Wrong Answer?

When the late Mr. Bradlaugh was once engaged in a discussion with a dissenting minister, the former insisted on the latter answering a question he had asked him by a simple “yes” or “no,” without any more circumlocution, asserting that every question could be replied to in that manner.

That reverend gentlemen rose in a quiet manner and said: “Mr. Bradlaugh, will you allow me to ask you a question on those terms?”

“Certainly,” said Mr. Bradlaugh.

“Then, may I ask, have you given up beating your wife?”

This was a poser, for if answered by “yes” it would imply he had previously beaten her, and if “no” that he continued to do so.

-- 19 January 1898, Cleveland Plain Dealer, “It Was a Poser,” pg. 4, col. 6

What are some things that improve people's lives and don't get nearly enough credit for it?

Toilet paper, bath soap, underarm deoderant, and the like. Have you sat on the pot and done your thing not realizing the toilet paper is out? Now what? Been on the elevator with someone who goes “au naturale” (sans use of soap, deodorant, and shampoo)? Do they smell like the south end of a horse heading north? Makes you want to bury your face in a dirty baby diaper. It can’t smell worse, right? We tend to take these products all for granted until we can’t.

How do you adjust when things don't go to plan?

If you’re smart, you have a “Plan B” in the wings. You’ll notice I didn’t say “intelligent” as it isn’t the same as smart. Intelligent people have planned it all out. What could possibly go wrong? Smart people hope for the best, but they put their effort into “what if?” Don’t look to the people that nod their heads in affirmation. Look to the people who say, “Yeah, but…” These are the people out in front of any “unforeseen” issues.

When is it ever a good time to go with the flow?

When you’re biding your time for action. Sometimes it is the wrong time to take action. The statement, action, or the outcome, might fall short of expectations. Take a breath, go with the flow, and make certain your “ducks are lined up” for when the appropriate time does present itself. Chances are the outcome will be better.

The rational approach starts from the idea that everything is explainable and that mystery is in some sense the enemy. This means that it prefers pejorative, and even wrong, answers to admitting its own lack of understanding.

Jeremy Narby

What would happen if you went to a party but no one turned up so, after hanging out by yourself, you went back in time so you could keep yourself company and then kept repeating that until you had a huge party with one hundred versions of yourself?

How boring would that be? You know everything about these people. You know what they think at the same time they think it. Basically, you’re still by yourself.

How can we make sure that the people on the top do not topple the people at the bottom and tear them asunder in their movement forward?

Just as an example of "bad answers," this was offered by a Graduate Nurse and Spokesperson for a hospital facility, someone we would expect to make some sense.  This nurse sounds like one of the League of the Perpetually Offended who usually go off the rails right at the beginning of their rant, as this nurse seems to do:

"Social elitism exists in every modern society. It is far worse in the secular and dictatorships where the common man is essentially a slave. India is rife with such systems that have their roots in religious beliefs that rely on reincarnation, which perpetuates these phony beliefs, assuring slavery will exist forever.

Man has been pitted against these discriminatory systems since we evolved into tribes that require functioning Alpha and Omega populations as servants. While we have learned a lot, these social roadblocks remain justified by corrupt court systems keeping people from advancing and upsetting the system.

Religion is to blame for much of this. We have been taught to vanquish our enemies by using our slave populations, and rewarding them with shiny medals, parades, honor guards, etc.

And the beat goes on …" 

My comment to this was as follows:  

"So, I’m confused (once again). You state this attitude is far worse in “secular” society which, by definition, denotes “attitudes, activities, or other things that have no religious or spiritual basis.” Then you go on to slam religion which, according to your statement, is not as bad. I’m not one to support organized religion, but shouldn't the body of your comment support your opening argument, that "secular" is worse?  Perhaps this should be clarified?"

The "League" does not like to be questioned, so I'm probably waiting for a response I may never get.

Why is it more “interesting” to do nothing than to do something?

The interesting part would be finding nothing to do which, in itself, defeats the purpose as you are doing something by trying to find nothing. The interest is short-lived, however. Once you’ve found nothing, what then? Well, nothing.

If you find your life so boring that doing nothing ranks high in interest, I recommend filling your life with more interesting stuff to do. In my 66 years of life, I have never been disappointed in the interest provided for me by gainful employment, whether it was the military or civilian sector. Sports and outdoor recreation also offers challenges for those who care to search them out. Do something! If you’re involved, you will find a way to be happy always.

"We can keep ourselves so busy, fill our lives with so many diversions, stuff our heads with so much knowledge, involve ourselves with so many people and cover so much ground that we never have time to probe the fearful and wonderful world within… By middle life most of us are accomplished fugitives from ourselves."

-- John W. Gardner

What things can I do, now that I graduated high school, besides going to college?

Become gainfully employed, while you’re attending college. In this way, you become intelligent while not sacrificing being smart. If you skip college you risk just being smart, with none of the intelligent balance.

What are some deep things to realize or say to someone?

“I love you.” It isn’t said nearly enough, nor is it said with enough feeling to make each person realize how much they’re worth to other people. Fifty years later, I find a girl I should have told I loved, wished that I had. people fear embarrassment, rejection, and the like, but sometimes the risk is worth it. What’s the worst that can happen? Rejection? Laughter? All things we can let roll off a set of really broad shoulders. Better to take the risk and live life to the fullest. Someone may say it back! I love you. I really care. You are my best friend. I don’t want to lose you. All of those, and more.

"If you live to be a 100, I want to live to be 100 minus one day so I never have to live without you." — Winnie-the-Pooh

People say that good things come to those who wait as long as those, who wait, work like hell while waiting. Is this true for you?

Always has been. God helps those who help themselves. If you’re simply waiting for good things to happen for you, what are YOU doing for you? You might be waiting a long time for “luck” to kick in. 

Ask most people who live in a home and have a mortgage on it whether they own their own home and the answer is almost guaranteed to be a resounding 'yes'. Yet it's the wrong answer. Technically speaking, until they have paid the mortgage off, they don't own it. Herein lies the difference between reality and illusion, between ownership and control. This confusion lies not only at the individual level but also at the heart of government thinking.

-- Dambisa Moyo

Editor's Note

(Re: disclaimer cum "get out of jail free" card)

Before you go getting your panties in a bunch, it is essential to understand that this is just an opinion site and, as such, can be subjected to scrutiny by anyone with a differing opinion. It doesn't make either opinion any more right or wrong than the other. An opinion, presented in this context, is a way of inciting others to think and, hopefully, to form opinions of their own, if they haven't already done so. This is also why, occasionally, I will present an "opinion" just to stir an emotional pot. Where it may sound like I agree with the statements made, I'm more interested in getting others to consider an alternate viewpoint. 

It is my fervent hope that we keep open and active minds when reading opinions and while engaging in peaceful and constructive discussion, in an arena of mutual respect, concerning those opinions put forth. After over twenty years with military intelligence, I have come to believe engaging each other in this manner and in this arena is the way we will learn tolerance and respect for differing beliefs, cultures, and viewpoints.

We all fall from grace, some more often than others; it is part of being human. God's test for us is what we learn from the experience, and what we do afterward.

Pastor Tony spent 22 years with the United States Air Force Intelligence as a planner, analyst, briefer, instructor, and senior manager. He spent 17 years, following his service career, working with the premier, world-renowned, Institutional Review Board helping to protect the rights of human subjects involved in pharmaceutical research. Ordained 1n 2013 as an "interfaith" minister, he founded the Congregation for Religious Tolerance in response to intolerance shown by Christians toward peaceful Islam. As the weapon for his war on intolerance he chose the pen, and wages his "battle" in the guise of the Congregation's official online blog, The Path, of which he is both author and editor. "The Path" offers a vehicle for commentary and guidance concerning one's own personal, spiritual, path toward peace and the final destination for us all. He currently resides in Pass Christian, Mississippi, where he volunteers as lead Chaplain and Chaplain Program Liaison, at the regional medical center.