Things Are Definately Changing....I'll Tell You What I've Noticed

Thank you, CyberKat, for your condolences. Yes, I could tell that the police' responses were very "by the book"; however, I do live in the city that originated the "Amber Alert" (Fort Worth, TX). Fort Worth has some aspects of a middle-sized city, but with some "big city" characteristics, also.

The police weren't overly...anything, really. Just more "by the book", as I said (with one sweetie...lol...he was young, which gives me hope).

I do see changes coming over Texas. I worry that someone is prepping it for its' "seceding from the union", or something like that. Texas, to me, is like a country unto itself.

Television makes me angry, also, as it does others. People need to learn to put it in perspective more now than ever, and interact with each other more (especially their families), or read, exercise, help others, etc. Or read or post messages online....

I nearly "butted myself out" of my son's life too much! I truly believe that if we hadn't been forced to reconnect, that his marriage and life would have went totally in the toilet (it wasn't just me, tho...our whole family has reconnected over this, and it's been good). Of course, I believe and rely on God (no religious preference)...and think that prayers were just answered, in this instance.

Originally posted by CyberKat

As a matter of fact, you are eerily more on target of this post than I was when I made it! Why do you think I started this thread? ....

Now, I believe that there is much more capability out there than most people realize, including myself, ..... if every cop, government worker, employer, etc.... were to be aware of this, surely it would be all over the Internet, the news (both mainstream and alternative), in open discussion everywhere a person goes. Unless.......it is somehow given to them is such a way that they have no idea that they are consuming it.

Why do you think all of a sudden they decided to search your car, CyberKat? They wanted some additional time to look you over, pick up some additional thought patterns/streams, before letting you go. They may have picked up on - sensed - something and decided to take a closer look.

If what you say is true, and you very well could be on the right track, then suppose the cop did not know he was being given this chemical, then rhetorically, how would he know to use searaching the car as a reason to try to keep us longer so he could read our minds? And why would he want to search our minds?

CyberKat

Allow me to take this one step further. I hope this isn't too bizarre for you. What if the cop was also a mind control slave. These slaves are programed with alternative personalities, and may have more than two. In many cases there is some type of single or code usually either written or said that triggers certain unusual reactions. They do not realize what is happening. What if the cop searching your car was triggered by a phrase you said, where as you didn't know it would be a trigger?

www.theforbiddenknowledge.com... ula_mind_control.htm

www.xs4all.nl...

I agree with what you said. The schools have conditioned society as children to act in most of these manners you have pointed out. One phrase really got my attention:

god forbid people think poorly of themselves.

This is inbread in our children in school from the earliest years on. It has gotten so bad that teachers will not use red pens any longer for fear of the child starting to think of themselves as a failure. The teachers must protect their egos. They have built up their egos so much that they have become very self-centered.

That self-centeredness comes into play in point 3 where the parents think nothing of leaving their child with nannies and others to raise. God forbid if the child comes in-between the parent and thier career or hobby. It comes in at point 5 and 8 with entertainment and wanting to please the self.

Point 1 and 2 could be related to the teacher/student interactions. A teacher could build up fear in a good student who wanted to succeed to do what they tell you to do or else you will fail. Those students who really didn't care, a mistrust was built up in various ways from labeling to shame. I believe that these students just carried the fears and mistrust they learned in school and applied it to their life outside of the school realm.

One of the big things the students are conditioned with is the "socialization" of their peers. The trouble is that the socialization issue is used to try to cohearse those who want to homeschool into putting their kids in public school. The problem is that there is very little time for the kids to socialize, except maybe during recess or in the higher grades at lunch or maybe in study hall or gym if one is not yelled at for talking and making noise. The socialization that does occur is the forming of groups and clicks. This can be seen carried out in points 7, 12, and 15

Of course to accomplish all of this so the masses do not realize what is happening, the students are being dumbed down as can be seen in points 4, 9, and 14. The dumbing down has gotten so bad that colleges have to lower their expectations of students, and in some cases actually teach what should have been taught in highschool. I'm not suprised you had trouble learning to read. I know many others including myself had problems reading.

It was the system they used to teach reading, which was whole language. They would through some phonics in here and there to appease the parents. From what I have learned about whole language and phonics, a child will not learn to read half the words with whole language as they would with phonics. It should be no suprise that many can not read past the ninth grade level let alone be able to read and comprehend many of the classics in their original format. When I was in highschool, Romeo and Juliet was considered a tough book. I wonder which book or books are considered tough to read in highschool now.

[edit on 11-8-2005 by Mystery_Lady]

Originally posted by Mystery_Lady

Originally posted by CyberKat

As a matter of fact, you are eerily more on target of this post ............... if every cop, government worker, etc.... were to be aware of this, surely it would be all over the Internet, the news ....... Unless.......it is somehow given to them is such a way that they have no idea that they are consuming it.

........If what you say is true......... then suppose the cop did not know he was being given this chemical, then rhetorically, how would he know to use searaching the car as a reason to try to keep us longer so he could read our minds? And why would he want to search our minds?

CyberKat

Allow me to take this one step further. I hope this isn't too bizarre for you. What if the cop was also a mind control slave. These slaves are programed with alternative personalities, and may have more than two. In many cases there is some type of single or code usually either written or said that triggers certain unusual reactions. They do not realize what is happening. What if the cop searching your car was triggered by a phrase you said, where as you didn't know it would be a trigger?

www.theforbiddenknowledge.com... ula_mind_control.htm

www.xs4all.nl...

You know Mystgery_Lady, with things being the way they seem to be these days, nothing is too bizarre for me to at least take into consideration. A little out there, maybe. But, you know what is really bizarre?

This incident happened I'd say probably about 2 weeks ago, approximately. And ever since that night, nearly everything has been going wrong for us. Everything from running into a lot of obsticals while merely going about simple every day tasks that are usually no big deal, to getting an eviction notice for non payment of rent, when it had been paid in full for a week, on time! Not even an appology from the landlord, simply a, "Oh, well just disregard that, it just didn't post right." Something like that, when I have never been evicted or threatened with it ever in my life! And lots of other things have just been going wrong each day,

We just talked about it last night, as to when did this streak of bad luck start? We figured that it started right after the cop incident. Pretty scarey! Especially after reading your suggestion about mind control, etc.. I was familiar with the concept, but I got to reading some more on it, and, well....... it's pretty frightening!

HHhmmmmmmm........

Over the area where I live, NYC, Brooklyn-Staten Island, I have noticed several, several helicopters flying in regular patterns 24/7 most days. These helicopters were not here before 9/11 but have now been regularly flying over the airspace of my community and my neighborhood. The feeling is one of being under seige and watched from the air. I hate it. I hate this new world we are living in.

To paraphrase a Green Day lyric: "Wake me up when September 11 ends."

Originally posted by RebelSaint
Over the area where I live, NYC, Brooklyn-Staten Island, I have noticed several, several helicopters flying in regular patterns 24/7 most days. These helicopters were not here before 9/11 but have now been regularly flying over the airspace of my community and my neighborhood. The feeling is one of being under seige and watched from the air. I hate it. I hate this new world we are living in. .......

I know exactly what you are talking about. As a matter of fact, shortly after I became a member, I started a thread Eerie Helicopters Circle At Night about it, because I was feeling the same way.

I used to believe that change is for the good. Well, I'm really starting to doubt that these days.

I'll tell you what I've noticed

I went to America, and I accidently left a spoon, a camping knife (which isn't sharp at all) and a pipe used for smoking pot (which isn't mine, honestly!) and they let me take them on to the plane after the security check Then on my way back at JFK airport, they took me to the side, went through my bag, and said the knife wasn't allowed, fair enough, then she said the spoon was used for heroin as it was a bit dirty as I took it on a camp and left it in the bag. There weren't even any scorch marks on the underneath, then she said the pipe was for crack. She also claimed to have been a narcotics officer Complete BS, unless she was bored and joking around.

Damn Mystery_Lady, you really read my post!

I've noticed those choppers too. They seem to congregate over the east side of Manhatten where the UN and all the embassies are, it's also the richest area of the city. The city sure has changed a lot since I was born (born here in NYC). It has gone from a typical urban area with all it's normal problems of gangs, drugs, and urine to a playground for the new money rich, it's as if someone saw too many episodes of Friends and decided to pay 30 grand a month for an apartment. The yuppies have come in and taken over, there're hardly any families here anymore. My neighborhood used to have video stores, pizza shops, toy stores, the normal things you'd expect to find. Today it's all organic juice bars, yoga clinics and wheat grass. There are hardly any New Yorkers in NY, just look at the mayor, he doesn't even want to live in the Mayoral Manson, he spends his weekends out of state!!

Looking around I can't help but feel it will all come crashing down around them. During the blackout people neglected the important things, like getting water, protecting yourself and family. People opted instead for drinking cocktails on their stoops and going out to sidewalk cafes. Ancient Rome had to reach a point of out of control opulence before it fell, I think New York's reached that point. And to be completely honest I hope the somthing happens, a revolution hopefully. These people are empty brainwashed husks of a normal person, they live in their own fantasy life of money, excess, yoga and tofu. THIS IS NOT LIFE and it drives me insane. They walk around like consumerist zombies, throwing their worthless money around. I've lived in my neighborhood my entire life and people in my own building look at me like I'm going to rob it. The only way I could fit in would be to start wearing pink golf shirts with the collar turned up, drop and extra 60 pounds, go to the gym everyday and get my butt hair waxed. I'm tired of getting the "You're not supposed to be here" look from people that moved in 6 months ago.

These days people seem to have this feeling of entitlement. Whether it stems from their money or their position in life or simply some delusion it seems to have infected our populace like a plague. Just because you're rich and I'm wearing combat boots and a Motorhead shirt doesn't give you the right to cut me in line, interupt me, look down on me, or make comments behind my back. I was walking down the street and felt hands grab my shoulders, I spin around to knock the guy in the jaw and it's some yuppie trying to move me out of his way. A robbery I could stand, but the look of this guy, waxed, muscular, trendy and about 4 and half feet tall almost shocked me. The shock soon turned to pity when I realized how empty and hollow his life must be, although I didn't shy away from giving him a hard time about it. What the hell happened to the normal people? Where're the people who read books, appreciate artwork and watch the sun spill orange hues over the horizon? New York is supposed to be a cultural center, but people hate museums, only like "modern art" (that's another rant entirely) consider classical music "boring". Opera is "campy", the ballet is "tired", run down buildings are "kitchy", Shakespear is in another language and roaches are "part of the charm". People totally ignore homeless people now. I'm friends with a good lot of them, I stop to say hi, I shake their hand, I share my smokes and I buy them food. People these days need a good slap in the face.

I'm sorry if that seemed too rantish but I really can't help myself. People make me physically ill these days.

Originally posted by Shadowflux
Damn Mystery_Lady, you really read my post!

New York is supposed to be a cultural center, but people hate museums, only like "modern art" (that's another rant entirely) consider classical music "boring". Opera is "campy", the ballet is "tired", run down buildings are "kitchy", Shakespear is in another language and roaches are "part of the charm". People totally ignore homeless people now. I'm friends with a good lot of them, I stop to say hi, I shake their hand, I share my smokes and I buy them food. People these days need a good slap in the face.

I'm sorry if that seemed too rantish but I really can't help myself. People make me physically ill these days.

Your welcome. You could say that post also hit a nerve. Go ahead and rant, I'm right there with you. I hate "Friends" and other shows of that ilk. I wonder how many people really know what ilk means or that it is even a part of the English language. Here I just thought that it was a bunch of goofball producers showing how they think people should act and/or react. I didn't even realize that people really acted like that. Scary.

Then again, maybe I shouldn't be too suprised. I actually talked to someone over the phone the other day who sounded exactly agent Smith in "Matrix". He had the exact same voice, with the same tone when he was talking to the other agents, and a get down to business attitude. I was ordering something, but I have to say that was the most efficient, polite, and to the point person I have ever talked to, and best yet there was no misscommunication or trying to understand what he said.

I perfer a mesuem any day to this so called abhorent "modern art". Shakespear another language? Jeez, I hate to see them try to read Chaucer. They need to broaden their language skills. The one thing that really gets my ire up is the way homeless people are treated, even by some of the people who try to help them. If I had the money I would start up my own program that would give them permanent shelters, good meals, and councling if they needed and/or wanted it. Also have a program in place to help those who want to better their life. I think an old hospital or hotel would do with a full time staff. I neither have the money nor the resources. I wouldn't know where to start either. My husband tried to start up his own program to help feed them by personally taking food and clothing down to them.

It didn't work out unfortunatlly. There were a couple of people in the church who were helping us gather some things for them, but the church felt that we were a threat, since we asked for a van to go pick up some of them that were asking to go to the church. I guess they thought we would find some way to bring them to the church, and we were told never to return or they would call the police as we would be tresspassing. We got a certified letter from them right after Easter, saying that we were not suppose to be there Easter service. All that was said to us by an associate pastor was that he suggested we leave.

There you have it, another way society is changing. People being kicked out of church and I'm sure other places just because they want to help others that are considered socially unacceptable by the more affluent, and sometimes the not so affluent.

What happened after you punched that guy? Did he actually try to sue you? It seems like that is all those yuppies do any more.

[edit on 15-8-2005 by Mystery_Lady]

Originally posted by Mystery_Lady

Originally posted by Shadowflux
Damn Mystery_Lady, you really read my post!

People totally ignore homeless people now. I'm friends with a good lot of them, I stop to say hi, I shake their hand, I share my smokes and I buy them food. People these days need a good slap in the face.

I'm sorry if that seemed too rantish but I really can't help myself. People make me physically ill these days.

Your welcome. You could say that post also hit a nerve. Go ahead and rant, I'm right there with you. I hate "Friends" and other shows of that ilk. I wonder how many people really know what ilk means or that it is even a part of the English language.

I'm aware that I'm probably butting in on the two of you's conversation. I know it's rude, and I sincerely appologize for it, but I can't help it. I am in such total agreement with you guys! And especially when it comes to the subject of the homeless. But to stay with this particular post, I absolutely hate "Friends", too! I heard not so long ago, when they finally were cancelled (or whatever thank God happened to their show), that they each made $1,000,000.00 a year on that ridiculous waste of air space!

Also, I've heard the word "ilk" from when I was very young from my now deceased very proper grandmother who looked down on everyone. I took it to mean someone or something that is beneath you. (?)

The one thing that really gets my ire up is the way homeless people are treated, even by some of the people who try to help them. If I had the money I would start up my own program that would give them permanent shelters, good meals, and councling if they needed and/or wanted it. Also have a program in place to help those who want to better their life. I think an old hospital or hotel would do with a full time staff. I neither have the money nor the resources. I wouldn't know where to start either. My husband tried to start up his own program to help feed them by personally taking food and clothing down to them.

I just about leaped out of my seat when I read this! (And you, Shadowflux brought up much the same thing). I didn't know that anyone else felt this way! I have always said, (and have been made fun of for it) that I would never want to be "rich". Comfortable, yes. But I have seen too many nice people "make it", but when they do, they inevitably turn greedy. Greedy to the point where nothing is ever enough. All they care about then, is getting richer and richer. Although, I have never seen one who has obtained relatively sudden wealth be happier. Usually more unhappy.

So, like I was saying, I truly mean it. I would like to have enough to get by. I mean pay bills, have a home, a car, a small cushion in the bank for emergencies, then anything after that , I would love more than anything to give away to anyone who needs it. I mean, not an organized charity, where you don't really know where your money is going, but to give to the homeless. I don't mean a dollar here and there, but to buy them a home, or several homes. And really let them create a new start for themselves. Not under one of those government programs. It is something I have dreamed of for as long as I can remember! I would just love to see the looks on their faces, to be able to say, "How much do you need?" Give it to them, and make sure that they know that there is no obligation. I don't even have to know their name.

In this falling down, broken world, nothing would give me more pleasure! Unfortunately, I first have to get myself into a position where I am not shuffling money and making payment arrangements myself to get by. But....maybe someday....?

It didn't work out unfortunatlly. There were a couple of people in the church who were helping us gather some things for them, but the church felt that we were a threat, since we asked for a van to go pick up some of them that were asking to go to the church. I guess they thought we would find some way to bring them to the church, and we were told never to return or they would call the police as we would be tresspassing. We got a certified letter from them right after Easter, saying that we were not suppose to be there Easter service. All that was said to us by an associate pastor was that he suggested we leave.

There you have it, another way society is changing. People being kicked out of church and I'm sure other places just because they want to help others that are considered socially unacceptable by the more affluent, and sometimes the not so affluent.

What happened after you punched that guy? Did he actually try to sue you? It seems like that is all those yuppies do any more.

[edit on 15-8-2005 by Mystery_Lady]

My sentiments exactly, and I appologize again for having interupted your conversation.

CyberKat

[edit on 8/16/2005 by CyberKat]

CyberKat your not butting in. It is a group forum, and a group conversation. I'm glad to meet like minded people. Go ahead and join the conversation, and besides you started the thread.

Ilk from the Webster's Dictionary fifth edition copright 1941, with the or that, the same person or persons; the same thing - of that ilk. Of the same (name, surname, place, or territorial designation); as, Grant of that ilk.

Ilk noun - Family; kind; breed; class; - a misuse.

Ilk adj. and pron. Each; every

The phrase that was most commanly used was "of that ilk" in a negative tone or manner.

When you talk about not wanting to be rich, because rich people are greedy, there is one problem with that. If you only have enough to get by like I do, then we don't have the money to help others as we would like to. Just because one is rich, doesn't mean that they are greedy.

There are pleanty of rich people who do not live the rich life, and give to many charaities, orgiznations, churches, and etc. There are many millionaires in the US that we do not read about or know about. A book I read reviews on, but havent' read yet is the millionaire next door. These people tend to keep the fact a secert. There are those who live a rich lifestyle, but gave most of their money away.

The story of JC Penny always stuck with me. The founder only lived off of 10% of business made. The rest either went back into the business or was given away. I have heard that lived a very good life off of 10% of what he made. Some wealthy people who live in expensive homes may have bought it when it was less expensive, and it just appericated over the years. I think we just tend to hear about all the ones who are super-rich and the super-greedy in the media and in movies who buy multi-million dollar homes and luxuries right off the bat.

If you ever get wealthy, it will bring out what is in you whether it is greed or giving. More honest, giving, and caring people really need to be wealthy. It is those people who could change the world for the better. Right now many of us are stuck in a rut with good ideas that would require us to be wealthy to implement.

I gave a homeless person a sandwhich once. I wish I carried more money with me so I could give it to homeless people. I was with my friends walking back from school on one of the many days we do, and we saw a homeless person and they started making jokes about him, and then I said it was unfair of them and they were being p***ks. Then they started having a go at me for being a communist. At least I'm not some nazi though. My english teacher is quite sensitive about this issue, and we were having a discussion about homeless people. Most of the class referred to them as "tramps" which really upset my teacher. And generally they were saying harsh things.

Mashup you seem to be conciencious young person, this is a rare trait. I was talking to my 18 yrd son a while back (who is a fine polite kid) but I mentioned to him that being more of a spiritual is much more important than material things. He mumbled something about not wanting to be a hippie! I said hippie, son I am too young to be a hippie. Young people so often will suppress there true feelings out of peer pressure and what they percieve everyone else will think is cool. Funny stuff.

Back to how things have changed. I used to live in a medium sized city of about 200 thousand (thank god I know live in the quiet countryside) and when I go back to visit family I feel this tension. It is like everyone is tense and waiting for the hammer to fall or something. An uneasyness that you can feel. Rudeness in traffic that borders on the insane. Young guys look like thugs, and most of the girls look shallow and easy. They all seem kind of lifeless and board, as if they are all on lithium or something. I think years television and living through the tube instead of living a life has created this shallow feel to a lot of the young people. They all think they are posing all the time its kind of hard to explain, but there just seems to be a total lack of the spiritual.

Just ranting.

and making typos

[edit on 16-8-2005 by LoneGunMan]

Originally posted by Mystery_Lady
CyberKat your not butting in. It is a group forum, and a group conversation. I'm glad to meet like minded people. Go ahead and join the conversation, and besides you started the thread.

Thank you, Mystery_Lady. And yes, I did start the thread. I did so after thinking for a long time as to how I could word it so that others would understand just what I meant. I had been feeling and noticing so many changes over the years that were things that were making me feel as if I were losing control over so many situations that I had once taken so for granted.

I don't mean to say that I'm glad that others have been noticing lots of negative stuff also, but I feel as if it has not been just me (I try to talk to my boyfriend about it sometimes, and although we basically get along pretty well and understand each other, when it comes to stuff like this, well, sometimes he just has no clue.) I guess I just mean that I am glad that others are sharing their thoughts and their experiences. It is nice .....well comforting at least.

When you talk about not wanting to be rich, because rich people are greedy, there is one problem with that. If you only have enough to get by like I do, then we don't have the money to help others as we would like
to. Just because one is rich, doesn't mean that they are greedy.

Maybe I worded it wrong, but that's not exactly what I meant. I meant that now, I am barely scraping by. I want to be able to live in comfort, not luxury. When I talk about people I have known who have gotten rich to a certain point, and that point is different for everyone, I think. I mean people who have every material thing that they could want, then all that becomes important is watching the bankbook grow, becoming stingy because they don't want to put a dent in it. (My Dad is one of them, another is an old friend who I haven't seen in a long time, simply because I have moved away - out of the state and have sort of lost touch). I have watched them become more and more miserable, and they get more and more desperate to add to that bankbook, but never withdraw any - even for themselves. Still, it is not enough. That is what I meant by not wanting to be rich. What I mean by my not wanting to be rich, is that I want to after taking care of my own expenses, and maybe a small> nestegg put back, giving everything else left over away. That giving away anything in excess of what I need to live comfortably on, that is what would make me feel richer than anything.

Of course, at this time, it is all wishful thinking, but very true if I ever were to have some sort of a windfall. I would not change my mind. You see what I'm saying? I would never conceive of planting my bankbook in some potting soil and watching it grow, and doing nothing for anyone.

If you ever get wealthy, it will bring out what is in you whether it is greed or giving. More honest, giving, and caring people really need to be wealthy. It is those people who could change the world for the better. Right now many of us are stuck in a rut with good ideas that would require us to be wealthy to implement.

Yes, you do have a very good point there. It is true what you say, that wealth ought to bring out in one what is already there. But, also, like you say, lack of wealth prevents me from doing what I would feel good about. Spreading it to the poor would be great! And I will never give up that dream. However you also bring up something I hadn't thought through like you have. I can sit here and write about how I hate the way our tyrannical, neo-con government is implementing laws every day, laws which all in one way or another empower the State by restricting the rights and freedoms of the citizens.

However, how do they get away with it? They are some of the wealthiest people in the nation, if not the world. I would derive equal if not more pleasure by being able to take the real murderous, thieving, self-serving criminals, such as Cheney/Haliburton, Rumsfeld, Ashcroft and not to forget the Bush's themselves - the whole corupt lot of them and their chums and make them pay for all that they have done to us and to the world. Not so much as a "get-even" thing - well...maybe a little, but to take them out of power (in a non-violent way), and set about doing my best to right some of the wrongs they have imposed on the rest of society.

Thanks for listening.

Originally posted by mashup
I gave a homeless person a sandwhich once. I wish I carried more money with me so I could give it to homeless people. I was with my friends walking back from school on one of the many days we do, and we saw a homeless person and they started making jokes about him, and then I said it was unfair of them and they were being p***ks. Then they started having a go at me for being a communist. At least I'm not some nazi though. My english teacher is quite sensitive about this issue, and we were having a discussion about homeless people. Most of the class referred to them as "tramps" which really upset my teacher. And generally they were saying harsh things.

I think that it's great that you stand up for what you belive is right. After all, those who are your real friends will be there for you, regardless if they don't want to give to the homeless, or whatever it is that you are being made fun of. The ones who laugh at you for being sincere are not your friends, and will not be there down the road. I'm glad that you are not letting them influence you.

One word of caution, though. Don't get too idealistic. It is a sad thing to have to say, but unfortunately, in this day and age, there will always be those who will play upon your sympathy, just to take advantage of you. I used to live in Las Vegas (it doesn't matter where you live, people will be people, good and bad everywhere), but anyway, one day, I stopped to pick up a sandwich on my way to work. Well, I just happen to personally hate mustard, which I had requested be left off the sandwich, but was put on anyway. Well, I didn't have time to go back and have them make me another one, and other than the fact that I have a personal dislike for mustard, it was a perfectly good, fresh sandwich. There was a homeless man standing on the corner with a sign, "Will work for food". Well, I couldn't eat the sandwich myself, so I gave it to him. I didn't want him to work or anything.

That man just turned his nose up in disgust and said something like, "I don't want that, I need money! Give me some money!" At the time, I was hurt. Why did he lie on his sign? Why was he so rude to me? I realize now, that, "will work for food" is just an overused slogan to get money, and I still to this day see that on signs, and I have lived in several cities since then. To this day, however, I will give money when I can to those who don't appear to be lying, who seem to honestly just be needing some money, but I have never given or offered any food to anyone with a sign like that. I may be judging all of them too harshly, based on my expeience with that one man, but.....anyway, be nice, just don't get sucked in and taken advantage of.

Originally posted by LoneGunMan

I used to live in a medium sized city of about 200 thousand (thank god I know live in the quiet countryside) and when I go back to visit family I feel this tension. It is like everyone is tense and waiting for the hammer to fall or something. An uneasyness that you can feel. Rudeness in traffic that borders on the insane. Young guys look like thugs, and most of the girls look shallow and easy. They all seem kind of lifeless and board, as if they are all on lithium or something. I think years television and living through the tube instead of living a life has created this shallow feel to a lot of the young people. They all think they are posing all the time its kind of hard to explain, but there just seems to be a total lack of the spiritual.

[edit on 16-8-2005 by LoneGunMan]

I know exactly what you mean. I mean, I am a city person, I do prefer the city to the country. However, at the present time, I am living in OKC (Oklahoma City). I do not like it here. I'm only here because I ended up here and met my boyfriend, who grew here (not a typo), those who grow in Oklahoma, tend to either not know how to leave, or leave and inevitably come back. Why? I have no idea. But anyway, I'm pretty sure that it's like you said in most cities now a days. Here, there is literally a "high speed" chase, with a cop chasing a citizen every day which inevitably ends in a fatality or serious injury. Also, they seem to make sure that it always happens right around 3:00pm, as children are being let out of school. And when that isn't going on, there is regular road-rage going on constantly, at any place in the city, at any time of day or night. And as far as I can tell, it seems to usually be over the horrendous crime of someone either cutting someone else off in traffic, or not letting someone merge in their lane. Often someone sticks their arm out of a window or the top of a convertable with a gun in their hand and takes a shot at the offending driver. I'm serious!

People are rude in the grocery store. They don't care if they have a heaping cartful, and someone comes up behind them with one or two items, they just let them wait, while they take their time. And, just try to say a friendly "hello" to someone passing by while walking on the sidewalk. You would be extremely lucky to have a "hello" back. The norm is a sneer, or they won't move over an inch to let you by, etc.....

Yes, people are very self-centered these days..
Sad thing.

One thing I've noticed (and I'm 32 years old) is that the quality of TV shows has gone done. A LOT.

If I watch anything at all, it's Little House on the Prairie. I have Bob the Builder DVDs for my son, since it seems to be a pretty decent show.

I don't watch sitcoms. Occasionally I'll watch Cops or World's Wildest Police Videos.

For some reason my husband likes South Park. I've seen it a few times and I wonder what the creators are smoking!

As far as smoking goes...smokers whine about their rights...but they forget that we non-smokers have the right not to breathe that stuff in! One time, during my pregnancy, I was having a 3-hour glucose test. That's where they have you drink this sweet stuff that tastes like Coke with too much sugar and draw your blood every hour for 3 hours. At any rate, I went outside to go sit on a bench in between blood draws. Now I'm probably 7 months along here, so it's obvious. This woman sits on the other end of the bench and promptly lights up a cigarette! I was pretty ticked!

Personally, I don't care if you smoke or not, but there's also this little thing called courtesy. If you're going to light up around someone, it's a good idea to ask if they mind or not.

That being said, I don't think *all* restaurants, etc., should be smoke-free. Have some establishments that are, and some that are not.

Tell you what, I wouldn't mind having the pre-9/11 days back! They hate our freedoms all right. And I'm talking about the dolts who voted for the Patriot Act!

Although I wasn't online here for the original conversation with Mr. Ed Kostiak and his "rebuttal", I definiately find that things seem to be moving right along (in the wrong way), when we get a bona-fide beaurocrat from Oklahoma Emergency Management to actually sign up here in order to "defend" their "facility" set up which had been writen about here in an article by one of our own.

Obviously, they (at least FEMA on the local level for sure, probably higher-ups too) have been watching ATS, as he was so very prompt in his "rebuttal". Hhmmmmmmm. I wonder what they think they are going to find here, other than our honest opinion of "them". Very creepy, just the same.

And those answers. They sounded like as if he actually thought that he was explaining things away that sounded shady, as if they couldn't be more normal!

Creepy, creepy!!!

Originally posted by CyberKat
Obviously, they (at least FEMA on the local level for sure, probably higher-ups too) have been watching ATS, as he was so very prompt in his "rebuttal". Hhmmmmmmm.

I think it was more that the original article made blog and journal headlines very quickly...I don't think there was really any indication that we had FEMA spies.

Valhall's post was incredible, for many reasons - it was only to be expected that word got around, and quickly.

Originally posted by Tinkleflower

Originally posted by CyberKat
Obviously, they (at least FEMA on the local level for sure, probably higher-ups too) have been watching ATS, as he was so very prompt in his "rebuttal". Hhmmmmmmm.

I think it was more that the original article made blog and journal headlines very quickly...I don't think there was really any indication that we had FEMA spies.

Valhall's post was incredible, for many reasons - it was only to be expected that word got around, and quickly.

I hope you are right. In that case, I guess you could say that it is more humerous than creepy?