Chari:

We are getting  off topic here, but I want to answer some of your last statements.

We have to be clear about what we are discussing. There is a big difference between the understanding of esoteric teachings and the endless distortions they suffer as it filters down to those with less understanding, where the "bulk believers" reduce them  to fixed beliefs. There is nothing worth discussing there.
The understanding of God as an internal or external entity is one of them   The differences between east and west ways is another.   The truth or reality is simply what is and the ways to transmit the undertanding are according to the capacity of the listener.

 In all ages, there have been fasting periods and people who fasted their whole lifetime - which is the traditional Christian word for observing dietary rules like vegetarianism.

Fasting is not changing diets. It is stopping any  intake from the outside. That is why it is traditionally a spiritual practice. The truth is not found anywhere but in oneself.

Jul 14, 2011 -- 1:18AM, solfeggio wrote:

Just giving my honest opinion, Jane.  I really do think that somebody in the public eye, as the president's wife is, shouldn't make such statements.

When you're a very public figure, you don't get to make uncaring, unthinking comments like that.

Judging by the comments in other Internet websites, though, nobody cared much one way or the other what she said, with the possible exception of the Guardian:

www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/cifamer... 

If nobody cared about what and you do care about what she said then that would make you?

It is your "opinion"  that the comment she made was because she was unthinking and uncaring and opinions are liked assholes.  

And in my "opinion" your opinion is assine for ASSuming that Ms. Obama is uncaring or unthinking for making an offhand remark. 

Just giving my honest opinion, Solf. 

Jul 14, 2011 -- 1:18AM, solfeggio wrote:

Maybe it just boils down to the fact that most Americans just don't care whether millions of anonymous men, women and children in the Indian subcontinent, Africa, Asia and other places around the world go hungry, as long as they get to have their fast food. 

Is it a "fact" that because some Americans sometimes eat fast foods because they don't care about it is because they "just don't care whether millions of anonymous men, women and children in the Indian subcontinent, Africa, Asia and other places around the world go hungry.

What about the "fact"  that people  many if not most countries  eat fast foods?

Is it a "fact" that they do so because they "just don't care whether millions of anonymous men, women and children in the Indian subcontinent, Africa, Asia and other places around the world go hungry"? 

Do the people in New Zealand eat fast foods?  

Jul 14, 2011 -- 1:18AM, solfeggio wrote:

 

After all, something like 60% of the taxpayer dollar in the U.S. goes to the military, doesn't it? 

No it is not true that something like 60% of every taxpayer dollar in the U.S. goes to the military. 

You are only off by something like 300%.  Something like 20% of US taxpayer dollars goes to the Department of Defense.  

What percentage of the New Zealand taxpayer dollar goes to the military?

Jul 14, 2011 -- 1:18AM, solfeggio wrote:

That doesn't leave a heck of a lot leftover for health, education, and public welfare, let alone helping out other nations.

That leaves 80% of the US taxpayer dollars leftover for health, education, public welfare and to help other nations. 

For further details on where the US taxpayer dollar is spent:

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:U.S._Federal_...

Jul 14, 2011 -- 1:18AM, solfeggio wrote:

So, sorry, but I think that saying you wouldn't want to live a life in which you couldn't have your fast food was injudicious at best.  And people who go around promoting a supposedly 'healthy' lifestyle for kids shouldn't be chowing down on burgers and fries in public.

So sorry but I think that saying that you wouldn't want to live in a world where you can't eat burgers and fries if you want to is not a world that I would want to live in. 

The fact that Ms. Obama has been a strong advocate not only for a healthy diet but also exercise outweighs the implication that she was unthinking and uncaring in her remark.  

Jul 19, 2011 -- 9:25PM, Roodog wrote:

Jul 18, 2011 -- 10:14AM, Eliascomes wrote:

 Michele O' couldn't controlled her appetite after smoking them funny looking cigarettes.

Like Slick Willy, she didn't inhale?

Prove she's a tokin' Black!

OMG

Jul 19, 2011 -- 10:08PM, Roodog wrote:

Jul 19, 2011 -- 10:03PM, Erey wrote:

Jul 19, 2011 -- 9:25PM, Roodog wrote:

Jul 18, 2011 -- 10:14AM, Eliascomes wrote:

 Michele O' couldn't controlled her appetite after smoking them funny looking cigarettes.

Like Slick Willy, she didn't inhale?

Prove she's a tokin' Black!

OMG

Look,

Someone accused the First Lady of being a pothead, I insist he proves that she is.

Put up or shut up,

It was your use of pun that impressed me, I wasn't expecting that