Poor Kathy Griffin

[Aegon]

And I think Trump is doing an outstanding job. A little more vocal than past presidents, but change isn't all bad. It just rubs the snow flakes the wrong way.

It "just" does that? We're a laughing stock to our allies now. Majority of the public in several of our allied countries (France, South Korea, the United Kingdom, Canada, Japan and Australia) have greater trust in Angela Merkel's ability to handle world affairs than Donald Trump. And one more country's public believes that too - ours. (On world affairs, most G20 countries more confident in Merkel than Trump.)

I swear to God every time I look on Twitter I cringe from embarrassment. Trump reminds me of my grandfather before he died. He had Alzheimer's.

[Brian37]

NO you fucking moron, winning is not all there is to life.

Not even evolution claims that. 

Our species has a wide variety of attributes not just one. Our species can use force, and cheating to win and cruelty to win, that part is true. But we also have the attributes of nurture and empathy and compassion, and those work too. 

"Win" only means you won, it does not automatically make you moral. Hitler rose to power and won, and if he had not attacked Russia Stupidly he might have been able to keep his gains. His supporters thought he was doing the right thing they thought he was a "winner" too.

The Kim family won and took over North Korea. The Castro Family won and took over Cuba. Stalin won and took over Russia. Now they were winners too. So please don't blow fucking smoke up my ass and claim winning is all there is to life.

Winning with political demagoguery are the actions of dictators and despots and banana republics. In a 1rst world western open society our politicians cannot and should not act like that. Stop ignoring the fact that Trump is no longer a private citizen.

Heck man. I donate too. Nothing wrong with that at all and I encourage it. But I'm also selective about who and what organizations I donate to as well. If you do it right, you save more on taxes by giving more to someone/something besides the government. That’s the concept of trickledown economics that people hate. Save more by spending more.  

And winning really, really, really, reeeeaaaallllyyyyy is largely what matters. Empathy and compassion can be a part of that at times, but our species didn’t get where it is by being overly empathetic either. I’m sure that there have been a lot of cave men clubbed to death for a hunk of meat over the years. They won and that’s how evolution worked.  Another large part of winning is the sustainability of gains and growth. You can’t do that without a little empathy and compassion; and that’s how evolution continued. However, too much empathy and compassion will quickly put you at the back of the line too. That’s how people have evolved to accept (and expect in far too many cases) welfare handouts, “free” health insurance, and the losing team at the baseball game taking home a trophy. It’s gone as far down as grown men and woman crying and being completely unable to accept that their guy or gal didn’t win an election. The winners just look back, shake their head, and giggle as they keep moving forward though. And that last part right there is what ensures long term sustainability.

What the hell does making donations have anything to do with that? I do too, but if you want to now stupidly say "I make donations" if you take a tax deduction for that, guess what, you are NOT giving that money, or object away for free. THAT is a real donation, when you don't get anything back in return. The problem with taking a tax deduction when you do that is someone else has to compensate for what you get back, or don't get taxed on.

I did take tax deductions for donations when I was younger, but I will never do it again because SOMEONE ELSE will have to pay more in taxes to compensate for what I don't pay, or for what I get back.

Giving is when you don't expect anything back in return. 

The type of religious and big business charities do is counter productive. While they certainly DO provide to those in need, the best charity would be livable wages, and pay more in taxes so that MORE people are less dependent on government. Charity as it stands now is not a last resort. An ethical charity should seek to go out of business, not create more dependency. 

I went recently to a county charity resale shop, donated a geriatric Lazy Boy type chair designed to help a elderly person stand up, and an electric mobile chair, both worth thousand. I could have sold them and made money off of them. But I took them to the resale county charity place, and they asked me if I wanted the paperwork for a tax deduction, and I told them the same thing I told you just now.

"Why would I ask for any favors if I am giving something away?" Anything less than a gift is really in reality a loan or a partial loan to which you get some money back. To me that is not charity.

[Court Jester]

[quote='Court Jester' pid='1581624' dateline='1499377106']

Heck man. I donate too. Nothing wrong with that at all and I encourage it. But I'm also selective about who and what organizations I donate to as well. If you do it right, you save more on taxes by giving more to someone/something besides the government. That’s the concept of trickledown economics that people hate. Save more by spending more.  

And winning really, really, really, reeeeaaaallllyyyyy is largely what matters. Empathy and compassion can be a part of that at times, but our species didn’t get where it is by being overly empathetic either. I’m sure that there have been a lot of cave men clubbed to death for a hunk of meat over the years. They won and that’s how evolution worked.  Another large part of winning is the sustainability of gains and growth. You can’t do that without a little empathy and compassion; and that’s how evolution continued. However, too much empathy and compassion will quickly put you at the back of the line too. That’s how people have evolved to accept (and expect in far too many cases) welfare handouts, “free” health insurance, and the losing team at the baseball game taking home a trophy. It’s gone as far down as grown men and woman crying and being completely unable to accept that their guy or gal didn’t win an election. The winners just look back, shake their head, and giggle as they keep moving forward though. And that last part right there is what ensures long term sustainability.

What the hell does making donations have anything to do with that? I do too, but if you want to now stupidly say "I make donations" if you take a tax deduction for that, guess what, you are NOT giving that money, or object away for free. THAT is a real donation, when you don't get anything back in return. The problem with taking a tax deduction when you do that is someone else has to compensate for what you get back, or don't get taxed on.

I did take tax deductions for donations when I was younger, but I will never do it again because SOMEONE ELSE will have to pay more in taxes to compensate for what I don't pay, or for what I get back.

Giving is when you don't expect anything back in return. 

The type of religious and big business charities do is counter productive. While they certainly DO provide to those in need, the best charity would be livable wages, and pay more in taxes so that MORE people are less dependent on government. Charity as it stands now is not a last resort. An ethical charity should seek to go out of business, not create more dependency. 

I went recently to a county charity resale shop, donated a geriatric Lazy Boy type chair designed to help a elderly person stand up, and an electric mobile chair, both worth thousand. I could have sold them and made money off of them. But I took them to the resale county charity place, and they asked me if I wanted the paperwork for a tax deduction, and I told them the same thing I told you just now.

"Why would I ask for any favors if I am giving something away?" Anything less than a gift is really in reality a loan or a partial loan to which you get some money back. To me that is not charity.
[/quote]




Because you posted this

"And another thing you tunnel vision jackass, NOBODY sane is or should begrudge you for starting a business. But here is what I can do that you cant seem to do. I got left a nice egg from my mom. I looked at my next years taxes and they will be big. But I am NOT complaining about that. Unlike you I know there are far more many who will never in their entire lives get that close."

And I didn't quote both.

Keep up with the conversation big guy.

---

[quote='Court Jester' pid='1581624' dateline='1499377106']

I did take tax deductions for donations when I was younger, but I will never do it again because SOMEONE ELSE will have to pay more in taxes to compensate for what I don't pay, or for what I get back.

-----------

"Why would I ask for any favors if I am giving something away?" Anything less than a gift is really in reality a loan or a partial loan to which you get some money back. To me that is not charity.

Wow!!!! I truly believe deep down in the most loving corner of my heart (which is pretty small, but it is down there) that directing cursing and derogatory terms at any individual shows real disrespect for ones self and undercuts education.... but that has to be the fucking absolute stupidest, most backwards, self deprecating moral compass I have ever heard of. Mother Theresa wasn't that stupid and she did some dumb shit.

If what you just typed is true (and I don't see how it could be) that my good man (or woman, or cat, or how ever you identify) is udder moral retardation at the highest level.

If you have any plans to retire or you want to be able to afford adult diapers in your old age after you retire, I would highly recommend that you contact an accountant.

[Brian37]

What the hell does making donations have anything to do with that? I do too, but if you want to now stupidly say "I make donations" if you take a tax deduction for that, guess what, you are NOT giving that money, or object away for free. THAT is a real donation, when you don't get anything back in return. The problem with taking a tax deduction when you do that is someone else has to compensate for what you get back, or don't get taxed on.

I did take tax deductions for donations when I was younger, but I will never do it again because SOMEONE ELSE will have to pay more in taxes to compensate for what I don't pay, or for what I get back.

Giving is when you don't expect anything back in return. 

The type of religious and big business charities do is counter productive. While they certainly DO provide to those in need, the best charity would be livable wages, and pay more in taxes so that MORE people are less dependent on government. Charity as it stands now is not a last resort. An ethical charity should seek to go out of business, not create more dependency. 

I went recently to a county charity resale shop, donated a geriatric Lazy Boy type chair designed to help a elderly person stand up, and an electric mobile chair, both worth thousand. I could have sold them and made money off of them. But I took them to the resale county charity place, and they asked me if I wanted the paperwork for a tax deduction, and I told them the same thing I told you just now.

"Why would I ask for any favors if I am giving something away?" Anything less than a gift is really in reality a loan or a partial loan to which you get some money back. To me that is not charity.

Because you posted this

"And another thing you tunnel vision jackass, NOBODY sane is or should begrudge you for starting a business. But here is what I can do that you cant seem to do. I got left a nice egg from my mom. I looked at my next years taxes and they will be big. But I am NOT complaining about that. Unlike you I know there are far more many who will never in their entire lives get that close."

And I didn't quote both.

Keep up with the conversation big guy.

I could care less.

If anyone in this thread, not just you, thinks life is only about winning, it isn't success they might lack, it is empathy for others. 

If life is only about winning then worship Stalin. If life is only about winning then worship the Castro Family, oh and FYI Castro had a personal net wealth of $800,000,000 dollars. If life is only about winning, then worship Gaddaffi, he was a BILLIONAIRE who owned stock in General Electric. Or even the Kim family, if you stupidly think they are poor or don't have investments in the global market, you are a fool and an idiot.

How you win is just as important if not more important than simply winning.

Humans are competitive nobody should deny that. But in evolution, even outside our own species, life does not care if compassion or cruelty win. The good thing about our species is that WE CAN when we CHOSE is to select which path we take. 

I am not trying to piss on your parade at all. But if you support Trump then you should know that he was raised by a very verbally abusive father. He was so abusive that when Trump's brother told their dad he wanted to be a pilot, Trump's dad equated that to a "glorified bus driver". To Trump's brother's credit, he cut ties to the family. Now, a decent human being, a decent parent, will not belittle you for the path you want to take. 

That upbringing is why Trump is literally he is literally the asshole he is today. Now, his kind of sociopath behavior is mostly harmless for most. But Stalin also had a very abusive father and so did Hitler. 

Most people can and do outgrow that and can go on to NOT do that. Trump is displaying the baggage he never resolved with his father, unlike his brother who RIGHTFULLY cut ties with the family.

Now while my own mother wished I had grown up to do "bigger things" the one thing she never did was belittle me if I told her I wanted to do this, or that for a job. The only thing she wanted me to do was my best, and to be happy. Far too many parents project their wishes on to their kids thinking they are copies of them, when the reality is they are their own individuals. Trump was used to seeing everyone be afraid of his father, so he wanted to please his dad, and falsely grew up thinking it is better for people to fear you, just like his dad did to him.

Trump's brother to me is a far bigger success, and I am sure, unlike Trump, his brother learned from the abuse of their dad.

[Sterben]

Because you posted this

"And another thing you tunnel vision jackass, NOBODY sane is or should begrudge you for starting a business. But here is what I can do that you cant seem to do. I got left a nice egg from my mom. I looked at my next years taxes and they will be big. But I am NOT complaining about that. Unlike you I know there are far more many who will never in their entire lives get that close."

And I didn't quote both.

Keep up with the conversation big guy.

I could care less.

If anyone in this thread, not just you, thinks life is only about winning, it isn't success they might lack, it is empathy for others. 

If life is only about winning then worship Stalin. If life is only about winning then worship the Castro Family, oh and FYI Castro had a personal net wealth of $800,000,000 dollars. If life is only about winning, then worship Gaddaffi, he was a BILLIONAIRE who owned stock in General Electric. Or even the Kim family, if you stupidly think they are poor or don't have investments in the global market, you are a fool and an idiot.

How you win is just as important if not more important than simply winning.

Humans are competitive nobody should deny that. But in evolution, even outside our own species, life does not care if compassion or cruelty win. The good thing about our species is that WE CAN when we CHOSE is to select which path we take. 

I am not trying to piss on your parade at all. But if you support Trump then you should know that he was raised by a very verbally abusive father. He was so abusive that when Trump's brother told their dad he wanted to be a pilot, Trump's dad equated that to a "glorified bus driver". To Trump's brother's credit, he cut ties to the family. Now, a decent human being, a decent parent, will not belittle you for the path you want to take. 

That upbringing is why Trump is literally he is literally the asshole he is today. Now, his kind of sociopath behavior is mostly harmless for most. But Stalin also had a very abusive father and so did Hitler. 

Most people can and do outgrow that and can go on to NOT do that. Trump is displaying the baggage he never resolved with his father, unlike his brother who RIGHTFULLY cut ties with the family.

Now while my own mother wished I had grown up to do "bigger things" the one thing she never did was belittle me if I told her I wanted to do this, or that for a job. The only thing she wanted me to do was my best, and to be happy. Far too many parents project their wishes on to their kids thinking they are copies of them, when the reality is they are their own individuals. Trump was used to seeing everyone be afraid of his father, so he wanted to please his dad, and falsely grew up thinking it is better for people to fear you, just like his dad did to him.

Trump's brother to me is a far bigger success, and I am sure, unlike Trump, his brother learned from the abuse of their dad.

        Robert seems to be smarter of the two since he is last surviving male sibling. He has stayed out of spotlight, and was able to make a nice life for himself. I did not look into his personal life, I do not care for such hobbies since I have no need to look further. So, from a glance he seems like a person you can have a decent conversation with; but, we may never know since the subject of his brother is question that may get you punched in the face. I would be furious as well and would not want to talk about it.

        Everyone has baggage with their parents, but for the sake of Trump, it takes the equivalent of many train cars full of his baggage. This type of man belongs does not belong in the spot light, even though the people were not asleep. We let the system put this bully, and insane man into one of the highest positions of power.

      For fuck sake man, a public figure publicly spoke about you. If you enter the world of being famous, this is the price of admittance to the ups and downs of being in the spot light. People will make fun of you, fear you, respect you, and adore you. If you get a positive that's great, but you can not lash out and tell your mom when someone criticizes you. Your a grown ass man using a social media outlet that was not designed to be a news source. I do apologize if you use twitter. It's just the way I see all main stream social media platform (FB, Instagram, twitter, vine, and myspace. Along side all of the similar ones).

       So, Mr. Trump I highly doubt you will see since it's not on fox news. I hope you do see this and consider this constructive criticism. You gave it your best shot champ, not everyone will be a winner. Please do the right thing and resign from office, you and I both know you never wanted to be president. So, can we please get a move with your doing that? You can go back to your old life, get another T.V show, become a actor and make a reality show about your time as president. It would be a great comedy for Fox or even MTV. If you would resign it would be a great deed and a gift to the American people. If you resign from office, I'm sure KFC would like to have you in their Ads. The easiest money earning opportunity lays before you. We the people can make that happen. So, what do you say Mr. Trump?

[Amarok]

Trump is doing an outstanding job.

Yup Trump is doing an outstanding job of making us (Canada) look good on the global stage . By being a total Neanderthal and driving the US credibility into  the ground . Trump once said he believed the world was laughing at America . No were laughing at him and the bozo's who follow him.

---

And I think Trump is doing an outstanding job. A little more vocal than past presidents, but change isn't all bad. It just rubs the snow flakes the wrong way.

It "just" does that? We're a laughing stock to our allies now.  Majority of the public in several of our allied countries (France, South Korea, the United Kingdom, Canada, Japan and Australia) have greater trust in Angela Merkel's ability to handle world affairs than Donald Trump. And one more country's public believes that too - ours. (On world affairs, most G20 countries more confident in Merkel than Trump.)

I swear to God every time I look on Twitter I cringe from embarrassment. Trump reminds me of my grandfather before he died. He had Alzheimer's.

Speaking as a non America yup I have way more confidence in Merkel  then Trump

[John V]

It "just" does that? We're a laughing stock to our allies now.  Majority of the public in several of our allied countries (France, South Korea, the United Kingdom, Canada, Japan and Australia) have greater trust in Angela Merkel's ability to handle world affairs than Donald Trump. And one more country's public believes that too - ours. (On world affairs, most G20 countries more confident in Merkel than Trump.)

Cool - let Germany handle world affairs. It's a thankless job. Less costly and aggravating for us if someone else does it.

---

BTW, what did the right fire her from?

I heard that CNN fired her, but they're on the left. If she got fired from anything else, I didn't hear about it.

Why is everyone mad at the right but giving CNN a free pass on this?

[Brian37]

What the hell does making donations have anything to do with that? I do too, but if you want to now stupidly say "I make donations" if you take a tax deduction for that, guess what, you are NOT giving that money, or object away for free. THAT is a real donation, when you don't get anything back in return. The problem with taking a tax deduction when you do that is someone else has to compensate for what you get back, or don't get taxed on.

I did take tax deductions for donations when I was younger, but I will never do it again because SOMEONE ELSE will have to pay more in taxes to compensate for what I don't pay, or for what I get back.

Giving is when you don't expect anything back in return. 

The type of religious and big business charities do is counter productive. While they certainly DO provide to those in need, the best charity would be livable wages, and pay more in taxes so that MORE people are less dependent on government. Charity as it stands now is not a last resort. An ethical charity should seek to go out of business, not create more dependency. 

I went recently to a county charity resale shop, donated a geriatric Lazy Boy type chair designed to help a elderly person stand up, and an electric mobile chair, both worth thousand. I could have sold them and made money off of them. But I took them to the resale county charity place, and they asked me if I wanted the paperwork for a tax deduction, and I told them the same thing I told you just now.

"Why would I ask for any favors if I am giving something away?" Anything less than a gift is really in reality a loan or a partial loan to which you get some money back. To me that is not charity.

Because you posted this

"And another thing you tunnel vision jackass, NOBODY sane is or should begrudge you for starting a business. But here is what I can do that you cant seem to do. I got left a nice egg from my mom. I looked at my next years taxes and they will be big. But I am NOT complaining about that. Unlike you I know there are far more many who will never in their entire lives get that close."

And I didn't quote both.

Keep up with the conversation big guy.

---

I did take tax deductions for donations when I was younger, but I will never do it again because SOMEONE ELSE will have to pay more in taxes to compensate for what I don't pay, or for what I get back.

-----------

"Why would I ask for any favors if I am giving something away?" Anything less than a gift is really in reality a loan or a partial loan to which you get some money back. To me that is not charity.

Wow!!!! I truly believe deep down in the most loving corner of my heart (which is pretty small, but it is down there) that directing cursing and derogatory terms at any individual shows real disrespect for ones self and undercuts education.... but that has to be the fucking absolute stupidest, most backwards, self deprecating moral compass I have ever heard of. Mother Theresa wasn't that stupid and she did some dumb shit.

If what you just typed is true (and I don't see how it could be) that my good man (or woman, or cat, or how ever you identify) is udder moral retardation at the highest level.

If you have any plans to retire or you want to be able to afford adult diapers in your old age after you retire, I would highly recommend that you contact an accountant.

Listen buddy, if you want Mr Rogers dialogue then argue with the admins. I am not here to coddle your insecurities. 
Now, if I were making illegal physical threats to your person, I have no doubt they would boot me. The only difference between me, and say Judge Judy is my choice of words. None of my responses here are calling for your arrest or death, so grow the fuck up.
I simply think you are full of shit. I would say the same thing if you went around claiming every day "The New England Patriots beat the Chicago Cubs in the Stanley Cup" my response would be the same.
If you are lucky enough to own your own business GREAT, but if you think that means you are the only class that matters what can I say, I won't lie to you, BULLSHIT.
We have done the deregulation since Reagan. We have done the "don't tax the rich" since Reagan. If it worked like the GOP claimed NOBODY WOULD BE BITCHING.
But please spare me, if you think as a small business owner you are in the same class as say Exxon or Walmart, you are gullible and being conned just as much as the GOP workers who don't own businesses.
You own a business. AWESOME. You give to charity, again GREAT. But none of that has to do with long term bad policies.
FYI I do see my Bank and I do see my tax lawyer. And I will make adjustments when needed. But my finances are NONE OF YOUR FUCKING BUSINESS in any case. I am sorry it bothers you that I don't agree with "fuck you I got mine" economics, but that does not make me a commie or anti private sector. 
Mother Teresa created more dependency not less. She did it solely for her own delusions. As Hitchens put it, "She was a friend to poverty, not a friend of the poor". That is what religions do, teach people to value suffering rather than to reduce it. 
Now you tell me why someone else should make up for something you CHOSE to give away? I am so sick of the right droning on about how taxes are robbery but take charity deductions others end up having to compensate for. If you want a solution to reducing poverty the BEST SOLUTION are wages that meet up with the cost of living.
Now, here is a BILLIONAIRE who would agree with me, NOT YOU. 

---

It "just" does that? We're a laughing stock to our allies now.  Majority of the public in several of our allied countries (France, South Korea, the United Kingdom, Canada, Japan and Australia) have greater trust in Angela Merkel's ability to handle world affairs than Donald Trump. And one more country's public believes that too - ours. (On world affairs, most G20 countries more confident in Merkel than Trump.)

Cool - let Germany handle world affairs. It's a thankless job. Less costly and aggravating for us if someone else does it.

---

BTW, what did the right fire her from?

I heard that CNN fired her, but they're on the left. If she got fired from anything else, I didn't hear about it.

Why is everyone mad at the right but giving CNN a free pass on this?

CNN JUST FIRED TWO OF IT'S REPORTERS, they don't even give themselves a pass. I think the right simply elected an inept narcissistic man baby and don't want to face it.

[The Grand Nudger]

Cool - let Germany handle world affairs. It's a thankless job. Less costly and aggravating for us if someone else does it.

You couldn't have been more wrong about something if you tried.  American immanence was directly tied to both our ability and our willingness to be big brother.  It was -why- we got deference at the trade table.  -Why- our opinions and interests had to be properly accounted for..for better or for worse..even when we bungled it.

We purchased immense wealth and goodwill by our willingness to "handle world affairs" and, frankly, we can't sustain ourselves if we lose that.  Voluntarily opting out and ceding it to some other nation is suicidal.  Backing out of the TPP gave the pacific to China, for example.  Babbling about a fucking wall and tariffs costs us N, S, and Central america.  Losing the confidence of the EU costs us Eurasia.   Abandoning the browns costs us the middle east and africa (the latter of which being the next big thing in world development).

What does that leave us with...iirc, "this american carnage".  Hallelujah, what contest in hell did we win to get that one?  Perhaps you need a little history lesson as to how irrelevant the US is and was when it was practicing isolationism and protectionism - and that was when we had -more- natural resources to exploit, little to no employment law, and fewer competitors .

[Thumpalumpacus]

Kathy's allowed to do what she did.

People are allowed to stop watching her TV shows or buying tickets to her performances.

That's pretty much it.

We don't often agree, but we sure do in this case. Free speech works for all sides of the spectrum. You could well have added, "Her employers have every right to dismiss her on grounds of fearing the public backlash." No news agency is required to give a platform to someone regardless of their message.