Questioning Life, Patriotism, and the Future

“A patriot must always be ready to defend his country against his government.”

-- Edward Abbey

Is the United States military leadership possibly straying from its stated position to defend the nation and getting into areas that aren’t part of its original mission statement?

Ya think? The military leaves American’s and allies to die on foreign soil and no commander balks at it. As a Marine, I would be incensed. As retired Air Force, I am disgusted.

What does success look like to YOU? Everyone has their definition of success. Some people like fancy clothes, houses, and cars. To me, success is just being able to do what I want, when I want, and not have to worry about money.

I strive to be happy always and in all things. Since I succeed much more than I fail, I am successful. On that rare occasion when I fail, it is simply an opportunity to learn why I failed and to work on not letting it happen again.

When do things not go as planned?

When I don’t put enough effort into the planning stage.

“The state of convenience lies in the hands of proper planning. When you know this, you will become a good planner; and when you become a good planner, you save your life from stress!”

-- Israelmore Ayivor

Is there something a person can possess that could last a lifetime?

Happiness, love, a diamond, gold, certain memories…

Do mistakes prove your worthlessness at all?

That depends on if you constantly ignore your mistakes. A mistake is simply an opportunity to learn why you made it, correct it is possible, and to move forward with the knowledge of how to mitigate ever making the mistake again. If you don’t do this, then yes, you are proving how worthless you think you are. The way you live your life is your choice, but it tells much about who you are to those around you.

Why do so many people view school as training for jobs? What about personal development and passion?

When you fill out the employment applications, and they ask for education and training, let us know how answering “personal development and passion” works out for you.

"Information is a source of learning. But unless it is organized, processed, and available to the right people in a format for decision making, it is a burden, not a benefit."

-- C. William Pollard

Can you have it all in life?

No, because if you’re that greedy “all” will never be enough. Better to just strive for happiness in life and if it all comes to you, you’ll know what to do with it.

In order to build back better, don't we have to tear everything down first?

If you’re “building back” it assumes something has been torn down as opposed to making it better, which can be a fix of what is already there.

Would you rather have 20 hobbies or a single passion?

A single passion. I have real issues trying to multitask, especially when it comes to women. Two is about it.

What would you choose, the needs of the many or the right thing? Why?

The right thing. If “many” don’t understand, there’s nothing to do about it. Once you start down the path of trying to please other people, you are doomed to failure.

“I can't give you a sure-fire formula for success, but I can give you a formula for failure: try to please everybody all the time.”

-- Herbert Bayard Swope

Has anyone ever left their hometown to start a new life? Can anyone share their experience and how are they now?

I joined the military, and I never looked back. Almost everyone I graduated with remained. I’m not sure how much of the world they’ve all seen or interacted with, but I know I’m much wiser and well-rounded for 23 years of the experiences.

Why is there life instead of just nothing?

So you can ask this question. If there wasn’t life, well, there you are, dead. Nothing. Incapable of any thought because you aren’t living. If you were a spiritual person of faith, however, you might be in for some afterlife, presuming you had life, to begin with, which, in your scenario, you might not.

At what point are we permitted to lose hope in the future of our country?

Some would say when you, despite the battles to save it, lose the revolution. But, you never really lose hope, not in the people to see the error of their ways. The best teacher is a failure and when their “brave new world” collapses in on itself, their failure will replace their flag and you’ll endure another bloody revolution in order to return to normalcy.

“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

What were the toughest decisions you have had to make? Were they easy? Were there any drawbacks or unexpected outcomes?

Giving up my children during the divorce. The drawbacks are enormous, It is hard to be a father when you only have them part-time. Basically, she tried, unsuccessfully, to remove me from the picture, until it was time to party. My daughter grew up to be a great full-time loving wife and mother, which makes me so very proud of her.

 How do you measure if a year has been successful?

Am I still smiling? If so, it’s been a successful year.

 How do you have faith during difficult times?

How do you not? Faith is about all you have when everything around you is falling apart. Sebastian Richard says that "Hope is the embryo of faith," but I disagree.  If you have hope, how can you lose faith?  Many people have faith and, yet, they lose hope because they don't understand that their faith is, in fact, the embryo of hope!  Between your strong faith and your hope for better times, you will find the spiritual path and the strength to persevere.

“Hope is the embryo of faith, but many suffer miscarriages while waiting for the baby to be born.”

-- Sebastien Richard

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