Great Gentlemen!

[sparrowhawk]

While listening to the news about the hostage situation in Bangladesh, and its terrible end, very early this morning I read a couple of postings below my own detailing acts of senseless kindness, and an old, dear friend who has become so enamored with severe right-wing ideologies (well, I'll say it and hope it doesn't start a fight: global warming is real) that we seem to be parting ways after 30 years . You fellows (and ladies) do much to balance out the world's evils. I often come here just to get a breath of sanity. And I am so grateful and humbled to be able to call myself a member of your company.

 

[ssjones]

It is refreshing to participate on a social platform where politics/religion and personal beliefs don't interfere with our enjoyment and discussion of pipes and tobacco.

 

[lohengrin]

Too many happenings that don't allow people to keep a still and quiet judgement.

Let's seat and smoke our pipe and face all that with more clear brain.

 

[mcitinner1]

Thank you for saying that Sparrowhawk, because I feel much the same way...Practically daily there are incidents of hard to imagine craziness in this world.

 

[mayfair70]

I have to agree. Even when the banter gets heated, there is always an undercurrent of sanity running through the site. It is much better than a gathering of the Juggalos.

 

[jacks6]

I don't know man, part of me wants to go to a gathering of the juggalos. I bet it's amazing people watching if you manage to not get stabbed.

 

[mayfair70]

:rofl:

 

[travelergypsy]

I think that to many people are overly concerned with everyone else's lives, and not paying enough attention to their own. Social media has inadvertently contributed to this travesty. One reason I love the pipe: it forces me to set aside time, and just sit and relax and to think about my life, beliefs, paths, decision, philosophy, ect. To often people look to other to determine what they think/believe and they don't actually put any effort into it themselves. Thus you end up with a mob mentality where no one is actually processing what they are doing/thinking. They simply go along with the "popular" opinion.

 

[tinsel]

To often people look to other to determine what they think/believe and they don't actually put any effort into it themselves. Thus you end up with a mob mentality where no one is actually processing what they are doing/thinking. They simply go along with the "popular" opinion.

Couldn't agree more with this statement.
I don't remember who it was that said it, but one of my favorite quotes is "If everyone is thinking the same thing, somebody isn't thinking".

 

[brian64]

 

[huntertrw]

"I don't remember who it was that said it, but one of my favorite quotes is "If everyone is thinking the same thing, somebody isn't thinking"."
That quote is frequently attributed to General George S. Patton, Jr., a gentleman (and occasional pipe-smoker) who deplored group-think.

 

[stanlaurel]

This isn't a political post?

 

[travelergypsy]

I don't think this is a political post in the sense of: "who are you voting for" but rather a societal post in the sense of:"Regardles of your political views, it seems like X is happening. Thoughts?"

 

[stanlaurel]

A topic is named:

global warming is real

Its adherents are labeled:

severe right-wing ideologies

juggalos

They are called idiots:

To often people look to other to determine what they think/believe and they don't actually put any effort into it themselves. Thus you end up with a mob mentality where no one is actually processing what they are doing/thinking. They simply go along with the "popular" opinion.

The last quote is generic until a target is named. But in this case a target was identified.
If you want to make a political statement, fine. But don't claim that you are not doing it.

 

[tbradsim1]

Didn't see nothing political in a man saying the Pipe calms him down, stops him from quivering at the insane shit we see out in the world. You load up, tamp, take your lighter, char light, puff, puff, char light, feet up on footstool, favorite drink on table side, soothing music. Escape to Sanity. :clap:

 

[pagan]

I agree with sparrowhawk post (except the global warming rubbish) however ssjones said it all. happy smoking all

 

[sparrowhawk]

Since I've been called out, I suppose I should respond, but let me end it here without further contretemps. I did not make any claims. I did not call anyone a juggalo, and in fact never read the word until this thread. I didn't call anyone an idiot or use the term "mob mentality"--someone else did. I did indeed use the phrase "severe right-wing"; I don't see anything inherently insulting about the phrase. A labeling?--well, if you want. I call it a legitimate definition learned in political science. Lastly, global warming started out as an issue of science, but some turned it into a political issue. I will not go into the whys and wherefores here. I started this thread just to acknowledge the proud company we have here, and made the error of saying more than I should about how the world, in my view, seems to be going insane. As I write this, I just heard the report on how 150 people were killed in a (can I say "probably terrorist"?--I believe such a group claimed responsibility) bomb explosion in Bagdad.

My friend is gone, taking comfort in a world view that doesn't like the notion of climate change or evolution, and the death toll goes up in the middle east. I'm not going to convince my friend that not believing as he does means I am a fool (despite being considered gifted and of superior intelligence with two degrees--GPA 3.97), and I'm too old to go to Bagdad to offer assistance. I'm gonna fill my Nording giant briar with L 1Q and have a smoke while I consider these things.

 

[jndyer]

A pipe, a thought and a discussion. Often I take a hour out of my day to smoke a pipe, think upon life, and read the many varied discussions that happen on this site. Sometimes the posts teach me, other times they amuse me and once in a while they really upset me; however, they all cause me to stop and think, question or laugh. Since my local tobacco store closed you all give me a way to fullfill what the locals at the shop gave me: a pipe, a thought and a discussion. To this I say a big thank you.

 

[travelergypsy]

The last quote is generic until a target is named. But in this case a target was identified.

I apologize if it appeared I was identifying a target. That was not my intention. My post was directed towards any and all who follow a group thinking mentality, (informally known as: mob-mentality) regardless of political view. Again, I apologize if it appeared that I was bashing one political group or another. (I would like to point out that nothing in my post betrays personal affiliation.)

 

[stanlaurel]

I also apologize for my contribution to any bad feelings.
I always try to keep my political/religious/philosophical opinions under wraps when on this forum.
To reiterate the OPs original point, I consider this forum a refuge from the storm where "the world" is denied entry.
Happy Fourth.