(July 22, 2016 at 2:37 am)Imaginaryfriendless Wrote: "I'm not going to reply to your post because your quoting is all messed up."

My apologies, I've been busy defending the country and raising three children and saving lives and earning a living...oh, sorry, you are a liberal...ok,"Earning a living" is where a person uses a skill he possesses to obtain a job...crap...ok, a "Job" is a place you go where a person pays you money in exchange for your labor or knowledge....ok, so "earning a living" is where a person goes to a job (see above) and stays there all week long, usually 40 hours or more, and gets paid at the end of every week, or two weeks, usually. Over time, this money adds up, and the person uses that money to pay for things he or she needs to live. I realize liberals think money falls out of fairies' asses when they sneeze, but actually it is earned by people who DON'T take money from the government in exchange for playing video games or sitting at computers all day spouting their world views on forums.

You're generalising again and assuming that I don't have a full time job because I am a 'liberal'.

I am trying to make an important point here. I am not doing it to be aggressive for the sake of it. All bigotry stems from generalising and not taking people as you find them. Now substitute another demographic for liberal and see what I mean. Imagine every time you said liberal, you said European, or black people, gays, jews whatever. Imagine I generalised like you about Texans. Isn't that what you are complaining of happening in this thread and here you are generalising yourself in much the same way?

Anyway, must rush, I'm going off to work now.

(July 22, 2016 at 2:36 am)Mathilda Wrote:

(July 22, 2016 at 2:07 am)Imaginaryfriendless Wrote: Yes indeed, you are everything I've come to expect from a liberal. I'm expressing my opinion based on my life- which you know nothing about- and I am doing so respectfully. As usual, liberals start with thinly veiled personal insults, and will quickly escalate to name calling and ridicule. You are generalizing much more than I am, kitten.

Directly quote where I have generalised. The only possible candidate I can find is:

(July 21, 2016 at 4:55 am)Mathilda Wrote: Liberals as a whole don't believe a utopia of unicorns, rainbows and world peace is possible, but why should that stop people from trying to improve society as a whole?

So please, back up your accusation with evidence from my posts on this thread or admit that your interpretation of what is being said to you is coloured by your own prejudices. If you want I can quote where you have generalised and we can compare lists.

Ok..."I have to say though, you are living up to the Texan stereotype quite well."

That isn't a generalization?? 

I love the way you pick and choose your arguments...must make it easier.

Cheers!

You have some pretty hilarious ideas about what liberals believe, Tex.

(July 22, 2016 at 2:53 am)Mathilda Wrote:

(July 22, 2016 at 2:37 am)Imaginaryfriendless Wrote: "I'm not going to reply to your post because your quoting is all messed up."

My apologies, I've been busy defending the country and raising three children and saving lives and earning a living...oh, sorry, you are a liberal...ok,"Earning a living" is where a person uses a skill he possesses to obtain a job...crap...ok, a "Job" is a place you go where a person pays you money in exchange for your labor or knowledge....ok, so "earning a living" is where a person goes to a job (see above) and stays there all week long, usually 40 hours or more, and gets paid at the end of every week, or two weeks, usually. Over time, this money adds up, and the person uses that money to pay for things he or she needs to live. I realize liberals think money falls out of fairies' asses when they sneeze, but actually it is earned by people who DON'T take money from the government in exchange for playing video games or sitting at computers all day spouting their world views on forums.

You're generalising again and assuming that I don't have a full time job because I am a 'liberal'.

I am trying to make an important point here. I am not doing it to be aggressive for the sake of it. All bigotry stems from generalising and not taking people as you find them. Now substitute another demographic for liberal and see what I mean. Imagine every time you said liberal, you said European, or black people, gays, jews whatever. Imagine I generalised like you about Texans. Isn't that what you are complaining of happening in this thread and here you are generalising yourself in much the same way?

Anyway, must rush, I'm going off to work now.

You have a job??? Oh my god...YOU'RE THE ONE!!  I never dreamed I'd meet you!



Obviously, cupcake, I didn't mean that literally all liberals are jobless- but it is true that the majority of people on the welfare system identify as liberal democrats. It's also true that liberals are in favor (the majority) of more government assistance- by far- than republicans. I believe in personal responsibility and carrying not only your own weight but the weight of anyone HONESTLY in need- liberal programs, as usual, are based on the presumption that people are honest and trustworthy. Surprise!!! They are not.  Why do you think every society on earth has to spend so much money on locks and guards and fences and weapons? We are opportunistic animals, just like every other creature on this world. It's perfectly natural to steal, cheat, and lie- animals do it without a second thought. It's a survival trait. We, as thinking, occasionally rational human beings, try to grow beyond that impulse, but when we feel our survival threatened, we revert...quickly. Survival isn't necessarily literal life and death in this context- threatening an addicts stash is survival, to him. People who feel downtrodden tend to lose much of the moral growth they had, because of resentment of authority- a type of threat to their survival. Most liberals don't seem to recognize this, or accept it. This is what I mean by unicorns and rainbows.

Cheers!

---

(July 22, 2016 at 3:06 am)Cthulhu Dreaming Wrote: You have some pretty hilarious ideas about what liberals believe, Tex.

I agree! Of course, it's only based on their actions, so I'm sure my ideas are irrelevent. Well, to be clear, based on the actions of their politicians. 

Liberals have a hilarious idea of what Texans believe, as well. Maybe if we could all find it hilarious instead of a personal affront, this would be a happier place.





Cheers!

(July 22, 2016 at 2:54 am)Imaginaryfriendless Wrote: Ok..."I have to say though, you are living up to the Texan stereotype quite well."

That isn't a generalization?? 

No. I was referring specifically to you and the impression you are making.

(July 22, 2016 at 3:12 am)Imaginaryfriendless Wrote: You have a job??? Oh my god...YOU'RE THE ONE!!  I never dreamed I'd meet you!

You are also assuming that I am American. I'm not. You'd consider almost everyone in the UK as being a liberal based on their political views alone relative to the American political system. Yet obviously we aren't all unemployed and living on welfare as otherwise the country would collapse.

Ok, friends...since I seem to have unwittingly stepped into a nest of liberals, I have a question and some data to share. 

Liberals have this horrific view of Texas- we don't care, we'd be happy if you'd all just go away and let us live the way we want to live, by the way-but much of this horrific view seems to be based on our gun laws. (Yes, we do have gun laws)

According to most liberals, we are a bunch of irresponsible rednecks with low IQ's who like to shoot each other.

Well, here is the latest FBI crime report (or a portion of it- undoctored, look for yourself)

FBI’s Uniform Crime Report.


Big Cities With The Highest Violent Crime Rates

Detroit, Michigan 1988.63
Memphis, Tennessee 1740.51
Oakland, California 1685.39
St. Louis, Missouri 1678.73
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 1476.41
Baltimore, Maryland 1338.54
Cleveland, Ohio 1334.35
Stockton, California 1331.47
Indianapolis, Indiana 1254.66
Kansas City, Missouri 1251.45

Big Cities With The Highest Murder Rates

St. Louis, Missouri 49.91
Detroit, Michigan 43.52
New Orleans, Louisiana 38.75
Baltimore, Maryland 33.84
Newark, New Jersey 33.32
Buffalo, New York 23.22
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 22.43
Memphis, Tennessee 21.38
Atlanta, Georgia 20.47
Cincinati, Ohio 20.16

Medium Cities With The Highest Violent Crime Rates

Birmingham, Alabama 1588.29
Little Rock, Arkanasas 1391.91
Rockford, Illinois 1234.74
Springfield, Missouri 1186.47
Lansing, Michigan 1116.76
Hartford, Connecticut 1104.50
Springfield, Massachusetts 1080.86
Springfield, Illinois 1064.45
New Haven, Connecticut 1054.37
San Bernardino, California 991.67

Medium Cities[i] With The Highest Murder Rates[/i]

Jackson, Mississippi 35.39
Birmingham, Alabama 24.52
Baton Rouge, Louisiana 23.11
North Charleston, South Carolina 21.78
Little Rock, Arkanasas 21.69
San Bernardino, California 20.04
Richmond, Virginia 18.92
Dayton, Ohio 18.85
Inglewood, California 17.86
Montgomery, Alabama 17.48


What a surprise! In fact, Texas doesn't show up on any list until you get to TINY cities, and those two are both on or close to the border with Mexico- if we were allowed to stop illegal immigration, even those two would be off of the list.

So...it sure looks like we are smarter than the rest of you, doesn't it? Well, ok, maybe smarter isn't fair...let's just say "Better at keeping our citizens from being murdered" and leave it at that.

You will probably claim the report is bogus or the FBI loves Texas or things aren't properly reported here or...I don't know, but you'll have something to negate the validity in your little liberal minds. Regardless, it IS true.

Now I'll really piss you off. Do you know WHY the murder rate is so low in Texas?

I'm glad you asked. The murder rate is so comparatively low in Texas, despite the massive number of illegals and the diversity of our population, because- you're going to hate this, but it's true- Texans aren't raised to be victims. Yep. Come see for yourself. We have pride in our ability to defend ourselves, our families, our state, and our country. That ATTITUDE is what keeps the murder and violent crime rate down- not the guns. Certainly, if you try to rob a Texan, or break into his home, your odds of being shot are high. Wait...isn't that an excellent deterrent? It works for us. But the guns are simply a tool.

I can hear it now..."But a life is worth more than a stereo!"  I disagree, if that life breaks into my home. It isn't really that difficult to NOT rob, burglarize, steal, rape, murder...I manage to not do those things nearly every day! 

If you are the type of person who breaks into peoples homes, or rapes people, or mugs people...you need to understand the risks when you go into that line of work. In Texas, at least, you may very well die. See, I worked as a police officer for 8 years- a sheriff's deputy, actually. When I took my oath, I accepted the risks of that job. How is it different? Well, I served honorably as a public servant and first responder and the other guy is a piece of subhuman garbage, so it is different, but you see where I'm going.

So Texas is more financially stable, and you are less likely to be the victim of a violent crime here...you have more personal freedom, you can own and carry firearms- even automatic weapons! Our economy is booming, jobs are plentiful, the weather is great except mid summer when it gets pretty toasty...we have everything from mountains to beaches to prairie to swampland...no state tax...and much more. Damn...you're right. It is HORRIBLE here! Please stay away, for your own sake! Well, ok..for OUR sake.

Cheers!

Generalisations and assumptions about how other people think from your few posts so far:

(July 21, 2016 at 3:52 am)Imaginaryfriendless Wrote: I believe Liberals are self deluded. They want a world of unicorns and rainbows, where peace and love prevail and cats and dogs live in harmony and nobody eats meat. I have a few problems with that.

(July 21, 2016 at 3:52 am)Imaginaryfriendless Wrote: a very large segment of the Muslim religion is violent- they are fanatically religious and their God says unbelievers must die...what do you expect? While you're riding around on your unicorn sucking on a flower, a jihadist blows up your entire family.

(July 21, 2016 at 3:52 am)Imaginaryfriendless Wrote: liberals only believe what they really really want to be true, so it's wasted breath.

(July 21, 2016 at 4:55 am)Imaginaryfriendless Wrote: Liberals are dangerously naive.

(July 21, 2016 at 4:55 am)Imaginaryfriendless Wrote: For some reason our predatory nature is abhorrent to liberals.

(July 22, 2016 at 2:07 am)Imaginaryfriendless Wrote: As usual, liberals start with thinly veiled personal insults, and will quickly escalate to name calling and ridicule. You are generalizing much more than I am, kitten.

(July 22, 2016 at 2:07 am)Imaginaryfriendless Wrote: Liberals believe their own silly propaganda and stereotypes...it's what they're good at, self delusion.

(July 22, 2016 at 2:07 am)Imaginaryfriendless Wrote: Yet liberal democrats continually act as though Republicans are the enemy of equality and have "beaten down" the blacks, or Puerto Ricans, etc. That is because without the minority vote, the democrats would be completely ineffective. They work hard to not only keep minorities from being equal, but to make certain the minorities know the Evil Republicans are to blame.

(July 22, 2016 at 2:07 am)Imaginaryfriendless Wrote: I have no doubt you will go to your grave hating everyone who doesn't believe as you do.

(July 22, 2016 at 2:37 am)Imaginaryfriendless Wrote: oh, sorry, you are a liberal...ok,"Earning a living" is where a person uses a skill he possesses to obtain a job...crap...ok, a "Job" is a place you go where a person pays you money in exchange for your labor or knowledge....ok, so "earning a living" is where a person goes to a job (see above) and stays there all week long, usually 40 hours or more, and gets paid at the end of every week, or two weeks, usually. Over time, this money adds up, and the person uses that money to pay for things he or she needs to live. I realize liberals think money falls out of fairies' asses when they sneeze, but actually it is earned by people who DON'T take money from the government in exchange for playing video games or sitting at computers all day spouting their world views on forums.[/size]

(July 22, 2016 at 3:12 am)Imaginaryfriendless Wrote: but it is true that the majority of people on the welfare system identify as liberal democrats.

http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/201...ecipients/

(July 22, 2016 at 3:12 am)Imaginaryfriendless Wrote: People who feel downtrodden tend to lose much of the moral growth they had, because of resentment of authority- a type of threat to their survival. Most liberals don't seem to recognize this, or accept it. This is what I mean by unicorns and rainbows.

(July 22, 2016 at 3:12 am)Imaginaryfriendless Wrote: Liberals have a hilarious idea of what Texans believe, as well.

(July 22, 2016 at 3:12 am)Imaginaryfriendless Wrote: Maybe if we could all find it hilarious instead of a personal affront

(July 22, 2016 at 4:11 am)Imaginaryfriendless Wrote: Liberals have this horrific view of Texas

(July 22, 2016 at 4:11 am)Imaginaryfriendless Wrote: According to most liberals, we are a bunch of irresponsible rednecks with low IQ's who like to shoot each other.

(July 22, 2016 at 4:11 am)Imaginaryfriendless Wrote: You will probably claim the report is bogus or the FBI loves Texas or things aren't properly reported here or...I don't know, but you'll have something to negate the validity in your little liberal minds.

(July 22, 2016 at 4:11 am)Imaginaryfriendless Wrote: Texans aren't raised to be victims.

(July 22, 2016 at 3:51 am)Mathilda Wrote:

(July 22, 2016 at 3:12 am)Imaginaryfriendless Wrote: You have a job??? Oh my god...YOU'RE THE ONE!!  I never dreamed I'd meet you!

You are also assuming that I am American. I'm not. You'd consider almost everyone in the UK as being a liberal based on their political views alone relative to the American political system.  Yet obviously we aren't all unemployed and living on welfare as otherwise the country would collapse.

Actually, I've spent a lot of time in England, I love the people and the history. But can you really tell me you like what liberal attitudes have done to London? Cameras everywhere, charges for everything you do, ridiculous laws, absolutely no guns unless you keep it at your hunting club, and a HORRIFIC crime rate. Yes...well done. 

But I will say things are different here, of course. I'm talking about Americans keeping the freedom we fought so hard for...you folks gave that up centuries ago. 

Cheers!

---

(July 22, 2016 at 4:20 am)Mathilda Wrote: Generalisations and assumptions about how other people think from your few posts so far:

(July 21, 2016 at 3:52 am)Imaginaryfriendless Wrote: I believe Liberals are self deluded. They want a world of unicorns and rainbows, where peace and love prevail and cats and dogs live in harmony and nobody eats meat. I have a few problems with that.

(July 21, 2016 at 3:52 am)Imaginaryfriendless Wrote: a very large segment of the Muslim religion is violent- they are fanatically religious and their God says unbelievers must die...what do you expect? While you're riding around on your unicorn sucking on a flower, a jihadist blows up your entire family.

(July 21, 2016 at 3:52 am)Imaginaryfriendless Wrote: liberals only believe what they really really want to be true, so it's wasted breath.

(July 21, 2016 at 4:55 am)Imaginaryfriendless Wrote: Liberals are dangerously naive.

(July 21, 2016 at 4:55 am)Imaginaryfriendless Wrote: For some reason our predatory nature is abhorrent to liberals.

(July 22, 2016 at 2:07 am)Imaginaryfriendless Wrote: As usual, liberals start with thinly veiled personal insults, and will quickly escalate to name calling and ridicule. You are generalizing much more than I am, kitten.

(July 22, 2016 at 2:07 am)Imaginaryfriendless Wrote: Liberals believe their own silly propaganda and stereotypes...it's what they're good at, self delusion.

(July 22, 2016 at 2:07 am)Imaginaryfriendless Wrote: Yet liberal democrats continually act as though Republicans are the enemy of equality and have "beaten down" the blacks, or Puerto Ricans, etc. That is because without the minority vote, the democrats would be completely ineffective. They work hard to not only keep minorities from being equal, but to make certain the minorities know the Evil Republicans are to blame.

(July 22, 2016 at 2:07 am)Imaginaryfriendless Wrote: I have no doubt you will go to your grave hating everyone who doesn't believe as you do.

(July 22, 2016 at 2:37 am)Imaginaryfriendless Wrote: oh, sorry, you are a liberal...ok,"Earning a living" is where a person uses a skill he possesses to obtain a job...crap...ok, a "Job" is a place you go where a person pays you money in exchange for your labor or knowledge....ok, so "earning a living" is where a person goes to a job (see above) and stays there all week long, usually 40 hours or more, and gets paid at the end of every week, or two weeks, usually. Over time, this money adds up, and the person uses that money to pay for things he or she needs to live. I realize liberals think money falls out of fairies' asses when they sneeze, but actually it is earned by people who DON'T take money from the government in exchange for playing video games or sitting at computers all day spouting their world views on forums.[/size]

(July 22, 2016 at 3:12 am)Imaginaryfriendless Wrote: but it is true that the majority of people on the welfare system identify as liberal democrats.

http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/201...ecipients/

(July 22, 2016 at 3:12 am)Imaginaryfriendless Wrote: People who feel downtrodden tend to lose much of the moral growth they had, because of resentment of authority- a type of threat to their survival. Most liberals don't seem to recognize this, or accept it. This is what I mean by unicorns and rainbows.

(July 22, 2016 at 3:12 am)Imaginaryfriendless Wrote: Liberals have a hilarious idea of what Texans believe, as well.

(July 22, 2016 at 3:12 am)Imaginaryfriendless Wrote: Maybe if we could all find it hilarious instead of a personal affront

(July 22, 2016 at 4:11 am)Imaginaryfriendless Wrote: Liberals have this horrific view of Texas

(July 22, 2016 at 4:11 am)Imaginaryfriendless Wrote: According to most liberals, we are a bunch of irresponsible rednecks with low IQ's who like to shoot each other.

(July 22, 2016 at 4:11 am)Imaginaryfriendless Wrote: You will probably claim the report is bogus or the FBI loves Texas or things aren't properly reported here or...I don't know, but you'll have something to negate the validity in your little liberal minds.

(July 22, 2016 at 4:11 am)Imaginaryfriendless Wrote: Texans aren't raised to be victims.

LMAO...oh, thank you, I needed a laugh. Of COURSE I'm generalizing- I don't know every person in Texas, much less the world. Of COURSE my thinking is colored by my experiences and prejudices- that is true of everyone, period. My statements are based on my observations during the course of the 50 years I have wandered this planet, just as yours are based on your own experience. What the hell else do you expect? That's a ridiculous attitude.

I'm noticing you seem to skip merrily over most of my points to try to make rather arbitrary observations of my behavior, instead of debating my comments. 

I thought you had to work?

---

(July 22, 2016 at 3:48 am)Mathilda Wrote:

(July 22, 2016 at 2:54 am)Imaginaryfriendless Wrote: Ok..."I have to say though, you are living up to the Texan stereotype quite well."

That isn't a generalization?? 

No. I was referring specifically to you and the impression you are making.

The impression I am making. Hmm. I don't see what I have said that would generate a negative impression in a normal person, except perhaps (doubt it) I have been fed misinformation about liberals and my ideas about them are faulty. Except...so far the responses I've gotten have backed my opinions up very nicely. I stated my thoughts and opinions, very nicely and respectfully. You have argued with me but really avoided what I was saying to simply attack how I was saying it or to point out how I'm generalizing...which, as I said, I'm aware of. Others have cursed me and tried to belittle me. Everyone has this holier-than-thou attitude towards me- hilarious attitude for an atheist site, I might add. This is EXACTLY what I expected from a liberal crowd. So I do know something about liberals.

C'mon...the earning a living/job definition thing was funny, I don't care who you are!

Cheers!

(July 22, 2016 at 4:25 am)Imaginaryfriendless Wrote: Actually, I've spent a lot of time in England, I love the people and the history. But can you really tell me you like what liberal attitudes have done to London? Cameras everywhere, charges for everything you do, ridiculous laws, absolutely no guns unless you keep it at your hunting club, and a HORRIFIC crime rate. Yes...well done. 

What liberal attitudes have done to London? I'm more afraid of the rise of right wing authoritarianism and neo-fascism in England and Wales at the moment. What you are describing is because of a long term political shift to the right since Thatcher.

And I haven't met anyone in the UK who complains about not having any guns. Everyone I have met is just happy that we don't have the crazy gun situation that America has.

I have also lived in Germany which is more left wing than the UK. They have many more laws about personal freedom and very strict gun controls. The quality of life there is undoubtedly much better than in the UK.

(July 22, 2016 at 4:25 am)Imaginaryfriendless Wrote: I'm noticing you seem to skip merrily over most of my points to try to make rather arbitrary observations of my behavior, instead of debating my comments. 

Because that has been my sole point from the very beginning and what I have been consistently trying to point out to you. That you make far too many assumptions about how other people think yet complain when people do the same about Texans.

(July 22, 2016 at 4:25 am)Imaginaryfriendless Wrote: I thought you had to work?

I'm a computer scientist. I have access to the Internet and get bored easily.