09-19-2007, 11:56 AM
09-19-2007, 05:56 PM
Nowt wrong with a bit of snobbish, hun..bit of posh totty ;p
Ian
Ian
woman from mars Wrote:
SoulSick Wrote:
Could you explain your moral philosophy?
I try to 'do as I would be done by' & try to help where ever I see that there is a need.
Always admit when I am in the wrong & say I'm sorry.
SoulSick Wrote:
a) What do you find morally offensive?
Any wickedness, evil, deliberate badness,cruelty & lies.
SoulSick Wrote:
b) What agitates you about other people in general?
Other people telling what to do, as opposed to making a suggestion.
People not believing me when I tell the truth.
People thinking that I am snobbish, because, I cannot go to their party or other function.
The rampant bullying in society in general.
09-27-2007, 07:20 PM
Heh, god bless armchair Socialists ;p
09-27-2007, 09:44 PM
Max the Bear Wrote:
"Right now I am simmering over a college student from Ghana, all but begging his way through school it seems. "
GuessWho, how much tuition did you pay at the Rehab Center that is responsible for your career?
GuessWho, how much tuition did you pay at the Rehab Center that is responsible for your career?
Was that warranted or needed? perhaps you would like to say the same about my business ideas.
Oh the poor Aspie, can't do it himself...
See if you're on the show again, next caller please, hello.
09-28-2007, 12:48 AM
And that's bad because?
Liking money isn't bad ya know ;p
Liking money isn't bad ya know ;p
09-28-2007, 02:01 PM
Sorry to see that has happened to you, Woman From Mars. Some people might also think I was too hard on GuessWho but I don't want to see him still lonely in 20 years time but if he keeps going the way he is now, that's probably what will happen.
Even though I'm nominally a Christian, unfortunately I have also had some quite bad experiences with people who said they were good christians and that means I don't have very much tolerance for religious hypocrisy.
I'm fully aware that GuessWho is a sincere person and it's not a case that I don't like him, no matter what I've said anywhere. It also annoys me when people try and sweep conflicts under the carpet and try and shut down any dissent. Perhaps that's what's happened here.
Even though I'm nominally a Christian, unfortunately I have also had some quite bad experiences with people who said they were good christians and that means I don't have very much tolerance for religious hypocrisy.
I'm fully aware that GuessWho is a sincere person and it's not a case that I don't like him, no matter what I've said anywhere. It also annoys me when people try and sweep conflicts under the carpet and try and shut down any dissent. Perhaps that's what's happened here.
09-28-2007, 02:15 PM
Someone has upset Woman from Mars?
Hm.
Hm.
09-28-2007, 03:06 PM
This man is in a strange land. Fair enough to tell him not to just depend on you and that several people should help him. What's so bad about spending $5 at a Chinese banquet though? Wouldn't he have starved otherwise? If it was his money, he was entitled to spend it however he liked.
Delayed gratification is boring too because how do you know you're going to be around long enough. By all means be provident but putting off enjoyment until you're old means you miss out on too much. In my teens and twenties, I thought I had all the time in the world to do things that I like. Now, the clock is really ticking.
There needs to be social change to make the American Economy more kind to the underdog. Sadly, Australia seems to be following the US. We need more humane social policies so that those who cannot normally afford health services will still receive them.
Delayed gratification is boring too because how do you know you're going to be around long enough. By all means be provident but putting off enjoyment until you're old means you miss out on too much. In my teens and twenties, I thought I had all the time in the world to do things that I like. Now, the clock is really ticking.
There needs to be social change to make the American Economy more kind to the underdog. Sadly, Australia seems to be following the US. We need more humane social policies so that those who cannot normally afford health services will still receive them.
09-28-2007, 03:56 PM
I myself practice the Japanese/European styles of Capitalism, I feel they are more efficient, let alone more "worker friendly"
09-28-2007, 11:33 PM
Yes indeed. The thing that really worries me, GuessWho, is the lack of generosity of spirit, something that is crucial to making a relationship or marriage work. If you count the cost of everything you give, this soon alienates the other person.
This attitude is so clear in how you talk about your Ghanaian friend. It is said that the Lord loves a cheerful giver and I'm also sure there was a passage in the Bible that said "if a man ask for your shirt, offer him your cloak too". Caviling over a couple of hundred dollars in two years (not even $2 a week) given to your friend epitomises to me a really mean spirit.
Now, I know you might just be parroting off prejudices you learned when you were growing up, but it really gives off a very bad impression. Maybe it's your Asperger's in part, but it's time to break out of the shackles of prejudice and realise that we are all in this life together. It's a very selfish attitude to just say "I'm okay, Jack, b***** the rest of you".
Sadly, this idea of rampant individualism has been fostered and pushed over the years by political and economic theories that have been brought to life in countries such as the USA.
Now, I haven't got to saying everything I believe in, but a fair go for all (egalitarianism) is very high on my list.
But I ask you, if you were in a strange country and had hardly any money, wouldn't you hope that the locals would be generous? The whole idea of Christian forgiveness practiced by the Lord is that we often fall short of perfection but if we sincerely repent, we will be forgiven.
With the example of your African friend, that means he might sometimes do things out of desperation that would perhaps be considered slightly rude.
Do you think he likes begging? I'll bet he feels deeply ashamed but hey, you do what you have to do when situations are desperate. That would also explain why he wouldn't get out of your car. He probably hadn't had anything to eat that day. Also, as I said before, if he spends money in a way you disapprove, that's his business and not yours.
If the Christianity you espouse is so mean-spirited and small-minded, no wonder some of us get turned off. You can also be sure that it will turn off potential partners, unless they are similarly small minded. It's up to you - there's still time to reconsider.
This attitude is so clear in how you talk about your Ghanaian friend. It is said that the Lord loves a cheerful giver and I'm also sure there was a passage in the Bible that said "if a man ask for your shirt, offer him your cloak too". Caviling over a couple of hundred dollars in two years (not even $2 a week) given to your friend epitomises to me a really mean spirit.
Now, I know you might just be parroting off prejudices you learned when you were growing up, but it really gives off a very bad impression. Maybe it's your Asperger's in part, but it's time to break out of the shackles of prejudice and realise that we are all in this life together. It's a very selfish attitude to just say "I'm okay, Jack, b***** the rest of you".
Sadly, this idea of rampant individualism has been fostered and pushed over the years by political and economic theories that have been brought to life in countries such as the USA.
Now, I haven't got to saying everything I believe in, but a fair go for all (egalitarianism) is very high on my list.
But I ask you, if you were in a strange country and had hardly any money, wouldn't you hope that the locals would be generous? The whole idea of Christian forgiveness practiced by the Lord is that we often fall short of perfection but if we sincerely repent, we will be forgiven.
With the example of your African friend, that means he might sometimes do things out of desperation that would perhaps be considered slightly rude.
Do you think he likes begging? I'll bet he feels deeply ashamed but hey, you do what you have to do when situations are desperate. That would also explain why he wouldn't get out of your car. He probably hadn't had anything to eat that day. Also, as I said before, if he spends money in a way you disapprove, that's his business and not yours.
If the Christianity you espouse is so mean-spirited and small-minded, no wonder some of us get turned off. You can also be sure that it will turn off potential partners, unless they are similarly small minded. It's up to you - there's still time to reconsider.
09-29-2007, 12:07 AM
Thanks. Even though it is said that charity begins at home, there is a place for charity anywhere. Why should it make a difference if this man is your literal brother or not? I don't remember seeing anything in the Bible excluding education of needy people.
This man is probably going to get his qualifications if he can hang on for long enough and go back home to help his people. Wouldn't you feel good that you helped him on his way to that goal?
Do you somehow feel superior to him because he is black and poor? I sincerely hope not. Given your outlook on money, maybe it is a miracle that you helped him at all. Do they have service clubs such as Rotary in your area? Over here, the local chapter will often "adopt" a needy overseas student or family or individual needing urgent medical attention and get locals to club together to provide practical help.
I remember seeing in the local paper last year that an African family was helped with Christmas gifts (they had three small children), accommodation, and a job for the father (who had professional qualifications). They had come from a war-torn area and had to spend several years in a refugee camp in parlous conditions before they got here.
The situation in Ghana might not be so dire but it's easy for us to insulated against how hard other people have it. That's why I find the whole Yuppie concept quite distasteful. It seems so selfish and smug. It's not that people shouldn't have well paid jobs but they need to realise that they are lucky to have them. But for the grace of God, they could be poor and on the streets or not have enough money to go to the doctor when they or their family are sick.
This man is probably going to get his qualifications if he can hang on for long enough and go back home to help his people. Wouldn't you feel good that you helped him on his way to that goal?
Do you somehow feel superior to him because he is black and poor? I sincerely hope not. Given your outlook on money, maybe it is a miracle that you helped him at all. Do they have service clubs such as Rotary in your area? Over here, the local chapter will often "adopt" a needy overseas student or family or individual needing urgent medical attention and get locals to club together to provide practical help.
I remember seeing in the local paper last year that an African family was helped with Christmas gifts (they had three small children), accommodation, and a job for the father (who had professional qualifications). They had come from a war-torn area and had to spend several years in a refugee camp in parlous conditions before they got here.
The situation in Ghana might not be so dire but it's easy for us to insulated against how hard other people have it. That's why I find the whole Yuppie concept quite distasteful. It seems so selfish and smug. It's not that people shouldn't have well paid jobs but they need to realise that they are lucky to have them. But for the grace of God, they could be poor and on the streets or not have enough money to go to the doctor when they or their family are sick.
09-29-2007, 02:03 AM
Well now, I think we should add another thing to the list on that other thread - racist attitudes. Would you object so strenuously to the immigrants if they were big and white like you? I find the level of ignorance in your comments about immigrants quite abhorrent. It's not their fault if local jobs are lost. Also, you wouldn't be where you are now if the government didn't give you a help along. So why begrudge Gideon some help on his way?
And if you mention ONCE MORE that you had 36 interviews before you got a job, I swear I am going to SCREAM! Ditto with "Mama and Papa Marsh didn't raise their boys to hate". It is of a complete irrelevance to the discussion and something I couldn't care less about.
How can you call yourself a Christian when you show so many prejudiced attitudes? I might not be the world's best Christian (God knows I fall far short) but even I can see that we are not just put on this earth to amass as much wealth as possible just for ourselves.
Have you ever read the parable of the man and his barns? He'd just finished building a larger barn for all his possessions when he died suddenly that very night. The USA gets criticised (and rightly too) for encouraging rampant materialism and disregard of the less fortunate. True, no country is perfect, and some have dreadful regimes.
But in the USA, the worship of mammon is extremely ingrained into the national pysche and you're a perfect example of how it infects essentially good people. Have you noticed how Jesus and his disciples lived? They didn't have very much money and wore plain clothes. They often didn't know where their next meal was going to come from, let alone a roof over their heads and had to rely on the charity of believers.
Are you going to say they shouldn't have done this and just starved quietly somewhere?
And if you mention ONCE MORE that you had 36 interviews before you got a job, I swear I am going to SCREAM! Ditto with "Mama and Papa Marsh didn't raise their boys to hate". It is of a complete irrelevance to the discussion and something I couldn't care less about.
How can you call yourself a Christian when you show so many prejudiced attitudes? I might not be the world's best Christian (God knows I fall far short) but even I can see that we are not just put on this earth to amass as much wealth as possible just for ourselves.
Have you ever read the parable of the man and his barns? He'd just finished building a larger barn for all his possessions when he died suddenly that very night. The USA gets criticised (and rightly too) for encouraging rampant materialism and disregard of the less fortunate. True, no country is perfect, and some have dreadful regimes.
But in the USA, the worship of mammon is extremely ingrained into the national pysche and you're a perfect example of how it infects essentially good people. Have you noticed how Jesus and his disciples lived? They didn't have very much money and wore plain clothes. They often didn't know where their next meal was going to come from, let alone a roof over their heads and had to rely on the charity of believers.
Are you going to say they shouldn't have done this and just starved quietly somewhere?
09-29-2007, 11:03 AM
GuessWho Wrote:
Higher education, I am sorry to say, is just short of a profit-making system in America. No, private and public universities are not for profit, although there are for-profit postsecondary educational facilities in America.
But any institution must have a source of funding, and in the United States, the primary burden of funding colleges and universities falls on the student (or students' parents if they wish to pay or borrow PLUS, parent loans for undergraduate students, can you believe that?)
An American college will generally recruit as many students as it needs to pay their faculty and staff. Citizens, permanent residents, and a few others qualify for Federal student aid, some grants and part time work, but increasingly loans. If a college has more applicants than it needs, it often takes the best it can find.
That is what my faculty advisor told me in grad school (Marshall) based on a conversation I had with him near graduation.
CM: Shepherd College has a selective admissions policy, it says
FA: Where do its students come from?
CM: Some from the West Virginia interior (Spencer, Parkersburg, Wheeling, or Glenville for example) but very very many from suburban Maryland (Montgomery County, a very wealthy county, friends from Rockville area) or northern Virginia (last roommate from Vienna, for example, Arlington and Loudon Counties being very wealthy too).
FA: Are these wealthy areas?
CM: Yes.
FA: Wealthier than the interior of WV or the four WV counties and one OH county around Marshall University (where most MU students come from)?
CM: Yes
FA: The college admissions policy indirectly reflects the socioeconomic status of the area where its students come from. Montgomery County, killer schools, maybe one of the best in America, perhaps having something to do with the wealth of its residents and property taxes they pay, based on home prices.
Interior of West Virginia, forget it. Though the Eastern Panhandle and a few other places fare better (the Panhandle because it is two hours from Washington by commuter train).
A college will always get the best students it can.
Shepherd College (University) does not enforce a firm minimum standard for applicants based on SAT or ACT scores. Neither does Marshall.
But Shepherd can afford to throw away applicants who have lower ACT and SAT scores because Maryland and Virginia parents reason that Shepherd is as good or better than Maryland or Virginia colleges for an equal or lesser price. (My dad told me I was going to Shepherd College two years before we moved to WV, so I studied my *** off). Marshall does not have that choice. It is not what the admissions office decides, it is who is available, and who can be accepted and who can be thrown away.
That puts Gideon and other international students at a firm disadvantage especially as the Federal government will not spend one penny for a student on a student visa to attend a U.S. college.
But any institution must have a source of funding, and in the United States, the primary burden of funding colleges and universities falls on the student (or students' parents if they wish to pay or borrow PLUS, parent loans for undergraduate students, can you believe that?)
An American college will generally recruit as many students as it needs to pay their faculty and staff. Citizens, permanent residents, and a few others qualify for Federal student aid, some grants and part time work, but increasingly loans. If a college has more applicants than it needs, it often takes the best it can find.
That is what my faculty advisor told me in grad school (Marshall) based on a conversation I had with him near graduation.
CM: Shepherd College has a selective admissions policy, it says
FA: Where do its students come from?
CM: Some from the West Virginia interior (Spencer, Parkersburg, Wheeling, or Glenville for example) but very very many from suburban Maryland (Montgomery County, a very wealthy county, friends from Rockville area) or northern Virginia (last roommate from Vienna, for example, Arlington and Loudon Counties being very wealthy too).
FA: Are these wealthy areas?
CM: Yes.
FA: Wealthier than the interior of WV or the four WV counties and one OH county around Marshall University (where most MU students come from)?
CM: Yes
FA: The college admissions policy indirectly reflects the socioeconomic status of the area where its students come from. Montgomery County, killer schools, maybe one of the best in America, perhaps having something to do with the wealth of its residents and property taxes they pay, based on home prices.
Interior of West Virginia, forget it. Though the Eastern Panhandle and a few other places fare better (the Panhandle because it is two hours from Washington by commuter train).
A college will always get the best students it can.
Shepherd College (University) does not enforce a firm minimum standard for applicants based on SAT or ACT scores. Neither does Marshall.
But Shepherd can afford to throw away applicants who have lower ACT and SAT scores because Maryland and Virginia parents reason that Shepherd is as good or better than Maryland or Virginia colleges for an equal or lesser price. (My dad told me I was going to Shepherd College two years before we moved to WV, so I studied my *** off). Marshall does not have that choice. It is not what the admissions office decides, it is who is available, and who can be accepted and who can be thrown away.
That puts Gideon and other international students at a firm disadvantage especially as the Federal government will not spend one penny for a student on a student visa to attend a U.S. college.
Having wealth should not be the prime criterion of getting into college.
10-01-2007, 11:11 AM
I will be frank, sorry frank..
Terrorists do not have a chance in HELL against us. Think about our innate military and economic superiority for a second, if we beat the USSR that way we can *** well beat "Rajmullah and friends"
Terrorists do not have a chance in HELL against us. Think about our innate military and economic superiority for a second, if we beat the USSR that way we can *** well beat "Rajmullah and friends"
10-01-2007, 09:42 PM
Christians who wish to be in "God's Army" should read up on the military lifestyle ;]