Heart goes out to our American friends.

[Nevrknow]

Agreed. Until forces are joined one can only hope it disintegrates itself and folds inward. Of course by then suck and goog will have established themselves as " to big to fail ". Damn I so hated that term. All businesses get to thinking that when they are already in the death spirals. 

[dominattorney]

19 minutes ago, El Presidente said:

Jesus people......you are depressing the hell out of me!   

On the flipside. 

 

My recent US travels (34th visit to the US since 1996) has reinforced the No country in the world has the bottom up energy and drive that the US has. No country. 

You have a shiteload of issues to deal with. Right now, probably more than any other western country but FFS don't throw in the towel. 

Fight the good fight. Give a flying fig. There is remarkable DNA in the place.

 

Globally I think it may be time to stop the Zuckerburg/Google and co elite from manipulating the news & information feed environment. It is no magic fix but cuts back on the direct heroin fix to those incapable of handling it. I honestly don't think the world needs algorithms in this space that constantly present/inflame your own bias.  

Maybe force them to present the opposite bias 

 

 

 

Thank you for those kind words @El Presidente. I couldn't agree more. I am proud to be an American for the reasons you describe. Sure. We've got Karens, and we've got Bubbas, but no community is without its trouble makers. 

I can't truly express my feelings about this issue without violating forum policy so was going to stay silent but I appreciate the sentiment of this message. Optimism built our society and optimism, whether foolhardy, level-headed, or downright insane will see us through whatever crises we find ourselves in. Of all the issues we have, the only one I find truly concerning is that recently a growing number of my countrymen have begun to look to the government to solve their problems. If we can steer clear of nanny statism I feel we can break through some of the bigger hurdles that have set themselves up over the last 5 years or so. 

[dgixxer252525]

Yesterday for the 4th of July, I had family over to the house. We had lawyers, construction workers, union workers, teachers, small business owners, etc all sitting at tables throughout the house enjoying beverages and food. In this same group, we had Cubans, Puerto Ricans, Caucasian, African Americans, and a Colombian. We also had heterosexuals and homosexuals in the same house. 
 

That’s my family and we all love the USA. We all know that this is the place that, no matter what your story is, will reward you for your hard work. Is it perfect? No way. Do we have crazies here that the media love to cover? Sure do. Do we have work to do to get to where we want to be? Yes of course. 
 

But this is truly the land of opportunity. FOR EVERYONE

[RedLantern]

3 hours ago, dominattorney said:

Of all the issues we have, the only one I find truly concerning is that recently a growing number of my countrymen have begun to look to the government to solve their problems. If we can steer clear of nanny statism I feel we can break through some of the bigger hurdles that have set themselves up over the last 5 years or so. 

This seems like a false equivalence. I'm no fan of people or the government telling me what do, but the purpose of government IS to solve problems. In fact many problems can ONLY be solved by government. I'm concerned that a growing number of our countrymen think the government should do nothing about any problems, and that makes it all too easy to throw up our hands and say there is "nothing to be done" about serious problems that have been effectively addressed by governments in other countries. 

[Andy04]

My heart goes out to the Australian people whom where victims of Port Arthur Massacre in 1996, but my commendations to the people of Australia for identifying the root cause of the issue and having the balls to make the necessary changes to minimize the likelihood of future occurrences.

[El Presidente]

47 minutes ago, Andy04 said:

My heart goes out to the Australian people whom where victims of Port Arthur Massacre in 1996, but my commendations to the people of Australia for identifying the root cause of the issue and having the balls to make the necessary changes to minimize the likelihood of future occurrences.

We certainly don't need to go down this path as it will no doubt cross forum lines. 

However, different governing structure, different constitution, different history. One tough as nails conservative prime minister who sold the concept. Bi partisan support among the two major parties and all mainstream media that I can recall. No social media. 

....and given all that, it was still difficult. 

[Fuzz AI]

1 hour ago, El Presidente said:

We certainly don't need to go down this path as it will no doubt cross forum lines. 

However, different governing structure, different constitution, different history. One tough as nails conservative prime minister who sold the concept. Bi partisan support among the two major parties and all mainstream media that I can recall. No social media. 

....and given all that, it was still difficult. 

It pissed me off at the time, but I eventually came around to the idea. Looking back, I still agree with the decision.

[Ken Gargett]

8 hours ago, SMELTZ said:

Fatherlessness Is A Worldwide Issue With Statistics From The US Department Of Health Showing

63% of youth suicides
90% of all homeless and runaway children
85% of all children who show behavioral disorders
80% of rapists with anger problems
71% of all high school dropouts
75% of adolescent patients in chemical abuse centres
85% of youths in prison
71% of pregnant teenagers

not trying to be funny but is the figure different for rapists who don't have anger issues? 

had a good chat and emails to a few good mates from the states in the last week or so.

one is another wine writer and that has allowed him to live around the world in wonderful places. always returns to the states. he still has faith in his countrymen. truly horrified by what has been going on for some years but does believe that a way will be found to get through it eventually. hope he is right.

the other, a former southern lawyer (the most hunter thompson like person i know) who moved out years ago. had enough of the crap. now runs a fishing lodge in south america. he does not have faith in a way being found and has just convinced another old friend, another southern lawyer, to give up and move to nearby and work as a carpenter. apparently it did not take much. 

i fear the second of my mates might prove the more prescient. 

[bmac]

It’s so bad here 

Wish people from all over the world would realize it and stay home.✌

[dominattorney]

8 hours ago, RedLantern said:

This seems like a false equivalence. I'm no fan of people or the government telling me what do, but the purpose of government IS to solve problems. In fact many problems can ONLY be solved by government. I'm concerned that a growing number of our countrymen think the government should do nothing about any problems, and that makes it all too easy to throw up our hands and say there is "nothing to be done" about serious problems that have been effectively addressed by governments in other countries. 

You are correct. In my statement I was mostly referring to the covid issue of "give us free money and no consequences." I think that has set a terrible precedent. Government has its place but lately I fear America has become too reliant on the central state. 

[RedLantern]

11 minutes ago, dominattorney said:

You are correct. In my statement I was mostly referring to the covid issue of "give us free money and no consequences." I think that has set a terrible precedent. Government has its place but lately I fear America has become too reliant on the central state. 

Apologies, I think I may have read too much into your phrasing! Touchy these days . . .

[dominattorney]

25 minutes ago, RedLantern said:

Apologies, I think I may have read too much into your phrasing! Touchy these days . . .

Touchy indeed. No doubt also complicated by the fact that I almost always post on my phone which is not conducive to supreme clarity of message. 

[Capn_Jackson]

On 7/5/2022 at 6:53 PM, El Presidente said:

Jesus people......you are depressing the hell out of me!   

On the flipside. 

 

My recent US travels (34th visit to the US since 1996) has reinforced that No country in the world has the bottom up energy and drive that the US has. No country. 

You have a shiteload of issues to deal with. Right now, probably more than any other western country but FFS don't throw in the towel. 

Fight the good fight. Give a flying fig. There is remarkable DNA in the place.

 

Globally I think it may be time to stop the Zuckerburg/Google and co elite from manipulating the news & information feed environment. It is no magic fix but cuts back on the direct heroin fix to those incapable of handling it. I honestly don't think the world needs algorithms in this space that constantly present/inflame your own bias.  

Maybe force them to present the opposite bias 

 

 

 

“There is remarkable DNA in the place.” Well said, and thank you graciously for your sentiments. Hopefully nothing I say here is found offensive. I’m new to this forum and have only posted my introduction and a couple other comments so far.

I was born into a family full of American pride, but a family who was also very open and honest about the nation’s problems. Misinformation was one of those things discussed a lot, particularly by one of my grandpas. Personally, I try not to focus too much on news from any one source over others, because I may or may not fully comprehend the biases of that news organization or that particular journalist. About twenty years ago I started to understand how divided this country could become, and some of what I see today turns my stomach. Particularly, the obstinacy and violence. Every time I get a news feed alert on my phone, I prepare to read or hear something horrible. That’s just not right. Sometimes I feel the same “numbness” that others have expressed, but I’m also prone to a temper if I focus on the people and families who are affected. Some real conversations need to take place in this country about social media, journalism, legislation, and respect. Not on a forum dedicated to love of cigars, of course, but in our “real world.” Otherwise, the divide will only grow.

Having said that, I hope everyone is having or has had a great weekend, and a few good smokes. Cheers!