Well, this is the Forum: Politics & Religion, and you brought up Jim Jones... I just think it's important you understand the names you throw out, they don't always convey the message you think they do.
Todd, you're overthinking this...
I referred to Jim Jones as an allegory to illustrate that blindly accepting or believing in something is dangerous. It wasn't to cast shade at a particular political party. Unlike many of both sides, I don't care what political stripe anyone wears.
You're probably too young to remember it but the phrase 'drinking the Kool-Aid" originates from the Jonestown Massacre in 1978, where over 900 members of the Peoples Temple cult died after drinking a cyanide-laced beverage. The phrase is now used to describe someone who has become excessively devoted to a cause or ideology. From what you've posted on this and other topics in the P&R forum, I believe this is where you're heading.
The fact that Jim Jones was a Democrat is not germane. The fact that he was a mass murdering, narcissistic nut case and his personality was similar to the narcissist that currently lives at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue is.
The fact that Jim Jones was a Democrat is not germane. The fact that he was a mass murdering, narcissistic nut case and his personality was similar to the narcissist that currently lives at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue is.
The implication still says a lot. Kind of important to remember that that person at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave in DC carried the popular and electoral vote. So, I guess that would make all those American voters similar, huh................................... Keeping campaign promises is kind of important to most of us. Even to those who drank too much of the Kool Aid, regardless of party.
Rams
[This message has been edited by blackrams (edited 07-09-2025).]
The implication still says a lot. Kind of important to remember that that person at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave in DC carried the popular and electoral vote. So, I guess that would make all those American voters similar, huh................................... Keeping campaign promises is kind of important to most of us. Even to those who drank too much of the Kool Aid, regardless of party.
Rams
Not necessarily. But I think it does make many of those voters wish they had a do-over.
Originally posted by Mike in Sydney: Todd, you're overthinking this...
The fact that Jim Jones was a Democrat is not germane. The fact that he was a mass murdering, narcissistic nut case and his personality was similar to the narcissist that currently lives at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue is.
I'm not.
Throughout history, the Democrats have been responsible for:
- Trail of tears - Internment Camps - Segregation - Jim Crowe Laws - Jim Jones - Not one, but the only two nuclear bombs used in wartime, killing 380k people in a day. - Founding of the KKK (literally by a plurality of Democrat congressmen) - Agent Orange - The majority of anti-gay legislation proposed or passed - Eugenics - Intentionally putting abortion clinics in black and brown neighborhoods - Violation of civil rights by using spy agency tools against the populace
"Does supporting ‘Leftist’ policies cause an individual to become mentally ill? Probably not. Do these policies appeal to those who have a greater propensity for mental illness? Evidently so."
Do you want me to continue?
Here we are Mike... you're rabid. You come in here, offering nothing to the discussion... always enraged and worked up, have no policy discussion at all, other than just saying crazy stuff and showing us your TDS. Yes... I get that you don't like Trump. How many times are you going to tell us? You've got 3.5 more years... so you'd better either chill out, or find an outlet for your rage. Might I suggest https://www.DemocraticUnderground.com. You can hang out with the grandmas and the few remaining males people who still identify as a Democrat.
Originally posted by Mike in Sydney: I referred to Jim Jones as an allegory to illustrate that blindly accepting or believing in something is dangerous. It wasn't to cast shade at a particular political party. Unlike many of both sides, I don't care what political stripe anyone wears.
You're probably too young to remember it but the phrase 'drinking the Kool-Aid" originates from the Jonestown Massacre in 1978, where over 900 members of the Peoples Temple cult died after drinking a cyanide-laced beverage. The phrase is now used to describe someone who has become excessively devoted to a cause or ideology. From what you've posted on this and other topics in the P&R forum, I believe this is where you're heading.
And sorry, I forgot to respond to this. I was born in 1978. We've had television, BBSes in the 80s, the internet since the late 90s, and podcasts and YouTube in the mid 2000s since I was born. Of course, I know about Jonestown. I've even seen the documentary on it from over a decade ago. Here's the summary... and why I know he's a Democrat (besides the fact that he was a registered Democrat):
"Jim Jones, the leader of the Peoples Temple, combined socialist ideas with faith healing and an enthusiastic worship style. Influenced by Marxist "liberation theology," he advocated for communal living and pushed a radical agenda against capitalism. The Peoples Temple, founded in 1954, aimed to promote equality and attracted a multi-racial congregation."
This basically describes everyone on the radical left. For the record, Jim Jones was also an athiest... so this "religion" was not one of Christianity (in case that was your go-to "defense.") The religion was him... and akin to the "Follow me to the stars" religion... if you're "old enough to remember that" ... hint, Heavens Gate Cult.
Not necessarily. But I think it does make many of those voters wish they had a do-over.
Given the choices we had, I have sincere doubts the election would turn out differently. The Dems didn't offer a candidate at any time during this past election cycle that offered anything the majority of voters wanted.
The Dem leadership has not offered anything during the previous administration that the majority of American voters wanted, DJT did. History has a proven record. Learn from it or we're doomed to repeat it. While I have and do support the vast majority of DJT's policies, that doesn't mean I'm a personal fan of him. He hasn't bothered to call, text or visit since being elected. He might be a little too busy.
------------------ Rams Learning most of life's lessons the hard way. . You are only young once but, you can be immature indefinitely.
Throughout history, the Democrats have been responsible for:
- Trail of tears - Internment Camps - Segregation - Jim Crowe Laws - Jim Jones - Not one, but the only two nuclear bombs used in wartime, killing 380k people in a day. - Founding of the KKK (literally by a plurality of Democrat congressmen) - Agent Orange - The majority of anti-gay legislation proposed or passed - Eugenics - Intentionally putting abortion clinics in black and brown neighborhoods - Violation of civil rights by using spy agency tools against the populace
"Does supporting ‘Leftist’ policies cause an individual to become mentally ill? Probably not. Do these policies appeal to those who have a greater propensity for mental illness? Evidently so."
Do you want me to continue?
Here we are Mike... you're rabid. You come in here, offering nothing to the discussion... always enraged and worked up, have no policy discussion at all, other than just saying crazy stuff and showing us your TDS. Yes... I get that you don't like Trump. How many times are you going to tell us? You've got 3.5 more years... so you'd better either chill out, or find an outlet for your rage. Might I suggest https://www.DemocraticUnderground.com. You can hang out with the grandmas and the few remaining males people who still identify as a Democrat.
Todd, Todd, Todd. I honestly believe you should take a chill pill of some type because if anyone here is rabid, it's you.
I'm never enraged or worked up but you certainly do get that way. Always bringing in things that have absolutely no bearing on the subject at hand. Trail of Tears? I know all about that. My paternal grandmother was 1/4 Cherokee. Internment camps? Huh, isn't that what your hero in the White House would like to do? Atomic bombs? Really, Todd. Ask your father if they were necessary.
I'm not Trump deranged, you are. Yes, yes, I know. Anti-Trump forces are supposed to have TDS but we're not the ones wearing the hats, the T-shirts, and buying all of the cheap trash he hawks at stupidly high prices. (BTW, how many of the Donald Trump Digital Trading Card NFTs do you have? The Trump Bible that's printed in China? The tacky watch? Trump Cologne? I bet Melania doesn't wear it.)
3-1/2more years? Well maybe, but I suspect we'll see JD Vance in the driver's seat before then. And as much as I dislike ol' JD, I do believe he would be better than Donald. I don't think JD would alienate his biggest trading partner, insult international leaders like the Presidents of Liberia and the Ukraine, make stupid promises about ending wars on day one of his administration, etc. As you so aptly put it, do you want me to continue?
So string your bow and take your shot. I won't respond to you anymore on this topic. It's too tiring and at my age (I got underwear older than you), I'd rather be raking the yard, washing the car, or changing the cat litter.
(Edited for spelling & punctuation)
[This message has been edited by Mike in Sydney (edited 07-10-2025).]
Originally posted by Mike in Sydney: As you so aptly put it, do you want me to continue?
Please do... but I'm not seeing anything of real substance other than some tangentially related left-leaning talking points on why you dislike Trump. I've seen nothing about your views on policy.
quote
Originally posted by Mike in Sydney: So, string your bow and take your shot. I won't respond to you anymore on this topic.
You come in rabid, call me out by name, and then once we have a discussion challenging your hand-wavy assertions, you run away? I can make no other assumption than you really don't have anything substantiative to discuss, same as last time you said you were running away. So, what's the point then? It seems you lack background in any policy at all, and instead focus on left-leaning political narrative. Your responses are not unlike those grannies interviewed at the "No Kings" rally when asked, "What's your biggest disagreement with the Trump administration?" ... and they respond, "he's mean," "he's crazy," "he's an evil person..." all rhetoric, with absolutely no substance at all.
quote
Originally posted by Mike in Sydney: I got underwear older than you.
Mike, I realize this was meant to be an insult, as though I'm just a kid... but you do realize I'm 47 years old. This comment seems silly as an attempted insinuation that I'm inexperienced or somehow unlived. Emphasizing that you are really old... does not mean you're more enlightened, or somehow have things more figured out. Life and understanding are based on exposure to different life experiences and influences.
If perhaps you were to say something like, "As I helped a shirtless beggar stack mud on his hut outside Cairo, I came to the realization that as Americans, we are extremely lucky," or... "while I was ballooning in Tuscany, I looked out over Mt. Capanne and thought to myself, we need to protect this planet" ... then you're providing substance. Instead, you share stories about how long you keep underwear.
There's nothing wrong with bitching about things... but at a certain point, you have to have a specific policy-based reason for why you do or do not like something. Otherwise, you're quite literally fitting the narrative outlined in the peer-reviewed and independent psychology research article I linked to that shows liberals are two times more likely to suffer from mental illness and be irrational.
Originally posted by Mike in Sydney: (I got underwear older than you), I'd rather be raking the yard, washing the car, or changing the cat litter.
(Edited for spelling & punctuation)
I strongly recommend a visit to your local retail outlet, that underwear is most likely worn pretty thin....................... Reference those other tasks, I've got several things you can help with........................
"Projection personified" refers to the psychological concept of projection, where someone unconsciously attributes their own unacceptable thoughts, feelings, or behaviors to others, essentially turning those internal experiences into external traits of another person. It's a defense mechanism, often used to avoid confronting uncomfortable aspects of oneself by placing them onto someone else.
Here's a more detailed explanation:
What is Projection?
Unconscious Process: Projection is usually an unconscious process, meaning the person doing the projecting isn't aware they're doing it.
Attributing Own Qualities: It involves taking something about oneself (like a feeling, thought, or behavior) and attributing it to someone else.
Defense Mechanism: Projection is often used as a way to cope with difficult or unwanted emotions, thoughts, or impulses by disowning them and projecting them onto someone else.
Examples of Projection:
Jealousy: A person who is secretly jealous of a friend might accuse their partner of being jealous.
Insecurity: Someone who is insecure about their job performance might constantly criticize their coworkers for making mistakes.
Anger: A person who is frustrated might project anger onto others, believing they are angry at them.
Negative Traits: A person who is dishonest might accuse others of being untrustworthy.
Why is it called "Projection Personified"?
The term "projection personified" highlights how someone's internal experience is literally “projected” onto another person, making that person seem to embody the traits or behaviors that are actually within the projector. It's as if the person being projected upon is now a living, breathing representation of the projector's inner world.
In essence, "projection personified" is a way of describing how someone's internal conflicts or undesirable qualities are manifested and externalized onto another person, making that person a living embodiment of the projector's own issues.
I strongly recommend a visit to your local retail outlet, that underwear is most likely worn pretty thin....................... Reference those other tasks, I've got several things you can help with........................
Rams
Exactly what my wife says but I've got them broke in just the way I like them. They make great oil rags. I keep finding them, and my old sweatshirts and hoodies, in the trash.
Those other tasks? No, thank you. Plenty to keep me busy on this side of the pond. Between the cutting and splitting firewood, yard work, fencing, chasing animals in the paddocks, porch railing replacement, etc., etc., etc., I've too much to do. Who said retirement will allow you to slowdown?
Originally posted by Mike in Sydney: So, string your bow and take your shot. I won't respond to you anymore on this topic.
O.K. I'm doing what I said I wouldn't do …
No one came in "rabid". The only one on fire here is you.
This exchange came about when I responded to Rams about Elon Musk's plans to form a new party. I noted that I thought Elon's new party would hurt the Republican party more than the Democrat party and that I suspect the Republicans that have been MAGA'd into supporting Trump and his minions are more likely to flee the fold. I also noted that you and Rams may be first in line to join the new party, inferring that it may offer more than the MAGA Republicans. How is that being rabid?
Next, you respond with some lengthy diatribes on how I called you out by name and then go on to talk about left-leaning democrats who don't seem to have any positions on policy, etc. You also tried to bring Patrick into it to defend me. It was exactly what I expected of you. I responded with a "gotcha" note. And by the way, while I respect Patrick, Rams, Cliff, et. al. and their opinions, I don't need anyone to defend me.
Todd, you're overthinking this...I referred to Jim Jones as an allegory to illustrate that blindly accepting or believing in something is dangerous. It wasn't to cast shade at a particular political party. Unlike many of both sides, I don't care what political stripe anyone wears. You, on the other hand, appear to equate everyone with a different opinion as being the enemy.
And with that I'm well and truly done with this particular line of discussion.
(edited for spelling)
[This message has been edited by Mike in Sydney (edited 07-11-2025).]
Would love to. One of the few things on my "Bucket List" is to ride New Zealand. There are motorcycle adventure trips where you use a rented motorcycle (included in the deal) and ride from one Bed and Breakfast to the next on their best roads. If I ever am able to get there, I might make it all the way to Aussie Land.
Would love to. One of the few things on my "Bucket List" is to ride New Zealand. There are motorcycle adventure trips where you use a rented motorcycle (included in the deal) and ride from one Bed and Breakfast to the next on their best roads. If I ever am able to get there, I might make it all the way to Aussie Land.
Rams
If you get here, look me up. I've got a Sportster, KZ650B-1 with 15,000 miles that I've had since new, and a BMW K1200RS. Lots of places to ride around here.
Originally posted by randye: WEIRD flex That's kind of common problem with most of you Lefties. Personal hygiene rarely even makes it onto your list of priorities
Found at a 'White Dudes for Harris" rally
Randye, Have you been in my underwear drawer? I can usually get 4 wearings out of a clean pair. Front in front, Backside in front, turn inside out and repeat. You know us "lefties" (or centrists as I am), we normally can make a clean pair last 4 weeks. :
If you get here, look me up. I've got a Sportster, KZ650B-1 with 15,000 miles that I've had since new, and a BMW K1200RS. Lots of places to ride around here.
Appreciate the offer. Here's my stable:
The Trike (on the lift) was purchased when my knees started heading south.
The Trike (on the lift) was purchased when my knees started heading south.
Rams
Sweet! I’ve been thinking about a Can-Am Spyder of late. My carpal tunnel makes it uncomfortable to ride the Sportster for any longer than an hour. Then I have to get off and let the numbness recede. The K12RS is my preferred ride. I love the cruise control and heated grips. It makes riding, for an old man, comfortable.
One thing’s for sure, getting old is not for sissies.
He might be a little too busy. 
