Questioning Interpretations

"I have sworn upon the altar of God, eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man."

-- Thomas Jefferson

What does everyone deserve?

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." -- U.S. Declaration of Independence

Everyone has freedom, especially the freedom of choice to work hard, enjoy the life they work hard for, and to be happy in their life always.

What are the things that the rich never say, even in simple words?

“Sucks being you.” 

If life has a framework, can you describe the one within which you live?

Freedom to make choices and decisions. Freedom to learn and work and strive to rise above my situation. And, the freedom to be happy always in these choices and decisions which I am free to make for my life. Let no one control who, what, and why you are. Live free or die trying.

“Existence is not an end in itself but merely the framework upon which all good, both real and imagined, may be built.”

-- Simone Weil (1909-1943), philosopher

 When were you caught in a compromising situation?

When her husband came home, halfway through his shift. She took him into the kitchen so I could sneak out the front door. Married women? Not so much.

What would you do if someone wronged you?

It would depend on the “wrong” done to me. If it was against me, I’d confront them, and then probably forgive them. My tolerance is great, but if it was against my family and loved ones, the hurt might be, for them, unimaginable. 

Have you ever realized that you weren’t going to be that “next” big deal, that you weren’t going to be the best, that you couldn’t even aspire to that? How can I be happy by just “being the best I can”, when it’s not enough to be the best out there?

Oh, I think you realize that early on in life. If you’re truly realistic, you also learn that being happy always is so much more important than being that “next” big deal. To be happy just being the best you can is, for many, enough. If you have given life your all, and have held nothing back of yourself and your desire in your quest for whatever it is you seek, then you have nothing to regret. I always tout the old adage, “Those that can... do. Those that can’t, teach.” Being happy is a choice each of us must make for ourselves. Be happy teaching, being a mentor, and letting others hear what you have learned along your path. Most often, it is truly better to give than to receive.

“As much as we can fight for material related dreams, we must also fight for intangible progression, in terms of improving our selves. Financial success is important but it doesn't supersede the success of being the best version of yourself... Fight for that, live for that, it will make you powerful, be the best version of your self...”

-- Tare Munzara, international entreprenuer

Is the idea of “following your dreams” romanticized?

Well, yeah. There is nothing wrong with the saying, but people put more into it. “Follow your dreams!” Follow them. You might never catch up to them, but there is certainly nothing wrong with that. Nor is there anything wrong with romanticizing the idea. But, simply following, for many, gives life purpose. We learn along the way, when we follow and, sometimes, our dreams change into more realistic goals. What we learn by “following” might morph into leadership in ways we never imagined.

How are things in your world?

To answer the original question, before it was changed by the powers that be, “Is everything OK in the world?” my answer would be, “Oh, hell no! Is this another trick question?”

What is one reason why human beings sometimes make irrational investment decisions?

They know little about what it is they’re investing in. They don’t do their “due diligence”: “The reasonable steps taken by a person in order to satisfy a legal requirement, especially in buying or selling something. A comprehensive appraisal of a business undertaken by a prospective buyer, especially to establish its assets and liabilities and evaluate its commercial potential.”

Gee, ya think?

"Obviously, there's the temptation to sit back and smile, .. But there's so much at stake, we have to do our due diligence."

--Ralph Neas, statesman

Will people still say “bless you” in 100 years?

Unless those “godless” socialists and/or the League of the Perpetually Offended have their way, yes, we will. And even if godless factions do take control of our lives, faith is all about belief in something for which there is little or no proof. Faith is something no one may take from you. It is freedom of choice that all of us enjoy. We will continue to “bless” each other with our faith in something greater than ourselves, and nothing can change that. More importantly, why would you want to?

How do you feel about people who do the opposite of bettering humanity?

I have no use for them. These would be people who are offended by everyone else including themselves. I strive to be happy always.  My life here is precious and I choose not to waste any of it on them, unless they threaten the peace and happiness around me. They use up precious oxygen put to better use by those trying to do good in the world. They have, already, begun to reap their reward, the balance of which will be delivered upon their passing. 

Why does something that is clearly stated, easily get turned around and interpreted differently?

First of all, as evidenced on [this site], what one thinks they are “clearly” stating, really isn’t. That being said, even if it is clear, the League of the Perpetually Offended have no other choice but to read into it what they will. It is, after all, what they do. The best we can hope for is to clearly state what we want to get across and hope it doesn’t get turned around or interpreted differently. But, what if it does?

There are times when people bait you with foggy questions, to see if you take the bait.  I've had this happen on more than one occasion.  You answer the best you can.  What I found they don't expect is you to come back at them with stating thier questions more clearly.  They hate being called down for their supposed shortcomings.  Sometimes you just have to understand human nature and go with the flow. I used to let the League get under my skin, but to what end. Nothing will change what they are, so why worry over those things for which we have little or no control?

If you need to clarify what you say, apologize and do so. If they balk at your courtesy and still don’t wish to understand, move on. Ignorance is, oftentimes, a game others play to elicit an emotion they choose, more than a reasonable response. Better to strive to be happy always than to play the game.

, writer, poet, philosopher“We cannot control the way people interpret our ideas or thoughts, but we can control the words and tones we choose to convey them. Peace is built on understanding, and wars are built on misunderstandings. Never underestimate the power of a single word, and never recklessly throw around words. One wrong word, or misinterpreted word, can change the meaning of an entire sentence and start a war. And one right word, or one kind word, can grant you the heavens and open doors.”

-- Suzy Kassem, writer, poet, philosopher

What is one cause for which you would gladly give everything you own?

Pay the ransom on my grandchild. Gladly I would pay. And then the hunt begins. God help them when I catch up. God is the only one who can.

Does every thought really have an "opposite" thought? Is it the reason for human conflicts?

For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. A thought is simply an action, so it stands to reason this would hold true. And, yes, the inability of humans to be tolerant of contrary thought is a reason for conflict.

What is the concept/idea that you recently learned?

It isn’t that I recently learned it, but that I’ve recently come to appreciate it: 

“There has been one rebellion. That comes to one rebellion in a century and a half for each state. What country before ever existed a century and half without a rebellion? And what country can preserve it’s liberties if their rulers are not warned from time to time that their people preserve the spirit of resistance? Let them take arms. The remedy is to set them right as to facts, pardon and pacify them. What signify a few lives lost in a century or two? The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants. It is it’s natural manure.”-- Thomas Jefferson

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 a chaplain at the regional medical center.