Servus said:

Yes. The National Guard is deployed to U.S. cities in response to emergencies or situations where law enforcement authorities need additional support.

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Who gets to “decide” whether the armed services are needed to quell the locals?
And why is it the President?

doubtingmerle said:

Perhaps, if that line was established unfairly, there could be some compensation for those who were unjustly deprived. But, after many generations, who would decide who was deprived unfairly, and what the proper compensation was? It is all quite complex.

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About Native Americans should get back their land and be compensated . . . in at least certain cases there are Native Americans who conquered peoples who were there before they were. The ones who should be owed something could be no longer identifiable. And what went around came around for the Native Americans who considered themselves superior enough to snuff out whoever was before them and take their lands. And who do you believe, about which groups took lands and which didn't . . . if anyone didn't who still is here now??

So . . . I personally am not a real witness to which ones are right, and which ones got the same as their ancestors gave. However . . . we have God now who can guide each of us . . . personally . . . though we might not "quite" correct everyone else.

"Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law." (Romans 13:10)

So-o-o, then > we might not know all the details of God's own law; however, we have what will fulfill His own perfect law > love.

So . . . all we owe is love >

"Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law." (Romans 13:8)

This says "the" law is fulfilled by love. So, may be God's word is saying the "absolute morality" is fulfilled by love.

And in God's word we have plenty of scripture about how to love. This scripture we have through Jesus Christ who is God's own Son who is "the way" to God, Jesus Himself does say in John 14:6. So . . . then . . . I would say > also, Jesus is our one way to real loving, through trusting and obeying Jesus.

There are principles of loving which have been left out of public laws.

For just one example >

"Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation," (and there is more, in Philippians 2:13-16)

Clare73 said:

No obedience means no faith.

The cause of believing in the Son is no more and no less than rebirth by the sovereign choice (as unaccountable as the wind, Jn 3:6-8) of the Holy Spirit (Jn 3:3-5).

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Soyeong said:

James said that he would show his faith through his works, so we embody what we believe through our works and everyone who is a doer of the same works as James believes in the Son. If you came across a rope bridge that someone told you was safe, then the way to believe that it is safe is by crossing the bridge. Someone who is born again is someone who embodies God’s likeness through being a doer of His character traits, which is why those who are not doers of righteous works in obedience to the Mosaic Law are not children of God (1 John 3:4) and why Paul contrasted those who are born of the Spirit with those who have minds set on the flesh who are enemies of God who refuse to submit to the Mosaic Law (Romans 8:4-14).

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Are you agreeing or disagreeing?

Light of the East said:

lack of an condemnation from an ecumenical council (which I must believe as an Orthodox Christian),

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There you go. Universal reconciliation was declared anathema in the Fifth Ecumenical Council.

“If anyone says or thinks that the punishment of demons and impious men is only temporary, and will one day have an end, and that a restoration (ἀποκατάστασις) will take place of demons and impious men, let him be anathema.” Page 465 section IX.”

Servus said:

"emergencies or situations". The situation is the NG is there to protect ICE. Unless ICE is objecting to that, you don't have a case for complaint. ICE is there do do their job, and crazed protesters are going to have to get though the military in order to harm ICE agents. Aww poor crazed protesters. They'll have to put away their rocks, bricks, molotov cocktails, and guns boo hoo hoo.

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Trump dreams of sending the active forces into our cities and will use *any* pretense to do so (i.e. protecting ICE) ....he says so out loud:

"And I told Pete we should use some of these dangerous cities as training grounds for our military — National Guard, but military — because we’re going into Chicago very soon. That’s a big city with an incompetent governor. Stupid governor."

....

"Last month, I signed an executive order to provide training for a quick reaction force that can help quell civil disturbances. This is going to be a big thing for the people in this room because it’s the enemy from within, and we have to handle it before it gets out of control. It won’t get out of control."

Civil disturbances....

.....

"That’s what the oath says, foreign and domestic. Well, we also have domestic. George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Grover Cleveland, George Bush, and others all used the armed forces to keep domestic order and peace."

BCP1928 said:

How excruciating that must of been for them. Talking to them like they were Boy Scouts.

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One recalls that this did happen in Trump 1.0; reviews were “mixed”.

Tuur said:

They went through the normal trials of the time. The COVID-19 vaccines didn't., which is why they were released under emergency authorization.

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Reactions to vaccines typically occur within hours of days from administration. Given that we're 4 years down the road from one of the largest vaccine rollouts in human history, with literally billions of people vaccinated, we would know by now if there was a problem.

You can go and get one - you'll be safe.

essentialsaltes said:

I'm hoping they will enhance the virility and lethality of the brass with a mass beard and mustache shaving.

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Man, you called it!

The shaving thing is directed against the Black soldiers because folliculitis (inflamed beard follicles) is common among them. Most have been allowed to keep a stubble - this was in some military news a short while back.

"And you have animals shooting at them, shooting bullets at firemen that are way up in death territory. You fall off that ladder, it’s over. It’s over."

Where and when?

FAITH-IN-HIM said:

I can read you post so I know you are ok with scientific achievement of internet and computing, but not vaccine!

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No i have a problem with using Biblical accounts about the first advent of Jesus to say Jesus supports vaccines. which was never the purpose of this account. Biblical accounts do not change over the years to line up with science.

[Word Crank on]
not "to spite". Rather, "despite"

I'm sure no one is taking Tylenol "to spite Trump"
[/Word Crank]

Servus said:

From last Sunday:

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He dated a Mormon woman several years ago but he just took off, according to the woman. There are reports that he called the Mormon church the antichrist. One may wonder if Tyler Robinson being a Mormon triggered him

DennisF said:

I do not share your view that anything should be (uncritically) "left to the experts".

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Maybe not.
But they have studied, I have not and I don't have the knowledge to debate with them. (And when it comes to science, quite frankly, I don't want to.)

DennisF said:

There is a scene in the movie Lorentzo's Oil, based on a true-life story, where Lorenzo's parents (Augusto and Michaela Odone - real persons) had been studying for themselves what is causing the leukodystrophy (ALD) that their son has. In a meeting of parents with ALD kids, Augusto announces some positive results in adding erusic acid, from an oil, to his son's diet.

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But they had a strong motive, and interest, in researching to find the cause and possible cure of an illness.
I haven't and didn't.
Covid happened. I did not have the time, or strength, to learn chemistry and find out what drugs/substances might overcome, prevent or cure it.
Hence, trusting the experts.

DennisF said:

Yes, a vaccine; but the mRNA drugs do not meet the definition of a vaccine! - no matter how often they are referred to as such. The emperor has no clothes.

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Sorry but that is a technical difference that means nothing to me.
My only question was whether to get the vaccination or not. I was volunteering in a hospital at the time, and even though they stopped all volunteers from going in, they wouldn't even have considered having me back if I hadn't had it.
Same with the flu vaccine - it's almost compulsory; patients come first.

DennisF said:

Who told you this? CNN? MSNBC? Do some digging, please.

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I've no idea who they are; I'm in the UK.
The vaccine - or whatever you want to call it - came out. My only options were to take it, or not.
As I wanted to be allowed to volunteer - and to visit my mum in a care home - there was no discussion. I simply would not have been able to do those things had I not been vaccinated.

DennisF said:

These experimental mRNA drugs have what accumulating evidence shows are serious side-effects from the S-proteins that the altered genetics causes cells in the body to become S-protein factories to produce.

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I've seen no evidence, or suggestion, that these vaccines could alter DNA.
But it's academic anyhow. I've had 4 Covid vaccines. Not only have I not turned into a lizard, I haven't even had Covid.

Clare73 said:

No. . .obedience to God's commandments is the result of believing in the Son, not the way or cause of believing in the Son.
No obedience means no faith.

The cause of believing in the Son is no more and no less than rebirth by the sovereign choice (as unaccountable as the wind, Jn 3:6-8) of the Holy Spirit (Jn 3:3-5).

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James said that he would show his faith through his works, so we embody what we believe through our works and everyone who is a doer of the same works as James believes in the Son. If you came across a rope bridge that someone told you was safe, then the way to believe that it is safe is by crossing the bridge. Someone who is born again is someone who embodies God’s likeness through being a doer of His character traits, which is why those who are not doers of righteous works in obedience to the Mosaic Law are not children of God (1 John 3:4) and why Paul contrasted those who are born of the Spirit with those who have minds set on the flesh who are enemies of God who refuse to submit to the Mosaic Law (Romans 8:4-14).

Godcrazy said:

Constructive criticism is helping and talking not argue and criticise.

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Amen. We can get into a trusting relationship so the person knows we care about him or her. For me, it helps that I first might point out how I am or have been wrong, and show why and testify to how God has helped me - - - **corrected** me.

Godcrazy said:

Everyone has a "shadow". Meaning negative things. It is what we do with it, and what we do with it when we see it in others. Many times it mirrors ourselves.

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It can be we don't like having competition . . . for our hypocrisy.

Servus said:

What do you mean by war?

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I don’t know. I don’t mean anything by it. These are the president’s words, not mine.

Servus said:

You know what he said, I don't, so please tell me exactly what he said.

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You mean you didn’t watch the propaganda video they prepared for you? They spent all this money and effort bringing all the top brass together and you don’t even bother to watch it?

How disloyal of you.

Servus said:

Yes. The National Guard is deployed to U.S. cities in response to emergencies or situations where law enforcement authorities need additional support.

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Whether they ask for it or not.

What emergencies have the various mayors and governors recently declared that need national guard to support law enforcement?

jameshjr said:

Thank you all for your messages.

I have had a number of jobs before this one, and i am very aware that people will be insulting, awkward, difficult, sarcastic etc. etc. though it has bothered and upset me in the past, it didnt bother me this much.

I have spoken with a few people close to the situation and they think that one of the reasons Jamie's behaviour bothers me so much, is that he is claiming to be a christian. Obviously none of us know what is in the heart of someone else, so i cannot make a judgement on this. My parents and others think that Jamie probably went to church because he wanted to be friends with me, and saw it as an equivalent as going to the gym or pub together.

Also, on timf's reply, that is something i can try to keep in mind, though it is hard when someone is very insulting. I do appreciate that Jesus calls us to that standard and that it is a mans virtue to overlook an offence.

I always think of Jesus's level of forgiveness, when he, God, was being abused on the way to being crucified, and asked the Father to forgive his abusers, and I fall so far short of that standard.

then the passage in Jude that mentions the archangel Michael disputing with Satan for Moses's body, and how Michael said, the Lord rebuke you, and did not condemn the devil. I think how much more holy the angel is than me, and how much worse the devil is than Jamie, yet i still think i have the right to complain about Jamie and harbour bad thoughts towards him. It makes me very glad for Romans 7! i.e. wretched man that i am.

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You have the right to complain, but you don't have the right to harbor bad thoughts (Matthew 5:43-48) but it's good that you're aware of what's going on and trying to fix it.

We are allowed to righteously judge (John 7:24), so when it comes to behavior, we are allowed to judge actions. That's why we have the teachings on wolves in sheeps clothing and false brothers. The point was to show that there ARE false brothers and there ARE wolves within the ranks of the church and so we can protect ourselves.

Luke 6:43-45 (NKJV)​

“For a good tree does not bear bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. For every tree is known by its own fruit. For men do not gather figs from thorns, nor do they gather grapes from a bramble bush. A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.”

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We can know people by their fruit, so it's not a bad thing to judge a person by their character if you are looking at it for the point of being around someone. Essentially, you have every right to not want to be around murderers if you don't want to and that doesn't make you wrong for doing so. God just doesn't want us to judge self-righteously or hypocritically. So if it bothers you that much to be around him, you don't have to be. Some people might want to try and help him, but that doesn't mean you have to.

I'm not saying Jamie is unsaved, he could just be at the beginning stages of faith, but my point is, you can use discernment in what you think is the most Godly thing to do for you. God doesn't want us to put ourselves out there if it's only going to create stumbling blocks for our faith and it looks like right now it is since you're struggling with forgiveness. So regardless, there is nothing wrong with pulling back and saying that this relationship is just not something you are able to spiritually handle right now. Keep your walk with the Lord intact first and foremost. Maybe later on down the line, you might want to revisit, but it sounds like right now, you need a break.

Light of the East said:

and finally, the very character of God upon which to base my opinion.

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This is so important, yes. And we can see the nature of God all throughout the Bible.

Servus said:

My guess is he was an excommunicated member of that particular church.

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That doesn't seem to be the case.

jameshjr said:

He even professes to be a Christian now. However, he has a habit of muttering very disrespectful things under his breath. I have addressed this with him many times over the past year or so,

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It is possible you don't have to listen to him. It depends on what is really going on.

jameshjr said:

and now i am finding it very hard to forgive him and very hard to even be around him.

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Well . . . Jesus makes it easy to forgive. We need to get stronger in Jesus' love so we can be generously forgiving. This is needed first, maybe I mean, maybe > when others still can get the better of us, this can mean I still am not strong like I need to be . . . so then people can't get to me, plus I can forgive them and pray for them and care about them with compassion. So, maybe God will "allow" "things" to keep happening . . . until I get with Him the way I need to. In my case, anyway, it has been like this for me. Once I get it right . . . all of a sudden, even, certain things can disappear, even.

So, if you need real change about forgiving, then it is maybe even likely that you could go somewhere else and the same problem will be ready and waiting. Or, Jamie could be removed, then some other item person would come along.

It might have been like this with our Apostle Paul > 2 Corinthians 12:7-15 < have you read and fed on Paul's "thorn in the flesh" experience?

My take is his "thorn" was a demon who had various powers to work Paul over like a boxer using jabs and swings and combinations to test and wear out his opponent and then get to him through his weak spots. And Paul was getting pretty displeased at how things could get to Paul who was supposed to be so strong and mature and our so great of a church leader and example.

And Jesus would not quick-fix it.

Paul had to discover how to live in God's grace which would give him almighty rest plus our Creator's creativity for how to take advantage of any trouble and use it for God's all-loving good > > > **n-o-t** only to make things nicer to Paul.

So, may be you have something in common with our great Apostle Paul!

jameshjr said:

It is at the point where it is affecting the business adversely and i am strongly considering leaving the family business.

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How do you mean this? Is Jamie saying things against other people and this is causing you to lose business? Or, do you mean he is distracting to you? Or both??

Anyway, now you have us praying for you. Let us know, please, how you are doing. What helps you could help me and others, too, you know.

Servus said:

Yes. The National Guard is deployed to U.S. cities in response to emergencies or situations where law enforcement authorities need additional support.

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They were sent by the POTUS. The governors of CA and OR did not request Federal assistance. Nor was it needed.

ThatRobGuy said:

https://www.politico.com/news/2025/09/30/pfizer-trump-strike-drug-pricing-deal-00587993

President Donald Trump has struck a multi-pronged deal with pharmaceutical giant Pfizer to lower the price of some of the company’s medicines, while clearing a path for the drugmaker to receive a three-year reprieve from certain tariffs.

The drugmaker will participate in a new direct purchasing platform named TrumpRx.gov that will let American patients buy a “large majority” of its primary care treatments and “some select specialty brands” at a discount. Those drugs will be offered at “savings that will range as high as 85% and on average 50%,” Pfizer said in a press release Tuesday.


The deal comes after Trump demanded that 17 of the largest drugmakers voluntarily offer their medicines at levels similar to what they charge other nations.

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I hope it brings production here.

Bradskii said:

And the killer was a God fearing man and regular church goer (no true Scotsman, please - we're all sinners remember). And a Trump supporter. But...

...he didn't shoot people because he was Christian or because there were no ten commandments hanging in his school classroom or because his politics were right wing. I hope that's clear to everyone.

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Psychiatry is probably to blame. Either that or straws.

Steve Bannon has cooked up a new explanation for what may have driven a supporter of President Donald Trump to massacre people at a Mormon Church in Michigan.

The MAGA commentator, who was once a White House strategist in the first Trump administration, said that “psychotic drugs” may be why Thomas Sanford fatally shot two people and burned three others alive.

“I think these shooters this weekend were also on these psycho, you know, the psychotic drugs,” Bannon said on his show Monday. “We’ve let the psychiatry industry basically poison the minds and the bodies with drugs. We have a massive problem that is the foundational element of the violence atop.”

sfs said:

A variety of first principles have been proposed in different threads. Please state a first principle that you think prevents evolution of higher forms of life (whatever exactly they might be).

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? The most violated First Principle by evolutionist is the first one. See Post#4 below.

o_mlly said:

The very first of the First Principles of philosophy (which are self-evident) simply put is that a being cannot give that which it does not already possess. (The principle of Sufficient Reason).

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____________________________________________

o_mlly said:

Could secondary causes explain higher orders of life? Of course they could. IFF the Creator in the lowest order of life created the potential to do so.

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The assumption that evolution is driven by random mutations has been challenged by recent research. Equally assumable is that mutations are directed. "Directed mutation" solves several problems with the neo-Darwinian theory.

"Evolution "On Purpose": Teleonomy in Living Systems" (The MIT Press).

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.shpsc.2007.09.010
"Bacteria are small but not stupid: cognition, natural genetic engineering and socio-bacteriology" (ScienceDirect).

Of course, identifying the "Director", like the "Intelligent Designer", would be problematic for secular materialists but not for Christians.