Questioning Stupid, Blame, Change, Lies, and Goals

 

“Are you referring to the fact that you can't walk across a flat, stable surface without finding something to trip over?”

-- Stephenie Meyer

Does being clumsy mean you're stupid?

No, clumsy means you’re not paying attention, probably because your mind is on other, more important, things. Stupid, on the other hand, means you haven’t taken the time to learn much.

Would generous rich people help me selflessly?

That would depend on if you were selfishly hunting them down.

Where did you spend the most time in your life?

In Washington state. I spent 12 years of my military career there, and then I spent another 17 years working at a civilian job there. 

Is it okay to act in a selfish manner in a society where everyone is for themselves and others will not help you in times of need? After all, if no one cares about you shouldn't you do what is only in your best interest?

Why not be as selfish as everyone else, when putting your best foot forward might show everyone there is a better way? You could be the impetus for change. No, selfishness is so much better than doing what’s right. After all, it’s just society dictating who we’re supposed to be, right?

What is the secret that can make a person a failure if he shares it?

Their formula for “Love Potion No. 9” would break them.

“One can only share so much. There are secrets we must keep”

-- Richard L. Ratliff

Why do many people blame the victims instead of the bad people?

You have to ask the liberal Democrats this.

Do you have a problem with authority?

Yes, but “authority” exists for a purpose, so I accept that, in order to live in a structured society, one must bend to authority.

In a society where everyone is for themselves, is being selfish and rude considered a virtue?

It might be “considered” a virtue, but it really isn’t.

I really want to do ballet but I already have a really busy schedule with other things I love and my parents won’t let me. How can I lose the passion for it so I can stop thinking about it?

Don’t. If you really want ballet, then you might have to wait until you can do it. It might be realistic for you to un-busy your schedule to allow time for it. You might also have to share to cost. This might be one reason your parents balk at it.

What is the foundation for knowing and understanding a problem?

Curiosity.

“The assumption of an absolute determinism is the essential foundation of every scientific inquiry.”

-- Max Planck

Does change make you uncomfortable? …like adapting to new things.

Not a bit. 23 years in military service prepares you for a life of adapting to constant change, and, truth be known, “change” is actually the only true constant in the universe.

Reader comment: Change is evolution and all that implies. Without change, we become irrelevant to the world.

My reply: Indeed.

How does society enable me to become a better person?

In a “free” society, you are encouraged to become a better person. There are many outlets where you can selflessly give of yourself to make the lives of others better. Volunteerism is utilized by many who wish to better themselves. There are also many “self-help” books that guide you toward a better self. A “free” society allows you to make the “free” choice to be more than you are.

Why does anyone that’s found a bag of 100-dollar bills decide to burn them 1 at a time?

Not right in the head?

How can someone self-educate to become a politician without a degree?

I don’t believe there is any rule on the books that requires a “higher” education to run for public office. Just look at the morons in government now, evidence that you don’t need intelligence to serve, just idiots at the ballot box. Hell, we have a President that doesn’t even know where he is most of the time.

What are some psychological experiments that are doubted today because they were too ethical?

How can an experiment be too ethical? I can see it being not ethical enough, but not too ethical.

“Education without values, as useful as it is, seems rather to make man a more clever devil.”

-- C.S. Lewis

Is there a difference between make-believe and lying?

Not if you’re making believe so you can lie to someone.

How do I become successful in life when I’ve had a very sheltered life growing up, and how do I make more friends without being shy to talk to new people?

Success in life is simply making the choice to strive for true happiness always and in all things, regardless of your circumstances. Everything else is simply attaining goals, and you have to work toward those. As far as friends, those “mature” minded people, who truly want to be your friend, will recognize you are shy and come to you.

What is something you think should be normalized and why?

Sex. If you’re both of age, what you do in the privacy of your home is up to you and your partner. 

What steps can I take to learn something other than my major while I am a college student?

Take an elective. I may not be able to exercise my freedom of thought and speech, but I’m pretty sure they still let you choose electives, right? Or, does the socialist education system do that for you as well?

How do you fight to keep an idea when others think it is stupid?

How stupid are the others? It might not be much of a fight.

“The willingness to be a champion for stupid ideas is the key to greater creativity, innovation, fulfillment, inspiration, motivation, and success.”

-- Richie Norton

Why would someone have a phobia of "countryballs"?

Great question. Does someone? I mean, they’re kind of cute.

How do you prioritize your time and responsibilities?

You rank your time and responsibilities by importance or time sensitivity. You do the most important, or time-sensitive, first. It makes sense that the most time-sensitive needs to be done first, but an important responsibility may override that and be seen as the most time-sensitive.

How does one come to own something?

Someone gives it to you, you find it, or you purchase it.

Do people who are on their way to achieving their goals also set new/bigger goals and still succeed at both of them?

They can. It usually happens when they find out that there is a goal beyond the one they’re working toward, but they have to attain the first goal in order to proceed toward the second. It would be like studying for a medical degree and then deciding on a medical “specialty” degree. You still have to get a basic medical degree first.

 Are you still helping people masturbate?

That’s none of your business.

“Knowing how you like to be touched and being able to communicate that kindly to a partner is a major component of a satisfying sex life. But how do you know what makes your body sing if you haven’t spent some time finding out? Solo sex (masturbation) is a natural way to understand what your particular body likes and how it likes to be aroused.”

-- Elle Chase

“The USA is turning into a nation filled with insane masturbators.”

-- Steven Magee

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. 

I fervently 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