...progressive, believe in and allow natural change, in themselves and the world. Change brings with it a constant need of redefinition.
In other words, they don't know WHAT they think deep down? It just changes and evolves and "we're okay, you're okay" and so forth? What's shocking/disgusting 20-30 years ago is now cool and acceptable? We're just "goin' with the flow, people"...
In other words, they don't know WHAT they think deep down? It just changes and evolves and "we're okay, you're okay" and so forth? What's shocking/disgusting 20-30 years ago is now cool and acceptable? We're just "goin' with the flow, people"...
No thanks.
What are you saying, pscates? Thought should remain static? What was right 20 years ago is still right today? What was right, oh, say, 150 years ago is right today? Slavery and the inhuman treatment of slaves, to mention one strand of thought that old, is perfectly acceptable today? History does teach us plenty, in my opinion, and everyday history keeps teaching us more everyday. How could I, today, fix my thoughts for the rest of my life? I might just as well have a dried out spunge in my head. Crap.
I'll buy that. Abortion seems to be about the one thing that routinely pops up among the right, in terms of divisiveness or debating points. But overall, we all seem to be on somewhat the same page.
Lots of different and numerous smaller "special interest" groups tend to make up much of the left. You notice that if you watch some huge left-leaning rally on C-Span (say at the Mall in D.C. or in Central Park or wherever), the event itself might be a women's rights gathering, but there will be booths and backers of NOW, NAACP, PETA, gay rights and various environmental activists, minority activists, anti-nuke, anti-war groups and causes present as well, making a strong showing.
I'd imagine that, at times, something in the "mission" or purpose of one or more of these groups might conflict with those of another, what with so many smaller groups all under one umbrella.
Could certain women's groups advocating breast cancer awareness be at odds with PETA because of animals used in medical research? Perhaps.
As a matter of fact, I'm certain I've read about that sort of thing.
What are you saying, pscates? Thought should remain static? What was right 20 years ago is still right today? What was right, oh, say, 150 years ago is right today? Slavery and the inhuman treatment of slaves, to mention one strand of thought that old, is perfectly acceptable today? History does teach us plenty, in my opinion, and everyday history keeps teaching us more everyday. How could I, today, fix my thoughts for the rest of my life? I might just as well have a dried out spunge in my head. Crap.
I KNEW you (or someone else) would bring the "slavery" thing up, as soon as I wrote that. Hehe.
Of course not. Don't fling such a wide, silly brush.
And, if I remember correctly...ahem.
But that's not the point. Some things maybe SHOULDN'T evolve and be subject to the petty whims and non-shocked tastes of changing times. What was that phrase that guy used: "defining deviancy down" or something like that?
In any case, I don't think it's fair - or accurate - to think that conservatives are so just because that's what their parents "allowed them to be" or somehow bent them to it. I was just like Shawn, bunge and others here when I was 18, 20, 22. I thought differently, I saw the world differently, I was at TOTAL odds with my parents over social causes, politics, military, entertainment, etc. I voted for Bill Clinton in 1992.
Somewhere in my mid-20's something just didn't seem right or didn't seem to hang together. When I followed certain beliefs or attitudes out to their full conclusion, I didn't like where they went.
Also, I got married, moved far away from my family and hometown (going from Tennessee to Southern California is QUITE a life changing event!). I saw unfairness, corruption and crime. But I saw beauty, kindness and compassion...and not always in the places and ways you'd expect! I was around Marines and Navy personnel a lot (married to one). I worked. I met different people from different backgrounds and beliefs. I paid taxes, paid bills, saved money. I saw people who didn't work but lived in a nicer apartment than my wife and I could afford, even with both of us working. I worked in the private sector, I worked for the Federal government (guess which is ultimately better and more rewarding?). I saw people with 1/5 of my skills and talents get promoted or raises because of factors that had nothing to do with skills or talents. I learned that nothing is ever truly quite what it seems.
Doing all that was the best thing that ever happened to me, I'm convinced.
I read more. I looked deeper into things. I realized that MTV, tweedy college professors with ponytails and network news anchors aren't - and shouldn't be - my sole source for information or influence for what I should think or believe.
In this instance I'm not sure I can fault the Cuban government. The U.S. would do the same and worse to people colluding with a foreign government and attempting to overthrow the regime.
Contrary to popular belief, opposition is allowed. Cuba's most famous dissident (whose name eludes me at the moment) is free and clear simply because he refuses to talk to the U.S. diplomats that are trying to 'team up' with him. He refuses our money, our resources and our conversation. For that he's been able to get the word out legally.
Now this dissident follows the law, and if he is to be locked up like the others, then there would be a serious problem. But if people are disobeying the law, well that's the fear in breaking the law.
In this instance I'm not sure I can fault the Cuban government. The U.S. would do the same and worse to people colluding with a foreign government and attempting to overthrow the regime.
... and today's Nobel prize for most insightful post goes to...
BUNGE!
(I'm not kidding - it's the exact reason I don't trust the US media when it comes to Cuba. It's very easy to spin this around to make it look like the ultimate evidence of Cuba being a horrible dictatorial state.)
Conservatives seem to be the one bunch that doesn't mind calling themselves what they are. But those left of center (in all its variations) seem to struggle with it sometimes. I think they hold symposiums and focus groups on what the current, cool "non-alienating" term of the month is.
Nah, I had a thread a week or so ago where we were talking about neo-conservatives vs. paleoconservatives vs. libertarians vs. religious conservatives, etc. You just don't see that as much among liberals. Some, but not as much, and there just aren't the same number of different labels on our side. I think most on the right would agree with that. I read an editorial (I don't remember where now) in which a conservative was making this point and said that it was a positive thing for conservatives because they are more likely to debate within themselves, unlike the monolithic left. So I guess either way you conservatives view it, liberals are evil.
Experience. Sigh. I believe we had that discussion before now, didn't we, Mr. Scates?
Yes we have. And we will again, because it accounts for much. Why is that such a bad thing to think or realize? EVERYONE (right, left or otherwise) thinks they've got all their shit together and know it all when they're in their teens. God knows I did. But I was off a bit. Most of us are. Some stay the same way...you might be one of them (which, in a way - going by der Kopf's definition - makes you quite "conservative").
[ducks]
If I'm having my heart operated on, I'm choosing the guy who's done 200 operations over the guy that's done 8.
Read my post again, Shawn (I added a little more to it in regards to personal stuff that might shed a little light).
It's not "dinging on you" because the all the things I talked about above might not have happened and I could still be the same person I was as a teen. It's not a "better vs. worse" thing, so don't make it that.
I'm just telling you (in trying to answer der Kopf's thing) what my deal is regarding this. He made it sound like I came out of the womb believing what I do now and I wanted to illustrate how that wasn't the case. He wasn't anywhere near right, nor is that the case with others I know. All my buddies - even ones I've lost touch with over the years - seems to have had this stuff happen with them too.
Don't be a smarty-butt, B. Of course that's not "awful". But it goes beyond that. Search around. They seems like buddies. And if they are, cool. I don't care who is friends with who. It's just sometimes the pairings are odd.
Not trying to be a smarty-butt. I just can't help it. So it really takes no effort at all.
I just think it's ironic that you would criticize Carter in the context of this crackdown by Castro, because Carter has been supportive of those very democracy movements that are getting the crackdown right now.
Nah, I had a thread a week or so ago where we were talking about neo-conservatives vs. paleoconservatives vs. libertarians vs. religious conservatives, etc. You just don't see that as much among liberals. Some, but not as much, and there just aren't the same number of different labels on our side. I think most on the right would agree with that. I read an editorial (I don't remember where now) in which a conservative was making this point and said that it was a positive thing for conservatives because they are more likely to debate within themselves, unlike the monolithic left. So I guess either way you conservatives view it, liberals are evil.
I'm not into dinosaurs, so I don't really know what all that means. I don't even know if conservatives themselves came up with those. Sounds more like a labeling/gridding tool constructed by a writer or someone in the media to help keep a scorecard straight.
I just simply say "conservative" and leave it at that.
As for "evil", I wouldn't go that far. Maybe some. Some are probably dangerous, in what they believe and put into the heads of others (just as others here would say the same about conservatives, especially the Bible-thumping, over-reaching types...of which I'm not a member).
Not "evil". Maybe wrongheaded about a lot. Maybe naive and unrealistic about the world and people in it. Maybe too quick to blame things on those that don't deserve it and absolve those that need some blame.
But not "evil". Like the dreaded "c" word, I reserve the word "evil" for a small, select group of people. None of which are present at AppleInsider, happy to say.
Not trying to be a smarty-butt. I just can't help it. So it really takes no effort at all.
I just think it's ironic that you would criticize Carter in the context of this crackdown by Castro, because Carter has been supportive of those very democracy movements that are getting the crackdown right now.
I think Jimmy Carter is a decent, moral man. In many ways, I admire him and the work he's done since leaving office. I think he's smarter and better than a lot of people ever give him credit for.
I'm not dinging him for what he said about democracy. That's great. But he's shown this pattern of - perhaps out of genuine desire for dialog and "making things better" - to cozy up to some pretty unsavory, thuggish fellas over the years.
In many ways, he's the ultimate naive kind soul and motormouth. In his world, I don't know if evil exists. Everything can be "talked through". Handshakes and smiles across a table probably carry more weight with him than it should?
I've read his writings and one of his books. And I've watched him in interviews over the years (C-Span, 60 Minutes, etc.). A good man, but I think he's weak in areas that a great leader can't afford to be.
I'm just telling you (in trying to answer der Kopf's thing) what my deal is regarding this. He made it sound like I came out of the womb believing what I do now and I wanted to illustrate how that wasn't the case. He wasn't anywhere near right, nor is that the case with others I know. All my buddies - even ones I've lost touch with over the years - seems to have had this stuff happen with them too.
I know an ominous saying, 'If you're not a communist at twenty, you have no heart. If you're not a conservative at forty, you don't have a brain.'
I am waiting to see what happens. I think I'm blessed with both a heart AND a brain, so, we'll see. I do not want to pin myself down too much, but I can say that I hope that I will never be conservative. I have survived quite a few years now.
The one point you make about people having bigger apartments than you, getting promotions faster... isn't that more a part of the conservative old-boy network than it would be of leftist hyper-correct socialism? Then again, I think, especially, the bigger appartment topic is one so steeped in jealousy that it isn't even funny anymore. I'm not trying to piss you off, but it's the main argument in the discours of Belgium's beloved extreme right. I have a cleaning lady who is full of that crap. "They come here in droves, do nothing, live like rich people." [immigrants, that is] So many veins get close to popping when I hear that rap. How does that say anything about YOUR life? Does this prevent your happiness in ANY way? Moreover, where are they? I knew an immigrant, a black African from Ivory Coast, who came here and did nothing. Seems nobody is eager to hire an African immigrant. Ouch. Five years later, the guy, he's my friend actually, is still sitting around, depressed out of his head, wondering why he ever came. The glory of unemployment benefits is VERY limited.
The one point you make about people having bigger apartments than you, getting promotions faster... isn't that more a part of the conservative old-boy network than it would be of leftist hyper-correct socialism? Then again, I think, especially, the bigger appartment topic is one so steeped in jealousy that it isn't even funny anymore. I'm not trying to piss you off, but it's the main argument in the discours of Belgium's beloved extreme right. I have a cleaning lady who is full of that crap. "They come here in droves, do nothing, live like rich people." [immigrants, that is] So many veins get close to popping when I hear that rap. How does that say anything about YOUR life? Does this prevent your happiness in ANY way? Moreover, where are they? I knew an immigrant, a black African from Ivory Coast, who came here and did nothing. Seems nobody is eager to hire an African immigrant. Ouch. Five years later, the guy, he's my friend actually, is still sitting around, depressed out of his head, wondering why he ever came. The glory of unemployment benefits is VERY limited.
Well, first of all I said "nicer" apartment. I'm not so shallow that I consider a big, luxurious apartment a true sign of anything meaningful. I said "nicer" as in a) cleaner place b) nicer surroundings c) safer area d) lack of thuggish riff-raff on or around the premises.
You can't fault me for wanting that, can you? My wife and I shouldn't have to lie there at night and hear fights, squealing tires, ridiculous partying, gunshots in the distance, etc.
Again, you kinda got me pegged wrong. Jealousy had NOTHING whatsoever to do with it. More an issue of "am I going to catch a stray bullet checking the mail?".
As for the promotions/raises, it was a bit of both, I'm afraid. Some true, good-old-fashioned "who you know, who you blow" type of stuff in a case or two. In another case, a fairly blatant example of a company trying to be P.C. and "set an example" and put someone in who "looked right" but didn't know her butt from a hole in the ground and was a complete disaster.
Comments
Originally posted by der Kopf
...progressive, believe in and allow natural change, in themselves and the world. Change brings with it a constant need of redefinition.
In other words, they don't know WHAT they think deep down? It just changes and evolves and "we're okay, you're okay" and so forth? What's shocking/disgusting 20-30 years ago is now cool and acceptable? We're just "goin' with the flow, people"...
No thanks.
Originally posted by ShawnPatrickJoyce
The left is not nearly as united as the right.
You hit the nail smack-dab in the middle of its puny head, my brother.
Originally posted by pscates
In other words, they don't know WHAT they think deep down? It just changes and evolves and "we're okay, you're okay" and so forth? What's shocking/disgusting 20-30 years ago is now cool and acceptable? We're just "goin' with the flow, people"...
No thanks.
What are you saying, pscates? Thought should remain static? What was right 20 years ago is still right today? What was right, oh, say, 150 years ago is right today? Slavery and the inhuman treatment of slaves, to mention one strand of thought that old, is perfectly acceptable today? History does teach us plenty, in my opinion, and everyday history keeps teaching us more everyday. How could I, today, fix my thoughts for the rest of my life? I might just as well have a dried out spunge in my head. Crap.
Originally posted by ShawnPatrickJoyce
The left is not nearly as united as the right.
I'll buy that. Abortion seems to be about the one thing that routinely pops up among the right, in terms of divisiveness or debating points. But overall, we all seem to be on somewhat the same page.
Lots of different and numerous smaller "special interest" groups tend to make up much of the left. You notice that if you watch some huge left-leaning rally on C-Span (say at the Mall in D.C. or in Central Park or wherever), the event itself might be a women's rights gathering, but there will be booths and backers of NOW, NAACP, PETA, gay rights and various environmental activists, minority activists, anti-nuke, anti-war groups and causes present as well, making a strong showing.
I'd imagine that, at times, something in the "mission" or purpose of one or more of these groups might conflict with those of another, what with so many smaller groups all under one umbrella.
Could certain women's groups advocating breast cancer awareness be at odds with PETA because of animals used in medical research? Perhaps.
As a matter of fact, I'm certain I've read about that sort of thing.
Originally posted by der Kopf
What are you saying, pscates? Thought should remain static? What was right 20 years ago is still right today? What was right, oh, say, 150 years ago is right today? Slavery and the inhuman treatment of slaves, to mention one strand of thought that old, is perfectly acceptable today? History does teach us plenty, in my opinion, and everyday history keeps teaching us more everyday. How could I, today, fix my thoughts for the rest of my life? I might just as well have a dried out spunge in my head. Crap.
I KNEW you (or someone else) would bring the "slavery" thing up, as soon as I wrote that. Hehe.
Of course not. Don't fling such a wide, silly brush.
And, if I remember correctly...ahem.
But that's not the point. Some things maybe SHOULDN'T evolve and be subject to the petty whims and non-shocked tastes of changing times. What was that phrase that guy used: "defining deviancy down" or something like that?
In any case, I don't think it's fair - or accurate - to think that conservatives are so just because that's what their parents "allowed them to be" or somehow bent them to it. I was just like Shawn, bunge and others here when I was 18, 20, 22. I thought differently, I saw the world differently, I was at TOTAL odds with my parents over social causes, politics, military, entertainment, etc. I voted for Bill Clinton in 1992.
Somewhere in my mid-20's something just didn't seem right or didn't seem to hang together. When I followed certain beliefs or attitudes out to their full conclusion, I didn't like where they went.
Also, I got married, moved far away from my family and hometown (going from Tennessee to Southern California is QUITE a life changing event!). I saw unfairness, corruption and crime. But I saw beauty, kindness and compassion...and not always in the places and ways you'd expect! I was around Marines and Navy personnel a lot (married to one). I worked. I met different people from different backgrounds and beliefs. I paid taxes, paid bills, saved money. I saw people who didn't work but lived in a nicer apartment than my wife and I could afford, even with both of us working. I worked in the private sector, I worked for the Federal government (guess which is ultimately better and more rewarding?). I saw people with 1/5 of my skills and talents get promoted or raises because of factors that had nothing to do with skills or talents. I learned that nothing is ever truly quite what it seems.
Doing all that was the best thing that ever happened to me, I'm convinced.
I read more. I looked deeper into things. I realized that MTV, tweedy college professors with ponytails and network news anchors aren't - and shouldn't be - my sole source for information or influence for what I should think or believe.
Originally posted by pscates
And, if I remember correctly...ahem.
Apparently, I don't remember that well? That's quite enigmatic.
In this instance I'm not sure I can fault the Cuban government. The U.S. would do the same and worse to people colluding with a foreign government and attempting to overthrow the regime.
Contrary to popular belief, opposition is allowed. Cuba's most famous dissident (whose name eludes me at the moment) is free and clear simply because he refuses to talk to the U.S. diplomats that are trying to 'team up' with him. He refuses our money, our resources and our conversation. For that he's been able to get the word out legally.
Now this dissident follows the law, and if he is to be locked up like the others, then there would be a serious problem. But if people are disobeying the law, well that's the fear in breaking the law.
Originally posted by bunge
In this instance I'm not sure I can fault the Cuban government. The U.S. would do the same and worse to people colluding with a foreign government and attempting to overthrow the regime.
... and today's Nobel prize for most insightful post goes to...
BUNGE!
(I'm not kidding - it's the exact reason I don't trust the US media when it comes to Cuba. It's very easy to spin this around to make it look like the ultimate evidence of Cuba being a horrible dictatorial state.)
Originally posted by pscates
Conservatives seem to be the one bunch that doesn't mind calling themselves what they are. But those left of center (in all its variations) seem to struggle with it sometimes. I think they hold symposiums and focus groups on what the current, cool "non-alienating" term of the month is.
Nah, I had a thread a week or so ago where we were talking about neo-conservatives vs. paleoconservatives vs. libertarians vs. religious conservatives, etc. You just don't see that as much among liberals. Some, but not as much, and there just aren't the same number of different labels on our side. I think most on the right would agree with that. I read an editorial (I don't remember where now) in which a conservative was making this point and said that it was a positive thing for conservatives because they are more likely to debate within themselves, unlike the monolithic left. So I guess either way you conservatives view it, liberals are evil.
Originally posted by ShawnPatrickJoyce
Experience. Sigh. I believe we had that discussion before now, didn't we, Mr. Scates?
Yes we have. And we will again, because it accounts for much. Why is that such a bad thing to think or realize? EVERYONE (right, left or otherwise) thinks they've got all their shit together and know it all when they're in their teens. God knows I did. But I was off a bit. Most of us are. Some stay the same way...you might be one of them (which, in a way - going by der Kopf's definition - makes you quite "conservative").
[ducks]
If I'm having my heart operated on, I'm choosing the guy who's done 200 operations over the guy that's done 8.
Read my post again, Shawn (I added a little more to it in regards to personal stuff that might shed a little light).
It's not "dinging on you" because the all the things I talked about above might not have happened and I could still be the same person I was as a teen. It's not a "better vs. worse" thing, so don't make it that.
I'm just telling you (in trying to answer der Kopf's thing) what my deal is regarding this. He made it sound like I came out of the womb believing what I do now and I wanted to illustrate how that wasn't the case. He wasn't anywhere near right, nor is that the case with others I know. All my buddies - even ones I've lost touch with over the years - seems to have had this stuff happen with them too.
Originally posted by pscates
Don't be a smarty-butt, B. Of course that's not "awful". But it goes beyond that. Search around. They seems like buddies. And if they are, cool. I don't care who is friends with who. It's just sometimes the pairings are odd.
Not trying to be a smarty-butt. I just can't help it. So it really takes no effort at all.
I just think it's ironic that you would criticize Carter in the context of this crackdown by Castro, because Carter has been supportive of those very democracy movements that are getting the crackdown right now.
Originally posted by BRussell
Nah, I had a thread a week or so ago where we were talking about neo-conservatives vs. paleoconservatives vs. libertarians vs. religious conservatives, etc. You just don't see that as much among liberals. Some, but not as much, and there just aren't the same number of different labels on our side. I think most on the right would agree with that. I read an editorial (I don't remember where now) in which a conservative was making this point and said that it was a positive thing for conservatives because they are more likely to debate within themselves, unlike the monolithic left. So I guess either way you conservatives view it, liberals are evil.
I'm not into dinosaurs, so I don't really know what all that means. I don't even know if conservatives themselves came up with those. Sounds more like a labeling/gridding tool constructed by a writer or someone in the media to help keep a scorecard straight.
I just simply say "conservative" and leave it at that.
As for "evil", I wouldn't go that far. Maybe some. Some are probably dangerous, in what they believe and put into the heads of others (just as others here would say the same about conservatives, especially the Bible-thumping, over-reaching types...of which I'm not a member).
Not "evil". Maybe wrongheaded about a lot. Maybe naive and unrealistic about the world and people in it. Maybe too quick to blame things on those that don't deserve it and absolve those that need some blame.
But not "evil". Like the dreaded "c" word, I reserve the word "evil" for a small, select group of people. None of which are present at AppleInsider, happy to say.
Originally posted by BRussell
Not trying to be a smarty-butt. I just can't help it. So it really takes no effort at all.
I just think it's ironic that you would criticize Carter in the context of this crackdown by Castro, because Carter has been supportive of those very democracy movements that are getting the crackdown right now.
I think Jimmy Carter is a decent, moral man. In many ways, I admire him and the work he's done since leaving office. I think he's smarter and better than a lot of people ever give him credit for.
I'm not dinging him for what he said about democracy. That's great. But he's shown this pattern of - perhaps out of genuine desire for dialog and "making things better" - to cozy up to some pretty unsavory, thuggish fellas over the years.
In many ways, he's the ultimate naive kind soul and motormouth. In his world, I don't know if evil exists. Everything can be "talked through". Handshakes and smiles across a table probably carry more weight with him than it should?
I've read his writings and one of his books. And I've watched him in interviews over the years (C-Span, 60 Minutes, etc.). A good man, but I think he's weak in areas that a great leader can't afford to be.
Originally posted by pscates
...I reserve the word "evil" for a small, select group of people. None of which are present at AppleInsider, happy to say.
PHEW!
Originally posted by pscates
I'm just telling you (in trying to answer der Kopf's thing) what my deal is regarding this. He made it sound like I came out of the womb believing what I do now and I wanted to illustrate how that wasn't the case. He wasn't anywhere near right, nor is that the case with others I know. All my buddies - even ones I've lost touch with over the years - seems to have had this stuff happen with them too.
I know an ominous saying, 'If you're not a communist at twenty, you have no heart. If you're not a conservative at forty, you don't have a brain.'
I am waiting to see what happens. I think I'm blessed with both a heart AND a brain, so, we'll see. I do not want to pin myself down too much, but I can say that I hope that I will never be conservative. I have survived quite a few years now.
The one point you make about people having bigger apartments than you, getting promotions faster... isn't that more a part of the conservative old-boy network than it would be of leftist hyper-correct socialism? Then again, I think, especially, the bigger appartment topic is one so steeped in jealousy that it isn't even funny anymore. I'm not trying to piss you off, but it's the main argument in the discours of Belgium's beloved extreme right. I have a cleaning lady who is full of that crap. "They come here in droves, do nothing, live like rich people." [immigrants, that is] So many veins get close to popping when I hear that rap. How does that say anything about YOUR life? Does this prevent your happiness in ANY way? Moreover, where are they? I knew an immigrant, a black African from Ivory Coast, who came here and did nothing. Seems nobody is eager to hire an African immigrant. Ouch. Five years later, the guy, he's my friend actually, is still sitting around, depressed out of his head, wondering why he ever came. The glory of unemployment benefits is VERY limited.
Originally posted by der Kopf
The one point you make about people having bigger apartments than you, getting promotions faster... isn't that more a part of the conservative old-boy network than it would be of leftist hyper-correct socialism? Then again, I think, especially, the bigger appartment topic is one so steeped in jealousy that it isn't even funny anymore. I'm not trying to piss you off, but it's the main argument in the discours of Belgium's beloved extreme right. I have a cleaning lady who is full of that crap. "They come here in droves, do nothing, live like rich people." [immigrants, that is] So many veins get close to popping when I hear that rap. How does that say anything about YOUR life? Does this prevent your happiness in ANY way? Moreover, where are they? I knew an immigrant, a black African from Ivory Coast, who came here and did nothing. Seems nobody is eager to hire an African immigrant. Ouch. Five years later, the guy, he's my friend actually, is still sitting around, depressed out of his head, wondering why he ever came. The glory of unemployment benefits is VERY limited.
Well, first of all I said "nicer" apartment. I'm not so shallow that I consider a big, luxurious apartment a true sign of anything meaningful. I said "nicer" as in a) cleaner place b) nicer surroundings c) safer area d) lack of thuggish riff-raff on or around the premises.
You can't fault me for wanting that, can you? My wife and I shouldn't have to lie there at night and hear fights, squealing tires, ridiculous partying, gunshots in the distance, etc.
Again, you kinda got me pegged wrong. Jealousy had NOTHING whatsoever to do with it. More an issue of "am I going to catch a stray bullet checking the mail?".
As for the promotions/raises, it was a bit of both, I'm afraid. Some true, good-old-fashioned "who you know, who you blow" type of stuff in a case or two. In another case, a fairly blatant example of a company trying to be P.C. and "set an example" and put someone in who "looked right" but didn't know her butt from a hole in the ground and was a complete disaster.