Questioning Demands, Ignoring, Phrases, Bored, and Friends

"A woman can beat any man; it's difficult to imagine another kind of sport where a woman can beat a man. That's why I like chess."

-- Alexandra Kosteniuk

When should a husband say no to his wife's demands?

Unless it’s sexual or you're a submissive, always.

What does it mean when a girl gives her ring back and says she doesn't want to be engaged anymore?

You haven’t only dated the wrong girl, you also gave the ring to the wrong girl. Live and learn.

At the age of 32, are you late to get married?

Nope.

What should I do with my life? I failed out of IB and got withdrawn from my dual enrollment classes.

Come to the United States and become a teacher. From what I’ve seen, many of them must have failed and been withdrawn, then they were given a teaching certificate as the “booby” prize. 

Is saying “thank you” enough?

You can give them a tongue-searching kiss, but that might be construed as weird.

How do you prevent someone from using your identity?

If I find them, I’ll let you know. It won’t be pretty, but “revenge” will no longer be in their wheelhouse. Neither will dancing or art… unless they can paint with a brush between their lips.

“Of pain, you could wish only one thing: that it should stop. Nothing in the world was so bad as physical pain. In the face of pain, there are no heroes.”

-- George Orwell 

What do you say to someone who has ignored you and walked away?

“Well, la-te-da." Was it something I did? Something I said? Are they confused? “Hey! You just can’t ignore me and walk away. Tell me what the issue is.” Unless they are an asshole, they will turn and rip you a new one. At least you’ll know why they felt it was okay to disrespect you.

If a friend said they don't get along well with others, but enjy being around them, how would you respond?

“Later.”

What would you do if your partner was a vegetarian and said they could never date someone who eats meat?

Well, that puts a twist on sexual congress. I’d have to find someone that doesn’t have a “meat” issue.

What is your opinion on when a guy asks a girl to borrow money?

She needs to find a new guy… unless she’s paying him. Yeah, right. 

Is cheating enough reason to break up marriages?

Unless you enjoy watching, and they don’t mind. Otherwise, sooner or later, it will break the marriage. Better not to get married.

What does it mean to believe that "you're the expert" they say you are?

If you have doubts, don’t try to disarm the bomb.

“There’s one good thing about being in the bomb disposal unit: No superior officer is ever looking over your shoulder.”

-- Robert M. Edsel

Is my new catch-phrase, “Well, that’s just Woke!” a good catch-phrase?

It is short and to the point.

The person I love is poor. Will poverty and ignorance affect our love?

Only if you let it. Love conquers all. Love also raises the bar in many instances. Two working toward a common goal is better than one struggling to make it.

Is someone saying, "My conscience and empathy form the basis of my moral values." coherent/logical?

It doesn’t define if their “moral values” are good or bad.

Why do you think my friends are acting like this to me? I'm in a friend group of three. But when I make a mistake, they get mad at me. But if one of them makes a mistake, nobody gets mad at them? It feels like there's a favorite here.

These are not your friends. You have become their submissive punching bag. You will be well served to find new and better “friends” for your life. Tell them how you feel and simply walk away. They will, in all probability, ignore you. Some lessons are hard to understand if you’re a self-centered ass.

Can bad relationships turn into good ones if people change for the better?

Yes, but watch out for them changing back.

What do you need more or less of in your life?

I am in a perfect place. I live off my retirement and social security. Having more would just screw up what I have. I strive to be truly happy, always and in all things, regardless of my circumstances. It would be hard to be truly happy with more when I am ecstatically happy with what I have.

“Work for what you want, the pursuit of life.”

-- Lailah Gifty Akita

How long can you stay in one company without getting bored?

I retired from the Air Force and a private company, and neither of them let me get bored.

Why do I, a 54 y/o man, want a woman in her 20's?

Why do I, a 70-year-old man, love wanting women in their 20s? The big problem, for me, is women in their 20s wanting a 70-year-old man. Women in their 20s make old guys feel young again, even if they just hang out together. There is no problem with that.

Can people even tell when they’re acting jealous?

Jealousy is a knee-jerk reaction. I think, people can tell, after the fact, they acted out of jealousy.

How do you solve a problem with a team member as a team leader?

What you don’t want to do is confront them in front of the rest of the team. Take them off to the side, explain the problem, and hear their side. They may not know there is a problem. Let them know they are jeopardizing the performance of the team. Let them know what they need to do in order to continue as a team member. If this isn’t acceptable, let them go.

How do you feel about your partner's dating history?

She has been, for the most part, pretty smart. 

What are ten ways to live?

Be selfless, be kind, be generous, be understanding, be open-minded, work hard, gather knowledge, spread wisdom, and love.  Above all, be truly happy always and in all things, regardless of your circumstances.

“Moderation is a wiser policy than zealotry”

-- Christopher Paolini

What does it mean when a girl I only talked to once calls me best friend?

She either likes you or doesn’t have any friends.

Every time my boyfriend and I fight, he always calls me a whore and stupid. What should I do?

If he calls you a “whore” and “stupid” he is being disrespectful. It seems pretty obvious he enjoys being with stupid whores. If you don’t feel that you’re a “stupid whore” you might consider your options. Personally, calling you a stupid whore seems a bit disrespectful.

Can someone be successful without making any decisions?

Nope.

What is the saying "if something seems too good to be true, it probably isn't true" mean? How can we tell if something is true or false in any situation?

It means exactly what it says. Telling if something is true or false is a crap shoot without validating information. Mass media, for instance, hope you won’t be validating the “facts” they spew so you’ll believe the lies they keep repeating. We all need to validate the crap we get from media and other sources. We need to try not to be lambs led to the slaughter.

What should I get a 25-year-old girl for Christmas?

A vibrator.

What role does trust play in your marriage, and has it been compromised?

Trust is paramount in a marriage. After 25 years of marriage, I couldn’t take the lies and games anymore. She compromised me at every turn, and I became what I hated most. You have to be friends, you need to stay in love, and above all else, you need to have trust.

“So it's not gonna be easy. It's going to be really hard; we're gonna have to work at this everyday, but I want to do that because I want you. I want all of you, forever, everyday. You and me... everyday.”

-- Nicholas Sparks

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. Opinion, presented in this context, is a way of inciting others to think and, hopefully, to form their own opinions, 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 while engaging in peaceful and constructive discussion in an arena of mutual respect concerning those opinions offered. After twenty-three years of military intelligence, I believe that engaging each other in this manner, and in this arena, is a 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 United States Air Force Intelligence as a planner, analyst, briefer, instructor, and senior manager. Following his service career, he spent 17 years working with the premier and world-renowned Western Institutional Review Board, helping to protect the rights of human subjects involved in pharmaceutical research. He also served 8 years on the Board of Directors for the Angela J. Bowen Foundation.

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 a weapon for his war on intolerance, he chose the pen. He 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 personal, spiritual path toward peace and the final destination for us all. He resides in Pass Christian, Mississippi, where he volunteered as the lead chaplain at a regional medical center.

Feel free to contact Pastor Tony at: tolerantpastor@gmail.com