What does this quote (from a Christmas Carol) mean?
What does this quote (from a Christmas Carol) mean? Could u please put it in your own words 'There are many things from which I might have derived good, by which I have not profited, I dare say,' returned the nephew. 'Christmas among the rest. But I am sure I have always thought of Christmas time, when it has come round -apart from the veneration due to its sacred name and origin, if anything belonging to it can be apart from that- as a good time; a kind, forgiving, charitable, pleasant time; the only time I know of, in the long calendar of the year, when men and women seem by one consent to open their shut-up hearts freely, and to think of people below them as if they really were fellow-passengers to the grave, and not another race of creatures bound on other journeys. And therefore, uncle, though it has never put a scrap of gold or silver in my pocket, I believe that it has done me good, and will do me good; and I say, God bless it!'
Why does it seem that everyone in the US hates libertarians?
I want to be a libertarian, I really do, and I would consider myself a libertarian if the libertarian party wasn't so…libertarian.Libertarianism is something I fundamentally agree with: liberty and the ability to make my own decisions and choices.So what is the problem? Why am I going against my fundamental values?Because my belief that people are absolute idiots far surpasses my value of personal liberty.Fundamentally, I like to say “People should be able to do what they please so long as it doesn’t bring harm to other people.” I would say that this is a moderate libertarian position, but the libertarian party these days seems to think the opposite. They would hold the position “People should be able to do what they please”, not realizing how many idiotic decisions people make that cause harm to other people.Extremists:I’ve heard that there are some libertarians that are so extreme as to hold the position that people should not need a license to own a gun or drive a car. The absurdity of these statements surpasses every logical notion I have to offer.“Moderate” libertarians:Earlier I said that I hold a “moderate” libertarian position. I would think that is reasonable, but libertarians think otherwise. Your average “moderate” libertarian in America is practically a climate change denier, advocating for no regulations on what private corporations should be able to do. This certainly goes against my position of “People should be able to do what they please, so long as it doesn’t bring harm to other people”, since climate change hurts the entire global population.Moral of the story-I’m a liberal. I believe in individual liberties. I also believe that people are beyond stupid. I want stupid people to have as little effect on my life as possible. United States libertarians want people who make bad decisions to be able to make those bad decisions, even when they hurt me.That's why I find it difficult calling myself a libertarian.
Is BHO attempting to drive us into a depression with Cap-and-trade, value added tax, and reckless spending?
Is it time for two countries? Let the lamebrian left have the north. Let the conservatives have the south. Let all of the moochers move to the north. Let all of the producers move to the south. Let the moochers and the left die under their own weight. If you can't make it on your own, you don't deserve to have the government take from me to support you and your life. Who is with me?
It's Christmas Day and I'm alone. Life feels so cruel right now. Can anyone help me find solace during this difficult time?
Christmas is an ideal portrayed to us by the media as being something magical and wonderful.In reality, most people feel depressed after Christmas, from the time they are little kids. Why? Because it is so over-hyped that it is impossible for reality to live up to the expectations. It’s like old Bing Crosby dreaming of a white Christmas, yet ignoring the fact that a white Christmas means snow on the roads and everyone having to drive home on ice after dinner - frequently when they have been drinking. What’s so bloody great about that?In reality, Christmas is a time of high stress and is often dreaded by people who aren’t alone, as much as those who are. I am single, but I have family.I had to opt out of Christmas dinner for about 5 years, because I just couldn’t handle the stress of it. I also ended up on a suicide line one particularily bad year, for 3 weeks after. I once ended up at a house late one Christmas, where a bunch of people had had a christmas dinner. Everyone was actually enjoying themselves, not just going through the motions trying to pretend everything was ok and they weren’t bored out of their minds or mentally checking off everything that was expected of them. It wasn’t a family dinner, just a bunch of people who wanted to be there.So while you may be alone, you have the freedom to choose how to deal with that. You can be miserable and pity yourself, or you can see it like it is. One day of the year, that many people make themselves ill stressing about only to fall short of expectations every time.By not having to deal with family, you can set your own tradition. Splurge on something you really enjoy. Some restaurants are open, so you could treat yourself to a nice meal, or prepare one for yourself. Next year you could start an “orphan’s Christmas” tradition if you know orhers who are alone. If you don’t, you could make a meetup to find others who might want to join you. Life is what you make of it. So go make something of it!
Is it ethical to smoke marijuana?
Going anonymous for this…First let us consider major factors:1) Legal implications2) Effects on health3) Contributing to criminal sources or unethical people4) It can damage your reputation, it can get you fired1 - This varies and depends on where you live. I can’t answer this for you but in many parts of the world you could end up even, dead as marijuana is punishable by death. Even where it is tolerated, if the police wanted to make an issue out of it, they could probably charge with “disturbing the peace” or something minor even if they can’t charge you for smoking weed.2 - The scientific consensus is unclear at this point. You’ll find studies pointing both ways and we’ve had years and years of political lobbying from both sides of the fence.marijuana - PubMed - NCBI3 - This ties this into 1. If you consume it in a place that it is illegal, you could be indirectly contributing to criminal or unethical activity. Again, depends where you live and how you attempt to purchase it.4 - Again, dependent on where you live. In many parts of the world, even where weed is almost utterly legal legal, you can get fired if you are a smoker. Marijuana smokers are not a protected class. Just to keep a clear reputation in where you work, you may want to stay clear of drugs.