Politics Japan and Trump 2.0

[mdchachi]

Let's have a positivity session about Trump. I like that he's trying to ban abortion. If you don't wanna get pregnant, don't do you-know-what. I like that he's actively searching out the illegal immigrants and keeping new ones out. I like that he's removing transgender and LGBTQ protections, and enforcing that a man is a man and a woman is a woman, men marry women only and women marry men only. I like that he puts AMERICA FIRST. Every American should take after that example. (I'm a republican; can you tell?)

I'm only replying because you're still young and I feel there may be some hope for you. If not maybe somebody else will read this and get something out of it.

• Re abortion: Why do you feel that you have a right dictate what others do with their bodies? Why are you blaming woman for getting pregnant? Given that 1/10 U.S. high school girls report getting s*xlly assaulted and 1-2 of every grape victim is 12 or under it's simplistic and insulting to say "don't do you know what." Do you have the ability to feel empathy? Maybe you can feel some something for somebody in your age group or perhaps this lady. Until so-called pro-lifers can respect the lives of the people already born I can't respect them.
• Re illegal immigrants: Are you racist? If not, why do you find this appealing? Did you applaud him when he lied and said Haitians were eating pet cats and dogs on national television? Does that make you proud to call him your President? If he truly wanted to do something productive about immigration, he wouldn't be instituting this terror campaign which is capturing people here in a legal status even. He would set up a robust immigration system, guest worker program, etc. The fact is, our economy depends on immigrants and it's one major reason why the U.S. has been so strong until now. Long article here if interested.
• Re LGBTQ protections. Why would you like to not protect this class of people? What would you like to do to them? Would you like to see them get the death penalty like they do in many countries like Iran and Sudan? Or just shamed or otherwise not treated as human (which seems somewhat odd considering that everybody is God's children are they not)? This article claims that somebody with autism or other neuro-divergent characteristics does not require intervention to be healed but rather that God made them that way. If you accept that God made you the way you are consider that God made other people they way they are too.
  By the way how do you propose enforcing that a man is a man and a woman is a woman? What is your definition? What should we do about females who have XY chromosomes and the other variants that God created? Here's a girl who didn't realize she was a boy (by the DNA definition) until she was 15. Here's another video of another, similar, person.
  Trump hasn't promised to end same sex marriage. In fact he said it was settled law. Though you're right to be skeptical and that he may change his stance on that. But again, why do you feel you have a right to say that others cannot have the same rights that you enjoy? Because your bigoted church tells you so?
• Re America First. What evidence do you have that he puts America first? He's systematically destroying America as we speak. The economy, our standing in the world, the rule of law. He is favoring dictators whose longstanding goal is the destruction of America (such as Putin) over our closest allies such as Europe and Canada. How, exactly, is he putting America first?

 

[Lothor]

My answer would be that words from leaders are important – that's why the deranged ravings of Trump on social media are taken seriously. Starmer says nothing at all when the US trashes its relationship with Europe and imposes tariffs on its trading partners. Instead, he sidles up to Trump and simperingly hands over an invitation from the king. When countries are incapable of acting in good faith, like the US at the moment, you don't appease them. Something's badly wrong when even Japan, a country with a lot more to lose from standing up to the US and not known for speaking directly, is talking more assertively than Britain.

Ukigomo - going back to how the UK should respond to the US's attempted extortion of other countries, this video outlines how ten African countries responded to blatant attempts by the Trump administration to rip them off. In most cases, the countries ended up doing a deal on much better terms with Russia, China, or another country. As we speak, the balance of power in the world is moving eastward. If you've got a spare 20 minutes, it's worth watching. That's why I think the UK government can and should be much more assertive.

 

[Ukigumo]

I'm only replying because you're still young and I feel there may be some hope for you. If not maybe somebody else will read this and get something out of it.

• Re abortion: Why do you feel that you have a right dictate what others do with their bodies? Why are you blaming woman for getting pregnant? Given that 1/10 U.S. high school girls report getting s*xlly assaulted and 1-2 of every grape victim is 12 or under it's simplistic and insulting to say "don't do you know what." Do you have the ability to feel empathy? Maybe you can feel some something for somebody in your age group or perhaps this lady. Until so-called pro-lifers can respect the lives of the people already born I can't respect them.
• Re illegal immigrants: Are you racist? If not, why do you find this appealing? Did you applaud him when he lied and said Haitians were eating pet cats and dogs on national television? Does that make you proud to call him your President? If he truly wanted to do something productive about immigration, he wouldn't be instituting this terror campaign which is capturing people here in a legal status even. He would set up a robust immigration system, guest worker program, etc. The fact is, our economy depends on immigrants and it's one major reason why the U.S. has been so strong until now. Long article here if interested.
• Re LGBTQ protections. Why would you like to not protect this class of people? What would you like to do to them? Would you like to see them get the death penalty like they do in many countries like Iran and Sudan? Or just shamed or otherwise not treated as human (which seems somewhat odd considering that everybody is God's children are they not)? This article claims that somebody with autism or other neuro-divergent characteristics does not require intervention to be healed but rather that God made them that way. If you accept that God made you the way you are consider that God made other people they way they are too.
  By the way how do you propose enforcing that a man is a man and a woman is a woman? What is your definition? What should we do about females who have XY chromosomes and the other variants that God created? Here's a girl who didn't realize she was a boy (by the DNA definition) until she was 15. Here's another video of another, similar, person.
  Trump hasn't promised to end same sex marriage. In fact he said it was settled law. Though you're right to be skeptical and that he may change his stance on that. But again, why do you feel you have a right to say that others cannot have the same rights that you enjoy? Because your bigoted church tells you so?
• Re America First. What evidence do you have that he puts America first? He's systematically destroying America as we speak. The economy, our standing in the world, the rule of law. He is favoring dictators whose longstanding goal is the destruction of America (such as Putin) over our closest allies such as Europe and Canada. How, exactly, is he putting America first?

It's so heartening to read sensible thoughts like these but I still worry that it's 'shouting into the void'.

Now have you thought about running for office, mdchachi? But how would I choose between you and Lothor?

 

[Lothor]

It's so heartening to read sensible thoughts like these but I still worry that it's 'shouting into the void'.

Now have you thought about running for office, mdchachi? But how would I choose between you and Lothor?

I've got the nicer accent, being British!

 

[Ukigumo]

I've got the nicer accent, being British!

We have a winner!

 

[thomas]

How about mdchachi run for POTUS and Lothor for PM, and we get both elected? We'd have a better world.

I nominate mdchachi's contribution above for "Post of the Month."

 

[Ukigumo]

How about mdchachi run for POTUS and Lothor for PM, and we get both elected? We'd have a better world.

No. Look, you've 'had a go' since 1776 and you tried your best but in that time you've done too many silly things like electing Trump (twice!), given us the Kardashians, social media, trout pouts and dropped two fission bombs on a country that we all, here, love. No, it's about time you came back under our rule, like a naughty child being grounded, and started drinking tea again, saying "…may I have…" , rather than, "…can I get…" and spelling colour and centre correctly. The madness has to stop.

I nominate mdchachi's contribution above for "Post of the Month."

I thought my post about skin tone was pretty amazing, but OK…he has my vote (but let me be clear, not for POTUS ).

 

[thomas]

No. Look, you've 'had a go' since 1776 and you tried your best but in that time you've done too many silly things like electing Trump (twice!), given us the Kardashians, social media, trout pouts and dropped two fission bombs on a country that we all, here, love. No, it's about time you came back under our rule, like a naughty child being grounded, and started drinking tea again, saying "…may I have…" , rather than, "…can I get…" and spelling colour and centre correctly. The madness has to stop.

Hailing from Freud's hometown (not birthplace), I have no horse in this race. However, I'm even more convinced now that our little online community has the necessary faculty to make this world a better place. If we can, why can't they?

The madness has to stop.

I concur. Where are the glorious days when the English elite spoke French (or Norman)?

 

[Ukigumo]

Hailing from Freud's hometown (not birthplace), I have no horse in this race. However, I'm even more convinced now that our little online community has the necessary faculty to make this world a better place. If we can, why can't they?

I think this forum is pretty rare in that regard and wonderful as a result. I was a regular poster on a martial arts forum until recently but decided to leave due to the right-wing attitudes of many of the posters and that forum had a strict 'no politics' rule which it enforced!

I concur. Where are the glorious days when the English elite spoke French (or Norman)?

One has to be very careful about this idea. French is in fact English which explains why it not still has many English words/phrases within it, such as 'déjà vu'/jamais vu', entrepreneur, and croissant They've just made up a new name for it (French) and added silly masculine/feminine; 'le critique'(masculine) means 'critic,' while 'la critique' (feminine) means 'criticism' for goodness sake. True English, as spoken by Lothor and me () is logical and easy to understand. Even our pets can understand it, after all.

 

[Achilles 1-1]

I'm only replying because you're still young and I feel there may be some hope for you. If not maybe somebody else will read this and get something out of it.

• Re abortion: Why do you feel that you have a right dictate what others do with their bodies? Why are you blaming woman for getting pregnant? Given that 1/10 U.S. high school girls report getting s*xlly assaulted and 1-2 of every grape victim is 12 or under it's simplistic and insulting to say "don't do you know what." Do you have the ability to feel empathy? Maybe you can feel some something for somebody in your age group or perhaps this lady. Until so-called pro-lifers can respect the lives of the people already born I can't respect them.
• Re illegal immigrants: Are you racist? If not, why do you find this appealing? Did you applaud him when he lied and said Haitians were eating pet cats and dogs on national television? Does that make you proud to call him your President? If he truly wanted to do something productive about immigration, he wouldn't be instituting this terror campaign which is capturing people here in a legal status even. He would set up a robust immigration system, guest worker program, etc. The fact is, our economy depends on immigrants and it's one major reason why the U.S. has been so strong until now. Long article here if interested.
• Re LGBTQ protections. Why would you like to not protect this class of people? What would you like to do to them? Would you like to see them get the death penalty like they do in many countries like Iran and Sudan? Or just shamed or otherwise not treated as human (which seems somewhat odd considering that everybody is God's children are they not)? This article claims that somebody with autism or other neuro-divergent characteristics does not require intervention to be healed but rather that God made them that way. If you accept that God made you the way you are consider that God made other people they way they are too.
  By the way how do you propose enforcing that a man is a man and a woman is a woman? What is your definition? What should we do about females who have XY chromosomes and the other variants that God created? Here's a girl who didn't realize she was a boy (by the DNA definition) until she was 15. Here's another video of another, similar, person.
  Trump hasn't promised to end same sex marriage. In fact he said it was settled law. Though you're right to be skeptical and that he may change his stance on that. But again, why do you feel you have a right to say that others cannot have the same rights that you enjoy? Because your bigoted church tells you so?
• Re America First. What evidence do you have that he puts America first? He's systematically destroying America as we speak. The economy, our standing in the world, the rule of law. He is favoring dictators whose longstanding goal is the destruction of America (such as Putin) over our closest allies such as Europe and Canada. How, exactly, is he putting America first?

HA! You think I don't feel empathy? Well I do.


Okay, maybe girls are s*xually assaulted or r*ped, but whats that old saying? "I am woman, hear me roar"? PROVE IT D*MMIT. Prove they don't need a man to help them literally they cant prove they can be what a man does (which im not saying they cant) but honestly its so stupid that they say they can be just what a man does and they cant protect themselves from r*pe or Inc*st. All lives are sacred, and begin at conception, not birth. To kill the most innocent souls in the world should not only be a crime against the country, but one against humanity itself. The only time abortion can be even SLIGHTLY justified is if it concerns the mother's life, even then I STILL don't like it and will never agree with it. Trump should be proud of overturning Roe V. Wade. I know I would.

If I were racist, it would be towards Asians, because everyone else in my family dislikes Asians. I simply don't like that there is a LEGAL way to come into our country and people decide to do it illegally. It takes our space, our jobs, and I just don't like it. It's not where they are from, it's how they got here. Get out, come back legally, then come to my house for a talk and dinner, okay?

Who are you to say anything about my church?

In the Old Testament times, LGBTQ stuff was punishable ONLY by death. I don't want to protect these people because God says it's wrong to be LGBTQ. Thats not to say I don't like the actual LGBTQ people, just their choices. Some of my best friends have been LGBTQ, and I liked them as people, just not their choices. Hey if you lived your whole life thinking you're a girl because of a genetic disorder and you suddenly find out you're a man, then stop, and become a man. Same thing other way around. I would love to put a ban on same sex marriages.


MAKE AMERICA SAFE AGAIN

• President Trump will take bold action to secure our border and protect American communities.
• This includes ending Biden's catch-and-release policies, reinstating Remain in Mexico, building the wall, ending asylum for illegal border crossers, cracking down on criminal sanctuaries, and enhancing vetting and screening of aliens.
• President Trump's deportation operation will address the record border crossings of criminal aliens under the prior administration.
• The President is suspending refugee resettlement, after communities were forced to house large and unsustainable populations of migrants, straining community safety and resources.
• The Armed Forces, including the National Guard, will engage in border security, which is national security, and will be deployed to the border to assist existing law enforcement personnel.
• President Trump will begin the process of designating cartels, including the dangerous Tren de Aragua, as foreign terrorist organizations and use the Alien Enemies Act to remove them.
• The Department of Justice will seek the death penalty as the appropriate punishment for heinous crimes against humanity, including those who kill law enforcement officers and illegal migrants who maim and murder Americans.

Thats from the White House.


What do you even mean that I enjoy the same rights they do not? I think the right to same sex marriages shouldn't exist because it is wrong, and like it or not is unnatural. There, I said it. I think you should realize that I'm not the only one who stands by this. There are many people around the world, I'm sure.

 

[mdchachi]

Okay, maybe girls are s*xually assaulted or r*ped, but whats that old saying? "I am woman, hear me roar"? PROVE IT D*MMIT. Prove they don't need a man to help them literally they cant prove they can be what a man does (which im not saying they cant) but honestly its so stupid that they say they can be just what a man does and they cant protect themselves from r*pe or Inc*st. All lives are sacred, and begin at conception, not birth. To kill the most innocent souls in the world should not only be a crime against the country, but one against humanity itself. The only time abortion can be even SLIGHTLY justified is if it concerns the mother's life, even then I STILL don't like it and will never agree with it. Trump should be proud of overturning Roe V. Wade. I know I would.

So you're saying girls should carry the baby to term even if they were r*ped by their fathers? Well that's extreme but you're not alone in that opinion. Regardless, you have no right to tell anybody else what to do. Why does everybody else have to abide by your beliefs?

I simply don't like that there is a LEGAL way to come into our country and people decide to do it illegally. It takes our space, our jobs, and I just don't like it. It's not where they are from, it's how they got here. Get out, come back legally, then come to my house for a talk and dinner, okay?

At some point you might consider asking yourself What Would Jesus Do? And really give some deep thought about it.

Who are you to say anything about my church?

This style of Christianity kept slaves in another era (not that long ago). I wonder if all those "Christians" are in Hell now? Ironically there's more Biblical support for owning slaves than there is for banning abortion, LGBTQ, or defining the beginning of life at conception.

In the Old Testament times, LGBTQ stuff was punishable ONLY by death. I don't want to protect these people because God says it's wrong to be LGBTQ. Thats not to say I don't like the actual LGBTQ people, just their choices. Some of my best friends have been LGBTQ, and I liked them as people, just not their choices. Hey if you lived your whole life thinking you're a girl because of a genetic disorder and you suddenly find out you're a man, then stop, and become a man. Same thing other way around. I would love to put a ban on same sex marriages.

Can you change your sexual orientation? Can you force yourself to like boys? No? Then why do you believe it's a choice? I realize you've been surrounded by this false narrative your entire life but you're old enough now to use your brain more effectively. You didn't bother addressing any of my questions. It's too hard to think about intersex people so you just ignore that they exist and assume you can force everybody into two categories?

MAKE AMERICA SAFE AGAIN

• President Trump will take bold action to secure our border and protect American communities.
• This includes ending Biden's catch-and-release policies, reinstating Remain in Mexico, building the wall, ending asylum for illegal border crossers, cracking down on criminal sanctuaries, and enhancing vetting and screening of aliens.
• President Trump's deportation operation will address the record border crossings of criminal aliens under the prior administration.
• The President is suspending refugee resettlement, after communities were forced to house large and unsustainable populations of migrants, straining community safety and resources.
• The Armed Forces, including the National Guard, will engage in border security, which is national security, and will be deployed to the border to assist existing law enforcement personnel.
• President Trump will begin the process of designating cartels, including the dangerous Tren de Aragua, as foreign terrorist organizations and use the Alien Enemies Act to remove them.
• The Department of Justice will seek the death penalty as the appropriate punishment for heinous crimes against humanity, including those who kill law enforcement officers and illegal migrants who maim and murder Americans.

Thats from the White House.

Are you really this weak-minded? This is what I would call Marketing to Racists.

What do you even mean that I enjoy the same rights they do not? I think the right to same sex marriages shouldn't exist because it is wrong, and like it or not is unnatural. There, I said it. I think you should realize that I'm not the only one who stands by this. There are many people around the world, I'm sure.

Again, why should everybody else abide by what you and a minority of people think is wrong? Just because you have loud people claiming they speak for God? Even if a majority of people felt it was wrong, it would still be wrong to limit the rights of others in this way. Because in the U.S. -- theoretically at least -- we believe in individual rights.

 

[Lothor]

So you're saying girls should carry the baby to term even if they were r*ped by their fathers? Well that's extreme but you're not alone in that opinion. Regardless, you have no right to tell anybody else what to do. Why does everybody else have to abide by your beliefs?


At some point you might consider asking yourself What Would Jesus Do? And really give some deep thought about it.


This style of Christianity kept slaves in another era (not that long ago). I wonder if all those "Christians" are in Hell now? Ironically there's more Biblical support for owning slaves than there is for banning abortion, LGBTQ, or defining the beginning of life at conception.


Can you change your sexual orientation? Can you force yourself to like boys? No? Then why do you believe it's a choice? I realize you've been surrounded by this false narrative your entire life but you're old enough now to use your brain more effectively. You didn't bother addressing any of my questions. It's too hard to think about intersex people so you just ignore that they exist and assume you can force everybody into two categories?


Are you really this weak-minded? This is what I would call Marketing to Racists.


Again, why should everybody else abide by what you and a minority of people think is wrong? Just because you have loud people claiming they speak for God? Even if a majority of people felt it was wrong, it would still be wrong to limit the rights of others in this way. Because in the U.S. -- theoretically at least -- we believe in individual rights.

This. Especially the question 'What would Jesus do?'

 

[Lothor]

I think this forum is pretty rare in that regard and wonderful as a result. I was a regular poster on a martial arts forum until recently but decided to leave due to the right-wing attitudes of many of the posters and that forum had a strict 'no politics' rule which it enforced!

One has to be very careful about this idea. French is in fact English which explains why it not still has many English words/phrases within it, such as 'déjà vu'/jamais vu', entrepreneur, and croissant They've just made up a new name for it (French) and added silly masculine/feminine; 'le critique'(masculine) means 'critic,' while 'la critique' (feminine) means 'criticism' for goodness sake. True English, as spoken by Lothor and me () is logical and easy to understand. Even our pets can understand it, after all.

We're a mongrel language, with our vocab mainly from the French and our grammar mainly from the Vikings, plus dozens of other influences. And I love it for that.

 

[Achilles 1-1]

@mdchachi @Lothor

I'll tell you exactly what Jesus would do. He would say something along the lines of this. "Friend, why do you trespass against these laws which have been set upon you by those in charge? Has God really given you such authority that you may ignore these laws as if they are beneath you?"

Then he'd probably quote this "If it had existed when he was on this earth, that is…)

Roman 13: 1-7
Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer. Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God's wrath but also for the sake of conscience.




MINORITY OF PEOPLE XD

Get a load of this guy. Is Christianity not the largest religion in the world? I'm not going by what I say should be, rather what the Bible says, so nice try. Pope Francis believed abortion to be a grave sin and murder, and that's Catholicism.


You actually can force everybody into two distinct genders. I do it, My whole family does it, and everyone in my school does it. Regardless of whether or not they have genetic problems, at the core they are still a man or still a woman. You actually can change your orientation. Go to a conversion camp or something like that. It just requires these little things called effort and determination.



I don't care how you got that baby, even if you are r*ped, you probably couldn't defend yourself and prove what you've been saying stuff like "Hear me roar" crap. At least put the baby up for adoption. I was put up for adoption because my parents weren't fit to take care of me. Obviously if you are r*ped you're probably not fit to raise a child. If you don't want the child, put it up for adoption. Somebody else will love the child you did not want.

 

[mdchachi]

@mdchachi @Lothor

I'll tell you exactly what Jesus would do. He would say something along the lines of this. "Friend, why do you trespass against these laws which have been set upon you by those in charge? Has God really given you such authority that you may ignore these laws as if they are beneath you?"

Then he'd probably quote this "If it had existed when he was on this earth, that is…)

Roman 13: 1-7
Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer. Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God's wrath but also for the sake of conscience.




MINORITY OF PEOPLE XD

Get a load of this guy. Is Christianity not the largest religion in the world? I'm not going by what I say should be, rather what the Bible says, so nice try. Pope Francis believed abortion to be a grave sin and murder, and that's Catholicism.


You actually can force everybody into two distinct genders. I do it, My whole family does it, and everyone in my school does it. Regardless of whether or not they have genetic problems, at the core they are still a man or still a woman. You actually can change your orientation. Go to a conversion camp or something like that. It just requires these little things called effort and determination.



I don't care how you got that baby, even if you are r*ped, you probably couldn't defend yourself and prove what you've been saying stuff like "Hear me roar" crap. At least put the baby up for adoption. I was put up for adoption because my parents weren't fit to take care of me. Obviously if you are r*ped you're probably not fit to raise a child. If you don't want the child, put it up for adoption. Somebody else will love the child you did not want.

Wow you are farther gone than I thought. Maybe you'll grow up, wake up some day. Maybe not. Not my problem.

But touching on your statements. That is total BS. Jesus shows love and compassion more than anything else. And he also wouldn't support unjust laws. If you really want to be well informed on these topics, study what other Christian denominations say about them. Not just the narrow view of your church. And maybe open your eyes outside of Christianity while you're at it.

Christianity is the largest religion in the world (about 30% of people are Christian) which means about 2/3 of people are not Christian or not religious. So Christians are a minority worldwide. Furthermore, Christians that believe the way you do are a minority among Christians in America. In the U.S. about 2/3 of people identify as Christian. However only about 1/4 of those identify as Evangelical protestants which is what you are. That makes you a minority even in the U.S.

True you can force everybody into specific categories. That doesn't make it right or correct. You are making statements not backed by science or anything but opinion or religious conviction. There is near zero evidence that conversion "therapy" works and lot of evidence that it is ineffective and extremely damaging.

You still haven't explained why the entire nation should follow your minority interpretation of what the Bible says.

 

[Lothor]

Wow you are farther gone than I thought. Maybe you'll grow up, wake up some day. Maybe not. Not my problem.

But touching on your statements. That is total BS. Jesus shows love and compassion more than anything else. And he also wouldn't support unjust laws. If you really want to be well informed on these topics, study what other Christian denominations say about them. Not just the narrow view of your church. And maybe open your eyes outside of Christianity while you're at it.

Christianity is the largest religion in the world (about 30% of people are Christian) which means about 2/3 of people are not Christian or not religious. So Christians are a minority worldwide. Furthermore, Christians that believe the way you do are a minority among Christians in America. In the U.S. about 2/3 of people identify as Christian. However only about 1/4 of those identify as Evangelical protestants which is what you are. That makes you a minority even in the U.S.

True you can force everybody into specific categories. That doesn't make it right or correct. You are making statements not backed by science or anything but opinion or religious conviction. There is near zero evidence that conversion "therapy" works and lot of evidence that it is ineffective and extremely damaging.

You still haven't explained why the entire nation should follow your minority interpretation of what the Bible says.

The sidelining of Jesus for Paul and carefully chosen parts of the Old Testament is one of the most wretched things about it all, and it has one American Christian friend whom I respect enormously (a Mennonite) in tears.

 

[mdchachi]

Everytime I see modern Trump supporters I often think of these people. They also were "good Christian folk" using the Bible to justify evil and discrimination. History will treat these modern MAGA mobs the same way.

 

[Ukigumo]

We're a mongrel language, with our vocab mainly from the French and our grammar mainly from the Vikings, plus dozens of other influences. And I love it for that.

How very dare you! Treason! English is the purest language devised by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth I, one being while drinking tea and crumpets

 

[Ukigumo]

I really enjoy a good debate believing that a logical progression of arguments is able to pull the ignorant, whether political, religious or nationalist out into the light. It was a frustrating attitude because it rarely had any effect and now I simply don't bother.

'Never argue foolish people. They will drag you down to their level and then beat you with their experience.'

 

[johnnyG]

I taught a History of English course for several years, using this book (an earlier edition, which already then needed updating), and the associated video series (VHS at the time).

Among other details in the development of English, there are two phases. The first is from whenever you'd want to tag as the beginning, up to about 1500-1600, when various external things were affecting or impinging on English. The second, from then on, is when the script got flipped, and English started impinging on everything, everywhere else.

Then you get the inner circle, the outer circle, and the expanding circle, which I first caught a glimpse of back in about 1978-79 at the university of illinois, when I took a sociolinguistics course from none other than Braj Kachru. (Also a similar course taught by his wife, Yamuna.)

And this is famous! (Bernard Levin)

If you cannot understand my argument, and declare ``It's Greek to me'', you are quoting Shakespeare; if you claim to be more sinned against than sinning, you are quoting Shakespeare; if you recall your salad days, you are quoting Shakespeare; if you act more in sorrow than in anger; if your wish is father to the thought; if your lost property has vanished into thin air, you are quoting Shakespeare; if you have ever refused to budge an inch or suffered from green-eyed jealousy, if you have played fast and loose, if you have been tongue-tied, a tower of strength, hoodwinked or in a pickle, if you have knitted your brows, made a virtue of necessity, insisted on fair play, slept not one wink, stood on ceremony, danced attendance (on your lord and master), laughed yourself into stitches, had short shrift, cold comfort or too much of a good thing, if you have seen better days or lived in a fool's paradise -why, be that as it may, the more fool you , for it is a foregone conclusion that you are (as good luck would have it) quoting Shakespeare; if you think it is early days and clear out bag and baggage, if you think it is high time and that that is the long and short of it, if you believe that the game is up and that truth will out even if it involves your own flesh and blood, if you lie low till the crack of doom because you suspect foul play, if you have your teeth set on edge (at one fell swoop) without rhyme or reason, then - to give the devil his due - if the truth were known (for surely you have a tongue in your head) you are quoting Shakespeare; even if you bid me good riddance and send me packing, if you wish I was dead as a door-nail, if you think I am an eyesore, a laughing stock, the devil incarnate, a stony-hearted villain, bloody-minded or a blinking idiot, then - by Jove! O Lord! Tut tut! For goodness' sake! What the dickens! But me no buts! - it is all one to me, for you are quoting Shakespeare.

And if you want to get into a fringe version of historical linguistics, take a look at Nostratic.

 

[Ukigumo]

I used to irritate a Greek girlfriend by suggesting Greek was derived from English as evidenced by the large number of English words in the Greek language. It's an equally irritating comment to people of other nationalities if you, like me, are that way inclined

 

[Achilles 1-1]

Wow you are farther gone than I thought. Maybe you'll grow up, wake up some day. Maybe not. Not my problem.

But touching on your statements. That is total BS. Jesus shows love and compassion more than anything else. And he also wouldn't support unjust laws. If you really want to be well informed on these topics, study what other Christian denominations say about them. Not just the narrow view of your church. And maybe open your eyes outside of Christianity while you're at it.

Christianity is the largest religion in the world (about 30% of people are Christian) which means about 2/3 of people are not Christian or not religious. So Christians are a minority worldwide. Furthermore, Christians that believe the way you do are a minority among Christians in America. In the U.S. about 2/3 of people identify as Christian. However only about 1/4 of those identify as Evangelical protestants which is what you are. That makes you a minority even in the U.S.

True you can force everybody into specific categories. That doesn't make it right or correct. You are making statements not backed by science or anything but opinion or religious conviction. There is near zero evidence that conversion "therapy" works and lot of evidence that it is ineffective and extremely damaging.

You still haven't explained why the entire nation should follow your minority interpretation of what the Bible says.

Uhm, its not an unjust law to say "Hey don't come here illegally, do it this way and we can be friends"

I doubt you've ever picked up a bible in your life so I'm going take your opinion on what the scriptures say with a grain of salt.


Here are some key verses from Matthew 23 that illustrate Jesus' rebuke of the Pharisees (who broke the law):

• Matthew 23:13:
  .
  "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut up the kingdom of heaven against men; for you neither go in yourselves, nor do you allow those who are entering to go in."
  
  
• Matthew 23:14:
  .
  "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayers: therefore ye shall receive greater damnation."
  
  
• • Matthew 23:15:
    .
    "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you travel land and sea to make one proselyte, and when he is made, you make him twice as much a child of hell than yourselves."
  • Matthew 23:23:
    .
    "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith."
  • Matthew 23:25:
    .
    "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence."
  • Matthew 23:27:
    .
    "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within are full of dead people's bones and all uncleanness."
  • Matthew 23:29:
    .
    "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you build the tombs of the prophets, and decorate the monuments of the righteous."
  • Matthew 23:33:
    .
    "Snakes! Sons of vipers! How will you escape the judgment of hell?"
    
    

For lgbtq

Gee, I'm sorry I'm not as inclusive as you are!

Here's what my friend AI says!

Many Christian denominations, particularly conservative ones, reject LGBTQ+ rights and equality, often interpreting certain biblical passages as condemning homosexuality. These denominations often include the Southern Baptist Convention, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and many other Evangelical and Pentecostal groups.

Elaboration:

• Conservative Denominations:
  Conservative Christian denominations, such as those within the Evangelical and Pentecostal traditions, often hold strong positions against LGBTQ+ equality.
  
  
• Biblical Interpretation:
  These denominations typically interpret specific biblical passages as condemning homosexual behavior, often citing passages in Leviticus, Romans, and 1 Corinthians.
  
  
• Examples:
  The Southern Baptist Convention, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and many independent and associated Pentecostal churches fall into this category.

here's people discussing it on quora

The Abrahamic religions (Christianity, Judaism and Islam) generally condemn the LGBTQ lifestyle…

Also, I'm not evangelical, nice try though. I'm Presbyterian.


Heres the differences, according to AI! (Because I'm too lazy to type them myself.)

Evangelicalism:

• Focus:
  Emphasis on personal conversion, a conscious decision to follow Christ, and the importance of evangelism to spread the gospel.
  
  
• Characteristics:
  Strong belief in the authority of the Bible, a focus on salvation through faith in Christ, and a desire to live a life that reflects their faith, according to Reddit.
  
  
• Variety:
  Includes a broad range of denominations, including Baptists, Methodists, and some Presbyterians.

Presbyterianism:

• Church Government: A system where elders (presbyters) govern the church, with a focus on both local and broader church authority, according to Wikipedia.
  
  
• History: Originates from the Reformed tradition, with John Calvin as a key figure.
  
  
• Beliefs: While diverse, Presbyterians generally share core Protestant beliefs like salvation by grace, the authority of the Bible, and the importance of both the Word of God and the sacraments.

Thats not only Christianity, but Mormons too. Judaism, Islamism

Do consider what I've said. If there's not only two categories, (Man and Woman) how many are there? Please clear that up for me. Trump believes there are only Man and Woman, and so do I. You don't though. So please explain. if conversion therapy doesn't work, use my friends named determination and effort to find a church to help you:/


Look, I'm not trying to attack anyone here, I'm arguing because the way your coming off (although you probably don't mean too) is that you're attacking my personal beliefs and opinions.

 

[Achilles 1-1]

The sidelining of Jesus for Paul and carefully chosen parts of the Old Testament is one of the most wretched things about it all, and it has one American Christian friend whom I respect enormously (a Mennonite) in tears.

Romans and Jesus and Paul are NEW testament. And I honestly don't get what you mean.

 

[Lothor]

Romans and Jesus and Paul are NEW testament. And I honestly don't get what you mean.

What I mean is that Jesus's basic commands were to love God with all your heart and to love your neighbour as yourself. It's not for nothing that the Good Samaritan is the most well-known parable. The behaviour of Trump and the Christian right is the diametric opposite of loving your (metaphorical) neighbour. You had the chance to quote Jesus in the reply to 'What would Jesus do?' but you had him quoting Paul instead, which is an example of the sidelining I mentioned. Talk about putting the cart before the horse!

And why does your type of Christian not condemn the many breaches of the law and flagrantly unchristian behaviour of Trump? Instead you reserve your ire for marginalised people who cannot easily fight back.

This is my final comment on this issue.

 

[thomas]

To get this thread somehow back on topic ("Japan and Trump 2.0"), I would like to recommend Richard Katz's Substack (I believe @johnnyG mentioned it before). In his latest article, Mr Katz explains why the Ishiba government and Japanese business stiffen their resistance to Trump.

On economic delusions:

Trump further undercuts himself by refusing to say what it would take to satisfy him, beyond the impossible goal of eliminating Japan's bilateral trade surplus. He believes this puts the other side off balance. But why should Japan negotiate with itself by offering sweeter and sweeter packages, only for Trump to ask for more? Again and again, policymakers and business executives asked me: What does Trump want? I had to answer: eliminating the trade deficit, even though there is no way to achieve that.

On the grand scheme behind all that:

It's a mistake to think Trump is guided by some realistic grand strategy. On the contrary, he is a creature of emotion, resentment, and lies that turn into delusions. How grounded in reality is Trump when he declares, "the European Union was formed to screw the US?" Or that Japanese automakers drop bowling balls on US cars and fail them if this creates a dent? Unlike in his first term, this time he has refused to hire people who can contain his recklessness. Bessent is just as ideological as Trump, just less pathological and more attuned to the financial markets.

And on lost trust:

Finally, no one can trust Trump to comply with the deals he has negotiated. In 2019, when the US and Japan reached a trade agreement, Trump promised Shinzo Abe that he would not increase auto tariffs, nor use "Section 232" (regarding security allegations) to evade that promise. But that's exactly what his current 25% automotive tariffs do via the use of Section 232. Ishiba publicly complained about the broken promise. Trump's repeated betrayals, in effect, tell Tokyo not to make new concessions when they may not get what they paid for. Trust destroyed is not easily regained.

Japan's strategy: wave the red hat and delay, delay, delay.

Photo credit: Mainichi​

Japanese Government and Business Stiffen Resistance to Trump

Trump Contradiction: Asking Japan to Buy More US Farm Goods While Making Them Price-Prohibitive

richardkatz.substack.com