Family calls cops to assist with their 15 year old, autistic child after he refuses to go to school. Cops arrive, then shoot and kill him.

Poop_Tickler · 2012-02-07T18:24:38.442760+00:00

There really is no need to keep posting the stories, but do whatever makes you happy. I understand that police officers can do awful things; I have seen it personally. I never claimed they didn't. My problem is lumping in the good men and women in with the assholes in the stories that you have posted. My problem is assuming the worst about the cop in this situation without any clue if that is accurate.

tm258 · 2012-02-07T18:12:48.929974+00:00

Religious minds can be a tough religious nut to crack. Remember pointing out the ridiculousness of an idea to people with a vengeful imaginary friend isn't likely to work either.

Either way, it has been a fun chat! That is, until you implied that the hoverbikes might not have bumper stickers... You shouldn't have put such a depressing idea in my head. Not cool, not cool.

Poop_Tickler · 2012-02-07T18:02:07.606290+00:00

... that statement leads me to believe you are a troll, or unreachable. either way I am done.

tm258 · 2012-02-07T17:36:05.527415+00:00

I said my point very wrong. You should not respect their position. At all. They are wrong, and should be shown that they are wrong. There is a time and a place (particularly with family). You should respect the person.

If I were on the street and someone demanded a dollar I'd refuse. If they demand one hundred dollars I'd refuse, but that wouldn't make me feel more like giving money to the guy that demanded a dollar. Now if someone asked for a dollar it is still unlikely, but now they have a chance.

People hold more strongly to their convictions when the other side is viewed as the enemy. This is why war propaganda always paints the other side as villains. Modern politics is no longer about Democrats and Republicans but rather spendthrift socialists and hypocritical fascists. These terms are meant to protect your base from ever considering the position of the other side.

Also, let us find hoverbikes.

Poop_Tickler · 2012-02-07T17:35:41.188955+00:00

Oh, well in that case. I direct your attention to 1,000 police officers that worked a shift yesterday without incident.

Poop_Tickler · 2012-02-07T17:17:12.620495+00:00

single incidents don't prove it wrong. i think you missed the point of my last post.

tm258 · 2012-02-07T08:23:04.348873+00:00

Just trying to give your side without trying to change a mind is masturbation. It feels good, but you are the only making yourself happy (also, if you put it up on Facebook, you'll lose friends). There are ways to express yourself and your opinion without alienating people, and people should be particularly mindful of this with family.

Also, if one of my family members posted "Isn't God amazing?" on the Scientific American article I just posted this community would quickly recognize this behavior as dickish. I don't understand why it is only okay for us to belittle the position of others.

You don't need to walk on eggshells to assert a position, but you don't need to flame either. If you think atheism is going to gain traction by insulting people, you are wrong. This general perception in the US about atheists being jerks is a perception we earned. You aren't going to win over a group of people that have been brainwashed by making sure they will go to anyone but you. If I remember correctly, the trick is hoverbikes.

tm258 · 2012-02-07T07:36:03.631731+00:00

I didn't say he should hold his tongue. My point is that there is a way to win people over, and making people feel like they are under attack isn't the way to do that. People under attack dig deeper. This isn't about ego, this is about courtesy and respect.

Notice that I did not write this as a response: Clearly you are too stupid to understand my point. I never suggested that he should say nothing, merely that he should consider how a message comes off to a reader. Particularly if you intend to sway people with your words. You might have got that had you read my message with the average reading level of an eighth grader. Also, I have had sex with a member of you immediate family - the one you are the closet too.

Which do you think has a better chance of changing your mind?

zorno · 2012-02-07T03:44:30.221662+00:00

I fixed the typo. Sorry, my Bullshitology degree didn't have a lot required English classes.

tm258 · 1 day

It was using the words magic and mythical. It put people on the defense right away.

That picture pissed me off something fierce too. Not only because of the Jesus side of things, but because even with Jesus those are hardly the only people that have died for this country. What about first-responders? Members of the legal community and politicians that go to work after death threats? Martin Luther King Jr. and civil rights activists? Hell, Superman dies for this country too.

Anyway, on a serious note: You wife seems awesome and like a fierce defender for you, but if you ever need someone to talk to about stuff like this send me a PM. I'll give you my Skype info, and we can talk whenever you need it. There are also support groups on the right menu.

Whenever someone treats you like dirt just remember how fortunate you are to have an understanding of the world that doesn't tell you hate anyone.

tm258 · 1 day

Sorry John, but you comment was intended to offend people that believe in Jesus and you are the ass in this situation. I agree that Christians are misguided and in the wrong place, but the sign was to support people with a sincerely held belief. Your comment was meant to belittle people that hold that belief.

Atheism is not going to gain traction so long as our position is framed as being attacking. Meet ignorance with facts. Meet anger with calm. Meet fear with understanding. Meet religion with rational thinking. Every part of this conversation sounds like you put effort into alienating people, and I understand that desire, because I've felt it too, but it helps no one.

Also, as a general rule. Facebook is for: cat videos, small talk, and the bitchy musings of someone with the perspective of a 14-year-old girl. Your comment had no cats, and was about a serious topic, that only leaves one other category.

Stay strong though. I am sorry atheism has caused a rift in your family. I can tell you that it does get better. I know because I've been down that road.

Siouz · 1 day

I think that is a dog sweater with a second set of armholes cut for her...

bluekaylo · 1 day

Is your appointment with a dermatologist?

zorno · 1 day

I think the comments on this page might be all the explanation you'll need on this topic. Some people will agree, and some will disagree. People will claim to be doctors, and others will claim to be nutritionists. In the end you hear 50 opinions but you'll have no way to discern between the good advice and the complete bullshit.

The peer reviewed site is the best way to talk to people that have actually done research. You should trust me, I'm an Internet Bullshitologist at Nebraska State University.

Poop_Tickler · 1 day

That's a fair point. I suppose it would be crazy to make a claim about the criminality of the police without some form of evidence...

Poop_Tickler · 1 day

You are going to find many incidents, I believe that. Cops are people, and people are occasionally total assholes. That said, police commit significantly fewer crimes than the general public.

iheart2code · 2 days

I made a tester batch of those today. My chest hurts.

boomwhoa · 2 days

Tee hee. "head cold"

Poop_Tickler · 3 days

Anyone can file a lawsuit alleging any facts. If true, this would be a huge problem though.

MetallicBird · 4 days

So did the bottle.

Poop_Tickler · 4 days

Sounds great doesn't it? But some sites aren't about exploring the position, just about being circlejerks for racists and homophobes. People don't go to Westboro's site for enlightenment. Sites that cater to narrow-minded positions reinforce bad ideas and allow people to isolate themselves among those that agree with their positions.

This is why I like Reddit. Wildly controversial ideas generally get met with some conversation. Which is why even though I knew I'd get shouted down I defend an unpopular position.

Poop_Tickler · 4 days

NPR piece on SPLC and hate groups

The internet is a tool, is isn't responsible or not responsible for anything. Perhaps I shouldn't have been more clear that I wasn't blaming an inanimate object.

Ideas should be challenged. That is how we get to better ideas. This is why I argue that all cops aren't evil on a site that feels otherwise. Hate groups don't have the same level of open communication, and allow people to feel that hateful and destructive ideas are perfectly acceptable.

That said, the internet also became a forum for helping people find others into kinky sex - which is awesome.

Poop_Tickler · 4 days

True. I wanted to hear you try, and then mock you for a poorly thought out principle.

EDIT: But I am open to being surprised.

Poop_Tickler · 4 days

I want to hear your idea for a police system without granting any powers beyond that of normal citizens.

Poop_Tickler · 4 days

This is a valid argument. Stun guns were being overused (and clearly mace too RE: occupy protests). The rhetoric on Reddit was largely opposed to any use of stun guns.

I do agree with you though.

dan525

TROPHY CASE

dan525

TROPHY CASE

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