Questioning Weight, Maslow, Wisdom, Liars, and Teaching

“If the older generation can not get accustomed to us, we shall take their children away from them and rear them as needful to the Fatherland.”

-- Adolf Hitler, June 1933

(One might want to fear teacher unions that believe parents have no rights.)

Are there any examples of social influences before the Internet era?

News media, rumor-mongering, and propaganda have been around for a very long time, and are still with us.

Is weight loss a different process after the age of 60?

It is harder. You can eat all the right things, and then your metabolism changes. All the right things aren’t so much, anymore. I have found that if I don’t eat, I can lose weight. Otherwise, I’m being relegated to veggies, fruits, nuts, and exercise. These are all fine if I’ve been doing it for the past 68 years. Teaching this old dog new tricks would be easier if a woman in the “oldest profession” was standing before me. She isn’t… and I’m still screwed.

Is it illegal for students to give money to teachers? Why?

It isn’t illegal, it is unethical of you and for them if they accept it.

How has reaching out to someone in need enriched your own life?

The local medical center needed a volunteer chaplain. I was coerced into the job, visited patients, and held a weekly discussion hour with their PTSD group. I’m still not sure who got the most out of the three years I put in, but I do feel enriched by the experience.

Can the fact that most/many jobs only use a fraction of a person's intellectual capacity, practical skills, experience, insights, etc. be considered a big waste of potential for humanity as a whole?

Yes.

“You learn something valuable from all of the significant events and people, but you never touch your true potential until you challenge yourself to go beyond imposed limitations.”

-- Roy T. Bennett

How do you apply Maslow's hierarchy of needs in the classroom?

This is your “hierarchy of needs” to survive for graduation. Fulfill them and you move forward.

What kind of person you will never respect?

People that show little respect for those who show respect. I run into this all the time with the League of the Perpetually Offended. They tend to show little respect for any viewpoint that is contrary to theirs, and if you dare to agree with them, they will take umbrage at that, as well.

If you answer their question, you have taken the bait. They will attack you, your answer, and, in short order, derisive name calling will begin. You really can’t have an intelligent conversation with folks who can’t put together cogent thoughts. Being a self-admitted hypocrite, one might say I am perpetually offended at those who are perpetually offended.  I tend to offend myself on a regular basis. 

What lessons should other countries learn from the war and conflict in Ukraine?

You could be next?

Does the word “common sense is not common enough” make sense?

Absolutely. What we used to think of as “common” sense, was just “good” sense, and most people exercised it. Well, good sense isn’t that common anymore. I stopped using the term in favor of “good” sense.

What is a failed actor?

A waiter.

“Just because you fail once doesn't mean you're gonna fail at everything.”

-- Marilyn Monroe

If there were no constraints or obstacles, would you date me if you could?

Probably. I'm that kind of guy.

What do you say to a Ph.D. graduate?

“Congratulations! I’m Mr. Villari, or you can call me Master Sergeant. Your choice, Doc.” I’ve known many of them from my time working for an Institutional Review Board. Few impressed me.

Why does he say he wants to be with me but treats me wrong?

He wants to treat you wrong while he’s with you. You have to follow the logic.

I was always handed everything in life, it’s made me lazy and unmotivated. How do I change and work harder? I’m 20.

Change everything you have into cash. Put the cash in an account, and don’t touch it until you’re 25 or you’ve made it on your own. If someone hands you more, change it into cash and bank it as well. You have to make it on your own. If this is too much for you, you will always be a lazy, unmotivated, spoiled little shit. What will it be?

What is an example of personal wisdom?

They call it “personal” for a reason.

“Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom.”

-- Aristotle

How do liars remember what they've said?

You’ve just hit on the problem with being a habitual liar. It’s so much easier to remember the truth.

What famous person said, “Philosophy is life”?

I don’t know, but it is more accurate than saying, “Philosophy of life.” If you live life, you will probably come to understand that life is its own philosophy. On the other hand, the philosophy of life depends on the moron living it. They might come to understand the philosophy of their own life, but not that philosophy is really just life lived. If you pay attention, the philosophy unfolds before you.

Why do people often fail in love?

They forget about the bedrock of friendship.

How can you know what is at the core of your anger when it seems like the smallest things and almost everything makes you angry?

The core of anger is us. We find ourselves incapable of dealing with the lesson life is presenting us because we refuse to see that the lesson deals with controlling emotion. One might say that God is screwing with you. And, He will continue to screw with you until you realize He’s simply screwing with you. Stop getting angry at every little thing, and start seeing them for what they are - lessons. It might be a good time to start learning.

I'm a well-known pianist and random people invited me to play for their events without telling me to pay me. How do I tell them I need a talent fee?

Tell them you’ll drop the contract off to them that states the minimum time you’ll be playing and the total fee, regardless if you run overtime. If they sign it, you get paid.

“There's so much beauty in getting paid to do what you love. That should be at the heart of every business - people getting paid to do what they love.”

-- Hendrith Vanlon Smith, Jr.

Is laziness one of the root causes of arrogance?

It takes some effort to be truly arrogant, so I’d say no. I mean, think about it, you’d have to be ready with arrogance 24/7/365. Who can do that? It takes effort.

If you were a school principal, what kind of teacher should you hire?

One who leaves their personal opinions at home. They are being hired to teach students a set curriculum, not their personal take on society. School isn’t for indoctrination, it is for learning information that will make the student “smart” no matter where their personal path leads them.

The teacher’s responsibility is to teach the good and the bad of the subject matter, not their personal take on it.

How does experience influence perception?

To a large degree, yes. But when one’s “learned” perception is wrong, the new experience is incorporated as an exception and an extra moment might be required when a similar perception is perceived in the future.

Even in 2022, is it tough being an (intelligent/critically minded) atheist in America?

If you have your own belief and don’t push it on others, there should be no problem. Issues arise when people join the ranks of the League of the Perpetually Offended and push their beliefs on others. Whether an atheist or a deist, there is no proof to support either belief. All sides have faith that they are right, and only after death will the truth come out. Calling one side stupid or illogical without providing incontrovertible proof is simply evidence of one’s own illogical stupidity. Better to just have your own beliefs and live in peace.

Where does emotion come from in a movie?

Good writing, directing, and, if humans, good acting. I’m almost 70 years old, retired military, and I still get teary-eyed during Disney’s “The Incredible Journey” and it doesn’t matter which one.

“Emotions, in my experience, aren't covered by single words. I don't believe in "sadness," "joy," or "regret." Maybe the best proof that the language is patriarchal is that it oversimplifies feeling. I'd like to have at my disposal complicated hybrid emotions, Germanic train-car constructions like, say, "the happiness that attends disaster." Or: "the disappointment of sleeping with one's fantasy." I'd like to show how "intimations of mortality brought on by aging family members" connects with "the hatred of mirrors that begins in middle age." I'd like to have a word for "the sadness inspired by failing restaurants" as well as for "the excitement of getting a room with a minibar." I've never had the right words to describe my life, and now that I've entered my story, I need them more than ever. ”

-- Jeffrey Eugenides

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