I think it's funny. Anyone who isn't racist, bigoted, prejudiced or a blind fool with his head up his ass can see a measure of truth in this. Relax, my friend, such hate and vitriol is going to kill you.
jcjr8, great point. On the pleasure/fun/happiness/joy scale I think that despite such things as intellect, wealth, fitness and health, we often put limits on our own ability to achieve those things that would bring joy to our lives. While there are many paths up the mountain, a good many don't go the full distance. I personally suspect that those involving sharing and giving offer the best chances of reaching the summit.
Croce, I have the same problem with deer hunters trying to convince me that venison tastes wonderful . . . if it is prepared according to their method. I know proselyters can be annoying, but they can be wonderful, well-meaning people if treated with kindness instead of like vermin. I'm still waiting for the Church of Free Love to come knocking on my door, but so far the Mormons and Jehovah's Witnesses have been the only ones. Even so, they are good people I commend for being true to their own beliefs even if they are not my own.
I commend you for the long and thoughtful response you offer, but as any scientist or researcher will attest, you can't prove a negative. As a matter of fact, you can't prove a positive either, only offer a statistically high degree of probability.
Like you, I have my problems with organized religions, but as a statistician I personally believe that there is a greater probability that a higher intelligence is responsible for the universe in which I live than shear chance.
I don't believe in a personal God who cares a twit about me, but I am still grateful for life, opportunity, beauty and so much that I could never have given myself. For this belief that actually requires no faith I am content and at peace. I feel no need or desire to change the beliefs of others who may disagree.
Croce, I'm sure you've had a million responses, yet I feel compelled to add my own without reading others first. If you speak of 'religious' as being those associated with any organized sect or church, I might tend to agree. However, I see two flaws. The first is that too many intelligent people are so infatuated with their own intelligence and that of others that it becomes a religion in itself. It has been said that in America we worship everything from Jesus to Jack Daniels. The second flaw I see is that an atheist would have no more success proving that their is no God than a believer would dave in proving that there is. Both groups may be equally lacking in intelligence.
Sounds good to me also. Best of all it would eliminate repeating information and complaints from those who are generous the first five times, but are annoyed after the 25th.
I'll second and add my two-cents in support of those who believe that the liberal agenda leads to eventual collapse. Crime is certainly a contributing factor and I suspect we will see more of the same pattern in Chicago, Philly and other once great American cities. The economy of the nation remains on shaky ground. With increased taxation, government control, welfare, illegal immigration, overspending and corruption I see no positive outcome. As a veteran, former college educator, retiree and current local member of my town's government I find all of this very disturbing to say the least.
What you say certainly makes sense in that he is highly qualified and takes every precaution to minimize the risk, but for what purpose does he do this except to entertain an audience, who I dare say, would like nothing better than to witness him fall to his death or at least have a close call. Indeed, we do take risks in driving, in walking in unsafe neighborhoods or for some, in eating nonorganic foods. Risk is a fact of life, but I fail to see the entertainment value for those wo would not do the same thing.
I guess I must think differently than those of you who see daredeviltry as an admirable quality. To risk one's life unnecessarily for fame or fortune seems to me to be the height of stupidity and foolishness. Wing-walkers, rock climbers and those who would stretch themselves out on the centerline of a highway must not value living as much as being close to death. Say what you will, but I have saved a number of lives by risking my own and am no shrinking violet.
It would look nice as a support for clematis and/or ivy.
Amazing. Being from Vermont I was at first shocked because our goldfinches do not look like these. They are beautiful.