A Question of Principles?

 

“I would swear that I could practically hear crickets in the ensuing silence, if not for the fact that the stale air probably kills anything that requires oxygen to breathe.”

-- T.T. Escurel

Why do we applaud a good performance?

Because it would be counterproductive to applaud a bad one? We applaud to show our recognition and approval of talent. If we don’t applaud, or worse, walk out, it is taken as a sign that our critique is less than positive. But, if we stand, applaud, and yell “Bravo!” or “Encore!” we pay the ultimate compliment to a performance that has gone one step beyond. Kind of like slipping a $100 bill into a stripper’s garter. Well, not really.  But, you never want to sit through any perfomance and here nothing but crickets at the end.  Ouch!

What is known as "cancel culture" is shown to harm also good people. How & when do we create accountability for those deciding who gets harmed? When does the end no longer justify the means? Is collateral damage measurable?

All good questions. I wish we had answers that wouldn't piss of the League of the Perpetually Offended. Other than all this, how is socialism working out for you?

How far would you be willing to go to avoid making enemies? Are you willing to compromise your principles?

Compromising my principles would be the line I won’t be willing to cross. Nobody is worth compromising your faith or your beliefs, especially not enemies. Once this happens, you have shown yourself to be weak and, thus, have left the door open for your enemies to use you. The United States' foreign policy is a prime example of what happens when you show this kind of weakness to enemies. When you stop supporting your own citizens in favor of pandering to other regimes, you open your gates to the conquering hoards.

"There can be no compromise on basic principles. There can be no compromise on moral issues. There can be no compromise on matters of knowledge, of truth, of rational conviction."

-- Ayn Rand

Is there randomness and chaos in our world at a fundamental level, or is it still just the degree of our ignorance?

There is always randomness and chaos in the world. It’s what makes it interesting. There is always going to be a degree of ignorance in the world, as well. It’s what, for better or worse, defines us as humans. We must learn to work with what we have and, then, to enjoy the randomness and chaos we create.

Is 5 PM too late for lunch?

It depends on your day. Shift workers might even eat breakfast at 5, lunch at midnight, and supper when the sun is coming up. But, if you get up in the morning, then, yeah, too late for lunch.

Do our principles, regardless of what they might be, always make us feel special or superior to others when we live up to them?

That is a very poor reason to have principles. Standing by your principles should be a matter of personal pride, more than anything else. The fact that you stand by your principles is nobody’s business but yours, unless they ask why you are taking a “hard-line” on something and, then, the only answer you need give is that you won’t violate your principles. The fact that you have principles is not a license for you to feel special or superior. It is supposed to show evidence of who you are to those around you.

"Once you consent to some concession, you can never cancel it and put things back the way they are."

-- Howard Hughes

What is wrong with thinking that you’re perfect?

Because you’re not. Nobody is. The moment you start believing you are, someone will step in and prove you are not. Better to be the best you can be, and be humble in your successes.

Why do people lie to me about me being a good person and being good at certain things when they have nothing to gain?

More concerning is why they think you’ll believe the bullshit. I’d be calling them down on this stuff. Show them you look at what they say and do with a critical eye. You might find they go elsewhere to get their “false ego” stroked.

Does making sacrifices necessarily mean we should be expecting a reward for it? Or not?

Are we making the sacrifices selflessly, or selfishly? Is the sacrifice being demanded, or are we doing someone a favor? Is it our job, or is it for fun? Before we jump to a conclusion about what we think we deserve, we need to put the sacrifice we’re making into context.

“The most sublime act is to set another before you.”

-- William Blake

Today good, bad, right or wrong is your life the way your thought it would be? How is it different?

Except for my divorce, yes. I thought I’d have family close by for gatherings, holidays, and dinners, with grandkids and a loving wife and partner. Oops… Didn’t see that one coming. I pretty much let her put a fork in my road about 40 years ago. I see my kids and grandkids infrequently, which is a crime. My final destination was pretty much the same, but I have missed 40 years of would-have-been cherished memories along the way. The good thing is that I’ve learned from this mistake. Next life I will make better choices where a life partner is concerned.

Can you define yourself in 3 words?

Caring, ethical, spiritual.

Is it really worth it to believe in justice and be a hero if all everyone does is bully you and ignore you?

Sounds like the perfect cover for a superhero - bullied and ignored. You not only have to believe in justice but you also have to be brave enough to make use of the tools already available, the laws on the books, the rules in the schools or businesses, for when things get out of hand.

“Confident and proficient people are virtually impossible for a bully to intimidate in any environment.”

-- Kilroy J. Oldster

Why is it important to determine the purpose of the event and to prioritize goals, objectives, and strategies in planning?

To ensure a smooth military operation. Anytime you’re going to have an “event” you need to do all of these, and if you’re working with a team they need to be involved to ensure nothing is overlooked. One of the strategies in planning should be planning for things to go wrong… because they will. All of this is more important when there is an event where people might die.

How, as a guy, do I get to feel like a princess?

You might try crossdressing and see if that spices things up.

Is "tradition" a good reason to do something?

If you want to uphold those traditions, absolutely. Traditions keep history alive. It is the way we pass or rich ethnic past from one generation to another. It is a way for families to remember good times, and bad, relatives and friends, by repeating what was done when we were with them. There are many traditions my family followed that I have let lapse, and I am poorer for it. Tradition isn’t the only reason for doing something but, I think, it is a very good reason.

“And then it occurs to me. They are frightened. In me, they see their own daughters, just as ignorant, just as unmindful of all the truths and hopes they have brought to America. They see daughters who grow impatient when their mothers talk in Chinese, who think they are stupid when they explain things in fractured English. They see that joy and luck do not mean the same to their daughters, that to these closed American-born minds "joy luck" is not a word, it does not exist. They see daughters who will bear grandchildren born without any connecting hope passed from generation to generation.”

-- Amy Tan

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.

Feel free to contact Pastor Tony:  tolerantpastor@gmail.com