History / Pol-Shorpy Photo Thread [577]


He's still here and not gone out of his mind...and he still has a couple aquariums.

News / Poland`s aid to Ukraine if Russia invades - part 10 [2386]

@mafketis


Excellent point. To me, it highlights that the real argument for abortion/contraception isn't about reproduction as much as it is about what seems to be your overarching point the supremacy of the individual will-a radical self-determination that is answerable only to the self.

I've wondered why we ignore so much of what we have learned about sociological realities, ie single-parent families and crime, depression/suicide rates and abortion. Assuming you agree, Would you say we ignore these sociological things because it severely challenges the neoliberal establishment?

History / Pol-Shorpy Photo Thread [577]


Haha. I know what you mean.


When I was a kid, my uncle had this addiction. He spent his money on beer and fish. Beer to deal with memories of Viet Nam and 6 fish tanks...to help forget his memories of Viet Nam.

News / Poland`s aid to Ukraine if Russia invades - part 10 [2386]


I'm not the most articulate guy. Hell, I don't know what I'm talking about half the time. 😄 However, John Paul II was extremely articulate. I'm told his use of the Polish language was sublime, so give this a read to see what I'm talking about: "Miłość i Odpowiedzialność

History / Pol-Shorpy Photo Thread [577]


The wife, kids, and I have been talking about getting a fish tank. What kind of fish you got?

News / Poland`s aid to Ukraine if Russia invades - part 10 [2386]


Apostasy isn't a subjective matter defined by popular opinion or practice, but an objective matter. The question is whether or not religious belief guides an individual-in the case of a Catholic practicing artificial contraception they are not being guided by religious belief.


I'd confidently challenge the veracity of that. That's a caricature from 60's and 70's American feminism. I know a lot of men who would be labeled traditionalists. I read a shitload of these types of guys also. Not one subscribes to the above caricatures. All are pretty much like me: charming loving partners who would lay down his life for his wife and children, who treat his wife like a dignified woman, loves her unconditionally (even when she's biatch), encourages her to thrive professionally and personally, and shares in household responsibilities.

News / Poland`s aid to Ukraine if Russia invades - part 10 [2386]

@Bobko

Because, I have a low tolerance for cannibalism.

@Paulina

Thoughtful response.

It's not just men who are concerned about falling birth rates women also are concerned. It's not a man v woman thing from what I can tell.

I think your response is still rooted in materialism. What I believe Torq is arguing (and I completely agree with him) is that modern western societies have lost its natural grounding. That our ultimate beginning and end ( our Aloha and Omega) is relational. That fruitfulness is ultimately relational, not merely transactional. That a child is fruit from a relationship, not the product of a mere transaction.

I'm on the verge of rambling and not doing the topic justice. Read Karol Wojtyła's Love and Responsibility for an excellent exposition on the topic.

The bottom line is our ultimate problem in the west is our understanding of human love has become completely turned inside-out and disordered , and this is because we've told the Author of Love to get lost, we know better.



Great minds.... 😄

Off-Topic / USA News and Poland - part 8 [1557]


Haha! Oh, that's too funny. A little poetic justice.

A buddy just texted me saying he heard Biden is going to tie the bridge funding to Ukraine funding. If true, I sure hope the repubs are able to highlight how Biden is playing politics with an important domestic issue for the sake of a foreign war most USians could give a flying foxtrot about.

News / Poland`s aid to Ukraine if Russia invades - part 10 [2386]

To look at it from a purely material matter, one of the economic principles shared by most, if not all, economic theories I've ever heard about is economic growth is dependent on population increase.

We're starting to hear that AI will help us fill the gap, but I doubt it.

Besides, what I think Torq is really arguing against as the flaw of a purely material existence void of an ethos rooted in the objective Truth of God is that humanity loses its innate dignity and is seen only as a material being. A being that exists purely to consume and be consumed. Hence, children become a kind of consumer product.

Off-Topic / USA News and Poland - part 8 [1557]

What Bobko said!

@Lenka

OK, thanks for the clarification.

News / Poland`s aid to Ukraine if Russia invades - part 10 [2386]

@Bobko

Truth's beauty is always worthy of a smile, even when it's uncomfortable.

Off-Topic / USA News and Poland - part 8 [1557]

@Lenka

Are you saying that the bridge collapsed b cause it was cheaply built?

News / Poland`s aid to Ukraine if Russia invades - part 10 [2386]


The appropriate response: Torq, you are right. 🙂

Off-Topic / 75 Years of Israel and the War - part 2 [457]


I was wondering why in hades am I visiting PF today. Now, I know why: I had know idea there were that many Christians in Albania. It produced Mother Teresa, so I shouldn't be surprised, but I am. Are they mostly Catholics? (I could ask Professor Google, but he's such a bore to talk yo sometimes).

Off-Topic / USA News and Poland - part 8 [1557]

You have to remember most gov officials have neither the experience nor common sense to know how the real world works.

You probably have hit the nail squarely on the head that they know Maersk has very deep pockets, which, of course, means they can afford the very best legal counsel; which means, taxpayers will pay gobs of money to fund the gov in its losing case against Maersk.

Off-Topic / USA News and Poland - part 8 [1557]

Either I've forgotten more law than I realize (very possible) or the gov official is doing some grandstanding.

Off-Topic / USA News and Poland - part 8 [1557]

@Bobko

Well, the chances that an economic lose claim would even win are slim to none. I think there are laws on the books that pretty much make it a non-starter.

However, if negligence is found, I wonder how that could be spun and whether a court would bite.

To split hairs, Maersk has no liability. It's the ship owner company from Singapore that does. Maersk, may have a claim for damages though since they are the holders of the cargo on the ship.

The reality is it is WAY too soon to know how any of this will shake out. There's a tangled web of tentacles associated with such an endeavor.

Off-Topic / USA News and Poland - part 8 [1557]

@Bobko

Agreed. The insurance company will most probably pay a negotiated price.

Remember that cruise ship that caused a bunch of damage, I think it was in Italy, not all that long ago? The insurance company didn't pay full amount, but they paid a large sum.

There are other considerations than just the bridge. There'll he loss io life and property suits, as well. What'll be interesting to see is if a court is willing to entertain an economic loss claim. There's a big sugar factory right next to that bridge that will be effected big time, not to mention the countless other concerns that will be effected. I think there's some law(s) that protect against those suits, but if there is negligence on part of shipper discovered might change things n

Off-Topic / USA News and Poland - part 8 [1557]


He's not a king, but the Executive branch of our government. He can ask that a bridge be built, but one cannot be built by fiat-unless he has the personal resources to fund such an endeavor.

It's the legislative branch-the USian Congress (house of reps and senate) that control the purse strings. So, he needs to ask Congress to fund it.

The Dept of Transportation, which is an agency within the Executive Branch, does have certain funds (given to them by Congress) to cover emergency needs; however, those funds are capped well below the cost of this bridge rebuild.

PAK is right, the shipping company-ie, its insurer-is going to be liable for the lion's share. However, this will be litigated, so something needs to be done while it's being litigated. And whatever is done is going to have to go through Congress and/or the State of Maryland.

Biden was wrong and reckless in saying feds would pay for it all. He said it because it's election season. Well, that and he is a sociopath and congenital liar.

@Bobko

You pretty much nailed it.

News / How will Polish-American relations change if Trump is elected president again? [229]


Mexicans are still crossing at a good rate, nevertheless you do make a good point-they aren't the majority. Last stats I saw they make up roughly 25% of the encounters with Border Patrol.

Venezuelans seem to be trending high right now.

Did you know we are even getting Chinese illegaly crossing the border? Freaking Chinese. Plus, citizens of African nations.


I disagree, it should kick you out of the line. You get in line through your country's US consulate.

News / Poland`s aid to Ukraine if Russia invades - part 10 [2386]

@Novichok

Yeah, that is one area we could work with Russia: terrorism. Not gonna happen now.

News / Poland`s aid to Ukraine if Russia invades - part 10 [2386]


Russia supported Syria in its fight against ISIS-could be why?
Grievances die hard

Off-Topic / USA News and Poland - part 8 [1557]


Polling is showing that Kennedy is siphoning off votes from both Biden and Trump. There was a poll a couple months ago that showed RFK Jr was taking away more votes from Trump than he was Biden.


Me too! She has the Koch Family behind her, if they want to see it happen she'll have the money if she's game. Of course, her political career is dead, but she'll make a tidy sum as the Never-Trump figurehead, books, and CNN appearances.


And that the democrats ground game is significantly better than the repubs. They are more organized and better financed than the repubs. They get the ambivalent voters' ballots in the box. The repubs close their eyes and cross their fingers.

Off-Topic / USA News and Poland - part 8 [1557]


Not to mention that only 3 of the 9 Justices were appointed by Trump.

The ruling had nothing to do with cronyism. It had everything to do with not allowing states to affect federal elections under the 14th Amendment.

History / Pol-Shorpy Photo Thread [577]


We are in the midst of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. What a dream fulfilled that'd be.


Come 'ere ya big lug!

History / Pol-Shorpy Photo Thread [577]


I think the place is marvelous. I don't get the criticisms. It has taste, elegance, symbolism, and that element that any Cathedral/Basilica is meant to have: it inspires awe-it allows the worshipper to sense his smallness and the grandeur and beauty of God. I highly recommend it.

History / Pol-Shorpy Photo Thread [577]

The post directly above shall be copied and blown up to a size that even a blind man could read it and posted all over our suburban-ish shack. 😄

History / Pol-Shorpy Photo Thread [577]

They don't call me Mr. Sophistication for nothing😁

At first glance, my sophisticated eye thought the photo was about a guy who has a red claw growing from his finger.

History / Pol-Shorpy Photo Thread [577]

A play on words. A crude way of expressing amazement is to cry out the poetic inquisitively exclamatory phrase: No sh!t?! Here I'm playing on the physicist 's last name to crudely express amazement.

History / Pol-Shorpy Photo Thread [577]


No szczyt?!