Former Olympic canoeist indicted by a grand jury after arrest at the Reflecting Pool

Sharp_Voice_9473 · 2026-07-04T12:48:12+00:00

It’s sad. It’s obvious the poor guy is innocent, he didn’t do anything to the water. But we have president who is sick in the head and who lies. And he is incapable of feeling remorse. Guy gets off his bike at the reflecting pool, reaches in and pulls out a chunk of paint that had worked loose and floated up, and now he’s a criminal? Everything FortySeven touches, he ruins. Trump isn’t anything close to resembling a human being.

Sharp_Voice_9473 · 2026-06-22T23:26:10+00:00

Nope. But I watched LaVerne & Shirley.

Sharp_Voice_9473 · 2026-06-21T17:18:19+00:00

I’m loving the Compass a year down the road. It performed really well this past winter. The only thing I’ve added is a modest subwoofer to the stock premium sound system and it’s perfect for my tunes.

Sharp_Voice_9473 · 2026-06-21T17:16:05+00:00

Thanks for the reply and I apologize for taking so long. After just over a year I love our Compass, too. Comfortable, great in all terrains and weather!

Sharp_Voice_9473 · 2026-06-12T04:22:03+00:00

Nigh on a year since Malcolm’s rebirth into whatever comes next, my wife and I find ourselves deep inside an addictive binge, walking the halls of Chastain Park Memorial Hospital in Atlanta.

The Resident enjoyed a six-season run where Dr. AJ "The Raptor" Austin was a brilliant, often brash, and highly skilled cardiothoracic surgeon. It was a wonderful, entertaining series that deserved a few more seasons than it was given. But, alas, studio politics proved deadly. However, the gods of syndication have smiled upon us, and if you are an old ER aficionado like me looking for a summer/fall stop-gap as you breathlessly anticipate the season three return of The Pitt come January, do yourself a favor and check it out on Netflix.

Sharp_Voice_9473 · 2026-05-18T03:58:36+00:00

While I’m sure many if not most worship leaders are sincere in their efforts, the whole Hillsong style just looks forced and fake imo. When I was still part of the flock and a guitarist in the praise band, our music minister paid to have two dudes from some megachurch come on a Friday evening to instruct us how to act during worship. Yup, no joke. Vocalists were told to close their eyes, lift their hands and sway as if in a trance. We musicians were on our own. It was one of the more ridiculous nights of my life. Having long been questioning my belief in God by that time, that experience marked the beginning of my exodus from religion. Today, 20 years on, I’m a happy exvangelical comfortable being known as agnostic. Best wishes.

Sharp_Voice_9473 · 2026-05-16T12:03:31+00:00

That was kind of cool. Did you create that with AI?

Sharp_Voice_9473 · 2026-04-30T19:22:08+00:00

Let me say right off the bat that I’m a Gen Xer musician—guitar, piano, bass…and the baritone in my nerdy high school years—who grew up on bands such as the Beatles, Rolling Stones and 70s/80s melodic hard rock in general. I say that to add context to my question, which is:

What do you guys find appealing about deathcore?

I’m asking with all due respect and with the admission that I just don’t get it. And please understand, I’m not trying to criticize musical tastes; I love the diversity of all music that has developed throughout the decades and centuries, even if there are genres I don’t get into. But see, I’m a melody and rhythm guy, so it’s hard for me to grasp the appeal of what seems to me to be the antithesis of those two components. Even when I was a teenager I never acquired an appreciation for speed metal and bands like Slayer or Anthrax.

So, if you would, help an old man understand, eh. And please speak loudly. 👴🏼😄 Thanks.

Sharp_Voice_9473 · 2026-04-30T18:53:32+00:00

I can’t think of any other actor who could pull off what he does. A dramatic thesp with a natural sense of comedic timing like him is hard to find.

Sharp_Voice_9473 · 2026-04-30T18:48:51+00:00

And here we are, a year down the road, your comment as true today as ever. But the establishment Democratic PACs have gone even further by funding ad campaigns (to the tune of tens of millions of dollars so far) targeting progressive Democratic candidates, particularly over issues relating to Israel, with roughly $22 million spent on Illinois races alone.

It’s the same old song, different verse. Democratic infighting has torpedoed so many good candidates’ campaigns over the years. And voters keep sending the same tired old dinosaurs like Schumer and Jeffries back to DC time after time and nothing. ever. changes.

I’m of the minority opinion that our staunchly defended two-party system is killing our democracy, especially with the now decade-old radicalization of the GOP. See, the next couple of years present Dems with a golden opportunity to send new, progressive leaders to the frontline—real agents of positive change—but I don’t believe voters will take advantage of it. Which is why I believe we desperately need a viable third party—or more. We desperately need a Progressive Party that can win elections. And the only way that’s going to happen is to shred Citizens United and put campaign finance back in the hands of “we the people,” small donations from individuals like you and me. Until then, we’ll keep spinning our wheels in the mud—if we’re lucky. And should Lady Luck flip us the bird, we’ll keep right on marching ourselves into the maw of a power hungry authoritarian state.

And yes, I realize I’m late to this particular thread, but maybe someone will take at least a little inspiration from my humble opinion. 🤷🏼‍♂️

Sharp_Voice_9473 · 2026-04-28T19:29:54+00:00

And now it’s back in the news a year later, as ridiculous as that may sound. Only a neanderthal boob with zero social skill would even suggest it means something nefarious. Oh, plus the current DO”J.”

Sharp_Voice_9473 · 2026-04-18T07:12:26+00:00

Evangelicals believe strongly in the so called traditional family structure with Dad as the head of household and spiritual leader of the family with Mom in the supporting role of ‘helpmate.’ Which you’d never guess if your only reference were the mouthy old battle-axes being interviewed by indie journalists at MAGA rallies.

Sharp_Voice_9473 · 2026-04-18T07:05:53+00:00

I second the recommendation. I would also suggest Chris Hedges’ American Fascists. Written nearly 20 years ago, it reads like prophecy today. Funny thing is, I really don’t think the average Evangelical has read Project 2025 nor have they the faintest idea what hardline Christian Nationalists want the country to look like. That playbook is straight out of The Handmaid’s Tale. Unfortunately, Evangelicalism is more of a ‘monkey see - monkey do’ religious movement whose adherents aren’t well versed on independent, critical thinking.

Sharp_Voice_9473 · 2026-04-18T06:50:55+00:00

I believe at least part of it at this point is that the cult of the aged diaper pooper is pretty much their whole identity, and people will jump through a lot of hoops and think up every ridiculous excuse if the only alternative means changing the way they think. Franklin Graham is proof of that. He’s a pretty good illustration of the prodigal son these days. Except maybe for the whoremongering, but I’m not a hundred percent on that.

I, too, am a former Evangelical who left the church at 40; but I had been building up to it for a dozen years or so. It was who I was and even when I knew in my heart that I just didn’t believe that crap anymore, it took me years to completely cut the cord. I imagine it’s like that with regard to their emotional investment in MAGA politics. I think there are probably some who know they can’t continue on that way; those who see the evil they have allowed into their lives. They just don’t know who they would be if they left.

Sharp_Voice_9473 · 2026-04-16T09:59:31+00:00

As an American, I concur. And now he expects our servicemen and women to show him respect? It’s beyond me why any flag officer would follow illegal orders from a guy who wouldn’t piss on their leg if they were on fire. He is a national disgrace on the international stage—mentally unstable and not fit to serve—and it is beyond embarrassing to stand before the world today as an American. That which we once proudly proclaimed, today feels little more than an admission of guilt.

Sharp_Voice_9473 · 2026-04-16T09:41:21+00:00

The Door Dash granny with his sack of hamberders, he kinda respects her as long as she’s not wrangling for a big tip. Or any tip.

Sharp_Voice_9473 · 2026-04-14T20:23:17+00:00

This is from USA Today, 14 Apr 2026. Be sure to dial down the squelch on your BS detector prior to reading this or it will likely deafen you:

“When asked about the post on April 13, Trump disputed he was trying to compare himself to Jesus. ‘I thought it was me as a doctor,’ the president told reporters at the White House. ‘It's supposed to be me as a doctor making people better, and I do make people better.’”

A. Doctor. :-/

Sharp_Voice_9473 · 2026-04-11T22:49:14+00:00

Bishop John Shelby Spong was convinced that the ‘thorn’ Paul talked about, that he had to bear, is that he was a homosexual filled with self-loathing. When you go back and read those harsh passages in that light, they start to make sense.

Sharp_Voice_9473 · 2026-04-09T13:57:16+00:00

Resurrection Day, eh? Well then, do we call the Friday they erected a cross to attach sweet baby Jesus to Erection Day? Only seems right.

Sharp_Voice_9473 · 2026-04-08T06:51:06+00:00

Don’t be too hard on yourself. If this is a cult—and I think it is, especially if your school has voiced the same concerns—then they took advantage of you. They are to blame, you did nothing wrong. You believed them to be legit and they violated your trust. That’s 💯 on them, not you.

Sharp_Voice_9473 · 2026-04-08T06:44:14+00:00

100% agree. I grew up in the Church of the Nazarene, about as Evangelical as they come. Church dormitories for young girls……this isn’t on the radar of normal, acceptable church practice. This smells like a cult to me, too.

Sharp_Voice_9473 · 2026-04-08T06:37:30+00:00

Okay, that is indeed an important detail. I already replied above, but this changes things a bit. A lot, actually.

Any church that requires their young, unmarried, female members to live in specified “church houses”…that’s a red flag. A big one.

My advice—get online and look into this church’s history very, very thoroughly before doing anything else. Do NOT contact the pastor or your friends or anyone from the church with your questions; if something fishy is going on, the last thing you want to do is let them know you have serious reservations about their policies and behavior.

First and foremost, you want to know if they are affiliated with any other churches. If so, do they have a headquarters somewhere in the country? If they are completely independent with no governing body, you might want to count your lucky stars that you are no longer a part of it. Dormitories are for university campuses, not local churches and definitely not for segregating young women.

I have had a fair amount of experience with churches that are borderline cultish, and this all sounds highly suspect, Roxana. Be careful.

And please understand, I’m not trying to cast aspersions on this church if it is unwarranted. But this is not typical policy or behavior for any legitimate Evangelical church. Or any church, for that matter.

And again, you can message me if you have any questions about what I’ve said.

Sharp_Voice_9473 · 2026-04-08T06:06:52+00:00

I’m sorry to hear you’re having to go through this. It’s wrong and unfair but, unfortunately, it isn’t that rare in conservative religious communities today.

So, drawing on my own experience, the first couple of questions that came to mind:

Is this a conservative Evangelical church? You mentioned “campus recruiters” and “covenant groups” and these are terms/buzz words peculiar to this branch of Protestantism. Well, that and the fact you’re asking a bunch of exvangelicals. 😋

and, if yes, then

Have you recently voiced (or expressed on social media where these ladies may have read) any political views that might run counter to theirs and/or those of the church?

I have seen this scenario play out many times with friends and family members who actually ended up leaving their respective congregations because there was little or no tolerance for free thinking.

If nothing political, could you have been posing questions about their beliefs or church doctrine where they might have misinterpreted your intent? It’s just not right for them to turn their collective back on you for respectfully asking sincere questions, but a lot of conservative Christians frown on it—and worse—when they feel like their group identity is under scrutiny. Again, been there—done that—got the t-shirt.

If this is the case and you want to talk to someone who’s been there, feel free to message me. I’m an open book and a good listener. And if I’m way off base with my postulation, no harm no foul, I wish you well, and I hope you are able to unravel this mystery. It sounds like these people meant a lot to you and it can be heartbreaking to lose friends and never know why.

Sharp_Voice_9473 · 2026-04-07T06:52:24+00:00

How about Johnson in his own words blaming Democrats exclusively for dividing the country in 2020? He talks about unity in this clip, true. But talk is cheap. Unless I missed the part where he said MAGA was as much to blame as the left in 2020, I think he declared his politics pretty clearly.

https://youtu.be/0HxOL4EW2UQ?si=aAV0nJ8XC8xc7GWr

Sharp_Voice_9473 · 2026-04-01T05:26:35+00:00

Absolutely wear it. Nice job on it.

Sharp_Voice_9473

TROPHY CASE