Rand Paul

Lauren - posted on 04/12/2013

They chop down mountain tops in kentucky for christs sake. Rand Paul is an idoit, like most people in Methtucky

Pamela - posted on 06/05/2010

Lol! I actually use to make my own kefir. Plain, ew. Vanilla flavor added, not so bad. But it does take some getting used too.

Krista - posted on 06/05/2010

I tried kefir once, and yeah...no.

Pamela - posted on 06/05/2010

Seriously? Mushrooms? I did not know that. Mmmmmm...mushrooms! Fermented food though is suppose to be quite good for you.

LaCi - posted on 06/05/2010

It's made from the magical medicinal kombucha mushrooms. It's potentially hazardous to your health if not kept at the appropriate temperature, with the exploding and bacteria and such lol. Super delicious. Puts me in a good mood. My friends tell me it smells like a dumpster though. http://www.synergydrinks.com/products.ht...

Pamela - posted on 06/05/2010

It's a fermented tea (I think it originates from Japan but I could be wrong. If any one knows for sure, let us know). It's a similar process as making kefir. You can buy it from any whole foods store (or grocery that has organic stuff). It's rather puckery, a little vinegery but with added fruit etc, it's pretty tasty stuff.

Rosie - posted on 06/05/2010

whats this kombucha you all speak of?

Pamela - posted on 06/05/2010

There's another flavor - it's a fruit blend of some sort (can't remember what it's called) but you don't even have to shake it for it to explode bacterially all over the place. Really flavorful but you lose half the drink. So I stick with the ginger. We should send some to Rand Paul and the rest of our politicians:o) They probably could use a little more bacteria in their lives, dontcha think?

LaCi - posted on 06/05/2010

The ginger is my favorite. That stuff gets violent if you shake it though. bacteria bomb

Pamela - posted on 06/05/2010

I do dig kombucha - especially the ginger one. Mmmmmm good. A little fermenting bacteria is our friend.

ME - posted on 06/05/2010

mmmmmmmmmmmmmm......coffeeeeeee....My day hasn't started without it since I was 12 years old!

LaCi - posted on 06/04/2010

Jones soda rules. So does Virgil's cream soda- the BEST cream soda I've ever had. Both made with cane sugar. Virgil's is all natural stuff, jones does have color and artificial flavor- but there is no fufu berry to get a natural flavor from ;) . Both are freakin' amazing.

I'm kind of a beverage whore.

OO. kombucha! Fizzy and bacterial. Theres some good stuff.

Jenny - posted on 06/04/2010

I'm with Pamela, I haven't bought any version of pop in years. Water for the win!

Pamela - posted on 06/04/2010

Whew! Hmmmm...pepsi or coke? pepsi or coke? I vote water! It's better for us and it actually hydrates our bodies. In our house we call soda drinks "carbonated high fructose corn syrup drinks":o) Though honestly ladies, I am a huge fan of coffee! Black and strong! Mary Elizabeth, thank you for posting Jon Stewart on Crossfire - he said everything far better than I ever could:o) Peace all!

Krista - posted on 06/02/2010

No, Diane, I do not swear around my baby, and I will not let my kids swear. I also won't let them drink beer, or drive the car. There are some things that they will need to wait to do until they are adults. Cussing is one of them.

And if I'm in company with people, and I do not know whether they cuss or not, I do not cuss. But among friends with whom I'm comfortable, I do not censor myself. That's not to say that every second word is a swear word -- that is the case for some people, and I DO find that rather trashy-sounding. But sometimes a swear word just adds the right emphasis to a phrase. To each their own, right?

Diane - posted on 06/02/2010

You swear around your children I take it. Is this an adult thing or should we proud of saying F you.......

I guess I just grew up in a different age. We respected people and would never consider using the F word especially.
I am sorry but if I am in a conversation with someone and they resort to it, I think it is a weakness.

Sara - posted on 06/02/2010

**Look at the monkey!!! Look at the monkey**

Krista - posted on 06/02/2010

I don't think that your garden-variety four-letter (hell, damn, s**t, f**k -- and I'm using asterisks because I see that you're sensitive to cussing and will not deliberately rub your face in it like that) cussing says anything in particular about the person saying it. Like I said, though, if someone is cussing AT someone else, or calling someone a name, vulgar or not, then please point it out and I will deal with it. And I don't think that anything goes -- some cussing is really...ahem...descriptive. But I don't think anybody here has really gotten to that point, so I can't see it being an issue.



And what does vulgar language add to a conversation? I can't speak for everybody else, but I do have to say that sometimes, cussing is just f**king SATISFYING. ;)

ME - posted on 06/02/2010

I am not answering for Krista, but, I think words are just words. I don't think there is any reason to be afraid of any particular words being used to exclaim or expand on an issue. I think some words are somewhat offensive, and don't personally choose to use them for any reason, but that doen't change the fact that they are just words. The use of particular words to incite violence against people is the only time words alone can be concidered dangerous or a public issue at all. If a person has a particular issue with a word, they don't need to use it...

Diane - posted on 06/02/2010

What does vulgar language add to a conversation Krista. I know it our right to cuss according to the rules, but what does it show about the person saying it and just curious, what words you think are not appropriate?
Or do you think anything goes?

Krista - posted on 06/02/2010

Becki they do not like what I stand for, my positions, the fact that I can’t stand Obama, that I am pro-life and Christian……I stand for everything they see as immoral. They name call and many swear and use vulgar language. When they can’t answer something they whine and accuse me of derailing the conversation.



Diane, nobody here thinks it's "immoral" that you are pro-life and Christian. That's completely absurd. The main complaint here is that on most every thread, you drag the abortion issue into it, no matter how unrelated it is. If it was once in awhile, then that would be fine. As you yourself point out, not everybody stays on topic at all times. But on almost every single thread, Diane, you can be counted upon to start going off on abortion or illegal immigration. So that crosses the line between "occasionally going off-topic", and "obsessively pushing your agenda at every opportunity".



My pet cause is access to reliable and inexpensive birth control for all of the world's women, but you don't see me bringing it up on every thread, and if I did, I'm guessing that you would not be particularly impressed.



And yes, many of us swear and use vulgar language. Obviously, if someone is swearing AT you, that crosses the line. But otherwise, I really don't see what the big deal is. We're all adults here.

Diane - posted on 06/01/2010

“Dems and Repubs are close friends in DC...it is only the avg. citizen who doesn't know any better or doesn't do their homework or whatever who clings to these petty, angry, hateful points of view!”

They stab each other in the back and they would do anything and make just about any deal for a vote.

Becki they do not like what I stand for, my positions, the fact that I can’t stand Obama, that I am pro-life and Christian……I stand for everything they see as immoral. They name call and many swear and use vulgar language. When they can’t answer something they whine and accuse me of derailing the conversation. And they never talk about anything else in the conversation but that topic? If they want proof that they don’t stray from the conversation I can give it believe me.
I have a friend who works in Washington and knows a few Senators……..believe me there is not a lot of love floating around in Washington right now. It is cut throat.

Krista said, “ Most elected Democrats are not truly progressive. And most elected Republicans are not truly conservative. It's all turned into this insane horse-and-pony show, egged on by the punditry.”

That what the point I was trying to make in my last post. Politicians are not who they want people to think that they are. They lie and will jump parties so that they can get elected and they also change positions on issues. McCain is not a Republican….he is a closet Democrat. He switches more than the wind blows. Look at little Miss Laura Bush….lied the whole eight years about her position on gay marriage and abortion. Jesse Jackson and Al Gore were both staunch pro-lifers until they got in political races. They will do what it takes to gain power and as I said this happens on BOTH SIDES. I say throw them all out and start over.

And Mary come on……..let’s be honest, you throw it back honey. You say things to provoke and all your comments are not sugar and spice and you do not always treat people nice. You mention that you have passion and you get frustrated over certain things…….WELL SO DO I !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And three of them happen to be abortion, National Security and Obama.
When I said everyone was full of hate I was referring to politicians. You twist my words.

I do not hate anyone, I do not even hate Obama….but that does not mean I like them and am not morally disgusted by their positions.

“The second is something like "the first step toward gaining knowledge is to admit that you know nothing".. “

But you know enough about the law in Arizona to tell me that I am wrong, imply that I hate Mexicans and that what is going on in my state is not worth having a law like this. It seems that most here who hate the law……know a lot about living in Arizona.

You say you are looking for common ground……on what? I have not seen that in your posts. What commonalities would I who hates abortion have with someone who condones murder? You either value life or you do not. Like rape, I see no grey areas.

“I am better at asking questions than I am at answering them.”
I would agree with this because you rarely answer mine. You twist my words, just like you did when you say that I said everyone hated each other.

Rosie - posted on 05/29/2010

i think we may be confusing right to work states with at will employment. every state has at will employment, but there are certain restrictions for certain states. but overall after reading this i got the impression that some of you could've retaliated against your employer. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/At-will_emp...



from what i gather right to work states are there to protect someone from having to pay union dues when they aren't part of a union, or from getting fired if they don't want to be a part of the union and have to pay dues. http://www.nrtw.org/your-rights-3-minute...

Kelly - posted on 05/29/2010

"But it's the choice of a New Generation!!" Sorry Krista, maybe I was just over-tired last night, but you cracked me up! ;-p

Krista - posted on 05/29/2010

Why you be hatin' on my Diet Pepsi?

?? - posted on 05/28/2010

There was a person that used to mark posts as funny instead of actually post. She would only mark posts funny that were by people she disagreed with, so instead of posting a snotty remark, she would mark posts as funny. She was ultimately banned from COM for her consistent abuse of the Private Messaging system and her inability to curb her childish behavior.

If the post is actually meant to be funny, by all means mark it as funny. But if someone is genuinely making a point, marking the post as funny is just immature, juvenile and counter productive. And I think the majority of the members of this forum are adult enough to know the difference between a humorous post and a legitimately serious post.


I understand that sometimes when people of the opposite mind frame post something seriously, to you it can sound hilarious because it's absolutely nothing like anything you would see as a serious idea, but it is inappropriate to use the 'funny' mark for that since the person is being serious and because it can be taken the wrong way.

Becki - posted on 05/28/2010

I am sorry if I thought something was funny and I marked it as such. I received warning that this was wrong so I tried to remove all the funny marks I had made. I do not understand when it is allowed for me to think something is funny or not. I truly am sorry.

ME - posted on 05/28/2010

I haven't read every bit of the last few posts, but I was thinking earlier that maybe the problem is electronic communication on this one. I may have misunderstood one of Becki's earlier posts...I'm not sure, and I don't really have time right now to go back and re-read them...I have to go to sleep... I have had friends and family leave facebook over such problems (not problems with me, but problems in general ;-)...I certainly don't think it is a very healthy or direct way to communicate. I wish we could all sit down in a coffee shop (well, most of us) or around a conference table...I bet that face to face communication would resolve a large portion of our disagreements (tho certainly not all of them).

?? - posted on 05/28/2010

I can't do diet, makes me insta-spew! It's gotta be regular or none at all and starting June 1st, it will be none at all, all the time !!!

I get the same way with political forums, I don't get involved or research enough to actually get involved in the debates beyond just surface observational opinions, but I do come here to see how the 'general public' is taking what is going on in the world.

It's also a base source of the research that I do bother doing. I read links, follow resources and go about it that way. So when these discussions get chalk full of crazy and stupid it REALLY frustrates the crap outta me and makes me wanna scream at everyone to take a freakin pill and get back on topic.

Honestly I think if we were all in... say a coffee shop... having these discussions, I think there would be some that would be asked to leave and I think there would have to be 'designated' people that are just there to say "OK SHUT UP FOR A MINUTE AND LISTEN" when either side gets worked up.

And in all honesty, I don't think these discussions would even take place if we were all in the same room. I think there'd be so much other crap that we'd be BS'ing about that politics would be thrown around in jest but i don't think it'd really actually get to a serious discussion.

And your point about getting on only when the kids are in bed, that would be a drastic change too. People would be able to discuss point for point rather than bounce around a 3 page post and then wait for a reply when ever the person gets a chance to get back online.

Honestly, I'd love to have coffee with Diane, dead fetus' and frying illegals over bagels and tea, sounds like a pleasant afternoon!

Kelly - posted on 05/28/2010

Well crap, I thought you were going to admit you were on some kind of Diet Pepsi binge......... (there goes that theory, you might win this round Krista!)

I tend to take breaks from all sites when I start to see things disintegrating like that. Sometimes I picture what it would be like if we were all in a room together (it would have to be padded) instead of on computers. Do you think we would actually get somewhere in our debates? I think it is just hard when you are trying to convey emotion on the internet. And for me, I only am online when my kids are sleeping, so I tend to miss big chunks of debates. I do always come back though....... political debating is my crack.

?? - posted on 05/28/2010

LMAO I re-read it after I posted and thought you might take me quoting you as me directing the post at you, so I figured I had better clarify!

I had this discussion with someone the other day about political forums on here, RCM, LPM, PDM, in each freakin forum everyone is saying the EXACT same thing about the other freakin group of people ! It's so irritating to me, because I generally just read along and take in what makes sense and can be backed up, etc etc etc......... and then people start throwin out these little cliche statements...... and the entire conversation goes haywire and it's totally counter productive.

It's so frustrating when I'm trying to actually make sense of something that is going 900 different directions... and then it's derailed with stupid "no you started it" "no YOU started it" "NO you started it" "NO YOU STARTED IT" bullshit arguments and statements.


So I thought I'd throw out that frustration since apparently EVERYONE is so full of hate and anger, I'd throw mine in the pot too. I feel much better and I promise, much of my anger is now gone and I don't have any hate on for anything or anyone so that's not an issue for me... cept for the "no you started it" arguments, that's one thing I will ALWAYS hate !

Kelly - posted on 05/28/2010

LOL Jo! I was thinking, man, you need to change your tampon....... :-) I agree with you, everyone at times twists others words, or doesn't fully grasp what is trying to be communicated. Sometimes it is just worse than others. The other really annoying thing is when you type "you" and people assume that you are directly talking to them. I'm glad Mary Elizabeth touched on that one too...... As far as your capitalized angry post goes, I didn't take it personally. I figure you were probably just in some kind of Diet Pepsi rage. (Could that be another dangerous side effect?) Yep Krista, I went there again :-) Sorry, I am probably just a big dork but that is the funniest random tangent I have read in a while....... all I can think about is MJ with his hair on fire....

?? - posted on 05/28/2010

Oh and Kelly, that wasn't directed completely at you. I just wanted to clarify. I quoted what you said but I assure you I meant it as an example of what I'm sick of reading and not actually referring directly to you. I meant it when I said EVERYONE does it. Some intentionally, some unintentionally, some cause they're too stupid to actually comprehend words...

Just wanted to clarify

?? - posted on 05/28/2010

I AM SOOOOOOOOOO SICK OF READING THIS BS !!!!!!!!!!!!!





"Honestly, it is really hard to have an ongoing conversation with you when you are constantly twisting others words to fit your needs."





EVERYONE FREAKIN DOES IT AND EVERYONE BLAMES "THE OTHER SIDE" FOR DOING IT. FFS YOU ALL DO IT SO STFU ABOUT IT ALREADY !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



Man, I can't even read along without getting annoyed at everyone doing that crap. YOU (IN GENERAL) ARE NO BETTER THAN ANYONE ELSE SO STOP INSINUATING THAT YOU'RE THE ONLY ONE THAT DOESN'T TWIST WORDS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! CAUSE I PROMISE YOU FREAKIN DO IT TOO !!!!!





UGH !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!





OH AND PS: There are Canadians that know more about American politics than A LOT of Americans know about it so I wouldn't be so freakin quick to dismiss a Canadian's opinion just because they're Canadian.



And if you DO that, you had better never EVER EVER EVER mention JACK about ANYONE ELSE being BLIND or IGNORANT to facts, information or not caring about what other people are saying !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Kelly - posted on 05/28/2010

Oh, and two more quick points..... No I wasn't working in a gentleman's club, and the only thing Coke or Pepsi are good for is cleaning acid off of car batteries. (Yeah, I went there Krista! lol)

Kelly - posted on 05/28/2010

Krista, I do want to touch on RTW a little more.... RTW states tend to have lower unemployment rates and higher economic growth due to job creation over states that haven't adopted the legislation.

D.C., Illinois, Rhode Island, California, and Michigan have some of the highest unemployment rates. They are all Union states. Some of the big RTW states, Texas, Utah, North and South Dakota, Oklahoma and Nebraska have weathered the recession much better and have some of the lowest unemployment rates.
http://www.ncsl.org/?tabid=13308
Do you have any idea how many small little towns there are in North and South Dakota? Those two states have unemployment rates of 3.8% and 4.7% respectively.

Kelly - posted on 05/28/2010

Well, I sure missed a lot this afternoon! For the sake of time, I am not going to backtrack too much......... Mary Elizabeth, I don't think that you tend to read ALL of what other people post. Are you just skimming and then stating your response based on what you THINK the other person was saying? Here is what Diane said:

"Mary do you even understand what I referred to when I said, “power fueled by hatred”?

I am talking about the Republican and Democratic Parties. There is hatred behind the power of each party as they try to take control. If you think this is not true, then you simply are living in another world."

It sure is a long leap from that statement, to "Diane believes ALL Americans hate those that believe differently from them."

Honestly, it is really hard to have an ongoing conversation with you when you are constantly twisting others words to fit your needs. The political machines that are the Democratic and Republican parties are filled with hate for each other. All you have to do to see that is watch the political ads as it gets closer to voting time. Slander, accusations, and making the opponent look bad are par for the course on both sides. It's not a matter of who is best anymore, it's who can make who look worse.
And as far as talking heads, you obviously don't watch many of them. Sometimes I get the feeling that the only television "news" that some people here watch are Jon Stewart and Steven Colbert. I'm not knocking them, they can be funny, but you can't make a blanket statement about conservative talk hosts being full of hate when you obviously don't know what you are talking about. I think Ed Schultz can be just as dramatic as Glen Beck, and just as vile as Rush Limbaugh. And really don't get me started on Rachel Maddow.......

Basically I hope that in the future you can take the time to actually read what others are writing in full before writing a response.

ME - posted on 05/28/2010

It has been pretty well established in this community that the pronoun "you" doesn't refer to anyone in particular, unless they are singled out...The ONLY person I singled out anywhere was Diane, and SHE said that SHE hates people who disagree with HER...She accused all others of feeling the same way...I don't feel that I've been "double talking" at all...

Dana - posted on 05/28/2010

Krista, thank you for explaining to Diane for me. :)



I just want to remind everyone, that everyone is welcome to debate any topic no matter what country they live in.

ME - posted on 05/28/2010

Whatever Becki...I was not talking about ALL people in the US...I was talking about people who listen to the talking heads, and buy into their nonsense...clearly the other women who have responded understood what I was saying, I'm sorry if I was not clear enough for you.
Perhaps John Stewart said it better than I can...



Again...I was responding to Diane's belief that ALL americans hate those who believe differently from them...If they do, that saddens me...I don't believe it to be the case, and I certainly don't hate people who believe differently from me, but if she's right, then I blame it on the talking heads...who care more for ratings than they do for America...She said it...I was going along with her...IF all Americans other than me (who apparently by both of your accusations, lives in my own little fantasy world where people who disagree can still care about one another) hate, then ______...I don't have time to keep explaining it to you...as my husband says..."haters gotta hate"....and I gotta go watch a movie with him...enjoy your evening!

Krista - posted on 05/28/2010

Jenny you have no say about "Absolutely it has. It's turned into an us vs. them clusterfuck. I truly believe the only solution is to abolish parties and vote on individuals and policies."

This is a debate forum. We all have a say about whatever we darned well please. Welcome to the internet.

Jenny - posted on 05/28/2010

Oh my mistake Becki, I was under the impression I was on an international debate forum. *rolls eyes* Don't try to tell me when I have a right to an opinion, ok sweetie?



BTW I support no political parties for all countries, not just yours.

Becki - posted on 05/28/2010

Jenny you have no say about "Absolutely it has. It's turned into an us vs. them clusterfuck. I truly believe the only solution is to abolish parties and vote on individuals and policies." as you are Canadian and can not even have more than opinions in regards to the discussion about American politics

Becki - posted on 05/28/2010

Dems and Repubs are close friends in DC...it is only the avg. citizen who doesn't know any better or doesn't do their homework or whatever who clings to these petty, angry, hateful points of view!



your words once again Mary





my words in part



Mary Elizabeth just because you think anger and hatred equal difference of opinion does not make it so.

Becki - posted on 05/28/2010

"but, in truth, I think the Conservative talking heads have been pushing their divisive and hateful agenda on people for SO long, that you all are actually begining to believe that hatred will accomplish something...It's VERY sad..for all of you and for our country!!!"

your words Mary quit double talking

Jenny - posted on 05/28/2010

Absolutely it has. It's turned into an us vs. them clusterfuck. I truly believe the only solution is to abolish parties and vote on individuals and policies.

ME - posted on 05/28/2010

"Mary Elizabeth just because you think anger and hatred equal difference of opinion does not make it so." - Becki





I'm getting really confused...because, I said this:



"I know that republicans (of the REAL variety) are honestly doing what they believe is best for this country. Disagreeing with me doesn't make them bad people; I'm not mad at them..."



basically, in response to Diane who said this: "I am talking about the Republican and Democratic Parties. There is hatred behind the power of each party as they try to take control. If you think this is not true, then you simply are living in another world. " - Diane



I am not the one who has accused people of hating others...those were Diane's words, and I responded that HER hatred is sad to me...I DON"T HATE anyone...I get very frustrated at the social injustice in my world, the poverty, hardship, and inequity of my fellow human beings...but I don't hate...if you don't hate people either, then that's wonderful, but I was responding originally to a statement made by Diane suggesting that she believes EVERYONE is full of hate...that is DEPRESSING and WRONG!!! Everyone is NOT full of hate (have you ever seen the Dalai Lama interviewed? all that man does is giggle ;-) If she is full of hate, then that is her problem, but I didn't accuse anyone of being crazy, and I didn't lump anyone together.



Socrates said two things that I try to hold close to my heart at all times...the first is "The unexamined life is not worth living"...I examined my life about 8 years ago, and realized that anger and hate were unexceptable to me...they caused me harm...I don't hate anyone! The second is something like "the first step toward gaining knowledge is to admit that you know nothing"...This is the reason I participate in this type of group...I am searching for common ground, compromise, and thought-provoking ideas from people who's opinions and experiences are different from my own...if, like Socrates found...most of those differing opinions don't hold up to logical scrutiny...well, I can't say I didn't try...I always begin my philosophy classes by telling my students that I am not there to fill up their empty heads with facts...I'm not an expert on everything (philosophical), I am a philosopher because I am better at asking questions than I am at answering them. My students NEVER hear my opinions unless they specifically ask for them...I would love to ask people like Diane why they hate so much...I would love for there to be a good reason for all of the anger and hate in the world but so far, I haven't found one...and no amount of badgering will make me angry enough to HATE anyone!

Krista - posted on 05/28/2010

I think Mary Elizabeth actually has a good point. Most elected Democrats are not truly progressive. And most elected Republicans are not truly conservative. It's all turned into this insane horse-and-pony show, egged on by the punditry.

Becki - posted on 05/28/2010

Mary Elizabeth just because you think anger and hatred equal difference of opinion does not make it so. I do find some of your posts funny... You do make many negative generalzations and who made you the authoritarian on Republicans and TPartiers and Progressives? You talk as if you command all truth and accurately perceive on all fronts that you post about. In my opinion you are an angry and hateful person for judging others with those labels. Okay Mary I really do not stand by the last sentence but how did it make you feel to be judged angry and hateful because your views are different than mine.

ME - posted on 05/28/2010

I wasn't trying to be funny Becki, and I said nothing negative about anyone! I guess if your world view is one of hatred and anger, you see hatred and anger everywhere...even when none is intended!



ALL I SAID is that social conservatives and social progressives are not represented by either party. If you take that as negative, it's your right; but it's not how I meant it!



The word "crazies" appeared nowhere in either of those posts!