Many Questions Concerning Control

“The ordinary public is a puppet of worthless news and media.”

-- Santosh Kalwar

Why are "scare tactics" used when someone wants to win an argument? How effective is this manner of argument?

They’re used because they want to win the argument. This is only effective if the opponent is weak-minded and scares easily. In most cases, I’ve seen, however, “scare tactics” say more about the weak argument of the person using the tactic than their opponent. “Scare tactics” are the tools of bullies without a cogent means to win.

Why do you sometimes think you are like a castaway in modern society or not?

Technology and I have never gotten along. I’ve always considered myself very smart but not so intelligent. Born too late. Books are more my forte. I excelled in the Intelligence field because I had a logical mind. I could read regulations and see the weaknesses and come up with solutions. I could look at the map of a situation and see the problems and work out better tactics. I could listen to other Intelligence agencies and tell you if they’re wrong or not.

But, technology escapes me. I am pulled into it kicking and screaming. Computers had me buffaloed. DOS was an annoyance I dealt with because I had the “cheat strip” to refer to. I was more comfortable when the “mouse” arrived on the scene and I could simply “point and click.”

I know a nuclear weapon leaves a ten-mile crater, but I have little idea how it truly works, nor do I care. It’s enough to know that it’s a deterrent to the end of life. People laugh because I still have a “flip” phone. I can scan you for cancer and beam up to the starship with it, but don’t ask me to text or look at pics of the kids.

A castaway? If being more comfortable living in a different time makes me so, then I am.

How do you dispel the power hold some people have within your thoughts?

Everything in life is about “choice.” If someone holds power “within your thoughts” it is because you choose to allow it in lieu of fighting against it. To dispel this power you must, first, make the conscious choice to do so, and then you must do so.

“Because to take away a man's freedom of choice, even his freedom to make the wrong choice, is to manipulate him as though he were a puppet and not a person.”

-- Madeline L'Engle

Do you believe politicians do incredibly stupid things or are so intelligent that their motives are beyond the "common" voter?

Oh, my, God! The fact that they are “mostly” intelligent is evident by how well they pull the wool over the eyes of their constituents. The fact that the rest of us can see through their bullshit is evidence that they may be intelligent, but they really aren’t all that smart. Their motives aren’t beyond the common voter, because most of us can see right through their motives to the truth. You can find out who these morons are by seeing who is totally absent in the news when things go south with whichever administration is in office. We have a lot of crap going down in America right now… heard any support from the Democratic Congress for their President? Elections are coming up, so watch how the distance expands or contracts between them. This is true for any administration. Let the “back-peddling” begin!

Why do we need to make a plan?

Panning, generally, guarantees success. Not making a plan is simply assuming all will go right. Planning mitigates problems that might occur.

What is the most effective form of media (books, television, radio, etc.) to get reputable information?

Don’t rely on one source for information, or you sell yourself short. Watch multiple news outlets. Ask yourself why none of them, save one, cover an important story. Ask why someone accused of so much wrongdoing is still touted as “god walking on water” in certain media. Find the media that covers facts, and presents less “editorial” opinion, and pay attention to this more than the others. Before you jump to a decision, do your own due diligence, or you might get representatives in government who fuel the flames of an international crisis… just as an example.

“Just because something isn't a lie does not mean that it isn't deceptive. A liar knows that he is a liar, but one who speaks mere portions of truth in order to deceive is a craftsman of destruction.”

-- Criss Jami

What is the greatest advice you have ever gotten?

Stay out of debt. The second greatest was to stay away from drama. Now, in retirement, I have money, no debts, and I’m happy always. Life can’t be any better than that.

How do your friends influence your shopping decisions?

My friends have differing tastes. One might cook great meat, another might love gardening and plants, etc. If the cook says there is a great deal on meat at a particular store, I will likely go there to take advantage of it. If the gardener says there is a great deal on plants, I will do the same. We can’t be in all places at all times, so we rely on our friends and acquaintances to provide us the information we use to make our lives easier.

When the facts change, do you change your mind or steadfastly refuse to budge?

Change is the only universal constant. If facts change, then the facts are most likely wrong in some respect. To not consider changing your opinion as better and more valid facts emerge is simply ignorant. We must always keep an open mind to new information or we will find ourselves being left behind.

“I feel I change my mind all the time. And I sort of feel that's your responsibility as a person, as a human being – to constantly be updating your positions on as many things as possible. And if you don't contradict yourself on a regular basis, then you're not thinking.”

-- Malcolm Gladwell

How can you convince yourself to make good decisions?

Convince yourself? How do you “convince” yourself not to steal, murder, or rape? Those are bad decisions. Yet, most people find a reason not to participate in them. Why? Because they are morally wrong. We make the best decisions, the best choices we can because, when faced with the good and the bad, the good is usually better for us in the long run. If you think the bad decision is the right one, you need to keep in mind that there is no free lunch. We ultimately pay the price for making bad or wrong decisions and choices.

Has anyone ever wronged you in a terrible way, yet, because of their wrong, you were enlightened to do something positive to make a right?

My divorce. I own some of the bad blood in the marriage, but I never intentionally “wronged” her. There were times, however, I think she made it her mission in life to continuously wrong me in a terrible way. When it was all over, said, and done, I came to accept the reality of it. This embrace was the impetus for enlightenment that allowed me to prosper, move forward, and find happiness in life I hadn’t known for 25 years.

Why is it that the better life quality and more opportunities a country has, the more its people say they're oppressed and can't make something out of themselves because they're being out down?

It’s an excuse not to better their lot in life. They are members of the League of the Perpetually Offended. It is so much easier to blame anyone but themselves, even though people in the same situation are rising above it to become something. It is an excuse that holds no validity.

“One of the saddest lessons of history is this: If we’ve been bamboozled long enough, we tend to reject any evidence of the bamboozle. We’re no longer interested in finding out the truth. The bamboozle has captured us. It’s simply too painful to acknowledge, even to ourselves, that we’ve been taken. Once you give a charlatan power over you, you almost never get it back.”

-- Carl Sagan

And... the short answers:

If you had to change your first and last name so that it sounded like you were from a different culture, what culture would you choose?

Boom-Boom Mzuzu, of the Tumbuka people in Malawi. 

Why won’t anyone go out with me?

Not knowing you, this would be near impossible to answer.

If you think you know more, do you prove it?

No, that requires ego, and I am nothing if not humble.

What inspires you to write beautiful poems?

Beautiful women.

Why do people get angry when you tell them the truth?

Inability to cope with reality.

Would you like any doctors on [this site] to give you your free medical advice? Why or why not?

Prove they’re a doctor.

What is the opposite attitude?

Of what?

How do I stop doom-scrolling?

Stop entering “doom” into the search engine?

How can I improve at asking for what I want?

Say, “please.”

What belief system has a track record of making people successful monetarily?

Knowledge is everything.

“No thief, however skillful, can rob one of knowledge, and that is why knowledge is the best and safest treasure to acquire.”

-- L. Frank Baum

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