Accidental Valor (Updated post from 1/28/16)

 

“In our new age of terrifying, lethal gadgets, which supplanted so swiftly the old one, the first great aggressive war, if it should come, will be launched by suicidal little madmen pressing an electronic button. Such a war will not last long and none will ever follow it. There will be no conquerors and no conquests, but only the charred bones of the dead on an uninhabited planet.”

-- William L. Shirer, The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich: A History of Nazi Germany 

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CAUTION:  With Vladimir Putin threatening use of nuclear weapons, I thought republishing this to be timely.  What you about to read is considered by the author, me, to be a random act of bloviating.  Continue at your own peril, or run away.  Personally, I'd run... and don't look back.

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How do you live with plotting the "unreal" nuclear destruction of millions of innocent women and children? For starters, you make sure it never has to become a reality. How do you ensure it doesn't? You can bring your best poker face to the table, or ensure the enemy absolutely knows, without doubt, your resolve to mercilessly annihilate them by constantly reminding them you are the biggest and baddest SOB on the planet by your actions.  Teddy Roosevelt’s early 1900s policy of “speak softly, but carry a big stick” just doesn't have the psychological impact of showing the world you carry a Dillon Aero M134D Minigun so you can respond with 6000 rounds per minute of patriotic resolve.  

Who talks this way?

I didn't use to; I was a conservative hippy wannabe of the late 1960s era with all of the, you know... peace, love, dope, roll another one just like the other one, don't Bogart that joint my friend, yadda, yadda, yadda.  That was before I was drafted and decided to join the Air Force.  Want a wake-up call?  Get involved with military intelligence and learn the stuff no one else knows.  Some of the information you learn can change your opinion politically, and morally.  It can tighten your sphincter to the point of redefining the term "pucker factor" for the rest of your life.

The Air Force isn't built to fight on the ground.  As the name would evidence, we take the fight to the air and carpet bomb the ground until it looks like the moon.  When I was in, we also planned out the targets for hundreds of nuclear missile strikes and joked about being responsible for the life or death of millions of innocent women and children.  "Post Traumatic Stress" is not just found on the battlefield.  PTSD finds you sitting on the couch in your underwear at 2:00 a.m., wondering if the blast from the target you plotted missed the population center; was your plot better than the allowed tolerances?  And, we have to consider the aircrews who have to deliver these weapons of mass destruction.  PTSD?  Yeah, buddy!  Thank God we never had to prove our resolve.  

There is a notion that if our citizens pay for gathering intelligence information, they deserve to see it.  Knowing what I came to learn, I became part of the school that firmly believes there is information you don't want to know, things you don't want to see, and disavowed Black Ops at work ensuring you enjoy that peaceful night with your family, and friends.  You really don't want to know what they do.  Be satisfied and comforted in the knowledge that someone has the courage, the big Inconel Alloy 625 cojones, to do it.

There is also a question of whether what these people do is legal, lawful, moral, or even necessary.  Well, are you alive, speaking English, and free?  If so, thank God and shake the hand of a proud U.S. military vet.  If you don't feel the gratitude, that is the right of opinion they fought, and died, for you to have, but you might want to consider saving face by simply closing your pie hole.  Go shopping with your family feeling relatively safe in the notion that someone has paid, and is paying, for your precious freedoms by accepting a probable sentence in hell from almighty God for the actions they take to ensure you get to eat that Big Mac in peace, but don't whine about the actions of a few good men and women of whom, and what, you have no concept.

"Son, we live in a world that has walls, and those walls have to be guarded by men with guns. Who's gonna do it? You? You, Lt. Weinburg? I have a greater responsibility than you could possibly fathom. You weep for Santiago, and you curse the Marines. You have that luxury. You have the luxury of not knowing what I know. That Santiago's death, while tragic, probably saved lives. And my existence, while grotesque and incomprehensible to you, saves lives. You don't want the truth because deep down in places you don't talk about at parties, you want me on that wall, you need me on that wall. We use words like honor, code, loyalty. We use these words as the backbone of a life spent defending something. You use them as a punchline. I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man who rises and sleeps under the blanket of the very freedom that I provide, and then questions the manner in which I provide it. I would rather you just said thank you, and went on your way, Otherwise, I suggest you pick up a weapon, and stand a post."

-- Colonel Jessup, "A Few Good Men" (1992)

I considered this quote (above) a strongly acted tirade by Jack Nicholson, as Col. Jessup. I think the last time I was riveted to a speech like this was the one given by George C. Scott portraying Gen. George S. Patton, Jr. in the movie "Patton". But, is Col. Jessup correct? To a point, I think... yes.

The point of the case depicted in the movie, as I see it, rests with excusing the death of a young Marine under the guise of honor, code, and loyalty; words and ideals that Jessup and the defendants clearly ignored in the eyes of Executive Order 10631: Code of Conduct for members of the Armed Forces of the United States. Even the military has laws to protect us from ourselves and from illegal or unconscionable orders.

The philosophy Jessup espouses of why "those walls have to be guarded by men with guns" is, in my opinion, correct and more to the point.  We need them and, if we want to admit it or not, we want them there.  Hey, better them than you, right?  After all, your taxes pay for their bravery, even if it doesn't pay for the aftermath of service; damage incurred to them mentally and physically for which, in all probability, a quick patch is applied prior to farming the wounded warrior out to pasture.  But, then, this also should be of no concern, should it, with Obamacare and all.  They carry, and ofttimes publicly display, these wounds as they do their metals, all rewards for a job well done (I find it disheartening that my military TRICARE pays less than the cost of pharmaceuticals, forcing many pharmacies not to accept it)

Whether a soldier actually sees combat, the mere fact they have signed away their life for the good of the many, or the few is already an act of accidental valor.  I say "accidental" because most of them don't realize they have already become heroes to many of us, a hero for which they will forever be in denial.  These are our national pride, our children, our sons and daughters, fathers and mothers, our grandparents and great grandparents, and our friends.  These are our "accidental heroes" who display daily, acts of accidental valor.  It might be planned, but more frequently we discover they simply found themselves being in the right place at the right time.

These are heroes all, patriots of a grateful nation.  God bless them, and God bless the United States of America. 

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

Parenting, Revenge, Humility, Trust, and Reading

 

“Only the very weak-minded refuse to be influenced by literature and poetry.”

-- Cassandra Clare

Why does it seem like everyone has more friends than you?

Because they probably do. I love friends, but they are not the focus of my life. I have a few friends, but lots of acquaintances. I try to do right by all of them.

Should parents teach their kids small things which bring huge equity to humanity? If so, would ideas like throwing trash into bins instead of on the ground, be good?

Yes, but not at the sacrifice of everything else that is right, like throwing trash in proper receptacles, following the “rule of law,” not stealing what isn’t yours, courtesy and respect, and not burning down cities just to make a point everyone is already aware of.

What are the benefits of effectively expressing one's thoughts and ideas?

Immediate understanding.

Does wanting something make it more likely that will happen?

If “wanting something” means you are actively working toward getting it, then yes, unless you have family that spoils you, or a “Sugar Daddy” to keep you happy. Work or want? Which one pays more? And, yes, the “Sugar Daddy” will eventually make you work for it, so it really isn’t a gift.

Can parents instill motivation and ambition in their children?

Only if they’re mentally capable of accepting it, and are willing to learn.

“I believe that what we become depends on what our fathers teach us at odd moments, when they aren't trying to teach us. We are formed by little scraps of wisdom.”

-- Umberto Eco 

At what age do people start classifying you as a failure when you have no achievement in life?

They can start “classifying” me when they please. They don’t know me, nor do they know my personal definition of achievement or, especially, failure. To “classify” is simply another word for “judge,” and if they judge me they are so in need of personal introspection, as they are probably rife with their own issues.

Let’s take it by the numbers: They dare to judge, so “age” is really immaterial to them. They would probably judge a baby for an abortion. Failure is simply an opportunity to learn why you went wrong and give you the chance to learn and correct it, if possible. As for “achievement” in life, did you wake up this morning? Any day on this side of the dirt is a great day, and you have achieved waking back into it (pity the baby). And, since you’re here, how about making the most of this gift of life by excelling in it? Aha! Yet another achievement!

We achieve much simply by breathing. Our lives are valuable to those who know us, family, friends, and those we have yet to meet. Retaining this “value” is another achievement, and so on, and so on. Strive to be happy always and in all things, regardless of your circumstances. You guessed it, another achievement.

Why is "do revenge" considered a stupid failure?

Revenge leaves the door open for karma to slap you down for taking revenge out of the, more than capable, hands or karma. Revenge does nothing but hurt the vengeful.

Do you need a college degree to be successful in the UAE?

Define success. The UAE isn’t the USA. I don't think they see happiness as success, and their idea of attaining a goal isn’t having a successful bowel movement, which is becoming the definition of our own political system.

What is a response to “I’m not joking”?

“That’s your go-to?” or “Bite me.”

Why should people who are pushy, loud, and complain of their hurt feelings get their way of making us affirm something that is objectively false?

Whoa! Who lets them get their way? People who are pushy, loud, and complain, need to be told to sit their collective asses down and shut their pie holes before they really get something to be loud and bitchy about.

"When you get tired of hearing the sound of your whine, you will know it’s time to start doing something about your life. Until then, nothing will happen. Stop whining!"

-- Iva Ursano

What have you learned or relearned about personal responsibility, and how will you use this knowledge to improve your outcomes and experience in college and beyond?

The military taught me about personal responsibility. My dad was all about our responsibility to others, but if you can’t be responsible for yourself, how do you be responsible to others? My time in the military helped me develop my own personal code of moral ethics that I can stand by when things go south. If you can’t stand by your ethics, what kind of person does that make you? The kind of person everyone around you sees.

Why do people say they have no beliefs or values?

Uh… maybe, because they don’t have any beliefs or values? Of course, they could be lying, or they’re just shallow and don’t want to get involved in deep conversation.

What is the difference between motive, interest, expectation, and attitude?

A:  I’m going to introduce myself to that woman.

B:  What’s your motive?

A:  I’d like to date her.

B:  Why?

A:  She interests me.

B:  What is your expectation?

A:  A date. Pay attention, you’re starting to give me an attitude.

B:  You're going to need one, if you're serious.  Bourbon?

A:  A double... please.  

How do I increase my resilience?

Let someone slap you down good a few times. See if you can get back up. There are people who will do this for cash, some for the thrill. Slapping you down, that is. 

James M Barrie said, "Life is a long lesson in humility". How do you balance humility with confidence?

Barrie was right, but we try to hide our humility behind a mask of confidence, not realizing that both complement each other. I am very confident in my humility. I think, as a humble person, you can’t really find your humility if you aren’t confident. I spent almost 23 years in military intelligence. You don’t get through 23 years without confidence, and those same 23 years of seeing the best and the worst the world has to offer will either piss you off, make you smile, or make you humble. I was confidently pissed off, found time to confidently smile, and was confidently humbled by the people I met and the ability of nuclear weapons to end all life on earth. Oh, yes, I am very confident in my humility, and balanced, as well.

“True humility is not thinking less of yourself; it is thinking of yourself less.”

-- Rick Warren

How can someone start with a debate on opposing the motion"It is easier to succeed with natural talent than with acquired skill"?

Assuming the “natural talent” is equal to the “acquired skill” it makes perfect sense that natural talent is easier because you don’t have to learn and acquire a skill you already possess. This makes any opposition ignorant of “natural talent” abilities.

What facts are too terrifying for Americans to know?

Does an insane, egotistical dictator have control of Russian nuclear forces?

Why is verbal communication significant to our lives? What are some situations that show its importance?

Verbal communication succinctly emphasizes the emotion intended. What we intend is what we want others to understand, quickly and with no doubt. Orders on the battlefield would be a good example. If people don’t understand, the wrong people die. 

Do you trust people who betray your trust?

That would be counterintuitive. It isn’t that they betrayed my trust, but that I can’t trust them anymore.

Is there anything that makes you happy, but seems like it should make you upset?

It makes me happy to see young children enjoying a playground. Now, this seems a bit creepy, but, I’m a grandpa that relishes the look of awe and discovery on a child’s face, and how they seem to be able to teach adults how we’re supposed to act toward each other.

"There are so many things about which some old man ought to tell one while one is little; for when one is grown one would know them as a matter of course."

-- Rainer Maria Rilke

What is the weakest form of argumentation?

Hemming and hawing don’t bode well in an argument. It shows a weakness in knowledge, facts, and backbone.

How does reading work as a skill?

As an intelligence analyst, reading is very important as you have to do it constantly, picking out those items that are important to the issue being worked on. The same holds true if you reviewed contracts or purchasing orders. Reading is a necessary skill for anything but grunt work, and physical labor and even that usually has rules you need to read and follow.

Why are some people mad at me when I told them that all of us are selfish, and that, in the end, all of us would care about ourselves in general, even though we do care about one another at some point? Am I telling the truth? Is that why they’re mad?

Yep, that would probably be the reason. People never like to be confronted with the truth about themselves, it makes them uncomfortable.

Why do I feel I'm hurting everyone by having a relationship?

Why do you care? It is your relationship, not theirs. If they’re hurt, perhaps they should have jumped earlier. Now they have to go get a life, which, by the way, you are doing by having a relationship.

Does forgiveness take time in relationships?

A shorter time, especially if the offender is seriously contrite.

“Any fool knows men and women think differently at times, but the biggest difference is this. Men forget, but never forgive; women forgive, but never forget.”

-- Robert Jordan 

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

Questioning Teachers, Nothing, Blame, Grief, and Decisions

 

“I am criticizing the professionalization of teaching children because these young human beings are not cogs in a machine, And I am trying to identify the root of the problem for all those wonderful adults who went into teaching thinking that they could commit to nurturing the lives of many children only to end up having the system squash their excellent motives. Our current school system replicates factories and requires classroom managers more than teachers. Teachers are appreciably frustrated.”

-- Leigh A. Bortins

Who invented parenting? Why do we need it now?

Ever seen animals "parent" their young? We would like to say it was us. But, “parenting” has been around since the beginning of time, and “good” parenting is how things have survived and developed through the ages.

The current state of the world is evidence that humans need to get back on top of “good” parenting, if we expect to survive.

Is there a "fake it until you make it" approach in business?

I believe that’s where the aphorism got it’s start, though many versions have been out there for a hundred years, or more.

What really makes us human beings?

Rational thinking, and, to a point, irrational thinking, as in an ability to think of the impossible and find a way to make it possible. Many animals have the ability to problem solve, but not all animals have the ability to develop technology that would take us to the moon, mars, and the stars. Of course, I could be wrong.

What are some tips for answering emails quickly without compromising on quality?

Keep it concise and understandable.

Why do people become teachers? What do they like most in their profession? What makes them happy when they are teaching students, and how can we help them be better at it?

If I didn’t know a few good teachers, out there, I’d say liberal “socialist indoctrination” drives them in all facets. If you want to help them, take the children away from their parents and put them in khaki uniforms with “hammer and sickle” or “red star” armbands and teach them to rat out anyone not conforming to socialist doctrine, including the parents. Be careful what you vote for.

“The classical model emphasizes that learning feeds the soul and edifies the person rather than producing employees to work an assembly line. The goal of a classical education is to instill wisdom and virtue in people. We see learning as a continuing”

-- Leigh A. Bortins

As a special education student, I try to give money to teachers at schools. They don't want the money. One teacher said to me "it's illegal." But, it's not bribery. I'm always wondering why they don't want the money?

As a rule, socialism pays very well, and most liberal schools, school boards, and teacher's unions seem okay with socialist doctrine. As a side note, Joseph McCarthy was right about Hollywood, and the rich don't have to worry about the new "new" rules. Do you live somewhere "rich"?

I have all A+ and one A- and I still think I’m not doing enough. What do I do?

It isn’t all about school. Pick up a book and teach yourself more. Read to the “next level” of your classes.

Have you ever been in a conflict with someone where you wanted something that the other person did not want to give? Did the conflict escalate in some way? What kind of tactics did you use to get your way? How did the conflict get resolved?

If I ask for something and the other person says no, that's the end of the conversation. I could be an ass and badger them about it, but that would just tighten their grip on the item. Sometimes it isn’t all about me and getting my way, it can be about ownership and the other person’s right to say no. 

Can you give an example of something that is not anything?

No. If I can name it, it is something. Therefore, nothing is, in fact, something.

What are good leadership styles for an agreeable person, and how can he become better at them?

Leadership is about knowledge, communication, listening, being firm but fair, tolerance, and teamwork, and ensuring rules are followed or changed for the better. It isn’t very hard to be a leader and be “agreeable,” for the most part.

You can lead or you can dictate. Dictators are ignorant when it comes to supervision. They talk a great game, are not great listeners, and only communicate their thoughts, which may be flawed. Oh, and the “rule of law” is what they say it is, and not necessarily in line with company policy.

New York City is a great case study in corrupt leaders after corrupt leaders who concern themselves with lining their pockets with cash more than solving city problems. They surround themselves with “yes” people, dictate from their podium, and they skirt the rule of law. Their new AG fits in well. 

“Listen with curiosity. Speak with honesty. Act with integrity. The greatest problem with communication is we don’t listen to understand. We listen to reply. When we listen with curiosity, we don’t listen with the intent to reply. We listen for what’s behind the words.”

-- Roy T. Bennett

What are some reasons why people get bullied, and why don't they stand up for themselves?

I was a small kid, weak, introverted, and afraid. Okay, I was a pussy. Then, one day, I snapped. I had enough of their faux egotistical crap. I picked up a tree branch and just about beat a bully to death. If my friend hadn’t physically pulled me off of him, I would have. I remember the words I pit at him, “Enough is enough. You fu#@kers are done.” Oh, I kept getting my ass beat, but at the expense of their ego. I learned to get in their heads. It was the reason I majored in psychology and got into military intelligence.

Author's comment:  At some point, the rage will come out, and good that you beat them up!

My reply:  Indeed. Or just take it, or suicide, both unfortunately sad options. 

How can you deal with a person who has no weaknesses?

Put them in charge. Responsibility defines weaknesses.

What types of people use blame-shifting, and how does it affect their life outcomes?

They don’t own their actions. They love to take credit but not the blame. They think no one sees through their bullshit, but almost everyone does unless they simply aren’t looking. People see them for what they are and their forward momentum in life can reflect the attitude people show toward them, regardless of their monetary status. They are not very happy people because they’re always covering up for themselves and worried that people see them for what they are. Oops! Too late.

Do people always complain about the way young people speak?

Unless young people speak intelligently, yes.

Can you give some examples of meaning over words?

“You need to be spanked.” Playfully letting someone know, in words, they should be punished for misbehaving.

“You need to be spanked.” In a serious tone of voice. Taking off your belt helps to send a different meaning. Smiling tells the other adult you’re probably going to enjoy it more than they are.  Lock the door.

“Words mean more than what is set down on paper. It takes the human voice to infuse them with deeper meaning.”

-- Maya Angelou

What is the definition of a lost word?

The word has slipped your mind.

How do you spell "with regards" in a sentence?

“In regards to your problem, I see no way out.”

“With highest regards for the royal family, I must decline.” 

What causes people to be intolerant of grief?

Never having to experience it, comes to mind.

What is the reason why people say that you shouldn't regret anything because it made you who you are now?

If who you are now is who you’ve wanted to be, they’re right. Your life, your choices, and decisions, up to this point, have made you who you are. To regret them would be wishing to give up everything you’ve attained. Some things you might have done differently, but that difference might, also, change who you are now. Regret is so counter-productive to happiness. Better to just be truly happy about life and what it’s brought you. 

Is it better to take any job even if it doesn't pay well right away?

It’s much better to take a job you’ll be happy doing, but any job that pays is better than no job.

“The job is what you do when you are told what to do. The job is showing up at the factory, following instructions, meeting spec, and being managed.

Someone can always do your job a little better or faster or cheaper than you can.

The job might be difficult, it might require skill, but it's a job.

Your art is what you do when no one can tell you exactly how to do it. Your art is the act of taking personal responsibility, challenging the status quo, and changing people.

I call the process of doing your art 'the work.' It's possible to have a job and do the work, too. In fact, that's how you become a linchpin.

The job is not the work.”

-- Seth Godin

What should I do and don’t do when I turn 18?

Do right, don’t do wrong. Be selfless, not selfish. Be respectful, not rude. Be kind, not mean. Be loving, not hateful. Be tolerant, and understanding. Be slow to anger, and faster to smile. And, last but not least, strive to be truly happy always and in all things, regardless of your circumstances.

When you’ve accomplished all of this, never forget to mentor the people who ask you, “What do I do and not do, when I turn 18?”

Should students share their problems with others when they feel depressed?

Yes, and you might think about sharing with an adult.

How do I make a decision? I’m in my senior year of high school and at home growing up I was never allowed to make a decision. Now, my parents say they’re done parenting me (I’m not 18 yet) and I have to make all my decisions. What do I do?

First of all, scold your parents for not allowing to fail. Good job, parents, your daughter isn’t 18 yet, and admits to being incapable of making a decision. I was allowed to fail all the time, and then I was asked what I’d learned. Needless to say, I learned a lot. And, then, I joined the military and learned even more, especially about decision making.

Get a job. Get a “grunt” job, doing “grunt” work, so you’ll appreciate the people who will eventually work under you. “Grunt” work allows you to train yourself to make decisions, like how much longer are you willing to do “grunt” work. You are starting at the bottom, of everything, and working your way forward. When you’re done, several years from now, you will be wiser and more appreciative for the process.

Do not be afraid to make mistakes and fail. Mistakes and failures are simply opportunities to learn, so learn from them and don’t make the same mistake twice. If people berate you for your mistakes or failures, explain this simple fact of life to them. People tend to forget where they came from.

Do teachers focus too much on grammar?

You can never focus too much on grammar. Let us all hope teachers always over-focus on teaching basic curriculum. In this way they will have no time for indoctrinating. 

There is a saying that people you live with, you will become like them. I live with salary-minded people, so, I will be like them. How do I shift to business class? Should I leave my friends and start being around entrepreneurship-minded people?

Be with who you want to learn from, then learn from the people who taught them, then surpass them all and become what you want to be. Never forget to be truly happy always and in all things, regardless of your circumstances, and never forget to exercise selflessness.

“You were born with potential.

You were born with goodness and trust. 

You were born with ideals and dreams. 

You were born with greatness.

You were born with wings.

You are not meant for crawling, so don't.

You have wings.

Learn to use them and fly.”

-- Rumi

 

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

Who You Are (Updated post from 1/26/2016)

 

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”

-- Marianne Williamson

 

"Where you're from determines who you are." Have you heard this commercial? Who comes up with this crappy pseudo-psychobabble? If we accept this premise, then if you grow up in the ghetto, you are, therefore, the ghetto. If you're from a welfare family, therefore you'll always be on welfare. You're a white person from Mississippi; therefore you must be a bigot. If you're a gang-banger, you'll always be a gang-banger, right?  Please join me in stating that this premise is bullshit.

You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them.

-- Maya Angelou

Who and what you want to be, determines your destiny, and where you're from.  What you've done in life, or what you want to do, determines who you are, and where you can go, not your circumstances, not the media, and certainly not an agenda pushed by a political party that makes promises they never intend to deliver on in order to keep you down so they can continue to have a large, ignorant, voting base.  Where you're from is simply the beginning of your path, just as where you are going will be the end or the beginning of another.

"You're on your own.
And you know what you know.
And YOU are the one who'll decide where to GO..."

-- Dr. Seuss

The most important attribute each of us is born with is free choice.  We have the ability to choose who and what we wish to be.  Our freedom of choice is something no one can take from us.  If the Holocaust teaches us anything it would be the human capacity to choose whether to live free or die.  We have the moral fortitude to choose not to live as slaves.  It is one attribute that guarantees mankind will never willingly submit to evil.  If you are enslaved, rebel, and die a free person.

You are the sum total of everything you've ever seen, heard, eaten, smelled, been told, forgot - it's all there. Everything influences each of us, and because of that I try to make sure that my experiences are positive.

-- Maya Angelou

Anyone who believes that where you're from determines who you are will always be is lost.  They will always be a victim of their own inaction and never become more than they are.  They will always be the slave of some master, some heretical extremist religious cult, some credit company, some state aid or federal aid agency (aka, welfare),  or someone's lapdog, someone's bitch, someone else's idea of who they should be.  Basically, they will remain a victim of everything they should be trying to escape.  But, then, it has become a well-understood fact that you can't cure stupid.  The afflicted have to want to change, and as long as they are offered a way to remain complacent burdens on society, they will continue to delude themselves that they are anything but.  You can't save people from themselves.  Like any other addiction, being something less than your potential is just, well... easier.  Socialists use this to great effect.

If you don't like something, change it. If you can't change it, change your attitude.

-- Maya Angelou

There are those that will read this and become inflamed over my comments instead of looking passed the comments to see who and what they are.  They will say, "But, I'm trying."  Are you holding down three part-time jobs?  "The schools aren't offering me, or my children, the education to better our lot."  Are you making them, or yourself, learn at home, or is the computer for email and playing games?  "I need the food stamps or we'll starve."  And the entirety of your basket at checkout is comprised of healthy foodstuffs?  Probably not.

The measure of who we are is what we do with what we have.

-- Vince Lombardi

Past Presidential candidate, Ben Carson, offers us some insight into what a poor, fairly illiterate mother, can accomplish, with very little, when her priorities are in proper alignment.  She can work her fingers to the bone, working two jobs, as an example to her children.  She can ensure they toe the line in school.  And, when all is said and done, she can offer the world a renowned neurosurgeon and political candidate for change.   She can accomplish wonders, for the betterment of her children, and mankind, albeit unknown to her at the time. Those that would find fault with her accomplishments, or Ben Carson's, are the same people that hold minorities, or themselves, down.  They're the same people that make excuses for why things never change and why the government needs to control their thinking, which isn't really difficult when you're dealing with lemmings.  But do you have to be a neurosurgeon?  Is it really rocket science?  No, it really isn't. 

My mother said I must always be intolerant of ignorance but understanding of illiteracy. That some people, unable to go to school, were more educated and more intelligent than college professors.

-- Maya Angelou

It is what the intelligentsia now refer to as making a "paradigm shift," a shift in our basic concepts and practices; a profound change in our life model, our thinking, and our perception of our reality.  Basically, we simply have to make a conscious effort to say no to all things we are doing wrong in our lives and take ownership of all the negativity.  We have either created our circumstances or made the conscious decision to remain in our circumstances.  We have done this, not someone else.  It is our bad, and we have only ourselves to blame.  

This doesn't mean you can go off on a crusade against what, or who, you feel is the cause of ills in your life in an effort to solve the issues.  This would be, again, simply assigning blame to the decision you made to allow these causes to rule your decision-making.  We have to wrap our minds around us accepting full responsibility for our lives.  We have to, finally, become aware that we are in charge of our lives.  Only when we do this can we finally see the positive path that has always been before us.

We are free to choose who and what we wish to be. We are Light alone. We are shape-shifters. We become what we choose to become in an effort to discover the Truth of who we are. We grow into our Truth. We grow into our soul.

-- Lauren Zimmerman

There is nothing I find more disagreeable than someone I work with being dissatisfied with their situation.  You have a job, lucky you, so do it.  If you don't like the job, leave.  If you can't leave, ask yourself why?  Bills?  Mortgage?  Ah!  Decisions you made that prevent you from living a happy, productive, life.  Now you find yourself in the less than enviable position of an indentured servant (aka, slave) until you pay off the bills... which will never be paid off.  Your new master will see to that.

Who are you?  You are what you want to be, and if you aren't... then you must be satisfied with what you are.  Don't bitch, moan, and complain about the circumstance you put yourself into.  Don't try to shift the blame on others for the bad decisions you, yourself, have made that keep you down or miserable, because the people around you see right through this immature attempt to look "blameless" for your circumstances.  

Accept responsibility for your choices and decisions, the good and the bad.  Accept responsibility for who and what you are.  Accept that you owe, and are indebted, for mistakes you've made, and the luxuries you wanted or needed.  Accept that you have to pay for the mistakes or debts.  Accept responsibility for your life, even if your assets belong to someone else due to your decisions, until they are paid off.  Accept responsibility for your life, the life you've made, even if it isn't perfect, and you'll find there is some pride in ownership.  Then, and only then,  you might learn to understand.

I'd seen my father. He was a poor man, and I watched him do astonishing things.

-- Sidney Poitier

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

Questioning Debate, Fred, Atheists, Losers, and Thinking

“The world as we have created it is a process of our thinking. It cannot be changed without changing our thinking.”

-- Albert Einstein

How do I win a debate?

Be knowledgeable of the topic and present incontrovertible facts. If you control your emotions, show your knowledge of the topic, and present facts that your opponent can’t successfully argue against, you will be in control.

What inspires you?

What I consider a “beautiful” woman.

How can I feel valuable even if I don't make money or make people happy?

You are life, therefore, you are valuable. If you can’t “feel” the value of life, try giving selflessly to others. Help people, the elderly especially, and take nothing for your time. I mean, you don’t make money anyway. Making people happy is the easiest thing we can do. As for money, I would find some way to be of some small service for some change, so you can actually say, “I make some money.”

Whenever I feel jealous or hurt about something or anything, why do I suddenly burst into laughter?

Defense mechanism. Might as well laugh, being jealous or hurt will solve as much as laughing. Better to laugh.

Is it wrong to base 90% of your self-worth on your achievements and your productivity?

So, if you're a humble person who achieves true happiness and, as a by-product, produces happiness in many other people, and 90% of their self-worth is because of this? Understandable, since “success” in life is choosing to be truly happy always and in all things, regardless of your circumstances. If you aren’t truly happy in life, then attaining goals should not be looked upon as an achievement unless it makes you truly happy always. Only then, can all of this be seen as successful in life.

Author's comment:  What if you're the opposite. No official accolades or much money, but happy?

My reply:  People sell happiness short. Given the choices you’ve outlined, choose happiness always and in all things, regardless of your circumstances. The alternative simply sucks.

“It is an absolute human certainty that no one can know his own beauty or perceive a sense of his own worth until it has been reflected back to him in the mirror of another loving, caring human being.”

-- John Joseph Powell

Did Fred comply with the core value of integrity?

Fred who?

Does the way you act depend on past experiences?

That and upbringing, which could be labeled a “past experience” for this purpose. A good upbringing would trump most past experiences, with the exception of war or some other post-traumatic stress.

Who walks ahead of whom?

Answering this will open someone up to attackers from the League of the Perpetually Offended.

Is war a necessary evil, or depends?

Depends are certainly a necessary evil. Without them, everyone will know when you soiled yourself. War reminds us there is evil in this world, and we must protect ourselves against it, or bow before it. The Holocaust was evidence of what bowing before evil can cost. Is it better to wipe evil off the face of the earth, or keep it around as balance, to remind us of what happens when we don’t pay attention?

What is the best way to start a presentation with no audience interaction?

Present it via a recording or a DVD. Or, announce at the start for people to hold all questions until the end of the presentation, due to “time” constraints.

"The best way to know what you're talking about is to know what you're talking about."

-- Anonymous

What are some things that can be said to a person who is easily embarrassed?

And you need to say them just loud enough: “Your fly is down.” “Your nipples are showing.” “Your breasts are leaking.” “A hard-on, really?”

Any Christians, Jew or Muslim explain how you worship the same God, acknowledge God's word & faith to creation was free will that without scripture of God recanting free will, makes them all false idols, same as religions that came before them?

You think like an atheist.

Is it possible to look shocked and happy at the same time?

If I walk into the bedroom and she’s naked and on the bed with that “come hither” look, I am shocked and absolutely happy, at the same time. And. I don’t even know her. Why is she in my house? Why do I care?

Who is someone that inspires you?

Sophia Loren, or Audrey Hepburn.

Can you be friends with a teacher you don't respect?

I would find it hard to be friends with anyone I don’t respect, much less a teacher, and I have respected a damned few of them.

“Even if you cannot change all the people around you, you can change the people you choose to be around. Life is too short to waste your time on people who don’t respect, appreciate, and value you. Spend your life with people who make you smile, laugh, and feel loved.”

-- Roy T. Bennett

To what extent does being "second" mean being a loser? Why are people so unfair to "seconds"?

Yes, it means you lost. It also means the people who ridicule, who were unfair, were not out there putting themselves on the line. Why? Because they know they’d lose. “Second” means you have more work to do, that’s it. The real losers are the ones who do not cheer on the underdog. At least they put it all on the line.

Why should we never let anyone make us feel like we have to stand up for them?

As a person of conscience, you should already be there, then they won’t need to.

I'm 18 I just graduated hs. I took a gap year & it feels like the end of the world. I feel lost & like a failure. I feel like I make all the wrong decisions and I have no idea what I’m doing. How do you escape feelings of uncertainty at a young age?

You took a “gap year” which left you alone while everyone else went forward. This is wrong on two levels, one, you need the structure and security of the school, and two, you need the structure and security of the school. Suck it up, buttercup. It doesn’t matter why. You’re falling apart when you’re supposed to be attacking the collegiate curriculum. Will this insecurity continue when you graduate college? God help us. Of course, I could be way off base. It might just be that time of the month.

What impact can kindness brings in anyone's life?

Same breeds same. Showing kindness will bring kindness back to you. One hell of a great impact, on happiness.

What's the best way to channel your frustration with adversity into positive growth?

Perseverance. If you’d given up you wouldn’t be frustrated anymore. Accept the frustration as a signal you have more work to do. That’s all. Shake off the frustration, face down the obstacles, and work through them. In this way, you can persevere and move forward.

"Success is not built on success. It's built on failure. It's built on frustration. Sometimes its built on catastrophe."

-- Sumner Redstone

Why is self-acceptance so challenging and difficult?

Most people would like to change, and "changing" flies in the face of self-acceptance. If you accept who you are, why want to change? Because we see change as the only true constant in the universe. If one wants true self-acceptance, they must accept themselves as never satisfied with who they are. They have to accept that they are always learning, growing, and changing.

What are some shocking things some people are doing for money to enlighten themselves over laziness?

Prostitution. Hell of a way to make lots of cash.

Does having a positive outlook on life affect success or failure?

It has a positive effect on success and failure. You should look at failure as an opportunity to learn why you went wrong, so you can correct it and move forward to attaining your goal (if you define your “success” as reaching a goal). True success, however, is finding true happiness in life. It is striving to be truly happy always and in all things, regardless of the circumstances. This is the first “goal” we should try to attain in life.

This is a question asked by my teacher. "How do you think of your thinking?"

Clear and, occasionally, out-of-the-box.

 Does Russia really have 25 million reservists? That would be approximately every third male (of any age).

The real questions should be, are the “reservists” really all men, and have they really volunteered? I think not. Right now they’re reporting he is drafting 300,000 reservists. A far cry from 25 million, and these are soldiers who have served in the past. There are 25 million "potential" fighters at their disposal. In other words, they're willing to dispose of 25 million more citizens, if necessary. He is totally insane, like Hitler, so standby for the nuclear option, a military coup, or an assassination.

"If the territorial integrity of our country is threatened, we will without doubt use all available means to protect Russia and our people - this is not a bluff."

-- Vladimir Putin

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