Questioning the Past, Tik Tok, Maturity, Bridges, Envy, and Regret

 

“Everything is relative in this world, where change alone endures.”

-- Leon Trotsky

 

How do we stop traditionalism and any respect for the past?

Socialism and Communism. You will respect the Party, not tradition.

Does reading help improve memory and critical thinking skills? Does reading help to improve a person’s understanding?

Not if you don’t remember, critique, and understand what you read. If you go into reading with the specific purpose of remembering, critiquing, understanding, or learning, then there is a good possibility you will probably attain at least one of your goals. If you read to escape, maybe not.

What can you open but can't close?

A truly free mind. I can open it, but, once opened, only the individual can close it… if they so choose. 

Why must the Biden administration always resort to lying whenever their actions fail?

Welcome to democracy. Everyone does it, but the democrat party, however, has made an art out of sucking at it. The FBI sucks at it. The Defense Dept. sucks at it. School boards suck at it. Teacher unions suck at it. I refer you back to my comment, the democrat party, however, has made an art out of sucking at it. It would seem that many would much prefer indoctrination over democracy. And, yet, they leave our borders opened so those escaping to democracy can come on in. Of course, they will expect the illegal immigrants to vote for what they just escaped from... when they are able. What?

Yes, the party also sucks at common sense. 

Would you sacrifice a whole limb to never have bad luck ever again for the rest of your life?

Nope. I make my own "luck" through knowledge and good choices and decisions, as do all of us. If your “luck” sucks, stop taking risks.

“Shallow men believe in luck or in circumstance. Strong men believe in cause and effect.”

-- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Is the time over to become famous with TikTok?

Go to China!

How long does it take for a country to forget about its past?

As long as it takes to stop teaching real history. For the United States, that will be as soon as word of mouth dies with the last of the knowledgeable historians, or when we make it a crime to teach false history. This last may happen very shortly. Paying “reparations” will exacerbate the issue and history will carry on longer as it will simply piss off all the other minorities that were treated like shit, and create a new and different rift. Nobody was alive back then, and nobody now was hurt back then. We all struggled, we all made a difference, and we all have a choice to forgive and forget. But there is a segment of greedy selfish Americans that just won’t let history alone. Very sad. 

How do you know if a person is lying or saying the truth?

Torture. Oops… I meant waterboarding.

If I committed suicide no one would know or care so I'm going to do it because there is no reason to be here?

The “reason” to be here is to change whatever is causing you to think suicide will somehow make it better. It won’t. Any day on this side of the dirt is another chance for you to excel. What you want to do is give up instead of taking care of important issues. Just because you aren’t here doesn’t mean the issues, the people, and the reasons, just go away with you. Off yourself because you want to, not because someone or something makes you feel like you have to. By the way, if you don’t have to, you probably won’t want to. It’s the way life works. Now, go find the reasons for your feelings and deal with them.

When is it okay for a teacher to be late for class?

I don’t pay them, so I never cared. If I paid them, never.

“People who are chronically tardy never understand the many ways in which they screw up the schedules of people who are punctual and 'normal'...”

-- Lauren Kate

How do I grow into a more mature and responsible adult without overdoing it, I want to change the path of life I’m on at 22 years old with no job, no money, no license, no school, and a small group of friends. What should I do?

Go for it. It’s better to go overboard and scale it back than to not do enough. Be honest with people. Let them know what you’re trying to do. Those who are already there will give you some mature pointers… like it's time to scale it back.

How does one determine the validity of an argument? How does one determine the validity of an argument?

Research. The only way to determine validity is to do your own “due diligence” - research.

I have an anxiety disorder and recently started a new early-morning job. Is it normal that I’m feeling the pressure and guilt from feeling distanced from myself?

Yes, you have an anxiety disorder. Does your employer know about this? Sometimes employers, managers, and supervisors can provide support without treating you like an invalid. If you’re trying too hard, they may have you scale back. If you feel pressure, they can mentor you to calm down. If they don’t know, they can’t help.  If you've been labeled as disabled, the company can get points for hiring the handicapped and giving them a chance at normalcy. 

Do you think you have the power to do the best thing and only you can do it?

No. Anyone can do the best thing. A free mind always has power, you just need to make the choice.

I'm thinking of quitting teaching. I've had bad ratings this year for the first time in my career and it's not getting better. What should I do?

The “woke” mob in action. You must really teach the basics. I’d stick with it for a while, give the raters the finger, and tell them to fire you so you can file suit against them. If your lawyers are any good, you can get the big bucks.

“I believe that public education is the foundation of a just, democratic society and that there is no greater impact than that of a teacher. I love spending my days with young people; they continue to surprise you as they grow into awesome people. I wanted to support them through the many trials of middle and high school. I wanted to tackle issues of equity and social justice at personal and systemic levels by creating supportive learning environments and advocating for educators. I wanted to break down commonplace anxieties around math by making it fun and fostering growth mindsets. I believe that problem-solving skills are essential for success in one’s personal and professional endeavors and that our world would be a better place if more people employed logic and quantitative reasoning to make well-informed decisions.”

-- Marita Whalen

I understand burning bridges can be bad and w/e, but what does it say about these "bridges" that harass you as if they need you when you need them? 

Burning those bridges that might be able to help you in the future, isn’t very smart. Never make enemies out of people you might need. If a “bridge” harasses you, I’d definitely find another bridge. But, I’d also let them know why you have chosen another bridge. Assholes are usually assholes because nobody calls them down for being assholes. I like to put the collapse of a company right where the responsibility belongs, and do it with a smile.

How can I stop negative thinking?

Make the choice. When you think negatively, take a moment and put a positive spin on it.

Am I a loser for being a straight-C student in high school?

I barely graduated. Nothing the high school taught interested me. When I hit college I could take those subjects that really interested me. I was making a B+ average for two years running before I got drafted into the military. But, even then, I qualified for the Combat Intelligence field and stayed there for almost 23 years.

Never label yourself a loser simply because the education system fails you. Limp along until you get your opportunity to shine, then knock their socks off. You are concerned, so you will do fine.

If you are honest, does it make the other person be truthful with you too?

Oh, hell no. Don’t go falling into that trap. Your good ethics are not, necessarily, theirs.

Why do many people think that their job is more important than everybody else's?

Misplaced ego. As a manager, I made certain that people understood that they were so more important than I was. I looked to them for information, problems to solve, and the like. I was simply a manager who knew how to manage. If I saw someone doing something a bit off, I would ask the supervisor why they were doing it that way. I learned, supervisors learned, and the employee learned. All I did was manage the people who really did the job, and I made sure they all knew that someone below them was always looking for a leg up.

“Opinion is really the lowest form of human knowledge. It requires no accountability, no understanding. The highest form of knowledge… is empathy, for it requires us to suspend our egos and live in another’s world. It requires profound purpose larger than the self kind of understanding.”

-- Bill Bullard

What are some ways to get rid of doubts and worries?

Learn to make better choices and decisions. 

What does success literally look like?

True happiness always and in all things, regardless of your circumstances. This is true success. Since true happiness is a choice and not something you can buy, it stays sustainable until you choose not to be truly happy. Changing your choice, however, is kind of counterproductive.

What does it mean in life to get rid of your limits to go beyond?

You have learned a non-secret.

 Why does admiration turn to envy sometimes?

You realize you could have made the same choices they did. You could have worked harder, gone in a different direction, and the like, but you made choices you thought were good for you. Your choices didn’t get what they got, but, then, you aren’t them.

What are some ways to tell if anger is really guilt?

Ask the question, “Why the anger?” Asking “why” as many times as it takes, will get you to the answer.

“Guilt is not a response to anger; it is a response to one’s own actions or lack of action. If it leads to change then it can be useful, since it is then no longer guilt but the beginning of knowledge. Yet all too often, guilt is just another name for impotence, for defensiveness destructive of communication; it becomes a device to protect ignorance and the continuation of things the way they are, the ultimate protection for changelessness.”

-- Audre Lorde

What is the nicest thing someone has done for you recently?

Gave me a heartfelt hug and told me I was a good friend.

Is it my fault that I didn't make friends in high school? I regret it so much now.

I didn’t make many friends in high school either. Things were too “click-ish” and I wasn’t all about that. It wasn’t until I joined the Air Force that I really learned to make some close friends. However, I don’t regret not making friends in high school. I had nothing in common with the majority of them, and they seemed not to mind, so it was what it was just like today is what it is. I have learned not to decry any of my choices in life, they made me what I am, and that is not a bad thing.

Does it mean I was such an idiot in high school?

What is the “it” you refer to?

Why are some people more obsessed with power?

They would like to have or keep an inflated ego. Truth be known, they probably don’t really deserve the power they have. They want all the benefits of power but they don’t want all the responsibility. When they fall, and they will fall, keep an eye on them so they don’t take you with them. The “fall” has much to do with collateral damage.

How can teens be more responsible?

Responsible adults need to mentor them, and the teens have to be responsible enough to listen.

"Just because you can, doesn't mean you should."

-- Anonymous

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