[serious]

how am I supposed to take a "live and let live" approach to politics and discussing politics when many orders of magnitude of lives and livelihoods are on the line?

How can I agree to disagree, valuing my friendship or facile civility over the possibility of destroying others' rights, happiness, justice?

Krellin, can jet fuel melt steel beams?

Well, I was talking to a fellow webdipper the other day...to keep it anonymous, let's call him "SoBux"....and this SoBux was telling me with tear-filled eyes about his experiences. It seems that even just this last Christmas our friend had a very special gift in mind that he hoped beyond all hope would appear under his Christmas tree. Now, this gift...this silky little gift that he knew would fit *just so* and make him feel special...well, he didn't quite feel right putting it on his wish list for old Ma and Pa
Bux but...well, he had tried it on one day in the "dirty store" and just couldn't let another season pass without it in his drawers to wear on those certain nights.

So one day, finding himself in the mall he thought that if anyone could fulfill this need and make his Christmas all that it could be, it would be Santa, who's magic fulfilled every little boy and girl's dream, or so he had heard.

Unfortunately, the Santa line was excessively long, and more importantly filled with screaming snot-nosed children and he this wasn't exactly a gift he felt comfortable requesting in front of all those judgemental mothers and all that.

He walked the mall for an hour, torn as to what to do, when finally the notice came over the loud speaker that the mall was closing, and with sadness he watched the gates to the stores drop, and the people began milling out into the parking lot. With sadness, he hung his head low and followed them out, whereupon he sat in his car, lit up a "special smoke", and considered his problems.

It was at that very moment that the magic of Christmas fell upon SoBux as Santa himself came wandering through the parking lot, taking a deep pull from a little bottle that quickly disappeared into his red coat. He watched Santa as the haze of his smoke filled his brain with delight and confusion, and to his wonder Santa stumbled right up next to his car, and began unlocking the passenger door to the little red rusty Pinto parked next to So. The key seemed seemed to get stuck in the door, and Santa barked a harsh word at the car, lamenting that it couldn't fly, let alone open to let him in, and that's when So's brain cooked up a scheme.

He rolled down his window and whispered, "Santa...?", to which the fat man turned to him and grimaced.
"What?! My driver's door won't open...and now my key's stuck and....what do you want, anyway!?!" he barked.

So was taken aback at Santa's seeming rage, but, determined to work his plan through, he explained that he had a Christmas wish, and wondered if Santa might not listen to him, though they were but alone in the parking lot on a cold winter night instead of the bit of North Pole found in the mall.

Santa's rage melted from his face -- obvious the prospect of but a bit more Christmas cheer lightened his mood - and he smiled, wide and toothy, and said, "Sure kid...but it's a bit chilly here, don't you think? Slide on over, let me in..."

And So, delighted that his wish was about to be filled, started to open the door. "Wait...I've got a better idea!" So said, and climbed out of the car and open the rear door to his large SUV. "There's much more room back here...so maybe we'll have enough for me to still sit on your lap...if....if that's OK?"

And Santa's smile grew even wider, if that were possible.

And so shortly thereafter, with Christmas joy playing over the satellite radio, Bo sat upon Santa's lap, and Santa's arms wrapped around the young man and...well...it seems that converation went on for quite some time, as So tells it, and Santa told So - and he believed - that the most special magic that Santa can give only happens when little boys give a little love in return...

That Christmas, So was more anxious than he had ever been to search under the family Christmas tree, certain that a package labeled "From Santa, with Love..." would be hidden amongst the boxes, and even that night Bo would sleep fast in the embrace of silky perfection.

Well...though the story has been filled with magic and love to this point...sadly, Bo's hopes were unfulfilled...and it seems that Santa wasn't as much a man of magic as he was just a grabby old...well...no need to be insulting. I think you get the jist.

If there were a Santa - and I certainly wish there were - would he allow such a thing?

Then again...cheap tawdry negligees? From the North Pole? One would think the elves have their hands will with wooden trucks and goo-goo dolls.

So I guess what I'm saying is, the jury is still out.

Valis- - stand by. I'll get back to you.

@DEmonOverlord - Of course jet fuel can't melt steel. But the hellish heat produced when jet fuel burns....much like the hellish fire used to melt steel when it is formed into steel beams - can certainly do the job, especially when burning in an enclosed environment where the heat is contained.

The notion that steel is some magic substance that simply appears by god-like magic out of factories in the desired form for asuited purpose without man applying man-made fires to shape and form it is...well....those are the thoughts that only simpletons have, much again to the belief that mellenials deserve a damned thing, or that Russia would choose an unstable maniac who's itchy trigger finger is hovering over the "Go To War" button as their preferred foe.

Silliness.

Krellin, are you sure jet fuel can melt steel beams?
Because jet fuel burns at a maximum of 1500 degrees Fahrenheit, but steel starts to melt at 2750 degrees Fahrenheit. Or so I've been told.

Did you even read his response Vashta. Smh

@Valis "how am I supposed to take a "live and let live" approach to politics and discussing politics when many orders of magnitude of lives and livelihoods are on the line?"

uhhhh.....I think that it would be easy to take a "live and let live" attitdue to discussing politics, as your ability to form a coherent sentence is....uh.....lacking, and this question leaves more confusion and questions than it does lead one to an answer.

But on a serious note, what does friendship have to do with politics? Why do you think that your ability to go get a burger and fries, or play a silly game with a good friend is in any dependent upon what you or he think about politics?

Putting aside my general snarkiness and derision towards...well, towards all, frankly...I think that you need to put aside this notion there is any link between the two subjects.

I have strong political beliefs, and I generally believe them to be spot on and true. But I'd be a dick and a liar if I said the views I have today are the same I had even a few years ago. And I'd be an arrogant delusional cunt I tried to tell you with a straight face that the views I stumbled upon today are exactly those I will hold in a few years.

IN other words....seriously...who the hell do you think you are that you think your opinion -- which probably IS NOT the same as me -- is of any value to anyone other than yourself such that you would put aside the joy of human relationships because of it.

Maybe you'd do better to shut the fuck up and listen to others every now and then...and I don't mean "Prepare my come back while so-and-so is talking"...but I mean actually listen to them and see where they are coming from. It's actaully possible for two people to 100% disagree on something, but each have an actual decent moral standing for their belief. One of them is probably wrong...that being the one that disagrees with me...but if they actually have a thought-out belief system (as opposed to being just some thoughtless brainwashed dick parotting what they heard on CNN), then you kind of an asshole to put your friendship on the line.

Brainbomb is a raving lunatic and I'd rather bury my foot three feet up his anus than be subjected to his politics. But I glad I know where he comes from and what he thinks so that I know my enemy and can defeat him.

And I'd love to buy the loser a beer and a burger some day.

Quit being such an arrogant dick. Got it? You aren't right most of the time, probably. I suspect you're a raving liberal nutbag who thinks anyone who opposes you should be silenced or worse...and it's exactly the dicks like you that are destroying this country from within.

Do real men accept three way draws?

VASHTA -- coal doesn't burn hot enough to melt steel either....but OH MY GOD....it seems history is full of steel weapons formed either by magic, or the burning of coal in a special environment....let's say and ENCLOSED environment, where the heat can build upon itself.

Are you SERIOUSLY that demented?

@Deinodon. If you don't die trying for the victory, you are a puss-sucking asshole/bitch. You don't even come close to wearing the label "man" or "woman" (to be sensitive to all those present). Why the fuck play a game if your objective is to get half way there theough struggles and deep planning only to say, "Meh....I guess this is TOOOOO HARDDDDDD..." and quit with a draw.

I suppose you are one of those pathetic little losers with a bedroom shelf full of "Participation Trophies" that you are ACTUALLY proud of...

Get the fuck out of here. You disgust me.

Should I feel ashamed of myself?

Asked and answered. But I love you anyway, silly boy.

But if you insist I elaborate.....

No....no I can't do it. That special night we had....it's ours. And ours alone and I won't share it with the world.

That thing....with your tongue? Is that genetic? Or was it surgically modified? <shivers down my spine...>

WOOT WOOT!

I actually am pretty good with my tongue

It's got some reach...hee hee..

Call me slippery pete from now on.

Is god a man or a woman?

Yes

Hahaha. What on Earth is this?

Joan Osborne admitted to being God in 1996

I slipped her the ole tonguebomb too

@civwarbuff -- occassioanlly, the good citizens of WenDip should take what wisdom they possess in far superior quantities and qualities above the little people they mingle among and spread it to the deficient, in hopes that they might be lifted, in whatever small steps they are able to take, in hopes that all might be as enlightened.

I do this service for you all out of the kindness of my post-surgery, drug-addled brain.

Brain, you are a delightful devil.

I just ate tons of stew and carrots. I feel like admitting I am totally a glutton

@Vashta - You are mistaking high quality steel with the cheaper version from China that lowest cost bidders use to make a profit like Trump.

I'm looking for ways to spice of my muscat-poached pears for christmas. I've added candied pecans and a lavender egg-cream, but still can't figure out what it's missing. What would you suggest?