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. 

Bill Kaehler

DeShong- I offer just a casual observation here. After reading your dissertation #12107, you appear to believe almost all conservative opinions and presentation of facts are wrong and non-factual.  And this happens AFTER you have done "extensive RESEARCH”.

It is curious that so much extensive  research should all support your views and opinions, even though they are mostly controversial subjects. So curious, in fact, that one may believe there is “cherry picking” afoot, if I may use the vernacular of Sherlock Holmes.

Careful! Your credibility is slipping.

Jim Coats

Frank:  You never bought an EV???  FAKE NEWS once again from the far left wing??  Of course, it's ONLY your opinion that you never bought an EV.  Can you prove it?  I'm afraid pictures of the contents of your garage won't suffice....could be photo-shopped you know.  I'm signing off now and calling Director Wray.  Be prepared for a VERY loud knock on your door....oh.....and black helicopters....don't forget the black helicopters.

Mike Lorts

Frank,

My mistake. My memory was incorrect.

Conservatives constantly say the national media is lying. Is FOX a regional news source? I believe there was only one news source that was successfully sued for lying and had to pay $787M to Dominion.

Mike Lorts

Bill K,

If you are dissatisfied with how Richard does his research I'm sure he would welcome your research.

Mike Lorts

Jim,

You beat me to apologizing to Frank.

I know you were being sarcastic about Frank having to prove he didn't buy a EV but I remember being asked by Mike K to send photos the EV I bought.

Jim Coats

Well...the date is 1-2-3-1-2-3.  I don't imagine we'll see that again.

Happy New Year ALL!

Bill RIHS

Anyone notice the liberals comments on this site avoid or don't comment on the real issues for our country that Jim''s "bumper sticker" slogans address, I do? 
Richard, for a " conservative Republican" your posts are sure one sided. As BK stated, crediblity? 

Dennis Moran

HAPPY NEW YEAR.

Dennis.

Greg Watkins

Michael Wetzel

                    HAPPY NEW YEAR,

                       ONE, AND ALL !!.......

Mike Lorts

HAPPY NEW YEAR!🎉

Bill Kaehler

WISHING EVERY ONE A HAPPY, HEALTHY OR HEALTHIER, PROPEROUS NEW YEAR!  AND HERE IS TO THE HOPE THAT ALL OF US ARE STILL POSTING ON THIS FORUM FOR THE WHOLE OF 2024!  

Richard Deshong

Yeah, the new year has finally arrived!!!!!! To close out 2023 I want to respond to a few of the comments addressed to me over the holidays:

This first one goes out to DeWitt, but it can just as easily apply to others as well.

You had made a statement claiming the liberal press had unjustly and maliciously categorized Barry Goldwater as a warmonger during his 1960 presidential campaign. Why you made that statement only you can say. But when I pointed out that during a 1965 speech given by Barry Goldwater at Camelback High, he himself said he was a warmonger, your comeback was that all happened 60 years ago, and I should give it a rest. DeWitt, if you are going to make such statements I will continue to fact check them. If you don’t want to debate something that happened 60 years ago, don’t bring it up.

This next one is for Jim Coats.

In your post 12102 you made eight statements and clearly marked them as you opinion. Turns out your opinions were easily checked and debunked. It makes me wonder if you might be getting your opinions from news information sent to your smartphone that is a result of an algorithm that skews information to what you have previously opened and thus is sending only news derived from far-right conservative sites that are known for supplying outlandish statements as red meat to like thinking readers. I think the technical term for that is fake news,

I can promise you, and any others on the Forum, that as long as you keep sending opinions that don’t pass the smell test, I will continue to fact check them. It took me less than twenty minutes to fact check all of Jim’s opinions, so it isn’t a big burden, and like I have said numerous times, I enjoy doing it. Every time I make the effort to look behind the curtain I inevitably learn something new. If my research can help others realize not everything we read on social media is true, and that fact checking isn’t difficult, maybe we can begin to realize there are forces out there whose goal is to continue to divide us a nation and will continue to do so until we call them on it.

Another one for Jim.

I figured out why my post 12107 was so wide and corrected it. You’re welcome. For anyone whose interested, turns out if you use a line of asterisks as a divider, it will not truncate them like it will words or numbers, so keep the number used to a minimum.

Here’s a shout out to Bill Kaehler.

I don’t believe “almost all conservative opinions and presentations of facts are wrong and non-factual.” But when I do see opinions and presentations that are wrong and non-factual I will respond to them. As for doing "extensive RESEARCH” (your words and emphasis), it truly takes little time or effort. It takes almost no time to simply turn an opinion into a question and type it into a search engine and magically up pops several sites that have already done the research. In fact, it’s so easy I continue to be amazed more people don’t take the time to check to see if their opinion is true before posting them.

Finally, to Mike Kelly. In an earlier post (#11926 on Dec. 17) I made you the following challenge:

“Each week in January I'll post an idea on how we might improve America's immigration problem if you agree to post once a week explaining exact what Trump did to make improvement and was not overturned by the courts. Maybe you can pretend you're in a court of law and you are the prosecution. You'll need to make your case beyond a shadow of a doubt and use only verifiable evidence.”

Since issuing that challenge I have given you two opportunities to accept or reject it. So far you have done neither. I will take your lack of a response as not wanting to accept and assume it is because you don’t think you can fulfill your end of the challenge. But don’t worry, I am still planning to post once each week in January my thoughts on how we might improve America’s immigration problem If nothing else, it should make for some lively debates on our friendly forum.

So that’s it for my responses to 2023 feedback. Now it’s on to 2024. Hold onto your seats, I’m sure it’s going to be a bumpy ride.

Richard Deshong

Sooooooo many jokes on aging!

If you lose something in a senior care home, don't stop looking until you've searched every nook and granny.

Be kind to your children, because when you get older, they're the ones who are going to choose your nursing home.

Life is short. Smile while you still have teeth.

Aging gracefully is a nice way of saying you're slowly looking worse.

The older we get, the earlier it gets late.

Old people are just young people who have been alive for a very, very long time.

Why am I getting older and wider instead of older and wiser?

Old age isn't so bad when you consider the alternative.

An old woman is sitting at a bar when an older gentleman sits down beside her. "So," he says, "Do I come here often?"

What musical genre do older people with arthritis listen to every time they sit down and stand up? Pop.

You know you're old when getting lucky means a short wait in the doctor's office.

The good thing about getting older is that you don't have to worry about things like acne anymore. The bad thing is that you start worrying about new things, like wrinkles and gray hair.

You know you're getting older when you have a party, and the neighbors don't even realize it.

I was told by my doctor that I should start exercising. So, I joined an aerobics class for seniors. I bent, twisted, and jumped for an hour. By the time I put on my workout clothes, the class was over.

These are not gray hairs! They are wisdom highlights! I happen to be very wise.

If my body were a car, I would trade it in a newer model… every time I cough sneeze or sputter my radiant leaks and my exhaust backfires.

Allow me to politely suggest this be the year you start lying about your age.

I like birthdays, but I think too many can kill you.

At least I'm not as old as I'll be next year.

Don't let aging get you down. It's too hard to get up again.

The tragedy of getting old: So many candles… so little cake.

Mary Powers (Evans)

Some more good ones Richard.  I felt like this one on New Year's Eve:

"The older we get, the earlier it gets late"

Wishing everyone a happy healthy new year.

Jim Coats

Richard.  Re: your post #12133 about my post #12102.  (I didn't fact check that....I presume 12102 is correct....but I digress).  Dammit!  I only made 8 statements of opinion?!  I thought it was 9!  I'll have to get back to you on #9.

I am so delighted that you "enjoy fact checking my opinions."  I knew I could count on you.  I used to work with a few people like you in the past who were obsessed with receiving constant adulation from people around them....rather than just doing their job and supporting the goals of their employer.  They were migrated to different positions.  I'm sure your friends on the far left are so very impressed with you.  In fact, I know they are.  See next paragraph.

That brings up another point I have been meaning to mention.  Liberals on this Forum have accused we conservatives of "patting each other on the back...blah, blah, blah."  Since you all have mentioned that you communicate with each other "off" the  Message Forum in your secret club, I decided to read the Classmate Profiles of you, Katie, Lorts, Earl, Geneva, Larry, et al wherein you all express how you are so impressed with each other.  It's right there for anyone to read, knothead.  Care for a snifter of Hypocrisy, Richard?  It's a good year.  Now you know and you can go to a double-secret club and delete all those "private communiques."

SECURE THE BORDER!!  ENFORCE THE LAW!!  AMERICA FIRST!!

PARENTS RIGHTS!!  FOLLOW THE MONEY!!

Michael Kelly

Gee Richard, you must be extremely insecure for whatever reason. In my Calendar, it is just now Jan.1, 2024 so my due date is Jan. 7 another six days from now.

I did check you out on a Website that researches your name and I found an address on the West side of the Phoenix area. I was wondering what a person with the wanderlust that you have for seeing America, can also hold down so many different Jobs. I have counted five or six that were pretty impressive, and you allude to copious amounts of income, I think you said you were in the top 20 Percent of Earners in the USA. And now you drop names in Israel of companies the Middle East who according to you have been started up by members of the IDF and you say they all want Netanyahu out, and "Peace in the Middle East" by our  allies Israel stopping theire brutal attacks on Hamas. As DeWitt said, and maybe Bill Kaehler also, you claim to be a Conservative, but you seem to always side with the Progressives/America is Always Bad haunts on this Site. What is your innermost Desires for our Country Richard, you confuse me. 

Now to what Trump did to alleviate the situation on the Southern Border. 1. He used an existing Statute from the  Immigration Code and the Policies that have developed therefrom, to require the Illegals seeking Asylum to be situated in the First Country that they crossed into from the Country they were seeking Asylum from, as the Country of Refuge. This did not sit well with you Illegal Alien Lovers because you wanted them to be given de facto residence here, so they could get free food, free housing, free medical care, and citizenship for the babies they were conceiving on the way here so that they could be citizens as soon as they are born, and bring in all their relatives as a result. 2. Trump used surplus military funds, since Congress would not, and the Senate would not, vote for any more money to build a Fence. Fences work, just ask the Chinese, who kept Genghis Khan at bay many moons ago. Check the history Richard, it will only take five minutes or so as you chastised DeWitt for failing to do so. 3. Trump twice offered Pelosi and Schumer a "Path ti Citizenship" including DACA de Facto citizenship, but Eyebrows Pelosi and Garment District Lawyer Schumer got up and left the Room. It was on National Television, Fox News, but you don't watch Fox so you did not see it. 4. He let people like you Richard, Stay. Restrict your Reply Richard to 3000 words or less..

Bill RIHS

Richard, since you love to fact check opinions, try this one; our borders are secure. Oh, I forgot the democrates are controlling exactly what they wanted, open borders for everyone who wants to come here illegally. All you so called progressive are complicit in this situation. God help our kids and legal citizens.

Frank Wiley

It will be an interesting year.  A couple observations.  We are getting gaslighted on the Border and the Economy by Biden and his administration.  When Democrats like Henry Cuellar, Katie Hobbs, Eric Adams, and the Mayor of Chicago are all complaining loudly that the Border is out of control but Biden, Myorkas, and KJP continue to tell us the Border is secure, we are being gaslighted! •••••••••••••Joe keeps saying he is making life better for the poor and middle class.  The poor and middle class have been hurt the most by his policies.  Inflation and the Open Borders hurt the poor the most of anyone, and the middle class is closely behind.  These lawbreaking border crossers are going to be competing for the lowest skill  jobs.  There might be few illegals who have some skills but I bet that is a minuscule number.  Another very "dark cloud" is Credit Card" Debt.  It's the highest in history and estimated at 1.6 TRILLION Dollars.  My Wife and I are religious about paying the total balance each month so we don't pay interest, Thank God, but there are millions who don't pay monthly, and while there might be lower interest rates for unpaid balances--the listed Interest rate on unpaid balances on my Southwest Visa Card is 29.49%.  (I haven't checked my Costco card) Just wait until the Christmas Credit Card bills hit their mailboxes this month.  I don't see things improving.  You might want to read an article by Susan Page (Liberal/Progressive) in "USA Today" dated January 1. 2024.  It's titled, "A Fraying Coalition: Black, Hispanic, Young Voters abandon Biden as Election Year Begins."  It's a good read.  Two Progressive Democrats in Congress are also complaining about Biden sending money to Israel without Congressional Approval.  Tim Kane (Hillary's VP Running mate) and Chris Van Hollen have called it dangerous.  

Bill Kaehler

Deshong, you missed my point.  Your extensive research is cherry picked to support your opinion (on issues that have two sides), not to determine the truth.

Once again, your latest post supports my theory that true lefties do not value the truth. And they will often accuse the “other side” of doing exactly what they are doing.  Cherry picking and calling it extensive research, comes to mind.

Patty Meyers (Anderson)

Cars should be banned.  New Years Eve one plowed into the crowd outside the concert at the Kodak Center, killing two people and injuring five others.

Patty Meyers (Anderson)

Happy Birthday, Greg.  

Richard Deshong

2024 is starting off great. Looks like I’ll be busy doing what I like to do most – having fun debating controversial topics with others.

So where to start? Jim, you drew the short straw, so I’ll kick things off with you by addressing your post 12136 about my post 12133 about your post 12102. Damn, this is going to get confusing after a few more posts. Maybe we should create an appendix so everyone can keep up. As if anybody else cared.

I’ve noticed when you can’t refute the message your tendency is to attack the messenger. Would you care to explain what your comments on doing one’s job and supporting one’s employer have to do with my responses to your opinions.

As for your comments on reading messages on offline communications, are you just now discovering that when classmates wish to communicate one on one with each other they can do so under Classmates Profiles? Can’t be because I notice you also use it. But again, you choose to resort to name calling (knot head?) and make it seem as if no one else other than those you take issue with utilize that capability to communicate with one another. Let me clue you into a little secret, at the top of every classmate profile, right under their name and general information, is an icon of an envelope and the words “Send (classmate's name) a private message.” It serves the same purpose as sending a general offline message except it can’t be viewed by anyone other than the sender and receiver. Many of us utilize that capability just so we won’t have to put up with the type of BS comments you’re making. And, when we want to “talk” as a group, we use normal everyday e-mails. So, sorry to burst your bubble, but you haven’t broken the secret about how we communicate as a group. Maybe someday, should we meet in person again, I’ll teach you our secret handshake.

At any rate, I’m glad you’re reading all my posts, and I will continue to hold out hope that one day you will defend your opinions rather than belittling those who call you out on them. Until that day, keep up the good work.

Jim Coats

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, GREG!  I wanted to be first, but Patty beat me to it.  

Dushong.  You are really quite dense.  BTW (sigh!), I know how the website works and just pointed out that I have watched your hypocrisy in full glory (print) because it "seems" you and your fellow lefty-gang doesn't know, otherwise you/they wouldn't make our/my case for me.  

Knothead....Did that stick/stone break a bone?  Would jackass be better?  You choose.

You and your "ilk" (love that word...I was part of an ILK here once) are constantly clamoring for acceptance and adoration from.....well....just about everyone, but especially those who live under under your little bridge with you.  That's pathetic.  This may come as a surprise.....never mind.  Too easy.

Test:  ILK....I mean "Elk don't know how many feet a horse have."  Who said it and what movie was it from?  

SECURE THE BORDER!!  ENFORCE THE LAW!!  AMERICA FIRST!!

PARENTS RIGHTS!!  FOLLOW THE MONEY!!

"DEMOCRACY DIES IN DARKNESS."

P.S.  Oh, I guess I'll remove the jackass part.  Don't want to damage your sensibilities.  I'll stick with knothead.  It's pretty benign.  If you don't know what benign means, please research and get back to us.  

Richard Deshong

Jokes for our “Real Conservative” friends to tell at their next beer summit:

Recent study shows that 1 in 3 liberals...

are just as stupid as the other two.

Why don’t liberals like dentists?

Because dentists make teeth straight and white.

Liberal people support human rights and the idea that people with disabilities should have equal labor market opportunities.

Now there is a disabled guy in the White House and all they do is complain about it.

What do you call a basement full of liberals?

A whine cellar.

Why don't you put a post office next to a liberal arts college?

They'll always argue over the male agenda.

Liberals are more generous than conservatives.

Not only are they generous with their own money, but they are also generous with other people's money!

How to get a liberal arts graduate off your porch?

Pay him for the pizza.

In liberal politics, left is right, and right is wrong.

Dear liberals, stop crying about being called a snowflake.

In 20 years, nobody will remember what snowflakes are anyway.

Studies show liberals are less susceptible to 'fake news.'

I read it on Facebook.

How many Liberals does it take to change a lightbulb?

Liberals: Changing the bulb is too extreme. Let's fix the current one in the dark.

(Don't laugh too hard, there are jokes about conservatives coming soon)