Billo (as in Bill O'Reilly) Sees the Light?

originally posted by: ketsuko
Way to ummm confuse what O'Reilly is talking about. He's referring to hedonistic self-gratification.

He's not talking about greed in the same way you are, nor is he making a call for socialism.

You are 100% on target with your assessment. O'Reilly wasn't talking about socialism. He was talking about decadence, the likes of Miley Cyrus promote. But liberals will twist it as they've done in a few responses already.

a reply to: FyreByrd

“The more you can escape from how horrible things really are
the less its going to bother you...
and then the worse things get.”
― Frank Zappa

If you see the world as horrible, you can retreat from it
and doing so increase a measure of peace for yourself.
However, by removing your self from the equation,
the worse things get for other people around you.

A life of purpose finds a balance between attaining peace
and struggling against injustice in this upside down world.

This is why RIP is embossed on tombstones. These people
struggled through life, and so we hope in death they find
the peace they willingly relinquished in life or the peace
the were denied by others.

Which one are you?
Where do you find your peace?
Is it from your struggle to do what is right?
Or is it from your retreat from injustice?

originally posted by: Bilk22

originally posted by: ketsuko
Way to ummm confuse what O'Reilly is talking about. He's referring to hedonistic self-gratification.

He's not talking about greed in the same way you are, nor is he making a call for socialism.

You are 100% on target with your assessment. O'Reilly wasn't talking about socialism. He was talking about decadence, the likes of Miley Cyrus promote. But liberals will twist it as they've done in a few responses already.

Twisting Bill O'Reilly's words so that they have meaning?
That would require a lot of twisting.... and I think you
are correct, only a liberal could do that.

Conservative love to decry the "decadence" of society.
What exactly to they mean by that?

originally posted by: Hoosierdaddy71

originally posted by: amazing
Bill is a tool. He's smug and condescending. He'd say anything for ratings and more money and he has.

I wouldn't trust him as far as I could throw him.

You just described john Stewart!

Not even close.

Take the politics aside. If Jon Stewart and Bill O'Rielly were my neighbors. Just based on their personalities...Bill wouldn't step foot in my house. Ever. Jon would be allowed in. Maybe he would overstep his welcome and never be allowed back, but Bill wouldn't even get the first chance. I don't hang out with snug, self-righteous people and taken a step further. I don't listen to them.

originally posted by: ketsuko
Way to ummm confuse what O'Reilly is talking about. He's referring to hedonistic self-gratification.
.

Being as how Bill O'Reilly was charged with sexual harassment himself on one of his employees, your defense of him rings a bit hollow.

www.legalzoom.com...

It seems hypocritical of O'Rly criticizing others morality when it would seem he has his own cross to bear.

www.cbsnews.com...

It doesn't do much for the credibility of those defending him either. Short memories, or just selective? Or perhaps both when it concerns a conservative Icon.

a reply to: ketsuko

I understand that you don't understand the point of the article nor the OP as Mr. O'Reilly doesn't understand what he said and how - well to be kind - how inconsistant it makes his entire body of work.

I'll try again:

A universal principle - works in any situation and at anytime.

I will refresh your memory as to the one he stated:

(Any student of history knows that when a nation turns inward toward the pursuit of individual gratification, the nation is in trouble)

The princple is valid about hendonistic (I assume here you mean sex, drugs, rock 'n roll, and gaming) issues, business issues, religious issues, political issues, and old issue you can name.

As the article said in another way of stating this universal principal:

When "me'" is put before "we".

Or as, I believe Ben Franklin expressed it: "If we don't hang together, we will surely hang separately"

Or as twelve step groups would put it: "Our common welfare should come first, personal recovery depends on -fill in your own group - unity.

Without getting into philosophy, which I can if you insist;

O'Reilly is just stating the 'common sense' idea that...

...each individual is better off in a well-functioning group...

... therefore it is imperitive that each individual put the wellbeing of the group ahead of his own 'selfish' and 'self-centered' needs.

originally posted by: KawRider9
a reply to: FyreByrd

Not really sure how my pursuit of individual gratification troubles our nation?

I was at work at 6:30 AM yesterday and worked until midnight. Back at 6:30 this morning and will most likely work late again. I put in allot of hours so I can buy the things I want and trust me, I want a LOT!!!

The reason my wife and I have what we do is because of HARD work. Yes, we both are people of faith and donate to multiple charities. But neither of us lose sleep over what other folks do or don't have.

One phrase that got my attention at a very young age is, "God helps who helps themselves", er something like that.

Because, as you put it, 'individual gratification' is 'self-centered' behavoir.

Regarding the Christian trope of "God helps those who help themselves", it is not Biblical whatsoever:

"God helps those who help themselves" is probably the most often quoted phrase that is not found in the Bible. This saying is usually attributed to Ben Franklin, quoted in Poor Richard's Almanac in 1757. In actuality, it originated from Algernon Sydney in 1698 in an article titled Discourses Concerning Government. Whatever the original source of this saying, the Bible teaches the opposite. God helps the helpless! Isaiah 25:4 declares, "For You have been a defense for the helpless, a defense for the needy in his distress, a refuge from the storm, a shade from the heat..."

Read more: www.gotquestions.org...

A little more about what the bible says about the good of the community coming before selfish 'good':

Galatians 6:2 ESV

Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 ESV

Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

Philippians 2:3-16 ESV

Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. ...

All the above from: www.openbible.info...

originally posted by: Hoosierdaddy71

originally posted by: amazing
Bill is a tool. He's smug and condescending. He'd say anything for ratings and more money and he has.

I wouldn't trust him as far as I could throw him.

You just described john Stewart!

Not really...At least John Stewart is funny and makes valid, logical arguments by using examples. All he has to do is point at their own words for humor.

a reply to: Gothmog

Bill O is very philosophical and always has been. Makes true your statement you never watched him.

Nothing sweet about socialism, OP.

a reply to: ketsuko

Way to ummm confuse what O'Reilly is talking about. He's referring to hedonistic self-gratification.

He's not talking about greed in the same way you are, nor is he making a call for socialism.

the #1-rated Fox News host put his finger on What's Wrong With America These Days. He reflexively pointed at ragtime music Elvis Presley's gyrating hips metal bands rap music and the generic "the media," of course. But then he said this:

… Any student of history knows that when a nation turns inward toward the pursuit of individual gratification, the nation is in trouble.

I'm confused...does this mean Ayn Rand didn't like Elvis - or that she did?

The prevailing wisdom, especially among young Americans, is whatever is good for me is good, period---the overall good be damned

That's the prevailing belief of the Republican and Libertarian parties. Thanks to them treating people like crap young people don't want to work or contribute to society because they see that society doesn't care about them.

a reply to: olaru12

It's not just about sexual harassment, ...

Bill O'Reilly reportedly beat his wife in front of his daughter