Definition of Opinion:  A belief or conclusion held with confidence but not substantiated by positive knowledge or proof.

Please be respectful to others with differing opinions. 

Dennis Moran

Still interested in how I can put pictures from my phone onto the profile page.  I know I have a face for radio but sure would like to share what I do have....Hey at 76 I have a very selective memory. I too am trying to get away from my shirt is whiter than yours type politics.  I get no pleasure in going after what someone else believes so a sure try not too.

Can you imagine if Will Rogers had the internet what he could say about our Senate and Congress.

I saw Earl Harris  thoughts on a teacher at Phoenix College.  Mine was Mr. Howard; he even wrote an economics book and it was as exciting as he was.  Mr. Howard and I didn't get along and is a big reason I don't have a AA degree.  He made boring sound exciting.  Well I have to admit I wasn't the sharpest tool in the shed but with him I gave up.  I had two english teachers that were fantastic (well some may not agree by the way i write or my view of sentence construction) Mr Tethorow and Mrs Scanlon..I have to admit I got through it because Spelling at the time was my strongest suite. They were at the main campus.

Anybody have the opportunity to go the the Phoenix College extention next to Read Mullin Ford...also known as the old Jewish Communty center.  The extention was known to many of us a Read Mullin University.  It was the Berkley of Arizona.  Strange people...yes me included. Had a Philosophy teacher who wore the same suite like foreever.  he resempled Clark Kent just after he got back from a mission...the tie was off kilter and the suite was wrinkled...but then again I paid $ 28 for 16 credit hours tuition.  The school had a very special swimming pool and after taking PE at 7am and swimming it was probably why I'm as crazy as I am now.  Ever take a shower with Lava soap? it was an experience.  I took mainly business and accounting courses and probably why I wasn't high up on the gee I wish I could date him list.  I was very shy and my personality was a solid D-.

Back then I was thin; so much in fact if i turned sideways and stuck my tongue out I would look like a zipper.

The extention had a large group from Arcadia and Camelback we also had many from Central. they seemed to be in rapture when the school turned into Glendale Community College Camelback Branch. Hey I went from being a PC Bear/Mountain Lion to GCC Goucho...oh how retarted and what shame. The next year I went to the main campus of Phoenix College back to being a Bear. When I was at junior college the most sucessesfu business on campus was the book store. low tuition but cost of books made up for it.

Looling back; I was an extreme Liberal back then but didn't get into Alice B. Toklas brownies until I went to NAU after the Service.  So now Im just mild mannered shoe shine boy.

Dennis.

DeWitt Bacon

All these different statistics about crime and the two parties make me wonder what is true. I do know that I live in a state, (Arkansas) that is a bright red state run by a well-qualified governor. As a state, we have very little crime. The biggest crimes are committed mainly in Democrat-run cities. Of course, it's us crazy MAGA Republicans that are causing all the trouble, not Soros-backed prosecutors and AGs that turn the criminals back out on the street.

Earl Harris III

Sorry folks, but this is gonna be a long post. For people like Patty Meyers (Anderson) and Michael Wetzel, who admit to lacking patience and seldom read beyond the first paragraph of any longer-looking post, you can stop now and not waste your time. For those who have greater patience, by all means read on, remembering that you can quit at any time.

After reading the Jim’s post #11407, I am now suffering from a severe reaction to what he claims to be the “obvious” right answers to all that ails us. 

I need to get a few things off my chest. You can choose to view my comments below as simply an expression of my thoughts and concerns and/or as a direct challenge to debate Jim’s claims. I can only wait and wonder when and how Jim might respond. He’s told us, rather sanctimoniously IMHO, that he refuses to debate anyone on this Message Forum. For now, I’m going to take him at his word.

First, it’s interesting to see the reaction that some of you had, including me, regarding Jim’s cherry-picked effort that sought, by association, a connection between the political affiliation of mayors and retail crimes committed in selected large cities. I suspect that many of you found yourselves scratching your heads, followed by a compulsive desire to either disprove or cast aspersions on his assertions by quoting other statistics found in Internet searches of your own. 

Some of you found many studies, as I did, conducted by a wide variety of organizations using differing methodologies that compared political affiliation with all sorts of topics.

MK, for instance, offered even more damning evidence of Democrats with his post.

Katie offered up in her post, #11416, a different view that seemed to contradict Jim’s sure-fire pronouncements. Her set of statistics sought to bring balance to the table. In her thoughtful and measured concluding paragraph she said:  “Probably it would be better to say we have serious problems in the US and they need to be acted on, but simply finding statistics that seems to make a point for you does nothing to help the issues, all it does is continue to divide.” I have to say that I agree with her.

I will admit that my knee-jerk reaction was the same as many of you as I went in search of likely biased statistics supported by methodologies more suitable to my worldview. But, after a short while, I began by asking myself, “ Why did Jim settle in on retail crimes and why did he specifically hone in on big cities? Why not murder rates in midsize cities, for example, or illicit drug or gun deaths in rural towns?,” I thought.

I’ll leave it up you to be the judge, but one possible reason was the attempt to follow up  his cherry-picked statistical link with a clarion call to those “on the fence” to vote Republican. He said, and I quote: “See the pattern? Democrats do not enforce the law. Republicans do. Later, he authoritatively adds the “obvious”, namely, “R’s are for enforcing the law.” At least he is consistent. It comports with his embrace of the “bumper sticker” approach to many of his political statements. But, use of caveman-like slogans that often amount to little more than "Republicans, good! Democrats bad!”, fails to adequately address some very complicated issues and difficult problems. My opinion, of course.

While continuing to peruse information on the Internet, I began to think of another question: “If we are really interested in understanding what towns, cities, states or regions are “best”, why choose to limit yourself to linking crime rates with political identity or governance, solely?

Why not, for instance, combine crime rates with other measures of livability, in seeking out the best of the “best or the best” or conversely, “the worst of the worst”?  Why not combine categories such as healthcare, education, economy, physical natural resources, along with crime and corrections. US News does this. Click on the PDF below to view their list of "best" and "worse" States.

https://www.usnews.com/media/best-states/overall-rankings-2023.pdf

It has been said that statistics often lie. Hopefully more often than not they don’t, but they certainly can be manipulated to suit one’s purposes.

I want to stop at this point, though I have much more to share in future postings regarding  my opinions concerning Speaker of the House, Mike Johnson, Richard Deshong’s much needed and appreciated contributions, Donald Trump and the "Rule of Law" and what I believe was a recent but unsuccessful attempt to gaslight Mike Lorts on this Message Forum. I will also continue to hope that one day we can have a civil debate regarding immigration including the problems and potential solutions to help address the mess at our southern border with Mexico.

I will not be hesitant in sharing my opinions. I am willing to enter into a civil discourse, even"debate" with anyone, on any topic, at any time.

Jim Coats

Three friends from the local congregation (this refers to a Church, so there is no confusion) were asked, "When you're in your casket, and friends and congregation members are mourning over you, what would you like them to say?"

Fred said, "I would like them to say I was a wonderful husband, a fine spiritual leader, and a great family man."

Eugene commented, "I would like them to say I was a wonderful teacher and a servant of God who made a huge difference in people's lives."

Artie (remember him?) said, "I want them to say I didn't know transporting young gulls across stately lions for immortal porpoises was illegal and that I was just following orders."

I heard yesterday about a Jewish mother, father and infant captured by Hamas were tied up and the baby was baked in the oven and they listened to the screams before they were killed.  Debate that.

Let's check the Voter ID's of all the "anti-semitic" protestors who are calling for Israel to rollover, die  and stop defending itself.  Wonder what that would show IF any of these scumbags ever vote at all.  Wonder what party they align with?  Research that.

SECURE THE BORDER!!  ENFORCE THE LAW!!

Mike Lorts

I would like the people on this forum to discuss mass shootings. I would like to discuss how we (the US) could install the 1996 Australian gun law? Please research this law and the results it has had before you voice your thoughts. My opinion is that it's time to do more than "thoughts and payers" every time we have a mass shooting. An overwhelming number of Americans want thorough background checks and a assault weapons ban. 

Michael Kelly

Crime happens because some people are BAD!  Crime also happens because there are not enough deterrent elements that are visible so that even stupid Crimihals notice. That's why the politically ignorant backed the Disarm the Police Movement are now having to EAT CROW. EAT IT YOU BARGAINED FOR IT, JUST REMEMBER THE NEXT TIME YOU THINK UP SOME IDIOTIC PROGRAM, ELIMINATE THE REST OF US FROM THE SCOPE OF THE FALL OUT FROM YOUR OUTRIGHT INSANITY SO THAT AT LEAST WE CAN CONTINUE TO BE SAFE. CRIME HAPPENS IN DEMOCRAT CITIES BECAUSE THE MAJORITY DEMOCRATS IN THAT CITY, STATE, COUNTY, ETC WERE SO STUPID THEY BOUGHT INTO ELIMINATING THE PO;LICE AND OTHER LAW ENFORCEMENT ELEMENTS FROM GOVERNMENT ENFORCEMENT OF LAWS. ADMIT IT, QUIT BEING STUPID, AND LEARN  FROM IT AND PROCEED TO A BETTER AND BRIGHTER FUTURE. QUIT BEING IDIOTS. 

THAT'S YOUR TUESDAY MEDICINE FOR THE DAY. ALSO IT IS POOR HABIT AND CRIPPLES THE LEARNING PROCESS TO NOT ADMIT YOU HAVE MADE A WRONG JUDGMENT, JUST TO SALVAGE YOUR  OWN EGO. QUIT IT. THOMAS ALVA EDISON ADMITTED NINETY NINE HUNDRED AND NINE TIMES THAT HE WAS WRONG, AND ON TIME ONE THOUSAND BINGO HE INVENTED THE  LIGHT BULB, TRUE GENIUS ADMITS FAILURE, LEARNS FROM IT, AND HOPEFULLY MAKES ADVANCEMENT. ALL YOU GENIUSES, REMEMBER, EDISON WAS SCREWING UP INANIMATE OBJECTS, NOT PEOPLES LIVES, WITH LIVES YOU ONLY GET ONE MISTAKE. YOUR LIFE SHOULD MEAN MORE TO YOU!

Michael Kelly

LORTS  HOW FAR HAS AN ASSAULT WEAPONS BAN GOTTEN CHICAGO?  MASS SHOOTINGS TAKE PLACE BECAUSE SOME PEOPLE ARE MENTALLY UNSTABLE, SO YOU WANT TO TAKE AWAY GUNS FROM PEOPLE WHO ARE STABLE? THINK THIS THROUGH! HOW IS TAKING AWAY GUNS FROM STABLE PEOPLE GOING TO MAKE INSANE PEOPLE STOP FROM COMMITTING CRIMINAL AND/OR INSANE ACTS? READ MY POST ABOVE. YOU WANT A DEBATE ABOUT SOMETHING THAT DOESN'T MATTER. IF YOU ABHOR GUNS, THEN FORM A NATIONAL GROUP AND BURN YOUR GUNS, EVERYONE OF YOU, NOW DON'T WAIT, GIVE SPEECHES AND HAND OUT MERIT BADGES. JUST DON'T ASK ME FOR HELP IF YOU EVER NEED A GUN TO DEFEND YOURSELF. I WILL LAUGH AT YOU AND TELL YOU TO FIND A TREE WITH A SUITABLE FORK IN IT, CUT THE FORK OUT OF THE TREE, GET SOME SURGICAL TUBING, MAKE A LEATHER PATCH FOR A SUITABLE POUCH, AND MAKE A SLING SHOT, MAKE SURE TO GET SOME BALL BEARINGS FOR AMMO AND DON'T TRY ANY SHOTS MORE THAN SAY 20 FEET AWAY. GOOD LUCK.

Earl Harris III

Katie,

You have impeccable timing, in terms of the questions that you asked, specifically in post #11421. Impeccable timing in terms of what I've been wrestling with recently.

There seems to be a risk/reward consideration that needs to be taken into account when deciding whether or not to continue posting on this alumni site. The keyboard warriors who are obsessed with what goes on here should take a step backwards and consider what you give to and get out of the encounters.

It's a healthy, "take care of yourself first" kind of question when juxtaposed to one where your "concern for others" and/or desire to "be a helpful participant" is being weighed.

Put another way, are the stresses related to our mental and emotional well-being outweighed by the stresses in feedback from others when our goal is mainly wanting to understand others, to tear down fences that divide, to feel emotionally connected to others, etc., etc. etc. 

I, too, would like to know what others participants get out of this Forum. Is this all there is for some? How do you balance your time? Are you able to balance your life with other things to the extent that you feel happy and satisfied? I've been asking questions on this Forum about pastimes. I've told and asked for stories, hoping those stories that might  be entertaining, funny or uplift us, ones that might provide insights into our lives for both sender and receiver of shared messages.

I've spent long hours, at times, thinking about others, and what I might say that could be helpful. I do know that I've made some mistakes. I have said things that I later regretted. I often have to tell myself that much gets lost in translation when we're keyboard warriors. I think we could all benefit from having face-to-face conversations. It's one of the reasons I've asked for people to post photos of themselves showing what they look like today. It's hard for me to look in a photo of a person taken 58 years ago. It's almost as if I'm talking to a ghost.

I honestly wish no ill will towards anyone. Do I get frustrated by comments that seem manipulative, absolutist in tone, even hateful? You bet I do. I don't always like what I read, and I generally know when conversations take a turn for the worse, especially when there is a blatant disregard for the thoughts and feelings of others. If there's anything that keeps me here, in my own keyboard warrior kind of way, it's the feeling of hope and joy that I see in people as they meander down life's path and approach end-of-life issues and concerns.

Honestly, I'd like to be able to say I don't care what others think of me, that my self-esteem stays intact, regardless what might be hurled my way. Honestly, I would like to say that the tons of people who have left this Message Forum did so on their own accord happy and satisfied with their interactions with fellow classmates. Unfortunately, I believe that that would mostly be a lie. 

It seems like so much of what goes on here is a zero sum game. For some participants, there must be winners and losers. Answers to problems are either black or white, right or wrong. There are no grays, no level of complexity with respect to controversial issues that might call for nuanced solutions. I have to remind myself of something that I posted many moons ago, that the anger expressed most always has at its root a deep seated fear.

In the end, it will be my decision to either stay or leave this site for good. I'm going to have to seriously consider making a cost/reward calculation. What you elect to do will come down to a personal choices that only you are capable of making. 

Best wishes to all! I wish everyone good heath and happiness. I believe that all of us, at the deepest level, want to love and be loved. I think your poem about the lion, says it all for me.

Jim Coats

SECURE THE BORDER!!  Debate that.

ENFORCE THE LAW!!  Debate that.

I don't need to debate either point.  I know the difference between right and wrong.

Where is the outrage from the left on this site about what happened and is happening in Israel and in the USA with regard to poisonous anti-semitism?  We have lost our major colleges and universities.  We are losing our K - 12 children.  Where is the outrage....except from the right?

If people don't want to own guns, then DON'T.  Mr. Biden's favorite word.  Call a social worker if someone tries to harm your family.  

If anyone wants to leave....then leave.  Australia sounds good.  Stop whining.  I swear.....76 year old snowflakes.

Mike Lorts

Jim,

Wasn't you last post 100% whining?

Earl Harris III

Jim,

Thanks for reading and responding to my post. Your answers made my case, clearly and convincingly. Let's make a deal. I'll stop the whining when you stop the hate-filled rants.

Jim Coats

I too was once a male trapped in a female body.  Then....my mother gave birth.  And I became a Republican.

Jim Coats

Finally!  Something from the left I can agree with.  Read the final paragraph of post # 11433 in all bold print.  Could not agree more, except it's not really a hot subject.  But.....it's "nice."  I took a picture of that post so I could keep it....in case it changes.

Patty Meyers (Anderson)

Mike L, we spend a lot of time in Australia and have a lot of Australian friends.  Not one of them like their gun laws.  And I have never seen a gun walk into a room and shoot someone.

We are leaving again for Australia in December and will be back the middle of April.  I will keep in mind what you say they say and what I hear and I will let you know.

Bill RIHS

"Ideas and actions"; open borders, great idea and action? Cashless bail, great idea and action? Abortion up to and including after birth, great idea? Hold back Ukrain weapons aid upon Putin's invasion, great idea and action? Afghanistan evacuation, great idea and actions? Excellerate spending while fueling inflation, good idea and actions? Ignore maintaining sanctions on Iran oil sales allowing the funding for terrorists, good idea and lack of action. Let's not investigate China's role in Covid, good idea and lack of action. There are more ideas and actions to enumerate. I will let it go for now.

Mike Lorts

Patty,

Just curious what your friends don't like about Australia's gun law. Do they not like the burden it puts on gun ownership or they dislike the drop in mass shootings and overall drop in deaths from guns.

Michael Wetzel

Mike Lorts,

Why don't you find the post I installed long ago, referencing an Australian Police Officer's comments on their gun confiscation. They were against it completely, and because of it, crime had risen dramatically, and the idiots who lost their weapons, were at the mercy of the criminals who did not turn in their weapons ! Does that compute with you ?............

Mike Lorts

Mike W,

I have searched a number of platforms and cannot find any articles showing that Australian police did/do not like the 1996 gun law. Is it possible you could send me source of this review? Is it possible that this was an interview with one policeman?

American Police Departments would overwhelmingly support a law similar to the Australian gun law. However, we could find a few policemen that would oppose such a law because as we have discovered most groups such as Oath Keepers and Proud Boys have policemen as members.

Jim Coats

Patty re: 11435.  There you go.  Good logic....good response based on first hand knowledge and it was done in less than 1,000 words.

Bill R. re: #11436.  Good, solid rhetorical questions that shouldn't take a rocket surgeon to figure out.  But........................

SECURE THE BORDER!!  ENFORCE THE LAW!!

Michael Wetzel

Mike L.,

 You need to find and read the article I posted. Show me proof that all the American Police would love to have our weapons confiscated ?..........

Bill RIHS

Jim, my statements were on issues that should be common sense. As we all know common sense is not common these days!
Anonymous, don't anyone hold your breath waiting for me to debate.

Michael Kelly

I know during the Rodney King Riots it was summer and I was working with a Law Firm in Long Beach, CA. and it was a very long drive on the Freeways from LB to Agua Dulce, Ca. where I had just moved. Somewhere close to 100 miles one way. On that Summer it was hot, and I would drive with the Windows down so I could hear better what was going on in the Stop and Go Traffic, sometimes banditos would hop on the Freeways and Rob at Gunpoint the driver's of vehicles. I carried a Pistolo a 38 Smith and Wesson Six Shooter which was a used Cop Gun so I had got it at a Bargain Price. A cop I knew said it was okay for us citizens to Carry because the Banditos were shooting to kill. I remember looking East on the 710 Freeway northbound, and I could see Fires Burning of Stores set on Fire by the Rioters, Sometimes a Dozen or more. I remember hearing Dolly Parton singing on the Radio a Song that got to me about how here Grandfather lived in a Time of Peace and would Pray to God for his granddaughter, and for his World. I could see the World I was living in was kind of Falling Apart. 

The only ones who seemed to survive the onslaught of Rioters were the oriental liquor and neighborhood Store owners, who lived in the ghetto neighborhoods and sold Groceries and Sodas and Beer etc. to the people who lived in the very places the Rioters lived, and shot people, and burned buildings, and raped women. I remember one Liquor Store Owner and his brother who were standing guard by living on the Roof of their Store, and holding back the destruction and possioble death, with their ILLEGAL SEMI-AUTOMATIC ASSAULT RIFLES AND THESE WERE RUSSIAN MADE AK-47'S DESIGNED BY A GUY NAMED kALASHNIKOV, WHO KNEW HOW TO MAKE IMPERVIOUS TO DIRT AND GRIME RIFLES. THESE KOREANS WERE NEW HERE, BUT THEY DAMNED SURE WEREN'T GOING TO WATCH THEIR STORES GO UP IN SMOKE OVER SOME RIOTOUS DEADBEAT GANGSTA'S.

PITY MORE OF US DON'T VALUE OUR FREEDOMS ENOUGH TO ARM OURSELVES AND FIGHT FOR THEM IF NECESSARY. SO, AUSTRALIANS GIVING UP THEIR GUNS, I'LL BET A RED BLOODED AUSSIE IS NOT ANYWHERE MORE HAPPY THAN I WOULD BE GIVING UP MY GUNS TO APEASE WHINING DO-GOODERS, WHO WHEN IT COMES DOWN TO IT, WILL CALL FOR THE POLICE TO PROTECT THEM. TROUBLE THE R. KING RIOTS HAPPENED IN THE EARLY 90'S LONG BEFORE A LOT OF  US GOT DUPED INTO GIVING UP OUR MEANS OF SELF PROTECTION, AND BEFORE POLITICIANS WANTING TO APPEASE THE BANDITOS, FIRED THE COPS AND DEFUNDED THE REST OF THEM

ON THE FIRST  DAY OF THESE RODNEY KING RIOTS, A GOOD FRIEND OF MINE, AND HER CO=WORKERS WERE ROBBED AT GUNPOINT AT THEIR  PLACE OF WORK, THE BOSS, A LADY IN HER 70'S GOT PISTOL WHIPPED FOR OPPOSING THE BANDITOS. ALL OF THEM LOST THEIR MONEY. THE BEAT COP CAME IN THE NEXT MORNING AND TOLD THEM TO START CARRYING A FIREARM IN THEIR VEHICLES, AND SHOOT TO KILL IF SOMEONE TRIED TO GET INTO THEIR VEHICLE. HE SAID LEAVE THE BODY ON THE STREET AND DON'T STAY ON THE SCENE, IT IS TOO DANGEROUS.

SOME OF YOU OPPOSE GUNS, FINE, DON'T CARRY ONE. I WON'T TRY TO DISAVOW YOU OF YOUR CONVICTION. JUST DO ME THE FAVOR, AND DON'T TRY TO TELL ME I AM WRONG IF I BELIEVE THE OPPOSITE. SORRY THIS IS SO LENGTHY, BUT THIS WAS MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE. I SAW IT, HEARD IT, SMELLED IT, AND REMEMBER IT. I THINK IT'STIME I WAS UNDERSTOOD FOR THE VIEWPOINT I HAVE ON THE ISSUE OF FIREARMS AND CARRYING ONE FOR PERSONAL PROTECTION.

Mike Lorts

Seems that some of you are not willing to do a rudimentary search of the Australian 1996 gun law and the impact it has had since it passed. The only people that will do the research will be Katie and Earl. The rest of you will continue spouting your opinions and not be bothered with facts.

Jim Coats

Australia gun law.....Asked and answered so long ago on this site.  For everyone's edification, the answer was NFW!

Hypothetical scenario:  Let's say that the left was able to pass a similar law here and the administration was tasked with confiscating all 300million+ guns owned by LAW ABIDING CITIZENS.  I don't think jack booted enforcers would fare well.  2nd Amendment and all that.  Of course, this would never happen....I hope.

I think anyone who hates America and loves Australia should move there.  I believe I have made that suggestion previously.

SECURE THE BORDER!!  ENFORCE THE LAW!!

I fear a storm is coming.

Frank Wiley

It has been mentioned that American Police Officers support a Gun Ban.  If they do they break their oath to "Protect and Defend the Constitution of the United States"!!  I have stated before that (in my opinion) there is no need for high capacity magazines.  Virtually all the killing that's done is by Criminals or someone who is Mentally Impaired.  This last mass killing involved a Mentally ill Person.  He slipped through the cracks of our society.  There were "yellow flag laws" in place that weren't being enforced.