Texas Governor Abbott Decides Texans Haven't Suffered Enough
After promoting a power situation that left many Texans freezing to death and those with power, facing bills that would bankrupt them while ridiculously blaming clean energy as the cause, Texas Governor Greg Abbott decided he needed to kill a few more Texans, so he lifted the mask mandate for the state, contrary to all scientific advice.
This basically guarantees a new spike in COVID cases and extra death.
All the man had to do was be patient for maybe two more months as vaccinations begin to take hold. Instead, he's just about assuring his state of more misery. Good job.
Republican government at work.
https://www.dallasnews.com/news/politic … -advisors/The GOP has become not only the party of QAnon but also The Death Party. Their motto seems to be "Suffer and Die, Suckers!"
I have heard about this, such being the case from the Mississippi governors office as well.
I think that President Biden referred to these actions as being a result of a Neanderthal sort of thinking and under the current circumstances, he may not be very far off from the mark.
If anything, this still remains a time for a great deal of caution.Regardless of what I think of the Texas plan (and a little off topic) I do have to applaud Bidens comment about being Neanderthals. It fits in snugly with his desire to work with others and re-unite the country, don't you think? Name calling and degradation is such a wonderful way to heal the vast rifts liberals have created the past few years!
Lol, now you care about name calling? (You knew that was coming, didn't you?)
I'm not keen on Biden, or any president, calling people derogatory names for policy disagreements. I haven't looked into it myself, just going by what you said here.
Edit: He did not call anyone a "Neanderthal." He said they were engaging in "Neanderthal thinking.". Big difference, in my mind.Yeah, big difference. He could have called them "Flat Earthers" or said they engaged in Flat Earther's thinking. I think he was being polite under the circumstances.
Very polite. I would have thought about the use of the phrase "premeditated murderers" since it is guaranteed people will foreseeably die from their actions.
He did not call them Neanderthal, but referred to the term in reference to their thinking. Attack the ideas not the person, is that not right. Wilderness?
Making stupid decisions in the face of the pandemic is simply calling them as he sees them, isn't that what you loved about Trump?
You can bet that the radical right has made more than the average contribution to the rifts currently found in our society.I would say that Neanderthal thinking, so described because of a difference of opinion, comes from Neanderthals. Not from people carefully making a reasoned decision that differs from Biden's.
Similar is calling those same decisions as "stupid" because you disagree.
So I stand by my (sarcastic) remark: it is 180 degrees from trying to work with the opposition and heal the rifts in the country. Wherever those rifts come from, such a remark serves only to increase and deepen those rifts.
Biden could have commented that the experts don't agree, that it is likely a bad mistake, but no: he had to call then Neanderthals instead.Trump has said a lot of stupid things during his term, but based on your reasoning does that mean you would consider him stupid?
The President of the United States disagree with Texas and Mississippi and I disagree for the same reasons he did.Biden's Neanderthal statement was uncalled for, a dig at intelligence. Just like Trump, he is no stranger to this form of unnecessary rude verbiage.
And in my opinion, if Trump used the word Neanderthal it would have been reported by media as a racial slur of the worse kind. It odd no one has picked up on this connotation. In this case, I do not think Biden was using the term as a racial slur, but as you know I find Biden to be innately racist. So I think the word is well tucked into his vocabulary.
However -- First I think we all need to still have our guard up in regards to COVID. But, I want to point out the Biden administration has not and did not bring up the fact we have 15 other states that pretty much opened up over a month ago. Some never really using mitigations. The COVID crisis has become more political as of late, and I feel Biden is using it heavily to keep everyone from looking at the huge immigration problem.
it promising the states that opened are still doing pretty well if one checks the stats. I am of the mindset to handle opening by the curve state by state. I dislike blanketing. I have come to trust that Governors will proceed as the curve dictates. Mitigate as need be. This is what we were told at the very beginning of all this. COVID is something we will be living with for many years. I think we need to have caution as needed by individual states until we have built a good herd.But as I have said, the attitudes from the Right are infinitely worse, as the home of all racist and white supremacist entities.
Compar d with Trump's s**thole countries, Biden is moderate. We are all Homo sapiens now,so there is no one to offend. The term neanderthol is more a reference to being out of touch and behind the times, rather than an intellectual insult. And that has been an accurate description for the Republican mindset often times in my opinion. No one has said that the neanderthol was unintelligent.
Stat s that are just opening up without consideration to containing the virus simultaneously are irresponsible, premature and overconfident.Given the absolute stupidity and deadly nature of Abbott's decision, I wouldn't exclude intelligence either.
But if you don't consider downing a bottle of cyanide stupid and deadly, maybe I have it wrong."But if you don't consider downing a bottle of cyanide stupid and deadly, maybe I have it wrong."
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I guess that would include bleach as well....
Nice to see you again and as always in great form, My Esoteric.Hi, thanks. I hate being such a milquetoast but just can't help it.
I sort of agree with you in regard to the term neanderthal is more a reference to being out of touch and behind the times, rather than an intellectual insult. However, I do not think Biden was using the term as a racial slur knowingly. I find Biden is innately racist. So I think the word is well tucked into his vocabulary to pull out at random. Again could he not have coined a word that could reflect his opinion without any connotation that could be misconstrued as racist.
Perhaps a logical word such as "illogical thinking" when addressing the thought process behind the Gov of Texas's decision about opening the state. We have had this same discussion several times about his choice of words, and that at times his words reflect racial connotations. Perhaps I am being too overly critical. With all the PC actions and words being pointed out, is there a place for the word Neanderthal when addressing someone or someones thinking? Hard to decipher what is and what is not PC. Does it almost appear one needs to consider who did or said something before a PC judgment is made? Some get a go-free card... This is why I can't buy into political correctness. Seems it could be very detrimental to one's intelligence.
It appears his thoughts direct him to use inappropriate words. IMO he has done this throughout his life. I think we will witness more of these types of Biden verbal slips, just part of his mindset.
I can't totally disagree with your opinion on some Gov reopening too soon. It certainly would be more prudent to wait a month or two. The country is starting to pick up speed in regard to vaccinating the public. Would be prudent to build the herd to become more substantial."I find Biden is innately racist." - Is that why Blacks love him so much and hate Trump just as much because Biden is racist and Trump is not?
Racist Definition:
Adj: "prejudiced against or antagonistic toward a person or people on the basis of their membership in a particular racial or ethnic group, typically one that is a minority or marginalized."
Noun: "a person who is prejudiced against or antagonistic toward people on the basis of their membership in a particular racial or ethnic group, typically one that is a minority or marginalized."
So it is your opinion that Biden is "prejudiced" against Blacks and Trump not?Don't you know? Trump did more for black people than any other president. Just ask Trump and his followers. Of course, most black people apparently think differently.
Yes they do. And now they have to avoid the new shackles the Republican states are attempting to put around their necks to stop them from voting using Trump's BIG LIE as fake rational. .
My Esoteric,
Republicans must be "hard up", I am livid about the idea that it can be unlawful for people to bring food or drink to those waiting at the polls to vote. This is ridiculous, the Republican Party needs to be destroyed, I can only hope that the current spat within their ranks leave the entire party in broken shards.
Just another reason why the Dems need to ram the John Lewis Voting Act provisions down their throats, or we just as well go back to a pre-1965 status quo regarding voting rights.
I have heard of a state or two talking about eliminating voting past certain hours of the day. Who do they think will be be discouraged by such policies?Look up the demise of the Federalist Party (the one originally made up of the founders of modern America) I think you will find as I did that they followed the road from greatness to radicalism to anti-Americanism to dissolution just as the Republican Party seems to be doing today.
The sad part about that history, however, is what was left was, for the most part, racist, conservative Democrats (think Jefferson Davis, Vice President John Calhoun, and President Andrew Jackson, to name a very few.
It took us until 1934 to start to shake off the terrible social constructs that conservatives left America with and another 30 years to re-enact into law the 14th and 15th Amendments (It was the conservative Supreme Court from 1867 to 1930 that undid the first set of laws to enforce those amendments).
And now, with the rise of conservativism, initially in Reagan's Supreme Court in the 1980s, and of radical conservatives since 1995, we are chipping away large chunks of protection that the 1964 Civil Rights Act (14th Amendment) and the 1965 Voting Rights Act (15th Amendment) gave all Americans.
This is what Trump and his supporters want, a return to the good ol' days of the 1800s.There is a role for a "Conservative party", but what ever happened to the Bob Dole's, the Rockefeller's etc? We do need the balance. But when one party decides not to play the rules and not attract support through their policies and representatives, but, instead, seeks to win with dirty tricks, it is time for a reassessment. Rather than work to expand their constituency, they would rather work to inhibit that of the other party through unethical means.
What made Ante-bellum Democrats appear racist was their support of slavery.
Well, it was the late John Lewis who said, that you could not turn back the clock without breaking it. It is a matter of power and control but a vigorous democracy stands in the way of the wielders having it all their way. Their methods and approaches are anything but democratic. That is why this issue has to be fought tooth and nail.There certainly is a role for conservatism in American politics, but only if they actually adhere to conservative principles, like those laid out by Russell Kirk.
But what has happened in America way too often, is those principles were abused such that people were hurt in fundamental ways. One of the main differences between conservative and liberal principles is liberal principles have limits placed on them, e.g. you can do whatever you want, so long as you do not infringe on other people's liberty. There is nothing similar in conservative principles.
Conservative principles allow for a "natural hierarchy" in society. Rather than say this is often how society organizes itself, they say it is "natural" to do so. And because their fundamental source for rules is, in America, the Christian version of God, preachers in the 1800s used the Bible and the idea that blacks are "naturally inferior to whites" to justify slavery.
Conservative theory allows for such an abomination while liberal theory outright prohibits it. (This is the subject of several hubs I have written and will be the basis of a second book.)My problem is that the "natural hierarchy" is their hierarchy, who are they to set the standard? History is full of excuses for this and such concepts as social Darwinism, manifest destiny and the like. Excuses to usurp wealth, power and prerogatives that are either to be shared or rightfully belong to others.
This arrogant attitude is what fuels the January storming of the Capitol. Most assuredly, you have been quite busy in your writing as recent events have brought a lot of these ideas into crystal focus.Credence - totally off-topic. I remember way back when you said you worked federal gov't procurement, is that right? Do you have a Twitter handle where I can message you?
Hi, My Esoteric
Yes, indeed, I did just that, hanging my shingle and warrant almost 11 years ago, now.
I don't have face book or twitter, but I will send a private message to you so we can communicate thru e-mail. I have had trouble with Facebook getting too nosy.
What irks me about this, Panther, is that Trump supporters can say such things while ignoring those who are directly involved and affected, that is a lot of gall.
It is the same attitude Trumpers had about the election and the predominance of the African-American vote: they do not exist and their opinions do not count. It is part of the same formula.
Your opinion was well taken. I disagree, I find Biden innately racist. Consider the word "innately". I have pointed out many of the statements he has made throughout his career. He seems to have a preconception of black people and stereotypes the race. with his words frequently. A learned characteristic "he makes racial statement innately as if he is predisposed to do so. You ask do I think he is prejudice? in many ways yes. He seems to be predisposed to be prejudice and stereotypes.
His words have shown he judges blacks as less intelligent, less clean, and even relates his opinions to their origin ---Jungles.
His words over many years have indicated his habit of stereotyping.
I guess we can put this one down opposing opinion.I guess you hear different words than I or blacks do. In addition, I look at his actions which have done a lot to help them throw off right-wing, conservative oppression.
Trump, on the other hand uses overtly racists words and has done - is doing - his best to oppress blacks. Which, for some reason, you refuse to condemn. Do you support what Trump says and does regarding blacks and other non-whites?We were not addressing Trump's statements. He certainly has made statements that were racist in nature. This does not eradicate the very blatantly racist statements Biden has offered over his long history in Washington or does it subtract from his association with politicians that were well known for their racist views.
I do not support any racist comment Trump has made, and I certainly don't support Biden's clearly racist words. I may have heard Biden's words differently. I guess it's due to having noted past what I felt were racist statements.
Just not about Trump anymore. We can compare till the cows come home. It just does not excuse Biden's racist words.
The only reason I brought up Bidens using the word neanderthal was --- I noted it, and let it slide. Two of my black friend took offense at his words. Both had voted for him. Both were very pissed off with his comment. It would seem Cred as a black man did not take it as a racist comment. So, I guess it's up to the individual to decipher what context he used the word.
Do you condemn a white man stating I don't want my children to go to school in a jungle, or he is clean and articulate, or assume because a man is black and does not agree with him --- he is a drug addict?
Do you condemn those statements being used by a white man when addressing a black man? You asked if I supported Trump's racist statements... Same back at you. Do you support Bidens outward racist statements?
I look at it this way --- He is the president, at this point I don't care much about what he said. I care about what he will do... His policies. The water is under the bridge in regard to his character. This is what we have come to in the country. Presidents we need
to put up with, and hope they just do a good job."He certainly has made statements that were racist in nature. " - Very tepid, but at least you wrote it.
Now please give me a few of these so-called "Blatant" statements that you consider racist that Biden has made that the intended targets don't see it the way you do.
"Same back at you. Do you support Bidens outward racist statements?" - IF Biden had actually made such statements, then I would call them out loudly, not tepidly.
Do you and your friends who were so outraged at the use of the term Neanderthal, know that Neanderthals were largely European - white European?
Your reference to "jungle: turns out to be a 1977 Right-wing lie about something Biden said during a debate on federal funding for integration school busing, which he did oppose - instead, he thought (which I would think the Right-Wing would agree with) is that local governments should pay for. Said another way, Biden supported the idea of "school busing for integration", just not who was to pay for it. HARDLY a racist action.
Biden never did say what your lying Right-wing media tells you. That is the TRUTH.
What Biden will do? Just look at all the great things Biden has done for the Black community in his 40 years supporting minority rights. That is what he will do in the future.Just had to throw this in. I went back and reread the context of Biden's reference to "Neanderthal thinking", and couldn't help laughing myself silly. I don't see where any black person could take offense because it is not a racial reference. Now white people, maybe. I think he was using it as a synonym for primitive or backward. As you said, Neanderthals were white or light skinned people who lived in Northern Europe, not Africa. If you've visited any of the DNA testing websites, these people who no longer exist possibly were wiped out by the cro magnon humans, but not before they interbred with them. 23andMe is keeping up with the Neanderthal traits in the DNA of their customers, which proves that they weren't totally wiped out genetically. In other words, some of us white folks literally are descendants of Neanderthals, but since then we've come a long way, baby.
It takes a few moments to find actual video clips of his racist statements. He has a horrendous history of racist comments.
---"and they'll put ya all back in chains"
--- “Well, I tell you what, if you have a problem figuring out whether you’re for me or Trump, then you ain’t black.”
— “You got the first mainstream African American who is articulate and bright and clean and a nice-looking guy. I mean, that’s a storybook, man.” (That’s in reference to President Obama.)
— “Unlike the African-American community, with notable exceptions, the Latino community is an incredibly diverse community with incredibly diverse attitudes about different things.”
— “In Delaware, the largest growth in population is Indian-Americans moving from India. You cannot go to a 7-Eleven or a Dunkin’ Donuts unless you have a slight Indian accent.”
The two friends I spoke of are very well-educated women of color.
I think they were both very disappointed to hear his comment.
He has done nothing for the black community that I have witnessed. Not sure what you are referring to.
At any rate, I believe he has proven himself to be a racist throughout his life.
It is my hope that I have no further need to point out the negative on this man."---"and they'll put ya back in chains"" - Wasn't he talking about conservatives putting Blacks back in chains. Doesn't sound racist to me.
"“Well, I tell you what, if you have a problem figuring out whether you’re for me or Trump, then you ain’t black.” - A little insensitive, for which he apologized, but where is the racism? I suspect most blacks agree with that sentiment and can't figure out why in the hell a black person would support a conservative political philosophy that kept them in chains for the first 150 years of America's history and then try to keep them in servitude every year after the 15th Amendment. The only thing that makes sense to me is they are blind to "social" part of conservatism and only think about the "fiscal" part of conservatism.
" “You got the first mainstream African American who is articulate and bright and clean and a nice-looking guy. I mean, that’s a storybook, man.”" - YES, that is a bit racist while trying to compliment someone. Again, he apologized (something Trump can't even spell, let alone do) for.
"— “Unlike the African-American community, with notable exceptions, the Latino community is an incredibly diverse community with incredibly diverse attitudes about different things.” - I, and most others, knew what he unartfully meant. But yes, it didn't sound right.
"— “In Delaware, the largest growth in population is Indian-Americans moving from India. You cannot go to a 7-Eleven or a Dunkin’ Donuts unless you have a slight Indian accent.” - When I first read this, I thought what is the problem because I took it has his meaning the owners, which true and not racist. But then I reread (and verified) the last few words, they do seem inappropriate. BUT, Now that I know the context in which he said them, I still don't take them as particularly demeaning (since he was actually talking about his great respect for the Indian-American community), just being one of his famous gaffes.
I'll get to Biden's record on civil rights later.Yes, he was giving a campaign speech and was pointing the finger at Republicans. My point is he frequently refers to derogatory stereotyping . "put ya all back in chains"... Why say something like that? He has all the little stereotyping verses on hand in his vocabulary. This indicates he is innately racists. Hey, just my opinion.
https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/joe-b … in-chains/
Another example his comment to black Journalist -Errol Barnett--- "Why the hell would I take a test?" he asked angrily before launching a rant:
That's like saying, 'You—before you got on this program you took a test where you're taking cocaine or not, what do you think? Huh? Are you a junkie?'
He has a clear habit of using stereotypic connotations.
It is very clear we are due to our individuality seeing Biden's comments differently. I can't fault you for your opinion in regards to Biden's character. In the case of is he racist or not, I feel he is due to his choice of words.
In another thread, I pointed out his statement in regard to Black and Hispanics having difficulty with using the computer.
"The other thing we found is — and I’m sorry to go on, but this is really important to me. The other part — portion is, a lot of people don’t know how to register. Not everybody in the community — in the Hispanic and the African American community, particularly in rural areas that are distant and/or inner-city districts — know how to use — know-how to get online to determine how to get in line for that COVID vaccination at the Walgreens or at the particular store."
It was pointed out to me that this statement was true. And yes perhaps it was true. I really don't feel race has anything to do with being able to use a computer or owning a PC. But perhaps stats have shown this to be true. I found the statement racist.
However, once again Biden found it necessary to point out race... Why not just say some folks, or elderly... Why blacks and Hispanics? I feel I have shown you ample examples of why I feel Biden stereotypes.
As I said he is the president, I will judge him on his job performance, as I did Trump. Trump's character was badly flawed. Biden has a problem with being innately racist. I don't think or feel it would spill over into his job performance.How is a statement of truth ""put ya all back in chains"... " stereotyping? He is telling black people Republicans want to oppress them more than they are now. Please explain how that is racist rather than the truth.
"Are you a junkie?' - WHY do you presume he wouldn't have said that to a white journalist who asked the same question. Isn't that an indication of your racism by your standards?
"I feel he is due to his choice of words." - I think the differentiator here is whether, like Trump, the words are intentional or not. Keep in mind his word fumbling has a lot to do with his combatting his stutter problem.
"regard to Black and Hispanics having difficulty with using the computer." - and what was the context? Was he talking about the systemic lack of education blacks and Hispanics face, among other possibilities? Remember, I could do what your media sources do and cull through all of your comments and pick phrases that would make you look like the best person in the world or someone worse than Trump. If the quotes you provide don't offer any hint at the context, then all they are is propaganda.
CREDENCE - What is your definition of "innately" racist beyond what I earlier offered is that everybody is "innately" racist including you, me, and Sharlee?Your last point is the most important. Every one of us harbor implicit biases related to race, gender, age, etc. The important thing is how one deals with it. If an old white guy is willing to acknowledge his mistakes and do his best to learn and do better, that is progress.
What we are currently experiencing with the GOP playing footsie with white supremacists is the opposite of progress. THAT is what we should be discussing, but of course, this is just a petty partisan focus to distract from the much more insidious and overt racism growing within the GOP."How is a statement of truth "put ya all back in chains"... " stereotyping? He is telling black people Republicans want to oppress them more than they are now. Please explain how that is racist rather than the truth."
Am I to understand you believe the Republicans are going to put black people in chains? There is no truth in Biden's statement whatsoever. I found the Back in chains statement racist and ridiculous, and he sounded confused as he said it.
Biden told a black audience, first talking down to them with his --- ya all --- then reminding them of slavery --- but ya all back in chains. He stereotyped 100%. ( stereotyping is a fixed, over-generalized belief about a particular group or class of people.)
"Are you a junkie?' - WHY do you presume he wouldn't have said that to a white journalist who asked the same question. Isn't that an indication of your racism by your standards?"
The point is once again Biden stereotyped ---He was talking to a black man.
" words are intentional or not. Keep in mind his word fumbling has a lot to do with his combatting his stutter problem."
Stuttering has nothing to do with choosing words. Words matter, are you saying Biden just says anything unintentionally? He does not think about what he is saying? I can agree due to his lack of cognitive skills this is part of his problem. His innate racism spills into his conversation due to having poor cognitive skills due to dementia.
I very much agree with Cred's thought that we all are innately racist. However, I think most of us learn through life experience, and hopefully, see that racism is also innately wrong. And work to be more understanding of the biases we live with., and see how they are counterproductive to our society. But most of all not using words that show bias or racism., realizing how hurtful racist comments can be.
Biden is unfiltered, I think he always has been. His stereotyping is not new. I did not excuse Trump's many derogatory comments, I sure and the hell am not going to excuse Biden's. That would seem very hypocritical of me.
I find examples of the Biden's statements I offered were racists. It's apparent you don't. I will respect you have the right to that opinion.Yes, we all capable of racism, that includes, me, you and Sharlee, it something that has to consciously suppressed in the interests of peace and harmony.
I can't see the term Neanderthal as racist because just like the Pro-magnon man or the Australopithecus, this earlier hominid simply does not exist today. So, there is no group being picked on, per se. It is more about a Flintstone attitude and thought process associated with Abbotts decision and that is associated with Republicans, generally.
Abbott's decision was as much political as it was reckless.
I think it is almost impossible for the vast majority of whites to have not been tainted by racism within the American culture where it has been a pillar as part of the foundation. I can't fault anyone as that is simply the way the "system" has worked, sometimes operating at subconscious level, i.e. "The Karen phenomenon". Most all of US always expect to have to contend with some of that and WE older ones are educated as to how to parry its more deleterious effects. So, when we evaluate, it comes down to a matter of degree and extent, on the ground policies verses rhetoric. Biden's policies are simply more consistent with being more helpful.
I did not choose Biden as my choice as compared with more progressive candidates that did not have the issue of racism in their record as starkly. But, while Trump is deliberate in is his race baiting and misogyny, comparably, Biden is a work in progress and he can at least admit and confess to error, that is at least a start.As I said, I think it would have been more prudent for Abbott to wait for a month or so. The vaccine is being quickly dispensed, and the elderly will soon be vaccinated.
I wonder if perhaps Black females may have been more sensitive to the neanderthal remark? I can tell you both my girlfriends were very offended. They brought it up, not I. I felt it was a sticky subject. I felt very aware of their hurt. And the fact they should not have to deal with these kinds of feelings.
And as I said both voted for Biden. They were disappointed, but seem to be hopeful Biden will be a good president.
They may be taking the attitude I adopted with Trump. Just concentrate on job performance.Are both of your girlfriends Black female?
If they are more sensitive to the Neanderthal remark, I certainly don't know why they would be.
Yes, indeed, we will measure the man by his job performance. But what I may consider successful may not be the same for Conservative types.Yes, both women are black and felt the comment was referring to Darwin's study of human evolution. It's odd I also cringed when I heard Biden use the term. Maybe my friends and I are being overly sensitive to all the latest PC canceling out of terms, words?
And I agree an individual evaluation would determine what one appreciates in regard to job performance.For example, making sure people can exercise their right to vote without gov't interference is not, it seems, a conservative value - it never has been based on their history of voter suppression starting with the KKK.
There is no doubt in my mind that almost everybody is racist in some form, including me, - and here is where we get into semantics - but the question is what they do about it. If they are like Trump and let it out into the open, then they become flaming bigots. If it is like at least half of Americans and they recognize it for what it is and tamp it down, then it is basically harmless.
While it is not racism per se, I am naturally male homophobic. I don't have a choice as it comes as an unwanted reaction when I see two men appearing to be intimate, either in real life or in a movie; my stomach churns.
But, I am intelligent enough to understand what it is and do something about it (or in this case don't do anything). I don't let it control my actions or later thoughts and fight to think my way through it and see how silly feeling that way is. I remind myself what they are doing has nothing to do with me and that I have absolutely no right to judge them for their own feelings.
I also remind myself that their feelings and my reaction to the display of those feelings are genetically based (for the most part). The problem is, my gut reaction to their display of emotions is harmful and needs to be suppressed.
Now, I think racism MAY have a genetic component, but, but if it does, it is a tiny one. Studies strongly suggest that racism, as with misogyny, is a social construct (as is the part of homophobia that isn't genetic) - in other words, we teach ourselves and our kids to hate others based on skin color. At least one study shows that kids don't start learning to hate others who don't look the same as they do until about the age of 14.
In the case of misogyny, there is archeological evidence that indicates in pre-historic societies were a lot more egalitarian than we are today. In fact, misogyny seemed to raise its ugly head with the advent of more complex social structures.
Sorry about the long-winded response, but you made me look.Well, My Esoteric, we all prefer the comfort of our own tribes and people that look like us. But organizing a civilization and society require that we live toward a higher standard. I used to get vexed with my father for sitting around in his "bvds" when he knew company was coming over. It involves civility, professionalism, part of that is the ability to treat and judge people on objectives standards. The kind of thing that says spitting in public is impolite. Based on all that, Trump could be described as the "man without pants" or the sort of fellow who would openly take a "dump" in Times Square.
I cringe when I see two men together where there should be a man and a woman. But I park my bias and treat them as I wish to be treated, not making a spectacle of them in my own mind, avoiding having those thoughts transfer to my behavior. So, it has to be live and let live.
Robert E. Lee once quoted that we have to learn to deny ourselves. He was speaking of self indulgence, generally.
Most of it is learned behavior. As a young Air Force 2nd Lt., (22), I was the Executive Officer for a Colonel who was the Commander of the Squadron. Otherwise known as the "hatchet man, me and the first sgt. doled out disciplinary actions within the squadron. Two young Airman guys from Alabama came to my office over some mischief and from the talk around the Squadron there was fear that because they were southern whites I would treat them differently. I really did not know that I was expected to treat them any differently from anyone else, I simply wasn't exposed to the controversy that seem to consume so many others. Besides the standard Ebony and Jet Magazines on the coffee table, I knew nothing of the controversy nor had any direct experience in its regard.
I think that it is all learned behavior, when I went to Europe, they were more concerned about my nationality over my skin color. Well, it was all so much easier for me because I did not have to assume the negative characteristics associated with American tourists, while I could not change the color of my skin. The Brits complain about the "Pakis" and the Germans about the Turks. So, it has different manifestations depending on where you are on the globe. Living in Panama for 6 months I ran into men as black as a skillet that swore that they were something else other than black. So, Central and South America are different, again. I have had generally less trouble with Canada and the Canadians, because a lot of the racism here is so closely linked to a history of slavery and civil war, blatant "Jim Crow" discrimination and the oppression that went with it. Experiences that the Canadians have been able to avoid.
Being aware and conscious of these built in biases and using the same conscious mind to correct and adjusts ones thinking takes effort. With our human frailties, that is a reasonable step forward.
My Esoteric, we ALL do it, it is just as the underdog, WE are going to suffer under its effects in more profound way. I still believe that it is nurture not nature, reinforced by learning and associated messaging conscious and subconscious through out society.
I have asked many reasonable people why the idea of a female president is so intimidating? Looking at Theresa May of Great Britain and Angela Merkel of Germany, what it about so much of the world that is comfortable with a woman as head of state that upset everybody here?
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to explain......"But organizing a civilization and society require that we live toward a higher standard. " - today, that is called progress and my version of progressivism.
"It involves civility, professionalism, part of that is the ability to treat and judge people on objectives standards. " - We started losing that in 1995 and it was all but lost with Trump over the last four years. Fortunately, Biden can go a long way to restore it.
To your last paragraph. That was one reason I supported Hillary so much, both against Obama and then even more against Trump. i knew she was as competent and level-headed as anyone and had more experience America needed than any opponent, especially Trump. (I think that level-headedness and coolness was one reason people didn't like her - along with the arrogance.) But it was simply time America had a female president. Personally, I think women, overall, make better leaders as there is less tendency toward aggressive chest-thumping.
What I initially wanted was a Clinton-Obama ticket. But since Clinton can't campaign herself out of wet paper bag, Obama did his magic a beat her fair and square. I was not upset because I felt Obama would turn out as good as he did. In the end, I don't think he was adept as Clinton would have been and I preferred a couple of her policies over his, but he did turn out to be one of our better presidents, IMO.
Did you know you, and every other human, as actually around 1 to 3% Neanderthal in them?
Name-calling is a wonderful bit of red meat. Biden uses this kind of crumb to the left frequently. It actually empowers what you see from the left citizens to call names. He offers them a bit of bravado. No matter what others may think of their ill behavior. Yes, calling others neanderthals was a zinger, sort of like deplorable. I got a laugh out of it. Although for all Biden preaching about wear a mask, he forgets to keep his mitts off the mask. The worse misuse of a mask is touching it ... On his neanderthal clip, he touched his mask multiple times.
Plus, I do see your point, but for me. I don't see that I care to "work with the other side". I have little respect for the Democrats in Washington at this point. Would not want to be associated with any of their policies or views.
I have to pinch myself every time he speaks, and tell myself this can't be true we did not elect this man... But, the pinch makes me realize it's true.
I guess we will have to wait 30 days to see if your thoughts are right. But then again, if they aren't then maybe it will only be because Gov. Abbot got lucky.
GATexas is not the first state to lift its statewide mandates on masking. As of March 1, according to the AARP, the following states also do not have face mask orders in place: Some never wore masks. Worldometer shows each of the listed states to be doing well or s well as the states that have strict mitigations. It would seem that these governors have put the decision in the hands of the citizens. I would think many more states will follow in the next month or so. I think it's time to open and continue being careful as individuals.
Alaska
Arizona
Florida
Georgia
Idaho
Iowa
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
North Dakota
Oklahoma
South Carolina
South Dakota
TennesseeWhile the issue isn't that he lifted it on masking (which is proven as being effective against the spread of coronavirus), as you clearly point out Republican States love to do, it is that he threw his state wide open for people to become infected with the new more transmissible and deadly variant. He has done the worst possible thing a governor could do for the safety of his people.
What is it about Republicans that drive them to do things to make themselves and those around them and those that depend on them to get sick or die? I will never understand that.
Yep, he pretty much wants to kill off more of his voting base since they are the ones to piss into the Covid wind.
- PrettyPantherposted 3 years ago
0Trumpers suddenly worried about presidential name calling (which it wasn't, actually) and its effect on working with the other side is like....
Oh, never mind. It's just funny.Yes, it is funny. Comical to hear such two faced comments coming from the same mouth. It's also sad that we again have a President that will not keep a short rein on his mouth, using it instead to call names and insult people. Remind you of anyone? Maybe someone that was taken (heavily) to task for doing it?
I don't consider characterizing their thinking as "Neanderthal" to be name calling. Just like if you tell me I said something stupid you're not name calling.
That said, I do agree the comment is not helpful to his cause.I hear you - "Neanderthal" might not be name calling just as you say. Personally I would disagree and, depending on the speaker, might be quite offended...but I understand your stance.
The whole point, though, was just as you say: Biden is doing precious little to advance his "come together" agenda and is, in fact, mostly doing the opposite. Not entirely, but mostly.I agree, I sure would not appreciate it if someone compared my thinking process to a Neanderthal and extinct subspecies... Just saying LOL It seems to me it is a pretty derogatory description of one's mentality.
And I am in agreement Biden wins no metal in bringing the country together. I can only speak for myself. I have no interest in his policies, I find them very destructive. I can honestly say at this point I can see and predict the failures before him. Starting with his nightmare at the border. He should have kept his immigration policies out of his campaign. And kept Trump's immigration policies in place. He has created a gigantic problem. Oh well...He should have kept his immigration policies out of his campaign. And kept Trump's immigration policies in place. He has created a gigantic problem. Oh well...
Really? He should have continued to separate children from their families and keep them in cages? He has created a problem by not doing that?Is there a reason to treat illegal alien children violating our laws any different than American children violating our laws? One is separated from parents, why not the other?
You seem to forget that asylum seekers are not breaking laws simply by seeking asylum. Most of the children and their parents are not illegally crossing the border..
MOST of the children and their parents (if their parents are there at all) ARE illegally crossing the border. To think otherwise is to live in a dream land.
In addition, a very small percentage is found to be eligible for asylum at all.
All I can do is shake my head about that very strange thinking process.
Here Wilderness is, in part, comparing a 1 year old baby stripped out of their mother's arms with a 14 year old murderer who was put in jail for that crime.
Makes sense to me, lol.
Do you have any idea about how many children without parents we have at this point since Biden took office? Trump left 500 children that the Government is having problems reuniting with their parents. Last month 7,000 unaccompanied children came across the border, and now are in our care. This month they expect to report up to 13,000 more children. The first weeks in Feb are why they have predicted that number. We will have up to 25,000 children in immigration centers. Children that our Government will have the job of making an attempt at finding their parents in other countries.
Yes, IMO Biden should have kept Trump's policies in place until he could come up with something better than catch and release. Trump was quick to change his policy of family separation, and have Mexico help on the other side of the border. This reasoning stopped the flow of unaccompanied children, as well as adults. Common sense tells me Biden should have seen this coming.
Biden just fell back on the Obama policies. And now we have a huge problem, Immigrants are being released with COVID, no quarantining. Biden should have slowed his jets and thought out the consequences. of catch and release, and he campaigned on very liberal immigration policies, he invited all to come, and they are coming. And he tells citizens to wear masks but lets in COVID infected immigrants into our states, due to not having a plan to handle all he invited in.
So bottom line --- what is the better scenario for 500 children or 25,000 in immigration centers long-term, where we have no idea where their parents are? No, really this is an unfortunate fact.
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/26/us/m … ained.html
You find rejoining the Paris Climate Accord destructive but instituting a policy that guarantees kids being stripped from their mothers arms as Not Destructive?
Strange relative values.I have no respect for the Pairs Climate accord. They are nothing but a do-nothing club. They enforce Zip. The organization needs to be monitored and needs better ways to enforce countries to keep their lofty promises.
https://www.zmescience.com/ecology/almo … ributions/
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/scie … t-billions
https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2020/12 … it-working
And at this point, we now have what is to be expected to be 20,000 children without parents in centers. History breaking numbers. Plus on average 4,000 adults have been crossing weekly. Biden has an insurmountable problem. He maybe has wanted to leave Trump's policies in place until he could present some good solutions to the immigration problem. Just my view, but he sent out invitations for immigrants to pour in.Could it be that the PCA is a you say (I do disagree with that assessment, btw), could it be because Trump pulled the US out?
Then let me ask this question - where would the world be today without the PCA, as flawed as it might be. My answer, much worse than it is today.
Here is one assessment:
"The Paris agreement is an unusual hybrid of soaring ambitions and few enforcement mechanisms. Every country in the world signed onto a promise to take steps to keep global temperature increases “well below” 2°C by 2100. Doing so would require weaning off fossil fuels for energy and transportation, halting the loss of forests, overhauling food production, and finding ways to suck greenhouse gases out of the atmosphere. (Laudable goals) Yet to meet the goal, countries were allowed to come up with their own goals and plans for how to accomplish them. Falling short comes with few concrete penalties.
So what have some nations done?
The National Geographic (2019) says the following:
- Those at the top of the class: Gambia, Morocco, India, Costa Rica, the EU
- Showing Promise: Norway, China, UK
- Those barely trying: Saudi Arabia, Russia, and America
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/envi … -emissions
- PrettyPantherposted 3 years ago0
One very important difference between Trump and Biden: Biden is willing to admit a mistake, apologize if needed, and learn from it. Trump does none of that. Biden is a kind, decent man who cares about people and tries to do better.
Trump is a mean, spiteful narcissist who doubles down on his mistakes and cares not a whit for anyone but himself.
If you voted for Trump a second time, you approved his behavior and his words as acceptable for a president.
That is why, when any Trumper tries to judge Biden on what he says, it is ludicrous beyond belief.Isn't that a sign on intellectual laziness since Biden and Trump are clearly two different people with Biden being empathetic and kind while Trump is malevolent ?
Unfortunately, Bidens "empathy and kindness" is to give away what both we and our children work to build, while Trump's "malevolence" was to follow the law as best he could.
It is easy to look around us a cry at the troubles of people; it is something else again to ignore the future while demanding that everyone share your tears and participate in your short sighted efforts dry the tears today.I can agree that Trump followed the law as best he could .
A com man/grifter does not change his ways simply because he is elected president."As best he could" really means when the law didn't get in his way. Face it, Trump was and IS a malignancy on America and and the values America supposedly stands for.
BTW, where were you so-called desire not to "ignore the future" as Trump ran up the debt more than any president in the history of the United States including WW II? You didn't care then so why are you caring now?
BTW, almost all of the stimulus will go right back into the economy (unlike Trump's tax give-away) to raise the GDP and therefor increase tax revenues thereby offsetting the cost of the stimulus.
BTW, are you returning your stimulus check and promise not to take advantage of the tax breaks you just got? If not, why not?
And THIS "give away what both we and our children work to build," should be rephrased to "return to the people who paid it so that your children will have a chance to work to build and in the process make the rich richer."
That is how liberal economics work, unlike the make the failed conservative economic theory that if you make the rich richer, they MIGHT, let a tiny bit flow down hill.
Then there is this, a tweet I just put out:
"Isn't it SAD that @JoeBiden must travel around #America to sell the #AmericanRescuePlan b/c the @GOP will spend millions telling #Americans how bad it is they just got $1,400 in their bank account?""BTW, almost all of the stimulus will go right back into the economy (unlike Trump's tax give-away) to raise the GDP and therefor increase tax revenues thereby offsetting the cost of the stimulus. "
Of course. And that the people that will spend it (inserting it into the economy) aren't the people that earned and own it, doesn't matter. Personally I don't see it that way.
How do you figure that the loans we took out to have something to give away will be returned to the children that earned it? Or that our children will have a place to work?
Yes, it is sad that our President will run around the country telling lies and half the story. Just as it is sad that Americans, and foreigners, will get money provided by others rather than earning it themselves.Because of the economics of this kind of stimulus and the timing of it. In a recession, every dollar that is "borrowed" returns, and I am just making up a figure in the proper direction, $1.10 back into the coffers from which it came. Economists, who I realize you don't believe in either, call it the "multiplier effect". I have written a couple of hubs on it. Here is a tutorial on it
https://www.economicsonline.co.uk/Manag … %20save%20(mps).
In that tutorial is why tax cuts rarely work. Very little of the money retained from a tax cut goes to create demand, it is not put back into the economy.
That is why tax giveaways in times of relative plenty never work. They don't work that well in recessions either.
I find it sad you don't believe in what is contained in the preamble to our Constitution, the mission statement, as it were as, to why our federal gov't exists.
I also find it sad you don't wish to pay for the opportunities this nation gives you and just want to keep its rewards to yourself.
Wrong president, you are talking about Lyin'TrumpOh, I fully understand the multiplying effect of the money.
But however you slice it, those paying for that increased GDP are not the ones getting the immediate, direct effect. Rather than buying a new widget, they get to pay for one for someone else and do without themselves. That GDP for the nation inches up isn't much consolation.
What is sad is that you, along with millions of others wishing to feed at the public trough, see "general welfare" as meaning "give to the individual" rather than the country.And I say again "I also find it sad you don't wish to pay for the opportunities this nation gives you and just want to keep its rewards to yourself." Doesn't that mean you to are feeding at the public trough? Seems like it to me.
Isn't it interesting you don't find raising the GDP for all of America as "general Welfare".
What I'm saying
Think and feel for yourselves.
Stop following a failing system and mainstream medical failing system in a viscous circle on every and all levels.
I don't vote or take stock on who leads, its all a freakshow.
Best we ignore these absolute power Gods that alway corrupt and own our lives. Then allow the people to gain power and take control over our own lives then take care of the big stuff. Let Government takes care of the small stuff since they work for us.
Rather than onesided Gods that force us into harm and every part of our lives, like they do with covid right now.
I live partly in a town that the average person life span out lives our mainstream medical doctors by 25 years.
Why follow failures toward your early death.? It's all over, if you die.Sorry, the only think I understood in that last comment was your last sentence "It's all over, if you die."
Most Americans do not want Covid vaccine a mandate nor for their children?
They start with masks then it's 700 million vaccines coming this July, into the US. How can we stop mandatory vaccines? Human rights, none, if you don't have any control of your body?
Many say, if we take the vaccine, we don't have to wear the mask. Masks do more harm for lack of fresh oxygen into our ammume system. Amoug a dozen other mishandling of masks.
War has a new name biological warebfare on people and nature. That way, Government collects more money on covid than any war in human history. With one of the lowest death rates.
Covid 19, stands for 19 Pound weight you gain sitting. Food ,& excerize is most needed to prevent the top ten ways to die. And Covid is far from the top ten."Most Americans do not want Covid vaccine a mandate nor for their children?" - That is true as well as being stupid. Do they want unvaccinated relatives or strangers to die from other unvaccinated people?
It is patently untrue that "Most Americans do not want Covide vaccine for themselves and their children.
That is not the claim. The claim is "most Americans do not want a 'mandate' for the vaccine". I suspect that is true.
My studies of holistic lifestyle takes your life span far more beyond but vas majority would rather trust and their example from mainstream doctors who live 5 to 10 years below average life expectancy.
I personally know holistic group of doctors in my second home in Belize that live over a 100 years old. When I can live 30 year longer from their living example, why should we I be ridiculously shamed into something dangerously synthetic lifestyle.
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