28 Comments
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Jim Reynolds's avatar

Harold, I’m glad that you made the SNAP decision to comment today. I love the handful of nuts. That’s my base! Jim

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jm's avatar

Jim, thank you for sharing your wonderful insights and humor. I never comment, though I often share your articles with my family & friends. You always bring a smile to my face if not an outright belly laugh. Thank you!

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Jim Reynolds's avatar

Jm, thanks for the comments. I appreciate it. Always looking for a belly laugh — the kind that shoots your coffee out your nostrils. That’s when I know I have arrived. Please jump in and comment any time. I’ll be here. Jim

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Roger Ridings's avatar

You’re like a box of chocolates, never know what I am going to get. I like most of your flavors but every so often I have to spit one back in the box. Hey, you can’t please everyone but keep it going!

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Jim Reynolds's avatar

Roger — keep ‘em guessing! Make sure it gets back in the box. Somebody else may really like that flavor. Even half-chewed. You say you don’t know what to expect? How do you think I feel? I have no idea what will move me to the keyboard. But if it moves me I have found that it usually does the same for my wonderful loyal readers.Jim

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Sandra Piva's avatar

Excellent analysis on posting comments. I believe everyone is entitled to my opinion on Facebook but I’ve erased more than I’ve posted because I’m chicken. Have gotten beat up a few times. Doesn’t stop me though when I’m being particularly self righteous.

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Jim Reynolds's avatar

When the site is still reasonably small I can respond to just about anybody. Have only had one troll so far — and he wasn’t too bad. I think there are a lot of readers here who just don’t feel that comfortable with commenting and “exposing” themselves online. Maybe they have also experienced that unpleasant situation where somebody is just trying to ruin your day. It happens. Encouraging comments is a double-edged sword. We will see how it goes. As I was telling MadChimp earlier, you will never change the mind of a person captured by the other tribe. No logic is that strong. One must recognize tribal thought and back off. Over here at Reynolds we are 99% preaching to the choir. Maybe they will send my stuff to somebody who is on the fence — though I have not seen many of that species in the wild.

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Jeff Reynolds's avatar

Most of the woes of the world can be directly attributed to someone not paying attention. jefe de nada

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Jim Reynolds's avatar

Hey Jefe! Fancy meeting you here. Jim

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MadChimp's avatar

Great encouragement. Many, many of us out here bemoaning the "facts" put out by the fake news machine, who invariably tell us they are representing the opinions of the masses. They (sometimes) make us wonder exactly where public opinion is - - but more often (unless the rational people we know, love and respect are actually a very narrow minority) it becomes quite evident they are not reporting public opinion, but doing their best to create it - - - and OFTEN not in a good, healthy way.

Comment - - compare notes - - become involved - - move public opinion - - care - - speak - - find like-minded people - - challenge people who disagree with you to explain what they mean, and tell them why you object - - 'debate' - - find a better way - - demand honesty - -

So far, at least, this medium belongs to us. We have a Republic, and we have a free means of expression - - - if we can keep it - -

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Jim Reynolds's avatar

Chimp, as you know, I have written about tribalism in the past. Tribalism is much stronger than logic. It cannot be defeated or coerced by rational thought. That is one thing I know for sure. If you can catch a partial fence-sitter you may have a chance with the best, tightest argument you can muster. Part of the purpose of this site is to give to my readers the verbal ammunition to combat their ideological foes. If I can make sense of it — connect the dots — maybe somebody else can use it. Now, stop throwing that fecal matter at me. Jim

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MadChimp's avatar

So much for encouraging comment.

You got it, Jim. Sorry to have offended you.

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Jim Reynolds's avatar

I was just kidding. Get use to it. Jim

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George Cain's avatar

Most of your articles are insightful and informative. A few try to be too cute/clever. I appreciate your willingness to stick your neck out in this unfortunate time of divisive hatefulness and loss of faith among so many among us. Thank you for that example of what we are all called to express and embody.

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Jim Reynolds's avatar

George, if I am not right up against the border of absurdity and truth then I am not doing my job. One thing is for certain: I rarely see writers who are willing to take a chance on humor in political/cultural pieces. That is my sweet spot. More hits than misses, it appears. I appreciate your comments. Come back any time. Rest assured that I will continue to be too cute/clever at times. Jim

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George Cain's avatar

No comment

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Jim Reynolds's avatar

There is wisdom in your words. All two of them. Jim

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George Cain's avatar

Just my own feeble attempt at humor, which is something I appreciate in your posts!

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Jim Reynolds's avatar

Thanks for participating in the first annual International Comment Day that I made up on Friday. Comment anytime you get the urge. Jim

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Harold Koenig's avatar

Seattle Socialist…….SS???

How many of these companies are going to be able to weather the socialist movement in Seattle???

New Mayor Wilson is looking to TAX everything. This is from the woman who receives financial help from her parents to help pay for childcare.

If these companies do not stand up to this and relocate to a capitalism, friendly state, they will try to pass their increased tax costs onto the consumers. This is a very sticky booger. If I was the Republican governor of a free market friendly state I would be doing anything I could to woo these companies to my state.

Here’s just a few on the Fortune 500 list.

Amazon: A global e-commerce and technology company.

Costco: An international membership warehouse club.

Microsoft: A major technology company headquartered in nearby Redmond.

Nordstrom: A department store chain.

Paccar: A manufacturer of light, medium, and heavy-duty trucks.

Starbucks: A global coffeehouse chain.

Expeditors International: A logistics and freight forwarding company.

Weyerhaeuser: A timberland owner and forest products company.

Alaska Airlines: An airline based in the region.

Expedia Group: An online travel agency.

Sent from my iPhone

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Jim Reynolds's avatar

Most of these are traditionally quite woke. I worked for one of them. Boeing’s already gone, right? The trick is to get free enterprise to prop up the autocracy. Works until they all decide to leave. Eventually, they will — just like many former CA-based outfits. Jim

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Bill Schoettler's avatar

Okay, here’s comment. Yes, I’m a fogie, qualify by age of nothing else (89). Ques; who is it that makes comments? Do Democrats? I’m not one of them types. I love being a white male who loves this country. Just really wanted to say thanks for sharing your sense of humor!

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Jim Reynolds's avatar

Bill, thanks for the insightful and fogie-ish comment. We will know if any Dems join the fray. They are welcome — just act respectful. I only know of one democrat who reads me on a constant basis. But he does have a sense of humor, unlike most. Jim

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Harold Koenig's avatar

An idea to write about: the new Seattle mayor.

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Jim Reynolds's avatar

Your request is my command. She sounds like a loon, as O’Reilly would say. Two peas in a pod — her and Mamdani. Jim

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Harold Koenig's avatar

Trying another button to see if I can reply without errors. I think I got it!

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Jim Reynolds's avatar

This looks like a candidate for the Comment of the Day on this inaugural International Comment Day. Of course, I only have two comments so far and they are both from you! My readership enjoys the shadows, the intrigue of hidden away crevices that most don’t even know exist. Or maybe they are just shy. Whatever. I love ‘em all. Jim

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Harold Koenig's avatar

I wrote a report on SNAP today and only a handful of nuts responded. I’m crushed. Woulfdcyouvplease reactors do push my button?

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