Questioning Language

 

“I know all those words, but that sentence makes no sense to me.”

-- Matt Groening

Are you ready for the truth?

I think most of us are always "ready" for the truth, but when reality has you always hip-deep in other people’s shit, the truth seems a bit overrated.

My 15-year old brought up birth control. She has a boyfriend. I don't think she needs it yet. I told her she is too young to take it. Am I wrong?

Hell no. I’m sorry, knee-jerk reaction. As a grandfather, I’m with you on this… until she’s old and grey. 

I am turning 24 next year in November and I am scared. I am old. What should I do?

I became 67 the past October, and I can safely say you are so not old. How about going forth and enjoying life. Pay attention to being happy always and stop worrying about this over which you have little or no control, like getting older.

“One of the advantages to getting older, though: while you might not change all that much, you at least got to know yourself. The real you, minus the bullshit and wishful thinking.”

-- Edward W. Robertson

As strange as this question may sound, what does "the" really mean?

It’s a bridge to get from “here” to “there” without sounding like idiots. “To” and “a” are both in the same boat. “We’re going movie theatre” sounds like native Americans in an old western. “She’s hooker” sounds a bit off, along with “I’m going supermarket.” I’d rather not get into it with my native brothers, thinking I’m poking fun at them.

What are the best ways to help someone taken in by misinformation?

Show them the facts. If they’re a member of the League of the Perpetually Offended, however, facts will mean little to them. They live to tout the misinformation they wallow in.  

What do people mean when they say "they fear failing"? How is it a bad thing since fear can act as a motivation?

Society has made failure a bad thing and, yet, failure is the best way for us to learn. If failure is a good teacher, then why fear it? I don’t fear failure as much as I don’t look forward to it. I plan my path carefully and when I feel ready, I execute the plan. One always hopes the plan works. If it doesn’t, I have to review what I did, find the mistake, remedy it, and try again to execute the plan. This takes time, work, and more planning. I hate having to do something more than once due to poor planning, especially when the planning was my own.

“How many of us stop short of success on purpose? How many of us sabotage our own happiness because failure, while miserable, is a fear we're familiar with? Success, however, dreams come true, are a whole new kind of terrifying, an entire new species of responsibilities and disillusions, requiring a new way to think, act and become. Why do we REALLY quit? Because it's hopeless? Or because it's possible...”

-- Jennifer DeLucy

Is it a generalizable result that very often the complete lack of something or the excessive presence of it can lead to problems?

If too much of a good thing is bad, then too much of a bad thing is really bad. It stands to reason then that we might feel too little of a good thing is less than desirable. Balance is a universal rule. When balance is off, things happen to bring reality back into balance. It is what it is until it isn’t, and then it is what it is… again.

Can an interview be a replacement for observation? Do you agree or disagree?

An interview can be totally false in the information you receive. Observation can prove the interview genuine or, as suspected, false. One is information received and one is proving the validity of the information.

What is your opinion of "Southern Charm"? Do you feel it is genuine or hypocritical?

The only hypocrites I’ve met in Mississippi, besides me, are transplants from up North. I claim the West coast as my excuse, but I am learning.

"Be sure you taste your words before you spit them out"

-- Unknown

How do you explain “pureblood vampire” in good English?

A “pureblood” vampire is one whose blood has not been tainted by a werewolf, or other lesser creature. Besides, good English rarely make good vampires.

When preparing to propose to someone for their hand in marriage, what does it mean when people say “the bigger the ring the bigger the problems”?

Unless you can afford the rock, you’re already starting a marriage in financial difficulty. Better to start a bit more conservative and, after five years, if finances permit, surprise her with an upgrade. After ten years, if finances permit, surprise her with another.

Why am I so awesome today?

I wonder the same thing about myself, every day. I’ve never really found an answer to the question. I think it might have something to do with striving to be happy always. Hard for you to do unless you’re awesome always. I’m going to stay with the fact that you’re probably happier today than yesterday, and recommend you strive to feel the way you do every day. Be happy always!

“I know that you know that I'm awesome, and that you know that I know that you're awesome!”

-- Shreya Gunna

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 volunteered as a chaplain at the regional medical center.