[mgjim]

Originally Posted by rubicon

GG We all have to keep.... does not apply to many... for instance Somlians working in Minneapolis won't handle pork products when working as grocery store clerks. somlian taxi drivers won't transport passengers who are carrying alcohol purchased overseas. I could go on with numerous examples .

The facts are that the attacks are against christians and their way of life because it is representative of the majority and there is an intent to remove the majority in all aspects.

I suspect this is way off topic but, unfortunately, anyone reading your remarks may think that what you've written is true. Actually, both of these issues were resolved in 2007. The Twin Cities Metropolitan Airports Commission voted unanimously to penalize any cab drivers who refused to carry passengers carrying alcohol or traveling with dogs. The penalties include a two year license suspension for cab drivers who refuse to comply with the rules.

As for the check out clerk who refused to touch pork products, she was offered a choice of a different job where she wouldn't have to handle pork or she was offered the door. She happily accepted the job in the stock room.

Usually, it seems, common sense prevails even when requests for special workplace accomodations seem to be unreasonable. And for those people who are unhappy with their workplace conditions, they usually end up quitting or being fired. I don't think that is an attack on the majority.

[senior citizen]

Originally Posted by rubicon

GG We all have to keep.... does not apply to many... for instance Somlians working in Minneapolis won't handle pork products when working as grocery store clerks. somlian taxi drivers won't transport passengers who are carrying alcohol purchased overseas. I could go on with numerous examples .

The facts are that the attacks are against christians and their way of life because it is representative of the majority and there is an intent to remove the majority in all aspects.

Rubicon is correct. It may not appear to be so in the "Bubble" of TV, however, out in the real world we have all noticed the subtle changes over many decades. It is so obvious, even among our heads of state, bending over backwards so as not to offend the middle eastern populations.

Our 44 year old daughter said something quite interesting when they were home for the long Thanksgiving weekend, while discussing all of the "resettlement" areas up in northern Vermont where she is teaching E.S.L.

They are sending them to Vermont from west African Muslim countries and middle eastern countries......to resettlement areas. Go figure.
This state is very foreign to what they are accustomed to. A better climate would be Arizona, New Mexico, etc.

She told "Dad" and I........"Believe it or not, you both are now in the minority". Meaning white caucasion, Christian, etc. born in the United States.

She was speaking of overall in the United States, also... as far as who was getting the most "help" and benefits, etc. No one gave our kids free college, free housing or food stamps........they got into college based on their grades and ability to pay.

Our cousin's college in New Jersey also has tons of immigrants who got "help" to study and get their degrees.

Now, having been quite involved with my own genealogy for the past decade +++, I know that our immigrant ancestors had to wait their turn and pay their own way.........and work their way UP the ladder of success. There really were no free rides like today.

When so many long time citizens of our country are literally hurting due to the recent "great recession" and drop in real estate prices.........why keep taking in all of these immigrants from Muslim countries ????? When they are hellbound to destroy us? I'm smart enough to know that not all are terrorists, however, one never knows how many might be.

[quirky3]

IMHO, This is starting to sound like a lot of hateful generalizations with no value other than to stir up bad feelings toward diverse kinds of people.

[OldDave]

I agree with Quirky. Just because there are more of us that are white, with a christian background doesn't make us any more important than anyone else. As I said in an earlier post, it is easy to be the majority and feel as if others don't matter. For the most part others are trying to live their lives according to their beliefs, a principal this country was founded on. We are, and always have been a melting pot. This country is extremely new compared to many of the groups that are coming here for a better life. (Except the people who were here when our forefathers came...and I'm part Choctaw, so I was here first.)

And throughout our history there have always been hated groups. I used to have a boss you was described as always having to have one person in his doghouse. Didn't matter if it was justified, he just needed someone to feel superior to. If you look at some of the sadder parts of our history there have always been groups that were looked down on: the Irish, the Italians, the Jews, women, and on and on. I would argue all those groups have become Americans first, and have helped build our country. Certainly there are some people that come here to do harm. But you know, we grow our own religious nuts here. The federal building in OKC that was blown up is two hours south of me, and the county park where those guys mixed up their fuel oil and fertilizer is 30 minutes north of here. Evil is evil, and it is not conveniently recognized by a religion, a color or a country of origin. I know in these days that's hard to remember, but I believe with all my heart it's true.

So, you can go on and on about how Christmas is being destroyed, or you can celebrate what you believe with your family and friends and give others with different beliefs the freedom to do the same. Our fathers and grandfathers died to let us live that freedom. (By the way, if you think our Christmas in this country is mostly about religion you have had your head in the sand. It's about money, gifts and parties. Sure many people are deeply devoted to their beliefs, and I'm happy for them, but the religious celebrations don't start the day after Halloween...Walmart does.)

I realize I'm not going to change anyone's mind here. That's one of our burdens of being older...we're all more stubborn than Missouri mules. And if you've never met one you really should. They leave a lasting impression!

It is a season of love. I would implore people to remember that and stop worrying about preserving America the way it was less than 150 years ago in the good old days, you know: women couldn't vote, blacks could be owned by other people, the Irish need not apply and my Choctaw forefathers were being wiped out...remember the only good Indian is a dead Indian.

For me, I don't want to go back, I want to move forward and try to love my neighbor...I read that somewhere.

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and whatever else works for you this time of year. Let's all try to actually live that.

[zonerboy]

I believe way earlier on in this thread some one quoted Pres Lincoln as saying "you are as happy as you choose to be".
In a similar vein, I think you can be "offended" by what ever you choose to have offend you.
I bear no ill will towards Redwitch or any one else on TOTV, but I don't have time to worry about unintentionally offending some one.

[janbrady]

ken kesey book "the acid koolaid test"...riding on a bus around the countryside drinking koolaid laced with LSD!!!!!

[janbrady]

oh its actually from tom wolfes book..electric koolaid acid test

[Pturner]

Originally Posted by Barefoot

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia:
"Drinking the Kool-Aid" is a metaphor commonly used in the United States and Canada that refers to a person or group holding an unquestioned belief, argument, or philosophy without critical examination."

This is typically what happens when newbies visit The Villages. They "fall in love" with the concept offered by the Developer and out comes the checkbook. It happened to us in 2007, and it's the best decision we ever made, even though we made it without critical examination.

This phrase has become commonly used and is never meant to be painful or offensive. However, because we are hopefully all kind and sensitive souls, I suggest we should try to find a better way to describe the wave of euphoria that has motivated many of us to buy in TV.

My creative well is dry today. Anyone have a suggestion? PTurner, you have a way with words ....

Back when I considered it a perfect and delightful way to express falling head over heals for TV, I used the expression with abandon. I neither knew of its association with Jonestown nor meant it in an unflattering light. Indeed I considered myself a Kool-aid-head extraordinaire, if you'll pardon the expression. Until being convinced otherwise, I thought it originated with Tom Wolfe's book. When I learned that I was mistaken, and that it was painful and offensive to others, I abandoned all encouragements to come try all the flavors.

Bare, I love your idea of a substitute but sadly am at a loss for words... if you'll pardon the expression.

Hmmm. What about, "Inhale the Disney Dust"?

[redwitch]

Ate the whole enchilada ?? Or because we're a bunch of old fogeys, "Bought the whole kit and kaboodle."

[2BNTV]

How about "I can't believe I bought the whole thing".

[jbdlfan]

Originally Posted by looneycat

isn't that the case for any and every service worker? If you don't act nice to patrons, would you expect to keep your job?? if you do, you won't have a job long because the business will close...as several have in the Villages just due to lousy service and 'help' that thinks they don't have to smile and do their job like they enjoyed it, bsides, a smile earns more tips than a frown.

My point has nothing to do with being pleasant or polite in dealings with the public. More has to do with the general way or philosophy of "the company." Suggestions on finding better ways of doing things or changing policy that was enacted (even if the policy has been proven inefficient or disruptive) is not tolerated. One does not speak in a way that would be considered anything but positive. Hey, if that is the way you want to run your busisness, so be it. Free enterprise, but like I said before, I'm not talking about bars or eateries, those are private non-Villages businesses. I just wanted to be more clear, not arguing.

[jbdlfan]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

YOU are so RIGHT.

And if you want to be the head of the company, work hard and try to be polite. No one is interested in your "true" feelings. We all have had to keep our feelings to ourself in order to keep employed.

Would you do that even if you knew your customers were being treated poorly or that your company was doing something wrong? Just asking?

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by Pturner

Bare, I love your idea of a substitute but sadly am at a loss for words. "Inhale the Disney Dust"?

Originally Posted by redwitch

Ate the whole enchilada ?? "Bought the whole kit and kaboodle."

Originally Posted by 2BNTV

"I can't believe I bought the whole thing".

I think it has to be a three-word phrase which immediately gives the impression of being powerless against one's inner inhibitions. Something like "Inhale the Euphoria", but that's not the right phrase, too complicated.

Drumroll .... Suggestion from Ed Weissenbach please. Or anyone, please jump in ...

[eweissenbach]

Originally Posted by Barefoot

I think it has to be a three-word phrase which immediately gives the impression of being powerless against one's inner inhibitions. Something like "Inhale the Euphoria", but that's not the right phrase, too complicated.

Drumroll .... Suggestion from Ed Weissenbach please. Or anyone, please jump in ...

Gave mine in a previous post: Got Morsed!

[OldDave]

You know this is difficult. The reason this phrase works is exactly because of the event it refers to. There aren't many like it.

Also, I'm not sure everyone here inteprets it the same way. Some have suggested it only means you really like TV. So I suggest we see first if we can agree on the meaning.

To me, it's little complicated. It means blindly accepting something, not because you believe in it, but because someone tells you to. It also implies that someone has a bit of power and/or respect over you. Which is why it applies to cults. Eventually you believe the feelings to be genuinely yours and your duty to defend it, in extreme cases to the death.

This is almost to the point of brainwashing.

Now in TV people arrive at this point more freely, even with very persuasive salesmen and people here telling them how wonderful it is. But the real key to me is the total refusal to hear or see anything negative. Not to disagree, but to act as if whatever is negative simply doesn't exist, and that you are to be dismissed for suggesting that it does. This seems to act to justify the decision you made to move here.

That's about as close as I can come to a definition. So, it's pretty darn hard to put all that into a simply phrase. Blind faith and brainwashing have elements that are true, although here brainwashing is a bit harse.

The only other situation I can think of that is similar is Beltway Fever referring to DC. In that case someone get elected to Congress or takes a job there on a mission to change things. But in a short amount of time they are taken in by the power, prestige, the money, the connections or whatever it is, and they become part of the problem.

So perhaps we could lift the "fever" part of that. How about "Village Fever" or if you want to be a bit more cynical, "Morse Madness". Or for those of you living near Brownwood "Mad Cowtown Disease."