Posts by Anthony Garcia19

silentridge3 said:The thread titled

New gender-chauvinist project of fake gender advocates

..has been locked due to a "violation of forum rules" regarding the title.

Could someone please explain? Which rules were broken, and how did this title trigger it?

Thanks in advance.

I'm curious too. I actually just finished typing out my reply when I got hit with the notification: "Sorry, this thread has been locked." 😢

Sure, maybe the title was a bit much, but couldn't they have just asked me to tone it down instead of shutting the whole thing down immediately? 🤷

Maria Booth said:Totally with you on this! Honestly, those hardcore animal activists drive me nuts. Like, I get it, people love their pets, but why on earth do you care what someone else does with theirs? If someone wants to put an animal down, that's their call. Nobody should be sticking their nose in.
Pretty soon we'll have people protesting over BBQ season too. 🙄

You make killing sound way too easy, and you aren't the only one thinking that way.
Still, if most people actually had to slaughter their own livestock just to eat, they'd change their tune pretty fast. It's easy to act like it's "fine" when you just look away and pretend the meat on your plate isn't connected to killing sentient, feeling creatures... I'm not sure what's worse: the constant looking away or the killing itself.
Unlike you, I genuinely hope that kind of slaughtering eventually stops altogether... 😢

bluecobra27 said:It's because kids cry easily; to them, a broken toy is basically the end of the world. This whole thing is a sad little story, sure, but ultimately irrelevant. Personally, I don't even see why I should care about it, other than the fallout that happened after that guy showed up with dead puppies.

Like I said before, if it were ever proven that he killed those puppies on purpose, then yeah, he deserves a massive punishment. But based on everything here, this looks like a straight-up accident. He obviously messed up by carrying those pups in a closed bag, but staging some kind of public witch hunt against him is just insane—and it's all because of dead dogs. Then someone has the nerve to try and draw comparisons, asking if he’d carry his own kids in a closed bag. Give me a break. Things happen. When idiots leave their kids in a hot car in the middle of a Texas summer and face the consequences (hopefully), I don't recall people starting a mob over it. Look, if it were a dead child, I'd understand the outrage and the lynching mentality. But not this.

To be honest, the kind of people who put a dog and a child on the same level when talking about the value of life actually scare me. And I'm not just talking about kids—I mean people in general.

Why is it so easy for them to cry? Because they’re still sensitive. Most of us adults have just grown hard, and honestly, our sense of what actually matters gets pretty warped over time.

To a kid, those toys are real. They represent their whole world, and since their imagination is limitless, losing a toy feels like losing a piece of reality itself.

I'm genuinely scared of people who try to weigh a dog against a child when it comes to the value of life. It's not just about kids—it's about people in general.

Don't be scared. If you truly love animals, you love life in all its different forms, and that includes humans too. 🙂

Frank Moore4 said:Look, honey, I've had cats, I've had cows, I've even had goats, and I still remember them all vividly today. If you've got this preconceived notion that us pragmatic folks are just heartless, that's on you, not me.

I wasn't the one who started this...

And honestly, what you call "prejudices" might actually be true. Just take a second and think about it. There’s a really great, well-known book on this exact topic: food for peace by W. Tuttle. If you want to get to know the "enemy" better and move past those biases (like mine!), I highly recommend it!

Best,

Anthony Garcia19

Frank Moore4 said:I’d bet anything you’ve never actually owned a cow, a goat, a dog, a pig, or a chicken. Well, I have, and I can tell you I loved them a hell of a lot more than those "animal lovers" ever could. Honestly, those types don't even love animals; they just hate people. I’m seriously curious if Luke Oman has ever milked a cow, helped with a calving, or even prepared a bale of hay.

I think you did love them. Especially when you were a kid. That kind of love is selfless. But once someone starts living off animals in a material sense, they can't really talk about "love" anymore. Sure, you can try to minimize their suffering or make things easier for them, but there’s no true love where exploitation is involved...

I’m not sure who Luka Oman is—maybe an activist for some animal rights group? It doesn't really matter if he's milked a cow or not. The bigger question is how someone can feed an animal every day, take its milk, help it give birth to calves, and then, once it stops producing milk, send it straight to a slaughterhouse...

Don't get me wrong, I'm not judging a farmer who's just doing his job because that's all he knows or how he survives. I get it. I just don't want to hear you call that kind of relationship "love"...

By the way, I have a cat, so I know a thing or two. Though I guess to you, a cat isn't a "real" animal, so I’m probably totally uncultured compared to someone who grew up with cows...

Best, let's just agree to disagree before I lose my cool! 🙂

bluecobra27 said:Animals can be abused, and whoever does that should answer for it, just like someone who scratches my car.

Every life has value. Personally, I especially value the lives of those animals that provide the best meat. And yeah, absolutely everything in this world exists for humans. Of course, exploiting everything around us needs to be done rationally, because if we don't take care of the planet, we won't have anything left to exploit.

The fact that a few dogs died is a sad little story that might make a kid cry, but it isn't something this man and his family should be subjected to, being insulted by unstable fanatics.

Oh, there are definitely militant animal defenders out there. Like all fanatics, they don't actually love animals as much as they hate people. Thank God here in the States things have stayed at this level so far, but you shouldn't be surprised if some unstable idiot eventually decides there are too many human pests and starts demanding a radical reduction in the human population.

I see we aren't seeing eye to eye. Not surprising, since very few people actually hold an eco-centric view of the world...

Before I head out, I'll leave you with one question. Why do you think such an event is a heartbreaking tragedy for children, yet just a non-issue for you (and most adults)? Don't you think kids might intuitively feel that natural connection between all living things on Earth—something we adults have completely forgotten while subordinating nature to our own selfish needs?

Frank Moore4 said:Are you seriously calling the accidental death of a few dogs "abuse"? You're comparing that to what those radical animal activists—who are basically just haters at this point—actually do.

The term works fine. Animals can be abused, too.

Life is life. It's a miracle of nature or, if you prefer, a miracle from God. We should respect that. This whole human-centered worldview—where animals are seen as less valuable than us, or just tools to serve our needs—is going to ruin everything. Honestly, in our arrogance and greed, most of us don't even see it coming yet.

Look, maybe that guy was wrongly accused of something he didn't mean to do, but brushing off the death of several dogs as "no big deal" is just plain wrong.

Sorry, but your comment on Zekoslavov's post really rubbed me the wrong way. I had to say something, even though I have zero connection to any animal rights groups. And please—there's no such thing as "militant" animal lovers, with or without the quotes. You can't love animals too much! Just like you can't love anyone or anything too much. You just love them.

ironsailor22 said:I get into arguments with my family doctor every single time I ask for stronger painkillers, but he just refuses to prescribe them. Everyone talks about how pain needs to be managed and how patients shouldn't have to suffer, yet our healthcare system does absolutely nothing about it. You get your patches, and that’s it. Nobody even cares if they actually work or not. We’re living in the 21st century, and despite all the scientific breakthroughs, people are still dying in agony like it's the Middle Ages.

😢

We’ve had a very similar experience.

Even though my mother was in the hospital under constant medical supervision, nobody seemed to notice her pain was getting much worse.
In fact, during those last fifteen days, she completely lost her voice. I could only hear her if I pressed my ear right against her mouth, and eventually, even that wasn't possible. She couldn't tell anyone how much she was hurting or that the painkillers she'd been getting weren't cutting it anymore. She just suffered in silence until she finally managed to signal us, and only then did we step in. Even then, the patches they gave her barely helped—the pain stayed intense. With all those daily rounds by the staff, it never occurred to anyone to actually lean down to a terminal patient and ask if their dosage needed an increase...

I really hope the info from slyseal28 helps you and that things get at least a little bit better... 😢

Nancy Hernandez43 said:I'm not great at putting things into words, but my mom and I never really had a close bond. So when she got her diagnosis, I felt like I was losing someone who had just finally reached out to me without giving me a chance to truly know her first. Our talks were long, sad, heavy, and filled with tears and anger. All those emotions wore her down. It wasn't until I stood my ground and said, "I won't stay silent about this sadness," that she found her confidence again and the fight actually started.

I get it.

Just try to imagine if she hadn't said anything at all—if she’d kept her illness and her pain hidden the whole time. You might never have gotten this close. There would have been so many moments where you wouldn't understand why she was reacting the way she was, and worst of all, you wouldn't have had the chance to help boost her spirits when she needed it most.

You did it. Or rather, this is a win for both of you because you chose to be open and trust each other. That’s honestly the best thing we can give and receive during times like this.

I think I finally see why it will always be hard for me—because I didn't get the chance to be right there by her side, lifting her up and fueling her fighting spirit. Since I don't know the mental and psychological toll she went through, I couldn't share that burden with her. Even though I'm incredibly grateful and I respect her massive heart, her noble motives, and the strength she used to carry this heavy load alone for so long, I still feel like it was a mistake. People who love each other should have to go through this together.

It’s already so hard—the struggle feels endless. Her fear is so intense that even a simple blood draw turns into seven days of pure drama. Every time there's a scan or an appointment, the anxiety lasts for seven days and nights straight until it's time to leave. We haven't just built a relationship; from everything I've experienced, I can say I love, respect, and adore her. I admire her so much, but I won't force her into anything she isn't ready for.

I've been going through something very similar lately (actually, I'm in the middle of it right now, as doctors have been struggling for weeks to figure out what's wrong with me), so I know how it feels. There are moments when the fear is so overwhelming you can't breathe or even bring yourself to open a medical report envelope. In those moments, my husband and daughter are my rock—just having them there means everything. Please know that being there for your mom means the world to her. You're doing this together, and that matters.🙂

Nancy Hernandez43 said:Unfortunately, what’s done is done, and there's nothing we can do to change it now.

Sure, but maybe we didn't quite see eye to eye...

Even though I was talking about my own life, I was thinking more broadly. Just because I can't change my past doesn't mean someone else can't change things for the future. I'm not saying everyone should think like me regarding how much to share during those tough times, but I really believe we should tackle these issues head-on as a society instead of dodging them. It would help so many people. When things get critical, making decisions isn't easy, and sometimes they end up being the wrong ones.

My mom had her first cancer diagnosis back when I was just a kid. She didn't tell a soul; she just packed up and left, and I honestly thought she was just going on a normal trip. Once everything was public, I found out it was benign—she just didn't want to weigh us down. Fast forward 10 years from that incident... we're facing a diagnosis that still haunts us today. From the start, it was clear we were in for a massive fight; it was just a matter of time. We had these long, heavy, emotional talks... they wore us down more and more. Now, four years later, Mom is still here. Things are stable for now, but after everything she’s been through, all that pain and fear... I don't push back against any of her decisions, nor do I even argue about them.

I agree. Honestly, I think I’d do the exact same thing in your shoes.

Maybe I'm off base, but it feels like the bond you have now is actually the result of those intense, difficult conversations you and your mom had early on. You mentioned they drained you, but I truly believe they strengthened you. They're likely why you have such a solid relationship today. Correct me if I'm wrong...

Since you've fought so hard these last four years, I know you'll keep fighting. I'm rooting for you both to come out on top!

No, I know it's incredibly hard when this whole process happens so fast, unexpectedly, and painfully... but one day you'll be a mother yourself, and you'll recognize her decision instantly!

Hang in there!

I see you thought I was pretty young (probably because I was talking about my mom, and let's face it, we're always kids in those moments!), but I've actually been a mom for a very, very long time...

Stay strong! 🙂

Nancy Hernandez43 said:Sometimes you have to tell stories like this just to remind everyone how hard our patients struggle on their own. We can be selfish in our desire to keep them here as long as possible, even though the decision belongs primarily to them.

Don't take this the wrong way—not everyone is ready for a brutal fight, and it’s incredibly hard to wrap your head around why they're the ones going through this.

Sadly... when your mother passes, a part of you goes with her. But you can be proud of her bravery, even if she didn't share that burden with you.

And unfortunately, there are no rules. Young, old, children... no two cases are ever truly the same, only similar. No one can predict exactly how much a body can endure.

So please, don't forget to look after yourself too. Keep your mom in your heart. She left too soon, but she isn't gone forever.

I've spent a lot of time thinking about why people turn down treatment. Sure, sometimes it's an escape from the reality of being seriously ill, but more often, it's a lack of trust in doctors and medications, or a fear of hospitals and all the diagnostic tests. It doesn't mean they aren't brave. In fact, I think it takes a different kind of courage—the kind shown by those who want to live life to the fullest until the very end, prioritizing quality over quantity.

I know it's a personal choice that deserves respect, but man, it hurts. Especially when you realize your loved one was hiding the truth from you until the end. You know they were trying to spare you the pain, and they succeeded (since you didn't know at the time), but I think it's a huge loss for both sides—for the one leaving and the one left behind.

Usually, after all that secrecy, there isn't enough time left to say goodbye properly. I mean real, honest conversations about the past, present, and future that help ease the soul and make the parting easier. When you're just waiting for the end, it happens fast. Often the patient is already in the hospital, and a sterile hospital room isn't exactly the best place for a deep, personal talk...

I feel like we should all think about these things while we're still healthy and strong. It would help both ourselves and our families when those inevitable moments arrive. It's hard to think rationally once you first realize or suspect you're seriously ill. This kind of reflection should be a normal part of life, rather than a topic most people just avoid.

And thank you for the kind words about my mom. I've always been so proud of her, and I truly believe this goodbye isn't permanent.🙂

Michelle Fowler38,

It all really comes down to when the cancer is caught. Usually, this type of cancer develops pretty slowly, often starting as polyps that gradually turn from benign growths into something malignant—it's a long process. What you heard is right, too—it tends to move slower in older folks, but that doesn't mean much if someone waits too long to see a doctor.

The priority right now is getting your grandfather in for all his tests as soon as possible. They need to see if the carcinoma has broken through the intestinal wall or spread to other parts of the body. After that, just stay brave and fight. The most important thing is not losing heart.

My mom, unfortunately, didn't catch it in time. It was a perfect storm of bad timing—she was so busy taking care of her dying grandfather that she neglected her own health. By the time the symptoms really kicked in, she had already accepted the idea that it was too late, and she made the choice not to seek treatment. She kept the truth from us for a long time, but we eventually started suspecting something was wrong because she was so weak—loss of appetite, severe anemia, that kind of thing. No matter how much we pleaded or worried, we couldn't convince her to get checked out. One day she just said: "Why bother going? So they can tell me what I already know?" My blood ran cold right then. I realized she’d known for a while, but she didn't want to burden us, and knowing her, she truly believed it was too late. Two weeks later, she wasn't able to live independently anymore, and that's when she finally had to see a doctor. She passed away exactly one month after that first appointment, and a part of me went with her.

I wish things had been different—that she hadn't hidden the truth and had fought it. But she was a special person, strong and selfless, always more comfortable giving than receiving. She carried her struggles internally, always with a smile, never wanting to be a burden to anyone...

It still hurts that she wouldn't let us help carry her load. I find myself looking for my own mistakes, wondering where I failed or why she thought I was too weak to handle it... Reading this thread, I realize I was spared the heavy burdens and sacrifices that Angela Wright and many others here have faced while caring for loved ones for months or even years. But I don't think I'll ever find peace with it, because she left so alone, even though we loved her so much...

Sorry if I'm overwhelming you with my story (and everyone else's too), I just got carried away... I don't know how old you are, but right now, it’s so important to spend as much time with your grandfather as possible. Talk about everything, including his illness, if he's up for it. He needs support, and this is your chance to get close to him and do something beautiful. Don't miss it!

Good luck!

Jose Miller6 said:You insult anyone who disagrees with you, calling their thoughts nothing but rambling
and stupidity. You’re driving away everyone here who actually knows more than you do. And as for insulting anyone's intelligence? Don't worry, that's not something you could ever manage to do.

I'm posting here for the first time, even though I've been lurking for days.

I started from page one and worked my way through to page 100-something, and I honestly haven't seen a single post from Angela Wright that felt even remotely insulting. If that was the vibe for the first hundred pages, I doubt the next two hundred are any different. A truly empathetic and selfless person doesn't just suddenly turn into someone who, quote, "insults everyone they meet."

I want to believe your intentions (and Robert Nelson82's too) on this thread are pure—because that's what this space deserves. I also realize it isn't easy to step out of your bubble and see things from the perspective of people living a completely different reality. Anyone working in healthcare, especially doctors, has a certain level of privilege when it comes to their own health or their family's. It makes it tough to truly grasp the desperation and helplessness an average person feels when facing a scary diagnosis and existential dread, especially when met with clinical indifference.

Having people with medical expertise chime in here is incredibly helpful. But it shouldn't come at the expense of belittling or dismissing the contributions of the non-medical folks. Especially those who have been here since day one and have done so much good.

This wonderful thread deserves to be a place for mutual support, understanding, and kindness—not a battlefield.

In Boise, the wait time is about two and a half months—at least, that’s what I found out when I checked last week.

Peter Baker57 said:Let me clarify 😁

...I couldn't care less how much money someone else (anyone besides me and my inner 😁) has, what they’ll get next, or if they even need more. In fact, I think everyone should spend less time worrying about other people's bank accounts and a little more on their own. The only exception where I tolerate this kind of "poking around" 😁 is when there's an obvious lack of ethics involved in how that wealth was acquired....

Of course, my stance is heavily influenced by an environment where, after hurling all sorts of insults at entrepreneurs and the rest of them , everyone suddenly starts sucking up to them. Naturally, I'm the black sheep here 😁
.
Get it now??

Unless they also don't care about people.

Regarding this low-flying 😁 intellectual commentary, I'll quote a line from a song: "...because the rich will look out for themselves anyway..." 🙂

As for this forum version of a neo-classical synthesis—this strange symbiosis of capitalism and socialism (honestly, 😁 the tough guys would be turning in their graves)—I'll pass on commenting.

I just want to make one thing clear: don't go thinking I view you all as immature; some of you simply lack the necessary information.🙂

Anyway, wishing you all plenty of health and, of course, money.😁🙂

Regarding this low-flying 😁 intellectual commentary, I'll quote a line from a song: "...because the rich will look out for themselves anyway..." 🙂

As for this forum version of a neo-classical synthesis—this strange symbiosis of capitalism and socialism (honestly, 😁 the tough guys would be turning in their graves)—I'll pass on commenting.

I just want to make one thing clear: don't go thinking I view you all as immature; some of you simply lack the necessary information.🙂

Anyway, wishing you all plenty of health and, of course, money.😁🙂

Regarding this low-flying 😁 intellectual commentary, I'll quote a line from a song: "...because the rich will look out for themselves anyway..." 🙂

As for this forum version of a neo-classical synthesis—this strange symbiosis of capitalism and socialism (honestly, 😁 the tough guys would be turning in their graves)—I'll pass on commenting.

I just want to make one thing clear: don't go thinking I view you all as immature; some of you simply lack the necessary information.🙂

Anyway, wishing you all plenty of health and, of course, money.😁🙂
I understood from the get-go, and I'm sticking with my original answer.

You're making a mistake by equating criticism of wealth concentration with simple envy or "poking around in someone else's pockets." If you actually look at this thread, there are plenty of solid points being made that prove otherwise.

Insulting entrepreneurs deserves a rebuke—just like any other kind of insults! But honestly, letting emotions cloud your judgment is never a good move.

Speaking of that low-flying thing... 😁 Just some food for thought from a song I heard recently: "...because the wealthy are going to look out for themselves anyway..." 🙂

That was my doing.
I just want everyone to be doing well.

As for this forum version of neoclassic synthesis—which feels like this weird mashup of capitalism and socialism—I honestly think the tough guys would have some thoughts on it. 😁 Turning in his grave—I'm just not even going to go there.
Just wanted to jump in and clarify something. I don't want anyone thinking I’m dismissing these topics as immature—it’s really just that some of you are missing a few key pieces of information.🙂

I don't bother listening to the tough guy; I prefer using my own head. If you've got any critiques regarding my "weird symbiosis," feel free to send them my way—as long as they're coming from a good place.

Take care, everyone. Wishing you all nothing but good health and plenty of money!😁🙂

Right back at you! Given where we are and the times we're living in, I think we could all use a little extra good vibes right about now.

Peter Baker57 said:Actually, you're the one drifting off-topic, not me.

And it isn't just funny—it's mindless. Why waste endless breath debating "how much money someone actually needs"? I couldn't care less how much cash someone is sitting on or what they plan to do with it. It's all the same to me.

They say "a happy man is hard to convince," but looking at this thread, it seems the opposite is also true.

😁

Realistically, if you don't care about wealth, you aren't going to support a system built entirely around it. Unless, of course, you care about people more.

Rachel Cruz11 said:It’s actually quite simple. These people only find happiness if they have more and more... than everyone else. They seem fundamentally broken... they've lost their way... they don't know any other way to live... and they don't want to... money and wealth have become their entire identity.

You don't even need to look at millionaires or billionaires... just observe everyday life where people are constantly competing... over who has the better car, the better clothes, or the newest iPhone... just material things. For the average person, having a little extra is plenty... enough to share happiness with family... to help someone else... to give what they have instead of stepping on others to get ahead...

Technology and the endless stream of new gadgets have just created more things for people to compete over just to feel better about themselves. And in the process, they forget that true happiness should be found outside of material possessions...

Rachel Cruz11@

Just sharing my two cents here. I'd only mention that tech progress doesn't really change the core issue. It's great having tools that make life easier and free up our time. Without those advances, we'd have even less chance to realize where we should actually be looking for real happiness! 🙂

Karen Rodriguez3 said:Sure, maybe a group of like, 20 employees could take out some loans or pool their savings to start a business. Then they could just split everything equally at the end.
But if one person puts up everything—their house, their life savings, their whole future—just to get the doors open and manage the crew, I guess it's weird to think the profit should belong to everyone else, right?

They could, and honestly, that would be fair. What isn't fair is that those workers had to grind much harder and longer just to scrape together that startup cash compared to what they'd need under a different distribution model. It also doesn't seem right for future employees if the owners just pay them using the exact same low-wage model they were stuck with before they started their own thing.

I already touched on the other part in my last post (the owner should definitely get more, but only until they've fully recouped their initial investment).

Karen Rodriguez3 said:You've got a point there. The government sets the baseline, and after that, it's mostly down to the market.
Not everyone is doing jobs where you can just pay some basic minimum wage set by the state and call it a day. If I need a solid specialist for my business, I have to pay them what they're actually worth. Basically, whatever rate they're willing to work for. Otherwise, they'll just head over to a competitor.
Obviously, there's a ceiling to how much I can spend based on what my business can actually handle. If I can't find the right person for the budget I have, I end up lowering my standards, which honestly just puts the whole company and everyone relying on it at risk.
Sometimes, you just don't have a choice.
And then there's the whole thing where people tend to take the path of least resistance. They go through the motions to get degrees in jobs that aren't really in demand, and then act surprised when they have a Master's degree but zero job offers.
And yeah, ideally, some of that money should actually stay in the pot. But if that were the case, who do you think should be calling the shots on how it's spent and distributed?

I'll jump on that question first, since it's key to why I mentioned the unfair distribution and the gap between individual profit and actual ability.

When you create something—including this "surplus" we're talking about—everyone involved in the production process plays a part. It only makes sense that EVERYONE gets a say in how things are distributed and used, based on how much they contributed to the creation process (we don't really need to get bogged down in the logistics of how that voting would work here).

The only fair pushback to that idea is the owner's specific contribution through their initial capital investment (at least in today's economy). So, that invested capital should get extra value, but only until it's fully recouped. Basically, an owner might have more weight in decision-making because of what they put in upfront, but not because of the wealth they've accumulated later.

A system like that works because it's formally fair: everyone gets exactly what they put in. Sure, it isn't perfectly equitable regarding different skill levels, but it's definitely better than our current setup where capital calls all the shots.

Even though this isn't the Economics forum, I had to go on a bit of a rant to explain why I'm not a fan of our current capitalist distribution model. It's because wealth builds on capital rather than labor. That leads to power and money piling up in the hands of a tiny minority—people whose wealth could last for generations without them ever having to lift a finger again.

That also touches on your point about wages. Instead of just hitting a minimum wage or whatever the market rate happens to be, workers should be paid an amount equivalent to their actual contribution to the total value created.

Forget about the economy! 🙂

Look, you can't deny that business owners have total autonomy when it comes to how they handle profits and payroll. They can choose to pay people based on their actual individual contribution to the bottom line, or they can just stick to standard market rates—it’s their call. And it isn't just about salaries; it's about reinvestment too. Sure, that profit comes from everyone's hard work, but legally, it belongs to the owner. I don't see what the big deal is here, at least for this discussion.