• What's Your Story?

    From Aaron Thomas@1:275/99 to All on Thursday, January 06, 2022 18:34:54
    How did you become a conservative? How did you become a liberal?

    (Sorry if I am repeating myself - I may have posted something like this before)

    Back in 2012, I was working at a place where the health insurance was
    extremely expensive. They were gonna take like $250 out of my paycheck bi-weekly for some decent BC/BS coverage. I couldn't afford that; I was making $10 an hour at the time. I was accustomed to paying a premium of around $60 bi-weekly at my previous job.

    Obama was saying "Re-elect me and we'll make affordable health care a reality for all Americans!" & I was like "Yea! Right on brotha! I'll vote for you!"

    I told my wife my intentions, and she scolded me! "Don't ever vote for a Democrat! No matter what they say, they're lying!"

    I explained to her about my concern with the medical insurance, but she still demanded that I vote for Romney.

    I listened to her and voted for idiot Romney(R). She's a lot smarter than me, and she was absolutely correct. Obama was full of it. Despite Obama winning
    his 2nd term, and passing ACA, the price of the premium stayed where it was at prior to the passing of ACA. The price didn't come down, and I delayed a lot
    of extremely needed medical care for no reason at all.

    Here's the moral of this story: I thought I knew it all. I had already
    finished college and completed a couple of politics courses, and I thought for sure that I was a liberal, and I thought that Democrats were the ones who
    cared about me. I was brainwashed as can be.

    (Surely Romney wasn't the answer to my prayers either!)

    But this was my awakening; it was from this point forward that I became a firm Republican supporter.

    Romney will sell his mother for $19 bucks. Trump has an ego that's worth more than the presidency. Lindsey Graham is a shitty actor. But you know what?

    America first! I'll be a Republican voter for life. (Until a better party
    shows up!!)
    --- Mystic BBS v1.12 A46 2020/08/26 (Linux/64)
    * Origin: CompuBBS | Ashburn VA | cfbbs.scinet-ftn.org (1:275/99)
  • From Jeff Thiele@1:387/26 to Aaron Thomas on Thursday, January 06, 2022 22:52:11
    On 06 Jan 2022, Aaron Thomas said the following...
    Back in 2012, I was working at a place where the health insurance was extremely expensive.

    I assume you're referring to your employer-provided insurance plans.

    I couldn't afford that; I was
    making $10 an hour at the time. I was accustomed to paying a premium of around $60 bi-weekly at my previous job.

    Again, I assume you're referring to your employer-provided insurance plans.

    Obama was saying "Re-elect me and we'll make affordable health care a reality for all Americans!" & I was like "Yea! Right on brotha! I'll
    vote for you!"
    I told my wife my intentions, and she scolded me! "Don't ever vote for a Democrat! No matter what they say, they're lying!"
    I explained to her about my concern with the medical insurance, but she still demanded that I vote for Romney.

    The Romney/Obama election was in 2012, with the winner taking office in
    January 2013.

    I listened to her and voted for idiot Romney(R). She's a lot smarter
    than me, and she was absolutely correct. Obama was full of it. Despite Obama winning his 2nd term, and passing ACA, the price of the premium stayed where it was at prior to the passing of ACA.

    The ACA was passed in 2010.

    By referring to "*the* premium" (emphasis mine) as staying where it's at, I assume you're still referring to your employer-provided insurance plan.

    Here's the moral of this story: I thought I knew it all. I had already finished college and completed a couple of politics courses, and I
    thought for sure that I was a liberal, and I thought that Democrats were the ones who cared about me. I was brainwashed as can be.

    It's increasingly sounding like you certainly didn't, and still don't, know it all.

    But this was my awakening; it was from this point forward that I became
    a firm Republican supporter.

    That's a pity, because the mistake you made was relying on your employer to drop the cost of insurance or give you some kind of discount based on your salary. There was nothing in the ACA mandating anything of the sort. Your employer could not receive subsidies for your insurance from the government. That's not how it was designed to work.

    The thing you should have done was to check out the ACA's state and federal exchanges, where such income-based subsidies could have been supplied.

    Your incorrect recollection of the date of the ACA's passage is troublesome, because it had nothing to do with the Obama/Romney election, nor the election with it.

    Instructions for applying for affordable health insurance were (and still
    are) widely available, but I suspect that when your employer wasn't able to reduce premiums (which was a group rate negotiated between your employer and the insurance company), you decided that the ACA was worthless and tuned out any actually useful information about it.

    Long story short, the fact that you couldn't find affordable insurance was
    not Obama's fault, not Romney's fault, not the ACA's fault, and not your employer's fault. It was your fault.

    Isn't Republican opposition to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau based on the idea that it's not the government's responsibility to regulate the marketplace because consumers should do their own research and read the fine print before buying something? I'm afraid you failed at that.

    Jeff.

    --- Mystic BBS v1.12 A46 2020/08/26 (Raspberry Pi/32)
    * Origin: Cold War Computing BBS (1:387/26)
  • From Jeff Thiele@1:387/26 to Aaron Thomas on Thursday, January 06, 2022 23:31:56
    On 06 Jan 2022, Aaron Thomas said the following...
    Back in 2012, I was working at a place where the health insurance was extremely expensive. They were gonna take like $250 out of my paycheck bi-weekly for some decent BC/BS coverage. I couldn't afford that; I was making $10 an hour at the time. I was accustomed to paying a premium of around $60 bi-weekly at my previous job.

    According to the ACA, people with incomes between 100% and 400% of the
    Federal Poverty Level are eligible for healthcare subsidies through the exchanges. The FPL in 2012 was $11,170.00 and 4x that is $44,680.

    If you worked 8 hours a day, 5 days a week, 52 weeks a year for $10/hour,
    your yearly (pre-tax) income would be $20,800.

    However, you said you had a wife at the time, so that would change the FPL
    for your family to $15,130, with 4x that being $60,520.

    Subtracting your income leaves $39,780, so if your wife made less than that
    you would both be eligible for subsidized insurance through the exchanges. If you had any children at the time, your family's FPL would have increased accordingly.

    The ACA was not designed to lower all premiums by imposing price caps on private companies. It was designed to help people find affordable, *quality* healthcare insurance and provide subsidies for those who could not find any.

    Jeff.

    --- Mystic BBS v1.12 A46 2020/08/26 (Raspberry Pi/32)
    * Origin: Cold War Computing BBS (1:387/26)
  • From Aaron Thomas@1:275/99 to Jeff Thiele on Friday, January 07, 2022 02:25:40
    Your incorrect recollection of the date of the ACA's passage is troublesome, because it had nothing to do with the Obama/Romney
    election, nor the election with it.

    Obama promised "affordable health care for all Americans." He didn't deliver
    it by 2012. Plain and simple, despite passage of the bill. He talked about
    it some more in his pitch for re-election. Since I still didn't have
    affordable health care as of 2012, I nearly fell for the same gimmick twice.

    Long story short, the fact that you couldn't find affordable insurance
    was not Obama's fault, not Romney's fault, not the ACA's fault, and not your employer's fault. It was your fault.

    My employer was charging too much and the public assistance office told me I made too much money to be eligible for Medicaid. You don't know shit Jeff, and pretending to know everything isn't going to lead you to much success in life.

    --- Mystic BBS v1.12 A46 2020/08/26 (Linux/64)
    * Origin: CompuBBS | Ashburn VA | cfbbs.scinet-ftn.org (1:275/99)
  • From Jeff Thiele@1:387/26 to Aaron Thomas on Friday, January 07, 2022 16:37:33
    On 07 Jan 2022, Aaron Thomas said the following...
    Your incorrect recollection of the date of the ACA's passage is troublesome, because it had nothing to do with the Obama/Romney election, nor the election with it.
    Obama promised "affordable health care for all Americans." He didn't deliver it by 2012. Plain and simple, despite passage of the bill. He talked about it some more in his pitch for re-election. Since I still didn't have affordable health care as of 2012, I nearly fell for the
    same gimmick twice.

    You didn't try the healthcare exchanges, did you?

    Obama promised "affordable health care for all Americans." He didn't deliver it by 2012. Plain and simple, despite passage of the bill. He talked about it some more in his pitch for re-election. Since I still didn't have affordable health care as of 2012, I nearly fell for the
    same gimmick twice.

    He did. You just weren't paying attention enough to know where to look. You thought that the ACA would make your employer lower the premiums, but it didn't, so you counted it a failure. That's on you.

    Long story short, the fact that you couldn't find affordable insuranc was not Obama's fault, not Romney's fault, not the ACA's fault, and n your employer's fault. It was your fault.
    My employer was charging too much and the public assistance office told
    me I made too much money to be eligible for Medicaid. You don't know
    shit Jeff, and pretending to know everything isn't going to lead you to much success in life.

    Medicaid covers poeople at or below the Federal Poverty Level, or 133% of the poverty level in states that adopted the Medicaid expansion. The healthcare exchanges are not Medicaid but cover poeple at 100-400% of the FPL, or 133%
    to 400% in states that adopted the Medicaid expansion. You should've checked the exchange.

    I don't claim to know everything, but I do know what I do know. And that's apparently more than you on this topic.

    Jeff.
    --- Mystic BBS v1.12 A46 2020/08/26 (Raspberry Pi/32)
    * Origin: Cold War Computing BBS (1:387/26)
  • From Jeff Thiele@1:387/26 to Aaron Thomas on Friday, January 07, 2022 16:45:54
    Long story short, the fact that you couldn't find affordable insuranc was not Obama's fault, not Romney's fault, not the ACA's fault, and n your employer's fault. It was your fault.
    My employer was charging too much and the public assistance office told
    me I made too much money to be eligible for Medicaid. You don't know
    shit Jeff, and pretending to know everything isn't going to lead you to much success in life.

    Unfortunately, the Federal Poverty Level hasn't changed much at all since
    2012. However, if you're single and making between $12,880 and $51,520 per year, or married with a household income between $17,420 and $69,680 per
    year, you might want to check the healthcare exchange next open enrollment (I think that's in November).

    Jeff.
    --- Mystic BBS v1.12 A46 2020/08/26 (Raspberry Pi/32)
    * Origin: Cold War Computing BBS (1:387/26)
  • From Mike Powell@1:2320/105 to AARON THOMAS on Friday, January 07, 2022 17:08:00
    How did you become a conservative?

    On political tests, I usually test out more libertarian than anything.

    I started college before I turned 18, so I was not registered to vote yet.
    I was also not certain how I wanted to register to vote. I considered Independent but then realized that meant I could not vote in primaries
    (in my state, you cannot vote in a primary for *non-partisian* races unless
    you are registered D or R <shrugs>). My father wanted all us kids to
    register Democrat and vote straight-ticket.

    I had a campus job at the library. With an election coming up, politics
    made up a lot of our discussions. I quickly learned that my fellow
    "students" and co-workers who identified strongly as "Democrats" and/or as supporters of the Democrat politicians in the upcoming election were very
    often (1) career students who had no intention of graduating (and some
    didn't during the 5 years I was there), (2) had beliefs that mostly did not align at all with mine, (3) had work ethics that did not align with mine,
    (4) spent a lot of time complaining about "the rich," but many of them were spending their time not graduating on their parents' dime (see #1), (5) the ones that were trying to graduate were majoring in things that sure sounded like a future in fast-food or retail, and (6) were registered "Democrats" for similar reasons that Independent didn't appeal to me -- except in their case, their reason was that Socialists also could not vote in primaries and did not field viable candidates.

    Many of them openly ID'ed as Socialists (which is why I put Democrats in
    quotes above). They were very disappointed when the Berlin Wall fell, for example. I did not keep in touch with many of them as, often, their
    parents finally got wise and stopped footing their "education" bill and
    they disappeared shortly thereafter. Of the ones I did keep in touch with, most of them either got smart, or continued to be people who argue for their socialist beliefs (now on social media instead of the college campus).
    They don't hold down jobs that that pay a living wage (if they have jobs).
    The beliefs they spout mirror closely the beliefs posted here by a couple of our seemingly anti-conservative posters.

    Like my father, those college kids were most likely to admit to being straight-ticket voters (although not all admitted one way or the other).
    I also grew up in, and went to college in, large cities that were Democrat strongholds and where I largely disagreed with the things they did.

    Now, there were also Republicans in my family. They didn't push me to
    register as one, nor did I ever hear one push straight-ticket voting.

    The Republican Party did not align 100% with my beliefs, either, but they were much closer than the beliefs of the Democrats of my generation. That has not changed much. I live in a heavy registered Democrat area. There are
    Democrats at the local and state level I like and I vote for them. There
    have also been times I don't like either candidate and vote third-party. I don't care that they likely won't win as long as I don't feel "dirty" for voting for them.

    If I had registered Democrat back then, I would have switched by now.
    Those who hold any beliefs, at the national level, that are close to mine
    are few and far between.


    * SLMR 2.1a * Isn't this where....
    --- SBBSecho 3.12-Linux
    * Origin: capitolcityonline.net * Telnet/SSH:2022/HTTP (1:2320/105)
  • From Mike Powell@1:2320/105 to AARON THOMAS on Friday, January 07, 2022 17:22:00
    Long story short, the fact that you couldn't find affordable insurance was not Obama's fault, not Romney's fault, not the ACA's fault, and not your employer's fault. It was your fault.

    My employer was charging too much and the public assistance office told me I made too much money to be eligible for Medicaid. You don't know shit Jeff, and
    pretending to know everything isn't going to lead you to much success in life.

    Our state-administered ACA plans were the same ones that we were offered as state employees. However, ours cost 2+ times as much. So, one of my
    co-workers who had a wife and kid (or 2) on his policy realized that, while he could barely afford ours, he could afford the same plan via ACA.

    He attempted to go that route. He was told by both kyconnect (ACA) and by
    our state government employer that, being a state government employee, he was not allowed to decline our coverage in favor of the same-level,
    same-provider, more-affordable ACA coverage that he otherwise would have qualified for.

    I guess if you think about it, it was his fault he couldn't get affordable health care because he insisted on having a job. I guess that is what
    makes it your fault, too.


    * SLMR 2.1a * "Mmmmmmmm.....doughnuts."
    --- SBBSecho 3.12-Linux
    * Origin: capitolcityonline.net * Telnet/SSH:2022/HTTP (1:2320/105)
  • From Jeff Thiele@1:387/26 to Mike Powell on Friday, January 07, 2022 18:28:22
    On 07 Jan 2022, Mike Powell said the following...
    On 07 Jan 2022, Mike Powell said the following...
    Our state-administered ACA plans were the same ones that we were offered as state employees. However, ours cost 2+ times as much. So, one of my co-workers who had a wife and kid (or 2) on his policy realized that, while he could barely afford ours, he could afford the same plan via ACA.

    In Texas, state employees' insurance is paid for by the state, but if
    employees want their family on the plan, they have to pay for that. We made
    too much to qualify for the exchange, but you know what? I supported the ACA anyway, because it's not all about me and I believe that we must all be prosperous if we're going to be a prosperous nation.

    Jeff.

    --- Mystic BBS v1.12 A46 2020/08/26 (Raspberry Pi/32)
    * Origin: Cold War Computing BBS (1:387/26)
  • From Mike Powell@1:2320/105 to JEFF THIELE on Saturday, January 08, 2022 09:47:00
    Our state-administered ACA plans were the same ones that we were offered >MP> as state employees. However, ours cost 2+ times as much. So, one of my >MP> co-workers who had a wife and kid (or 2) on his policy realized that,
    while he could barely afford ours, he could afford the same plan via ACA.

    In Texas, state employees' insurance is paid for by the state, but if employees want their family on the plan, they have to pay for that. We made too much to qualify for the exchange, but you know what? I supported the ACA anyway, because it's not all about me and I believe that we must all be prosperous if we're going to be a prosperous nation.

    In Kentucky, before ACA, if you were single and a state employee, yours was also paid for. Between the ACA and a previous, state-level "safety net/hammock" program, that has not been true for quite a while. They need the state employees to be a part of the "paying" pool so that others can be
    part of the "receiving" pool. If being a state employee is the only thing
    that keeps you and your family from qualifying, while others who make same
    or more money elsewhere do qualify, then there is someting wrong.

    So, circling back to what was being discussed, you claimed it was Aaron's
    fault that he was not able to find affordable insurance. Based on your statement here, it really is not. Sounds like he falls somewhere into that margin of people who don't qualify but who still have trouble affording insurance. In other words, he is in the "paying" pool whether he can
    afford it or not.

    So, unless it is his fault for having a job, then I don't see it as his
    fault at all.


    * SLMR 2.1a * "The goal of socialism is communism." - V. Lenin
    --- SBBSecho 3.12-Linux
    * Origin: capitolcityonline.net * Telnet/SSH:2022/HTTP (1:2320/105)
  • From Jeff Thiele@1:387/26 to Mike Powell on Saturday, January 08, 2022 11:12:09
    On 08 Jan 2022, Mike Powell said the following...
    In Kentucky, before ACA, if you were single and a state employee, yours was also paid for. Between the ACA and a previous, state-level "safety net/hammock" program, that has not been true for quite a while. They
    need the state employees to be a part of the "paying" pool so that
    others can be part of the "receiving" pool. If being a state employee
    is the only thing that keeps you and your family from qualifying, while others who make same or more money elsewhere do qualify, then there is someting wrong.

    Interesting. I didn't say that my health insurance was unpaid for, just that
    I don't pay for it directly. The state pays for it. The money the state pays for it goes into the pool.

    If something different was going on in Kentucky pre-ACA, then it's obviously not the same thing.

    So, circling back to what was being discussed, you claimed it was Aaron's fault that he was not able to find affordable insurance. Based on your statement here, it really is not. Sounds like he falls somewhere into that margin of people who don't qualify but who still have trouble affording insurance. In other words, he is in the "paying" pool whether he can afford it or not.

    What part of my statement here says that it was not his fault?

    Based on his stated salary at the time and assuming that his wife had a
    similar salary, he definitely qualified. He only said that the public assistance office told him he didn't qualify for *Medicaid* which, based on
    his stated salary, was true. It "sounds like" he falls somewhere into that margin of people who don't qualify for *Medicaid* but who still have trouble affording quality insurance. in other words, that margin of people that the
    ACA exchanges were designed to help.

    So, unless it is his fault for having a job, then I don't see it as his fault at all.

    He didn't explore all possible alternatives. Instead of utilizing the ACA, he blamed it for the fact that his employer's insurance rates didn't magically come down.

    Plenty of people who have jobs take advantage of the subsidies available through the ACA.

    Jeff.

    --- Mystic BBS v1.12 A46 2020/08/26 (Raspberry Pi/32)
    * Origin: Cold War Computing BBS (1:387/26)
  • From Aaron Thomas@1:275/99 to Mike Powell on Saturday, January 08, 2022 14:47:28
    How did you become a conservative?

    On political tests, I usually test out more libertarian than anything.

    Thanks for sharing your story!

    It sounds like part of it was the people that you saw supporting Democrats,
    but that the bigger part was the (often) Democrat policies that you found undesirable. I can relate to that.

    When I was a teenager I wanted Democrats to win simply because I thought they would legalize weed. (They have yet to do that on the national level!) But I never understood why conservatives were so against them. Now I do!

    However, I'm with you when it comes to scrutinizing Republicans too. They largely stand for my values, but once in a while they let me down big time.

    --- Mystic BBS v1.12 A46 2020/08/26 (Linux/64)
    * Origin: CompuBBS | Ashburn VA | cfbbs.scinet-ftn.org (1:275/99)
  • From Aaron Thomas@1:275/99 to Mike Powell on Saturday, January 08, 2022 15:22:11
    He attempted to go that route. He was told by both kyconnect (ACA) and
    by our state government employer that, being a state government
    employee, he was not allowed to decline our coverage in favor of the same-level, same-provider, more-affordable ACA coverage that he
    otherwise would have qualified for.

    It probably works out great for people who don't care about their employment.

    I vaguely remmeber when (I think) all Americans were to log on to some ACA website and "choose a plan." The server was overloaded and I was unable to use it (that "overload" made national headlines.) I ended up getting a job with a reasonable premium price and forgot all about it. But when I say "reasonable," I mean it was about the same as I was paying the last time I had a
    "reasonable" rate; it had nothing to do with ACA; people at my old job were still handing half of their paychecks over to some LOUSY health care network (Presidential or something like that.)

    --- Mystic BBS v1.12 A46 2020/08/26 (Linux/64)
    * Origin: CompuBBS | Ashburn VA | cfbbs.scinet-ftn.org (1:275/99)
  • From Jeff Thiele@1:387/26 to Aaron Thomas on Saturday, January 08, 2022 15:31:30
    On 08 Jan 2022, Aaron Thomas said the following...
    It probably works out great for people who don't care about their employment.
    I vaguely remmeber when (I think) all Americans were to log on to some
    ACA website and "choose a plan." The server was overloaded and I was unable to use it (that "overload" made national headlines.)

    This was exactly the step that you missed. Not "all Americans" were to log
    in, just those who couldn't find affordable health insurance through the
    usual routes. Like, well, you. That website was the gateway to the state and national exchanges.

    That it crashed shows how popular it was. It was back up and stable in a
    matter of days.

    Jeff.

    --- Mystic BBS v1.12 A46 2020/08/26 (Raspberry Pi/32)
    * Origin: Cold War Computing BBS (1:387/26)
  • From Mike Powell@1:2320/105 to AARON THOMAS on Saturday, January 08, 2022 16:38:00
    On political tests, I usually test out more libertarian than anything.

    Thanks for sharing your story!

    It sounds like part of it was the people that you saw supporting Democrats, but that the bigger part was the (often) Democrat policies that you found undesirable. I can relate to that.

    Yes, for sure it was both. :)

    When I was a teenager I wanted Democrats to win simply because I thought they would legalize weed. (They have yet to do that on the national level!) But I never understood why conservatives were so against them. Now I do!

    That is actually something I have softened on as I got older. Seems like
    it helps some people.


    * SLMR 2.1a * He knows changes aren't permanent - but change is!
    --- SBBSecho 3.12-Linux
    * Origin: capitolcityonline.net * Telnet/SSH:2022/HTTP (1:2320/105)
  • From Ron Lauzon@1:275/89 to Aaron Thomas on Sunday, January 09, 2022 09:38:00
    Aaron Thomas wrote to All <=-

    How did you become a conservative?

    It's probably a combination of a few things:

    1. I spent many of my informative years with my grandparents. They actually worked for a living - as opposed to being priviledged white liberals.
    2. I have more logical mind, which is not easily swayed by "feelings".
    3. I actually got an education before our public school systems went completely to trash.


    ... You are in a maze of UUCP connections, all alike.
    === MultiMail/Linux v0.52
    --- SBBSecho 3.14-Win32
    * Origin: Diamond Mine Online BBS - bbs.dmine.net:24 (1:275/89)
  • From Aaron Thomas@1:275/99 to Mike Powell on Saturday, January 08, 2022 22:40:25
    That is actually something I have softened on as I got older. Seems like it helps some people.

    It seems harmless enough. I wish Republican candidates (good ones) would get with the program and pitch marijuana legalization. They're missing
    opportunity.

    New York (minus NYC) really is a conservative state. We legalized weed in
    April of last year, and I haven't heard a single person complain about it. I think Republicans tend to vote against it because they assume too much about their constituents.

    --- Mystic BBS v1.12 A46 2020/08/26 (Linux/64)
    * Origin: CompuBBS | Ashburn VA | cfbbs.scinet-ftn.org (1:275/99)
  • From Jeff Thiele@1:387/26 to Aaron Thomas on Sunday, January 09, 2022 20:07:56
    On 08 Jan 2022, Aaron Thomas said the following...
    It seems harmless enough. I wish Republican candidates (good ones) would get with the program and pitch marijuana legalization. They're missing opportunity.

    Here we agree.

    New York (minus NYC) really is a conservative state. We legalized weed in April of last year, and I haven't heard a single person complain about
    it. I think Republicans tend to vote against it because they assume too much about their constituents.

    Here, not so much. In other words, what you're saying is that New York really is a conservative state if you arbitrarily ignore 43% of its population.

    If that's not what you're saying, then feel free to correct me.

    Jeff.

    --- Mystic BBS v1.12 A46 2020/08/26 (Raspberry Pi/32)
    * Origin: Cold War Computing BBS (1:387/26)
  • From Aaron Thomas@1:275/99 to Ron Lauzon on Sunday, January 09, 2022 20:32:49
    1. I spent many of my informative years with my grandparents. They actually worked for a living - as opposed to being priviledged white

    I can relate to that. My parents worked for everything they've got too. The upbringing probably plays a role for most of us, but some people have
    broken the chain in that sense.

    liberals. 2. I have more logical mind, which is not easily swayed by

    Excellent. Choosing logic over feelings is a great way to filter out a lot of BS. It can be tricky sometimes. Once in a while I fall for some of the BS coming out of Fox News; deep down it seems like most of them (Fox people) mean well, but they shoot for the heart from time to time.

    "feelings". 3. I actually got an education before our public school systems went completely to trash.

    Same here! We need to appreciate the fact that we grew up during a time when there was no president-derived racial division. Unfortunately for younger generations, the media and the Biden Regime are taking us back to the 1950s.

    --- Mystic BBS v1.12 A46 2020/08/26 (Linux/64)
    * Origin: CompuBBS | Ashburn VA | cfbbs.scinet-ftn.org (1:275/99)
  • From Dale Shipp@1:261/1466 to Aaron Thomas on Tuesday, January 11, 2022 01:08:06
    On 01-09-22 20:32, Aaron Thomas <=-
    spoke to Ron Lauzon about Re: What's Your Story? <=-

    Same here! We need to appreciate the fact that we grew up during a
    time when there was no president-derived racial division. Unfortunately for younger generations, the media and the Biden Regime are taking us
    back to the 1950s.

    The only president-derived racial division occurred under Trump.

    I don't know when you grew up, but the 1950's were still in the Jim Crow segregation, separate but equal education, red-lining of real estate
    areas, state supported depression of minority voters and more.

    Dale Shipp
    fido_261_1466 (at) verizon (dot) net
    (1:261/1466)


    ... Shipwrecked in Silver Spring, Maryland. 01:12:15, 11 Jan 2021
    ___ Blue Wave/DOS v2.30

    --- Maximus/NT 3.01
    * Origin: Owl's Anchor (1:261/1466)
  • From Jeff Thiele@1:387/26 to Aaron Thomas on Tuesday, January 11, 2022 07:31:59
    On 09 Jan 2022, Aaron Thomas said the following...
    Same here! We need to appreciate the fact that we grew up during a time when there was no president-derived racial division. Unfortunately for younger generations, the media and the Biden Regime are taking us back
    to the 1950s.

    Dude, you were referring to black people as "lazy" long before Biden took office.

    Jeff.

    --- Mystic BBS v1.12 A46 2020/08/26 (Raspberry Pi/32)
    * Origin: Cold War Computing BBS (1:387/26)
  • From Aaron Thomas@1:275/99 to Dale Shipp on Tuesday, January 11, 2022 10:39:59
    Same here! We need to appreciate the fact that we grew up during a time when there was no president-derived racial division. Unfortunate for younger generations, the media and the Biden Regime are taking us back to the 1950s.

    The only president-derived racial division occurred under Trump.

    I don't know when you grew up, but the 1950's were still in the Jim Crow segregation, separate but equal education, red-lining of real estate areas, state supported depression of minority voters and more.

    I apologize. I exaggerated. I don't know what stuff was like the 50s because I wasn't there. But I know what stuff was like the 80s & 90s: It was peaceful. People were treated equal. There wasn't such strong division like there is now.

    I don't blame Trump for it though. He was president when the division broke out, but it wasn't because of him; it was because of the media. Then Joe Biden started adding more fuel to the fire and he hasn't stopped yet.

    --- Mystic BBS v1.12 A46 2020/08/26 (Linux/64)
    * Origin: CompuBBS | Ashburn VA | cfbbs.scinet-ftn.org (1:275/99)
  • From Jeff Thiele@1:387/26 to Aaron Thomas on Tuesday, January 11, 2022 12:16:48
    On 11 Jan 2022, Aaron Thomas said the following...
    I apologize. I exaggerated. I don't know what stuff was like the 50s because I wasn't there. But I know what stuff was like the 80s & 90s: It was peaceful. People were treated equal. There wasn't such strong
    division like there is now.

    Are you kidding?

    There were riots in Miami in 1980, 1982, and 1989, all in the aftermath of police killing blacks.

    An entire city block burned in 1984 when police dropped C4 from a helicopter onto a house occupied by black liberationists.

    There was considerable unrest at the Marquette Park KKK rally in 1986.

    There were riots in Tampa in 1987 and 1989, both in the aftermath of police killing blacks.

    The Wynwood riots occurred in 1990 after police officers were acquitted for beating a small-time Puerto Rican drug dealer to death.

    There were riots in Miami, Washington, D.C., and Brooklyn in 1991.

    1992 brought us the beating of Rodney King and associated riots in LA and Las Vegas.

    1992 also brought us the Washington Heights riots in Manhattan.

    There was a riot in St. Petersburg, Florida, after the killing of a black person by police.

    And this isn't even a comprehensive list. You may be remembering your youth through rose-tinted glasses.

    Jeff.

    --- Mystic BBS v1.12 A46 2020/08/26 (Raspberry Pi/32)
    * Origin: Cold War Computing BBS (1:387/26)
  • From Aaron Thomas@1:275/99 to Jeff Thiele on Tuesday, January 11, 2022 13:48:41
    And this isn't even a comprehensive list. You may be remembering your youth through rose-tinted glasses.

    The media's pro-racism campaign (backed by the Joe Biden Regime) hasn't penetrated our decent race relations in upstate NY. BLM destroyed a handicapped-accesible playgound, but no big deal. I'm not a player hater.
    Those people weren't from here. This is a small city where we get along pretty damn good compared to some of the horror stories of other cities. But the
    media has about a 65% chance of changing all that.

    BTW: If you know which one of your homies burned down the playground, the cops are offering a $3500 reward. That's got to be better than your monthly foodstamp allotment. (And you don't even have to sell them for 50% of
    their worth because it's real money!)

    --- Mystic BBS v1.12 A46 2020/08/26 (Linux/64)
    * Origin: CompuBBS | Ashburn VA | cfbbs.scinet-ftn.org (1:275/99)
  • From Jeff Thiele@1:387/26 to Aaron Thomas on Tuesday, January 11, 2022 16:16:24
    On 11 Jan 2022, Aaron Thomas said the following...
    And this isn't even a comprehensive list. You may be remembering your youth through rose-tinted glasses.
    The media's pro-racism campaign (backed by the Joe Biden Regime) hasn't penetrated our decent race relations in upstate NY. BLM destroyed a handicapped-accesible playgound, but no big deal. I'm not a player hater. Those people weren't from here. This is a small city where we get along pretty damn good compared to some of the horror stories of other cities. But the media has about a 65% chance of changing all that.

    I see. So you were just talking about Biden, the media, and your small city
    in upstate New York. Or is that just what you're saying now that your claim that the 80s and 90s were peaceful and free of racial unrest has been disproven?

    If your small city was peaceful in the 80s & 90s and is peaceful now, then
    what change let to your claim that the 80s and 90s were more peaceful than
    the present?

    Jeff.

    --- Mystic BBS v1.12 A46 2020/08/26 (Raspberry Pi/32)
    * Origin: Cold War Computing BBS (1:387/26)
  • From Jeff Thiele@1:387/26 to Aaron Thomas on Tuesday, January 11, 2022 19:07:10
    On 11 Jan 2022, Aaron Thomas said the following...
    I apologize. I exaggerated. I don't know what stuff was like the 50s because I wasn't there. But I know what stuff was like the 80s & 90s: It was peaceful. People were treated equal. There wasn't such strong
    division like there is now.
    I don't blame Trump for it though. He was president when the division broke out, but it wasn't because of him; it was because of the media.
    Then Joe Biden started adding more fuel to the fire and he hasn't
    stopped yet.

    So you're saying that when you wrote this, you were only referring to your small city?

    I don't buy it.

    Jeff.

    --- Mystic BBS v1.12 A46 2020/08/26 (Raspberry Pi/32)
    * Origin: Cold War Computing BBS (1:387/26)
  • From Alan Ianson@1:153/757 to Aaron Thomas on Tuesday, January 11, 2022 20:04:24
    The media's pro-racism campaign (backed by the Joe Biden Regime)

    Why do you insist on spreading these kind of lies?

    --- BBBS/Li6 v4.10 Toy-5
    * Origin: The Rusty MailBox - Penticton, BC Canada (1:153/757)
  • From Dale Shipp@1:261/1466 to Aaron Thomas on Wednesday, January 12, 2022 01:00:02
    On 01-11-22 10:39, Aaron Thomas <=-
    spoke to Dale Shipp about Re: What's Your Story? <=-

    I apologize. I exaggerated. I don't know what stuff was like the 50s because I wasn't there. But I know what stuff was like the 80s & 90s:
    It was peaceful. People were treated equal. There wasn't such strong division like there is now.

    In the 80's and 90's people were treated more equal than in the 50's,
    but still not equal -- even to now.

    I don't blame Trump for it though. He was president when the division broke out, but it wasn't because of him; it was because of the media.

    Trump took many opportunities to feed the fire of racial discrimination,
    and to promote white power.

    Then Joe Biden started adding more fuel to the fire and he hasn't
    stopped yet.

    How has Biden done that?

    Dale Shipp
    fido_261_1466 (at) verizon (dot) net
    (1:261/1466)


    ... Shipwrecked in Silver Spring, Maryland. 01:02:52, 12 Jan 2021
    ___ Blue Wave/DOS v2.30

    --- Maximus/NT 3.01
    * Origin: Owl's Anchor (1:261/1466)
  • From Aaron Thomas@1:275/99 to Jeff Thiele on Tuesday, January 11, 2022 18:21:25
    But the media has about a 65% chance of changing all that.

    I see. So you were just talking about Biden, the media, and your small city in upstate New York. Or is that just what you're saying now that
    your claim that the 80s and 90s were peaceful and free of racial unrest has been disproven?

    It's not disproven. The 80s and 90s were peaceful in my community. That's all
    I care about. People who live in communities where true racial hatred exists are stupid, and they should move.

    If your small city was peaceful in the 80s & 90s and is peaceful now,
    then what change let to your claim that the 80s and 90s were more
    peaceful than the present?

    I didn't claim that the 80s and 90s were more peaceful than the present. I was telling Dale that I grew up in the 80s and 90s and perhaps he knows a
    different USA from the one that I'm familiar with, and I also mentioned that the media is coordinating with the Biden Regime to make people racist towards one another.

    --- Mystic BBS v1.12 A46 2020/08/26 (Linux/64)
    * Origin: CompuBBS | Ashburn VA | cfbbs.scinet-ftn.org (1:275/99)
  • From Jeff Thiele@1:387/26 to Aaron Thomas on Wednesday, January 12, 2022 09:31:56
    On 11 Jan 2022, Aaron Thomas said the following...
    But the media has about a 65% chance of changing all that.
    I see. So you were just talking about Biden, the media, and your smal city in upstate New York. Or is that just what you're saying now that your claim that the 80s and 90s were peaceful and free of racial unre has been disproven?
    It's not disproven. The 80s and 90s were peaceful in my community.
    That's all I care about. People who live in communities where true
    racial hatred exists are stupid, and they should move.

    I see. Hold that thought.

    If your small city was peaceful in the 80s & 90s and is peaceful now, then what change let to your claim that the 80s and 90s were more peaceful than the present?
    I didn't claim that the 80s and 90s were more peaceful than the present.
    I was telling Dale that I grew up in the 80s and 90s and perhaps he
    knows a different USA from the one that I'm familiar with, and I also mentioned that the media is coordinating with the Biden Regime to make people racist towards one another.

    Ah, but you did. You said that you didn't know what the 50s were like, but
    you did know what the 80s and 90s were like, and they were more peaceful than now, since although the unrest started under Trump you blame it on Biden and the media.

    Now, either you were referring to your local area, which you claim is as peaceful now as it was in the 80s and 90s, or you were referring to the
    country as a whole, which you claim has increased unrest dating back to the Trump presidency.

    Therefore, one of your two statements is a lie.

    Jeff.

    --- Mystic BBS v1.12 A46 2020/08/26 (Raspberry Pi/32)
    * Origin: Cold War Computing BBS (1:387/26)
  • From Aaron Thomas@1:275/99 to Alan Ianson on Wednesday, January 12, 2022 10:31:30
    The media's pro-racism campaign (backed by the Joe Biden Regime)

    Why do you insist on spreading these kind of lies?

    There's a lot of stuff that I say that probably sounds iffy to you, but this shouldn't. I can give you a list of things that the Biden Regime is doing that would be considered racist by most people, but I believe that your programming is hard-coded, and I can't even change it with a hex editor.

    "If you don't know if you're voting for me or Trump you ain't black."
    "The greatest threat to America is White Supremacy."
    "I'm advising healthcare workers to prioritize non-whites for antiviral pills."

    --- Mystic BBS v1.12 A46 2020/08/26 (Linux/64)
    * Origin: CompuBBS | Ashburn VA | cfbbs.scinet-ftn.org (1:275/99)
  • From Aaron Thomas@1:275/99 to Dale Shipp on Wednesday, January 12, 2022 11:35:28
    Trump took many opportunities to feed the fire of racial discrimination, and to promote white power.

    How? And more than Biden?

    Then Joe Biden started adding more fuel to the fire and he hasn't stopped yet.

    How has Biden done that?

    "If you don't know if you're voting for me or Trump you ain't black."
    "The greatest threat to America is White Supremacy."
    "I'm advising healthcare workers to prioritize non-whites for antiviral pills."

    --- Mystic BBS v1.12 A46 2020/08/26 (Linux/64)
    * Origin: CompuBBS | Ashburn VA | cfbbs.scinet-ftn.org (1:275/99)
  • From Alan Ianson@1:153/757 to Aaron Thomas on Wednesday, January 12, 2022 14:33:56
    The media's pro-racism campaign (backed by the Joe Biden Regime)

    Why do you insist on spreading these kind of lies?

    There's a lot of stuff that I say that probably sounds iffy to you, but this shouldn't.

    What you said above goes well beyond iffy.

    I can give you a list of things that the Biden Regime is doing that would be considered racist by most people,

    I can give you a list of things the Trump regime did, and is still doing if you would care to see it.

    but I believe that your programming is hard-coded, and I can't even change
    it with a hex editor.

    I am not programed in any way. I think freely and look at the facts.

    "If you don't know if you're voting for me or Trump you ain't black."

    That was a silly way for Biden to say that but it isn't pro-racism.

    "The greatest threat to America is White Supremacy."

    This is a true statement. I don't know if I would call it the greatest threat but it is up there.

    "I'm advising healthcare workers to prioritize non-whites for antiviral pills.

    This is not a racist thing. I don't know what the reason is but I am sure there is a ewason why that is being prioritized.

    Let talk about the big lie the Trump and his supporters started before the election and continue to this day, without evidence.

    --- BBBS/Li6 v4.10 Toy-5
    * Origin: The Rusty MailBox - Penticton, BC Canada (1:153/757)
  • From Dale Shipp@1:261/1466 to Aaron Thomas on Thursday, January 13, 2022 01:47:02
    On 01-12-22 11:35, Aaron Thomas <=-
    spoke to Dale Shipp about Re: What's Your Story? <=-

    Then Joe Biden started adding more fuel to the fire and he hasn't
    stopped yet.

    How has Biden done that?

    "If you don't know if you're voting for me or Trump you ain't black."

    A one time gaffe.

    "The greatest threat to America is White Supremacy."

    A true statement at this time.

    "I'm advising healthcare workers to prioritize non-whites
    for antiviral pills."

    Essentially discussed in previous messages. The data suggests that.

    A few of many racially tainted statements made by Trump:
    These aren't people. These are animals. (Referring to immigrants.)
    When the looting starts, the shooting starts.
    Proud boys stand back and stand by.
    They should be executed. (made about the central park five)
    These thugs.
    China virus
    Kung Flu
    Total and complete shutdown of muslims entering the country.
    Go back to crime infested places from which they came. (made about "the
    squad -- all of whom are American citizens and three of whom are
    born in USA).
    Pocahontas -- A racial slur against Elizabeth Warren.
    Very fine people on both sides.


    Dale Shipp
    fido_261_1466 (at) verizon (dot) net
    (1:261/1466)


    ... Shipwrecked in Silver Spring, Maryland. 01:12:59, 13 Jan 2021
    ___ Blue Wave/DOS v2.30

    --- Maximus/NT 3.01
    * Origin: Owl's Anchor (1:261/1466)
  • From Aaron Thomas@1:275/99 to Jeff Thiele on Wednesday, January 12, 2022 17:32:58
    Ah, but you did. You said that you didn't know what the 50s were like,
    but you did know what the 80s and 90s were like, and they were more peaceful than now, since although the unrest started under Trump you
    blame it on Biden and the media.

    Now, either you were referring to your local area, which you claim is as peaceful now as it was in the 80s and 90s, or you were referring to the country as a whole, which you claim has increased unrest dating back to the Trump presidency.

    My local area is as peaceful now as it ever was, but Joe Biden's crappy regime and the media are trying to change it. That's all I'm trying to say.

    "Oh but you said you know what life was like in the 50s..."

    I corrected myself. Get a life!

    --- Mystic BBS v1.12 A46 2020/08/26 (Linux/64)
    * Origin: CompuBBS | Ashburn VA | cfbbs.scinet-ftn.org (1:275/99)
  • From Jeff Thiele@1:387/26 to Aaron Thomas on Thursday, January 13, 2022 08:30:03
    On 12 Jan 2022, Aaron Thomas said the following...
    Ah, but you did. You said that you didn't know what the 50s were like but you did know what the 80s and 90s were like, and they were more peaceful than now, since although the unrest started under Trump you blame it on Biden and the media.
    Now, either you were referring to your local area, which you claim is peaceful now as it was in the 80s and 90s, or you were referring to t country as a whole, which you claim has increased unrest dating back the Trump presidency.
    My local area is as peaceful now as it ever was, but Joe Biden's crappy regime and the media are trying to change it. That's all I'm trying to say.

    No, they're not.

    "Oh but you said you know what life was like in the 50s..."
    I corrected myself. Get a life!

    I never said that. I paraphrased your corrected statement.

    Jeff.

    --- Mystic BBS v1.12 A46 2020/08/26 (Raspberry Pi/32)
    * Origin: Cold War Computing BBS (1:387/26)
  • From Lee Lofaso@2:203/2 to Aaron Thomas on Thursday, January 13, 2022 16:35:06
    Hello Aaron,

    Ah, but you did. You said that you didn't know what the 50s were like,
    but you did know what the 80s and 90s were like, and they were more
    peaceful than now, since although the unrest started under Trump you
    blame it on Biden and the media.

    Now, either you were referring to your local area, which you claim is as
    peaceful now as it was in the 80s and 90s, or you were referring to the
    country as a whole, which you claim has increased unrest dating back to
    the Trump presidency.

    My local area is as peaceful now as it ever was, but Joe Biden's crappy regime and the media are trying to change it. That's all I'm trying to say.

    That's good to hear. Even their best efforts have not led to massive
    protests. Unlike the previous Trump regime, which had massive protests everywhere throughout the land.

    --Lee

    --
    Pussy grabs back!
    --- MesNews/1.08.05.00-gb
    * Origin: news://eljaco.se (2:203/2)
  • From Aaron Thomas@1:275/99 to Alan Ianson on Thursday, January 13, 2022 07:19:29
    I can give you a list of things that the Biden Regime is doing that woul considered racist by most people,

    I can give you a list of things the Trump regime did, and is still doing if you would care to see it.

    I can give you a list of local roofing contractors, but we were talking about how Biden and the media are promoting racism.

    "If you don't know if you're voting for me or Trump you ain't black."

    That was a silly way for Biden to say that but it isn't pro-racism.

    It made me feel like I had no choice but to vote Trump, because I'm white.

    "The greatest threat to America is White Supremacy."

    This is a true statement. I don't know if I would call it the greatest threat but it is up there.

    Who are they a threat to? Are white supremacists even more dangerous than
    black supremacists? The statement was "a true statement" 80 years ago.

    "I'm advising healthcare workers to prioritize non-whites for antiviral pills.

    This is not a racist thing. I don't know what the reason is but I am
    sure there is a ewason why that is being prioritized.

    The reason is racism.

    --- Mystic BBS v1.12 A46 2020/08/26 (Linux/64)
    * Origin: CompuBBS | Ashburn VA | cfbbs.scinet-ftn.org (1:275/99)
  • From Aaron Thomas@1:275/99 to Dale Shipp on Thursday, January 13, 2022 07:55:21
    A few of many racially tainted statements made by Trump:

    But this thread was about Biden and the media working together to divide us by race.

    "If you don't know if you're voting for me or Trump you ain't black."

    A one time gaffe.

    What about all those other one time gaffes? Like "I don't want my kids going to school in a racial jungle!" (Black people don't like being compared to jungle creatures.)

    "The greatest threat to America is White Supremacy."

    A true statement at this time.

    What was true about it? The January 6 riot was mild in comparison to 9/11.

    "I'm advising healthcare workers to prioritize non-whites
    for antiviral pills."

    Essentially discussed in previous messages. The data suggests that.

    It's the most racist part of all. All white people should be outraged, but
    some of us aren't allowed to be outraged because it goes against our philosophies.

    --- Mystic BBS v1.12 A46 2020/08/26 (Linux/64)
    * Origin: CompuBBS | Ashburn VA | cfbbs.scinet-ftn.org (1:275/99)
  • From Mike Powell@1:2320/105 to AARON THOMAS on Thursday, January 13, 2022 16:41:00
    There's a lot of stuff that I say that probably sounds iffy to you, but this shouldn't. I can give you a list of things that the Biden Regime is doing that
    would be considered racist by most people, but I believe that your programming
    is hard-coded, and I can't even change it with a hex editor.

    You will never get past the encryption. :)

    Biden's speech the other day came off a lot like the "basket of deplorables" speech another famous Democrat made several years ago. Biden claimed to be running to reunite us all, and that there was no such thing as "red and
    blue" but alot of what he has said (and done) since being sworn in has
    proven otherwise.

    I would not go as far as to claim what he is doing is racist, but it is not unifying and, if anything, is the opposite. The only good thing I can say about it is that he is at least not Tweeting all the time.


    * SLMR 2.1a * "Hired goons????" - Homer
    --- SBBSecho 3.12-Linux
    * Origin: capitolcityonline.net * Telnet/SSH:2022/HTTP (1:2320/105)
  • From Mike Powell@1:2320/105 to ALAN IANSON on Thursday, January 13, 2022 16:10:00
    "If you don't know if you're voting for me or Trump you ain't black."

    That was a silly way for Biden to say that but it isn't pro-racism.

    It borders on racism, i.e. to be a "good" member of your own race, you need to vote one way and one way only, like he should not be thinking for himself.

    "I'm advising healthcare workers to prioritize non-whites for antiviral pills.

    This is not a racist thing. I don't know what the reason is but I am sure ther
    is a ewason why that is being prioritized.

    If you don't know the reason, how do you know it is not racist or racially-motivated?


    * SLMR 2.1a * Peacefully and patriotically make your voices heard.
    --- SBBSecho 3.12-Linux
    * Origin: capitolcityonline.net * Telnet/SSH:2022/HTTP (1:2320/105)
  • From Mike Powell@1:2320/105 to DALE SHIPP on Thursday, January 13, 2022 16:12:00
    How has Biden done that?

    "If you don't know if you're voting for me or Trump you ain't black."

    A one time gaffe.

    I do not believe that was a gaffe in the sense that he didn't *mean* it.
    Now, if you are saying it was a gaffe because he said the quiet part out
    loud then, yes, it was certainly a gaffe but that doesn't mean he didn't
    mean (or believe) it.


    * SLMR 2.1a * Tell me, is something eluding you, Sunshine?
    --- SBBSecho 3.12-Linux
    * Origin: capitolcityonline.net * Telnet/SSH:2022/HTTP (1:2320/105)