Healthcare, God, Politicians and Cats - I'm back!

[Tony Walker]

OK, settle down and pay attention. Oi! You at the back, stop examining your navel and listen up.

After an exhausting 18 days in England, I'm back, and what do I find here in the WB? Not a lot, I'm afraid. No new thought-provoking propositions that God is an invention of the Devil, or that writing is dead easy, so we'd all better keep our yaps shut, or the rest of the world may find out.

We stayed at the Strand Palace Hotel in London, just across the Strand from the Savoy, which was closed for refurbishment, or I'd have had my usual river view suite there. Just round the corner was Covent Garden, which is full of delightful watering holes like the Essex Serpent (bangers and mash there are very good), the Nell Gwynn, and the Punch & Judy, where, from the terrace bar, you can watch the buskers perform in St. Paul's church portico.

My travels took me to the British Library, where I renewed my reader's card, which is necessary if you want to carry out serious research. We also visited Ben Franklin's museum, which is in Craven Street, just off the Strand. The house is the only one still standing anywhere that has a connection with Ben, who was, incidentally, also working for British Intelligence when he was in France. The presentation in the museum is superb, with audio-visual effects, and an actress playing the part of his landlady, who guides you round the house.

Also, despite the fact that I'm a card-carrying atheist, I did visit a number of churches, ranging from St. Paul's Cathedral to "St. Ghastly Grim" (Google it if you're interested) in the City of London. I also visited Postman's Park, where there is a sad little collection of plaques in memory of those who died trying to save others (click on the link below to see sample picture).

Halfway through our trip, we visited York, my home town, where we visited many of the historic places of my youth, like the Waggon and Horses, the Punch Bowl, the Old Starre Inne, the Plumbers Arms, the Victoria Vaults, the White Swan (better known as the "Mucky Duck"), and the Three Legged Mare. Drink was taken in all these places ....

So now I'm back, like a giant refreshed, and ready for the fray, so here's something for you to mull over as you sit in front of the trough, gazing vacantly at the TV ...

In the time we were in England, I can honestly say that I didn't see too many bubble-butted, Spandex-stretching women there. In fact, I thought that the women, especially in London, dressed remarkably well (black tights and/or leggings are the 'in' thing').

My question is this; why are so many young women here so bloody badly dressed?

[Rianna]

First, welcome back Tony. You were dearly missed by so many. I wonder, if in Pinocchio's day, would the typing of lies have caused his nose to grow?

As to your question regarding young women and their poor choice in clothing, there are several answers. One - the celebrities in Hollywood who influence so many weak minded women don't have taste. Two - so many men are sadly attracted to poorly dressed women. Or, at least, make these moronic women believe so. Basically, sex sells and women - including the overweight - believe that skin-tight clothing will sell them. We love attention and will do what it takes to get that attention, even if the person giving the attention is really just thinking "well she's dressed like a gutter-slut, so she must be one".

[Doville]

Healthcare, Gods, Politicians and Cats? Controversy is here! Good to see you back from your bold adventures abroad into our world! An intelligent addition to a site at which the dawn of the approaching doomsday, where life as we know it will be lost in a bliss of social servitude to one world master and the aliens (god forbids!) will crawl into our minds and souls to reside as parasites within, is near!

An observation like the one you made is always clearer after returning from a trip to some parts of the world; I also noticed it. Just like in the rest of the world, education freedom and finances take control of style as in everything else in the majority, although I know some people who have enough of all these and just don't care. Unfortunately, style sense is not widely recognized in large U.S populations and it has to do with regions and taste, like stated in the last response.

[Tony Walker]

As an addendum to my comments about fashion in London, I was delighted to see that 1970s-era hot pants (short shorts, for those who weren't lucky enough to see them first time around) are back, usually worn over black tights or stockings. Sitting in a coffee bar in the Strand (NOT Starbucks!) and watching the girls go by certainly made a happy man feel old ...

I also noticed with pleasure that there weren't so many women there who had visited Silicone Valley to have their natural assets artificially enhanced. As my dear departed granny used to say; "Anything more than a mouthful is a waste". Maybe it's because most American males seem to have been bottle-fed - could this be the answer as to this fixation on hugely inflated mammaries?

Finally, here's a question for those in the WB who go in for mindless chanting on Sunday mornings. If we are all made in the image of your god, how come we have so many butt ugly people around?

[James Waters AKA. NineSpeed]

Firstly, welcome back Tony. I am happy to see that you enjoyed your trip. I regret that I didn't get an opportunity to visit England while I was stationed in Germany. I would love to see it. As to your question, I guess it would be the same reason teenage boys think it is really cool to walk around with their pants down around their knees waving their Bart Simpson boxers in the wind like the grand old flag. In other words because they're brain dead idiots who don't have a clue that the only other people on the planet that thinks it is cool is equally brain dead idiots.

[Tony Walker]

For those intellectual giants among us who think that God really is a cat, I've attached a photo I took at Samuel Johnson's house in Gough Square, London. The picture is of the statue of Johnson's cat, Hodge, who was, to quote the immortal doctor; "A very fine cat indeed".

Another thing I noticed, which was also noticed by our two American friends who came with us to London. We traveled around on the buses or the tube (subway), and even though they were crowded, the levels of conversation overheard never once hit the decibel levels experienced here in the USA. So, here's my question:

Why do you all talk so loudly? Is it because of the vast amounts of open spaces here? Are you determined to drown out everybody else? I'm not trying to be insulting (really). Go to any restaurant, from McShite to upscale, and you can nearly always follow a conversation that's going on three tables away.

Any answers?

[James Waters AKA. NineSpeed]

Tony, it is a phenomenon that puzzles me as well. I guess it boils to people thinking they can't be heard unless they yell. This drive me crazy as well. Especially If I try to read or study. And "Cat" forbid they put on headphones. That one actually makes me laugh. Do people think there voice disappears if they can't hear it? It is not just an American thing though. I noticed the same thing on the trains and the lower scale restaurants and such when I was stationed in Germany.

[Alvin Mitchell]

Tony!

You’re back! Frankly, I never knew you were gone. Haven’t been on here much lately. Nonetheless, welcome back (remember me?!).

Couldn’t help but notice your headline. They tend to be rather catchy. So, I’uz thinking: insofar as, being “a card-carrying atheist”, you can yet not seem to let this “God” thing go, maybe you might like to hobble over to http://www.bukisa.com/search?q=the+bible%2C+the+bone+yards+and+the+... and taking a look at “The Bible, the Bone Yards, and the Genesis Flood” (parts IIIa & V may not appear yet, so, if you like you can read them at www.ezines.com; just cut and paste the title with “part” number in ()s.). It was inspired mostly by our own Rianna, Jasen Ward and Stephen Loy, after I resurrected and attacked an old thread of yours that you thought was long dead, and done for. Took a while to finish, in the midst of other commitments, but, I finally got it done.

While you’re out an’ about, you might also stop by this “new thing” Dana has going (netcarnation) and exercise your critical eye on my new book covers—the one for the “…Bone Yards…” in particular. They’re not great, I believe we’ll agree, but they are a far cry from my original efforts. I shall humbly await your rebuke and constructive criticisms. I see you have already been there with your own work.

[Tony Walker]

Alvin, so you're still around. Thought you'd gone and assumed the missionary position somewhere. I tried to look at your covers, but the message told me that the 'app had not been approved', whatever that means.

I did take a (very) quick glance at your 'bone yards' site, but as it's not a subject in which I'm really interested, I just skimmed the first paragraph. Couldn't make out your cover there, either, as it's too small.

The blessings of the Almighty Cat be with you ...

[Alvin Mitchell]

No Tony, I'm still around and kickin'! Just got kinda involved in more pressing matters, shall we say. Thanks for at least trying to consider my bone yards article. Part II & III are the ones that I really wanted you to consider (those are the ones with meat and substance, and, which seriously challenge your misgivings about the reality and viability of God! Take another look, why don't ya--at parts II, III, IV; V I'll try to post this weekend? It'll give you something weighty, with "substance" to pine over for a while, and, much to crow about, if you can deal with them--something beyond the frivilous arguments of fickle saints who don't know the rearends from a hole in the ground, given that they don't know and can't be taught their Bibles to begin with, and, can't do simple research, relative to the issues at hand!). Part I merely establishes basis and/or a context (guess you might say) for the discussion, for those not familiar with our little verbal spat, here on the box.

As for the covers, you are more than well come, as time permits (seems you might have lots of it), to swing by my website at www.biblestudyhour.com/bookstore.html. All the covers are on display there, and, I really would like to hear you critique--however negative.

Thanks.

Tony Walker said:

Alvin, so you're still around. Thought you'd gone and assumed the missionary position somewhere. I tried to look at your covers, but the message told me that the 'app had not been approved', whatever that means.

I did take a (very) quick glance at your 'bone yards' site, but as it's not a subject in which I'm really interested, I just skimmed the first paragraph. Couldn't make out your cover there, either, as it's too small.

The blessings of the Almighty Cat be with you ...

[Alvin Mitchell]

Tony:
P.S. for ya: From the looks of things and the way storm clouds are brewing, it looks as if it may not be long before the good ol' US of A may be flat on its face, and, you may find yourself standing before the "Almighty Cat" of your disdain, sooner than you might like. So, be ye as sarcastic and snarky as you like about Him, but, be ware! Check out parts II, III, IV & V of my "bone yards" article and I think you see or begin to see why (and, if that's not enough, I do have more).

Now, my friend is the time to show that metal and some good (relatively speaking!), ol' fashioned scoffer's moxy! Don't you wimp-out and wuss this up, now! What will the neighbors think, if their leader and chief scoffer can't or won't hold his own against a reasoned and rational approach to all the noise and smoke he's blown, of late, relative to God? Remember, you solicited some intelligent debate (though none was forthcoming) around the issues you raised; so, you got it (I think)! How can this be "...a subject in which I'm really interested..." when this becomes the very thing you live to denegrate, revile, and ridicule--it is the stuff that in fact will make or break any argument in favor of the reality of God, and, the viability and historicity of His word, the Bible? So, do us all a favor and deal with it.

Bye, and do let me know how ya' make out!

Tony Walker said:

Alvin, so you're still around...Couldn't make out your cover there, either, as it's too small.

The blessings of the Almighty Cat be with you ...

[Alvin Mitchell]

My storefront is the one labelled: Community Marketplace on thewritersbox.ning.com

Jesus Christ and the End-times. Forgot to point that out before.


Tony Walker said:

...I tried to look at your covers, but the message told me that the 'app had not been approved', whatever that means.

I...The blessings of the Almighty Cat be with you ...

[Tony Walker]

Alvin, while I appreciate the fact that you live in lip-lickin' anticipation of the day when your god will zap all of we skeptics into some celestial torture chamber, I really don't spend a great deal of time worrying about this.

If there really is a god, I'm sure I'll find out when I'm hauled before your god's court of justice. If there ain't, I won't have wasted any time on my knees, will I?

By the way, does your god allow defense lawyers to speak on the defendant's behalf?