Questioning Myths, Victims, Touching, Benefits, and Experts

 

"One of the great intellectual failures of the American intelligence community, and especially the counterterrorism community, is to assume if someone hasn't attacked us, it's because he can't or because we've defeated him."

-- Michael Scheuer

What is a common myth about your job or field of expertise?

“Intelligence” isn’t the movies. It is a lot of research on top of research, followed by more research, confirmation, validation, analysis, follow-up research, long hours, and slim promotions. You burn "PATRIOTISM" in the back of your mind, or you find a better job. 

What do you do with your hands while having a conversation standing up?

A perfect time to scratch that itch you can’t reach while sitting down. Just saying.

What should you say when your boss asks if you are working hard enough?

“Yes, but, if you don’t think I’m putting in enough overtime, feel free to pile more into the overflowing in-basket so my ulcer can thank you.”

Can you give an example of a lie and hypocrisy?

I am a sex god in the bedroom, and I am offended by people who are perpetually offended.

How do you wish the world to be like?

Tolerant and constructive. This should be the credo of the United Nations. If you aren’t “tolerant and constructive” you have no place to sit among the other nations. Unfortunately, it is hypocritical since it requires intolerance of those who are intolerant. This would be the League of the Perpetually Offended being offended at those who are offended by them.

The world will continue to limp along.

"I wish that all children in the world have access to a good quality education."

-- Unknown

Can humans solve the dilemma of ethnic strife?

Stop focusing on ethnicity and start focusing on becoming more homogeneous, a “melting pot” of humanity. You can celebrate your ethnicity, but learn to celebrate everyone else, as well. Everyone matters, so conflict should be inconsequential. Anything but peaceful tolerance should be frowned upon.

If you told someone to "drop dead", and soon afterward, they did, would you feel guilty?

I’d be sorry I said it, but karma caught up to them, not me.

What is an unethical situation?

Any situation where the exercise of good ethics is ignored. “Cooking the books” in business, or walking in on your wife and your best friend having the sex of a lifetime, if a sense of moral ethics is violated the situation is wrong.

What are some things you should not say to a victim?

Sucks being you.

At what age did you stop believing that you can be whatever you want to be?

High school. I almost didn’t graduate. I discovered what my problem was when I went to college and joined the military. I rediscovered that I can be whatever I want to be, I just wasn't being challenged enough. Imagine that.

“If you really want to make it in life you will find a way.”

-- Germany Kent

What is a polite way to ask someone not to touch your things?

"Please, stop touching my thing."

Do you think editing other people's posts is acceptable? 

If they don’t take the time to edit it themselves, why take the time to edit it for them? I’ve answered some silly questions just to have them admonish me for not understanding the questions. I understood them, but they were poorly written questions, so I answered them appropriately to what they asked. Spell check, grammar check, and good sense are not in great supply, at times, and I am not the teacher. 

I'm 93. Who surpasses me in age?

Who wants to? Okay, I’d like to make it there, but I still have 25 years to play with.

What is more important to you, to be respected by everyone or to do what you think is right?

I would hope, knowing the people I hang with, that doing the right thing will be respected by them. If not, I don’t really know them, and I’m going to continue to do what I think is right, and everyone can kiss my lily white…

If you had to be an A.I. version of yourself, what would the world be like?

Just like it is, but with an A.I. version of myself.

“I do not want to be human. I want to be myself. They think I’m a lion, that I will chase them. I will not deny that I have lions in me. I am the monster in the wood. I have wonders in my house of sugar. I have parts of myself I do not yet understand.

I am not a Good Robot. To tell a story about a robot who wants to be human is a distraction. There is no difference. Alive is alive.

There is only one verb that matters: to be.”

-- Catherynne M. Valente

How can you gain respect from your colleagues without being fake?

If your colleagues can’t see through you being fake, what does that say about them, and their respect?

What are the benefits of having no jealousy in a relationship?

You can focus on truly loving each other.

Is it possible to be too serious at work?

Yes, and it will affect your home life, as well. Better to balance your attitude. You can be serious but have some fun and a sense of humor. When you leave work, LEAVE WORK. It is time to decompress. I know from whence I speak. My almost 23-year career helped to destroy a 25-year marriage.

When is it right to think ‘why people don’t like you?

I’ve never thought about it. Interesting.

What are some ways to impress a professional?

Correcting their mistakes will impress them, but the “impression” might get lost with all the other thoughts they’re having about you.

“The more you try to impress, the more you become depressed, and the more they get tired of your coercion. It doesn't make them love you, instead, they'll see you as a little child, trying to draw a senseless picture on a piece of paper, begging people to look at it and admire it by force. You can persuade someone to look at your face, but you can't persuade them to see the beauty therein.”

-- Michael Bassey Johnson

 How can I get the attention of an expert in my field?

Become an expert in your field. Do something exceptional that stands out from all the others vying for attention, and then go stand on their desk.

Why will some people realize that others can’t be manipulated?

When others call them down on it. Manipulation says much about the manipulated, but it says even more about the manipulator. Let them know you’re aware of what they’re doing, and let others know they do it. If they think they’re that smart, they’ll get a clue.

What is the etiquette for making eye contact and smiling at a girl?

Don’t lick your teeth or your lips. It’s tacky. You might as well go right up to her and say, “You and me, right now, baby.”

Reader comment:  Point to her. Point to yourself, point to your junk.

My reply:  Okay, stop it. You’re reading my mind. 

What are the social consequences of being blunt or honest with others?

You will be known for being blunt and honest. Not a bad thing. Many people don’t like having smoke blown up their skirts. They’d rather you quit screwing around and get to the point. If you treat them like they can’t handle it, it just pisses them off.

What's it called when anybody knows about any weaknesses?

An advantage.

“All cruelty springs from weakness.”

-- Seneca

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