What makes America Exceptional?

[hjmoosejaw]

I'm with Sledge. I don't worry about too much. Well not the same things as some others anyway. My wife has fought cancer 5  times, my 15 year old daughter was recently diagnosed with a couple of different illnesses. I got really screwed by that housing thing ( I didn't bye a house I couldn't afford. I purposely stayed way below what I could afford.) I messed up by getting an adjustable mortgage. The bastards just kept selling my mortgage back and forth until it got ridiculous. Now, I am pulling myself out of trouble without a penny of taxpayers money. Luckily  I have a very good job. So instead of being comfortable, I'm keeping my head above water. A couple more years, God willing and the creeks don't rise, I'll be back to normal. (knock on wood). So I won't be getting caught up in too many in depth discussions on world problems. I'm just trying to keep things as simple as possible. You younger guys might want to take it a little slower and enjoy what you can. It can all change in a heartbeat. If the SHTF, All I can do is what I can do, and hope for the best. Vote and get involved, do what you can. But some things you're not going to change. So don't let it all rent too much space in your head. Enjoy Life!

[hjmoosejaw]

I'm with Sledge. I don't worry about too much. Well not the same things as some others anyway. My wife has fought cancer 5  times, my 15 year old daughter was recently diagnosed with a couple of different illnesses. I got really screwed by that housing thing ( I didn't bye a house I couldn't afford. I purposely stayed way below what I could afford.) I messed up by getting an adjustable mortgage. The bastards just kept selling my mortgage back and forth until it got ridiculous. Now, I am pulling myself out of trouble without a penny of taxpayers money. Luckily  I have a very good job. So instead of being comfortable, I'm keeping my head above water. A couple more years, God willing and the creeks don't rise, I'll be back to normal. (knock on wood). So I won't be getting caught up in too many in depth discussions on world problems. I'm just trying to keep things as simple as possible. You younger guys might want to take it a little slower and enjoy what you can. It can all change in a heartbeat. If the SHTF, All I can do is what I can do, and hope for the best. Vote and get involved, do what you can. But some things you're not going to change. So don't let it all rent too much space in your head. Enjoy Life!

Since I'm not sure how to quote from one section to another, and when I hit quote ,this is where it put me. I'll reply from here........ I've wondered since I read "Rant",If this reply had anything to do with said Rant. It just seemed odd that the last thing I said was Enjoy Life, and one of the first things in " Rant " was Enjoy Life. I haven't seen those two words on this site before. ( not that I recall) I don't know how the above reply could be taken anyway other than it was meant. In fact, parts of Rant is exactly what I was talking about. Enjoy Life wasn't meant as a wish for anyone to bang a ho. It was meant how it sounds. It's okay to be concerned about all the problems of the world. But there is a lot of good in it too. Take time to enjoy it. That's all! If it had nothing to do with it, then in the words of Gilda Radner as Emily Litella.....Never mind! And at the risk of misinterpretation , Have A Nice Day!......... LOL     

http://youtu.be/V3FnpaWQJO0

[JohnyMac]

WW can speak for himself however what you wrote on the 13th is right on and I agree.

IMO and in part what WW was saying was that not only do we need to put away beans, bullets and band-aides we need to also put away some spirituality. Also to understand that God doesn't give a rats patoody about our Constitution, Barry's big ears or Mitts flip flopping. He is concerned with our souls. And their is a majestic fight going on now between God and the Devil for our souls, e.g. having a three way with a few ho's.

Then on the other hand we have folks that call themselves Americans who don't have a clue. They blame others without accepting responsibility for their actions. Without holding up their hand on their own and saying, "I will make it happen." But yet these folks will be knocking on our doors when the SHTF asking for us to share what we have. If we choose not to they will try to take it. Kind of sounds like our government now.

Hey, if you want a minute of reality google "Greece + violence or Greece + famine or food- That is coming our way. Isn't it interesting that the main stream media isn't reporting on it BUT they are reporting on Whitney Houston or the dog show non stop.

Again, "Don't pay any attention to the man behind the curtain."

[hjmoosejaw]

Believe me ,I keep up with it. I know how screwed up things are. We definitely need to turn things around. I only wondered if the the reply had anything to do with the rant or how. Later!

[WhiteWolf]

Believe me ,I keep up with it. I know how screwed up things are. We definitely need to turn things around. I only wondered if the the reply had anything to do with the rant or how. Later!

Yeah, you deserve some credit lol. You and JM's comments got me rolling on some of my rant. You guys both possess years, experience, and good perspective on "life." Something that needs to be pointed out and everyone can learn from. I'm happy your wife made it through too by the way. Your "enjoy life" comment, in the context, was the right message. The exact opposite of the guy I was referring to in the beginning of my rant wanting a threesome with my coworker. I'm fed up with people who only care about drugs, money, and a piece of ass. I mean seriously, do you know what the illigetimacy rates are in the USA right now? It's sickening. Better stop before I let my convictions take over and write another rant lol.

[hjmoosejaw]

Glad to hear from ya WW! Have a good day. Gotta get to work.

[hjmoosejaw]

Well, no work today. I'm waiting on a tow truck. My wife will be taking my 17 year old daughter for a checkup , she wrecked my car on the way home to return my car to go to work. See what I mean guys? It can all change in a heartbeat.

[sledge]

Well, no work today. I'm waiting on a tow truck. My wife will be taking my 17 year old daughter for a checkup , she wrecked my car on the way home to return my car to go to work. See what I mean guys? It can all change in a heartbeat.

Sorry hjmoosejaw.  Hope she was alright. 

[hjmoosejaw]

Thanks Sledge. She's a little sore but apparently okay. My car has a missing headlight, banged up driver door, some other dents and it steers a little weird. Gonna have to get it up on a rack to see if any damage was done underneath. She came around a curve (too fast) and lost control, went into a deep ditch, spun around a few times going down through the ditch about  50 yards. Came to stop in the ditch and luckily didn't roll. Got it pulled out a little while ago. The ditch is pretty ugly. Thanks again! 

[backwoodsboy]

i hate when someone gets in an accident and people say aw man ur car got messed up! to me the car is no big deal, as long as no one was hurt. Glad shes okay man  [URL=http://www.smileyvault.co

[hjmoosejaw]

Thanks Backwoodsboy! I know what you mean. They got a way of scaring the hell out of ya. It sucked, the wife and I had to take my daughter's car and get gas in it first before we could get to her. That's why she had my car. She's always leaving only fumes in her tank. You can't tell them anything. They know it all.   

[Outonowhere]

Thank Backwoodsboy! I know what you mean. They got a way of scaring the hell out of ya. It sucked, the wife and I had to take my daughter's car and get gas in it first before we could get to her. That's why she had my car. She's always leaving only fumes in her tank. You can't tell them anything. They know it all.   

 [img]http://www.arrse.co.uk/at [URL=http://www.smileyvault.co

EXACTLY! lol

[1000meterstare]

Sledge doesn't "rock the boat" and seems to rationalize for a national agenda he knows in his heart is wrong.  I've seen this behavior before with the baby boomers, especially in my parents.  As long as they get to retire in comfort, to hell with everyone else, right?  Dissent is the highest form of patriotism.  There are certain moral absolutes which transcend time:  rape, murder, wars of aggression, etc will always be wrong.  Yeah, trust in the system and the government.  It wouldn't do anything to harm you! [img]http://www.arrse.co.uk/at  It's not da Ohio, it's not da Mississippi, it's DENIAL!

[sledge]

Sledge doesn't "rock the boat" and seems to rationalize for a national agenda he knows in his heart is wrong.  I've seen this behavior before with the baby boomers, especially in my parents.  As long as they get to retire in comfort, to hell with everyone else, right?  Dissent is the highest form of patriotism.  There are certain moral absolutes which transcend time:  rape, murder, wars of aggression, etc will always be wrong.  Yeah, trust in the system and the government.  It wouldn't do anything to harm you! [img]http://www.arrse.co.uk/at  It's not da Ohio, it's not da Mississippi, it's DENIAL!

You make a lot of incorrect assumptions as to my reasoning.  No worries.  Perhaps you'll develop more of a talent for it with time.

[1000meterstare]

It has nothing to do with assuming.  Fact(s):  I am a generation X-er.  The first generation in the history of America to be worse off than our parents.  Nothing to do with our work ethic; I bust my ass at work (yes, I am one of the lucky Americans to still have a good job and insurance) and so do my friends.  No matter how hard we work all my friends (and myself included) are ALL worse off than our parents.  I'm talking about people with college degrees and serious work ethic, not slobs off the street.  Can't help but think we are getting screwed; taxed to heavily to support the military-industrial complex.  Fact:  I and my X-er peers pay a higher percentage of Social Security tax than my parents' and Sledge's generation ever did, and it is just going up.  [img]http://www.arrse.co.uk/at

[hjmoosejaw]

I can't speak for Sledge,but he's in the same age group as me I think. Speaking for myself, it's not that I "don't want to rock the boat" or anything like that. And we definitely don't think "the hell with everybody else " On the contrary, we care an immense amount about the next generation. Our sons and daughters are the next generation. And believe me, I would rather that they have it all. I could care less about what I have. I have lived on just about nothing and could do it again with no problem. I only need a hunting and fishing license each year. Some shells, some arrows. I can live pretty simple. It don't take much to keep me happy. In fact, in some ways, I was happier when I had less. But when I was younger, you'd be hard pressed to find someone that had more piss and vinegar in them than me. I was a pretty crazy mother @%#*^!. We had our rebellious days. There has always been B.S. with the Gubment, social problems and such. Granted, there seems to be an incredible amount nowadays. But after years of seeing shit come at ya from different directions time after time. You just get used to picking your battles more carefully. We just don't have the P&V we use to. That's not an excuse, that's just the way it is. Again,believe me , we do very much care and Thank God we still have the ones with P&V. I hope it last as long as possible. Keep up the good fight ! ........Just my 2 cents.   

[hjmoosejaw]

Note: I posted my above reply not knowing the two above it were there. That being said, I wouldn't change any of it but would like to make a comment or two on the one. The Gen-X does have their share of problems but we have to keep in mind that the older ones didn't always have what they have now. They've had time to aquire things and settle in some. Hopefully they did. As far as my generation, I know we didn't have it as hard as my dad's generation did. He could tell you some stories about the depression. No cell phones, no microwaves, Hell, no shoes half the time. Everybody has it hard. Just in different ways . Again, my 2 cents.

[sledge]

It has nothing to do with assuming.  Fact(s):  I am a generation X-er.  The first generation in the history of America to be worse off than our parents.  Nothing to do with our work ethic; I bust my ass at work (yes, I am one of the lucky Americans to still have a good job and insurance) and so do my friends.  No matter how hard we work all my friends (and myself included) are ALL worse off than our parents.  I'm talking about people with college degrees and serious work ethic, not slobs off the street.  Can't help but think we are getting screwed; taxed to heavily to support the military-industrial complex.  Fact:  I and my X-er peers pay a higher percentage of Social Security tax than my parents' and Sledge's generation ever did, and it is just going up.  [img]http://www.arrse.co.uk/at

I don't know why you launched this verbal attack against me.

Sledge doesn't "rock the boat" and seems to rationalize for a national agenda he knows in his heart is wrong.  I've seen this behavior before with the baby boomers, especially in my parents.  As long as they get to retire in comfort, to hell with everyone else, right?   It's not da Ohio, it's not da Mississippi, it's DENIAL!

I do know that you were making assumptions that have nothing to do with "facts" in relation to me.  Not only were they incorrect, they were highly insulting.  You don't know shit about me except for what I've said here which is pretty damn little.  I don't share much about myself because it's really no one else's business and why should they care.  I don't feel the need to impress people I don't really know.  The people who do know me and matter already know who I am, what I've done, and what I stand for.  And no one that knows me talks to me like you did.

You don't have to tell  me governments do shitty things.  They all do.  Just like people they are not all good and not all bad.  Some are worse than others.  That said, I stand with my tribe against all others through good and bad.  Because some of those other tribes would subjugate us if they had the chance and strength.  You can believe that or not it really doesn't matter to me.  I've seen how the world is and know what to expect from it.  We have different world views.  I don't attack others for thinking differently, don't attack me.

I know the economy sucks and I know who is responsible for it.  I'm dealing with it and I've got 5 kids that are dealing with it the same as you and everyone else out there. 

So here is the moral:  I didn't cause your problems so get off my ass!



   

[WhiteWolf]

Guys, everyone needs to take two steps back, take 10 deep breathes and exhale slowly. We're all going to hold different world views and that's just shit people need to learn to deal with. Becoming hostile towards one another over what you may or may not percieve in text is childish. If your first glance at a message seems offensive take a few minutes to try and understand where that person is coming from. Ultimately one's perception is their reality so you're going to have a real hard time convincing them otherwise without attempting to understand them anyways.

Oh, and the "smiting" over shit like this is even more juvenille. I personally don't care about the shit, but it really shows character, or a lack there of when people start "smiting" over something this stupid. I thought the karma was supposed to be a system for having fun?

[sledge]

LOL!  I don't need to take deep breaths.  I'm not pissed.  I'm just correcting someones perception about me and my effect on their life.  (Which is nil, noda, nothing.)

I accept that people have different world views and that many of them are different from mine.  It doesn't bother me and I don't need to change their mind.  Life will do that for them as it has for me over time.  I don't need to understand them or why they think like they do because it has no effect on what I'm doing or thinking.

Thanks for trying to play peace maker but I'm not in a war with 1000 or for that matter, even angry at him.  I'm just letting him know he can't put words or thoughts on me that don't apply.  He can think those things about me if he wishes he just doesn't need to share those thoughts with me.

It's all good. 

[WhiteWolf]

Alright, well it's not totally how it came across, but if you insist I'll leave it be.

[sledge]

Alright, well it's not totally how it came across, but if you insist I'll leave it be.

Well, maybe I came across a little gruffer than I intended.  I haven't been in a real good mood for the past few days.  I had to put the dog my kids grew up with down the other day because her cancer came back.  There were a lot of tears involved and it tears me up when I see my kids hurting.

RIP  Pom-Pom the PomPoo.  She never met another dog or person that she didn't instantly love.  But her greatest love was the truck.  She loved trucks!

A little story about Pom-Pom.
The girls picked her out when she was a puppy.  I asked them what they wanted to name the foo foo dog.  They said, "Daddy we're going  to name her Pom-Pom because she was Pom-Pom the PomPoo.  I said, "Oh, I see."  And so it was.

Years later the girls all grew up and moved out on there own.  So I was stuck taking this foo foo dog for walks.  Inevitably we'd come across other guys out walking their dogs and of course Pom-Pom would want to go over and say hello.  I'd ask what their dog's name was?  It would always be Killer, or Brutus, or Warrior or something like that.  They'd ask what my dog's name was?  I'd look sheepishly at the ground and say, "Oh her.  Well, ah,  her name is Pom-Pom."  They'd usually respond with something like, "Really?"

I'd walk away talking to myself, "I can't believe those girls did this to me, this just doesn't fit my image!"  "Look dog.  You're gonna have to start growling at those other dogs or something!"  Oh course, she never would.  Foo foo outfit.

Well, I kind of miss those walks now.

[WhiteWolf]

Alright, well it's not totally how it came across, but if you insist I'll leave it be.

Well, maybe I came across a little gruffer than I intended.  I haven't been in a real good mood for the past few days.  I had to put the dog my kids grew up with down the other day because her cancer came back.  There were a lot of tears involved and it tears me up when I see my kids hurting.

It's all good man. Saying that puts the whole thing in better perspective. Loosing a dog is never easy. Well sometimes, but a good dog can feel like loosing a family member. Better to talk about it than let it get to you though.

[1000meterstare]

Sorry about your pooch, man.  I have one that is 14 and another that is 12.  I know their days are probably numbered and I'm gonna miss them alot when the time comes.

[sledge]

Sorry about your pooch, man.  I have one that is 14 and another that is 12.  I know their days are probably numbered and I'm gonna miss them alot when the time comes.

Thanks man.  I miss that little foo foo outfit.  Sorry I got cranky.