2 NYPD officers shot, killed in ambush on cop car

[decocker 7,198]

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

um. yeah, growing up the version of the american dream i was told, included equal opportunity for anyone who wanted to pursue it. maybe i grew up in a different america than you. or maybe my parents were too idealistic for their own good. dunno.

[Teddy B 17,252]

um. yeah, growing up the version of the american dream i was told, included equal opportunity for anyone who wanted to pursue it. maybe i grew up in a different america than you. or maybe my parents were too idealistic for their own good. dunno.

I was never told that everyone had an equal opportunity as part of the American Dream and that's simply not true. There are people who have it harder than others and there are people who are born into more fortunate situations. I was always told that with hard work and perseverence, you could be what you wanted to be, that means more work for some who aren't as fortunate. That's the American Dream I know.

Edited December 23, 2014 by Teddy B

[decocker 7,198]

I was never told that everyone had an equal opportunity as part of the American Dream and that's simply not true. There are people who have it harder than others and there are people who are born into more fortunate situations. I was always told that with hard work and perseverence, you could be what you wanted to be, that means more work for some who aren't as fortunate. That's the American Dream I know.

uh, yeah - the whole point of the 'american dream' is that anyone who put in the work and the effort could achieve their dreams. that is not true anymore. it never was, but that was the lie i was told.

[Teddy B 17,252]

uh, yeah - the whole point of the 'american dream' is that anyone who put in the work and the effort could achieve their dreams. that is not true anymore. it never was, but that was the lie i was told.

Sure it's still true and it happens every day.

[decocker 7,198]

Sure it's still true and it happens every day.

if you say so. gotta run go pick up my unicorn from her hair appointment.

[Teddy B 17,252]

if you say so. gotta run go pick up my unicorn from her hair appointment.

Don't forget to stop and pick up a bottle of joy.

[decocker 7,198]

Don't forget to stop and pick up a bottle of joy.

i make my own in the basement.

[Teddy B 17,252]

i make my own in the basement.

You've got a bone grinder in your basement??

[decocker 7,198]

You've got a bone grinder in your basement??

i really can't say. lost might try to commandeer my bunker.

Edited December 23, 2014 by val erie

[yuna628 9,676]

uh, yeah - the whole point of the 'american dream' is that anyone who put in the work and the effort could achieve their dreams. that is not true anymore. it never was, but that was the lie i was told.

I think being told that is what sets young people up early on for failure, regret, and then a complete collapse of judgment. We tell our kids to have unrealistic expectations nor do we give them the tools to know how to function anymore when faced with reality. The millions of men and women that commit crimes every day had a choice to do whatever it was they wanted in life. For many of them, they may have been born into some really terrible situations and had no tools or support from family to know how to function. Disaffected they turn to criminal behavior because peers and role models around them may also be doing it. BGF is a strong influence on inner city youth today. Guns = power. Money = power and freedom. Gang = acceptance and purpose. They forget they had choices to make. The easy way out is never the path that sets a person up for success. The man who is the topic of this thread had choices to make too. He made pretty much all the wrong ones that most likely exacerbated mental illness. But I don't see that there was anyone in his life that actually tried to help him either. We're spoon-fed many lies in our lives, but it's our choice whether to believe them. Because I'm not sure that there was a point that the 'American dream' was ever true; it's born out of unrealistic expectations. We measure success too much in economics and not in anything else. My dream was to marry a good man and raise a family, that's almost accomplished. My fiancé's was to go to college and get his degree, marry and raise a family. This is not the dreams of many because society tells us the dream almost has to be something involving being a millionare. And I don't think that's how our ancestors thought of the American dream either, no matter what colour they were.

One of the police officers was the only son of Chinese immigrants. I'm sure they did not have the easiest life either. But I'm also pretty sure their son worked hard to get where he was.

[decocker 7,198]

I think being told that is what sets young people up early on for failure, regret, and then a complete collapse of judgment. We tell our kids to have unrealistic expectations nor do we give them the tools to know how to function anymore when faced with reality. The millions of men and women that commit crimes every day had a choice to do whatever it was they wanted in life. For many of them, they may have been born into some really terrible situations and had no tools or support from family to know how to function. Disaffected they turn to criminal behavior because peers and role models around them may also be doing it. BGF is a strong influence on inner city youth today. Guns = power. Money = power and freedom. Gang = acceptance and purpose. They forget they had choices to make. The easy way out is never the path that sets a person up for success. The man who is the topic of this thread had choices to make too. He made pretty much all the wrong ones that most likely exacerbated mental illness. But I don't see that there was anyone in his life that actually tried to help him either. We're spoon-fed many lies in our lives, but it's our choice whether to believe them. Because I'm not sure that there was a point that the 'American dream' was ever true; it's born out of unrealistic expectations. We measure success too much in economics and not in anything else. My dream was to marry a good man and raise a family, that's almost accomplished. My fiancé's was to go to college and get his degree, marry and raise a family. This is not the dreams of many because society tells us the dream almost has to be something involving being a millionare. And I don't think that's how our ancestors thought of the American dream either, no matter what colour they were.

One of the police officers was the only son of Chinese immigrants. I'm sure they did not have the easiest life either. But I'm also pretty sure their son worked hard to get where he was.

if you don't properly insert the lie of the american dream in your offspring's head, and reinforce that dream above all else (you can achieve whatever their little murican heart desires) then they will grow up primed with a chip on their shoulder and stuck in perpetual victimhood.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

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

The American dream is for anyone willing to work hard enough to attain it. Sure, it comes easier for some folks, like for children that were smuggled in the country. Thanks Obama!

uh, yeah - the whole point of the 'american dream' is that anyone who put in the work and the effort could achieve their dreams. that is not true anymore. it never was, but that was the lie i was told.

So sad your dream was never fulfilled.

[decocker 7,198]

The American dream is for anyone willing to work hard enough to attain it. Sure, it comes easier for some folks, like for children that were smuggled in the country. Thanks Obama!

for real?! i hate those greedy little smuggled brats!>!

[decocker 7,198]

So sad your dream was never fulfilled.

me too

[Teddy B 17,252]

if you don't properly insert the lie of the american dream in your offspring's head, and reinforce that dream above all else (you can achieve whatever their little murican heart desires) then they will grow up primed with a chip on their shoulder and stuck in perpetual victimhood.

Parents should just cut to the chase and tell their kids they probably won't amount to anything more than a welfare recipient that will end up living in the projects, addicted to crystal meth and 4 kids out of wed lock. Sound bout right?