Questioning Ideas, Life, Reality, Work, and Ethics

 

“He's half my ex-husband's age, but twice as energetic when we have sex. And twice as grateful afterward.”

-- Barbara Taylor Bradford

 

What are three important goals in your life right now?

Stay truly happy always, live to be 99, and take care of my mother.

Even though every individual is expected to be a critical thinker, it is common to see people think not. What are the factors that affect the habit of critical thinking?

I don’t expect everyone to be a “critical” thinker. People are too self-absorbed for that. The ones that have discovered the habit of critical thinking, have made enough mistakes or failures to ask the logical question and try to improve their lives. The question they ask is, “Why?” They usually find the answer to be their own inability to make good choices and decisions. Why? Simpler, yet. They find they don’t think deeply enough before they act. They don’t weigh the good and the bad, the pros and the cons, and they really don’t seem to consider the consequences of failure or the wrong choice.

What do you do each day to stimulate your senses?

Answer questions on this site.

Has anybody accused you of mocking them for trying to comfort and/or satisfy them?

Except for the members of the League of the Perpetually Offended, the majority have been very appreciative.

At what age did you truly come into your own?

At age 24, when I earned the rank of sergeant.

“For a man to be worthy of any rank, he must strive first to be a man.”

-- Lloyd Alexander

What are some examples of weaknesses?

Addictions. Low self-esteem. Inability to stand up for one’s self. Crumbling in the face of adversity. 

What are the signs that one thinks they are smart but they are in fact not?

They constantly fail or make poor choices and decisions, or both. They may, in fact, be very intelligent, but they just aren’t that smart.

If I did something bad in school and I try to give money to a teacher, is it bribery?

Ya think?

What is your real opinion of the CBS reality show "Big Brother," which recently began its 24th season in a house of roommates filled with TV cameras 24/7? How long (or little) have you watched it?

Too much "directed" drama, for me. Its longevity is evidence that the people watching it need to get a life of their own.

All of my friends are graduates (engineers, scientists) now, but I am the only one failing every year at college. Why? Is God showing me that I don't belong at university?

God isn’t showing you anything. This is you shifting the blame on God. Probably not the wisest move. God gave us everything we need to attain our goals in life, we simply have to make use of them. Some are better equipped to make use than others. Try putting your nose to the grindstone and stop making excuses for failure. Failure is, after all, the best way we learn.

“Some of the valuable lessons you won’t learn in class or from people, but you will learn them from life. You will only learn them when you choose to take accountability, accept responsibility for the mistakes you make, and don’t shift the blame. Life teaches some of us to learn in a hard way and others never learn their lessons at all, until death catches up with them before their time.”

-- De philosopher DJ Kyos

How best can you define a successful nation?

Secure borders, the rule of law, a constitution, a freely elected patriotic governing body, and secure voting. The United States is beginning to fail on most of these. 

If you don't have high standards, do you have double standards?

The U.S. government doesn't, usually, exercise high standards, but they always find a use for double standards. This might provide evidence that having high standards mitigates the corrupt use of double standards.

What is the difference between thinking about someone and thinking of someone?

I think of you so I can think about you. I think of you, and then I can think about what we could be doing with each other. Any clearer, and this will be in the gutter.

Who came up with "sleep is for the weak" and what does it actually mean if one is trying to be productive since it seems like more and more people are using this phrase as an excuse for not getting enough rest on a daily basis?

It is meant to make soldiers keep fighting on the battlefield. Any other use for it, other than to win some battle, is ignorant. A good night's sleep will make you stronger and ready to “attack” the world and the lessons life throws at us.

How can I help my brother grow?

Mentoring, experience, and support. Help him develop his own path and travel it.

“Stay afraid, but do it anyway. What’s important is the action. You don’t have to wait to be confident. Just do it and eventually, the confidence will follow.”

-- Carrie Fisher

What are one or two reasons to be afraid of what TikTok is becoming?

China. Scares the hell out of me.

Who said, “Know thyself”? What did they mean by this? Why should we follow this advice?

Socrates. If you know who you are, you will know what to expect of yourself. Being yourself, however, might be advice better ignored, especially if who you are is a questionable ass. But, knowing you are a questionable ass provides you with the knowledge you need to strive to become something better.

Does "whatever" mean none of your business?

It means the information being provided is so much less important than the point being made.

When is the right time to move on from one goal and choose another?

Unless you are a multi-tasker, then, when you have attained the goal.

What are some good jobs for people who don't want to think?

“Grunt” labor comes to mind. It is physically exhausting, and doesn’t pay much, but, then, you don’t really have to think to shovel dirt, or sweep floors.

"Work hard, not in grunt work, but in chasing such opportunities and maximizing exposure to them. This makes living in big cities invaluable because you increase the odds of serendipitous encounters-you gain exposure to the envelope of serendipity." 

-- Nassim Nicholas Taleb

What do you think of the phrase, “Never underestimate yourself and never overestimate others.”?

If you underestimate yourself, you might never move forward. If you overestimate others, they will probably disappoint you.

What is something that will be around in 200 years?

Precious stones, precious metals, matter in general, gravity, yadda, yadda, yadda…

What was the worst type of adversity that you eventually overcame?

My divorce. She took everything, including my children, and left me with child support. My lawyer promised I would overcome it in five years. She was right, and I’ve been a happy camper ever since.

What are some examples of greed and selfishness?

The handling of the southern border of the United States by the current administration. They are not carrying out their responsibilities under the law, nor are they being patriotic. That leaves greed, selfishness, and, most probably, criminal malfeasance.

What should you not do when choosing a career?

Stress. Strive to be truly happy always and in all things, including choosing a career. You can change up many times, as many people have.

“In times of stress, the best thing we can do for each other is to listen with our ears and our hearts and to be assured that our questions are just as important as our answers.”

-- Fred Rogers

What popular idea can you refute in one sentence?

Joe Biden was a poor choice.

How do I make a reason for her to talk with me online?

You don’t have to “make” a reason. Simply ask her. If she says “yes” she is interested, if not, find another person to be friends with. Never start a relationship by playing selfish games. The relationship will always be based on that.

What's the difference between "idea" and "notion"?

If you have the idea that you might do something, this is more of a notion:

“I have a notion that you might want to hit me.”

“I had the idea that you might have a notion that I might want to hit you.”

“Do you?”

“No, but, let's just say, having that notion isn’t off the table, yet.”

What if we had to rebuild human society from scratch?

It would take 12,000 years, and, in the process, we would screw it up just as well. 

Can you share a story with me? It can be in relation to anything.

“Sex,” I was pretty sure, meant whether you were a boy or girl, and “sin” made Tante Jans very angry, but what the two together meant I could not imagine. And so, seated next to Father in the train compartment, I suddenly asked, “Father, what is sexsin?”

He turned to look at me, as he always did when answering a question, but to my surprise he said nothing. At last, he stood up, lifted his traveling case from the rack over our heads, and set it on the floor.

“Will you carry it off the train, Corrie?” he said.

I stood up and tugged at it. It was crammed with the watches and spare parts he had purchased that morning.

“It’s too heavy,” I said.

“Yes,” he said. “And it would be a pretty poor father who would ask his little girl to carry such a load. It’s the same way, Corrie, with knowledge. Some knowledge is too heavy for children. When you are older and stronger you can bear it. For now, you must trust me to carry it for you.”

- from The Hiding Place: The Story of Corrie Ten Boom

“We are asking our children to carry loads that are way too heavy for them. They should not be forced, as children, to see and feel the world through the lens of adults. Innocence is worth protecting and worth fighting for. We need to do our part as teachers, parents, and caregivers to carry certain things for them until they are old enough to bear the load.” 

-- Clint Bryant

What is the meaning of life all about?

Knowledge, learning to make good choices and decisions, and making the conscious choice to be truly happy always and in all things, regardless of your circumstances. Everything we do is in preparation for moving forward in existence. You learn the lessons life places before you, or you learn the lessons later, but, in order to move forward on your journey, you will have to learn the lessons. Such is life, now or in the next.

I got all A’s in my junior high school classes, but I think that I’m ignorant in real life. What should I do?

Immerse yourself in real life. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes or fail, as these are the best ways we learn. Strive to be truly happy always and in all things, regardless of your circumstances, and the wisdom of life will follow.

Does empathy guarantee altruism?

Not necessarily. I think “selflessness” would be more apt to guarantee altruism.

What is the most common ethical violation?

Honesty.

How is humility an absolutely necessary personality trait for any good leader?

The best leaders are those that think others should lead. Humility is not a lack of strength. To be humble takes a good bit of effort, especially in the face of overwhelming odds. To win with mercy is to humble oneself before a defeated foe. To lead with mercy is to humble oneself before one’s followers.

"I have three precious things which I hold fast and prize. The first is gentleness; the second is frugality; the third is humility, which keeps me from putting myself before others. Be gentle and you can be bold; be frugal and you can be liberal; avoid putting yourself before others and you can become a leader among men."

-- Lao-Tzu

What is your ethical guide to cheating the system?

Ethics and cheating are polar opposites. You can’t be ethical and cheat, as the ethic of honesty would prevent it.

How do you know if your vision will become real?

You don’t, not until it is. 

How do you cope with the seriousness of life?

Strive to be truly happy always and in all things, regardless of your circumstances. Don’t invite unwanted drama into your life, and always make good choices and decisions.

What is a one-line motivation that changed your life?

“Failure is not an option.”

What is humanly possible to do and be and what is humanly impossible to do and be?

Be yourself, because you can’t be God. Do what you can, because God has more than enough to do without carrying your load, as well.

"To be, or not to be: that is the question:

Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer

The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune,

Or to take arms against a sea of troubles,

And by opposing end them? To die: to sleep;

No more; and by a sleep to say we end

The heart-ache and the thousand natural shocks

That flesh is heir to, 'tis a consummation

Devoutly to be wish'd. To die, to sleep;

To sleep: perchance to dream: ay, there's the rub;

For in that sleep of death what dreams may come

When we have shuffled off this mortal coil..."

-- William Shakespeare

What are the previous unethical situations in your industry?

I’ve had two jobs in my life, the Intelligence field, and the premier Institutional Review Board. Both were heavy on ethical regulations and behavior. Unethical situations were our purview, not our issue.

Should working be treated as love, obligatory, or both? What do you think?

Always love what you do, or why do it? If you choose to do it, you are obligating yourself to those you are working for, and with, to do your best.

What do you think Putin is going to do to impact the world and humanity, after the way he has destroyed Ukraine?

Make a move on Europe.

Why are my expectations so high?

Do you enjoy disappointment? Learn to be truly happy always and in all things. Expect nothing out of life. Take what life gives you, what you earn. This is all any of us can possibly expect. 

Why do people act like the military is the only way to be successful in life?

It isn’t, and we don’t. However, we have programs that train us to attain our goals. This is what we do. If we fail, the money spent on training was a waste. We also have programs to prevent waste. When we take what we learn into the civilian sector, we are more apt to continue attaining our goals. Employers who want to attain goals appreciate this attitude. It becomes a “win-win” for all.

“Soldiers can sometimes make decisions that are smarter than the orders they've been given.”

-- Orson Scott Card

Is the reason why the work ethics in America suck because people don't want to support this society?

No, that’s just one sorry ass excuse. The reason has to do with finding anybody wanting to put out the real effort to do quality work. They think it’s easier to whine, complain, and suck from the public teat.

What is a good example of a lack of Professional ethics?

Paul and Nancy Pelosi?

What is your ethical perspective on suicide?

Don’t do it. Barring seriously painful health issues that precede death, suicide is not an ethical choice. It is morally irresponsible and shows a lack of loyalty and honesty to one’s self.

What is the most morally wrong thing you’ve done?

Slept with my supervisor. Hey, she instigated it.

Why does it feel so good to have satisfying sex with an older woman?

It feels so good to have “satisfying” sex with any woman. The older they are, however, the more they appreciate the effort we put into it.  That's what my supervisor told me, anyway, when we were done.

“In all your Amours you should prefer old Women to young ones. You call this a Paradox, and demand my Reasons. They are these: 

1. Because as they have more Knowledge of the World and their Minds are better stor’d with Observations, their Conversation is more improving and more lastingly agreable.

2. Because when Women cease to be handsome, they study to be good. To maintain their Influence over Men, they supply the Diminution of Beauty by an Augmentation of Utility. They learn to do a 1000 Services small and great, and are the most tender and useful of all Friends when you are sick. Thus they continue amiable. And hence there is hardly such a thing to be found as an old Woman who is not a good Woman.

3. Because there is no hazard of Children, which irregularly produc’d may be attended with much Inconvenience.

4. Because thro’ more Experience, they are more prudent and discreet in conducting an Intrigue to prevent Suspicion. The Commerce with them is therefore safer with regard to your Reputation. And with regard to theirs, if the Affair should happen to be known, considerate People might be rather inclin’d to excuse an old Woman who would kindly take care of a young Man, form his Manners by her good Counsels, and prevent his ruining his Health and Fortune among mercenary Prostitutes.

5. Because in every Animal that walks upright, the Deficiency of the Fluids that fill the Muscles appears first in the highest Part: The Face first grows lank and wrinkled; then the Neck; then the Breast and Arms; the lower Parts continuing to the last as plump as ever: So that covering all above with a Basket, and regarding only what is below the Girdle, it is impossible of two Women to know an old from a young one. And as in the dark all Cats are grey, the Pleasure of corporal Enjoyment with an old Woman is at least equal, and frequently superior, every Knack being by Practice capable of Improvement.

6. Because the Sin is less. The debauching a Virgin may be her Ruin, and make her for Life unhappy.

7. Because the Compunction is less. The having made a young Girl miserable may give you frequent bitter Reflections; none of which can attend the making an old Woman happy.

8thly and Lastly They are so grateful!!”

-- Benjamin Franklin

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