DNC National Convention

[n david]

Originally Posted by Originalist

They were not our problem in 1917, 1941 or now. If Europe cannot handle their own security, why should we care? Europeans are authoritarian by nature. They will be ruled by Muslims or Russians. The resurrected Russian Empire is not the USSR. It is not the USA, either. It is something in between. But it will be the dominant power in Europe and is not going to sit by and let Europe commit suicide through Muslim immigration. None of this is worth shedding one drop of American blood over.

Incredibly naive.

Glad you Trumpsters weren't around during WWII. We'd all be speaking German.

[Aquila]

Originally Posted by deacon blues

She also talked about waking up every morning in a house built by slaves. Is it possible to get over the slavery thing? You know, since it ended 150 years ago????

I've thought the same thing. But then again, my family were not slaves. I haven't heard the stories retold by my grandmother at the dinner table that so many people of color have. Nor have I experienced the institutional racism that so many of them have.

I've experienced more discrimination over being a male than being white. For example, I sometimes call and try to resolve issues with the bills and creditors. They tell me what they can or cannot do for us and normally, they don't budge. However, Christina will get upset that I wasn't able to work out a payment plan or arrangement and call them herself. I've listened in on the conversations, they are nicer to her and bend over backwards to help her. One day in Wal-Mart I couldn't find a specific item and asked for assistance, they seemed uninterested in helping me. Gave it a quick glance and apologized for not being more help and walked away. I tracked down Christina and she became so frustrated that I couldn't find help. So, she asked this associate if they could help us find the item. The associate went out of their way for like 15 minutes looking for the item, even pulled in some help from two other associates. Eventually, they found it! LOL When you have long blonde hair, and are "easy on the eyes", you don't face the same challenges as when you're big and hairy like me. lol

There are now certain things she takes care of because she's female and we know how it will go if I call. I had her listen in on a few calls relating to bills and expenses on several different occasions and she was shocked with how "cold" they were to me and how unwilling to work with me. She waited an hour and called back. She was amazed with how friendly, warm, charming, and flexible they were for her. I tried to explain to her.... "try being a man stranded by the roadside". Few will even consider stopping to help you. However, if you're blonde and easy on the eyes like my girl.... you'll have a dozen "Good Samaritans" pulling over to "help" you. I told her that she's spoiled because of this. That's why she's so optimistic and I'm more pessimistic. She's used to things working out and people working with her. I'm used to being brushed off and left to fend for myself.

I look at racism much the same way. Until we actually focus on seeing it, we might not even realize how real the discrimination can be. If you sound black over the phone, will your utilities or creditors be as flexible? Will you be pulled over more? Will you stand to face certain dangers more? I believe it is quite real. We shouldn't disparage the reality of their experience.

Slavery was a genocide. It left several generations in deep poverty from which they are only starting to crawl out of. I try to be compassionate and understanding. They have a different cultural perspective because culturally the world is quite different for them than it is for us. Do some use it as an excuse? Yes. But it doesn't mean it isn't real.

[Pressing-On]

Originally Posted by Aquila

I've thought the same thing. But then again, my family were not slaves. I haven't heard the stories retold by my grandmother at the dinner table that so many people of color have. Nor have I experienced the institutional racism that so many of them have.

I've experienced more discrimination over being a male than being white. For example, I sometimes call and try to resolve issues with the bills and creditors. They tell me what they can or cannot do for us and normally, they don't budge. However, Christina will get upset that I wasn't able to work out a payment plan or arrangement and call them herself. I've listened in on the conversations, they are nicer to her and bend over backwards to help her. One day in Wal-Mart I couldn't find a specific item and asked for assistance, they seemed uninterested in helping me. Gave it a quick glance and apologized for not being more help and walked away. I tracked down Christina and she became so frustrated that I couldn't find help. So, she asked this associate if they could help us find the item. The associate went out of their way for like 15 minutes looking for the item, even pulled in some help from two other associates. Eventually, they found it! LOL When you have long blonde hair, and are "easy on the eyes", you don't face the same challenges as when you're big and hairy like me. lol

There are now certain things she takes care of because she's female and we know how it will go if I call. I had her listen in on a few calls relating to bills and expenses on several different occasions and she was shocked with how "cold" they were to me and how unwilling to work with me. She waited an hour and called back. She was amazed with how friendly, warm, charming, and flexible they were for her. I tried to explain to her.... "try being a man stranded by the roadside". Few will even consider stopping to help you. However, if you're blonde and easy on the eyes like my girl.... you'll have a dozen "Good Samaritans" pulling over to "help" you. I told her that she's spoiled because of this. That's why she's so optimistic and I'm more pessimistic. She's used to things working out and people working with her. I'm used to being brushed off and left to fend for myself.

I look at racism much the same way. Until we actually focus on seeing it, we might not even realize how real the discrimination can be. If you sound black over the phone, will your utilities or creditors be as flexible? Will you be pulled over more? Will you stand to face certain dangers more? I believe it is quite real. We shouldn't disparage the reality of their experience.

Slavery was a genocide. It left several generations in deep poverty from which they are only starting to crawl out of. I try to be compassionate and understanding. They have a different cultural perspective because culturally the world is quite different for them than it is for us. Do some use it as an excuse? Yes. But it doesn't mean it isn't real.

Hmmm... My son was at Walmart trying to find out if he could get an online purchase price for a baby bed that was in the store. The associate went out of his way for 15 minutes trying to help him. So, I come to the conclusion - the associate was gay.

BTW, Gary Johnson is having a great time this week during the DNC. I am sure the Bernie people will look his way.

[Originalist]

Originally Posted by n david

Incredibly naive.

Glad you Trumpsters weren't around during WWII. We'd all be speaking German.

Yours is the typical response of someone uninformed.

[n david]

Originally Posted by Originalist

If Europe cannot handle their own security, why should we care?

Fortunately the greatest generation didn't share your thoughts.

Originally Posted by Originalist

The resurrected Russian Empire is not the USSR. It is not the USA, either. It is something in between.

It is still a murderous regime, bent on enlarging itself and threatening our allies and the USA itself.

Originally Posted by Originalist

But it will be the dominant power in Europe and is not going to sit by and let Europe commit suicide through Muslim immigration.

Russia cares little for anything but power. It doesn't care of Europe's muslim trouble. When Russia decides to take back the old Soviet bloc, it won't be for anything other than power and self interest.

Originally Posted by Originalist

None of this is worth shedding one drop of American blood over.

Again, fortunately the greatest generation didn't share this thought.

[deacon blues]

Originally Posted by Esaias

I just watched a clip from the DNC, Bernie sputtering about how Trump must be stopped because his campaign is all about promoting bigotry and racism blah blah blah, Trump is dangerous and must be stopped, and everyone needs to support Hillary (at which point he was booed rather loudly by the people).

He also talked about how "our revolution" needs to spread (???).

The DNC might as well fly the hammer and sickle. Looking at attendees (delegates) dressed in Peter Pan outfits, etc etc, I honestly cannot understand how ANYBODY with more than half a functioning brain cell could possibly support the Democratic party.

I mean, seriously, anyone who supports the Dem party... words fail me. (Well, not really, but I'll be nice.)

Dems are just dumb.

Not dumb so much as it is blind and delusional loyalty

[deacon blues]

Say what you want---Bill has just about the best stage presence any modern president has ever had. Ronald Reagan was as equally effective but with a different style.

Probably the most corrupt person in modern politics, along with Hillary, but still, a brilliant politician.

[deacon blues]

He shows some signs of Parkinson's I think.

[Esaias]

Originally Posted by deacon blues

Say what you want---Bill has just about the best stage presence any modern president has ever had. Ronald Reagan was as equally effective but with a different style.

Probably the most corrupt person in modern politics, along with Hillary, but still, a brilliant politician.

Oh, there's no doubt Bill has (or had) stage presence. Hillary? Not so much. Although she does project "power" which resonates with some people.

I think a Trump/Hillary debate will be worth the popcorn.

[Esaias]

Originally Posted by deacon blues

He shows some signs of Parkinson's I think.

Hillary has shown some signs of possible epilectic seizures, I hear.

Bill's issues are probably from all the coke.