The Impossible (but Only) Solution

[TheCount]

You are misreading it. Essentially, we can sacrifice the freedoms we enjoy to curve the resulting bigots and racist or we can enjoy the freedoms we enjoy and agree to disagree.

Am I?

The idea is that enjoying freedoms requires one to agree to disagree?
That suggests that to enjoy freedoms, you must be apathetic.

No?

 

[TheCount]

Somewhere along the way it stopped being ok to politely disagree with people. Now we have to demonized those who don't share our views, to the point of attacking their character.

Words like bigot and racist have lost all meaning because we throw them around so flippantly.

There are some subjects where the idea of "polite disagreement" is an impossibility.

Equality is one of those subjects for those that feel unequal in a country that claims equality for all.

 

[TWOK11]

There are some subjects where the idea of "polite disagreement" is an impossibility.

Equality is one of those subjects for those that feel unequal in a country that claims equality for all.

But the reality is the overwhelming majority of Americans make no objection to equality of opportunity. The fact that we all harbor bias and distrust as an inherent part of our nature doesn't prevent most from supporting that, at least to the level that allows society to peacefully function.

Where many have lost their way is believing that equality means equality of circumstance, and have decided that we must not only level the playing field but the final score.

This isn't to say there aren't unique challenges facing certain groups, there absolutely are. But those who don't support radical maneuvers to prop up lagging individuals and groups are not bigots simply for that reason.

 

[jday]

Somewhere along the way it stopped being ok to politely disagree with people. Now we have to demonized those who don't share our views, to the point of attacking their character.

Words like bigot and racist have lost all meaning because we throw them around so flippantly.

I'm confused; was that intended as a retort to anything I have said. Bigot and racist were just a few examples I seized upon, but there are alot of things a person can become with out good parenting/example while growing up. Furthermore, I'm not pointing fingers. I'm merely pointing out that the price of freedom is the resulting inequalities. If you want it equal, no more freedom. Pretty simple concept really.

 

[TheCount]

But the reality is the overwhelming majority of Americans make no objection to equality of opportunity. The fact that we all harbor bias and distrust as an inherent part of our nature doesn't prevent most from supporting that, at least to the level that allows society to peacefully function.

Where many have lost their way is believing that equality means equality of circumstance, and have decided that we must not only level the playing field but the final score.

This isn't to say there aren't unique challenges facing certain groups, there absolutely are. But those who don't support radical maneuvers to prop up lagging individuals and groups are not bigots simply for that reason.

I think if people actually understood what "equality of opportunity" means, they wouldn't be overwhelmingly in favor. It's not an easy thing to achieve, but it's certainly easy to pay lipservice to.

 

[jday]

Am I?

The idea is that enjoying freedoms requires one to agree to disagree?
That suggests that to enjoy freedoms, you must be apathetic.

No?

I suspect you just want someone to argue with...if that's what your after, get married. If you are already married, and haven't found someone to argue with, what's your secret?

To answer your question, agreeing to disagree doesn't necessarily mean you are apathetic, in general; just apathetic to what the individual you arguing with thinks. Take me for instance. I could care less about most thoughts manufactured outside of my head. And therefore I can avoid most arguments by the simple knowledge that the individual I disagree with means absolutely nothing to me in the scheme of things. That's not apathy; it's simple logic. If they are not impeding on my freedoms, are not hurting my family in any way, what they think simply doesn't matter. Furthermore, what people think is a product of both their experiences, the friends they choose, the family they come from, the genetic imprint of their parents, and their environment. Since those combine to make someone completely different from me, it really isn't any wonder that we don't agree on everything. And since its almost impossible to change what another person thinks, why would I waste my time trying? Not apathy; just good ole' fashion good sense.

 

[TheCount]

I suspect you just want someone to argue with...if that's what your after, get married. If you are already married, and haven't found someone to argue with, what's your secret?

To answer your question, agreeing to disagree doesn't necessarily mean you are apathetic, in general; just apathetic to what the individual you arguing with thinks. Take me for instance. I could care less about most thoughts manufactured outside of my head. And therefore I can avoid most arguments by the simple knowledge that the individual I disagree with means absolutely nothing to me in the scheme of things. That's not apathy; it's simple logic. If they are not impeding on my freedoms, are not hurting my family in any way, what they think simply doesn't matter. Furthermore, what people think is a product of both their experiences, the friends they choose, the family they come from, the genetic imprint of their parents, and their environment. Since those combine to make someone completely different from me, it really isn't any wonder that we don't agree on everything. And since its almost impossible to change what another person thinks, why would I waste my time trying? Not apathy; just good ole' fashion good sense.

Okay.

You post a 1500 word manifesto about sacrificing freedoms in the name of a perfect America, I ask a question and that means I'm just looking to argue.

Sorry to interrupt, continue your dissertation.

 

[jday]

Okay.

You post a 1500 word manifesto about sacrificing freedoms in the name of a perfect America, I ask a question and that means I'm just looking to argue.

Sorry to interrupt, continue your dissertation.

If I had a dissertation to continue, you would have had nothing to respond to.

 

[Vanilla2]

Root of the problem is family and another and maybe the biggest is education. When it comes to education again I think that is something politicians love to throw money at but it does not work. We spend quit a bit on education even compared to other counties but has yet to fix problems of having kids leave school without a proper education. We spend way to much time on social engineering and not enough on real education to make us more competitive in the market place. Lastly and it is a problem that goes across on ethnic groups and that is personal responsibility which we lack in this country.

They don’t throw money at it here.

School funding is based on property taxes.

Guess where the good schools are

 

[Vanilla2]

When blacks are failing 40% of their children it does not mean they didn't have an equal opportunity to do otherwise. White fathers support their children at a much higher rate so naturally the poverty rate of white children is much less. Blame black fathers that don't support their children for their children's poverty, not a fake inequality narrative. Did Kaepernick's black father support him? NO, he was rejected and adopted by a white family that loved and raise him to include a college education. How does Kaep show his appreciation? A false inequality narrative that is killing pro football.

The inequality is between rich and poor.

The rich and powerful just use race to keep the poor occupied with each other while the rich keep getting richer.

 

[JoeKing]

The inequality is between rich and poor.

The rich and powerful just use race to keep the poor occupied with each other while the rich keep getting richer.

The class warfare story line. You are trying to push that rubbish on the wrong bloke my friend. I came from nothing. I didn't have two nickels to rub together when it came time for me to support myself after high school. I had to get a student loan and work part-time if I wanted to go to college. I did that two years and then I joined the military for it's educational benefits. In America we are afforded opportunities to pull ourselves out of poverty if we make the right decisions and put forth the effort. Your class warfare story just isn't true. I own my own businesses now and contribute my spare time to my local community by helping the food banks and homeless shelters. I look for possible employees there because the best handout is a hand up.

 

[Vanilla2]

The class warfare story line. You are trying to push that rubbish on the wrong bloke my friend. I came from nothing. I didn't have two nickels to rub together when it came time for me to support myself after high school. I had to get a student loan and work part-time if I wanted to go to college. I did that two years and then I joined the military for it's educational benefits. In America we are afforded opportunities to pull ourselves out of poverty if we make the right decisions and put forth the effort. Your class warfare story just isn't true. I own my own businesses now and contribute my spare time to my local community by helping the food banks and homeless shelters. I look for possible employees there because the best handout is a hand up.

There are always exceptions to the rule.

They need people like you to help keep to unsuccessful down.

Keep up the good work

 

[JoeKing]

There are always exceptions to the rule.

They need people like you to help keep to unsuccessful down.

Keep up the good work

My story is quite common. I network quite a bit with young people that have good grades in school but just don't have the financial resources to make college accessible. I connect them with resources that they did not know exist... grants, scholarships, low interest loans. It's out there if they just look.

Of course, there are those that have different priorities... drugs, alcohol just to name a couple. If you don't help yourself, not even an interested citizen like me can help you.

 

[sbark]

The inequality is between rich and poor.

The rich and powerful just use race to keep the poor occupied with each other while the rich keep getting richer.

LBJ's generational welfare has poured some 22 trillion to the "poor".............why are they any more poor? Did we need to double that .....or quadruple it?

I'll contend......as did MLKIII, Reggie White and others......it was the worst thing that could've been done to the poor...........

 

[xwalker]

If I'm the league, I have the teams stay in the lorckerrooms for the anthem the rest of the season, and I have a moment of silence before each game prior to the anthem where everyone can focus on whatever generic message of unity each stadium wants to offer up for the next 3-4 weeks until the controversy boils over and we can get back to football. Teams can and should support players with the social issues involved elsewhere, outside of game day.

And then let's get on with it.

It would be funny if they force all players that have kneeled to stay in the lockerroom from now on.

 

[Sasquatch]

My story is quite common. I network quite a bit with young people that have good grades in school but just don't have the financial resources to make college accessible. I connect them with resources that they did not know exist... grants, scholarships, low interest loans. It's out there if they just look.

Of course, there are those that have different priorities... drugs, alcohol just to name a couple. If you don't help yourself, not even an interested citizen like me can help you.

"Common" anecdotally speaking but statistically marginal. The greatest determinant of professional, financial, and educational success in this country is birth. It's reminiscent of a rigid feudal caste system from the middle (aka "dark") ages.

 

[Sasquatch]

Jday, would it be easier to just get rid of flags and national anthems?

 

[JoeKing]

"Common" anecdotally speaking but statistically marginal. The greatest determinant of professional, financial, and educational success in this country is birth. It's reminiscent of a rigid feudal caste system from the middle (aka "dark") ages.

If you really believe that then there is no hope for you. I feel sorry for anyone you actually infect with that ideology.

 

[Dracula]

I’m happy for you and I’m glad you take the song so seriously. There is a problem because you think if something is important to you then it has to be as important to everyone else. Sorry but life doesn’t work this way. The awesome part is that you don’t get to tell me what to value and how I should feel about the song...just as I don’t get to tell you...I’m ok with this reality. You obviously are not..sucks for you.

Way to ignore and the diminish the pain others feel and prevent your feelings about the song somehow is more important to you and therefore has to be to everyone.

Sweet

The flag and the anthem are the repositories for the soul of this country.
You want to see pain, go to you tube.




...and, tragically, there are new ones being posted everyday. You think of it as just a song and a ceremony. That's your right, but, like you have previously posted, sucks for you. FIND ANOTHER WAY.

 

[JoeKing]

The flag and the anthem are the repositories for the soul of this country.
You want to see pain, go to you tube.




...and, tragically, there are new ones being posted everyday. You think of it as just a song and a ceremony. That's your right, but, like you have previously posted, sucks for you. FIND ANOTHER WAY.

God bless you man for that post... that one cut deep for me. This veteran appreciates you. I'll be praying to thank the lord for good people such as yourself at church this morning. Thank you.