Offside Chat Archives (2014-2021)

I'm inclined to agree ☕

Come on, Anthony Jackson2, admit it! ☕

Jonathan Barnes5 said:All I know is that I don't give a damn. Just my inner self and Buddhism.☕

That's exactly how it should be—honestly, what else are you going to do? You aren't exactly a lunatic yourself, after all. 😁

There’s one more thing that’s actually pretty fascinating when you look at how KC operates—you might have even mentioned this somewhere yourself—and that is how much of their political noise is driven by atheists. It’s almost always the non-believers, the ones who wouldn't dream of stepping foot in a church, who are the most adamant about claiming the pulpit is being used as a megaphone for the Republican Party. If you were to poll a thousand actual churchgoers, I bet 999 of them would tell you they’ve never heard anything remotely like that during a service. It’s a surreal situation, really—those who aren't even present at the event claim to know exactly what was said, while the people who actually showed up have absolutely no idea what these critics are talking about. 😁

If I recall correctly, they occasionally broadcast live on ABC on Sundays—kind of like how they show football games—but has there ever actually been a recorded instance in this country where a priest was caught giving tactical instructions?

Jonathan Barnes5 said:All I know is that I don't give a damn. Just my inner self and Buddhism.☕

Nothing happening in San Francisco? Is the spark finally gone?

Paul Chase95 said:That's exactly how it should be—honestly, what else are you going to do? You aren't exactly a lunatic yourself, after all. 😁

There’s one more thing that’s actually pretty fascinating when you look at how KC operates—you might have even mentioned this somewhere yourself—and that is how much of their political noise is driven by atheists. It’s almost always the non-believers, the ones who wouldn't dream of stepping foot in a church, who are the most adamant about claiming the pulpit is being used as a megaphone for the Republican Party. If you were to poll a thousand actual churchgoers, I bet 999 of them would tell you they’ve never heard anything remotely like that during a service. It’s a surreal situation, really—those who aren't even present at the event claim to know exactly what was said, while the people who actually showed up have absolutely no idea what these critics are talking about. 😁

If I recall correctly, they occasionally broadcast live on ABC on Sundays—kind of like how they show football games—but has there ever actually been a recorded instance in this country where a priest was caught giving tactical instructions?

So, here’s my dilemma. A few years back, right before the second round of the presidential election, a priest who came to give the Blagoslov blessing to my family basically nudged me to vote for Milan Bandić instead of Ivo Josipović. Now I’m sitting here wondering how to handle that. What am I supposed to say to him? Should I just skip his Mass this Sunday and wait until someone else is presiding? It feels awkward as hell.
Fool. Honestly, there are just too many of them. I remember stumbling upon similar nonsense during a Sunday trip through some small towns in the Midwest—saw people preaching this exact same stuff from the pulpit. I wouldn't call it a universal rule, but it drives me absolutely insane. Every time I hear it, I’m seconds away from just walking out of the church entirely.

You’re talking nonsense. Those are nothing more than myths. It’s pretty obvious you’re an atheist, though I have to wonder what on earth you were actually doing in the church—were you just spying on us Americans?

Adam King6 said:Nothing happening in San Francisco? Is the spark finally gone?

So, here’s my dilemma. A few years back, right before the second round of the presidential election, a priest who came to give the Blagoslov blessing to my family basically nudged me to vote for Milan Bandić instead of Ivo Josipović. Now I’m sitting here wondering how to handle that. What am I supposed to say to him? Should I just skip his Mass this Sunday and wait until someone else is presiding? It feels awkward as hell.
Fool. Honestly, there are just too many of them. I remember stumbling upon similar nonsense during a Sunday trip through some small towns in the Midwest—saw people preaching this exact same stuff from the pulpit. I wouldn't call it a universal rule, but it drives me absolutely insane. Every time I hear it, I’m seconds away from just walking out of the church entirely.

I believe those instances pop up here and there—I'll take your word for it.

As for the rest of those BuzzFeed types and the surrounding hysterical crowd, I don't buy it. It's honestly ridiculous that with all the technology we have today, nobody can just record these famous "announcements" from the pulpit where they push them so aggressively—it would be a massive headline on every news site and forum if they did. 🙏

But just so we're clear, I wouldn't mind if the KC voiced its own stance, whether during mass, through an official letter, or via the media... They are citizens of this country too, after all. If everyone else gets to have an opinion at work, if professors get to weigh in on university matters, and if celebrities get to present their views in the press, then I think it would be perfectly appropriate—even desirable—for the KC to take a stand.

Adam King6 said:Nothing happening in San Francisco? Is the spark finally gone?

So, here’s my dilemma. A few years back, right before the second round of the presidential election, a priest who came to give the Blagoslov blessing to my family basically nudged me to vote for Milan Bandić instead of Ivo Josipović. Now I’m sitting here wondering how to handle that. What am I supposed to say to him? Should I just skip his Mass this Sunday and wait until someone else is presiding? It feels awkward as hell.
Fool. Honestly, there are just too many of them. I remember stumbling upon similar nonsense during a Sunday trip through some small towns in the Midwest—saw people preaching this exact same stuff from the pulpit. I wouldn't call it a universal rule, but it drives me absolutely insane. Every time I hear it, I’m seconds away from just walking out of the church entirely.

Well, maybe you just got lucky that he was suggesting Milan Bandić and not someone else...

Wait a second—who did you actually end up voting for? Was it Milan Bandić or Ivo Josipović? You skipped over the most important part.

And then this priest had the nerve to suggest that I’m basically voting for the Communists no matter what. 🤣

Paul Chase95 said:I believe those instances pop up here and there—I'll take your word for it.

As for the rest of those BuzzFeed types and the surrounding hysterical crowd, I don't buy it. It's honestly ridiculous that with all the technology we have today, nobody can just record these famous "announcements" from the pulpit where they push them so aggressively—it would be a massive headline on every news site and forum if they did. 🙏

But just so we're clear, I wouldn't mind if the KC voiced its own stance, whether during mass, through an official letter, or via the media... They are citizens of this country too, after all. If everyone else gets to have an opinion at work, if professors get to weigh in on university matters, and if celebrities get to present their views in the press, then I think it would be perfectly appropriate—even desirable—for the KC to take a stand.

Not during Mass, though. You don't get to drop your personal takes when you're showing up at someone's house "on official business." We can agree or disagree with stances published in Glas Koncila or any other outlet that doesn't directly impact the congregation, but a priest shouldn't be imposing his personal views on people. People are simple-minded—both the believers and the anti-fascists—so they tend to follow authority blindly. It's one thing to grab a coffee with someone, but if you're there officially, just do your job and get out.

Paul Chase95 said:Wait a second—who did you actually end up voting for? Was it Milan Bandić or Ivo Josipović? You skipped over the most important part.

Anyway, I don't bother voting. I don't think I ever even showed up for the presidential elections.😉

Paul Chase95 said:I believe those instances pop up here and there—I'll take your word for it.

As for the rest of those BuzzFeed types and the surrounding hysterical crowd, I don't buy it. It's honestly ridiculous that with all the technology we have today, nobody can just record these famous "announcements" from the pulpit where they push them so aggressively—it would be a massive headline on every news site and forum if they did. 🙏

But just so we're clear, I wouldn't mind if the KC voiced its own stance, whether during mass, through an official letter, or via the media... They are citizens of this country too, after all. If everyone else gets to have an opinion at work, if professors get to weigh in on university matters, and if celebrities get to present their views in the press, then I think it would be perfectly appropriate—even desirable—for the KC to take a stand.

But let’s be real here: which college professor hasn't spent half their lectures trashing the current or recent Republican administrations? Especially if you're in the social sciences; just recently, a professor was mocking Kolinda and her constant whining about Trump. Yet, nobody seems to care about that. Look, I might share their views, but let's not be hypocrites. These people are teaching the next generation of intellectuals who are supposed to be the future of this nation. In my opinion, they actually have more influence than KC, yet no one ever mentions it. 🤷

I'm also seeing reports that political science departments are pushing heavy propaganda regarding NATA and the necessity of US foreign policy, even though, in reality, it's a country that has violated MP more times than anyone else.

Of course it's double standards. It honestly gets under my skin how the church always plays it safe—acting all high and mighty while hiding behind their hands... I’m all for people being upfront about what they believe. Honestly, I wouldn't even mind if a priest spoke up during Mass about who he's voting for, or even gave his take to the congregation. I mean, when big media corporations or TV commercials push an agenda, everyone just accepts it, but the second a priest does it, suddenly it's a scandal? It's the exact same hypocrisy you see with professors at major universities.

Adam King6 said:Not during Mass, though. You don't get to drop your personal takes when you're showing up at someone's house "on official business." We can agree or disagree with stances published in Glas Koncila or any other outlet that doesn't directly impact the congregation, but a priest shouldn't be imposing his personal views on people. People are simple-minded—both the believers and the anti-fascists—so they tend to follow authority blindly. It's one thing to grab a coffee with someone, but if you're there officially, just do your job and get out.

Anyway, I don't bother voting. I don't think I ever even showed up for the presidential elections.😉

Why not? Just because you personally don't like the idea doesn't mean it isn't desirable. And it’s not the same thing as being "on official business"—an employee at KC isn't the same as an employee at some other government agency or a county office. When you take those professional exams, they teach you that you can't represent views that clash with the institution you serve. An employee at KC, however, has the freedom to say, "Screw this, vote for the Republican Party or the Democratic Party."

Adam King6 said:Not during Mass, though. You don't get to drop your personal takes when you're showing up at someone's house "on official business." We can agree or disagree with stances published in Glas Koncila or any other outlet that doesn't directly impact the congregation, but a priest shouldn't be imposing his personal views on people. People are simple-minded—both the believers and the anti-fascists—so they tend to follow authority blindly. It's one thing to grab a coffee with someone, but if you're there officially, just do your job and get out.

Anyway, I don't bother voting. I don't think I ever even showed up for the presidential elections.😉

Imposing things is too difficult; a priest can offer his opinion and that's it—whoever wants to listen, listens, and if they don't, they can just send that priest packing. It's not like a priest goes to the polling station and micromanages how everyone marks their ballot.

Adam King6 said:Not during Mass, though. You don't get to drop your personal takes when you're showing up at someone's house "on official business." We can agree or disagree with stances published in Glas Koncila or any other outlet that doesn't directly impact the congregation, but a priest shouldn't be imposing his personal views on people. People are simple-minded—both the believers and the anti-fascists—so they tend to follow authority blindly. It's one thing to grab a coffee with someone, but if you're there officially, just do your job and get out.

Anyway, I don't bother voting. I don't think I ever even showed up for the presidential elections.😉

With all due respect, spare me this nonsense. This has become such a staple on this soccer subreddit, where it feels like the entire intellectual elite of the country supposedly lives. No, people aren't stupid—they're just somewhere in the middle—but it seems like everyone here thinks they're the exception, acting like they truly grasp every nuance, or that every ideological issue is just some smoke screen.

Up until now, I've heard everyone claim that people are stupid; I suppose that would imply the person saying it is somehow smarter than the "stupid" masses, or at least they're certainly convinced of it.

I'm not targeting you specifically, but it has become depressingly trendy to declare that "people are stupid." It doesn't matter that this sentiment is voiced by both the brilliant and the dimwitted in equal measure; it's just become part of the daily vernacular. I had a guy—can barely sign his own name, not sure if he even finished eighth grade, looks like he's missing at least half his teeth—tell me, totally deadpan, about six months ago that people are simply stupid. For God's sake, the poor, enlightened genius actually has to live among the "stupid." And when I ask him why they're stupid, his answer is always that they believe in the supernatural. 🙏He thinks he’s some kind of genius—basically an Isaac Newton because of his little theory. 🙏

Look, I don't have a problem with you thinking people are generally dim-witted, but please—just don't use that line on me. It’s honestly exhausting to read.

Noah Roberts46 said:But let’s be real here: which college professor hasn't spent half their lectures trashing the current or recent Republican administrations? Especially if you're in the social sciences; just recently, a professor was mocking Kolinda and her constant whining about Trump. Yet, nobody seems to care about that. Look, I might share their views, but let's not be hypocrites. These people are teaching the next generation of intellectuals who are supposed to be the future of this nation. In my opinion, they actually have more influence than KC, yet no one ever mentions it. 🤷

I'm also seeing reports that political science departments are pushing heavy propaganda regarding NATA and the necessity of US foreign policy, even though, in reality, it's a country that has violated MP more times than anyone else.

Larry Fox5 said:Of course it's double standards. It honestly gets under my skin how the church always plays it safe—acting all high and mighty while hiding behind their hands... I’m all for people being upfront about what they believe. Honestly, I wouldn't even mind if a priest spoke up during Mass about who he's voting for, or even gave his take to the congregation. I mean, when big media corporations or TV commercials push an agenda, everyone just accepts it, but the second a priest does it, suddenly it's a scandal? It's the exact same hypocrisy you see with professors at major universities.

Exactly—that’s the whole point, isn't it? It all comes back to those double standards.

Most people complaining about a priest suggesting how to vote from the pulpit don't actually have an issue with the suggestion itself—they just happen to be deeply offended by who he’s actually backing.

It’s funny how this usually gets under people's skin—mostly those who don't even attend Mass and aren't religious to begin with. Most of the hysteria is just being stirred up by outlets like BuzzFeed and similar media circles. Look, I think everything is fine, but I honestly don't get what the big deal is—what exactly is bothering you about an employee at an institution you don't even visit telling people things?

Noah Roberts46 said:But let’s be real here: which college professor hasn't spent half their lectures trashing the current or recent Republican administrations? Especially if you're in the social sciences; just recently, a professor was mocking Kolinda and her constant whining about Trump. Yet, nobody seems to care about that. Look, I might share their views, but let's not be hypocrites. These people are teaching the next generation of intellectuals who are supposed to be the future of this nation. In my opinion, they actually have more influence than KC, yet no one ever mentions it. 🤷

I'm also seeing reports that political science departments are pushing heavy propaganda regarding NATA and the necessity of US foreign policy, even though, in reality, it's a country that has violated MP more times than anyone else.

Since we’re talking about Kolinda, has anyone noticed how she's been relentlessly pushing her travel diaries and tour stories in the media since getting back from her last trip? I swear I just saw some massive headline in Glorija about her "New Zealand Travel Journal" or something similar. It's probably the most blatant attempt at damage control I've ever seen—especially after she tried to pass off her antics in the USA as state secrets.

Anthony Jackson2 said:Since we’re talking about Kolinda, has anyone noticed how she's been relentlessly pushing her travel diaries and tour stories in the media since getting back from her last trip? I swear I just saw some massive headline in Glorija about her "New Zealand Travel Journal" or something similar. It's probably the most blatant attempt at damage control I've ever seen—especially after she tried to pass off her antics in the USA as state secrets.

Wait, does anyone actually have a clue what she was even doing over there? 🤣

William Gomez5 said:Wait, does anyone actually have a clue what she was even doing over there? 🤣

She was busy hunting for the Republican power ring in the Shire.

brightpilot6 said:She was busy hunting for the Republican power ring in the Shire.

🤣

speaking for the USA 😁

Alright, this is great—so she was just out there hooking up in the States? Fantastic. First, I hear from my hairstylist that she went under the knife for liposuction. Then, a plumber tells me she actually had a full skin tightening and excess removal procedure—which, by the way, if you ask him whether you're supposed to stay in bed for up to 36 hours with your knees tucked to prevent the incision from ripping open, he just gives me this blank stare, unlike Kolinda who apparently walks around like nothing happened the very next day. Then, a buddy mentions she was busy buying up private jets, and some local politician claims she was attending one of those "watch your mouth" burger-eating contests—not as a contestant, mind you, just as a spectator. On political forums, people are saying she went off to get her doctorate because her kids go to school over there, and now we're left with the theory that she was just out there playing the field. Honestly, out of all these wild theories, I’ve decided to put my money on Anthony Jackson2.

Don't worry, I'm sure the local priest will tell you exactly what you ought to think.

William Gomez5 said:Wait, does anyone actually have a clue what she was even doing over there? 🤣

Look, after months of ignoring requests from reporters and everyone else, they just slapped a national security label on it—now nobody’s allowed to ask questions anymore.