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.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?)
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.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.
It's so heartening to read sensible thoughts like these but I still worry that it's 'shouting into the void'.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?
I've got the nicer accent, being British!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?
We have a winner!I've got the nicer accent, being British!
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.How about mdchachi run for POTUS and Lothor for PM, and we get both elected? We'd have a better world.
I thought my post about skin tone was pretty amazing, but OK…he has my vote (but let me be clear, not for POTUSI nominate mdchachi's contribution above for "Post of the Month."
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.
The madness has to stop.
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!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?
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 croissantI concur. Where are the glorious days when the English elite spoke French (or Norman)?
HA! You think I don't feel empathy? Well I do.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?
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?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.
At some point you might consider asking yourself What Would Jesus Do? And really give some deep thought about it.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?
This style of Christianity kept slaves in another era (not that long ago). I wonder if all those "Christians" are in Hell now?Who are you to say anything about my church?
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?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.
Are you really this weak-minded? This is what I would call Marketing to Racists.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.
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.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.
This. Especially the question 'What would Jesus do?'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.
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.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 croissantThey'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.
Wow you are farther gone than I thought. Maybe you'll grow up, wake up some day. Maybe not. Not my problem.@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.
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.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.
How very dare you! Treason! English is the purest language devised by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth I, one being while drinking tea and crumpetsWe'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.
And if you want to get into a fringe version of historical linguistics, take a look at Nostratic.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.
Uhm, its not an unjust law to say "Hey don't come here illegally, do it this way and we can be friends"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.
Romans and Jesus and Paul are NEW testament. And I honestly don't get what you mean.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.
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!Romans and Jesus and Paul are NEW testament. And I honestly don't get what you mean.
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.
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.
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.