Questioning Honesty, Fright, Logic, Responses, and Oral Sex

“A woman knows very well that, though a wit sends her his poems, praises her judgment, solicits her criticism, and drinks her tea, this by no means signifies that he respects her opinions, admires her understanding, or will refuse, though the rapier is denied him, to run through the body with his pen.”

-- Virginia Woolf

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Note to my readers: Just a point of interest.   Over the past week, I have garnered 27,215 views of my answers.  This is astounding to me.  They did put one of my answers on 100,000 of the sites reader's "Digests" and I have copied it  below, for those who wish to read it:

How do you handle a person who's loudly speaking on their phone when you’re trying to enjoy your dinner in a restaurant?

People who do this are either clueless or just assholes. I usually figure they’re assholes. Pick up your plate and go sit with them. When they ask what you’re doing, tell them in an equally loud voice, “I figured, if I have to listen to your conversation during my meal, I might as well join you so you don't have to talk so loudly. Please, continue. I’m sure everyone else in the restaurant is equally as interested in your bullshit conversation as I am. Or, tell the people you're talking to that you'll call them back, as all of us are in the middle of a nice, quiet, dinner."

They will call you names, so be prepared to smile and tell them that you expected nothing less from them.

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Would I like to have an honest and open discussion?

I don’t know. Would you?

How does Buddhism view the nature of reality and the ultimate goal of spiritual practice?

Being a novice Taoist, let me see if I can state my view of it. It is what it is, for each individual, and the goal of spiritual practice is to be truly happy, and to be selfless in doing good for others, regardless of your own circumstances. In this way, you move forward from this realm into the next, and the next, until you attain enlightenment. I may have mucked this up, but it's better to try than not. It's how we learn.

What do you say about being a millionaire in your 20s?

Hire a money manager, and take a stipend. Otherwise, you’ll probably be broke, or deep in debt, in short order.

Have you ever ordered a dish you prefer but received something inappropriate?

Yes, and it was more expensive. I prefer the less expensive dish I ordered. I brought it up to the waitress and she asked if it was the same price would I prefer it, then. I said yes. She said, “Imagine that! I put in the computer at the wrong price, so I guess you’ll have to eat it.” The meal went from an inappropriate price to a preferred price and became a gift from heaven.

When did you realize you were not a misogynist?

I’m not? That’s great news! According to the Democrats, all of the Republicans are misogynists, even women.

“Misogynist is a word used by women about men who are able to describe women directly and accurately enough to make them feel uncomfortable and insecure about themselves.”

-- Robert Black

Is it okay for a boyfriend to ask his girlfriend for money constantly even though she has an income of her own?

Uh… she has an income of her own. If she didn’t, what are the chances he would constantly ask her for money?

Can you give an example of something that can't be avoided but we still consider a mistake or flaw (non-moral)?

Collateral damage during a military operation. It can be mitigated but not necessarily avoided. Military operations run into this all the time. Sacrifice for the greater good. It can’t be avoided, it is immoral, but it might be necessary in order to save lives. Mitigating the damage is key.

How can you avoid making stupid mistakes when dealing with people?

Don’t rush, and think about what you are doing. Experience will mitigate mistakes.

How can my ex-employer make me pick up my last check from the manager I had problems with?

They are the ex-employer. They dictate who you pick up your last check from. This is actually smart. The employer doesn’t need to get an earful from you about a manager they might have much faith in, and the manager needs to know the employer listens when he speaks. Personally, I would use the HR department, but it seems as though they don’t have one. 

Are stupid questions asked sarcastically?

No, but the answers probably are.

“If you ask a stupid question, you may feel stupid; if you don't ask a stupid question, you remain stupid.”

-- Tony Rothman

What is your greatest weakness, and how do you address it?

A great set of legs, on a woman. I remember I’m in a relationship. Very tough.

Should I try to move my parent with disability out, since I don’t want to be involved in drama anymore?

Did your parent move you out because they didn’t want to be involved? My mother gave me 18 years of her life, and now I have the privilege of returning the favor. She was sent to a nursing facility until I can have her back home and in private care. Parents take care of us, and we tend to forget. 

What is the meaning of "the way" in Buddhism?

In Taoist philosophy, the “Tao” is “The Way” or the “The Watercourse Way,” in translation.

What is the point of having goals if you don't have a purpose in life?

Well, let me see if I have this right. The point of having goals is to give purpose to your life.

If you could go back in time, what would you say to yourself ten years ago?

Invest in “Glossier” in 2014.

“Time is not a line but a dimension, like the dimensions of space. If you can bend space you can bend time also, and if you knew enough and could move faster than light you could travel backward in time and exist in two places at once.”

-- Margaret Atwood

What if you get frightened when home alone? And, what if you see the devil?

Don’t ever find yourself home alone. And, if you see the devil… run.

Reader comment: A totally and completely and appropriately perfect answer to this question. I find myself running from the devil all the time. He can’t catch me though. I use my invisibility cloak.

My reply:  A woman after my own heart. 

What have you learned about your social identity?

Don’t identify with it. Don’t trust it. Sounds like more adult indoctrination to the socialist left, to me. I have a personal code of moral ethics that I abide by. I am who I am, and if anyone has a problem with that, come see me. I will be very happy to set you straight.

What does it mean when someone says, “The communication is different among us”?

They communicate information in a different way than most people do.

Do people only respect savage people now?

What? That would be respecting the dumbasses that are physically destroying New York and other big cities in this country. I see no reason to respect a dumbass whose only priority is to kill, maim, and destroy their city for their own selfish benefit.

Note to my readers:  A reader put forth a cogent point that I agree with.  So, I have rewritten my response to this question, shown below: 

What? That would be respecting the dumbasses that are physically destroying New York and other big cities in this country. I see no reason to respect a dumbass whose only priority is to kill, maim, and destroy their city for their own selfish benefit. It has been brought to my attention that if you participate in, or glorify, any selfish violence. it would be tantamount to a sign of respect. I would tend to agree.

What does it mean when I forget if I ate today but remember later that I’ve eaten?

How old are you?

“Dementia is a particularly long farewell to the self. With most illnesses, death comes quite swiftly. With dementia, the flicker with which life ends is excruciatingly slowed.”

-- Nicci Gerrard

What is the logic behind the phrase "take something for granted"? What is its deeper meaning in the deep structure? I cannot understand especially "for granted".

It means you are making an assumption that something will be what you think. “I take for granted that the woman will seduce me.” Personally, I hate when people think I will act in a certain way simply because of their past experiences with me, and then they shift the blame and get mad at me when they’re wrong.

How can I trust someone that lied?

You can’t. They have shown their sense of ethics isn’t necessarily good or moral.

Why are many teens accused of being selfish, stupid, and immature when they are just being themselves and wanting independence?

They’re teens, so wanting independence is stupid. Oh, wait… they are teens, so being selfish, stupid, and immature is just them being themselves. This would explain why many are accused of it.

What's the great thing about being stupid?

Nobody has any greater expectations of you.

There you are, luckless. No good luck and no bad luck, because luck does not exist. How do you explain what others call luck?

They have to call it something. What we call “luck” is simply a person’s “chance” to overcome the odds to attain a goal. The best way to do this is to be knowledgeable about what you are doing. The better your knowledge, the better “chance” you have of attaining the goal. So, what we call “luck” is, in reality, the knowledge we bring to the table that will allow us to attain our goals more often. “Bad luck” would mean you came to the table ill-prepared, in your knowledge, to win.

Author's comment: That seems to lean towards skill. Chance by presence alone is based upon what? Determinism?

My reply: If you stand on the street and a brick comes loose on the 15th floor and hits you on the head and kills you. You chose to stand in the wrong spot. Your choice killed you, not bad luck.

Author's reply:  The choice to stand there caused the brick to fall?

My response:  The brick was going to fall anyway. The choice to stand in that spot has no bearing, other than being a bad choice.

Author's Response: And I was going to stand there anyway. If "anyway" is going to happen. Know what I mean?

My response: It is your choice. (What part of this doesn't he understand?)

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

― Ralph Waldo Emerson

What are some ways to respond when someone says, "You know, I've been thinking..."?

“Uh oh…” “That’s first.” “You want help, massaging that cramp?” “You woke up! Uh oh.”

What is a good response to someone who says they are going to beat you up?

“I fear for my life.” And, say this response loudly, so everyone can hear. For any intelligent attacker, they will understand, as will the people watching, if I kill my attacker it will be in self-defense because I feared for my life.

Can you think of a time when you were honest but it came across as rude?

I can think of many times. I really have no filter.

Why is calling someone “boss” considered disrespectful in the U.S.?

I have always called my boss, “boss.” I have always said it with the utmost respect, and they have never questioned me for it. Of course, I’m “old school” in employment. If someone finds it disrespectful, I would, respectfully, advise them to grow some broader shoulders so this kind of trivial bullshit can simply roll off. 

Who is responsible for making remunerations?

The entity, business, or person, who contracted out the work or service to be completed.

“Truly successful writers blend the personal and the profound to enlighten and entertain readers while simultaneously banking something for posterity. Remuneration is a wonderful afterthought.”

-- Stewart Stafford

 How do I start giving my best friend oral sex?

Unzipping their fly would be a good start, I think.

What does it mean when someone rubs their chest and chin while talking to you?

Your discussion makes them think... and gives them heartburn. 

I liked girls with big breasts. Do you know any that will chat with me, an 18-year-old male?

If they’ll chat with me, why in God’s name would I send them to you?

What does it mean when a woman says, “I just want to talk”?

“I don't want to argue,” or, “Keep your hands to yourself.”

How do you reply to, “You’re always welcome, my queen”?

This question is dangerous, so I’m not touching this one.

“The reason we're successful, darling? My overall charisma, of course”

-- Freddie Mercury

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 view 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