House Rep Scalise Shot

[Amanah]

A democratic republic can only succeed if people are virtuous and look out for others and not themselves alone. Our bible based faith is the heart of our morality. The more corrupt our country becomes the more laws that are passed to try to reign in the corruption. Many think we are too far gone to save our country, that we are already lost.

[Amanah]

Brother Benincasa has been alluding to this: our people have lost their virtue and sell themselves for Bread. Our Govt is corrupt and provides Bread in exchange for political power

Bread and circuses" (or bread and games; from Latin: panem et circenses) is metonymic for a superficial means of appeasement. In the case of politics, the phrase is used to describe the generation of public approval, not through exemplary or excellent public service or public policy, but through diversion; distraction; or the mere satisfaction of the immediate, shallow requirements of a populace,[1] as an offered "palliative". Its originator, Juvenal, used the phrase to decry the selfishness of common people and their neglect of wider concerns.[2][3][4] The phrase also implies the erosion or ignorance of civic duty amongst the concerns of the commoner.

This phrase originates from Rome in Satire X of the Roman satirical poet Juvenal (circa A.D. 100). In context, the Latin panem et circenses (bread and circuses) identifies the only remaining cares of a Roman populace which no longer cares for its historical birthright of political involvement. Here Juvenal displays his contempt for the declining heroism of contemporary Romans, using a range of different themes including lust for power and desire for old age to illustrate his argument.[5] Roman politicians passed laws in 140 B.C. to keep the votes of poorer citizens, by introducing a grain dole: giving out cheap food and entertainment, "bread and circuses", became the most effective way to rise to power.

… Already long ago, from when we sold our vote to no man, the People have abdicated our duties; for the People who once upon a time handed out military command, high civil office, legions — everything, now restrains itself and anxiously hopes for just two things: bread and circuses[6]

Juvenal here makes reference to the Roman practice of providing free wheat to Roman citizens as well as costly circus games and other forms of entertainment as a means of gaining political power. The Annona (grain dole) was begun under the instigation of the popularis politician Gaius Sempronius Gracchus in 123 B.C.; it remained an object of political contention until it was taken under the control of the autocratic Roman emperors.


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bread_and_circuses

[Evang.Benincasa]

Originally Posted by Amanah

Brother Benincasa has been alluding to this: our people have lost their virtue and sell themselves for Bread. Our Govt is corrupt and provides Bread in exchange for political power

Bread and circuses" (or bread and games; from Latin: panem et circenses) is metonymic for a superficial means of appeasement. In the case of politics, the phrase is used to describe the generation of public approval, not through exemplary or excellent public service or public policy, but through diversion; distraction; or the mere satisfaction of the immediate, shallow requirements of a populace,[1] as an offered "palliative". Its originator, Juvenal, used the phrase to decry the selfishness of common people and their neglect of wider concerns.[2][3][4] The phrase also implies the erosion or ignorance of civic duty amongst the concerns of the commoner.

This phrase originates from Rome in Satire X of the Roman satirical poet Juvenal (circa A.D. 100). In context, the Latin panem et circenses (bread and circuses) identifies the only remaining cares of a Roman populace which no longer cares for its historical birthright of political involvement. Here Juvenal displays his contempt for the declining heroism of contemporary Romans, using a range of different themes including lust for power and desire for old age to illustrate his argument.[5] Roman politicians passed laws in 140 B.C. to keep the votes of poorer citizens, by introducing a grain dole: giving out cheap food and entertainment, "bread and circuses", became the most effective way to rise to power.

… Already long ago, from when we sold our vote to no man, the People have abdicated our duties; for the People who once upon a time handed out military command, high civil office, legions — everything, now restrains itself and anxiously hopes for just two things: bread and circuses[6]

Juvenal here makes reference to the Roman practice of providing free wheat to Roman citizens as well as costly circus games and other forms of entertainment as a means of gaining political power. The Annona (grain dole) was begun under the instigation of the popularis politician Gaius Sempronius Gracchus in 123 B.C.; it remained an object of political contention until it was taken under the control of the autocratic Roman emperors.


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bread_and_circuses

Your Kung Fu, is very good

[Aquila]

Originally Posted by Amanah

A democratic republic can only succeed if people are virtuous and look out for others and not themselves alone. Our bible based faith is the heart of our morality. The more corrupt our country becomes the more laws that are passed to try to reign in the corruption. Many think we are too far gone to save our country, that we are already lost.

I believe we very well might be too far gone. Consider the health insurance industry. They are the one's who don't want Americans able to purchase prescription drugs from overseas, not politicians. They have the politicians in their pockets. It is the health insurance companies that spend more money every year on patents and suppression of medical research and development to keep people sick and paying for the right to simply breath. There are promising treatments and possible cures that are all locked up right now by these special interests so that they can continue their extortion. "Give me money, give me green, a doctor you will meet. You must pay, for another day, your sickness we will treat."

We have to find a way to curtail corporate power and money in politics.

[Aquila]

Originally Posted by Amanah

Brother Benincasa has been alluding to this: our people have lost their virtue and sell themselves for Bread. Our Govt is corrupt and provides Bread in exchange for political power

Bread and circuses" (or bread and games; from Latin: panem et circenses) is metonymic for a superficial means of appeasement. In the case of politics, the phrase is used to describe the generation of public approval, not through exemplary or excellent public service or public policy, but through diversion; distraction; or the mere satisfaction of the immediate, shallow requirements of a populace,[1] as an offered "palliative". Its originator, Juvenal, used the phrase to decry the selfishness of common people and their neglect of wider concerns.[2][3][4] The phrase also implies the erosion or ignorance of civic duty amongst the concerns of the commoner.

This phrase originates from Rome in Satire X of the Roman satirical poet Juvenal (circa A.D. 100). In context, the Latin panem et circenses (bread and circuses) identifies the only remaining cares of a Roman populace which no longer cares for its historical birthright of political involvement. Here Juvenal displays his contempt for the declining heroism of contemporary Romans, using a range of different themes including lust for power and desire for old age to illustrate his argument.[5] Roman politicians passed laws in 140 B.C. to keep the votes of poorer citizens, by introducing a grain dole: giving out cheap food and entertainment, "bread and circuses", became the most effective way to rise to power.

… Already long ago, from when we sold our vote to no man, the People have abdicated our duties; for the People who once upon a time handed out military command, high civil office, legions — everything, now restrains itself and anxiously hopes for just two things: bread and circuses[6]

Juvenal here makes reference to the Roman practice of providing free wheat to Roman citizens as well as costly circus games and other forms of entertainment as a means of gaining political power. The Annona (grain dole) was begun under the instigation of the popularis politician Gaius Sempronius Gracchus in 123 B.C.; it remained an object of political contention until it was taken under the control of the autocratic Roman emperors.


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bread_and_circuses

Excellent post. I don't see how anyone can disagree.

[Evang.Benincasa]

Originally Posted by Aquila

I spoke to a woman on a forum the other day whose husband has cancer.

Not even private conversations (assuming it was private or you would refer to the thread) are sacred to you. You will use anything as a political prop in your argument.

Originally Posted by Aquila

No. I preached for several years. I stepped down from preaching or teaching about 9 years ago after being blacklisted over questions regarding some financial mismanagement in the church. I discovered that our church was giving over $71,000 a year to a "missionary" in Ethiopia. When I did a little investigating, I discovered that this missionary didn't exist. When I asked about it, things got really weird and for a short time, I felt fear. Fear that my family would be harmed. I have no interest in ministry. To me, it would be like becoming a used car salesman. I prefer to simply sit in a pew or a love seat and contribute to the conversation. It's not for me.

Once again, the hero of the story. The virtuous bread eater, sees wrong doing, runs into nearby phone booth. Then comes out a bread eater who saves the day. You are the most interesting man in the world.

Originally Posted by Aquila

You do realize that you're comparing a tree falling in your backyard to a family who has lost a bread winner to sickness that has tens of thousands of dollars of compounding medical bills, don't you?

No, that's what you would do. You are the king of comfort food, and sit most of your life. You probably have bed sores on your hind end. I was using the event of the collapsing arbor, to show how everyone including awesome people of this forum. Wanted to enlist aid, from all over the place. Aquila, you are a shapeshifter, and you twist whatever is posted to make yourself feel good. Not look good, because that requires far more effort. You post things and twist others posts to make yourself feel better. You know you're not being honest, and frankly couldn't care less about being honest. You just want to win the game. So, getting back to your misrepresentation of my intent. I mentioned the fallen tree to show how beautiful people are in time of need.

Originally Posted by Aquila

Let me know if you ever racked up a $120,000 dollar medical bill, and your pastor drove by with a check in hand to help you pay for it.

Aquila, you have no friends.

Originally Posted by Aquila

I'm not saying it can't happen.

Oooh, you felt a check, when you posted the thing about a brother helping with big cheddar? Bro, you need to find a prayer room, and no longer talk politics. Because you serve two masters, one your idea of religion, and two your idea of communism/socialism.

Originally Posted by Aquila

I've seen it.

Then why talk smack, to strengthen your argument. If you know it happens, and seen it happen. Why even tell me it won't happen to me or my people?
Aquila,chickity-check yo self before you wreck yo self.

Originally Posted by Aquila

But out of a church of roughly 2,000 people, maybe one or two can testify to such help.

Then get busy and get to converting people. You can't expect any government on earth to take money from woodchoppers and give it to bread eaters. Sorry, but the workers are sweating, while the others are sitting.

[Evang.Benincasa]

Originally Posted by Aquila

And I assure you, they have connections to some wealthy and powerful people who care about them. The vast majority of the congregation will never see that degree of help. And this is why I believe that a part of the church's role is to teach the entire nation, our entire society, that we are our brother's keeper... and implement social justice and compassion as a people.

The above is confused, because the Church isn't the government. Your whole brouhaha is about a government putting us on the dole.

Originally Posted by Aquila

How much was your medical bill?

Didn't go to the hospital. The knee was cut clear down to the bone. You could see the meniscus. I didn't go to the hospital.

Originally Posted by Aquila

Did you have insurance that covered your medical expenses?

I have car insurance.

Originally Posted by Aquila

It's nice that you were called and emailed. If you weren't insured, did they help pay your medical bill?

They prayed for me. I didn't need a penny.

Originally Posted by Aquila

I have many secular friends.

Is it because they respect you or you behave secular when you are around them?

Originally Posted by Aquila

Most of my church family from the churches I've attended keep in touch, but my closest friends are in our house church.

When my mother died, she didn't have life insurance either. To pay for the funeral I emptied my savings and still there was almost $2,000 dollars left to pay. My grandmother emptied her bank account and my uncle paid for the remainder. It wiped us out financially. My church? They didn't offer anything but two hours for a funeral service in the sanctuary.

OK, not everyone is like that.

Originally Posted by Aquila

That was it.

So, this is it? You're whole world view is made up of points of events which happen during your lifetime? Nothing outside of that exists, and you cherry pick other things which you feel fit your life story. So, when a dummy like me comes along, and has an awesome experience in his life with Christ. It is discounted because the Liberal party line is that Christianity is a lie. They don't really help people, they give huge amounts of money to fictitious missionaries in Ethiopia, yet their books are open enough for a bread eater to find the secret? Repeat after me, prayer room, long time stay, preferably face in the carpet, many tears to shed. Come back in a year tell us how it worked out for you.

Originally Posted by Aquila

My family was so disgusted with the church, it was embarrassing.

Yep, this is line that the whole forum was waiting for. First Church of the Dirtbag. Hooray! I bet they were Ultra Conservative Apostolic Pentecostals.
Listen, your Harley kickstarter kicks back and you get hurt? Doesn't mean the motorcycle is bad, it means the timing needs to be adjusted. these stories have been paraded in front of us since FCF, NFCF, naturally all the way to present. I mean Facebook, must be a total cesspool of this stuff. Yet, we don't know the whole story, we just get the bloody knife in the back, and find a Teletubby standing their puzzled with bloody mittens. Good grief, as long as there are bad experiences they will be one sided horror stories.

[Evang.Benincasa]

Originally Posted by Aquila

But, a brother named Bobby had his house burn down. Guess what? The pastor had the church help to pay for an entire wardrobe for both him and his wife, a financial contribution, and a hotel room. And guess what... Bobby had insurance! LOL I was floored.

But if Bobby wasn't in church and had no insurance the government help would of even been less.

[Evang.Benincasa]

Originally Posted by Aquila

My family was financially wiped out by my mother's death and no one cared enough to contribute a dime. Don't get me wrong, I'm happy when others are helped. It just stung a little considering the hardship me and my family faced. And it hurt really bad spiritually. I had been witnessing to my family and praying for them to be saved. When the church didn't even volunteer any help, my family's fate was sealed. I knew their bitterness over it would doom them. Today, they won't come near a Pentecostal church.

If they won't even come near a Pentecostal church that is probably have more to do with you. You talk smack, and you were probably right there to fuel the fire and pour salt on the wounds. Like I posted before we know nothing concerning what went on with this event. Yet, I've been around long enough to know that there are so many sides to any story that we can't atr and feather these church folks just on your say so. But, this kind of horrible example has become chocolate covered cherries to forum disgruntles.

[Evang.Benincasa]

Originally Posted by Aquila

I struggled for several months over if I was even saved. I feared that the pastor didn't help me and my family because I was somehow, not a part of the family. All these things, the church's neglect, my hurt, my family's hurt... all of it factored into the disillusionment and distrust that followed, and my eventual divorce.

This is where boys run over to rub your shoulders, and the concerned female sit in a chair in front of you to hold your hand. All while your red face puffs with tears streaming from swollen eyes. COME ON! Seriously, bro, I have sad tales of woe, bad things, hard things, saints who were satans, best friend pastor turned into worst enemy disaster. Still all of it is complex, and has many different facets. All things, not some things, but all things work to the GOOD for those who LOVE the Lord and are called according to His purpose, not our purpose.