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brianlux
Moving through All Kinds of Terrain. Posts: 42,417
There are lots of them on AMT. But I'll bet if push came to shove most if not all of us would stand up for or shell out to help each other in a tight spot. Jeez- I hope so.
"Pretty cookies, heart squares all around, yeah!"
-Eddie Vedder, "Smile"
-Eddie Vedder, "Smile"
"Try to not spook the horse."
-Neil Young
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Not everyone.
Honestly... some times I figure that evolution just has a way of taking some people out of the gene pool.
Says the gay guy with no kids.
:fp:
Ummm...agree and disagree. If I saw someone drowning in a pool, sure I'll try and help them out as best I can. If I see a drunk on the street I'm not giving him my money. However when I'm drunk I'm actually known for giving away money to people on the streets. :fp: I just firmly believe in taking care of yourself and your own and what happens...happens. I believe that if everyone in this society had that mindsight it would be a much better place. If you live your life waiting for handouts...you're just a drag. Go get it yourself. If you feel society is "holding" you down...overcome it. There were and are pioneers in this country in every segment...it can and is done. What kind of odds could you have gotten in Vegas in the year 2000 on a bet of an African-American President within a 10 year time frame? Mind- boggling they would have been. I don't like him, but he got it done and I respect him for that. It's the whole have/have not argument in society that bums me out. If you're not happy with where you are, change it.
I would like to hope so too. I know there's some who wouldn't but I'm just gonna hope that they might, pending the circumstances.
Bravo...
I would help anybody in a critical situation out EVEN those I don't like. I love to help people ESPECIALLY those who like to help themselves FIRST.
peace
*MUSIC IS the expression of EMOTION.....and that POLITICS IS merely the DECOY of PERCEPTION*
.....song_Music & Politics....Michael Franti
*The scientists of today think deeply instead of clearly. One must be sane to think clearly, but one can think deeply and be quite INSANE*....Nikola Tesla(a man who shaped our world of electricity with his futuristic inventions)
it is what it is
Anyway, I'm kinda with g under p and DS on certain points...although the whole "first black / first anything" mindset irritates me. Who cares? I really don't. I just want whomever takes any kind of office to be capable of it, to be decent, to not divide, to be honest, to not disappoint. Step up, don't pander, and have some balls.
As for helping others out - I'm honestly not sure what I'd do in a life-or-death situation. To save myself or my guy, I think/hope I'd step up. For others, honestly, I'm not sure (I'm not talking about doing the Heimlich or CPR - I'd definitely go there). But on the financial side, well...yes, I do judge when it comes to this sometimes. I work hard for what I have and am not so willing to hand it out to someone able to help themselves but won't.
It's just about the fact that it occurs to me that despite our differing opinions when push comes to shove I would hope we would help out those with whom we interact, with whom we have common interests, etc. For example- I know a guy in my community who has many, many opposing views from mine. But he is a member of my community, we share a number of friends, and we care about the community in which we live. If the need arose, I would do anything within reason to help him out of a jam and I'm almost certain that he would do the same despite our differences. I'd bet on it.
I tend to think of us on the forum as a kind of community even though it is a "virtual" one. We've had several occasions here where people have stepped up to the plate to help each other. "Bugs Amongst the Waves" was a good example of that (posted many times on The Porch in the past). I'd like to think that, because many of us have gotten to know each other through the forum, we would help each other if the need arises.
Maybe I'm too idealist for my own good, but this is what I believe.
-Eddie Vedder, "Smile"
I can say that there are some here I agree with, many I disagree with, some in-between (and, of course, nowhere near 100% agreement with anyone here, there or anywhere - as I'd assume the same would be said about myself by others); however, I think most in this forum are good people who would extend themselves if the need arose.
Now I somewhat get it
:thumbup:
-Eddie Vedder, "Smile"
Some years back i was on a flight to MD fro FL and the flight attendants were going through their pre-flight safety instructions. A lady behind my seat to my right kept talking and speaking very loud to the point I couldn't hear the flight attendents.
Nobody moved to do anything people just looked at each other. I unbuckled my belt leaned over and said...excuse me, exc-u-s-e me, I really NEED to hear this because there maybe unfortunately come the occasion that I might have to save you and anybody elses life so PLEASE let me hear this!
She never said another word as the other passengers surprisingly started to clap. The man next to me put his hand on mine and smiled at me. We had a safe flight and while walking through the airport I saw the very same talking passenger in a wheelchair apparently unable to walk the distance to collect her baggage.
I'm always willing to help but don't take advantage that I will.
Peace
*MUSIC IS the expression of EMOTION.....and that POLITICS IS merely the DECOY of PERCEPTION*
.....song_Music & Politics....Michael Franti
*The scientists of today think deeply instead of clearly. One must be sane to think clearly, but one can think deeply and be quite INSANE*....Nikola Tesla(a man who shaped our world of electricity with his futuristic inventions)
:thumbup:
Well said.
Cheers,
Barger
Me, I'm against forced handouts. I'm a pretty giving person of my own accord and dictated by my conscience.
I'm not sure where you draw the conclusion that I'm [the "I" being collective] for "rewarding" anyone, rich or not. People reap their own rewards, or not; and if they do, this doesn't make them bad, bad people.
I think this is why it's sometimes so frustrating to have a constructive discussion about certain issues - too many assumptions.
(ps...if I had a dick, the vapid Ms. Hilton could suck it)
As far as "hand outs" goes, if we're talking about social services, I've stated elsewhere that I believe they are important but also agree that there is a lot of waste and this should be dealt with, rather than just dismantle the services all together. As far as giving money to people on the street with cardboard signs, panhandlers, that sort of thing I believe we should do what feels right. I don't always give money but more and more I do because I think that to stand out on a smog chocked street corner you'd have to be either desperate or crazy and I have no problem helping people who are desperate or crazy. I also believe if you don't want to give, then don't, but I can't understand criticizing these people because, like I said, they have to be either desperate or crazy and I'm not into putting down those kind of people.
"Be kind"
-Illona Anne Cogswater, Daughter of God
-Eddie Vedder, "Smile"
OK, and what are we "rewarding" those billionaire's kids who've never had to really work for much, exactly?
Frankly, people need to get real lives rather than focusing on other people any way. Who the fuck cares about whether someone needs assistance! It's called social services and it's a humanitarian issue, about taking care of each other when they need it. Yes, some take advantage, but the overall issue is not them. It's the service itself. And I'm sick of it getting a bad wrap in this dog-eat-dog capitalist country.
Great minds discuss ideas; Average minds discuss events; Small minds discuss people. - Eleanor Roosevelt
who is desperate to reward them?
It is terrifying when you are too stupid to know who is dumb
- Joe Rogan
It's coming out of all of our taxes and I just like to know where it is going. Hopefully to someone that needs it.
Jeanwah, I have a problem with the system being fucked with, with the greedy taking what they don't need from those who legitimately do. I have a family member who's the assistant Attorney General in charge of Medicare fraud in N. Carolina. Why should this position even exist? If the funds being misused/stolen were taken back, it could help so many more. That's where part of my issue lies - it's difficult for me to support a ridiculously mis-managed system.
Giving is just not that hard. What's difficult is the idea of true giving- giving 'till it hurts. I can give a homeless person on the street a few bucks- BFD. That's easy. I tithe 10 percent of my income which is well below the national average but I still have everything I need and more so 10%... BFD. That's easy. Giving time to spend staying up late with an ailing friend knowing you'll drag through the next day- that's hard. Letting a homeless friend move in knowing she'll be dead from drinking anyway- that's freakin' hard (and yes, she is dead and no I won't do that one again.) And listen, I'm no saint. Doing these things is like pulling my own teeth. I'm not a in a big damn hurry to do them. I'm as selfish as the next guy. But sometimes you suck it up and REALLY give. And if it's just a few bucks or a cup of coffee- that's selfish too because it feels good but selfish is OK too.
-Eddie Vedder, "Smile"
I know it's a mis-managed system, Hedonist. But to focus on what's wrong with the system, rather than focusing on what's right with what it's doing for those who truly need it... that's what's grossly overlooked.
(and for the record, I'm not painting all who need or receive assistance with one brush; never have, never will. That's as ludicrous as some of the comments on other threads I've seen that brand anyone questioning any kind of assistance or how it's distributed as being evil or hard-hearted or out of touch)
Sure, it's possible to do both! But everywhere I look the focus is on those what's wrong with it and the broad generalizations against it.
And good to know about your second paragraph! I agree.
You're a good soul, Brian.
I would like to think that if members of the AMT community ever met each other, we'd put aside our differences and focus on what brings us together in the first place....the lounge car!