Questioning Kindness, Ethics, Focus, and Pride

 

“If you really care about animals, then stop trying to figure out how to exploit them 'compassionately'. Just stop exploiting them.”

-- Gary L. Francione

 

How do I avoid embarrassing myself?

Think before you act. Think before you speak. When you do act or speak, don’t do or say anything that can be construed as stupid, and zip your fly. This usually works for me, unless I’m up against the perpetually offended, in which case nothing will help because no matter what you do they will insist on being offended.  I always try to remember to zip my fly, but, occasionally...

Why should I be kind to pets?

The pet will get even, or someone who loves animals will, eventually, kick your cruel ass.

How do you negotiate with someone who does not know what they want?

I can help them find out what they want, or I can take the tact of “When you know what you want, come back and see me. We’ll talk.” Personally, I can’t see them miraculously knowing what they want just because another person is involved, unless I read minds or approve of torture, so I’d probably go with the latter and tell them to come back when they know.

How do I negotiate with a stupid person?

Don’t start off by calling them "stupid" or the negotiations will stall immediately.

Is "whatiffing" a big problem in human psychology?

https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Whatifism

I went to the site offered (above) and found the following quote, used as an example, below. “Whatiffing” is a way, to my mind, of looking ahead to possible outcomes. It is a planning tool to consider what might happen and to be prepared for contingencies. If this is a “problem” in human psychology, then we have a problem with psychology. We also have a problem with cursing and body shaming. Just saying.

Reader comment: Yes. But a problem could also be people thinking what if this, what if that, and it might actually end up counter productive.

My reply: If “time” is a concern, it very well might be. But, generally, I don’t think “whatiffing” is a problem psychologically unless a person obsesses over it. And, speaking of obsessing, "counterproductive" is one word, not two. Just saying.

“The world needs to find more fair solutions to the growing environmental situation. We need to look for solutions that are not harmful to the environment, and to try harder to harvest reusable energy. This is some serious shit and we gotta watch our backs ya heard me fat bitch?”

-- Adel7

What is your ethical guide to cheating the system?

There is nothing ethical about “cheating” the system. It defies the point of “honesty” where ethics is concerned. 

What creative way can a person use the inside of their pocket?

If a person is insatiable, clandestine masturbation in public, but you have to cut a hole in the pocket. Or, you can turn them inside out and pretend they’re ears. If you’re a male, you can pretend they’re the ears of a short trucked elephant, but you’ll have to let your “member” loose for the effect. Yep, unfortunately, I’ve heard or seen just about everything. Cutting a hole in the pocket makes it unuseable, but using the other pocket means you need to be ambidextrous. Just saying.

What news made you laugh this month?

Mayors of “sanctuary cities” balking at taking in illegal aliens.

How do I motivate someone for something they have never experienced, appreciated, something they never wanted to do/use (even if it's really good/necessary in the long run), and something they won't spend a dime on?

You don’t. I sure as hell wouldn’t want to waste effort trying to force someone to do “something they never wanted to do.” It’s counterproductive. You might appreciate it, and think it’s good, necessary, and free, but they obviously don’t. I’d be looking for something they want to do and have never done. If you don’t want to do that, maybe you should give that some thought, and try to understand where they’re coming from.

Does fear affects one's worldview?

Yes, and I'm not afraid to point out that "worldview" is one word.

“I'm not afraid of death; I just don't want to be there when it happens.”

-- Woody Allen

Why am I smart (not bragging, I’m in honors) in school but outside of school I can’t solve 56 divided by 4 in less than a minute?

Simple math eludes you.

How can I stop thinking about something?

That is especially difficult, for me, if the “something” is a woman. I find that focusing on something else helps, like “grunt” labor. You probably won’t stop thinking about it, but at least you’ll get something done.

What is your “Shrine to Failure”?

I don’t do what I know I’ll fail.

How can you teach someone a new skill or art form without them getting frustrated or bored with it?

If you make it interesting for them, and it happens to be a new skill or art form they want to learn, yes, you can. Boredom is a sign they really don’t want to learn it. Frustration is wanting to learn but the complexity eludes them. The aspect that frustrates should be broken down, if possible, so each point can be looked at, studied, learned with feedback, and applied to the whole. When all points have been covered, the frustration should be mitigated. Feedback from the person learning keeps them involved and interested in the process.

What is the study of an individual called?

We called it "being nosey."

“You can't study the darkness by flooding it with light.”

-- Edward Abbey 

How can I learn what you teach from nothing?

If I’m teaching from nothing, there is nothing for me to teach. How do you expect to learn if I’m teaching from nothing? Better I should teach from something. I will be a better teacher, and you a better learner.

What are the consequences of losing focus on your goals?

It will take much longer to attain them if you attain them at all.

What makes people dislike [this site]?

People ask you questions but you can’t answer because there is a limit to how many answers you can submit on their sites, which seems a bit counterproductive to answering questions.

You take the time to answer just to find that it needs to be “accepted” and if it isn’t accepted by a certain time, the answer you’ve taken the time to write is discarded. I love wasting my time, as does everybody.

The “administrators” determine if your answer is worthy of being posted. If I cared what they thought I’d be frustrated. They judge my answers, but porn flows freely on the site.  A bit confusing, but it is run by liberals.

What is America's largest threat to democracy?

Socialism.

Why do people say "never ask a question if you don't know the answer"? What is the reasoning behind this saying?

I assume the reasoning is to get you to stop asking questions. I’ve never heard it put that way. The phrase I learned was, “Never ask a question if you don’t want to know the answer.”

“I would rather have questions that can't be answered than answers that can't be questioned.”

-- Richard Feynman

Would you burn your college notes if you don't use them?

Notes are used for tests. Books are used for research. If you’re done with tests, you’re ready to stock your library with useful books. You if have all the books you need, why keep the notes? If you’ve bought the right books, the notes are in them.

Is it wrong of me to not disclose a secret?

It’s a secret, so you’re not supposed to disclose it. Disclosing the secret would be wrong of you.

What is your opinion on people who claim to be "minimalists"?

I have no issue with people who own what they need. They don’t blow money on a lot of crap. I’m kind of a minimalist, myself. I have what I need. If I want it, it must serve some purpose. I don’t waste money on clutter. 

Why would anyone say "I'm not like other people"?

Because they’re not like other people and someone accused them of it.

Can you be proud without being arrogant or vain? If so, how?

I’m very proud of who I am. I am also very humble. I do this by not being arrogant or vain. One, I have nothing to be arrogant about, that I know of. Two, I’m not the most handsome man, so I'm not really vain.  Although, what I lack in looks I make up for with my sparkling personality. I just don’t flaunt it. I strive to be happy always and in all things, regardless of my circumstances. I am who I am, and I am comfortable with that. No one else has to be.

“Vanity and pride are different things, though the words are often used synonymously. A person may be proud without being vain. Pride relates more to our opinion of ourselves, vanity to what we would have others think of us.”

-- Jane Austen

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