Questioning Conduct, Money, Experts, Leaders, and Respect

“We don’t necessarily want to do the ‘right thing’ because it’s not our ‘right thing.’ And maybe when we reach the point where we’ve blown up our lives so much that we can no longer deny that we’ve blown up our lives we’ll finally admit that anything other than the ‘right thing’ will always turn out to be the ‘wrong thing.”

-- Craig D. Lounsbrough

What are two factors that may contribute to the youth being hesitant to conduct themselves as responsible citizens?

Immaturity and, obviously, a lack of responsibility, a sense of good ethical behavior.

Which one has really been favorable, a decision made based on intuition or one made on fact?

A fact is a known quantity, whereas intuition is at risk of being wrong. As much as I trust my intuition, I’d have to think seriously about the facts before making a decision. 

Why do we associate weight with quality?

Ignorance. Ten pounds of feathers aren’t going to stop a bullet as well as five pounds of steel.

What would you do if you become President of your Country for one day?

I would get writer’s cramp signing all the orders rescinding everything Biden and the Democrats have done to destroy my country.

What have you done today to make this world a little bit better?

I woke up. Let us begin.

“If everyone decided to forgive at least one person who hurt them by the end of the year, the world would be filled with people exchanging hugs and kisses, instead of words and bullets.”

-- Matshona Dhliwayo

How do I accept things and let go without beating myself up?

Change those things you have the ability to change, and accept those things you cannot. What does it benefit anyone for you to worry over things you have no ability or responsibility to change? Better to let them go and pay more attention to those things you can affect than to waste precious time on those you cannot.

If there was a field lined with dimes would you pick them up all day, would it be worth it?

How many dimes can you pick up in an hour? Multiply that by 24. I’m retired. Make my day.

How do you make money from your passion?

Make your passion something people want.

What is the hardest thing you must do as a leader?

To not lose a follower. There is a risk at every turn, but never ask a follower to do something you, yourself, wouldn’t do. If you wouldn’t do it, you put your follower, your team member, at risk. As a leader, I would go first, the weakest link next, and so on until the end, at which point I would place the next leader. In this way, if anything happens in between, the two most qualified “leaders” are at either end to assist. If they lose me, the next best leader is still safe at the other end.

How does one measure their own morality accurately?

Measure their own morality honestly.

“The truth is, morality is not driven by anything, it is the one thing that drives everything else. Morality is the fundamental drive of being a civilized conscientious human, that rises through self-awareness and self-regulation.”

-- Abhijit Naskar

What should you do when experts in the same field contradict each other on the same issue?

Find another expert to critique their “expert” contradictions. You might, also, have them list their qualifications (education and on-the-job) that make them “experts” in their field.

How do good leaders identify the gifts in people?

Watch, listen, and critique.

Do people who are born wealthy tend to get a degree?

If that is what they want, then, yes. Wealthy parents have to choose whether to spoil the child or insist the child attain certain goals and standards before claiming a share of the “old money” waiting for them.

Do you consider yourself financially responsible?

Absolutely.

Who said, “absence makes the heart grow fonder”?

“Always toward absent lovers love’s tide stronger flows.”

-- Sextus Propertius

Why do you think that fair and effective leadership will achieve the firm’s design goals and objectives?

I don’t. Fair and effective leadership has no bearing on the creativity necessary to attain “design” goals and objectives. If you don’t have good creative people capable of doing what needs to be done, leading them won’t do much good. Once you have a good creative staff in place, fair and effective leadership will definitely come into play.

Do you want to be King of BS or an honest peasant? Before you answer, who will be your friends?

Other honest people.

How likely is a wish made on a Thanksgiving wishbone to come true?

About as likely as the wish I made while sucking rum out of a woman's belly button. Well, okay, that one came true, but it was a toss-up. It could have gone either way.

Does the luckiest person on Earth ever complain?

Only if they’re never satisfied. The League of the Perpetually Offended would be one group of constant complainers They would complain that one in their group was luckier than others. I have little use for them.

Why do people rationalize poor decisions?

I’m going to be kind. They prefer not to own them.

“Democracy's fatal flaw: There are more dumb people than smart people. Welcome to the new Dark Ages!”

-- Oliver Gaspirtz

Would you still “pay it forward” if you were down to your last?

It is the right thing to do.

Should respect be demanded or earned?

Earned. If you demand it, it will be shallow respect, if there is any real respect at all. If you demand respect in the military, you’ll probably die from “friendly fire” during battle. Better not to be an ass.

Who said, “you cannot solve a problem using the same level of thinking that created it”?

Albert Einstein.

How can “kindness” become a crowning virtue in marriage and family relationships, especially when it has only been present sporadically before?

Kindness is never a bad thing and is always a virtue, especially when the kindness shown is truly heartfelt. There may be reasons why “kindness” was sporadic before. It may not have been recognized. It may have been subtle. It may have been “expected” but not earned. Our expectations of others fall prey to many unseen circumstances. Better for us to be kind to those we expect kindness from. Same tends to beget the same, or, you can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar.  

What are some related lines to define/describe challenges?

“I hope you remember that if you encounter an obstacle on the road, don’t think of it as an obstacle at all… think of it as a challenge to find a new path on the road less traveled.”

-- Hyeonseo Lee

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