Cor,

That's not Mullin in the photo.

Why not?

Seems everyone else has their family on the role.

She might need her own jet and 10 car entourage.

Lamp,

Yes...payroll.

Do a more exhaustive search.

More than just Trump.

Maxine Water's daughter.

It's not unique to Trump.

Nepotism goes on in DC.

Many members of Congress both parties have had paid family members.

That was my point...Why not Mullin's wife?

Cor,

"It's very shocking to see it in black and white that the government is trying to use the digital advertising ecosystem to find and target immigrants."

I'm not sure why that's supposed to be shocking.

However, I think it's misleading to leave out the word "illegal".

"Critics warn that more access to this data could also give the government unprecedented detail on Americans' political views, creating a potential tool to suppress opponents."

That's been the fear going back for decades.

Books in the 1960s talked about it. I've seen both Democrats and Republicans, at different times, become harbingers of doom over fears of "Big Brother."

So long as the government is using these tools to identify illegal immigrants and others who are breaking the law, and not to suppress political opponents, I don't see a problem.

As Americans, we just have to stay alert to the possibility of government overreach.

Donner,

"Because nepotism in government is illegal."

Fine. Then apply the standard consistently.

If nepotism is wrong, it's wrong regardless of whose wife, husband, son, or daughter is involved.

A principle isn't much of a principle if it only applies to people you don't like.

Donner,

The anti-nepotism law serves a legitimate purpose. It helps prevent blatant abuses of power and situations where people are given positions primarily because of who they are related to rather than their qualifications.

But what do you call it when people only seem interested in enforcing it against those they politically disagree with?

(Between us...I have a few posters on my time out list for now. You are close. Please be polite.)

Redial,

"Does she have any sort of qualifications for such a position?"

That's somewhat subjective.

I wouldn't say she is totally unqualified.

She does appear to have some relevant experience and credentials.

Db,

"As much as you talk about religion, you seem to have no inherent moral compass."

Most people have a moral compass.

The question is not do I have one.

The question is do you agree with mine?

The tricky part is I don't even fully agree with the moral compass I live by.

Who does?

Db,

Who really lives up to the standards they openly claim they believe in?

Rsty,

"Then you should have no problem denouncing Mullin's attempt at nepotism here. Yet, you offer nothing but whatsaboutism. Why is that?"

I'm not the one judging them.

In fact, I've never said much of anything about Washington nepotism.

What I find interesting is how passionately some people care about nepotism in Washington when a particular person is involved.

Truth,

There are certainly more to choose from.

Nepotism is nothing new in politics.

Besides, there are ways other than a salary a wife can get compensation.

Db,

"As you suggested to me the other day, maybe you need to find different friends."

That went over my head.

How does that relate to saying it's not actually possible to always live up to your own standards you profess to believe in?

Tfd,

Who loves paying taxes?

The rich hate paying taxes but not all rich are republican.

Donner,

Its a matter of priorities.

Mullin wanting to get his wife a government just doesn't matter to me.

I just don't think its that important.

Ive supported both Democrats and Republicans at different points in my life.and became disappointed in both.

Now, watching them point at each other looks reduculous to me.

And people get on the blogs and act like their party is superior.

I see them as both sides of the same cloth.

Donner,

"It should."

I agree to some extent.

But look at it from a different angle.

Take public schools and immigration, for example. People have been warning for years that these are growing problems and that we "should" be concerned about where society is headed.

The response is often that people simply don't care, or that other issues take priority.

Now you're using the word "should" for something you consider important and seem offended because I say it's a matter of priorities.

You may have a point that perhaps I should be concerned.

But Mullin wanting to get his wife a job just isn't very high on my list of concerns compared to the bigger issues facing the country.

Donner,

And don't act morally superior.

You're simply assigning a higher priority to this issue than I am, while assigning a lower priority to other issues that I consider more important.

The disagreement isn't whether every issue can be judged as right and wrong, or legal and illegal.

The disagreement is over which issues deserve the most attention.

Mullin's getting his wife a job is really insignificant as far as I'm concerned.

Donner,

"You say it doesn't concern you ... got it.
But it does. It Concerns you enough that you would spend a lot of energy here justifying it."

I'm not who decided to make the thread about nepotism being illegal.

I got into a conversation with you about it saying it's a matter of priorities and now you're suggesting I'm trying to justify it.

No...just trying to get you to understand it's a matter of priorities and not simply a matter of being illegal.

Lot's of things are illegal but go on in DC anywhere.

It's simply a matter of priorities what to run up the flag pole.

Look at the Bible. Talk about picking and choosing what to prioritize. That's one of the worse cases of all.

Donner,

That being said you suggesting I'm putting energy into it because I thought it was so important...well...then I'll stop.

You can consider yourself "winning" but we weren't competing as far as I'm concerned.

Donner,

"I am obviously morally superior"

That's fine.

Just think whatever you must to feel good about yourself.

Life is hard.

Donner,

You win.

Donner,

I feel good with myself.

I just don't feel the need to look down upon other people to do it.

Donner,

"And you are apparently not even aware that you do."

The irony is that accusing someone else of judging requires you to judge them first.

Donner,

My self-image is closely tied to my belief that I am a child of God.

I am wholly dependent on my belief that I was reborn in God's image through Jesus Christ.

Without that hope, I would likely be dead by now.

There is little doubt in my mind that my life choices were on a path of destruction.

I realize some people hear me say this and assume I believe I'm better than they are.

I don't think I do.

Believing I needed to be reborn is the opposite of believing I was better than everyone else.

Being reborn doesn't make me better, just forgiven.

Zed,

"He prayed for discernment, BILL, and God listened."

If you would, please expand on that.

Zed,

Anyone who claims, "I am morally superior to you," has missed one of the first lessons of humility.

For all my talk about religion and values, have I ever said or implied that I am better than anyone else?

I challenge anyone with access to my posts to show otherwise.

I would genuinely like to see it so I can apologize to whoever I said it to.

Alex,

When I decide to not talk to someone it is never because they disagreed with me.

It was because their insults were too personal and I employ boundaries.

It's just certain posters.

Have I ever said it to you?

Dan,

"You literally told Laura you wouldn't be seeing her in the afterlife."

That was rather abrupt of me to say, and I would be interested in the rest of the context. How much was Laura attacking me?

However, was that really saying I think I am better than Laura?

As I've said over and over, "I'm not better, just forgiven."

I have plenty that needs forgiven.

Pride is an easy hole to fall into.

Paul, in the New Testament, wrote that he was given a "thorn in the flesh" to keep him from becoming proud.

For me, since the 80s, that thorn has been an extremely painful dry eye condition that has made me dependent on the understanding and accommodations of employers and other people for much of my adult life.

It's hard to feel superior when you're constantly reminded of your own weaknesses and limitations.

No, I don't think I'm better than other people, contrary to what some people here believe.