Questioning Balance, Bullshit, Expectation, Woke, and Respect

 

"Everyone against abortion please raise your hand."

 

Note to my readers:  I fully expect to catch hell from the League of the Perpetually Offended whenever I post abortion-related content.  My firm belief is that many of them have little concept of murder, nor have they "enjoyed" graphic photos of aborted children.  I spent over 22 years with military intelligence.  I do my research.   I've seen images that are too horrific to comprehend... I thought.  It's early in the morning and, luckily, I haven't had breafast.  While researching a photo to use for this post, I came close to dry heaves.  I am including a site address for those with strong constitutions.  If you're on the fence, take a peek, but, if you do, have the big brass ones to continue reviewing the site to the bottom of the page.  It's a eye-opener.  You won't want to, but keep them opened:  Abortion: Images-Galleries 

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Would things get better or worse if humans focused on what's going well rather than what's going wrong?

Worse. There isn’t that much going right, at least not in the United States. If we take our eyes off everything wrong to focus on the few things right, we’ll be in a worse situation than we already are. If we all had administrations that weren’t focused on destroying their countries, then we’d be a lot better off. Nothing happens “overnight” but there are unrealistic factions that think it can. We need to crawl before we walk, and walk before we run, or we will fall down hard.

What's something that a statesman says that made you question their credibility?

I can’t repeat everything Joe Biden has uttered.

How true is it that if you are influenced by the opinions of others, you will have no desire of your own?

Nope. I find myself constantly at odds with the League of the Perpetually Offended. Even the thought of them influencing me, with their lack of cogent thought, would mean I’m seriously conflicted where reality is concerned. I have my own desires and opinions, and I prefer those have some basis in reality. God is another question, but, at least, I recognize the need for “faith” on both sides of the discussion, faith being a belief in something for which there is little or no proof. Where God is concerned, neither side has any proof. I will continue to have faith and hope for all humankind. The “League” can kiss my wrinkled, rosy cheeks, God bless their little hearts.

Is keeping things simple easy or difficult for you?

I was taught from an early age to “Keep It Simple Stupid” (KISS). I brought that into the military where they also paid it homage. Nothing can be easier than keeping it simple.

What are some practices that do not show respect for life?

Abortion. Nuff said.

"The spirit God has given us is no cowardly spirit."

-- 2 Timothy 1:7

How exactly does a person integrate their light and dark side?

The first thing you need to do is decide which will be dominant. Your light side had better be sitting on the dark side or you’ll always be in trouble. I can interrogate someone with a plastic butter knife, this would be the dark side of me (don’t ask). My light side ensures it doesn’t happen (bloodcurdling screams notwithstanding). It is all about balance. Just because you can do a thing doesn’t mean you should do that thing.

Is power a problem for you?

Nope. I get a bill every month.

What are some of the unlikeliest sources that have helped you develop your personal moral code?

The United States Air Force was the source I didn’t expect. I thought, erroneously, that my family would take care of this. Over the course of almost 23 years, I learned the value of hard work, deterrence, supervision, management, and, most of all, respect. From this, I was able to cobble together my own personal moral code of personal ethics which, still, defines who and why I am to all those around me.

Why do companies usually or always solicit feedback but never quite make the needed or suggested changes? Is it all for show?

Yep. They put forward a “kinder, gentler” company persona while, in the background, they really don’t give as shit.

Reckless thought got us here. Will careful thought get us out of it?

Careful thought got us out before the current “reckless thought” and it can do it again. It is up to the voters to get their heads right. A dishwasher can’t afford a $40,000 green vehicle any more than society can afford to subsidize it.

“Remember that it is quicker to destroy than build, so be careful of what you do even with your own tongue.”

-- Gift Gugu Mona

Can you give what you expect from another?

All the time. The problem is in “expecting” the same. I prefer not to expect anything back for what I give. It makes giving so much easier.

What is the most humble position that you know?

Looking down, so you can see the path ahead of you.

Why is the current situation, whether good or bad, the result of our choices?

Everything that happens to us, as adults, is due to some choice or decision we made. If you forgot your keys and had to go back inside the house to get them, and then had an accident with another car that ran a stop sign, the fact you went back inside put you in the situation that leaving on time might have corrected. Choosing to leave on time would have been a better choice, though that choice might have another consequence.

Do corrupt people want power, or does power corrupt?

Corruption is due to greed. Greed corrupts, and, if you’re greedy for power, the power you seek is already corrupted by your greed for it.

Is a sore loser or a sore winner generally considered to be worse?

I’ve never experienced a “sore winner” before, so I’d have to say a “sore loser” is worse. Sore winners would be counterproductive to winning, wouldn’t it?

"Someone told me I'm a sore winner, and they're right. I rarely take more than a moment to enjoy a success before I'm moving on and looking for the next challenge."

-- Eli Broad

What is another way of saying “awake but not woke”, and when did this expression become popular?

Aware, as opposed to clueless. It was never popular, but it was accepted by a minority of the population who actually bought into it. It has become “popular” among many who became aware of its insidious socialist underpinnings that are trying to take over the young minds in our country. The “woke” are about to become aware.

Can an advocate own a business?

Equate being an “advocate” to having a hobby. You can own a business and be an advocate, depending on how much time your “hobby” demands.

How does personal identity persist through time?

It doesn’t, not really. Every moment we live, we learn. Everything we learn changes us, to some degree. Who we are and, very possibly, why we are, morphs us, sometimes imperceptibly. We may think we’re the same as we used to be, but if we seriously look back, we will see how different we really are from who we were.

Why do humans always try to solve problems with war?

Humans are inherently stupid. Humans can’t “solve problems with war” when war is the problem. If humans want to solve the problems, stop waging war.

What are the things that are least worth worrying about, not so important, but waste your time, and energy, and unnecessarily pollute your life in the end?

The many ways we can die. If it isn’t your health, and if you mitigate death-defying stunts, then worrying about dying in a vehicle, walking, riding a bike, etc., should be a great waste of time better spent worrying about getting fired, pregnant, making mistakes, and failing, and even these should be viewed as opportunities to learn and grow. We worry too damned much.

“If a problem is fixable, if a situation is such that you can do something about it, then there is no need to worry. If it's not fixable, then there is no help in worrying. There is no benefit in worrying whatsoever.”

-- Dalai Lama XIV

It is based on positive thinking yet it requires you to be suspicious of the intention of others?

Good sense?

Is it logical and productive to give up all rights to respond to tragedies?

No. Responding can be a coping mechanism. Can you imagine if you didn’t respond, in some way, and people died? And if people died, and you didn’t emotionally respond in some way, how their death might adversely affect your wellbeing?

What if you know you have to do something but don’t know where to start?

Exercise, so I can lose some weight.

Why are rich people so arrogant and look down on less fortunate people?

There are some very wealthy people who aren’t all this, but I think, for the most part, they are arrogant, and they lack respect and understanding of other people’s situations and consequences. There are those few who actually try to give a “hand up” to those who want it. 

What happens when you try and please everybody?

Try this on, for size:

“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

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, finally, a senior manager. He spent 17 years, following his service career, working with the premier, world-renowned, Western 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 the lead chaplain at a regional medical center.

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