The Jon Stewart reminder. For those who need faith in humanity restored.

[Recursion]

20 assholes flew planes into buildings. Some unknown number of assholes blew shit up.

Thousands of people ran into the fire to save others. You could not stop them, you could not even delay them. Police, military, civilian, all of them said "Living is more than staying alive: I will go help now".

I don't care how many attackers there were: more people ran into the wreckage to save people. That's why I know we're going to be OK.

Dozens attacked. Thousands responded. I'll take those odds any day.

[randome]

1. Sometimes he really hits the mark!

He's the Walter Cronkite of our decade. If you lose Jon Stewart, you've lost something substantial.

[npk]

2. The good will always out number the wicked

Stewart always puts things into the right perspective.

[freshwest]

36. Deep breath. Yes, that is true.

[FiveGoodMen]

3. "That's why I know we're going to be OK."

Except for bankrupting our country on wars that didn't need fighting...

...and giving up all of our civil rights...

...and killing AT LEAST a hundred thousand who didn't start a fight with us...

But, hey, that's no biggie, is it?

[DevonRex]

4. Does DU have a group for pessimists?

[FiveGoodMen]

6. A pessimist is someone who expects the worst, right?

But the things I mentioned have already happened and are ongoing.

No speculation or expectation involved.

[DevonRex]

11. Actually, the first definition is:

Definition of PESSIMISM

1: an inclination to emphasize adverse aspects, conditions, and possibilities or to expect the worst possible outcome

2a : the doctrine that reality is essentially evil
b : the doctrine that evil overbalances happiness in life

— pes·si·mist noun

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pessimism

So, it's emphasizing the adverse rather than the good. Which is what you did. It is not tied to expectation.

[FiveGoodMen]

13. Alright, here's some optimism

This sunshine feels terrific. I think I'll just lay here on the beach and fall asleep.

Note: A pessimist would bring up the whole sunburn-skin-cancer angle, but we don't need any of that pessimism, do we?

Also: "or to expect the worst possible outcome" -- "It is not tied to expectation"

[DevonRex]

15. Or you could take 30 seconds, spray on some sun block, and not ruin

the day for yourself and everyone around you with all your pissing and moaning about dying of skin cancer and everyone being too stupid to expect it. While everybody else wonders what the fuck is wrong with you that you don't just use sun block and enjoy the gorgeous weather and great company. They feel sorry for you, ya know? But don't know how to change your frame of mind. So they wander off and have fun. And you sit there and burn and get lonely. [url=http://www.cosgan.de/smilie.php][img][/img][/url]

[FiveGoodMen]

16. But to do that, you first have to be aware of the danger

Which you categorized as pessimism.

If I could spray on some sunblock and it would stop the wars and give me back my rights, I'd gladly do that without complaining.

Got any sun block like that?

No?

Then warning and complaining are all that's left.

[DevonRex]

17. Quite the opposite. 30 seconds of prevention

allowed everyone else not to think of skin cancer again the whole time. Whereas the pessimist worried about it the whole time, whether or not s/he put on sun block. It's emphasizing the negative that marks a pessimist, not simply being aware of facts. We are all aware of facts.

[FiveGoodMen]

19. Just tell me what I can do about the problems I've outlined in 30 seconds and I'll stop complaining

You can't do that.

So stop pretending there's such a magic cure.

[DevonRex]

31. The ones you stated? Nothing. But the good ones in the OP? You CAN think

about them. Because those facts are just as real. The good people in this world would like to wrap their arms around you and give you a hug. Make you smile. Help you live, be at peace. Take a deep breath and let all that crap out. Look around you and see the heroes, the good things people do for each other.

[CreekDog]

34. look, if you can't give heroes credit and can only think of lying on the beach, maybe it's you

[Jamastiene]

10. No, but it desperately needs one. n/t

[DevonRex]

12. ...

[WilliamPitt]

40. Yeah.

It's called "DU."

[DevonRex]

43. Will,

That's as succinct as it gets.

[rwsanders]

5. Agreed, people are great at short-term needs right in front of them...

assuming they feel those in need "deserve" help.
Long term distant problems, not so good. You forgot our environment is gone. That's going to be a hellish wave to ride.

[BrotherIvan]

8. While I agree with everything you say...

It's also worth noting that no one VOTED for any of those things. That's why the campaigns are so wrapped up in nice, liberal robes, so we can't tell the real agenda they have planned. People bought into Hope & Change and wanted an end to the corruption, greed and death. People don't want the damn empire for chrissakes, yet we pay for it instead of things we really want, like education and social programs. People are good for the most part, and they do want their representatives to govern according to their principles which are basically liberal. And except for a few teabagging psychos, that's what we gave a mandate for our government to do. It's fucking disgusting how the campaign pulled on people's heartstrings to deceive them into voting for a right wing agenda, but there it is.

[FiveGoodMen]

9. That's kind of why I rained on this parade

People didn't want this crap, but it was foisted upon us anyway.

And we need to be aware of that and see if there's anything we can do about it.

That's what's wrong with saying, "people are good; it's going to be okay."

A lot of people are good but it's not going to be okay UNLESS we can actually stop the bad ones.

[BrotherIvan]

14. Agreed

[siligut]

23. All it takes for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing

Edmund Burke said it. What we have now is evil with so much power, good people would be crazy to try to meet it head-on.

[AikidoSoul]

53. Oooops!!! Don't you think that sounds a bit pessimistic????!!

And what is this "Five Good Men" name about?

One cannot help wondering about the number of organs you have between your legs.... or at least IMAGINE them being there!

Now THAT'S optimistic.

I think I'm beginning to understand you a little better.

[FiveGoodMen]

54. No, I don't.

"A lot of people are good but it's not going to be okay UNLESS we can actually stop the bad ones."

That's the simple truth.

'Five Good Men' is a reference to the bible story in which god might have spared Sodom from destruction but Lot couldn't name five good men living in the city.

It's a reminder that if you throw away your last bit of decency, then all hell breaks loose.

[leftynyc]

21. You agree with EVERYTHING he said

including that we've lost ALL OUR CIVIL RIGHTS while posting on a website and bitching about the government and not getting arrested. The irony abounds.

[leftynyc]

20. Hyperbole doesn't help your case

If you had indeed lost ALL your civil rights, you wouldn't be bitching on an internet board without someone breaking your door down. As far as I'm concerned, it makes anything else you state suspect.

[FiveGoodMen]

22. Lame, lame, lame

That's all you got? It isn't bad enough yet? Wait till you're completely helpless and then complain?

Just Fucking Wow!

[leftynyc]

24. Yawn

I'm not the one claiming to have lost ALL THEIR CIVIL RIGHTS!!!! Own it, cupcake.

[BrotherIvan]

25. Why is the word "left" part of your name?

If you think the loss of ANY civil liberties elicits a response of "Yawn" then that word is nothing but pure deception.

[leftynyc]

28. I suspect I've been a liberal for

longer than you've been alive from the emptyness of your posts. There is nothing I can't do today I couldn't do before 9/11 and I'm in the city it happened in. Perhaps talk to someone who comes from somewhere where they really don't have civil rights - you may learn something and realize how you insult them with posts like yours. And now I'm done with you.

[freshwest]

35. LOL at 'cupcake.' But the twinkie factory is closed! Sob!

[leftynyc]

38. So happy to report I can cheer you up

Looks like it may be saved:

(snip) A bankruptcy judge on Tuesday approved the sale of Twinkies to a pair of investment firms, one of which has said it hopes to have the cakes back on shelves by summer.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/03/19/twinkies-sale-approved-by_n_2908070.html

Never one of my favorite snacks - I'm into chocolate but the shelves just look WRONG without twinkies. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you.

[freshwest]

41. Oh, I never ate twinkies, even as a kid. Their chocolate cupcakes were a weakness at one time, tho'

[leftynyc]

44. I was a devout Yodel fan

My sister would have sold her soul for devil dogs.

[freshwest]

45. I never saw those, but I bet they match up to my old vice:

I loved your reply of 'Own it, cupcake.' Not often I hear people use the term ti reply to the libertarian cry of 'Help, I'm being repressed! Halp! Now you see the violence inherent in the system!' from the spokesman for their anarcho-syndicalist commune.

[leftynyc]

46. I used to have much more patience

but I'm getting old. Hyperbole drives me freeking insane. I remember those snacks also (the swirly icing looks very familiar) - now that I'm thinking of it, I can't remember anyone actually eating twinkies - it was always something with chocolate.

[freshwest]

47. Me, too. Ignore works wonders for the reality challenged. But never thought twinkies were food.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twinkie#Ingredients

I've had mixed feelings about the demise of their manufacture.

[leftynyc]

51. It was only for the jobs

that I had any concern about it at all.

[freshwest]

52. Likewise for me. See you later.

[Milliesmom]

7. I would like to say

Why does it always take horror and devastation to get us all to pull together, we treat others with kindness, love and humanity for a while then we go back to condemning, accusing, bullying,abusing and murdering . Why can’t we just be humane 100% of the time and act like it’s our last day or their last day on earth and make each day the most perfect. It only takes a small effort to be kind and humane, it takes much more effort for all the other crap!

[Aanenin]

18. Fear

Fear







A majority of people are infected with mind viruses, fear, fear of the other, fear of loss, retribution or revenge, hatred of those who are different, greed...perpetuated by polarity politics, races and religions. These viruses feed off of the negativity of these things thus keeping their food supply intact. One solution is realizing that we all come from the same source in the universe and made up of the same structure of matter. The power of Love versus the Love of power.
My opinion.

[freshwest]

48. A shared opinion. Well stated, thanks.

[Spitfire of ATJ]

26. Lewis Black is doing a "Back In Black" segment tonight...

https://twitter.com/TheLewisBlack/status/324241121268097024

You can BET he's going to tear into whoever did this.

[Initech]

32. *cue Back In Black*

[Glaisne]

27. Let's harness that impulse

to help build a better society. Where we help others through good public schools, healthcare, good jobs, parks, clean water and air, safe food and neighborhoods, justice and fairness as opposed to a society based on fear, greed, selfishness, ignorance and a I got mine screw you attitude.

Peace.

[toby jo]

30. "living is more than staying alive".

I like that. All class, Jon.

[freshwest]

49. Yes.. reminds me of this song about the rescuers at the Twin Towers:

Believe ~ Yellowcard

Think about the love inside the strength of heart
Think about the heroes saving life in the dark
Climbing higher through the fire
Time was running out
Never knowing you weren't going to be coming down alive

But you still came back for me
You were strong and you believed

Everything is gonna be alright
Everything is gonna be alright
Everything is gonna be alright
Be strong believe

Be strong believe

Think about the chance I never had to say
Thank you for giving up your life that day
Never fearing only hearing voices calling out
Let it all go the life that you know
Just to bring them down alive

And you still came back for me
You were strong and you've believed

Everything is gonna be alright
Everything is gonna be alright
Everything is gonna be alright
Be strong believe

Everything is gonna be alright
Everything is gonna be alright
Everything is gonna be alright
Be strong believe

((radio voice) ...again today, we take into our hearts and mind
Those who perished on this site one year ago and also, those who came to toil in the rubble
To bring order out of chaos,
to help us make sense of Our despair))

Wanna hold my wife when I get home
Wanna tell the kids they'll never know
How much I love to see them smile
Wanna make a change right here right now
Wanna live a life like you somehow
Wanna make your sacrifice worthwhile

Everything is gonna be alright
Everything is gonna be alright
Everything is gonna be alright
Be strong believe

Everything is gonna be alright
Everything is gonna be alright
Everything is gonna be alright
Be strong believe

Everything is gonna be alright
Everything is gonna be alright
Everything is gonna be alright
Be strong believe

(background voice):

Think about the love inside the strength of heart
Think about the heroes saving lives in the dark

Everything is gonna be alright
Everything is gonna be alright
Everything is gonna be alright
Be strong believe

(background voice):

Think about the chance I never had to say
Thank you for giving up your life that day

((radio voice): The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here.))

Pardon the Bush, Sr. radio voice they inserted here, but it is part of the song.

[democrank]

33. A Ralph Waldo Emerson quote...

For in the mud and scum of things
there always, always something sings.


~PEACE~

[Cha]

37. thank you, Jon Stewart and Recursion

[Uncle Joe]

39. Kicked and recommended.

Thanks for the thread, Recursion.

[joeybee12]

42. KNR

And KNR again.

[Zorra]

50. Very well said, thanks. nt