WDSmart

No. The concept of a "god' is just a delusion some have to support their belief that reality is structured and at least partially controllable. It's not. Reality is pure chaos.

Unless the epidemic becomes more widespread, I'm just going to start wearing my mask again.

@Bkk Brian, We've exchanged our views on this for almost a year now. You know what mine are: - This "war" didn't start on Oct 7, 2023. It's been going on for at least 70 years. Oct 7 was just another episode. - I don't support the taking and holding of hostages, but I also don't support the bombing of entire cities. You seem to support the latter, but don't think that's a problem. - What I do support is an exchange of hostages, a ceasefire, and beginning talks on a two-state solution. I've said almost everytime I've posted. What is it that you support? For example, if Hamas were to return all the hostages today, what would you recommend the Israelis do then?

If you do not support an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza, you are supporting war crimes daily; it's as simple as that.

So you really should have said that you are supporting war crimes daily. No, no more than those who do not support a ceasefire. I support all the things I noted above in a total agreement, which would include ALL the items being done.

No, but I would be in favor of an immediate and permanent ceasefire and the beginning of the restoration of Gaza.

"Zion·ism a movement for (originally) the re-establishment and (now) the development and protection of a Jewish nation in what is now Israel." - Oxford Online Dictionary @ChicagoExpat, When you find yourself defending the devastation of Gaza, you really ought to take a long, hard look at the state of your discrimination.

You link states this: "CANAANITES Canaanites on the Egyptian Book of Gates: The Canaanites were a people who lived in what is now Lebanon and Israel, and parts of Syria and Jordan between 3500 B.C. and 1150 B.C., during the Bronze Age. They occupied what is now Israel at the time the Hebrews (Jews) arrived in the area. According to the Old testament they were annihilated in battle and driven out of Palestine by the Hebrews. " "...annihilated in battle and driven out of Palestine by the Hebrews" is what I stated in my former post.

The issue now and always (for the past 70 years or so) has been Isreal occupying and then claiming Palestinian land.

The "Promised Land" was Caanan and was inhabited by people called Canaanites. The Jewish people took the land by force, killing most of the Canaanites, however, some survived, and they were the ancestors of the modern-day Palestinians who inhabited Palestine in 1948 when the UN divided it up between them and the Jews.

The land was inhabited by the Canaanites who were Arabs and the ancestors of the Palestinians. The Jewish people arrived there after the Exodus and took it from them, much like they are trying to take away what's left of Palestine now.

Where to buy the winning ticket in a 100 million Thai baht lottery....

No, I'm defining socialism as anything done by the individual for the community for which they do not expect nor receive any special treatment or reward. I agree that this conversation is getting us nowhere, and I'm disappointed with that. At least you'll probably agree with me that the question asked in the title of this forum, "I'm confused. USA is now a communist country?" is "no."

Public goods and services are examples of socialism. And yes, they have been around since humans evolved. Before the term "socialism" was used, we would have just called that "family care" or "tribalism." Socialism is all the members of a society contributing to it to the best of their ability, and then the society fulfilling everyone's needs to the best of its ability. You're confusing actions and classification.

Our country (the USA and most other countries, including Thailand) has a mixed economic system, which can be called a "Keyensian" system. It is a mix of capitalism and socialism. Examples would be anything described as "private," like a "private club" or "private school," is based on capitalism. Anything described as "public," like a "public park," a "public library," or a "public school," is an example of socialism. Most of the arguments around economies are just what percentage of each that mix should be. I am arguing for an increase in the percentage of socialist features, which would, of course, mean a decrease in the percentage of capitalistic features. I use "pure" socialism and "pure capitalism" as examples of the extremes. The actual economy is somewhere in the middle.

I'm sorry you're "shocked" at recommending actions that would discourage selfishness and encourage giving benefits to all. I will admit pure socialism and especially communism are only goals and will never be completely realized because of what you reference above - human nature - which is inherently selfish (hubris). However, I do think that aspects of these economic systems should be mixed in with capitalism to soften its devastating effects on the weaker parts of the population.

Your first point isn't unclear, but it isn't capitalism. It depends on what you mean by "doing their own hunting." If the society in question had a socialist economy, anyone could go off on their own and hunt, but they would bring their kills back and share them with the others. If the society in question had a capitalist economy, anyone could go off and hunt and completely control their kills. Your second point is incorrect. Socialism is where the kill is shared with everyone else according to their needs. For example, crippled adults who couldn't hunt at all would get the same portion as healthy adults.

I didn't know caustic soda could be so dangerous!

I'm afraid I have to disagree with your last statement, "...male and female are considered opposite." If you meant by that, male and female are the only choices, then yes, they are. The four areas I mentioned above (external genitalia, internal sexual organs, chromosomes, and hormones) can exist mixed in various ways in any one individual. That, to me, means that there is a range of genders, with male and female being the extreme of each side of the range. I'm sure the curve for that range would be very steep, with most people at or near one of the extreme sides, but there would also be some people along that curve's slope.

I can understand your point when it comes to transgender treatment, especially surgical treatment, but not sports. These non-specific gender kids should be allowed all the activities available to their specifically male and female classmates and friends.

I think gender is much more complicated than that. I'm not a doctor or have special training in biology, but I've come up with at least four areas that contribute to gender: - external genitals; - internal sexual organs; - chromosomes (XY or XX); - hormones (androgen/estrogen). I'm sure there's more...

By "breaking the law," I meant, for example, defecating on someone's property. That could be considered littering on their property and would be against the law. It should be handled the same way as if a child did that, or even an adult. They shouldn't be killed for it. I agree that those that kill animals for things like this are psychos and need to be restrained or locked up.

Animal excrement and aggressive dogs are not my prime concern. I believe these animals have the right to live and killing them is a crime.

Starting with the animals' owners who openly display disregard for the safety of the animals by letting them roam free... right??? If the animal is breaking any law or causing harm, steps can be taken to stop that. But killing the animal should not be allowed unless the harm is life-threatening. Yes, if the animal has an owner, that would be the same as a child causing problems who has a parent. The parent/owner could be held responsible.

Arrest the perpetrators for animal cruelty and don't just fine them but "lock 'em up!"