pirana

And they often get it wrong. The only major media outlet that predicted it incorrectly was Faux News. " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

But God does exist, and once you finally see yourself for what you really are, it is easy to let go and embrace God for Who He is, and accept what He has to offer. I think what we really are is people. Let go of what? (I think what you're asking people to let go of is anything that resembles logic). What's He offering? " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

So precisely what is His plan? " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

special treatment abounds everywhere progressive tax structures penalties exceptions exemptions mortgage deductions child care deductions educational deductions ad nauseum a little hypothetical math: Guy makes $100K and is taxed at 30% He takes $30K in various deductions - tax on $70K = $21K He has to pay an accountant. Politicians get tons of contributions and votes from the ignorant and not so ignorant for putting in all these deductions and exemptions and credits, etc etc etc alternatively: Guy makes $100K and is taxed at 21% with no special perks - tax = $21K (oh crap - the math does work, it's revenue neutral) the left screams bloody murder - "OH MY GOD, you gave RICH Guy a 9% tax reduction - you're a racist and a sexist creep" the right screams bloody murder - "OH MY GOD, you took away all the TAX BREAKS that encourage small businesses - you hate the little guy just wanting a home and a business" REALITY - politicians lose power because they don't have any special freebies to hand out. And a few accountants lose some business. no way a simple tax code will ever work .......but I digress - what were we talking about? Shorter version for you - it won't work because nobody gets to feel special. Evolution to large frontal lobes has been a boon to our creativity and ascendancy amongst species. It also unfortunately makes the bulk of humans prisoners to their emotions. Anybody expecting the masses to intelligently and diligently investigate the issues of their life is dreaming. Most people just want to let everyone know how they feel. " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

I think they are just pandering to the Fundies - don't want to lose that vote. Truly despicable nonetheless. " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

I don't know about that. I've heard plenty say that Obama is actually too centrist and doesn't do enough to appeal to his far left base. I think most political analysts have agreed with that statement. Agreed. Both are seen as centrist by the extremists of their party. Both pander to those extremists to keep them from going off and voting for some nutcase like Paul. Both take liberty with facts in order to get elected. The biggest difference is that Romney appears to have made the most about-face changes while pandering. He has done a complete 180 on so many topics it is ridiculous. " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

Depends on what you mean. If you mean have we ever done anything that would upset somebody's sensitivities, then the answer is yes for EVERYBODY. So in that sense, nobody vetts out as acceptable to all. But that is not important. If your intent is to ask if we would make a successful politician, or what it takes to make one, here's your answer: What makes for a successful politician is having better shit on all the people that have shit on you. " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

It's called MAKING SHIT UP AS WE GO. Allowing for exceptions that may exist that I am unaware of; it is what most religions do most of the time. Don't religious people ever wonder why specific religions dominate certain distinct areas, nations, groups of people? " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

Unfortunately, our involvement is probably making things worse. Sometimes it occurs to me that some of these nations would have matured past the current point if we would not have played a role in their history. " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

Correction: People are buying more guns because of what the NRA threatened will happen. The propaganda of the NRA is behind the frenzy; not Obama. " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

Either that is disingenious bullshit, or you did not understand the article. Obama has those holdings as part of a pension plan. If it is anything like most pensions out there, it is invested in at least 10's, probably 100's, and maybe 1000's of individual line items that are part of broader funds; some industry specific, some quite random. No way do people with those kinds of funds know all the specific investments - and the bulk of them are trivial in specific value compared to the total of all the funds. No way is that anything close to Romney's investments via Bain or otherwise; which were often in the tens of millions for transactions specific to a single organization. " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

Short version: We didn't fix anything - we engaged in stall tactics such as working more hours, increased productivity, sending women into the workforce in mass (basically making the 2-earner family the norm). All we did was delay the inevitable for a few decades. What made the tactic even more or a disaster is that the income situation we were propping up by heaping hope on the back of labor is that labor was actually becoming less valuable due to global competition. Now he we are, 40 years later, totally fucked, no way out, and seeing boogeymen in everything and anybody not like us. " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

Must depend on location; but everything you claim is untrue where I live. Here in WI USA, one application (doesn't even have to be in person, can be done online in less than 15 minutes) can get a person free food stamps, free comprehensive health care, free school lunches, and if the income level is low enough - a bit of cash. I'm pretty certain if a person requests General Assistance cash an in-person interview is required. Service is very fast; almost always 1 week or less. If a more urgent need is expressed - no validation whatsoever required - they'll cut a food card same day. " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

As they should, because they have the vast majority of the nation's wealth. I've never figured out why people don't get that the lower income people don't pay much (or nothing) because they don't make much (or nothing). Angry Republican: "Why aren't those poor people paying taxes? They've got no housing to pay for, no vehicle to maintain, no need to maintain a business casual wardrobe; step up to the plate jobless or barely employed scum!" It's laughable to hear them complain that the small percent of people making most of the discretionary money need to pay even lower taxes than they are - which are nearly at an all-time low. I've said it before and feel the need to say it again - it is the propaganda coup of the century that the wealthy have somehow formed a coalition out of the very folks to whom they are giving the worst fucking. " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

Best. Sketch. Ever. "It's pinning for the fjords" For me it's a toss-up between Bicycle Repair Man and The Cheese Shop. Though the World Hide-N-Seek Championship is right up there. I think Bicycle Repair Man would be a great Halloween costume, but for good effect you'd need several normal people (Superman civilians complete with briefcases) to hang with you. " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

I find it hard to believe she thinks she would be a serious threat to win, so wondering what her motivations are. (It's not like she walks away from all the women every stop on the tour - I'd have to look, but don't think she wins even half the races she's was in). Highly suspect it is just for the publicity. Too bad really; it'll become more of a circus than a genuine competition, a real distraction to the serious competitors to have a gender controversy bomb dropped on their race. " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

Another shake of the Etch-a-Sketch. What does Mitt stand for, except saying whatever his audience of the moment wants hear. So you've never mis-spoken and apologized? considering his initial response was to say it was inelegantly stated, but he believed in the whole, but now he's disavowing it entirely, this doesn't look like he misspoke. And he's done it over and over and over and . . . " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

I agree. However, I highly doubt he believes what he said. The Republicans have already made it clear that campaigning has nothing to do with facts or truth. It's more like advertising. The party that does the better job of manipulating the public wins - facts are not part of the process. - other than the fact that at least 80% of the public are very easily manipulated. He's a politician, and he'll say whatever the audience of any particular moment wants to hear. He was speaking to fundies - so he panders to them. I doubt very much he'll say the same thing speaking to a group of doctors, or university students, or anybody living north of the Mason-Dixon line (well, maybe an Indiana chapter of the KKK). " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

I like that a lot; except the name calling. I seriously think it is the propaganda coup of the century (so far) that the elite rich has been able to recruit for support the very people they are fucking over. Brilliant! " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

So I take it that if a person doesn't buy into this very big and very oogie-boogie assumption, then pretty much everything having to do with the Christian religions is irrelevant? " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

Says who? Which set of morals are you using? Source please. " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

That falls into the no-raindrop-is-responsible-for-the-flood proverb. In the past I have been very apathetic and barely mustered the will to vote. I figure the flavor of corruption isn't much of a choice and that the real power is wielded by lobbyists and their corporate donors. That being said, the Republicans have now become such an appalling negative force in society that I am compelled to vote against them. " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

Well said; and reminds me of this funny: " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

I'm most curious as to why people are prepping? Nobody has specified yet. People who prep must have a reason; what is your's? 1- Social breakdown (failed or overrun government, riots in the street, invasion by other nation(s)) 2- Asteroid or comet impact 3- Alien attack 4 - Any oogie-boogie related to the Mayan calendar/2012 apocalypse 5 - Nuclear war 6- Other, please specify "But just because we're hypnotized it don't mean we can't dance." - Tonio K because during the last storm and power outage Fema suggested people in our area keep a weeks supply of food, a wind up radio and flashlight, first aid kit and a way to purify water. seemed reasonably easy and cheap. so i did it. but again, i dont think im a prepper. just sort of prepared That sounds reasonable. Living in the stix, we do pretty much the same. Keep the freezer and pantry relatively full, always have a few days of most staples on hand - especially in the winter. I guess it's just a matter of degree as far as how ready a person is, and though the reason for the readiness may not be any of my personal business - I stay on watch for bizarre behavior when someone tells me the reason for their stash is aliens or asteroids or religious end-of-the-world stuff. I guess we can all thank them later when humanity survives the alien invasion only because of the small percentage of people who saw it coming. " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

As Christians, we pray to get in communication with the Holy Spirit and to achieve a stronger alignment with the will of God. Why do you always resort to gobbledygook when presented with a difficult question? Not just because of the use of the word alignment, but the response reminds me of the psuedo-science explanations offered by those that think magical things happen when there is anything remotely close to planets lining up. I believe the term often thrown about is harmonic concordance. " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley