Happy New year fellow "thinkers" I know it's after the first but better late than never!
So 2019 was one screwed up year, to top off an "I still cannot figure out what the fuck this past decade was about". So 2020 holds great wishes of peace throughout the world with no war or famine. These three things I wish for. :flower: :heart: :sparkle:

:heart: It's so good to read you on the boards 180!
Your presence is a breath of fresh air and sunshine aimed high :cool:

I suggest you start with his most recent OP. — Baden

I had no idea that we could have posts removed. Now that I know of this option: I would like to request @Hanover to go through my post history and cross reference any interactions with you and count how many were considered "positive" by running it through your fancy word crafter evaluator.

Oh and I am under a time pressure like Santa so if you could put a :fire: under it, it would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance :flower:

Hmmm interesting that Ms. Pelosi is no where to be found but rather hands off such an important vote. :chin:

I wonder if she does not wish to be in these
pictures in history books. :monkey:

Just for fun:
impeachment assumed.
Vote to convict/acquit. — tim wood

I missed the "aquit" and immediately vote in for a second term. :up:
I mean if he can do me a favor :100:

Voices in my head? :gasp: Dang, how many am I supposed to have? — Sir2u

Well, I have at least two voices in my head. The voice of passion and the voice of reason. Neither of which have much overlap.
As you might already know about me, there is little hot or cold, middle of the road shit. People either love me or hate me with little in between.
Which I must say I am growing comfortable with as I get older. I have found a mission, I have the passion and now I'm trying gather together like minded people to spearhead this mental health/homeless crisis with a proven program.

Me thinks that I am alone in the universe. — Sir2u

Nah, you're not alone, in fact you are never alone as long as you still have the voices in your head :joke:

@Mark Dennis
I have been aware of a shift as well. I will not give any one person credit/blame for the shifting feeling but rather more on an "us" level.
On first blush my response is that we have become so overloaded with knowledge, that no one has to think problems through like before and our critical thinking skills grow dull.
My second thought, although simple is: Knowledge speaks where Wisdom listens.

It's a case-by-case thing. In this case I think the US administration and legislation have the moral high ground. In my opinion they usually don't so that makes it remarkable. — Benkei

I agree it is a case-by-case thing when we take the time to understand before intervening.
Unfortunately multiple administrations, on occasion, have acted before thinking all factors through. It is akin to "Ready, Fire then Aim" it's not a good idea but we have done it before in intervening around the world.
In the case of Hong Kong, I believe we as the USA, need to make our government's alliance with the people of Hong Kong known. And known boldly.
I do not wish for any other USA government invovment with the protesters or by extension with China but no one knows where this uprising will lead or how to get there. But we are trying to support them. For the love of God they have been signing our national anthem AND might I say THEY know the words better than the average US citizen.
Watching the RT live, these protesters are young Warriors and very smart about their strategy. I try to imagine such an uprising here in the USA and I wonder will it be citizens against our government or citizens against citizens. The climate in the country is so divided right now that I do wonder if it would evolve into a civil war.

Trump just signed two laws that are more or less supportive of the demonstrators in Hong Kong — Benkei

Americans will always try to stand with people seeking liberty. :strong:

what are your thoughts about the MORE Act? Progress or should we go all out and demand legalization instead of decriminalization? — Wallows

My first point in choosing between legalization and decriminalization of Cannabis is the proof of science that Cannabis is a healthy alternative to big phama's options for pain relief. A couple of society hurdles have still to be cleared to 1) remove the stigma of fallacies of the past regarding the person consuming Cannabis 2) the medical community that graduated before the year 2000 AND has not been educated since on Cannabis have no schooling that the Endocannabinoid system exists in every living mammal and it's receptor system.

One of the main problems in regards to the scientific research Cannabis is that the Cannabis the Government was using in any quasi trials were using a Cannabis with less than 3% THC and unknown % CBD. The consumption of the government Cannabis at that % is ineffective in inducing any psychoactive effect and since the CBD % was unknown, they the government really don't know the positive or negative effects of either.

My second point follows the first in that the decriminalization of Cannabis would still restrict research on a Federal level which will keep Medical Research at any University, University based medical center and the Veterans adminstration from performing the studies needed to consider Cannabis as a viable option for patients.

My third point in regards to decriminalization of Cannabis is that it still encourages a black market for the sale of Cannabis, even if it is considered an infraction to posses Cannabis. The laws now vary widely from State to state and it is truly unfair to put the onus on the Police Officer or the patient who are citizens trying to navigate a law during a traffic stop.

My fourth point is that the decriminalization of Cannabis does not necessarily/automatically mean expongrment of citizens records who have criminal charges involving a non-violent Cannabis conviction. The citizens caught up in this final point deserve to have their personal rights restored: their ability to vote and carry a firearm.

My feelings are that decriminalization of Cannabis does not go far enough to change our laws, society stigmas and the limiting factors that Cannabis is not yet considered to have any medicinal value.

Does that mean I am demanding full legalization?
I do support full legalization with a degree of regulation, age restrictions and with the conditions to restore nonviolent convicted citizens rights.

If my words did glow with the gold of sunshine... :pray:

Wallowsome, but acceptable. — Wallows

It doesn't have to always be acceptable to you. You may be nearing the end of that level of depression.

Feedback hnnmmm....
Could you please tell me if having experience with a mental health crisis is still being stigmitized from your part the world?
If so, why do you think that is?

yet, I have no desire to really change anything in my life . It's this nagging urge to not feel depressed that is bothering me, as I have come to accept it. — Wallows

When it is harder to suffer than change, we change.

If it will not go away, that's fine, I just have to learn to cope with it. But, that sense of coping with something that is at the same time within and out of one's control is not fun. — Wallows

Yes, learning coping skills is awesome and necessary BUT you have to apply the skill/coping tool to an advancement of how to handle some difficult/challenge from your past, likely present as well so it doesn't disrupt your future.

Begin by experiencing one different act everyday. A simple act of interaction that helps another will give you a sense of purpose.

Walk outside or go to the store and help an elderly person load or unload their groceries. Make that daily act, find someone in need and give them a smile. By recognizing that as shitty as we might see our own life upclose, a stranger only knows who we present ourselves as today.

There is also great wisdom in the suggestion @Brett made. The Salvation army is always opening their arms to day help. No long tern commitment necessary but it is good food for the soul. :sparkle:

Ps: many of us are "tired of life" until we make a purposeful decision and then you will be tired, not of life but because of living life. You have it within you. :strong:

This is the probably best forum in the world. — Chris Hughes

Aww Thank you Chris! We are a group of "thinkers" sharing at the table of experience in pursuit of wisdom.
We are blessed to have the luxury of time to think together for it usually indicates that life is pretty steady, for the moment.
Welcome to The Philosophy Forum :flower:

@Hanover
Hannnnnnnnover......
Has the CBD craze hit Atlanta?
Are your Peaches stone free? :grin:
What are you doing for Thanksgiving?
NicK's answer to any plans I put past him is: Can't we just go to Vegas? :zip:
As of right now, I have reservations at two restaurants for 12. Mimi's Cafe at 3:30 pm and at Maggiano's at 7:00 pm. :sparkle:
Now I'm trying to get everyone on one dinner and like Mayor of Simpleton says: "It's like trying to herd cats!" :monkey:
Oh and the reason we are not hosting is because (God Willing) my oral surgery is within 2 weeks. :pray:

Welcome back :flower:

So no guesses at the lyrics?
Here is a hint to the title of the song: it's something the world could use a little more of...

My first ever avatar. :cheer: — Baden

And the first profile picture that freaked me out! Leaving a LASTING impression in mind!
An everlasting impression that should not be confused with the permanent vision of one of the most Awesome pictures of all time! @Michael
~swooning~ as I update that decade old vision with the newly added tattoo.
:eyes:

True that. I think it was for a phone that I couldn't use in Europe after all. :rofl: — Benkei

I am honest to a fault, I swear. :100:

The simplest way to do this is to go to Western Union and wire the money to any anonymous password account, then PM me that information, and then I'll pick up the sack of cash and take it to post office, where I'll transfer it into a money order. I'll then send the money order to my bank via regular mail and wait for it to clear. Once it's in my account, I'll withdraw it from an ATM and then I'll ask Baden for a physical address so that I can mail a check to him so that he can hand it to @jamalrob who works one cubicle over in the underwriting department. Then you'll be able to upload whatever shit you need to. Western Union, the post office, and my ATM charge transaction fees, so send a lot more than you think you need to. — Hanover

See @Baden how hard was that to explain? Hmm?
So @Hanover how much extra grease are we talking about?

Oh my Lord Byron does bring back thoughts~ swooning~
Rereading some of his words.....
:fire:

She gives the taxman 11 grand and what do we get? Chopped liver? — Baden

Buahaha! Someone would get my corporate cookies which I have been told to sell retail for years. But......

Yeah, uploads are subscriber-only because we have to pay for the space. So... give us some money? — Baden

Willing and able to pay my share! I just need "A' physical address to mail a payment to. :100:
Now, who is willing to trust me with their physical address?
Let's see ... @Paul trusted me for years with his address. Ask him how it went and what time it was when I showed up at his place.... NOT!
And @Benkei trusted me with his physical address as well. Ask him if I am a stalker! :eyes:
And then there is @Hanover with whom I have bet and settled up with at the old forum was the beneficiary of my errors.
How hard is it to get you people to take money?
Look, we can act like we are back in school and "I will show you mine if you show me yours." :razz:
Anyone game?

Thank you kindly fdrake :flower:

Could someone be so kind as to explain to me how to upload an image? — ArguingWAristotleTiff

@Baden maybe?
I know you love being the popular man around these parts..... :strong:

Not bad... ? — Baden

Meh... it's pretty easy for me and definitely a choice tool to use.
My Mom taught me the best response to someone who makes you upset is to kill them with kindness. Couple that with working for a Doctor putting together financial demand packages that needed the "right" language to obtain the desired result, AM a Mama Bear AND a Spiritual Warrior?
If (and it's a big IF) I have that all in balance? There are few situations I am unable to solve. Have one faction out of calaberation? Good Lord I hope you have chocolate. :monkey:

Could someone be so kind as to explain to me how to upload an image?

Currently I have to go to an outside site, upload it there, choose a link, copy and paste it here to load an image.

Maybe? :pray:

Well that's not a good way to keep your mind fresh! :flower:

Have you ever been to "The Lounge"? I realize it is tucked away from the rest of the site but you are welcome to come and let your hair down over there. :heart:

Withdrawing from mental stimulation will allow for atrophy which is not helpful in an Alzheimer's patient. Keep music in your life and dancing (even if alone) to keep the muscle memory sharp. Don't feel as though you have to go but if you do, know we will be here when you come back :sparkle:

Is anyone a fan of Hugh Prather? How about a lover of Kahil Gilbran? Anyone?

Something like that Jack? :razz:

@Baden
My Dearest friend Baden,
May I please inquire as to what you are speaking of?
If you could be so kind to expound further on your thoughts, deepening the meaning, it would be of great assistance to me and my understanding of you.
You are an amazing administrator and a fabulous person who I look forward to hearing from soon.
Yours in Best Health,
Tiffany

Just trying to survive. Meeeep. — Waya

Yippee! Sometimes it is the best we can do! :heart:

@Waya
Yooo hooo :sparkle:
Where in the world are youuuuu? :flower:

That's easy.
I always have the last word in everything. — Sir2u

Except here on this last word thread. I am going to have to challenge you on that.
Smiles :cool:

I simply don't believe people are inherently evil and as such it's a mistake to say "he is evil". He did evil and we all share that capacity to do evil. By saying someone is evil we like to pretend we're never capable of the type of acts he committed. But we are. That's not a defense of his actions at all. That's about keeping our eyes open to our own actions so that we may avoid doing evil instead of assuming that since we're the good guys we can't do evil. The man is a cautionary tale. But so is every shooting in the US. Done of course by "bad" guys with guns. Instead of regular people like you and me. — Benkei

Let me first suggest that the mission to hunt down Baghdadi was named after the young woman, Kayla Muller out of AZ, who was trying to not do evil but help other's in the world when she was taken hostage, raped and killed. I am clear that Kayla was not expressing "evil" as you are suggesting that Baghdadi did and not was.

Benkei, you can separate the judgement of an act of evil or helping, from the person who performed the actual act. And you can make the claim that we are all capable of both, to which I would agree, to various degrees.

However, I know, when I look in the mirror that I DO NOT hold a spot in my moral and ethical heart to cage a man and burn him alive for any reason. I would not kidnap your daughter, nor would I support having done to her what was done to Kayla.

As far as "celebrating"? Reread what I wrote. I am proud of what our forces were able to do and I am grateful to the men and women who willingly put their lives in danger to carry out this mission. Many of the people who will be in the theater in a couple of years, are classmates of my son now and I respect their dedication to pursue securing our nation's security.

There is no celebration of Baghdad's death and the fact that he believes he died a hero and got his kids and wives into the afterlife by killing them as well?

My upbringing and morals do not match his thoughts and actions. If it matches yours? Then the fabric of our character is quite different.

Taking the side of the Devil's advocate is a challenge worthy of accepting in most cases Benkei, but this time? Taking the side of the Devil is something that Baghdadi did without any philosophical waxing from "thinkers" like us.

The US may have killed the Leader of ISIS. Good news. — NOS4A2

Good news and kudos to all involved in the successful mission to remove a truly evil human from this Earth. :fire:

@Sir2u Woo hoo! Yippee! :party:
So the question is: what is your secret to a long and happy marriage?

@fdrake
Thank you for your reply. :flower: