Political Posts

[Castanza]

2 hours ago, Parsad said:

 

Not really!  There are massive clinical studies backing one side, while a handful of small statistics and studies backing the other...and most aren't particularly reputable!  Cheers!

I’m talking in general terms regarding a wide range of topics and views each side of the political aisle backs. My comment was not covid specific. 

[Castanza]

1 hour ago, Parsad said:

 

Why call him squirt?  Seems a bit belittling. . 

 

Playful banter… @cwericb does not engage in good faith arguments. He interjects into discussions with one liners and then shift the goal posts when his point is addressed. It’s not productive. Moving on … 
 

 

[Castanza]

2 hours ago, Parsad said:

 

Again, bullshit on the stats and actual clinical information.  Cheers!

That’s not the point Greg is making. At the time there was no clinical data, but we did know that very few kids were having issues with it. Going from memory most were asymptomatic? But we did know people over 50 were dropping like flies. Hindsight is different, but in the thick of it people were frustrated because it seemed like experts were not taking this into account and there were vast differences in opinions regarding children and the covid vaccine among qualified individuals. So instead of addressing it professionally, leadership continued to force their opinion down the throats of the American populace and politicize the topic even further…..this is one action that has lead to hesitancy in today’s world. There was little common sense with how either administration handled the event. Trump not Biden are leaders imo. They were and are outclassed by the position they hold. 
 

 

 

[cwericb]

25 minutes ago, Castanza said:

 

Playful banter… @cwericb does not engage in good faith arguments. He interjects into discussions with one liners and then shift the goal posts when his point is addressed. It’s not productive. Moving on … 
 

 

 

Oh really? Would you like to perhaps provide some examples?

 

You often go to great length to 'prove' your point and are so convinced that your view is the only correct one it is simply just not worth the time to argue with you - especially when you are often disrespectful to other posters who disagree with you. 

 

 

 

 

[Gregmal]

Yup. And then in between all the government coordinated censoring of any views or opinions, let alone real medical professionals they didn’t like via the news networks and social media. 
 

So now when they cry “first amendment”….we just laugh and say… Fuck. You. 
 

And this doesn’t even begin to account for stuff like arresting people for going out in public. Fining small business owners for trying to stay afloat while allowing Walmart and Amazon to stay open. Gavin going to private dinners with his buddies while mandating everyone else triple mask at home. 
 

Covid was a pretty horrendous show of character for many politicians. Was fun for me. Made a shit ton of money in the market while basically roadtripping all over the country in hotels and resorts that were like 80-90% off cuz folks were scared of germs. God bless. 

[adesigar]

34 minutes ago, Castanza said:

That’s not the point Greg is making. At the time there was no clinical data, but we did know that very few kids were having issues with it. Going from memory most were asymptomatic? But we did know people over 50 were dropping like flies. Hindsight is different, but in the thick of it people were frustrated because it seemed like experts were not taking this into account and there were vast differences in opinions regarding children and the covid vaccine among qualified individuals. So instead of addressing it professionally, leadership continued to force their opinion down the throats of the American populace and politicize the topic even further…..this is one action that has lead to hesitancy in today’s world. There was little common sense with how either administration handled the event. Trump not Biden are leaders imo. They were and are outclassed by the position they hold. 
 

 

 

So it’s ok for asymptomatic kids to spread COVID to the grandparents? Do you understand why it’s important for everyone to be vaccinated? 
 

[Marco Van Basten]

4 hours ago, dwy000 said:

Everyone in America lives amongst immigrants.  The data shows otherwise.  

I must have missed it, but would you mind showing me where in the report that you quoted there is accounting for Medicaid, food stamps, welfare, food pantries, prisons, schools and other government services used by immigrants.  Thank you.

[dwy000]

6 minutes ago, Marco Van Basten said:

I must have missed it, but would you mind showing me where in the report that you quoted there is accounting for Medicaid, food stamps, welfare, food pantries, prisons, schools and other government services used by immigrants.  Thank you.

Its summarized in total in the government report I copied. Thats total impact estimates. Which are massively positive. 

 

But here is another with latest figures for immigrants vs non immigrants. https://www.cato.org/blog/immigrants-used-less-welfare-native-born-americans-2022#:~:text=According to a 2023 Survey of Income,* Were 14.3% of the US population

 

Reversing the question, have you found the study you may or may not have read that claimed the opposite?  

[dwy000]

16 minutes ago, Gregmal said:

Yup. And then in between all the government coordinated censoring of any views or opinions, let alone real medical professionals they didn’t like via the news networks and social media. 
 

So now when they cry “first amendment”….we just laugh and say… Fuck. You. 
 

And this doesn’t even begin to account for stuff like arresting people for going out in public. Fining small business owners for trying to stay afloat while allowing Walmart and Amazon to stay open. Gavin going to private dinners with his buddies while mandating everyone else triple mask at home. 
 

Covid was a pretty horrendous show of character for many politicians. Was fun for me. Made a shit ton of money in the market while basically roadtripping all over the country in hotels and resorts that were like 80-90% off cuz folks were scared of germs. God bless. 

This is some tin hat level stuff. Government coordinated censorship of views they didnt like via the news networks and social media?  Right.  Cuz the government has so much control over the networks and social media.  

[Castanza]

31 minutes ago, adesigar said:

So it’s ok for asymptomatic kids to spread COVID to the grandparents? Do you understand why it’s important for everyone to be vaccinated? 
 

Do you? 
 

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39283431/
 

Edit: and because you likely didn’t read the conversation in its entirety, I said I’m not against vaccines in any way shape or form. Simply said during the thick of covid some more tact from leadership could have gone a long way with the general population. 

Edited October 3, 2025 by Castanza

[cwericb]

2 minutes ago, dwy000 said:

Its summarized in total in the government report I copied. Thats total impact estimates. Which are massively positive. 

 

But here is another with latest figures for immigrants vs non immigrants. https://www.cato.org/blog/immigrants-used-less-welfare-native-born-americans-2022#:~:text=According to a 2023 Survey of Income,* Were 14.3% of the US population

 

Reversing the question, have you found the study you may or may not have read that claimed the opposite?  

 

Yup, same thing around here. Some locals bitch about immigrants taking their jobs, while said locals prefer to collect welfare rather than work. At the very least the immigrants have had the guts to get off their asses and leave their country for a better future elsewhere where most work their asses off. 

 

The real problem as I see it is that quotas need to be set. If you admit say 10,000 immigrants than perhaps 2 or 3 must be medical doctors, 10 must be nurses, 'x' must be skilled mechanics, 'y' must be skilled carpenters, etc, etc.

[Gregmal]

5 minutes ago, dwy000 said:

This is some tin hat level stuff. Government coordinated censorship of views they didnt like via the news networks and social media?  Right.  Cuz the government has so much control over the networks and social media.  

Lmfao, not sure if serious. 
 

Even a simple google search will help you here. “Did the government coordinate to censor during covid”….you can also check Zuckerbergs testimony or idk the files released from internal Twitter communication or various Google execs? Good lord…it’s like you guys are so married to “your side” youre blind…..

[Gregmal]

 

See ya….

[Castanza]

36 minutes ago, cwericb said:

 

Oh really? Would you like to perhaps provide some examples?

 

You often go to great length to 'prove' your point and are so convinced that your view is the only correct one it is simply just not worth the time to argue with you - especially when you are often disrespectful to other posters who disagree with you. 

 

 

 

 

Yes, where you interjected yourself into the conversation with some random “just another flu” comment that nobody had said or was claiming. You implied this was the view of some currently. 
 

I’m not sure which “point” you are referring; but I’m assuming it’s the one where I shared an FBI report with 30 years of compiled data and their opinion on the firearm issue? You’re free to agree or disagree with their views. 
 

One thing that gets lost in forum format discussions is the context and frame of mind said poster has. Just looking at the last two pages I see multiple responses to points made that do not address the topic in the context that it was said (ex. @Parsad referencing backwards looking vaccine studies with current data in order to address Greg’s comment regarding a parents view of the covid vaccine during 2020) Discussing covid with a 2020 this is what we knew then vs 2025 this is what we know now viewpoint is vastly different. If you do not read the context of the conversation and note this distinction you will likely misunderstand someone’s point. 
 

 

 

[Gregmal]

8 minutes ago, Castanza said:

Yes, where you interjected yourself into the conversation with some random “just another flu” comment that nobody had said or was claiming. You implied this was the view of some currently. 
 

I’m not sure which “point” you are referring; but I’m assuming it’s the one where I shared an FBI report with 30 years of compiled data and their opinion on the firearm issue? You’re free to agree or disagree with their views. 
 

One thing that gets lost in forum format discussions is the context and frame of mind said poster has. Just looking at the last two pages I see multiple responses to points made that do not address the topic in the context that it was said (ex. @Parsad referencing backwards looking vaccine studies with current data in order to address Greg’s comment regarding a parents view of the covid vaccine during 2020) Discussing covid with a 2020 this is what we knew then vs 2025 this is what we know now viewpoint is vastly different. If you do not read the context of the conversation and note this distinction you will likely misunderstand someone’s point. 
 

 

 

I’ve always loved the back and forth and dialogue on this site, especially the older guard like @LC but there’s a few whom are just simply worthless in terms of their overall existence here that occasionally come out of the woodwork to be the equivalent of a gnat that swarms the brim of your hat. Even when you try to respond to them, you’re still kinda just befuddled by their existence and stumped in terms of how to even respond to the uselessness….congrats on finding one of them lol 

[adesigar]

39 minutes ago, Castanza said:

Do you? 
 

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39283431/
 

Edit: and because you likely didn’t read the conversation in its entirety, I said I’m not against vaccines in any way shape or form. Simply said during the thick of covid some more tact from leadership could have gone a long way with the general population. 

Yes I do. Ever heard of HERD immunity and why it’s important? 
 

 

[cwericb]

14 minutes ago, Castanza said:

Yes, where you interjected yourself into the conversation with some random “just another flu” comment that nobody had said or was claiming. You implied this was the view of some currently. 
 

I’m not sure which “point” you are referring; but I’m assuming it’s the one where I shared an FBI report with 30 years of compiled data and their opinion on the firearm issue? You’re free to agree or disagree with their views. 
 

One thing that gets lost in forum format discussions is the context and frame of mind said poster has. Just looking at the last two pages I see multiple responses to points made that do not address the topic in the context that it was said (ex. @Parsad referencing backwards looking vaccine studies with current data in order to address Greg’s comment regarding a parents view of the covid vaccine during 2020) Discussing covid with a 2020 this is what we knew then vs 2025 this is what we know now viewpoint is vastly different. If you do not read the context of the conversation and note this distinction you will likely misunderstand someone’s point. 
 

 

 

 

"Yes, where you interjected yourself into the conversation with some random “just another flu” comment that nobody had said or was claiming. You implied this was the view of some currently."

 

1) I had been involved in the conversation on this thread for some time. As far as I know, one doesn't have to have your permission to comment.

 

2)  I most certainly did NOT imply that the 'flu' remarks were current. I was giving an example of hindsight.

 

3) Whenever you or Gregmal post it is not long before the other jumps to support the other's remarks. Oops, my point was just proven as above. 

 

4) As for the 'Flu' remarks it was Gregmal, your buddy, who maintained for months and months that Covid was just another flu and how ridiculous people were for making such a big deal about it - and still is despite Covid killing over a million people in the US alone... the highest death toll of any country. I have no recollection of you disagreeing with him on this back in the early days of Covid. 

 

[Castanza]

Just now, adesigar said:

Yes I do. Ever heard of HERD immunity and why it’s important? 
 

 

Yes and like the Flu it’s likely impossible for covid. As the previous study showed, asymptomatic covid cases likely don’t contribute to the spread of covid-19 any more than people who are vaccinated for covid-19 but also contract the virus. In many cases they contribute less since even with the covid vaccine you can contract covid and exhibit symptoms greater than someone who is asymptomatic. 
 

Here is another one for you regarding herd immunity by the Mayo Clinic. 
 

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/coronavirus/in-depth/herd-immunity-and-coronavirus/art-20486808

 

@Gregmal 

 

[cwericb]

23 minutes ago, Gregmal said:

I’ve always loved the back and forth and dialogue on this site, especially the older guard like @LC but there’s a few whom are just simply worthless in terms of their overall existence here that occasionally come out of the woodwork to be the equivalent of a gnat that swarms the brim of your hat. Even when you try to respond to them, you’re still kinda just befuddled by their existence and stumped in terms of how to even respond to the uselessness….congrats on finding one of them lol 

 

Haha, this from he who back when covid first started to make it's way around the world declared with his regular confidence... 

"I would be shocked if we ever saw cases here that numbered more than the fingers of one hand." 

Over one million US deaths later...

 

And then disparaging people getting Covid shots back then, he now admits he and his wife were getting their Covid shots.

 

Have a good evening.

[Gregmal]

I posted on this site the exact days that I got the first and second shots in mid 2021 because people were asking me about it. Spek was even joking about how 30 year old finance guys are getting it in NY/NJ before the elder crowds in other states…hardly some secret LMFAO we could try to recall and nitpick every post you’ve ever contributed, but you’re useless and no one cares what you have to say 

[backtothebeach]

13 hours ago, Parsad said:

According to UNICEF, 17,400 children died from Covid.  In terms of side effects, various studies have put it at 15-20 per 2M doses.  There are about 1.3B adolescents globally, so side effects could have possible affected between 10K and 13K of them...still far less than total deaths, let alone serious illnesses like pneumonia which were probably 10 times those numbers.  Any way you want to cut, the vaccines saved lives, especially those over 50 years of age...and even all the way down to young children.  There is just no disputing this fact!  Cheers!

 

Last night I dreamed of @Parsad chasing kids with a syringe... (kidding)

 

As we have learned during the pandemic, statistics are a tricky thing. Those 17400 poor children (over the course of 2.5 years) were overwhelmingly not healthy children that suddenly dropped dead from Covid. How many of them were seriously ill and any respiratory infection would have pushed them over the edge? The stats don't differentiate "from Covid" and "with Covid as a factor".

 

Not jabbing healthy kids with a non-sterilizing and short lasting treatment was and is entirely rational.
 

Edited October 3, 2025 by backtothebeach

[Sweet]

9 minutes ago, backtothebeach said:

Not jabbing healthy kids with a non-sterilizing and short lasting treatment was and is entirely rational.

Yeh, many countries didn’t recommend it either.

 

In the UK it was only recommended for children under 4 who were a ‘clinical risk group’.

 

 

[73 Reds]

On 10/1/2025 at 6:06 PM, Parsad said:

 

You see, it's not a personal decision.  Because your decision could indirectly affect someone else due to exposure or mutation of the virus. 

 

This was what was almost impossible to pound through the head of many people during the Pandemic...that it isn't just a personal healthcare decision...your decision impacts many others. 

 

Like the millions of seniors that died globally because someone walked into their home with Covid.  Cheers!

Sanjeev, prior to Covid, the Flu killed tens of thousands of Americans each year.  The flu is just as contagious as Covid.  Did you lobby for mandatory flu shots?  Please don't treat Covid vaccines as if there is no possibility of adverse side effects.  It really comes down to a person decision.  

[Castanza]

On 10/1/2025 at 6:06 PM, Parsad said:

Like the millions of seniors that died globally because someone walked into their home with Covid.  Cheers!

 

You do realize the covid vaccine does not prevent you from spreading covid if you have covid right? It prevents YOU from having severe affects and prolonged illness....You should limit exposure to at risk individuals whether vaccinated or not if you are sick or symptomatic. There are some studies that show that vaccinated individuals have a reduced viral load in a shorter timeframe than say an asymptomatic person, but it seems to be (according to a bunch of NIH studies, MayoClinic, and CDC studies 2023-2025 that it is not a huge difference). 

 

 

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39283431/

 

 

[cwericb]

10 hours ago, Gregmal said:

 but you’re useless and no one cares what you have to say 

 

18 hours ago, Castanza said:

 

Sure thing squirt....there is only a handful of people engaged in this conversation....

 

 

" but you’re useless and no one cares what you have to say "

"Sure thing squirt....there is only a handful of people engaged in this conversation...."

 

Here we have a couple of examples of how a FEW posters - usually on the Right - consistently like to attack other posters personally. 

 

Attack, attack, attack. Disparage and belittle are their weapons of choice. It is just so tiring, so childish and so unnecessary. But, like members of a cult they tend to emulate their chosen leader and his actions and methods, and yet sadly they lack the good sense to be embarrassed by it.

 

If one has confidence in the legitimate points you wish to make, why do you feel the necessity to personally attack those with other views? 

 

Sure, anyone can 'lose it' at times, but the above 'tag team' do this consistently with their "Holier than thou" attitude. It just reflects poorly on their upbringing and lack of any good manners.

 

Isn't it time to grow up?