buzz wrote: 

 Zep wrote: 



trying to get back on topic? you MUST be new here.

Is Kurt still in this forum? Did he bail? 


Kurt! Yo KURTSTER! Get in here and clean up this mess! 

He started this party with a discussion on "the Pursuit of Happiness" in the context of the Declaration of Independence. That particular phrase replaced "Life, Liberty, and Property" in earlier drafts, signifying that property was equated with happiness. "Property" is more than chattel; it is the freedoms that accrued to the individual under natural law. "We hold these truths to be self-evident," the founders proclaimed, arguing that personal freedoms could not be taken away not just by the King, but by any mortal. 

Is there a "war" on personal rights? Who is waging this battle? And is it reasonable to expect that no change in the assessment of freedoms cannot have happened over 230 years? If we are to allow that, then we also allow our concept of natural law has been altered, perhaps irrevocably. Did this happen due to an enlightened treatment of women, slaves, and minorities? Was it also prompted by a much smaller, crowded world, one where land rights must be tempered by impacts on neighbors? 

I think this is the concept of happiness on which Kurt was seeking discussion. The founders would be puzzled by modern lamentations of personal happiness, which would fall squarely in the realm of priests, ministers, and God. 
 

 hippiechick wrote: 



Remember this the next time you get upset by something someone says to you.

 BlueHeronDruid wrote: 
How you took it is up to you. These are the kinds of discussions that my friends and I have. 

 BlueHeronDruid wrote: 
The sounds of battle must be loud to get you up at this hour.

 hippiechick wrote: 


There is no pain and suffering in my life. There was, however, you telling me succinctly and boldly how it is. So I am calling bullshit on the "I thought we were having a discussion" part. You will neither accept nor acknowledge this.

 Zukiwi wrote: 
Millions of people have found inner peace from the teachings of these 2 men, including myself. I have given Eckhart Tolle's book to many people and it has helped several, including the man I live with. Tolle himself admits that he didn't make this stuff up, he is just pointing the way, and the Dalai Lama says if it doesn't work for you, forget it. I am just sharing the information.

The ego is so strong that even a discussion about its diminishment causes people to feel threatened, because, if you are not this and that, who and what are you.

I thought I was having a philosophical discussion until the nastiness started. So whatever people. If your pain and suffering has taken over your life, or you just want to learn how to live a different kind of life, pick up the book, or study Buddhism. There are other tried and true methods. Whatever works for you, helps to bring you inner peace. That is all. 

 MsJudi wrote: 
oh, that's very different. nevermind.

 buzz wrote: 
That's yoga, you silly.

Yes, yes it's getting very late.

 MsJudi wrote: 
i'll come as long as you don't serve food made with togafu or make us stand in weird toga positions
 
 
 
its getting late 

 buzz wrote: 
That sounds like something Belushi would say.
Well, except for the speedball thing.

WTF would someone do that?

Oh well.

 buzz wrote: 
No, but now I want to host a toga party.

 buddy wrote: 
What? Over? Did you say "over"? Nothing is over until we decide it is! Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor? Hell no! 
 
 
nobody's been called a nazi yet 

 Zukiwi wrote: 

Well said. I was trying to say that earlier, but stumbled around it.

 Zukiwi wrote: 

Good to see you back! 

 buzz wrote: 
Fixed it for ya.

 RASPUTIN wrote: 
kinda like this place...an echo system

 aflanigan wrote: 

it is for my soon to be ex husband.  
carry on with the carnage...  

 hippiechick wrote: 
One day you'll graduate from grade school and won't have a problem communicating with the big kids.