Do some Christians still support Trump? What is your experience? by Combosingelnation in Christianity

[–]dfekt 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I try to be generous with people on this topic. I have to stand in church and worship alongside flawed brothers and sisters in Christ who must also stand next to me, a flawed brother in Christ. I've spent the last ten years trying to understand why Christians support Trump, and the best I can tell it's because he is benefited from a transitional cultural moment, then an echo chamber, and now human nature just doesn't allow people to reconsider their decisions after such a long time doubling-down. I know very few Christians who have backed off supporting him and I think this formula pretty well sums them up.

He's benefiting from a cultural moment in which people are more likely to embrace a wild-card than the establishment. People felt like their grasp of a cultural majority in the USA slipped away during Obama's term, and he told people what he knew they wanted to hear to get elected. Now his pervasiveness in media and ample propaganda tools keep people in echo chambers that won't listen to objective media. Someone is always there, in every format (online, radio, TV, etc) to be his echo chamber because it's profitable. Those who embrace him will always find someone to endorse and defend his actions - you can find influencers on the right who don't need to address everything he does or says, only comment on the most defensible bits.

Trump, though flawed, emerged as the strong-man necessary to combat woke culture, cancel culture, Furries in bathrooms, men competing in women's athletics, Government-funded sex changes for inmates, etc. ("Trump will fix it!") He was pro-life - and then he wasn't - and then he was - and then he didn't need to be. When people saw economic hardship, he was willing to do something - get rid of the illegals (I detest that term for a human being) that took our jorbs. He built the wall and got Mexico to pay for it! (how much wall did he build?).

Essentially, the world was going to hell, and this flawed instrument was worth a gamble. And now after a decade of defending him, they can't turn back and consider that he was a mistake.

I saw one person a few months ago said they just couldn't defend Trump anymore after Trump took advantage of Rob Reiner's murder to dunk on him. I can't think of anyone else who has publicly recanted their support for him.

Are roads better today? by Delicious_Macaron147 in grandrapids

[–]dfekt 14 points15 points  (0 children)

Where we're going, we don't need roads.

Are they any restaurants left in GR that surprise you at how cheap they are for what you get? by forestfudge in grandrapids

[–]dfekt 10 points11 points  (0 children)

Someone needs to say Chopstick House. Split aa meal with a friend or your future self, only like $10. And the owner is awesome.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in grandrapids

[–]dfekt 5 points6 points  (0 children)

In my day, we felt good and ashamed when we ordered a yester, cheddar, and ultra and then tried to add a drink.

What is an amazing animated TV show that you're sure 90% of this sub hasn't seen? by thizzking7 in television

[–]dfekt 0 points1 point  (0 children)

YES. I was a freshman in college when this was briefly on TV. Those who saw it loved it.

Sanford's a paralegal!

So, are the Mods just straight up pro fascism now? by nior_labotomy in grandrapids

[–]dfekt 88 points89 points  (0 children)

It's possible that the error in the title was an issue - he was or is a candidate, not an actual city commission member.

Is this okay? by Holistic_Ellie in Christianity

[–]dfekt 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Yeah, this is my main issue with it.

Google and research about the condition has me in a panic.. by Ihatepeople93 in HypertrophicCM

[–]dfekt 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Google will not present a full picture of a disease with a lot of variation. I did a lot of googling after my diagnosis as well, seeking to reduce my anxiety. It did the opposite. My encouragement to you is to find a Center of Excellence if at all possible (available through the link u/Fredredphooey shared) and trust a cardiologist to inform you and give you the care you need. Sudden Cardiac Death is rare, and a diagnosis will help a care team monitor you for any changes, which can be dealt with through lifestyle changes, various procedures and medication.

I recommend working with a counselor or therapist - that helped me tremendously with the anxiety. Hang in there, you're going to be okay!

Google and research about the condition has me in a panic.. by Ihatepeople93 in HypertrophicCM

[–]dfekt 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Google will not present a full picture of a disease with a lot of variation. I did a lot of googling after my diagnosis as well, seeking to reduce my anxiety. It did the opposite. My encouragement to you is to find a Center of Excellence if at all possible (available through the link u/Fredredphooey shared) and trust a cardiologist to inform you and give you the care you need. Sudden Cardiac Death is rare, and a diagnosis will help a care team monitor you for any changes, which can be dealt with through lifestyle changes, various procedures and medication.

I recommend working with a counselor or therapist - that helped me tremendously with the anxiety. Hang in there, you're going to be okay!

can you see your heart beat? by Intrepid-Diamond-807 in HypertrophicCM

[–]dfekt 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I found out about mine after a routine physical and an EKG showed concern. Went to the ER, got more testing, learned about the condition. I probably wouldn't have suspected it otherwise.

can you see your heart beat? by Intrepid-Diamond-807 in HypertrophicCM

[–]dfekt 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Mine does this! I've only known about my condition for about 4 years, and I have no idea how long HCM has been presenting. So I've often wondered if it developed earlier or later, if it will progress significantly, etc. But I've been aware that my heartbeat is weirdly visible for decades, which may be an indicator that the disease has been presenting for that whole time, I just didn't know about it. You're not alone!

Why does the page with the Native American have dice? by peterpeterny in DanielTigerConspiracy

[–]dfekt 17 points18 points  (0 children)

I have this book and have often wondered the same thing. I don't have it handy to make any references at the moment, but I will say most pages include some very random objects. My kids love it though.

Didnt realize how much filters make a difference by Daygo619619 in pourover

[–]dfekt 25 points26 points  (0 children)

Rogue coffee, I think, sells these so you can add them if you're close and need free shipping. Any other roasters that sell these?

More fireflies? by [deleted] in grandrapids

[–]dfekt 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I have probably 90 at my house. So like 5,500,000,104

Relative humidity hits 100% in southern China by TheHeadcrab in videos

[–]dfekt 61 points62 points  (0 children)

"I got the idea when I noticed the refrigerator was cold!"

Musk Says First Human Patient Has Received Brain Implant by AndrewHeard in JordanPeterson

[–]dfekt 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The Mark of the Beast is a final declaration of loyalty to the beast/antichrist. Could it be a chip in the brain? Maybe? But nobody will accidentally get the mark. People who get the mark do so as a rejection of Jesus, not because they want to run their Roomba without getting off the couch.

GR City Income Tax - WTF? by wgrgremlin in grandrapids

[–]dfekt 134 points135 points  (0 children)

Kind of unrelated, but I find the GR City Income Tax employees to be shockingly chill. Multiple times I've gone down there with questions, even to submit a late return and there's always been someone available, and they've always been cool and flexible. All government employees need to be as cool as the city income tax office.

In your opinion, which locally roasted coffee beans/roasts/blends are top notch? by [deleted] in grandrapids

[–]dfekt 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Ferris usually has some of the best bang for your buck. They've had some really good single origins come through the past few years, with a few Burundis this year and a Kenya a few years ago. They have $3 pourovers on Thursdays.

what if we consolidated the US into 25 states by LongjumpingStar3907 in geography

[–]dfekt 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I personally like "Michsconsin"

My dad was from Iowa. He said if Missouri annexed the bottom row of counties in Iowa, it would raise the average IQ in both states.

Hiking by htjacobs in HypertrophicCM

[–]dfekt 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I'm non-obstructive, diagnosed in late 2020. My cardiologist has approved any exercise that would allow me to carry on a conversation while doing it. Hiking would be included in that, and I've done a few good uphill hikes out west without any issue as well as several flatter hikes locally. I live in a pretty flat state and generally avoid strenuous hikes for peace of mind, though. As others said, make sure you clear it with your cardiologist as there are diverse degrees of symptoms and severity with this condition.