Sometimes I think we are a vile, disgusting species that deserves to go extinct

[eridani]

The vast majority of Israelis are cheering mass murder. So are most Americans, with disgraceful acquiescence of even the most progressive of our representatives. Has there ever been any real antiwar sentiment here? Ever? Turning against a particular war because it has become an expensive hassle and not nearly so much fun when larger numbers of Americans start to die doesn't count.

The usual 10-15% minority is of course "far left" and totally out of touch.

It's also pointless to root for the underdogs. It's true that they are not mass murderers, but that's only because they don't have the power to be.

We probably deserve everything that global warming is about to do to us.

[PowerToThePeople]

6. Enjoy your stay.

[Tetris_Iguana]

10. I appreciate the warm welcome.

Thank you

[Marrah_G]

24. Random question: What is your favorite kind of pizza?

[cantbeserious]

2. How Can There Be Real Protest When The Surveillance State Is Monitoring And Reporting All

All live in fear of losing their jobs to the whispers in their employers ears.

Fear is a very powerful method of control and coercion.

[MFM008]

3. dont fear

Its almost here.

[Jim__]

4. We are a conscious reflective species striving to comprehend the universe.

Yes, it's sad that we are also a warlike species. But, until we know of the existence of another conscious reflective species; we need to struggle desperately to survive. Think about the universe without any reflective intelligence in it.

[Plucketeer]

27. We ARE a concious, reflective species

One that has concluded that using a bone to smite others is better than sharing that bone with them. I think it's unlikely we'll "make contact" with other concious, reflective species because once they evolve to the point we have, they wipe themselves out.

[LuvNewcastle]

28. I agree.

We do have a place in the cosmos. I'm not sure what we're for, but I do think we're worth saving, at least our best aspects are worth saving. If we could just breed certain tendencies out of us, like fear of the unknown and hate and envy and greed, we could really be a wonderful species.

You'd think we would be on our way towards that goal by now, but we're essentially the same people we were at the beginning of our recorded history. We just know more about the world around us now. We also know enough to destroy ourselves and we're well on our way.

A lot of beautiful things are born from the darkness as well as the light. The darkness is just so attractive to us that we want to dwell there, and that's where these awful tendencies come from. We don't want to banish the darkness; we need it as much as we need light, just as we need to sleep as well as being awake.

I don't know what any of this means. All I know is that we can't wait for God or some alien being to fix us; we have to do it ourselves. With all of our capabilities, we should be able to do that. We want to. We know we're deeply flawed, and in our own way we do try to better ourselves, but most of us fail. It's an individual thing, though. Each of us has to work hard at fixing ourselves. And we also have a responsibility to see that those of us who don't aren't allowed in places of power. That must end.

[truebluegreen]

31. Once we developed to the point where we could adapt the world to our needs

instead to adapting to it, we were doomed. Evolution is too slow for us to survive and if we can't (won't) foresee the dangers and deal with them we don't deserve to.

What enrages me is the fact that we will take so much of the miraculous variety of life with us.

[tridim]

54. +1. I genuinely don't understand the other side of this.

Lots of DU'ers are apparently very short-sighted and give up way too easily. THAT scares me.

[MisterP]

60. the counterargument is that we're also impossibly vain? ;D

[eridani]

8. Netanyahu is a greedy CEO?

Sociopatholgy specific to the 1% is an entirely different subject.

[ReRe]

37. Sorry, eridani...

I think I misinterpreted your post.

[demwing]

13. Or "It is what it is"

which is a theme that seems to apply only to everyone else, never to the person saying as much. As far as I can tell, it means "You can vainly continue to try to stop the ass fuckings, or you can learn to ignore them. Either way, the ass fuckings are going to continue non-stop, until we are good and god damned ready to quit fucking you in the ass."

[PowerToThePeople]

7. I think the same thing

We do not have many redeeming qualities.

[Tetris_Iguana]

14. So you would describe yourself as a misanthrope?

[PowerToThePeople]

16. Only right wing trolls.

Enjoy your stay.

[Tetris_Iguana]

21. And what gives you that impression?

Which I'm sorry you have, by the way.

[PowerToThePeople]

22. week old account, climate change denier

Obvious is Obvious.

[stonecutter357]

52. go back to Teahadistan.

fail troll.

[RobinA]

19. We Are

a species here on a planet. Nature created us and does not harbor judgement of any of its creations. We are a herd animal and as such our individual herd seeks to prevail so it can reproduce.

As by far the most intelligent species, we have the ability to strive sometimes to rise above our more basic instincts. Sometimes we do and sometimes we don't. Often we don't. We aren't evil anymore than a wolf who kills a weaker wolf is evil. We like to think we know better, but we usually don't, survival instincts being what they are.

We should always strive to do better, to influence for the better, but getting side tracked on how evil and unredeemed we are is a fools errand.

[malaise]

9. We are vile

About that I'm sure

[sammythecat]

32. Sadly, I think an objective observer

from another planet would have to agree.

I ask myself if there is any living creature on this planet whose very existence isn't threatened by our presence and I come up with no. Any living creature includes our own selves of course.

The world is no paradise and never was, but it seems to me that overall we have served only to make it an even meaner and harsher place. Oh, there are many beautiful people in the world but they a vastly outnumbered by the short-sighted(the stupid), the selfish, and the uncaring.

To paraphrase an old quote; We have become very clever but not yet wise.

We're like 10 yr olds with rifles and bulldozers and I have little hope for our species long term. If we ever do manage to truly care for one another and become wise and compassionate stewards of this planet it won't happen before we go through some very, very, difficult times.

[el_bryanto]

11. I don't know - I like a lot of people

I think that we've done some awful things sure, but we've done a lot of great things as well. You might want to take a step back and reconnect with those things about humanity that you like, whatever they are.

Because coming to the conclusion that the human race is nothing but shit will probably just make you a meaner and crueler person (I know that when i get depressed enough to think that way I turn into kind of an asshole). The cure is to try and help someone or to try and reconnect with those things that are great about humanity.

Bryant

[RKP5637]

15. Quite true, there is a lot of good in the world! n/t

[proReality]

12. I'm okay with extinction of the species as long as

corporate 'people' people, 5 members of SCOTUS, RW fear mongers, etc., are first to leave. I'll be happy to play the maid and clean up after them before I leave.

[jimlup]

17. Agreed except that...

Many of the people are just indoctrinated. They actually wouldn't hold the positions they hold if they could see the whole truth of the situation.

Further, I'll just say that we have problems which exceed Global Warming (don't get me wrong, I believe Global Warming to be a very serious problem but it isn't the only one threatening the end of our civilization.) It really isn't clear that our civilization will survive until 2100. If we do, we will have to start seeing a much bigger and more long term picture than (as a species) we currently are capable of.

[DeSwiss]

18. TPTB think the same.

About most of us: The Proles.

Fomenting conflict is the way they choose to achieve this, and maybe make a few bucks on the side.

It's just business, you know?

But the decision whether to participate in an atrocity is made one individual at a time.

No one makes them do it.

National will (nor cheering) does not pull the trigger.

Religious tenants don't knock down the door and kill the 13-year old girl cowering on the other side of it.

That is something one person must answer for (including those who cheer).

Just like the ones who made it possible.

- The nation of Israel is Granfalloon. The nation of the United States of America is Granfalloon. They are ideas, not realities.

Right now they're bad ideas.....

[99Forever]

20. I wish I could disagree.

I can't.

[Marrah_G]

23. We are animals it's true, but I don't think we are vile and disgusting

The human species is flawed.

I think we used to have more anti-war activists here before a Democrat was elected to the presidency. I know there were alot of us protesting the Iraq war.

[Dragonfli]

25. Yes, I used to consider this "anti-war central" a place I came to to be with the like minded

and share the news of antiwar events that were not being covered most other places.
There are some posts here now that are damn near neocon in nature.

[Marrah_G]

36. I agree

It's difficult now because in protesting war we are protesting the administration which causes a huge divide here. I think that many of us just don't vocalize certain views here now like we once would.

Like right now, I am watching the live feeds from Gaza and have been for weeks, but I also don't feel as if I can speak out against what the Democrats in congress and the President and his Administration are doing in regards to the conflict. I save those conversations for elsewhere.

[Dragonfli]

38. Yes, it's hard when you don't change your views on war and policy in general

but the crowd does in many areas. I don't feel comfortable taking the same view as I always did regarding certain policies here anymore when it conflicts with the party, it offends some, angers others, and often leads to arguments.

At the same time, I am the same peace loving war hating hippy I have always been.

[Marrah_G]

40. same :)

[Pisces]

51. I don't agree at all with your comments. There are more anti bombing Gaza posts on this board than

in support of Israel. I have started many threads and posted on threads about the killing of civilians and how we need to
stop giving them money and arms. I am considered by some on this board as an Obama cheerleader, that does not mean
I support war or killing of innocents. Say what you want on this board and who cares who agrees or attacks you.

[whatchamacallit]

44. +1

[Blue_Adept]

26. "So are most Americans"

Most Americans aren't paying attention.

The majority are focused on just surviving their own day to day experience and oppression.

Most can't take the time to understand the dynamics going on there.

Hell, many from my generation don't even care. I was born in the 70's and all I can remember across the span of my life is incidents like this. It's been protested before. It's been called out. so on and so forth.

Apathy to some degree, but also a realization that one can't do something about it.

But most Americans aren't cheering it. I'd suspect a huge percentage aren't even truly aware of it in a meaningful way. "Just more of the same over there." mentality.

[RKP5637]

29. Agree!!! n/t

[LuvNewcastle]

33. That's what people think.

'They've always been at war over there. They'll always be at war until they're all dead. There's nothing to do about it.' All I know is that not trying guarantees failure.

[Blue_Adept]

39. How much trying do you do though?

At what point do you stop? Repeating the same actions, getting the same or worse results, that feeds into the apathy as well.

[LuvNewcastle]

41. I think it's time for the world to step in.

I don't believe they'll ever come to an agreement on their own. The world has to tell them how it's going to be. We have an important role there and it's time we faced up to it.

[JI7]

64. yup, most probably can't point out israel on the map

or would even know who the leaders are there.

all they see is there is a conflict going on in a part of the world which they see as always being at war.

[Blue_Adept]

68. And I have a hard time faulting them for that

There's been so many close negotiations, almost successes and progress that it's seemingly endless. When nothing changes and it really feels the same - or worse - it's hard to invest in it.

[Coventina]

30. I have those times as well.

And they are increasing in frequency.

*sigh*

[ClarkeVII]

34. Don't let the actions of others ..

Dictate whether or not you enjoy life

[ladjf]

35. I fear that the human race is too greedy, dumb, ignorant and careless

to be able to survive much longer. Nature severely punishes such behavior.

[RobinA]

55. Nature

does not punish. It makes no judgement.

[ladjf]

63. Obviously, Nature does not literally "punish" individuals for misconduct.

Nature follows the laws of physics. When human beings conduct their lives in ways that de-gradate the resources necessary to sustain life, they will die. That is what I meant by my statement that "Nature will punish the human race". I did not say that Nature made judgments. Nature is a vast array of causes and effects.

Was there something about my original post that annoyed you?

[snooper2]

42. Well, that is crappy, maybe you just need to remember we have awesome people like Pitbull and Kesha

alive with us!

[Boxerfan]

43. The way I see it-Momma earth is just going to shake us off like fleas

The lack of respect we have given our planet does have a tipping point.

We are probably past that point. And slowly or not-surely we will die off . Because if you don't learn to take care of the very things that allow you to live-you probably deserve to die off.

[tridim]

45. There are many more genuinely good people in this world than warmongers.

Many more artists too.

No, our species does not deserve extinction, and IMO people who suggest it only see negative things while ignoring the positive. Extreme pessimism is a very annoying trait.

[Roy Serohz]

46. We are, and we do

The sad part is that we're gonna take a lot of species with us

[ChisolmTrailDem]

47. I prefer a 10-mile wide asteroid. No...

....really!



And I'd like it to hit on my side of the planet, so I can watch it coming.

I'll have a Corona with lime, please....

[tridim]

53. Can someone explain to me why so many DU'ers want to die? I don't understand this at all.

Wanting to die is not a rational thought.

Dead serious here... This sounds like a personal issue that might require professional counseling.

[ChisolmTrailDem]

69. ROFL! No it doesn't. Some people say the dumbest things with nothing but a

sentence or two on the internet to go by.

No thanks, I'll stick around since the likelihood of getting myseft killed by an asteroid is, well ASTRONOMICAL!

You are so godamned funny!1!!1

[snooper2]

67. that is kind of selfish, I think you could settle for an airplane engine

Donnie Darko style-- maybe?

[moondust]

48. The plant and animal kingdoms

with which we share the planet would be better off without us IMO.

[ChisolmTrailDem]

49. The plant and animal kingdoms are each more worthy of this life-giving planet than we are. nt

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

50. It's one of the great myths that humans are naturally warlike.

Even a cursory glance at history shows that most people throughout history don't go to war or even experience war directly.

It isn't the people who want or support war. It's the leaders who want to be "strong" leaders. Whether the leaders are in government, corporations, or religions.

If it's natural to kill, how come men have to go into training to learn how? Joan Baez

[AZ Progressive]

59. Human beings are a "herd" species

Human beings are often only as good as their leaders are.

[AZ Progressive]

56. Human beings all have dark sides

But human beings can be good if their dark side is kept under control. When you have leaders and society encouraging people to embrace aspects of their dark sides (e.g. the Republican party), or when leaders and other people provoke the dark sides to come out (through harsh / unfair treatment of others), is often when problems happen. Even friends, family, and other people that aren't leaders and are persuasive can influence individuals to embrace their dark sides.

Of course there are also people that either through harsh upbringing and / or through something like pathological narcissism and/or sociopathy / psychopathy, are just pure evil or without any moral regard for others and often they become leaders in society that then go and encourage others to embrace their dark sides (greed, selfishness, callousness, pride, racism, etc...)

[Boom Sound 416]

57. Be patient.

[Zorra]

58. No. Conservatives are vile and disgusting. They are greedy sociopathic killers and have always been

so.

They are the dark adversary preventing us from ending the madness, the impenetrable brick wall that has impeded our evolution, and that's how it's always been.

If there is anything we can be blamed for, it is our failure to stop the conservatives from destroying it.

It's like Lord of the Flies, except no adults are gonna be there to save us from destruction and death by conservatism at the end of our movie. Even if the adults did arrive in time, the conservatives would kill them, take the valuables from their bodies, and proceed to eat them, with a side of greenbacks.

"Your people are driven by a terrible sense of deficiency. When the last tree is cut, the last fish is caught, and the last river is polluted; when to breathe the air is sickening, you will realize, too late, that wealth is not in bank accounts and that you can’t eat money."

~ Alanis Obamsawin

[redqueen]

61. Only the violent deserve to go extinct. nt

[redqueen]

62. e.g.

[Zorra]

65. Woot! ^^^This^^^ nt

[CBGLuthier]

66. I never think that.

We are the sum total of all of our experiences the good and the bad.

You wish death upon my children and grandchildren and I take great offense.

We are having trouble maturing as a species and you would wish us extinct. Defeatist.

Bullshit to that and to all who think similarly. Now get out there and make a fucking difference and quit your whining.