Questions for our American friends

[awboy33]

Originally Posted by palo5

I may have asked this before, but if I did, I can't remember the answer

Blame my Alzheimer's & dementia

Anyway, it's about an American expression "to pull yourself up by the bootstraps"

I get what it means, but mechanically pulling yourself up by the bootstraps sounds unimaginably difficult. Is it really possible? If so, how do you do it?

Being raised in the southern US, it was a very common saying. My grandfather told me the meaning was when your feet are stuck in the swamp, and you can't move, you reach down and grab your boot strap to use your arms to aid in pulling your foot loose. I do not know the accuracy of this but it basically meant when you think you are stuck by using the regular way of doing things, with a little more effort and using what you have you can become unstuck.

[bowlinggreen]

Originally Posted by Brian249x

Do you realize that we are people who believe that 10C is cold and drive our cars 6 blocks to the market rather than walk?

Originally Posted by SanteeFats

You are so wrong Brian we do our temps in in F as you well know. 50 degrees is warm and I live in So Cal.

You all should be grateful for your California climate. Where I am it is in the 30s Fahrenheit and compared to what we have been experiencing recently that is WARM.

[Grouchy]

Quick question...

As most folks know, before giving evidence in law courts in the US and the UK, witnesses take an oath to tell the truth (!) .. In the UK this can take the form of "swearing" on the bible or "affirming" - the latter has no mention of the bible, god or religion.

Does the same distinction happen in US courts?

Whenever we see (on TV) someone taking an oath in the US the words ".. so help me god" are used. What is the alternative - for people like myself - who don't believe in gods?

It somehow troubles me, as a devout "non-believer", that such religious based oaths are still used today. An example was shown at the inauguration of the US president.. Trump gave his oath ".. so help me god".

As someone who equates belief in "god" with the same thinking that believes in fairies at the bottom of the garden (there isn't any in mine - I checked) I find it worrying that (arguably) one of the most powerful men in world has to declare his belief in what many people see as total poppycock.

Surely there must be an alternative?

[bowlinggreen]

^ Don't quote me, but I think in some states you are allowed to "swear" without referencing God. There have probably been court cases brought over this, since it directly conflicts with the First Amendment.

In a Bible Belt state, I suspect you must "swear to God", or else. At least you will risk the wrath of the judge and perhaps gain a stiffer sentence if you are a defendant.

[Decadence]

Originally Posted by Grouchy

Surely there must be an alternative?

There is. In the US, non-Christians are supposed to be offered a text appropriate to their faith, and for nontheists, they are supposed to have the option to affirm their oaths. When there are transgressions to this practice, the person required to swear on something offensive to them has the option to sue.

Originally Posted by bowlinggreen

In a Bible Belt state, I suspect you must "swear to God", or else. At least you will risk the wrath of the judge and perhaps gain a stiffer sentence if you are a defendant.

Well, on the off chance a defendant testifies, they have to swear an oath like everyone else. Location of said court doesn't matter.. even in the Bible Belt, where such amenities like indoor plumbing and electricity are commonplace.

In 2006, democrat Keith Ellison sparked outrage when he professed that he'd take the oath with his hand on the Koran when sworn in as the first Muslim US Congressman. He was merely taking the piss.

No Bibles or other religious texts are used during the swearing-in ceremony for the House of Representatives — incoming House members simply stand in front of the speaker’s podium en masse, raise their right hands, and recite an oath in which they swear to uphold the Constitution.

[ultimatewarlord]

Are you ready to welcome to swarm of immigrants in that caravan, so called, ready to walk into the US? What happened in Europe will happen to you. All the lefties will support their 'rights' and you'll be paying for it in cash, property and culture.

[ManofKent]

What is a 'Calzone' or 'Cowzone'?

I've heard it mentioned a few times on American TV and as far as I can tell it seems to be some kind of meat pie or pastry.

[Mal Hombre]

A Calzone is a pizza that's been folded over.

[Decadence]

Originally Posted by ultimatewarlord

Are you ready to welcome to swarm of immigrants in that caravan, so called, ready to walk into the US? What happened in Europe will happen to you. All the lefties will support their 'rights' and you'll be paying for it in cash, property and culture.

No.. we're not ready. But that never stopped anything before.

This is blatant. This swarm is organized, has a website, and even issues press releases. They advertise this like some demented concert tour: http://www.pueblosinfronteras.org/members.html

As expected, they've also got a list of demands.. and not so much as a 'please' anywhere in the dialogue. They're convinced they have the right to enter and the right for us to take care of them, and remind us we don't have the right to a border or to stop their progress.

The swarm's facebook page says: “Our dream is to build solidarity bridges among peoples and turndown border walls imposed by greed.”

Yup. We have a border because of greed. Just like we have locks on our doors and windows because of greed.

Once again, here's this notion that America is nothing more than a dumping ground for the people other countries don't want... and apparently we don't have the right to stop it and are obligated to accept and support anyone who shows up.

[Roubignol]

Originally Posted by Decadence

and apparently we don't have the right to stop it and are obligated to accept and support anyone who shows up.

No you don't, because that doesn't respect the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Article 13.

(1) Everyone has the right to freedom of movement and residence within the borders of each state.
(2) Everyone has the right to leave any country, including his own, and to return to his country.

Do you know what is the best way to fight against illegal immigration?
It's to share the knowledges and the wealth with under-developped countries asap.
When women are free and educated, they don't want to get 8 to 13 children anymore. They want to have fun like men.
One century ago, in Europe, women had no rights, our countries were like today Africa.
It's because our governments very strongly protect our privileges since the colonial empires, that we will lose the battle against massive immigration.

It's because our wealthiest countries didn't respect the Universal Declaration of Human Rights enough.

Originally Posted by ultimatewarlord

Are you ready to welcome to swarm of immigrants in that caravan, so called, ready to walk into the US? What happened in Europe will happen to you. All the lefties will support their 'rights' and you'll be paying for it in cash, property and culture.

Which culture?