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Post by lugg on Jul 27, 2020 19:07:53 GMT
Glad you got here ... thanks for the link Bixa ; the beaches do look lovely and the food would be an added bonus . Considering a holiday right down in the south of Mexico ..on the pacific coast as a friend of my sons is getting married there next year and they are keen to go and have suggested I go along too ( mostly on grandma duties I suspect but that's no hardship ) I will have to find out exactly where and message you to see if you have any info if the plans get firmer ie if Covid restrictions allow.
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Post by bixaorellana on Jul 27, 2020 19:56:14 GMT
EEEEEeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee ~ so there is a chance we might be able to meet??!
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Post by kerouac2 on Aug 22, 2020 18:28:56 GMT
I’ve never left the UK. Never. I’ve never even had a passport. I’ve not even travelled much inside the UK – many, many years ago we went to Wales when I was a teenager, but I haven’t been on holiday since. In my adult life I haven’t done any travelling at all.
The main reason is because I don’t have anyone to go with – I don’t have a wife or kids or anything like that. If you’ve never travelled before, it’s quite a big thing to do on your own. I don’t feel as if I can just hop on to a plane to the Middle East, because I’ve never done it before. And as I’ve never done it, it’s not something I’ve ever really missed. In my mid-20s I started to realise I was unusual, because that’s when people were going on gap years. I’ve worked since the age of 16 and never went to uni, so I’ve never had that “me time” to go and travel.
I work in the civil service and don’t do a lot with my annual leave – in the past, I’ve not taken some of my holiday days and I’ve just let them expire. It’s probably not the healthiest way of doing things, but I’ve gone to work because I haven’t had anything else to do or anywhere else to be.
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Post by mossie on Aug 22, 2020 19:18:02 GMT
What a dead head, says he? works? in the civil service. i suppose that is a good explanation.
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Post by questa on Aug 22, 2020 23:34:39 GMT
Until you start travelling you are only a fraction of yourself. Every trip builds you more. Go to a travel agent, get some brochures for somewhere you may like, join a tour group where the tour leaders will help you with things on the tour and you will have a few other people for company. Be flexible and non-judgmental and you will enjoy it more.
You will experience a completely different view of your own country and yourself and after a few trips you will realise how much you have grown in yourself.
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Post by bixaorellana on Aug 22, 2020 23:59:37 GMT
Oh, I feel sorry for that person! He obviously knows he is missing out. What a shame that timidity and habit have held him back.
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Post by kerouac2 on Nov 19, 2020 20:02:13 GMT
We all know that clickbait has no shame and I'm sure we are all guilty of clicking every now and then to find out how ridiculous it is. But I thought that this was so over the top that I never had any intention of clicking.
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Post by kerouac2 on Nov 28, 2020 8:47:42 GMT
Wise words....
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Post by kerouac2 on Feb 3, 2021 18:13:46 GMT
I paid a visit to Stormfront and discovered all sorts of interesting things. These pearls come from a thread welcoming banned Facebook members. Prepare a basin for puking if you read these things.
Note : all of these posts were well before the presidential election.
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Post by htmb on Feb 3, 2021 18:25:34 GMT
You didn’t have to go to that site to read the info above (which I only skimmed). I see that kind of craziness anytime I allow myself to read comments made on my local television station’s FB page. Makes me want to start keeping track of names in case I ever come across these people in person. There’s a real problem.
Note: the TV station reports responsibly. The comments are made by resident FB readers.
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Post by mickthecactus on Feb 19, 2021 13:17:00 GMT
That is brilliant.
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Post by questa on Feb 23, 2021 13:41:46 GMT
Says it all, doesn't it?
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Post by bixaorellana on Feb 28, 2021 17:40:15 GMT
Ha ~ just now seeing the poem. Brilliant!
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Post by onlyMark on Mar 4, 2021 14:30:55 GMT
From a poster called "billgates" regarding vaccinations (CV = covid)-
"It doesn't stop you from catching CV It doesn't stop you from spreading CV There are thousands of reported side effects of the vax There are hundreds of reported deaths from the vax Why would anyone bother taking the vax when your own immune system protects you to a greater percentage than the vax claims to protect? Average age of death from CV is 82 Tiny (really tiny) percentage of deaths under 60 that didn't include other health problems So why does it matter if you've had the vax or not? You're not safe to travel if you've had the vax, only if you've got the passport to say you've had it. So the passport protects you but the vax doesn't? Why has the world economy been trashed over something that over 99% of people shake off as nothing more than a bad cold? I'm not anti-vax, I've had all mine throughout my life, but this one that all governments are trying to force into people is just sinister."
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Post by questa on Mar 5, 2021 0:11:14 GMT
Citations please? Fair argument, now back it up with references, "billgates"
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Post by onlyMark on Mar 5, 2021 6:21:00 GMT
What was taken issue with, first by the site admin was, "There are hundreds of reported deaths from the vax" She asked for a reputable link. His reply was - "The info is available online for anyone who cares to look for it." Another then posted to a reputable fact checking website to debunk that statement. Amongst other replies by him to other parts of the original post, none so contentious, was the reply, "Try finding official stats for deaths caused by the vax. You can't. Either there aren't any stats or they're suppressed."
I then joined in, because, why not - me - ""Try finding official stats for deaths caused by the vax. You can't. Either there aren't any stats or they're suppressed." All too easy to say that a lack of statistics is a proof that it is true. Same with some unknown people/organisation suppressing the figures. All too easy to say the info is there on the internet if you look for it, without showing us. You've got it the wrong way round, it isn't up to us to prove the number of deaths, or lack of them - you came out with the statement so when challenged, you need to prove the assertion that - "There are hundreds of reported deaths from the vax". And yet funnily enough you say in one hand there are hundred of reported deaths and then say one can't find statistics about it - so it's just anecdotal? Name ten people who have died as a direct medically proven connection that the vaccine caused their deaths."
His reply - "Of course it's anecdotal. I can't find any official stats on deaths related to the vax. And it's not up to me to prove anything - do your own research, I don't care if you want to take part in human trials, because that is exactly what they are."
Me - ""And it's not up to me to prove anything .......- do your own research. " That's the point isn't it. Not only do you feel you can make a contentious statement without backing it up, you don't think you should need to. Why should I do your research for you to prove what you are saying? Add on to that, you hide behind 'there are no stats so it must be true' thinking and I'm afraid on these points there is no reason at all, none whatsoever, why I should accept what you say is correct. You are more or less saying, "I believe something to be true and I'm telling you it is true, but there is no data to support my claim because it is hidden from us and you need to do the research yourself to back up what I say." Do you realise how unrealistic that sounds?
You'll be saying next, "It is true, take my word for it." Not without you providing proof I won't (and your get out is you can't because the data is being subdued, but it's true! Honest! - and if you say the data can't be found, then who precisely is hiding it? Names and proof of that if you please as well)."
His reply - "I'm afraid you are confusing me with someone who cares whether you believe me or not. And what contentious statement did I make? Yes, I believe something to be true. I've also stated some facts which you may disagree with but that's up to you. I'm giving my opinion on a public chat forum. I'm not asking you to accept anything I say. And I'm not asking you to take my word for anything - I'm saying do your own research. I also didn't say data was being subdued. I questioned the lack of official data for deaths related to the vax. Either governments aren't keeping data or they are not releasing it. Either way, this info doesn't seem to be available on government websites."
Me - "Oh dear - "And what contentious statement did I make?" Try - "There are hundreds of reported deaths from the vax." - and you've been asked for verification by more than just me. Not just hearsay and anecdotal but concrete. You remember saying that? No? Slipped your mind? Or do you not think something like that is worthy of comment? An off the cuff, off-hand comment hardly worthy of noticing? That leads on to the contradiction between what you've just said again - "I also didn't say data was being subdued." and then go on in the very next sentence - "Either governments aren't keeping data or they are not releasing it." Subdued seems to fit that scenario, no? Your word was actually 'suppressed' - you said, "Try finding official stats for deaths caused by the vax. You can't. Either there aren't any stats or they're suppressed."
Consider the statement from someone, "The Earth is flat." The someone says, "Prove it." And you say, "No. Prove it yourself." I'm afraid it doesn't work like that when you say that sort of statement.
"I'm afraid you are confusing me with someone ........" who will let your say whatever you want in the guise of an 'opinion' without challenging it when what you say is false. Absence of data does not prove a theory. You are correct though in it is best to do your own research. I have. Your assertion, in fact an unambiguous statement, doesn't hold water is my conclusion. Care or care not what I think, it doesn't."
The admins on the site are pretty damn quick at clamping down on off topic conversations and everything else. But because both of them joined in the discussion, initially about vaccine passports, I felt it prudent to say - "Glad we've cleared that up and now as we have reached an impasse, due to you not being able to prove what you say and see no need to do so because there is no data or it's not being released, we can move on." And the admin came on and said for us to get back on topic - normally they strike through and delete all off topic stuff without a second thought, but so far they've let this stand.
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Post by questa on Mar 5, 2021 7:56:08 GMT
Mark, Your adversary may not have learnt anything about vacc in this exchange, but he certainly could have learnt much about argument and critical thinking. I consider the fact that the admin on both sides let it stand indicates it was a good example of refuting a poorly presented subject.
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Post by onlyMark on Mar 5, 2021 8:58:55 GMT
I remember a 'discussion' I had on Trip Advisor where someone, who happened to be the resident expert, accused me of gross exaggeration and lies. I asked him to post what he felt was exaggerated and a lie. Also some sort of proof in the form of news stories about something he'd said regarding attacks on tourists. He refused, saying it wasn't for him to do that as they were so obvious. After several back and forths he decided that any lies he said I had posted were not as important as the exaggerations. He felt it was ok to lie but not to exaggerate. Also he said he wasn't going to link to any news stories because I could find them myself.
Eventually I was banned from that forum for a month or two. Maybe he had the personal power to do that, no idea, but it happened. I think we've all had our moments.
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Post by kerouac2 on Mar 5, 2021 9:56:18 GMT
I had the opposite experience on Trip Advisor last year (although I was once banned also for being an annoying contrarian, just like here). It is one of the Paris destination experts who appears to have been banned. He was a covid-denier (almost certainly an anti-vaxxer as well, but we never got that far). Covid was a fake disease, even less harmful than the ordinary flu, and people were spreading "hysteria" about it. Every person who contested him or who asked for specific data was told the same thing -- "the information is out there; go look for yourself."
The mods removed large chunks of the debate, sometimes a dozen or more posts at the same time, and then one day this person -- screen name Euromanic -- disappeared from the face of the earth.
one of his milder posts (June 2020):
He got a little more excited in September: Someone (not me) contested the fact that he put the economy above health. His reply:
And it just went on and on for more than 500 posts...
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Post by onlyMark on Mar 5, 2021 12:13:03 GMT
He was certainly determined to get his message across then! Jeez.
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Post by patricklondon on Mar 5, 2021 16:37:31 GMT
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Post by kerouac2 on Mar 5, 2021 17:06:45 GMT
Just skimming through it, it confirms to me everything that I ever feared about the American health system. My parents were lucky because my stepfather had complete coverage as retired military. And of course when I brought my mother back to France, she had full coverage for absolutely everything. Now I can start worrying about my brother.
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Post by mickthecactus on Mar 5, 2021 17:36:50 GMT
That is pretty terrifying.
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Post by kerouac2 on Mar 5, 2021 19:53:05 GMT
I am in a new covid debate, and I found this recent post delightful.
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Post by bixaorellana on Mar 6, 2021 5:33:36 GMT
I too am involved in a covid thread wherein I unburdened myself about why people should not be traveling to Mexico right now. After refusing to spar with a woman because I realized it was pointless, I ended by saying she was entitled. Her response: entitled? How am I entitled? I booked the resort at the same price anyone else can get. Why are you on a travel group? You don't seem like you travel.Quickly followed by: your profile says you live in Mexico in a city I never heard of.Guess she told me!
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Post by cheerypeabrain on Mar 6, 2021 8:40:23 GMT
I have nothing to add except to say how impressed I am with you all. I am not worthy
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Post by kerouac2 on Apr 30, 2021 14:54:54 GMT
The Supreme Court is hearing a case today regarding a 14 year old who posted a photo of photo of herself flipping off the camera with the caption "Fuck school Fuck softball Fuck cheer Fuck everything! to her Snapchat. She wasn't on school property when she posted the photo. She posted it on a weekend. The cheer coach saw the photo and the girl was suspended from school.
The Supreme Court has ruled that students have free speech rights at school unless the speech is disruptive. Now the court gets to decide whether, in the internet age, schools can punish students for off-campus speech.
"When you're talking about online speech," says their lawyer, Gregory Garre, "it really doesn't matter where the student hits send on his or her iPhone or makes the post. Whether it's in the classroom or in a Starbucks across the street from the school, the impact of that post is the same."
I think it's an interesting case, and I'm curious to see what the court will decide.
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Post by htmb on Apr 30, 2021 17:25:38 GMT
This is what the Supreme Court is doing with their time? I’m stunned.
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Post by kerouac2 on May 10, 2021 15:47:03 GMT
Man on cell: So… I left my backpack at the private secret robot party last night… Can you pick it up for me?
–Bowery & Spring
Overheard by: Annie
MILF wannabe on cell: On the Hamptons–it has the sexiest parties I’ve ever been to in the United States: men come up to you! And dance… with you!
–Gansevort Rooftop
Guy on cell: So you know how I wasn’t going to the Christmas party? So somebody drags me anyway, and I walk in, and those three girls–all the ones I did it with? Are together at the same table. And I’m like, “shit, man!” So I left.
–Astor Place
30-something girl: Me and my girlfriend went to the bar for an anti-valentines day party last night. You bring a picture of your ex, they rip it up, and give you a free drink!
–7th Ave & 39th
Overheard by: Carolyn
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Post by bixaorellana on Jun 11, 2021 15:22:51 GMT
This jewel is in the reviews on Amazon US. It's for a travel mug with built-in French press filter: Mr Fictional 4.0 out of 5 stars Steaming hot coffee whenever I want it Reviewed in the United States on January 13, 2019 Verified Purchase Love the convenience of a french press that you can take with you. I feel like France really has it down when it comes to coffee. I have never been to France but I did date a girl from France when I was a much younger man. She was here on a work exchange program and I was just getting over a girl that broke my heart. I was empty and maybe looking to fill in that void and loneliness that always comes after you part ways with someone you once loved. And there she was, the young french girl that promised relief for an empty soul. There is a lurking notion deep in the logic part of the brain that says, "this is not right." But the heart speaks louder than the mind and is harder to ignore. The heart - The birth of all foolish decisions and yet also the birthplace life, and creativity, and sometimes even love itself. The fascination of a new exciting experience with a new exciting person. Drawn like a child to a colorful picture book, I pursued her. And in the end, more heartbreak. Yet we continue to pursue love, perhaps often for the wrong reasons. And sometimes we force love, like the freshly ground coffee beans forced through steaming hot water to produce a purely satisfying cup of morning java. 34 people found this helpful
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