too much. I'll refrain from Monty Python jokes here....

 

 

[Bartimaeus]

Somebody didn't split the thread properly...

[Gorth]

Australia is burning... a lot.

 

NSW (an Aussie state) had 3 million hectares scorched since July. By comparison, that's more than all of Californias 2018 fires and the 2019 fires in the Amazonas combined

 

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-australia-50585968

@Bartimaeus I know, I suck

[Maedhros]

https://eu.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2019/12/24/boeing-reveals-new-very-disturbing-documents-737-max-jetliner-faa-house/2743402001/

https://www.forbes.com/sites/jackkelly/2019/12/24/boeings-ceo-was-fired-and-may-walk-away-with-585-million-after-two-plane-crashes-killed-346-passengers/#60b53a9de4b6

 

Edited December 25, 2019 by Maedhros

[Lexx]

Was Fired And May Walk Away With $58.5 Million

Such a horrible fate. :,(

[Zoraptor]

Well yeah, but oddly enough the current Boeing CEO Muilenburg is someone I have a decent amount of sympathy with. His handling of the 737MAX situation from a PR standpoint was pretty average to say the least; but he's actually a Boeing man and engineer and pretty much all the decisions that actually lead to the 737MAX disaster were made by the CEO previous to him who was a typical corporate raider MBA type and who, surprise surprise, decided cutting experienced but expensive people while outsourcing software to India and badly and unsafely redesigning an existing jet were great ideas because they were also cheap ideas, with no immediate drawbacks. He got to walk away with bonuses and an unblemished reputation, indeed the replacement CEO is one of his appointees and can be pretty much guaranteed to do all the things that grow shareholder value right up to the point your cost cutting kills 300 odd people and loses you contracts to NASA because your space capsule can't count time properly so won't go into the proper orbit.

Every article blames MCAS for the crashes, but if the plane was designed properly MCAS would be irrelevant and unnecessary. You only need MCAS because the engines are too big and too close to the body which makes the design fundamentally unstable; and it was done that way because it was cheaper than designing a new plane that could cope with the bigger engines. Those sorts of decisions were made years ago.

[Guard Dog]

Coming from any other President...well, maybe not Clinton, this would not even occasion notice. But from Trump it get's a laugh:  https://www.mediaite.com/trump/trump-celebrates-christmas-by-calling-for-americans-to-unify-and-exemplify-the-teachings-of-christ/

[Guard Dog]

Beware what you wish for:  https://www.politico.com/news/2019/12/26/can-bernie-sanders-win-2020-election-president-089636

 

Well, that would be an entertaining election. No matter who wins we're screwed. Or not. So long as Congress is split we'll be fine. 

[Blarghagh]

Or, you know, the US will finally become a normal civilization instead the most boring dystopia. 

[Volourn]

"Also, I don't recall anyone claiming they want to come to your home and take your guns,"

 

Politicians have actually stated that they do exactly that and will kill you if you don't hand them over. LMAO

[Guard Dog]

1 hour ago, Volourn said:

"Also, I don't recall anyone claiming they want to come to your home and take your guns,"

 

Politicians have actually stated that they do exactly that and will kill you if you don't hand them over. LMAO

Yep. The governor of Virginia Ralph Northam  is promising to send the Virginia National Guard to confiscate firearms with the new gun control measures that the incoming Democrat controlled State Assembly is planning to ram down their throats.  Former Presidential Candidate, Congressman Eric Slalwell, Senator Dianne Feinstein, Senator Charles Schumer, current Presidential Candidate Core Booker among many others have all promised to use violence to seize firearms that are, for the moment, legal if they are ever made illegal. 

To them I say f--k you. Come take them.

Edited December 26, 2019 by Guard Dog

[ComradeYellow]

 

3 hours ago, Guard Dog said:

Yep. The governor of Virginia Ralph Northam  is promising to send the Virginia National Guard to confiscate firearms with the new gun control measures that the incoming Democrat controlled State Assembly is planning to ram down their throats.  Former Presidential Candidate, Congressman Eric Slalwell, Senator Dianne Feinstein, Senator Charles Schumer, current Presidential Candidate Core Booker among many others have all promised to use violence to seize firearms that are, for the moment, legal if they are ever made illegal. 

To them I say f--k you. Come take them.

They are all Democrats so don't vote Democrat if the issue is really that strong for you.

Personally, I'm more concerned with the planet, rising fascism (which we fought in WW2, lest not forget!), and inequality than gun control, so I shalt remain pro 2nd Amendment at least until these issues are resolved.

[ComradeYellow]

5 hours ago, TrueNeutral said:

Or, you know, the US will finally become a normal civilization instead the most boring dystopia. 

It doesn't matter though.  In my opinion, if Bernie was meant to win, he would have done so in 2016, and I think he didn't win for a good reason:  He's a Democrat.  Anyone who joins the 2 major parties is not going to shake up the system.  Look what happened to Barry, you want President Steve Bannon in 2024?

[BruceVC]

https://edition.cnn.com/videos/politics/2019/12/24/trump-windmills-attack-jeanne-moos-ebof-pkg-vpx.cnn

Classic and hilarious examples of  " Trumpism "  ......one of the funniest sequence of Trump quotes I have ever seen 

 

[BruceVC]

10 hours ago, ComradeMaster said:

 

They are all Democrats so don't vote Democrat if the issue is really that strong for you.

Personally, I'm more concerned with the planet, rising fascism (which we fought in WW2, lest not forget!), and inequality than gun control, so I shalt remain pro 2nd Amendment at least until these issues are resolved.

As you  mentioned  you can be concerned with multiple issues and have different social and political goals that you rate in different degrees of important 

For example I share all your concerns except for inequality because all the ideas and solutions to address this are  populist ideas where we want to " breakup the financial system" or " destroy the evil Capitalist system " ....so ostensibly its all about taking resources from others to somehow address poverty or inequality that are not sustainable or suggests somehow that  free market economics is the fundamental problem when we can all easily see from history its not 

 

 

[Guard Dog]

18 hours ago, ComradeMaster said:

 

They are all Democrats so don't vote Democrat if the issue is really that strong for you.

 

Much like you I see the choice of Democrats and Republicans as no choice at all. When you choose the lesser evil all you ever get is evil. Heck I'm not even sure WHICH of those two even is the lesser evil these days. 

No, like you I'm voting 3rd Party for President as I have since 2012 and before 2008. Now we may find no agreement which 3rd party is best but at least we agree a third party is needed. 

Destiny guides our fortunes more favorably than we could have expected! Look there ComradeMaster my friend, and see those two wild giants with the huge arms, Donkey & Elephant, with whom we will do battle and slay with our 3rd Party votes! And with their stolen political power we can begin to enrich our land!

@Gromnir: "Those are windmills"

GD: Well, obviously Gromnir you don't know much about adventures!

[Volourn]

"Personally, I'm more concerned with the planet"

Why? The planet is in no danger... unless you know someone is making a Death Star. What secrets do you hold?

[BruceVC]

1 hour ago, Volourn said:

"Personally, I'm more concerned with the planet"

Why? The planet is in no danger... unless you know someone is making a Death Star. What secrets do you hold?

My dad since retiring from investment banking is now dedicated to leaving what he considers is a real legacy and he is really committed to conservation and addressing issues like climate change. He always says to us " people keep saying we must save the planet but the planet doesnt need saving, climate change is about saving humans or ensuring we have an enduring and sustainable future for our children " 

[Raithe]

Citizens for Ethics - Ivanka Trump Business Wins Approval for 16 New Trademarks Despite Being Shut Down

 

 

[ComradeYellow]

 

12 hours ago, BruceVC said:

As you  mentioned  you can be concerned with multiple issues and have different social and political goals that you rate in different degrees of important 

For example I share all your concerns except for inequality because all the ideas and solutions to address this are  populist ideas where we want to " breakup the financial system" or " destroy the evil Capitalist system " ....so ostensibly its all about taking resources from others to somehow address poverty or inequality that are not sustainable or suggests somehow that  free market economics is the fundamental problem when we can all easily see from history its not 

 

 

All successful modern countries have some form of state enterprise for those who can't make it in the private sector.  I don't see Democrats and Republicans going away any time soon and they are both pretty avidly anti-socialist so sticking a third party in there that offers a sound alternative would benefit everyone, even private industries as they would be forced to compete and offer better business solutions.  Everyone wins!  Also better education/healthcare is ranked as a positive most everywhere.  Perhaps we don't have to go universal but those employed in either sector should be offered better benefits in that regard.

Sure, I may be a little troll-y in my Gommunism, but in reality I'm like 1/3 Gommunist at best! xD

The problem is the American right, they are absolutely convinced that anything "social" is absolute evil, Wall Street is in full force pumping out anti-Marxist propaganda and  there's no shortage of idiots here who gobble it right up.  Which could lead to a Civil War-esque clash very soon...

4 hours ago, Volourn said:

"Personally, I'm more concerned with the planet"

Why? The planet is in no danger... unless you know someone is making a Death Star. What secrets do you hold?

There's literally nothing wrong with being environmentally conscience and producing conservation sectors that help preserve nature.  It's not only better for the plantet but better for humans as well.

[Hurlshort]

Gromnunism is the future. 

[Guard Dog]

1 minute ago, Hurlshot said:

Gromnunism is the future. 

It's good fun!

[ComradeYellow]

Cromunism!