Oh, I do MY OWN SEARCHING, thank you. I only asked what apparently you consider "i***tic" because I don't get your side of it at all. So, that said, while you think Trump the greatest thing since.....I'm going to be totally candid here. I think TRUMP TOTALLY SUCKS, has no moral compass, and is the most narcissistic piece of work I think I have ever seen, and still thinks this is all a reality show. I look at politics now, sometimes the left as much as the right, as resembling "The Hunger Games." I don't live in Texas, and so I paid scant attention to Tom DeLay and his troubles. It looks to me as if you see every bit of acquiescence of Republicans to WH**EVER Democrats say as a total h**x, and it incenses you. You have difficulty believing or even looking at anything said without a (R) associated with their names. Maybe, "you" need to do a little soul searching and discover why you have such difficulty in thinking of the Republican Party anything less than gods. They aren't. I don't have time nor the desire to continue in key bytes here with you on this topic because I'm sure you're ready to tell me to "talk to the hand". You listen as well as you hear, and I think you're due for a hearing aid.

Isn't it odd, and I mean no disrespect whatsoever here, that you and I could stand side by side in a room looking out a bay window, and when asked what we see, our versions would look nothing alike. I had a suspicion that might be the case, and that's why I asked you to tell me from your perspective "why" you consider the Republican Party spineless. It comes as no surprise, I am sure, when I tell you I did not v**e for Trump. That said, I had sincerely hoped he would shake up the status quo. I wanted him to succeed. We truly needed a shakeup of the status quo. While I v**ed for Obama, I could cite more than a few chapters and verses where I truly was sorely disappointed. It is what it is. However, I don't find it a sign of strength when Trump surrounds himself with "less than" qualified folks, and I feel he does. Nor do I see it as a sign of strength, when he lashes out because others dare to disagree, but enough about Trump. During the Obama years, the Republican party stopped much of the Democrat push, a great deal of which I viewed as would have been constructive, but the Republicans seemed good at stopping Democrats in their tracks. They stood arm in arm, rock solid.

So, in keeping with my ongoing "I want to see what you see".....humor me, "why" do "you" feel a "mail-in" scenario would guarantee Biden winning? It may seem a "no brainer" to you, but not to me....

The world's population would be greatly reduced now if there had been any executions inside the Church, would it not.

I grew up as a Southern Baptist, and I remember (at least in the church I worshipped) a lot of discussion of "The Seven Deadly Sins", and while I know they're not specifically referenced in the Bible, new or old as a list, that it is more in some religions part of "Christian tradition", no one would argue that any of these actions would be appropriate for someone who attempts to walk a righteous path. Pope Gregory I, back in 600 A.D. originally compiled the list. In some form or other, both in the NT (Galatians 5:19-21)and OT (Proverbs 6:16-19), these less than virtuous actions are mentioned. Indeed, the NT does say that the only unforgiveable sin is blaspheme.

[quote=Capt-jack]So now you are a spokesmen for GOD? God help us.[/quote
Awww, now, Capt-jack.....woodguru may be on to something here. Trump hasn't broken all of the 10 Commandments that I know of, but those "Seven Deadly Sins"....I'm thinking we could check them all off. I know Trump is your guy, and that has to color your perception. Are you able to separate his personal life from the political one? That said, is he "your man" because you like his style of politics, what he has done in the past economically, or...…? Just wondering....

Oh, I know it's my place to go "in search of". I wanted to see from "your" viewpoint why you felt the Republican Party had tuned "spineless". My opinion, and take it for what it's worth, is that there is almost always room to compromise, both sides get some of what they want. It behooves BOTH parties to attempt to do that on behalf of ALL their constituents. We've watched Congress get next to NOTHING accomplished for quite too long. Just because they all breathe doesn't entitle any of them to draw a salary. I frankly see too many "yes men" surrounding Trump and senators and governors alike with "R" after their name echoing Trump's every word, some very much to the detriment of their constituents. Maybe, it's because I am from an older generation, that I don't see "my party" as something I should owe a total allegiance to. When I did a stint as a substitute teacher in a nearby town as a long-term sub for one class, I did my best to not show my liberal leanings, but one day, I slipped, and one of the students exclaimed "Ohhh, Mrs. P, you're a, you're a....liberal!!" I just looked at him and said "surprise, surprise....none of you have keeled over yet". I added that I would appreciate them not going home and telling their parents.

Interesting....your take. I'd like to hear other examples of "why" you consider the Republican Party spineless. I don't see the Republican Party the way you do. In total t***sparency, I "am" a registered Republican, BUT I rarely v**e the party line, have only v**ed my conscience for a very long time now, and lest anyone still be in doubt, that while I am considered a part of the Left...."In God We Trust". There are a lot of us who feel that way, contrary to the belief of a great many here on OPP. I'm looking forward to your response.

Amen...

Ahhhh, I tend to disagree. I, a liberal, have a direct line to God. Otherwise, three years ago when I was deemed terminal by the medical profession, I would not be here today. My Jewish surgeon declared me a miracle. I could never, myself, have had an a******n, and partial birth a******ns make my soul weep. My Bible's pages are almost separating from the binding. I think it best you remember that God will judge us ALL one day, that it is not a wise man who makes assumptions, lumping a whole group together, deeming them less than. We all know what "assuming" does, and lest we forget that oft repeated phrase "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God....Romans 3:23. Just sayin'.....

WOW!! Kudos to you and your parents, 5th grade reading level, I guess they had no choice, but to drop the charges!! Those educators didn't then, don't know "now" everything. My dad used to talk about the depression and how hard it was, and for him it included being set out a time or two with his family. My dad grew up in Kentucky. I grew up going to city schools outside D.C., a "few" years after you came along, and prayer was a part of every morning, until it wasn't. Nothing was said, it was just dropped. The wording of the First Amendment doesn't specifically say it's a violation, but Thomas Jefferson and James Monroe certainly thought it ought to be, included very specific wording with regard to inflicting religion on anyone in a first draft, even though the final wording didn't concretely state it. Besides, we are no longer the homogenous blend we once were, and in public school settings, you're going to find every religious belief under the sun.

I'm sorry to see that I've upset you, and no, I don't believe Kemmer poses a threat to you. I'm not sure why you would think that was my intent, but no, it wasn't.

Note also, I did not say that the Constitution's First Amendment says a separation of church and state "specifically", but that the Supreme Court and Thomas Jefferson did. The First Amendment does say that there will be no state sanctioned religion, no official religion. I did go back and read the First Amendment, several times, and then I did a little history research afterwards because I wanted to see if what you said was true, at least as far as intent of the First Amendment, that the First Amendment was not to separate church and state. From what I could glean, and I feel I was thorough....Thomas Jefferson was not satisfied that the Constitution was complete, and one of the things he wanted in that First Amendment was a protection for ALL people, that there would be no "State" religion, and that no one would be forced to honor "any" religion. He proposed that very bill here in the Commonwealth of Virginia. James Madison's first "draft" of the First Amendment included that....."the civil rights of none shall be abridged on account of religious beliefs or worship...." Yes, I can see the final wording. It is as you say, but I don't think that was the intent. I have been known to be wrong....

Again, while I am sorry that I upset you with my opinions, I like the fact that you challenged me. We all get comfortable with what we believe as fact and we all have a tendency to assume that facts stored away as t***h are absolute t***h. It is a good thing to go back and take a second, or even third look, because it is important to know, really know how to separate fact from fiction. Today, I learned that I favored the original intent of the First Amendment, not the final version. Thank you. Some things, certain issues, however, will remain subjective in nature. Personal opinions will appear to be (and are) as entrenched as if they were set in concrete. Blessed be and safe journey.

Well now....I'm not going to add fuel to the fire here. I'm just going to say "REALLY pleased to meet you", thank you for giving your thoughts on padremike's observations, and as I said to padremike, I look forward to seeing what YOU have to say on ALL topics. My thought has always been that the only way we are going to be able to reach across any aisle to extend a hand "in faith", is that we have to have an understanding of "why" someone "not like us" (yeah, I'm wearing that phrase out, I know) feels the way they do. I grew up in a household that was a split personality, with my mother not allowing me to say outloud the word "h**e" and my dad, a D.C. cop, uttering every ethnic and racial slur there was while we sat at the dinner table, and if he didn't know one, he made up one on the spot, for all those who "didn't think the way he did". I loved the man, but he made Archie Bunker look saintly. I have no idea why, but I am blessed with an "ecumenical" spirit, feeling like there's room for us all. Glad to have you as my neighbor.

Awwww.....padremike…..Thomas Jefferson first talked about division of church and state w-a-y back then, and the Supreme Court made that pesky ruling about school prayer. While I am a registered Republican, have been since "forever", and know you and I could relate on a level or two, I'm afraid you might not like me on others. I do thank you for sharing your "x,y,z" of why you feel you can't have any love for Kemmer. It gives me a better understanding of where you are coming from. I also understand why you walked away from OPP for a while. I think a great many of us for a host of reasons have done just that.

That said, I am a most spiritual person, feel a direct line to "The Man" having "not" died three years ago, as those in the medical community expected me to. I am a firm believer in The Sermon on the Mount and its principles, have been forever. I have a philosophy that says "let your life speak. the journey is the destination." Mind you, not our final destination, but we need to be present in the here and now of our lives. We need to make our lives count. I'm sure you and I would be in agreement there. However, I do not share your fondness for Trump, and since I truly believe "we are all created in God's likeness", that includes everyone. While I am most heterosexual, have been married for a long time, I have friends all across the "rainbow" spectrum. I look at what's in a person's heart, whether they "do unto others as they would do unto themselves", not their sexual identity. That's all that matters to me, that they walk the walk, the walk of empathy, compassion, and acts of kindness towards their fellow man and woman. I understand, from your room with a view, that Kemmer couldn't possibly exemplify any positive qualities, perhaps simply by the fact that he is gay, and that he does not share your views. He must seem like a threat to you, totally alien in thought, and I can see how much he upsets you. I can't say I feel the same, and so, I have to ask you, is there room in your heart for others who "aren't" just like you? We all have something to contribute....I look forward to seeing what you have to say on "all" topics, because it helps me to understand and relate to people "who are not like me".

I haven't been back "here" long, don't recognize everyone, not the instant recognition I once had, but I'm sorry, I don't see his words the way you do. I left because I found that minds don't want to be opened, that there are those whose "h**e" trumps everything, and all they wish is a podium to bear witness from. I originally joined because I wanted to understand others who are "not like me". I need to hear words beyond "liar"....happy to listen, not necessarily agree with "....liar, because of x, y, and/or z". Just sayin'....

….and that "indeed" is the REST of the story.