hntnhole

Well put. Thanks.

You're right, as I see it, and the complexity is not only the virtue, but the stumbling block as well. As different issues wax and wane in importance to the general welfare, obviously differing pathways to remedy also appear or fade. What worked in addressing x issue two generations ago may not work at all today. What didn't work back then, may work now. Addressing the complexity of identifying, then correcting national issues needing correction is tough work, and no one single person, let alone one political leader, has all the answers. But arriving at all the answers isn't the point, which is (as I see it) "building" a more (not completely, but more) perfect Union. It's this Nation's lovely, hard, tough, beautiful, amazing, yet nearly impossible Task, and I don't think it will ever be completely finished. The work, the building, the progress, always continuing, is the whole point.

So would many of us. We're here at the table, nibbling on croutons, but the entree has yet to arrive, Appetizers are ok, I suppose, but where's the meat of the discussion? I doubt I'm the only one that's still waiting for some measure of an understandable, reasonable answer. But then, maybe we're still waiting because there simply is none to be had.

Given that the last proper name preceding this ^ phrase is "Biden", do you mean you think Biden is a "loose cannon at best"? I definitely agree that older men running for President should submit to tests like you describe, and I'm assuming that these "signs" of impairment can begin to become apparent earlier, to a professional's eye before it becomes evident to the non-professionals.

And thanks for that, 50latinos. Live and learn, huh? 😏

I must have eaten the "dumb" sandwich for lunch .... thanks, BBBxCumDumpster.

One particular failed US policy stands out to me: I simply cannot understand why Biden lets Netanyahu push him around, along with Blinken and all the rest. How can the US allow itself to be so closely associated with what amounts to genocide of innocent kids, families, starving for the barest of necessities. More, where are all the hundreds of thousands of these unfortunates - herded South - supposed to go when the IDF determines it's time to blow up all the refugees too? I know that the election is coming up. There are about 6.5 million Jewish folks in the US, and about half that number of Arabs, I know Biden needs the liberal Jewish vote, and maybe he can figure out a way to win MI, which is home to many of Arab descent. But really ... Clearly Nettie believes that the Trumpanzee will give him all the rope he needs to lay waste to half the Levant unless he's voted out of office in Israel first. I don't understand what appears to be Biden's "kid-glove" handling of the ongoing and expanding crises in the Middle East. The current state of affairs in that area is - to my mind anyway - simply inexcusable, and our diplomats do not seem able to wring one scintilla of cooperation out of the Israeli War Cabinet.

LOL ..... merely seeing a photo of that wormish ghoul is enough to make any person aspiring to some measure of decency simply hurl, and hurl again. It's a disgrace that he wastes perfectly good food feeding himself .....

Welllllll ..... I confess ...... I don't know what TDS stands for. The Googler only has stuff about high speed internet 😒 Anyone?

I believe you've succinctly and correctly stated the problem. There seem to be certain "catch-phrases" that they announce, without much basis in reason. I see it as the triumph of un-reason. The avoidance of any interest in real discussion, in favor of the "knee-jerk" reactionary retreat to their slogans, repeated over and over again, and ignoring any actual facts. It's really a sorrow. The only solution I see is to keep trying to advance reasonable discourse, (and vote these maga office-holders out - including the down-ballot officials). Thanks.

That's spot on, and thanks for pointing it out. The "issue" of the day, in that nation, was not merely the financial collapse of 10/1929, but the punishing (literally) terms forced upon the German nation by the Treaty of Versailles. The burden of "reparations" to the Allied countries, along with the financial collapse created a storm of upheaval, upon which the would-be dictator played like Stradivarius. To the world's horror, that "man of action" carried out his policies of genocide eagerly and thoroughly. Blaming "the other" - whoever it may be - has often been the cowardly, wannabe-dictator's way in.

First, Thank you for your service. To the quote above, I'm wondering how you arrive at the issue of Dem's are "somehow vaguely worse (than, I'm assuming the Republicans?). Worse in what particular way? Which of the political positions supported by D's (and presumably not the R's?) are you referring to? There have been many times I haven't supported an entire platform of a given party, but I always exercise my right to vote, particularly the down-ballot positions, which directly impact the community in which I live. Thanks.

Cool !! So was I - went over there for a beer before heading to Slammer ... maybe we rutted in Holes next to each other and didn't even know it .... btw, the pool table has been off-limits (except for playing pool, I mean) for a long time now.

Well, there are substantial numbers of both gays & hets buying properties West of Powerline, thus raising prices in that depressed area. If you're not familiar with that area, it is substantially inhabited by minorities, probably not well-paid, and not considered a "safe" area. The (formerly) more affordable areas (for instance, the 'hood West of where Cubby Hole used to be) has all been torn down, with new mid-rise condo's everywhere, and it's adjacent to Federal Highway, which runs directly into downtown. There are 4 gay households in my little 'hood that have sold, and the guys moved to Asheville. Also, there have been "investors" buying up properties around here to turn into Air B&B's, along with short-term rentals. When ownership by residents in the area diminishes, and absentee-ownership increases, the "neighborly" quotient tends to dissolve too, When long-term owners/residents begin leaving, and rentals increase, it seems that renters come and go so quickly, it's hardly worth the time it takes to cultivate new neighbors. All that said, demographics never remain static (except in rather wealthy areas); so it's either buckle up and sit it out or try to figure out something else and just start over - again.

and draft-dodger .... don't forget the commonly used "bone spurs" excuse to avoid service in the military. His dad paid off some quack doctor to "diagnose' bone spurs in his stinking feet. Some of us knew guys that were called, answered the call, and never returned.

My apologies. viking8x6. I too was hoping for some responses to the OP, and frustration got the better of me.

re: this past weekend, on both Fri and particularly Sat nights, my favorite fuckjoint was so jammed it wasn't as much fun as usual. All the parking lots were full, and I got the last parking place in the lot of that old laundromat just E of the property. Some of the corridors were impassable, had to turn around and find another way. Some Dad was whoring his boy on one of the elevated gh platforms (by the fireplace), and the steps were impassable for all the guys waiting to get up there. As I passed by the "smoking" area, there were guys fucking in there, of all places. Usually the bar just has guys taking a breather, chatting with other guys, but there was some action there too. The orgy room was so packed it took a long time just to force my way through, and we all know how "determined" we can be while we're "on a mission". Couldn't get into the darkroom at all, despite several efforts. Now. It was also "Ft. L. Pride" weekend, so maybe that had something to do with it. Here, we have "snowbird" Pride Weekend as well as the regular National event in the summer. That, plus all the snowbirds, made it not as much fun as usual. That said, every guy that needs Hole (or loads) should be able to get some, even when there are so many visitors to OrgyTown. I'm not bitching .... just saying it wasn't as much fun as usual. Got the task fulfilled, and ditched.

I don't believe that those who consider themselves "anti-woke" either know nor care what the definition is. All they understand is, "woke" means Liberal, Progressive, Democratic, (thus threatening their assumed seat of privilege). Let's face it: there is a fairly extensive population of Americans that have not benefitted from an education that encourages introspection, exercising their intellectual abilities, asking difficult questions of themselves or their leaders. Worse, they have co-opted and perverted the Universal Message, taught for millennia by spiritual teachers throughout the world. Some of these people, infused with a false notion of cultural religiosity, have been hornswoggled into behaving like a nest of newborn baby robins: The mother flies off, eats worms, flies back to the nest and pukes partially-digested worms down the wide-open beaks of her young. Those young neither know nor care what their mother has just puked down their throats - all they care is that they got some, while a couple of weaker baby robins got none. When some folks believe - honestly believe - that they are "chosen" by some deity, that means (to them) that anyone who doesn't match their perverted view is automatically condemned. Normal folks can't expect these "anti-woke" folks to answer questions that involve actual intellectual activity, let alone interest in the same. The "anti-woke" crowd only understands that the "woke" crowd is their enemy - no understanding, intellectual activity, let alone moral thought is required. Of course they can't define "woke". They don't need to. All they need is the dog-whistle, and they come a-runnin.

Last night. So I had a few guys over to watch the game last night*, invited 4, and 5 showed up. I happen to like watching NFL games, and last night's game was fantastic. So, I had fixed some food, all of that, and guys started arriving around 6, so I had to wait until today to respond to some of the stuff in the political department. These are all guy's I've fucked before, with one exception - the "surprise" guest brought along by one of my neighbors, and they all knew what the "halftime entertainment" was going to be. However, I explained the "house rules" about never wasting Sperm, the pony glasses, all of that. I also explained about how I'm "sporting" one of the crotons in the back yard, and all piss had to be on that particular plant. After the first round of beers, the clothes started come off, the Cocksucking started, maybe 15, 20 minutes into the game, 2 of them drifted off to the slingroom, followed shortly by a 3rd. But, it was a really fantastic game, lead shifting back and forth, all of that, and I really wanted to watch the game too. Eventually, everyone's clothes were on the floor, and we all had a filthy time of it. The game lasted a long time (till well after 11 EST), and a couple of guys had eaten, fucked, cum and gone, and that was fine. I was tired, locked up and went into my bedroom (there's a tv in there too), and joined the 2 guys on the bed. Turned out the 5th guy (who I didn't know) had a sweet, velvety Hole, he'd already taken a couple of loads, so I ate that for dessert, and pumped my load up there too, and apparently fell asleep fairly quickly, This morning, I woke up to that cumdump in my bed, The front door was unlocked (assumedly when the last of the "invited" guests left) and I had to piss like crazy, so went outside and "serviced" that croton**. Went back inside and the bathroom door was closed ... All is to say that "breakfast" was the best first meal of the day in YEARS .... *I think it was the best game I've watched in years ... ** Crotons will throw off a "sport" - meaning a variation of the original color/pattern if they get pissed on for a few months.

now THAT'S what I call a real "smorgasbord" !!! Well done !!!

Allow me to offer a different perspective: The current Administration has accomplished in a mere 3 years things that the former Administration didn't. Consider the wide array of infrastructure projects, in a number of "red" states, for instance. Old bridges on the Interstates, new energy installations (i.e. solar, wind) in both red and blue states; just two examples of how evenly The President has spread the governmental infrastructure projects. Name one - merely one - infrastructure improvement that the former President accomplished of the same scale. The former President only cares about how many millions of people he can hoodwink into voting him back into office, so he can stay out of jail. He offers nothing but hatred, vitriol, consorting with despots around the world, He has demonstrated clearly and decisively that he will - at the very least - cripple the Republic, all to prop up his own inflated image of himself. His "advisors" are either indicted, or have been tried, convicted, and are awaiting being sent to jail. Which of the current President's advisors are facing jail? The current President, on the other hand, demonstrates is bent towards making things better for everyone, and employs staff that will carry out that enlightened vision. The former President has openly, bluntly stated that he intends to become a "dictator", and no one believes it would be for only one day, most particularly his own benighted supporters. "appearances" count for precious little. It's the actual work the current President has already accomplished, vs the stream of filth pouring forth on an hourly basis out of the former President's mouth, his truly sordid history, his lack of any shred of intellectual accomplishment, his previous Administration that make him wholly unqualified to lead his own life, let alone the United States. Appearances count for little. It's what they do (or don't) that counts.

I know this isn't exactly what our estimable Viking asked for, but ..... To me, the term "woke" is nothing more than a clumsy-ism for "awakened", used to divide those who have 1) realized, and 2) take positive steps in their own lives to reflect an enlightened attitude towards cultural/social ills that have been foisted upon the less privileged, less fortunate, less entitled. "Woke" folks would donate books to libraries, not strip them of certain books. "Woke" folks would donate a couple of bucks to the beggar on the corner, as opposed to turning one's head and pretending the beggar isn't there. "Woke" folks donate whatever they can to organizations that help kids everywhere get enough to eat. Every little gesture to "Woke-ism" counts. When one begins to actually devote some measure of even-handed thought to how we lift up the downtrodden, allow and help each other to live richer, fuller lives, or- to put it simply - "feed the hungry, clothe the naked, house the homeless, comfort the sick, and love our neighbors as we love ourselves" - then that individual has arrived at a new awareness, or "awakened" to a deeper level of consciousness that creates a better human being out of the less-enlightened person prior to that enlightenment.

I wonder if there's some way we barebackers can inspire the general population to reject that which divides us, and celebrate that which unites us. We're all one, with only superficial differences developed through the millennia according to what part of the world our ancestors came from. To paraphrase a kiddie Sunday-school ditty I remember from childhood: "red and yellow, black and white - all are precious in (our) sight ....."

I understand the point, but I don't see any way to accomplish it. I understand that minds don't work as adroitly as they get older. That doesn't extend to the man or woman's character though. My only gripe with Biden is, he won't kick the Prime Minister of Israel in the balls. I know he needs the Liberal Jewish vote in Nov - but at the price of hundreds of thousands of innocent civilians being killed, is just a bridge too far. Decent minded folks are stuck between the incumbent, and a complete asshole. What may be our "saving grace" will be if Biden wins, and assembles a First Class Cabinet that will continue to press for human rights, all the uplifting things Biden has stood for and currently stands for decades. Replace him with who? RFKjr (emphasis on junior) ? Maryann Whatsername? I don't see any alternative but to vote D - straight ticket D - and cross our fingers the rrrrrrrasshole gets tossed in the clink.

Thank Whatever you didn't carve a notch into the bedstead each time ... some of us would be sleeping in a pile of wood-chips by now ...