posted May 31, 2018 07:18 PM            

quote:

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Originally posted by PixieJane:
The joke:

An honest man was being tailgated by a stressed out woman on a busy boulevard. Suddenly, the light turned yellow, just in front of him. He did the right thing, stopping at the crosswalk, even though he could have beaten the red light by accelerating through the intersection.

The tailgating woman hit the roof, and the horn, screaming in frustration as she missed her chance to get through the intersection.

As she was still in mid-rant, she heard a tap on her window and looked up into the face of a very serious police officer. The officer ordered her to exit her car with her hands up. He took her to the police station where she was searched, finger printed, photographed, and placed in a holding cell.

After a couple of hours, a policeman approached the cell and opened the door. She was escorted back to the booking desk where the arresting officer was waiting with her personal effects.

He said, "I’m very sorry for this mistake. You see, I pulled up behind your car while you were blowing your horn, flipping off the guy in front of you, and cussing a blue streak at him. I noticed the Choose Life license plate holder, the What Would Jesus Do? bumper sticker, the Follow Me to Sunday-School bumper sticker, and the chrome-plated Christian fish emblem on the trunk.

"Naturally, I assumed you had stolen the car."

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posted July 30, 2018 02:11 PM            

quote:

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Originally posted by mirage29:
I'm enjoying this story all over again!!

(music) The Only Jesus (Collin Raye) [3:20] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gMPv2vpsQ-o

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posted February 09, 2020 01:29 PM            

I'm going to leave the url to it here.

RE Healthcare; and the abusing that goes on in the system.
Your post on Feb 7, 2020, leads with
QUOTE..
I hear you, mirage.
I got into an enlightening conversation with a doctor that suddenly made a lot of what I read and researched make sense. Doctors are no longer in charge. They're independent contractors. Wall Street owns the hospitals, and they put profit over patient care.{SEE MORE}
- http://www.linda-goodman.com/ubb/Forum4/HTML/000681-6.html

I had described frustrations with the system at the start of this thread.
# Labor of Love forum
"Good Performed By One Becomes Strategy For Helping Many Others"
started June 24, 2013
- http://www.linda-goodman.com/ubb/Forum4/HTML/000630.html
{That thread is broken/dead. Can't be bumped, nor accept any more bumps or activity.}

# GU2.0
'Healthcare" .. my response, Feb 4, 2020
- http://www.linda-goodman.com/ubb/Forum26/HTML/004605.html

more.. from thread you posted on.
- http://www.linda-goodman.com/ubb/Forum4/HTML/000681-5.html

________

Quote by PJ, from LabOfLove Mirage thread---
"I'll spare you the outrageous things I've seen, from inside the hospital to patient dumping the dying at homeless shelters that are full (the reason someone sent me that article I just shared to show some doctors are fighting back) since this is "your" thread, but it's really bad. "
unquote

I have my own share of eye-witnessed shocking {enraging} stories. A few I tried to do an intervention with (successful).
Other things?, were terrifying and happened to ME, directly.

Had there been cameras that 'caught' what I had witnessed, in a Right World where people value Conscience, those who 'did' wrong would have been jailed. INHUMANE abuse.

I have more than a handful of those kinds of stories.
The way things are NOW?, just seems 'futile'.

I had "tried" to become involved in looking into social problems and getting involved in reform, but THAT system-itself was CORRUPT-- all the way through.

That's part of the way I got involved with The Carter Center. Spoke to someone who also was drawn into an involvement with them. SHE had lived in my area, and relocated 'because' folks within the system were VERY "hardened".
.. Too bad!
After her relocation, her idea and project was launched with success. That's how I was given her name and phone number, and she told me about her efforts in my area.
That goes back to ~15 years ago.

PJ, I read that you were able to get back into a support-group! Good for you, and for THEM especially!!!!

They don't have "~regular" kinds of support groups here.

Had seen flyers of a support group in earlier-mid-2000s. I tried to call the number to say I'd like to attend-- (their first-meet was to be at a ~swanky restaurant, a FAR distance from me, but I wanted to meet *them*).
.. I was "informed" that their exact meeting 'time' and verifying address was not to be disclosed because someone else coming to that group didn't feel 'safe' --
*ROLLS EYES* Wha??????
.. Didn't feel safe????? *jawdrop*
Then what the HECK were they doing trying to meet 'in a public venue'??? LOL

Someone who knew me AND was familiar with *them* said to me-- first, not including 'me' was *their* loss.
Then added that 'the woman' who had spread public flyers and notices around town, did it with "a hidden agenda" (.. was ~political~ ..).
Later on, I found out that was true indeed.
#FakeNews!!! LOL. Was vying for a political position.
(I think her going about it in that way was disgusting, actually. Probably wouldn't have been a good group at all, had she run one. That other person filled me in on her. Some people try to get into positions of influence they have no right being in.)

So. I was excited when I "thought" there was a support group starting. One was needed here. I had run a mutual-support group in late 1990s, for two years-- 5 people consistent.

It flopped after I relocated.

I had been the one doing "all the work"..
I still have remnants of a smaller number of self-help books (and articles) I kept as a resource library for them--- Still have to give those books away (when I can). Was thinking maybe to a local prison library.
Or, maybe a women's shelter IF they have a lending-shelf.

Had thought to humorously start a support group for "normal neurotics" (Actually, in early 2000s, I made initial efforts that was met coldly.)

After relocation here (and trying to seek interested parties), I made the decision NEVER to start a group again! I'm a fantastic strong participating group 'member'; even (semi)-co-leading. But I suck at being "THE" leader.

Instead, I consider self as being a very rich support TO the leader(s) involved.
.. never. ever. again.

PJ-- Same with you-- I can imagine that ANY group or team that had YOU on it, would be really enriched to have you as a participant.

_____________________
ADD .. I'm watching you develop the thoughts you left in above referenced thread. You are WELCOMED to add there.
Sometimes I wonder if I'm able to TRULY relay how deeply I feel about these matters.
I'll be adding my response (in Mirage) thread later...
Thank you soooooooooooo much, PJ *hug*
What you left is SOOO touching. (*in tears*)

posted February 09, 2020 08:48 PM            

I'm a bit sick now so can't say much, at least not as much as normal. Maybe that will be helpful.

When I was younger I did run a Thanksgiving potluck for others who couldn't be with their families. I organized and managed it and heard it fell apart after I moved and stopped doing it. (I got the idea from a vegetarian potluck I used to go to, which was about discussing various paranormal, occult, religious, and social issues, and there because so many vegetarians used cheese, freezing out the vegans, I made a point of making good vegan food...though I must say I don't know why so many into veganism find it so hard when it's actually easy, there's no need to pay the outrageous prices, unless it's just as social status/ego thing "look, I'm buying vegan, I'm such a good person!").

I organized a Bible study for a homeless group, motivated by the anger at the Baptist preacher that brushed them off (who was corrupt and embezzling from our food bank, but we found out too late because the well meaning, naive owners thought they could trust a Baptist preacher). And I was there at first to look after the girl scouts (essentially the preacher was exploiting them to get more funding freed up for his own embezzlement, but again didn't know until too late), though I found most who came were good people, at least on their best behavior. (My mistake was thinking of the desperadoes that I had to mix with as a runaway on the streets, who, like us underage kids, couldn't get help as they were wanted by the law, too crazy, etc, or they themselves, like many rich people, wanted to prey upon and/or exploit us.)

I have some smoking hot references for volunteer jobs and work I've done.

But the PTSD support group runs itself with almost nothing from me. I participate as others do more or less.

People keep telling me I'm too cynical, and yet when I'm wrong, is it because I'm too cynical? Almost always, no! The most recent example was that I was SURE someone was going to be brought to justice, but again I wasn't cynical enough. She manipulated a system (that was also corrupt) and took advantage of the fact that society punishes whistle blowers more. And at least one has been chased away by corrupt cops and politicians. So I was wrong. Why? Because I wasn't cynical enough. And until this injustice is corrected (which I don't know if it ever will be), I will no longer be volunteering to aid the homeless in this area, at least not through groups like that. Not because the homeless are inherently bad or hopeless, but because certain charities are corrupt, among other problems.

People need to stop telling me I'm too cynical! But they have to, like a good like trained dog eager for the pat on the head despite that their perversion of "positive thinking" facilitates corruption and abuse.

A lot of so called enlightened movements are about tribalism, not the common good.

Still, there are good people in this world. I think there'd be a lot more if we weren't so damn demoralized. If I do return to Texas, to my family, there's a small church I plan to mix with because they're good people--and they measure people by their deeds, not their professed beliefs. They're the VERY RARE people who would make Jesus smile, and of course they're the smallest and least respected in the corrupt, hypocritical Bible Belt.

There are others who give me hope for the human race, but they're the exception to the rule.

But I have to wonder. Do I keep fighting? If so, why?

And if not, just how much should I support a corrupt, lying society with my time, effort, and tax dollars? I'm certainly going to waste my time as a twitter warrior, or say "my prayers are with them" to absolve myself of all responsibility. If I drop out, I drop out completely. I won't be like most people who do the least amount of effort to make themselves feel better about being part of the problem because of the mixed messages we're raised with and what ultimately determines a person's values, which isn't their deeds, but their bank account and/or tribe, and their "flexible" values and ethics are based on cognitive dissonance that favors their tribe and double-standards (which is why I almost never participate in political debates and discussions as they're inherently irrational, and there are studies using brainscans that show it may be a genuinely subconscious force meant to solidify tribal identity, that is a vestigial survival trait despite that such tribalism now threatens the survival of all humanity rather than aids us in surviving).

Maybe I will become a hermit.

Or maybe I'll again see the importance of what I do, spitting in the wind as it often is (but does some good for a few people) after I get over this sickness, and the latest disappointment, one of many that make me wonder, "Does humanity DESERVE to survive?"

I said in the other thread that RWBY idealism inspired me (just as Superman fiction once defeated the KKK, as briefly summed up here ), and here's the most recent one:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a2_Fv4NNBYA

Nice dialog on fear, and who we become while in the grips of it. I definitely understand how fear becomes greater when others depend on you, and the selfish part of me wishes to be unburdened. And though I wasn't a saint when I was a kid on the streets, I did better than many, if not most, in my situation. And remembering the 3 skinheads I chased off (who made the mistake of trying to intimidate me, but my observation has me convinced the vast majority of white supremacists, or any type of racial supremacist, comes from a deep seated inferiority complex) can bring a chuckle back to me, despite what happened after.

posted February 11, 2020 06:16 AM            

I remember your telling of some of those stories, and I'm so glad to see them here all in one place.

Ruby Rose!!!!
Yes, in a way... she is 'you'?
She is FULL of Virtue and goodness, in spite of the awful things that she'd seen.
Ruby's Letter. The way they broke the atmosphere at the end of her monologue was kind of creepy-- depicts the switch to the abrupt dangerous way things seem to have become right now.

And 'why' did she continue her quest?
"For the people we haven't lost yet"

I am just so-glad you exist in this world, PJ.
'Continue' your path..
Hermit?.. no. Only rest for a while.
You need to meet people who are alike.
People who have good in them.
They DO exist.

I'm glad you are in your support group, and 'just' simply being there and partaking.

There's so much I wanted to respond to in your posts here, and the thread in Labor of Love.

Your humor?.. Too sarcastic? .. nah!! not-at-all..
It's that you are "experienced" and more grounded.
more on that later

(music) You Are The New Day (VoiceBox, John David, arr Peter Knight, lyrics) [2:34] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cwxfJVz6sdw

Rwby Volume 4: Ruby's letter
[7:54] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IjnRKWseD-k&feature=youtu.be&t=57
{{{*loving hug*}}}
Keep on keeping on...
You Are Beautiful

posted February 19, 2020 11:59 PM            

But yes, lots of hospitals due all sort of unethical things like this. One of the areas liberals get tripped up on is that they recognize the abuse of wealth and power, but then turn a blind eye to it when it becomes medical, or especially psychiatric. 'Course there's lots of nuance to this, I could go on about abuses, about doctors just independent contractors under incredible strain by the system (and by nightmare patients) themselves, ridiculous conspiracy theories they endure while the real abuses of the system are barely acknowledged, those who fight it, and and and on and on.

But I've been sick. I help people around me a lot, including those going through their own hard times, even when I don't know them that well. It drains me, especially throwing in the kind of world we live in that I have to navigate. Then I get online and there are many emails and private messages waiting for me.

I'm not ignoring you mirage, I'm just exhausted. I wish I had the energy. It's not that I don't care, it's that I'm so tired and can barely think straight. Maybe after I've had time to recover.