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. 

Jim Coats

Lorts.  Your birthday was 9/27.  Mine was 10/1.  I just don't recall......

Bill Kaehler

Dorothy, re #12393

Former Danish prime minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen put it succinctly during a U.S. visit: “I know that some people in the U.S. associate the Nordic model with some sort of socialism. Therefore, I would like to make one thing clear: Denmark is far from a socialist planned economy. Denmark is a market economy.”

(Source:  Heritage Foundation, Lee Edwards, Distinguished Fellow)

I know this contradicts the AOC/Bernie Sanders crowd, but . . .

DeWitt Bacon

IF WE EVER FORGET THAT WE ARE ONE NATION UNDER GOD,

THEN WE WILL BE A NATION GONE UNDER.

Ronald Reagan

Katie Baribeau (Moore)

Going in a different direction, what is the name of a book that touched your soul?  As I think right now mine was People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks. It is about the protection of a priceless book through many generations. That makes it sound very boring, however, I was captivated from the beginning. It is based on a true story whic made it even more moving to me.  I love to read so if you ask me next week it might be another book but today this is the one that stuck in my head.  

David Rainwater

Katie, I know it's kind of cheating, but for me the book that has had the greatest effect on my life is the Bible, specifically the New Testament.  It forms the foundation of the way I try to function in society and interact with people (though I often fail my intentions). 

Katie Baribeau (Moore)

David, I think if the Bible inspires you, that is great. From your posts I would think you take the teachings to your heart.  So, what would come in number 2.  To be honest, I'm looking for books to read during this challenging time for me. There are so many excellent books that I don't know about. 

Mike Lorts

Katie,

A Road Less Traveled 

Frank Wiley

"Sooley"  by John Grisham is a good book.  Very different than most Grisham books.  It's a basketball story but my Wife the Librarian recommended it to me.  She read it and she is by no means a sports fan.  I think it's based on a real person.  It's a Africa (I think Sudan) and America tilt.

Jim Coats

"Shibumi" by Trevanian.  Excellent read.  This is the book that told me I could never be a spelunker.

And thanks to Peter Benchley and Jaws, I can never be a diver.

Michael Kelly

ABOUT ROPES  Katie i read your Post about the Elephants and the heavy Rope and how the training keeps them captive because of the constraint of the Rope though it is flimsy compared to the Size of the Elephant.

On working Ranches that have sizable herds of cattle, the cowhands gather every morning and the Cattle Boss has the cowhands put up in a Circle a lenghty Rope, Then the Remuda (the saddle horses in a group) are gathered in a circle inside the Rope, each horse knows its place in order. The Cattle Boss then has each cowhand indicate which horse he wants to use for the work that day, and the Catle Boss throws a loop called a Houlihan that will sellle from high above that particular Horse's head, and the Cattle Boss leads that horse to the Cowhand that wants that horse as his day horse that day. Each cowhand on a large Ranch has as many as eight horses assigned to him some very well broke, others green and needing training which a green horse receives while working that day. It is a beautiful thing to see such Teamwork between the Cowhands, the Catle Boss, and the horses themselves. After Saddling the horses are mounted, the Cattle Boss mounts first, and rides out at a Walk, then when he is about 25 yards out, he boots his mount up to a Trot, and that is when you can witness one of the most entertaining things you will see on a Ranch, the number of "Cold Backed Horses" who will start breaking in two with their riders following the Cattle Boss. No one ever gets in front of the Cattle Boss, and he will stop every so often to station two riders as a team to help gather the cattle in the area they are directed by the Cattle Boss says they are assigned to cover. It is teamwork, and the animals actually love it after they become accustomed to their roles in the overall Plan. Sometimes it is necessary to learn on the Job rather than assume that you always know a way that is better. If you want to read a very good Book about Elephants and Cowboys, read "A Cowboy and his Elephant" by Robert Norris It is a True Story and a real Touching Story. Mr Norris is deceased, but lived in Scottsdale, AZ in winters, and on his Ranch in Colorado Springs, Colo in springs and summers, His Ranch was calledd the T Cross Ranch. He had some of the Finest Cutting Horse stock in the USA

Mike Lorts

Jim,

I don't know what 12416 was supposed to mean.

If you ever have the urge to be a DRAMA KING and send a rant full of BS that you follow the advice you gave to Dorothy. Read it out loud before to push send.

Jim Coats

Katie Baribeau (Moore)

Thanks for the book recommendations.  Kelly, that would be a very different book for me and I look forward to trying it. Frank, I also like true stories, sometimes life is more interesting than fiction. Jim, I am assuming your suggestion is non-fiction as well. Lorts, I have that book but I never got to it, I think now is the time!  If you haven't suggested a book, I'm still open.  I have 3-4 hours while I sit with Sherri while she is getting chemo. That gives me a lot of time to read while I spend time with my daughter.  

Michael Kelly

Katiie   Mr. Norris also was able to return the Elephant to a herd in Africa and after he and his Wife had not seen her in yeurs, on his Return to Africa, she came to visit He and his Wife still remembering them.

Mike Lorts

Jim,

Because you didn't send me card I was supposed to send you a card. Why don't you just admit it, you looked like a fool with your rant about democrats not sending Mike K birthday wishes which made them evil I then brought it to your attention that none of you sent me birthday wishes which made you look like an even bigger fool. I suggest you let this fade away.

Jim Coats

Katie.  Sorry.  It's a work of fiction.   It just so happens to have a little bit of spelunking in the book.

Mike Lorts.  It's just my opinion, of course, but I don't think anyone considers me a fool on this Forum.  Some disagree with me and some may hate my guts....but I don't think anyone but you considers me a fool.  But, if they do, that's OK.  It's Ok, Mikey.  Go ahead and feel that way....but remember to take your medication.  Nighty-night/.

Mike Lorts

Jim,

I don't think anyone on this site considers me dense.

Katie Baribeau (Moore)

Another book some of you might like is called Shadow Divers. It's a non-fiction book about deep divers looking for a Nazi sub off the the coast of the US. I went through a phase when I wanted to read about people who pushed themselves to the limit to attain a goal. I also read Into Thin Air and a few other books about long distance swimmers and  long distance hikers. People fascinate me when they push themselves to the edge of death. 

Bill RIHS

Mike Lorts, I don't believe I ever received a notice via CHS 65 of your birthday. Sorry, but your not on my memory list for bdays. Keep positive Mike you may actually get your positive wish, a brain dead dummy for Pres. by hand of the ?????. 

Mary Powers (Evans)

Like Katie, per post 12433, I go through reading phases.  I'm in an extended phase of reading WWII books.  I'd be interested in suggestions.  Among many others, both fiction and nonfiction, I've read Monuments Men, The Splendid and the Vile, and In the Garden of Beasts.  

DeWitt Bacon

Katie, Thank you for turning from the hateful rhetoric of politics for a while. I understand what you are going through. I know how hard it is watching a child of yours going through such a tragedy. Although I, like others, find reading the Bible inspiring, I know other inspiring books are out there. Sorry, I cannot think of one offhand, but they are out there. I do find inspiration from some, like Walt Whitman, Earnest Hemingway, and others. I have hope in a spiritual world and that we all have a spirit that can connect us. That spirit can do wonders. You and your daughter are in our thoughts, and we can connect spiritually to both of you. Keep up your strength and inspire your daughter to face whatever may be. 

Jim Coats

Mike Lorts, et al.  Several times in the past I have made an "olive branch overture" only to have my hand slapped or be ignored completely.  We proceeded with business as usual.

I think we can ALL agree on a few basic truths:

1.  No "R" is going to convince a "D" to change their way of thinking OR their vote.  Trying to do so is NWAT (Not worth anyone's time).  So, maybe WE try to find a path to detente by stopping the personal attacks.

2.  Continuing on our current course is truly AWOT (A waste of time) because nothing but heartburn ensues.  Further attacks just ensure mutually assured nuclear responses.

3.  You're going to vote for your candidate and I'm going to vote for mine.  End of discussion.  Right?

4.  Finally, huge, involved posts about how to solve all problems (i.e Open Border) are nothing more than an exercise in one's ability to research and write big opinion posts.  Like I said LONG ago when COVID hit, "If Pelosi and Schumer really knew how to solve that massive problem, then they should have gotten on the stump and proclaimed it to the world and done something about it."  But they didn't because they wanted to criticize Trump.  Same thing with US....IF one of us really thinks he/she has "the answer," then send it to every representative you can find in D.C. because those people are the only ones who can do anything about it.  NOT US.  The ONLY power we have is our VOTE.

Doesn't everyone feel it's about time that we toned things down?  I will absolutely do my best to hold up my end of the bargain (re: personal attacks) and am also asking other "R's" to do the same.

NOT that I'm in charge or anything, but I think we can continue to espouse our own feelings about the current conditions in our country (like maybe benign "Bumper Stickers").  I don't think there is anything wrong with that, do you?  I do not consider myself omniscient and admit I don't know how to do surgery, but I sure understand when the doc says I need it.  Hence, the bumper stickers.  I will stop overtly criticizing ultra-long posts, but still reserve the right not to read them.  Free country and all that.  Personally, I type in 14 point Font size for readability.  It looks like my posts are longer than they actually are.

We'll see how this is received.  Anyone who can't live with the foregoing will be judged by their peers and that's fine.

P.S.  Katie.  Your daughter is in my prayers every night.

Mike Lorts

Thank you Jim, I will attempt to do the same.

Katie Baribeau (Moore)

Jim, I will answer you post this way, in the last two weeks I have found something much more important than belittling ANYONE, that includes our elected leaders.  One fact you didn't put up is that all the Congress people and the President are elected by the people.  I don't like saying this but we have the government we deserve because of our voting.  I will try to abide by the new found "wisdom" that we should treat each other better and take it one step further.....stop calling the politicians things like "brain dead."  All this does is by proxy tell those of us who voted for the person and will vote again that we are the same, brain dead.  This is a difficult world and there is not one politician, party or sector that will have the right ways to fix all our issues.  That's the reason for wanting two, at least two, healthy parties because compromise often brings the best solutions.  We can state our OPINIONS along with the facts that support them without belittling.  I have tried to play nice but I break down, I shouldn't but I do, when I see the people I will vote for called names.   As I said it's a proxy fight.  In addition, I don't agree with you about the long posts.  A long time ago I was taking an essay test in one of my history classes.  On it was written in big red letters, "you didn't explain your findings," or something like that.  I don't believe you can discuss things like the border, abortion, civil rights etc with bumper sticker sayings.  There is so much packed into each of those issues.  I also believe that it is our duty to make our wishes known to our elected officials.  I usually do that by joining groups that support my ideas.  I find when a larger voting bloc is asking for something they have more influence.  I will totally agree with you on one thing....follow the money.  So, the other thing I do is send money.  Sometimes that's all I can do now.  

Katie Baribeau (Moore)

I want to thank all of you who are keeping Sherri in your prayers.  I believe that positiveity created positive outcomes.  She has a fight ahead, she is scared, as am I, but together we will beat f**king cancer.  Thanks again!