This week we lost a very big shaker out here in the Pacific Northwest, Paul Allen.
His wealth was great, so was lots of other activities in his life.
Reading about him, his legacy huge, opines differ so greatly, I wonder if everyone is talking about the same person?

Anyway, my thoughts rambled over to wondering about this quest for wealth, that we in a capitalized society embrace, promote.

I think a very important motivator in achieving wealth, is rooted in not having any at all, dire poverty.
Its like a lonely girl, feeling lost, useless, without cause.
Along comes a pimp, her life changes forevermore, and not for the good, even tho her immediate problems seemed satisfied, it created brand new ones she never knew existed before.

Look at the dynasties that forged this nation in its youth.
Most of the folks came from dire straights.
How many of those succumbed to the lies wealth perpetuated?

I look to this lawsuit against Harvard.
The profiling against Asians because they represent such a higher level of achievement, ability, is telling.
At Boeing I got to witness firsthand their drive, grit, tenacity, at the opportunity to earn a living, that just a generation ago, did not exist for them.....

Anyway..... I am rambling, sorry.

I just wonder how many folks will become disillusioned, when after they visit the spectacular awe of the traveling circus, it did not make their lives any better.....
But only made fatter, the wallet, of PT Barnum?  

Who is your pimp?

Ok, I will put down my bong  

Eegore wrote on 10/19/18 at 07:01:20:


Interesting.......
If you care to, I would love to hear your reasoning, what brought it about, a little more background leading up to this event.

I am told in my bible to not "rely" on things of the flesh, which will only turn to dust.
I understand the wisdom within its instructions, as putting value on such things of mankind, inhibits my trust/faith in my God.
But I haven't escaped the indoctrination either, of capitalism, giving it more credit than what it can really sustain.

True story.
I have friends who go to Africa every year.
They go out to the areas that are primitive, where water is still gathered daily, power is only on a few hours, if they have a working generator, etc.
Housing is still mostly in single room huts, dirt floors.

They bring with them the Word of God, but also items of comfort, things we consider mandatory, as a if its our entitlement for just being alive...
As gifts, to these folks.
I remember one story, a good friend of mine shared, he is a commercial airline pilot, very sweet and generous man....
He asked one of the folks they visit, why he always seemed so happy, when he lived in such a condition....?

The guy replied: (something to this effect)
I am not "burden" by all the "things" you in the civilized world MUST manage, and attend to.....
My time if free to pursue the moment, and that is why my heart is happy.

WOW.....

I am sure some will testify they have it all balanced, and managed very well, etc. and will argue against this man's testimony......

Which to me reveals the wisdom behind this bit o' advice: You lie the loudest, when you lie to yourself...."  

Or.......

Put another way, from the Jim Carey movie, Liar, Liar.......
In the restroom, he explains his actions to another who stumbles into the scene....

"Whats wrong, never seen someone kicking their own azz!"  

If you care to share your story, I would LOVE to hear it!  

Interesting.....the ugly American comes to mind  

So Ship, how do you feel then that the current justification of Trump is buoyed by the economy?

Moral compass, much to be desired, healthy bank account, overlook his faults?

raydawg wrote on 10/19/18 at 11:44:05:


LOL, that is a really difficult answer. I used to be a Drug addict, yes heroin and the whole lot, my drug of choice was alcohol and it almost killed me. By the Grace of God I have been sober for 34 years. I do not see where I have any right to Judge anyone.

Do I have opinions and get carried away sometimes YES. but it is only cause I am Human. Even if you are not a follower of Christ how do you argue with the logic of "Let he who has never sinned cast the first stone" or "before I remove the splinter from your eye, I should first remove the log from mine".

Jesus and the Judaeo/Christian scriptures found in what is called the Bible has the BEST description of the human condition that I have ever read or studied. We are all sinful.  When Jesus gave the Sermon on the Mount. He changed the philosophy of all man kind. When we understand that it is not the physical act of doing wrong but evil that is in our Hearts that defines who we are we begin to look at others differently.

Gods word says to speak evil of no one, it says to Love your enemies and pray for them. It never says to Judge them.

Do I like the way Trump behaves sometimes? NO, However, if not for the Grace of God there go I.

The other Point that is worthy to note is that as a Christian I believe God holds history in His hands. Yes that means He had Trump be President just like He had Obama be President. It is interesting for those that read the scriptures... if this is a fairy tale, then the writers chose some pretty sorry heroes for the story.  But throughout History God uses the lowliest of low to do his work so that all can see the Power of Him. Solomon, David, Moses, Paul.... they were all seriously flawed sinful people. So why not Trump and why not Obama.

MShipley wrote on 10/19/18 at 12:32:26:


Interesting.  If not for trump, would we have the metoo campaign?  And others.  Where Obama pushed social advancement, trump pushes society to demand it.  Which is more effective?

LostArtist wrote on 10/19/18 at 13:22:39:


We are just conversing so let me throw out a little thought... We are all quite dogmatic in our views. Somewhere between what the right sees and what the left sees is where God wants us to be. But we are like old dogs that need to have a 2x4 whacked over our heads to get our attention. God needs to get our attention, on both sides. we can't hear his voice if we do not shut up and look at him. Therefore we go back and forth and back and forth. It is a very slow process to keep us moving forward so that we do not run off one side of the road or the other.

 "If you care to, I would love to hear your reasoning, what brought it about, a little more background leading up to this event."

 If I don't need it, I don't see a reason to keep it.  No real reason other than its logistically challenging to maintain items I do not use.

 None of it has to do with religion, or what the President does.

verslagen1 wrote on 10/19/18 at 13:56:23:


Indeed.....
Putting your faith, in the hands of another, is nothing more that abandoning self, and then blaming others, for your own failures, and unhappiness.

Demanding others to show empathy, and compassion, faulting them when they don't, is like preaching tolerance, with forced attendance, to listen