Non-technical chit chat.

to learn from OTHERS imperfections so you don't have to repeat their mistakes.

chit-chat should be pointless, as you don't want the points? :D

Its all those learning opportunities.

James

I would agree that when a person can acknowledge that they are vulnerable, they should avoid the negative, smokers, drinkers etc. But at some point in your life you have to face up to the fact that we don't live in insulated pockets. To overcome these things, we do from time to time have to test ourselves.

I'm not suggesting reforming alcoholics go to bars every night. But they may get invited to family gatherings or work parties where alcohol is served. Better to face those demons in a supportive setting than to insulate yourself from the life going on around you. Because you may not have the opportunity to avoid your demons forever.

Negative people will be everywhere, whether its friends, relatives or coworkers. At some point you have to be able to overcome their negativity. You won't find this in isolation.

James

I do know people who chose to insulate themselves from their family, and everyone has to make their own decisions, but I don't know if I could do it.

Some of my family are negative, but I can't or won't avoid them.

I think both of us are exposed to negative people here and we seem to survive, and perhaps it makes us stronger.

James

My Dad knew the butcher well, and call him up when our freezer was getting low. They would arrange to meet at the farmers market at closing time. The butcher would look at what was left over, both quantity and quality and offer it at $x per lbs. Then they would weigh it, my dad would pay him, and also borrow the big roll of wrapping paper, the plastic tubs to carry the meat, and the freezer wrapping tape. He'd bring it home and we would all get involved in wrapping, taping and labelling.

The surpise was what we received, it vaired widely. Sometimes steak, sometimes roasts, sometimes lots of hamburger. The butcher would adjust the price based on the content, but he was always fair I think.

My dad grew up on a farm during the depression, and the butcher would often throw certain things he liked in for free - heart, liver, headcheese etc. The dog would eat well when mom cooked heart, as dad was the only one who would eat it, and couldn't finish it all. I couldn't stay in the kitchen when heart was being boiled, didn't like the strong smell.

We had a huge freezer, and despite having 5 ravenous boys, we all ate well.

I did years of working hay for neighbours - straw as well. I learned to drive a tractor. Much better than mucking stalls.

James

...saying that President Obama wants the power to shut down the Internet to prevent disinformation about his various programs from circulating. It's a Campaign for Liberty newsletter. Here's almost the full text:

Dear Patriot:

Please take your time and read this email carefully.

Because if a bill quietly sneaking its way through Congress passes, an email like this could be the last non-government message to ever hit your inbox.

In fact, someday you may even find yourself unable to log in to your email in the first place!

I know what you're thinking: Maybe this is just another Internet hoax.

I wish it were.

But Barack Obama and Senator Jay Rockefeller (D-WV) want to make this nightmare a reality. That's why Rockefeller recently introduced S. 773, "The Cybersecurity Act of 2009."

Initial cosponsors include Senators Evan Bayh (D-IN), Bill Nelson (D-FL) and Olympia Snowe (R-ME).

You see, Barack Obama is seeking sweeping new powers to "shut down" all private internet in the event of a "cybersecurity emergency" — a vague term that the President can define at his discretion.

And Rockefeller's bill gives Barack Obama just what he wants.

That's why this expansive new power grab should really be called "The Internet Takeover Bill."

As you know, the Internet has developed into an independent sphere where 1st Amendment Rights can still be (fairly) freely exercised.

It's also become an important outlet for liberty-minded speech, cutting around the Obama-worship and corporate censorship of the mainstream media.

And we've already seen the Obama Administration's reaction to any online speech they deem "fishy."

In July, the Administration called upon Americans to report their friends' and neighbors' emails to help Barack Obama silence the "disinformation" about the Obamacare bills in Congress.

Well, now Barack Obama wants to cut out the middle man.

If the Internet Takeover Bill passes, Barack Obama can silence his dissenters directly — by ordering a shutdown of all Americans' access to the Internet.

That's right. Under this bill Barack Obama can order all non-government U.S. networks to shut down access to the Internet.

But that's not all.

Even outside of periods of White House-declared "emergency," this bill mandates that private-sector networks only be managed by government-licensed "cybersecurity professionals."

If you think dealing with your office IT department is bad now, just wait until they're federally-licensed bureaucrats.

And God forbid you like to visit websites that spread "fishy disinformation" like freemarket healthcare solutions: Passing socialized medicine could soon become enough of an "emergency" for Barack Obama to shut them down.

You know, for the public good.

Well, I know I like writing to you, and I hope you like hearing from me.

Or if not me, at least you probably like staying in touch with your family and friends, and having access to uncensored news and current events.

And that's why I hope you'll help Campaign for Liberty stop the Internet Takeover Bill by signing our Internet User's Mandate to Congress.

Today, legislation like this — built on the same statist principles as the infamous Patriot Act — has to sneak through Congress quietly.

They know Americans are no longer willing to swallow this "for our own good" swill.

And it's especially critical that Campaign for Liberty and other fellow R3volutionaries fight this power grab.

Can you imagine how easily those in power could fabricate an "emergency" on a big money bomb day for a strong liberty candidate threatening the establishment?

Or how about message boards vital to planning and freedom rallies and protests of socialized medicine?

With "right-wing extremists" freely and visibly exercising their 2nd Amendment rights at such events, no doubt the White House could declare an "emergency" and shut down all online planning.

I don't want to see good politicians lose potential millions or demonstrations of liberty extinguished. I hope you don't either.

That's why I hope you'll sign your Internet User's Mandate and make a donation right now to Campaign for Liberty to make sure that never happens.

We're going to fight this bill hard, because it's clear that the Internet is the next frontier for liberty politics, and Campaign for Liberty is right on the forefront.

Me again. Always interesting to find diametrically opposed 'information'.

you can not pick your family.

Some people are decent, you just have to avoid certain settings or topics.

Some are just poison to be around.

I have some family that are best enjoyed from afar. I keep my opinions to myself as there is no reason to confront them, as they will then take it out on everyone else around them. A nod, a wave, and then excuse me I have to refresh my drink.

I have also had co-workers that were best avoided rather than dealt with.

As for here on TR, it is easy to ignore and laugh at people across the internet beating their chests trying to impress others. I have nothing to prove, and don't have a problem walking away rather than thinking I have to beat them down in order to determine who is right or wrong.