2 NYPD officers shot, killed in ambush on cop car

[Karee 4,190]

Futhermore….one of the biggest lies we have all been told as children is that we can become whatever we want as long as we work hard at it.

I'd like to believe that race isn't one of things that prevents someone from being successful.

[eieio 1,594]

I'd like to think that someone who is born black has exactly the same shot in this country as someone born white, leaving out any environmental factors.

If their goal is to become a professional athlete…

on second thought…..i bow out

I'd like to believe that race isn't one of things that prevents someone from being successful.

That quote had nothing to do with race

[Karee 4,190]

If their goal is to become a professional athlete…

on second thought…..i bow out

That quote had nothing to do with race

I didn't say that it did. I just stated that I hoped it didn't come in to play

[LibCampFireClub 635]

I guess I misunderstood you. Apologies if I did. I'd like to think that someone who is born black has exactly the same shot in this country as someone born white, leaving out any environmental factors.

No problem. This is a topic that can be easily derailed.

My daughter suffered serious brain trauma during birth due to lack of oxygen. She will never ride a bicycle or drive a car, but yet there are certain qualities that seem to replace the ones she lost. Does this happen a lot? Who knows? Some people say blind folks have enhanced hearing and heightended senses of people's intentions and their surroundings. Is it true? How does one validate it?

My daughter never had a chance at being a rocket scientist, but she does have a sense that she is the best she can be. That quality is heartwarming to those who meet and know her. The playing field on earth was not designed level. It's longer for some, and shorter for others. Some run, some walk, some do nothing at all. Some say our motivation is governed by genetics.

It seems a waste of time to me to shake out a box of multicultural kids onto a playground, and then tell each and every one of them they all have the same shot as the next, despite any physical, mental, and other environmental factors they are subjected. It's much more humane and realistic to help each and every one of them realize who they are and help them to become comfortable in their own skin. To accept the things they cannot change, and to change the things they can. Most notably to gain the wisdom to know the difference.

[Karee 4,190]

No problem. This is a topic that can be easily derailed.

My daughter suffered serious brain trauma during birth due to lack of oxygen. She will never ride a bicycle or drive a car, but yet there are certain qualities that seem to replace the ones she lost. Does this happen a lot? Who knows? Some people say blind folks have enhanced hearing and heightended senses of people's intentions and their surroundings. Is it true? How does one validate it?

My daughter never had a chance at being a rocket scientist, but she does have a sense that she is the best she can be. That quality is heartwarming to those who meet and know her. The playing field on earth was not designed level. It's longer for some, and shorter for others. Some run, some walk, some do nothing at all. Some say our motivation is governed by genetics.

It seems a waste of time to me to shake out a box of multicultural kids onto a playground, and then tell each and every one of them they all have the same shot as the next, despite any physical, mental, and other environmental factors they are subjected. It's much more humane and realistic to help each and every one of them realize who they are and help them to become comfortable in their own skin. To accept the things they cannot change, and to change the things they can. Most notably to gain the wisdom to know the difference.

Cool. I suppose it's hard to figure out what people's true meaning are on a message board.

As to your last line, every should live their life by those words.

[yuna628 9,676]

I guess I misunderstood you. Apologies if I did. I'd like to think that someone who is born black has exactly the same shot in this country as someone born white, leaving out any environmental factors.

If racism or sexism of any sort did not exist anywhere in the world, I think perhaps some would have a greater shot than others but only in terms of having better access or opportunities in some areas. What I mean by this is, you can be the smartest, most educated individual in your field trying to advance up the ladder -- but you may be passed over because of predjudice and ignorance regarding your race or gender. This does not mean however, that just because it does exist in the world that you can't still be successful, there will just be slightly more of an obstacle to overcome. And many people have and continue to overcome it, even historically when people's behaviour toward one another was abhorrent.

Futhermore….one of the biggest lies we have all been told as children is that we can become whatever we want as long as we work hard at it.

True. What we should be telling them is. You can try to be what you would like, through hard work and perseverance. However don't expect or even demand that it will work out. Trying is 50% odds to success and 50% to fail. Flexibility, realism, and reality is what we should be teaching alongside doing your best, hard work, and kindness etc.

No problem. This is a topic that can be easily derailed.

My daughter suffered serious brain trauma during birth due to lack of oxygen. She will never ride a bicycle or drive a car, but yet there are certain qualities that seem to replace the ones she lost. Does this happen a lot? Who knows? Some people say blind folks have enhanced hearing and heightended senses of people's intentions and their surroundings. Is it true? How does one validate it?

My daughter never had a chance at being a rocket scientist, but she does have a sense that she is the best she can be. That quality is heartwarming to those who meet and know her. The playing field on earth was not designed level. It's longer for some, and shorter for others. Some run, some walk, some do nothing at all. Some say our motivation is governed by genetics.

It seems a waste of time to me to shake out a box of multicultural kids onto a playground, and then tell each and every one of them they all have the same shot as the next, despite any physical, mental, and other environmental factors they are subjected. It's much more humane and realistic to help each and every one of them realize who they are and help them to become comfortable in their own skin. To accept the things they cannot change, and to change the things they can. Most notably to gain the wisdom to know the difference.

Yes, when some have disabilities we often are able to improve our own condition by almost rewiring ourselves and heightening our strengths. We should be helping them to be comfortable in their own skin yes, but we should also be teaching them to be compassionate to others who are not like themselves. Underneath the colour of the our skin we are still each human beings. Genetic and environmental factors aside. We should each understand that some of us will be good at something, and others will be terrible at something. And that's okay. Often times I feel we tell kids that they have to be good at everything, instead of actually recognizing what it is they are really great at.

[LibCampFireClub 635]

If racism or sexism of any sort did not exist anywhere in the world, I think perhaps some would have a greater shot than others but only in terms of having better access or opportunities in some areas. What I mean by this is, you can be the smartest, most educated individual in your field trying to advance up the ladder -- but you may be passed over because of predjudice and ignorance regarding your race or gender. This does not mean however, that just because it does exist in the world that you can't still be successful, there will just be slightly more of an obstacle to overcome. And many people have and continue to overcome it, even historically when people's behaviour toward one another was abhorrent.

Life isn't fair. Do you think if you force another to see things your way that they will somehow be enlightened and agree with you?

Does it help to teach our young to cry out in the name of racism and sexism to better enable them to get a leg up in life? There is no ladder in life for we live in a universe governed by entropy. There is nothing new under the sun and the roadmap to peace is the same as it always was. There is no level playing field. What is the measure of success? Is it the content and strength of ones character, or is it the size of their bank account?

Edited December 23, 2014 by ExExpat

[yuna628 9,676]

Life isn't fair. Do you think if you force another to see things your way that they will somehow be enlightened and agree with you?

Does it help to teach our young to cry out in the name of racism and sexism to better enable them to get a leg up in life? There is no ladder in life for we live in a universe governed by entropy. There is nothing new under the sun and the roadmap to peace is the same as it always was. There is no level playing field. What is the measure of success? Is it the content and strength of ones character, or is it the size of their bank account?

Certainly not, nor was I implying that.

But we also should not deny that racism and sexism doesn't exist (it does) and can be for some, a factor in providing certain obstacles (just like other factors). It should not however, be a factor that prevents them from accomplishing goals in life. They have to stand up, ignore those slinging the obstacles, unkind words and behaviours, and keep doing whatever it is they'd like to achieve. Some of the greatest inventors and pioneers in society have been those that had to suffer intense hardship and endure brutality because of race or sex. This didn't stop them. Nor should it stop any one today. Sometimes, the biggest obstacle standing in front of us, is ourselves.

The measure of success is whatever it is that makes you feel successful usually. Having the most money in the world will probably feel like success to some and excess to others. It may be wonderful to begin with and empty later in life. Generally, because we are a consumerist society people tend to think success is made of money, power, and excess. Some just want to be rich or others just to live comfortably. Don't think anyone actually wants to be poor. But to me life isn't all just about money. I like the content and strength of character personally.

[LibCampFireClub 635]

Certainly not, nor was I implying that.

But we also should not deny that racism and sexism doesn't exist (it does) and can be for some, a factor in providing certain obstacles (just like other factors). It should not however, be a factor that prevents them from accomplishing goals in life. They have to stand up, ignore those slinging the obstacles, unkind words and behaviours, and keep doing whatever it is they'd like to achieve. Some of the greatest inventors and pioneers in society have been those that had to suffer intense hardship and endure brutality because of race or sex. This didn't stop them. Nor should it stop any one today. Sometimes, the biggest obstacle standing in front of us, is ourselves.

The measure of success is whatever it is that makes you feel successful usually. Having the most money in the world will probably feel like success to some and excess to others. It may be wonderful to begin with and empty later in life. Generally, because we are a consumerist society people tend to think success is made of money, power, and excess. Some just want to be rich or others just to live comfortably. Don't think anyone actually wants to be poor. But to me life isn't all just about money. I like the content and strength of character personally.

If WE were a COLLECTIVE, like the BORG, then yes, WE should all follow the model we are provided. We've got no model on earth. Hell, people can't even agree with the most simple things, let alone any gold standard.

That's why teaching our young to focus on their own behavior rather than blaming everyone else when things don't work out how they want, is a far better plan. And, it helps teach them that giving, and loving, caring and gratitude are fruits that promote positive results that are measured as true success as they live in their heart.

[decocker 7,198]

Futhermore….one of the biggest lies we have all been told as children is that we can become whatever we want as long as we work hard at it.

damn - i agreed with you twice in one day. the american dream is a lie = good call.

[Teddy B 17,252]

Futhermore….one of the biggest lies we have all been told as children is that we can become whatever we want as long as we work hard at it.

damn - i agreed with you twice in one day. the american dream is a lie = good call.

I dunno, I still think that the majority of American citizens can pretty much be what they want to be with hard work.

[decocker 7,198]

I dunno, I still think that the majority of American citizens can pretty much be what they want to be with hard work.

the american dream isn't the 'majority', the american dream was for everyone.

[LibCampFireClub 635]

the american dream isn't the 'majority', the american dream was for everyone.

The American dream is alive and well. It's located at the corner of hard work and there ain't no free ride to your free lunch

[decocker 7,198]

The American dream is alive and well. It's located at the corner of hard work and there ain't no free ride to your free lunch

aw. thanks so much for schooling me daddy. i had no idea all i had to do was work hard and not expect a free ride/lunch. been going about this life thing all wrong.

[Teddy B 17,252]

the american dream isn't the 'majority', the american dream was for everyone.

Was it? I don't think anything in life applies to everyone. There are always factors that play into any situation.