SomewhereonNeptune

I struggle with some of this because there are multiple causes, some perhaps political, others economic, still others supply-chain. Let's face it, we have a codependency issue with China now because of the amount of manufacturing that has been transferred into a single country. That needs to change to where that supply-chain needs to include other countries in both hemispheres to be manageable when a supply-chain issue occurs with one source. I question the need for government continuing to offer COVID supports into 2021 and beyond, making many people accustomed to not re-entering the labor market and letting jobs go unfilled. So the US goes into debt and spends, resulting in more money entering the economy, which in turn deflates the dollar's value and leads to inflation further down. So when all of that took root a year or so later, the Federal Reserve responded by raising interest rates to counter inflationary pressures, which caused mortgage rates to double or more and effectively killed real estate demand because housing prices had spiked before then. You can see the cycle. Now years later we still have COVID, we're finding out that there are issues with the MRNA versions of vaccines and that the "2 weeks to halt the spread" wasn't necessarily that answer. Plus we were fed a series of what ended up being misleading information about just what these vaccines would do. 'They'll prevent COVID...errr...well they'll prevent the recurrence after you've gotten it once....umm....well, actually it won't be as bad the next time around', etc. I got COVID post-vaccine, it was still pretty nasty but not more so for me than the average flu (your mileage may vary). But hindsight is always 20/20. I'm not in favor of tariffs. I had a business venture with someone that frankly went bust because trying to get microprocessors due to China closures became nearly impossible. Adding more tariffs? Not a great answer and it won't help open markets.

Really astute observations. I think we now know that Mr. Biden is about as sharp as a marble, and we've watched as his mental faculties have rapidly declined. Our media has bent over backwards to make us believe the opposite. Not surprisingly, the American electorate had an even worse view of Kamala Harris, and it's shocking how people have suddenly rallied around her like the second coming of Christ after complaining that she wasn't what they selected or voted for. Not sure I'll understand that. (Disclaimer: Not a huge fan of Trump either, but I'm holding my nose since I know what we'd be getting). In this country in 2020, the media and Democratic flacks outright lied about the existence of a Hunter Biden laptop as being "fake news" or a "Russian conspiracy". About 15 months later, the story was released that it was real and so was the content found on it, including Hunter using his father's status for enrichment. After you witness that, you realize that you either disregard all media as propaganda tools a la Soviet-era Russia, or recognize that most of the major media sources are owned by a handful of people who can easily tilt the narrative as they like. People in China already know not to trust the media because they know it's propaganda. They haven't figured that out in the US. The Europeans I know are much more savvy as well. Every political candidate promises things they cannot deliver, including grandiose and outrageous things. In this country, the President needs a plurality of Congress of the Senate to ratify that, and that hasn't been overwhelmingly the case for quite some time. Even Constitutional amendments need to be ratified by 75% of the individual states, and those are so divided as to be unlikely. No one ever went broke by underestimating the intelligence of the American people. - H.L. Mencken

I do appreciate @nanana's premise for the post. Often here, I feel as a pariah for having a non-left-leaning view. I think all folks should have a right to self-express without feeling trolled. Although I self-describe as center-right leaning -- fiscal conservative, social libertarian -- a couple other folks have made the point that our more left-leaning friends here bring a great deal of passion to their points. That isn't always a bad thing. But the national dialogue has more become "them versus us" focused, a tactic designed to divide rather than unite us. Ultimately, we have more in common than differences when it comes to the desire for equality, inclusion, basic human respect, and the needs for quality healthcare and social care for those more at risk or vulnerable, affordable housing, and decent jobs that are not undermined by runaway inflation. Those aren't always values that have a D or R associated to them. For all sorts of reasons, we've watched as people can't afford housing, food, basic necessities, and face an increasing cost of living. Economically, and for me personally, the labor market isn't in a healthy position -- I and others have seen salaries and compensation shrink and the quality of jobs has dried like a puddle in the desert. But here we are being divided over "he vs. she" arguments and media biases that are designed to foment dissension. We're more focused on more esoteric disagreements on items like drag queen story hours. I for one am not buying it because once you get past those things, an almost permanent division in the population will still be there arguing on whether we should say "six or half-a-dozen" (or tastes great versus less filling, or what have you) when in reality as Americans we come together in times of crisis. Meanwhile, we're all still breathing the same air, walking the same ground, and just trying to make happy lives for ourselves. So is that a point on which we can generally agree?

I recall Irma (I think) where they advised people on the Gulf to evacuate to Orlando, and everyone went in that direction only for that storm to follow them there. I'm out beyond Zone E here and 60 feet above sea level, so I'm where they evacuate Zones A-E into. I've told others that my place is somewhat like a bunker in that it primarily faces into its own courtyard versus being exposed on four sides by windows to winds. It's held its own through a Cat 4 hit, not sure I want to see a Cat-5 as anything other than a network cable.

And apparently no limit to how much you insist on extending your arguments and inflicting your views on everyone in a way that frankly becomes ever so arrogant and annoying. We're never going to agree, and it's like rolling in slop with a pig: You both get dirty, but the pig seems to enjoy it. Let's make it a point to avoid one another, shall we? I fully intend to since we apparently cannot put you on mute as a moderator.

I'm only going to ask this question: What exactly was Harris expected to do other than divert attention away from the task at hand, which was managing a crisis? I'm from Florida. Milton passed directly over me on its way from the coast as a Cat 3. Know a lot of people who were wiped out completely between the two storms. DeSantis doesn't owe Harris a return call, but he does owe the residents of this state his full attention and focus on a very massive situation and its response. And that he's done. While people may disagree with some of his stances or agree with some inaccurate media portrayals, I cannot fault him for the attention he's given to being governor and directing efforts in a difficult time. The only benefit for anyone is Harris getting a photo op. Floridians don't need a photo op with a candidate.

Same for me, no other damage, but some relatives south of me were flooded out.

Just got my internet back after Milton but suffered no other damage despite getting the front-end, eye, and the back-end of the storm. How did everyone else fare? Are other Florida folks struggling, or did you fare well?

Wait...you're expecting people to read? In detail? That never happens with most gifter posts. (Obviously, joking...maybe) 🤣😂

Enquiring minds want to know the "extenuating circumstance" that would switch an avowed top to bottom. Now you have me curious. For me, hygiene. Seriously, some guys do not know what a shower or douche is, let alone a bidet. If I smell ass or cheese, I'm done. The hard limits for me are pain (giving or receiving), scat, vomit, scat, permanent marks or injury, did I mention scat? 🤣 And as others mentioned, I have a gag reflex so trying to choke me with your dick will not go down well and become a literal pain in the balls. Here's what I don't get: Side play. So if we hit it off, we're not going beyond the appetizer to the main course? What's the point? Fun fact: West Virginia and New Mexico are apparently the only states that do not have laws against play involving animals or zoophilia/bestiality. So I'll stay in the other 48 since consent is a right not being recognized there.

Thanks for educating some folks here! 😃 And to be honest, I'd venture that even the trans women probably aren't going to bother asking for a "women's room" if they're going to a gay bathhouse as they know what they're walking into.

But they're actually complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act by posting the sign with braille. So in a sense, they are making some accommodations if you noticed, in this case because they're accommodating the blind. I know at least one BZ member who would appreciate that one versus walking into a space that wasn't a bathroom and winding up engaging in water sports. 😃 But again, why does this trigger someone who has been emphatic over not being biased or bigoted against other queer orientations? The urinal AND commode? Go anywhere there is a restroom that allows any gender. Hell, try any Starbucks since most only have one restroom. Color me shocked that this bothers anyone in 2024.

@Erik62, I totally get that and was rather waiting for this as a response. But as I made mention... IF a transman/FtM comes into a gay bathhouse, they know (or should know) not to expect much accommodation for separate facilities. They 👏 Identify 👏 As 👏 Male 👏 If they want to come in, they are generally considering themselves as a guy or they identify as male even if AFAB. Counter to your contention, many trans men or FtMs are not claiming to be women at all. Example: Elliot Page (dead name Ellen Page) no longer identifies as female, she'd likely be offended by not being viewed as either non-binary or male-identifying. So your argument is flawed by the assumption that they identify female. Since unisex toilets make you 'uncomfortable', perhaps think about 'why'. You say you aren't trans phobic or female phobic or biased, but I'm respectfully challenging that a bit on why it triggers guys that a "trans-guy" would be off-putting to genetic or CIS males. There's a pic of an "all-genders loo" in this post. One toilet, no waiting. No managing the demand for male or female facilities. Would you visit someone's home and ask "Do you have a separate toilet for my specific gender?" I'm guessing not. Why this isn't causing an issue for trans women? Much like trans men, if they're going to a gay bathhouse, I'm guessing they want the same thing from the gay men there. Just a hunch. 😉

I grew up during the early 80's when the AIDS epidemic was just becoming publicized and came of age when we were all being told to "use protection". We didn't get a lot of good information, so I just followed that and because I was fucking women and didn't want to get them pregnant...yet. Then I was fixed up by a friend with a cute girl who told him she wanted to hook up. We did and it was all bare because she was on the pill. And as insatiable as I was. So I was hooked with the feeling and experience. Then with others, it was until I knew them and got comfortable going raw. Often, that was right away (offer me bareback and I'll probably dive right in). Once you have the experience of the condom falling off mid fuck (I swear she was tight and kind of pulled it off me), that was it for her and I agreed, so we went without and played the timing game. Which itself was risky and kinda hot. Everyone else from that point on was raw, including guys who I began seeing with increasing regularity as a top. I was only asked once to do the condom thing with a guy and it was a horrible experience, so I'd already disliked them and no one, men, women, trans, a hermaphrodite...none ever asked for a condom. So it was a natural progression based on just people really hating the feel of them as user or recipient. Not a decision I ever regretted, and I fortunately never tested positive for any STIs (knock wood).

Just...wow. This escalated quickly. Perhaps being bi/pan (disclaimer) I'm not seeing the big problem here and why people are so triggered by this. (Disclaimer: I also like pussy. I enjoy pussy. I even remember pussy. 🤣😂) So this might not be as popular a view, but... Consider: IF a transman/FtM comes into a gay bathhouse, they know (or should know) not to expect much accommodation for separate facilities. They're more than likely not ramming something into a bottom, so that's only a very remote concern (better chance of a winning lottery ticket). And if you're there as a top and looking just to fuck indiscriminately (an ass is an ass, a hole is a hole), it's still your choice whether you want to engage with them. You're still able to politely decline and they'll move along, just as anyone else would be expected. Ask yourselves: Are we truly open and accepting as an LGBTQIA++ community, or does that only apply to gay men? Because a lot of this sounds biased against anything other than gay from reading through the most recent of these.

I'll echo @FilthySTDPig. First, welcome! We appreciate you for what you are, thanks for being willing to serve the rest of us. As a cum dump, you already know you're likely consenting to anything. You're probably willing to offer yourself out to anyone, regardless of status. Obviously that means you're taking on anything they'll have. It makes sense to expect that you'll get any STI and need to seek treatment. You're smart in being on PrEP and Doxy. Still means you'll have the litany of STIs to deal with. If you think you're ready, there's a lot of guys here that are total cumdump bottoms and embrace that, warts, STIs and all. And a couple with whom I've spoken and hope to use in the future (the risk is kinda hot). Guys like @cumbottom4use can offer a lot of advice. Definitely ask questions.

Did you walk to school? Uphill? Both ways? 🤣

This. 👍🏼 Thanks @ellentonboy for pointing this out. I don't want to hijack this thread, but as an LGBTQIAS++ community, we're diverse. That means that all of us have different views, perspectives and experiences that formed those views. @PozToxVersPig's original point was not getting why we're fighting each other. Enabling keyboard warriors isn't the answer. Tolerance is. There's already so much infighting among factions of the LGBTQIAS++ community that outsiders view us as being divided. It'd be nice to see us as a more united community that can occasionally have differences of "opinions".

Dude? I was describing myself. I'm the paunchy, bald guy in his late 50's. I've lived that many trips around the sun that I think I can self-describe as not Adonis nor do I claim to be. I can be pretty self-deprecating. But if I'm ever asked about cock-size, I do a great Craig Shoemaker "The Lovemaster" imitation. (Lookup that one on Youtube for gits and shiggles). 🤣

One of the "apps" seems so unmoderated that easily 90% of the profiles are just bots and it's like a game of whack-a-mole to get them flagged. The remainder seem to be Nigerian 419 scams -- it's pretty obvious when you look at a hookup site like Adam4Adam that a profile seeking romance, a relationship, life partner, yada yada, is going to wind up being totally fake. They're sleep inducing now so a few minutes of those and I'm drifting off. But I get the same low-effort profiles that haven't bothered to read or are totally illiterate in a Beavis & Butthead sort of way. So I'm less inclined to think I'll find anything meaningful via swiping left-and-right of low-effort profiles that tell me nothing. And paunchy, balding guys in their late 50's are not the 'new black'. 🤣 I just treat it as something for comedic effect now.

Yeah, good luck with that man. Just hope Jim Cantore doesn't setup camp near you, that's a sure sign you're screwed. 🤣

Totally feel you. I got an unsolicited message on NKP that went like this: Let your black son dominate, fuck and breed you. Pretty blunt. And rude. Absolutely nothing in my profile would indicate any interest in that direction since I'm listed as "Top" for preference. So I responded: Ummm...how about no? A week goes by and I get a tirade from him -- on a completely different site so that I'd need to block him in even more places -- that called me "old", "ugly" and a "racist" because I declined any interest. Remember, he reached out to me, so this is purely very sour grapes. Just a response asking to be schooled. So I sent this and blocked him. I was kind but direct: So let's be clear. I didn't block you because you're black, so you can drop the racist crap right here because I don't care what color anyone is. I blocked you because your first message was assuming that I wanted my "black son" to "dominate, fuck and breed" me. First, I'm not a bottom, and to assume that's going to be a good approach is a bad idea. Maybe not lead off with that. Second, you are the ONLY person who brought up race in the messages. Race play to me is ugly. Period. I didn't see anything otherwise to suggest I'd be interested in continuing with you, and after your email on Adam, I stand by that choice. No one owes you an explanation if they aren't interested. If you're butthurt because you're blocked, it's your issue not mine. And I'm glad you showed this side of you. And if I blocked you, it's because I won't encourage ugly behavior. Good luck in life, but let's not cross paths again. I think people are "fighting" each other because they became keyboard warriors who forgot how to be civil to another person. (Still shaking my head). Maybe I should have closed with "Who's your daddy now?" 🤣 Exactly, man. If I don't miss my guess, you're pretty clear in your profile so that people won't get it confused if they read. Maybe that's the problem. In a world of left-and-right swiping, nobody reads.

Right there is a case for not living right on a coast. As everyone else has already said about Homeowner's insurance in Florida, I can only echo the sentiment and extend that right out to car insurance. Even with a bundle, it's a King's Ransom and I have an accident-free record. I was able to get State Farm and bundle just to get off Citizens (the state run insurer of last resort) because Citizens typically under-insures any property. State Farm. Is. Not. A. Bargain. But I can get HO coverage only because I'm far enough from the coast (about 20-25 minutes drive depending on lights and heaviness of a foot), in masonry construction with few exterior windows, and in the area where they evacuate people into when you get told the first few categories are under mandatory evacuation. My house is 20 years old and even that was outside what some insurers wanted to cover. It's gotten absurd. I would not recommend the Gulf Coast south of St. Pete for any sort of gay scene. I think there's a rule someplace that stipulates that the gay community cannot cross the Sunshine Skyway without penalties. 🤣😂 (clearly kidding) It's also pretty dead for other nightlife as you head south, but I didn't choose my home or location for those reasons. You can find bargains around St. Pete if you're diligent, patient, and willing to put in some work. And if you're like most others, the current governor has taken things to the far, far right on many levels. (Yes, even I said it) So I hope we swing back to a better middle ground.

Sounds like that particular Quest lab could make a good cruising spot. Guess I'll need to get my bloodwork done there. 🤣

This. 👍🏼 If you're establishing rapport with someone and that topic emerges through the discussion, I would expect that you're conversing in an atmosphere where there isn't judgment being passed in it. Or so one should hope. To ask "Do you feel comfortable talking about it?" should be an indication of how open you might expect a partner to be other than their disclosure. Are they detectable? Are they taking other precautions (i.e. condoms)? Are there things they might want to know about you (i.e. STD disclosures, recent testing, etc.)? If they don't feel comfortable, OK. But perhaps that response -- how forthcoming they might have been after noting that you aren't asking for the specific details of 'how, where, who, why' -- should inform you of how candid and comfortable they will be as a potential partner. But I'm saying it from a position of being HIV negative and recently tested, so any decision I might make would be informed on some knowledge of my partner. Not being suspicious but also not trying to be naive. We've all been around the block a few times and maybe things have happened as a result of what we haven't been told or what might be omitted. Just a thought.