Questioning Words, Honesty, Sluts, Change, and Truth

“Because what’s worse than knowing you want something, besides knowing you can never have it?”

-- James Patterson

What's the perfect word to describe something you wish to have but can't?

Janet. Or, Sue... Betty... Mary Ann...

What might be the impact on our identity formation of being told we are never pretty, handsome, rich, clean, or good enough?

You’re missing the approval you should be giving yourself. People telling their opinion of you is just that, their opinion. It means nothing unless you buy into it. It is more important that you love yourself for who you are.

What is the meaning of 'A friend of my friend is my enemy'?

It means you have a friend that has a friend that is your enemy.

Is it unhealthy to laugh if no one can hear you?

You laugh because you find something funny, not so someone hears you. I laugh a lot when I’m alone watching a comedy on the television.

Reader comment: That is sad. I think it is a sign that energy is being wasted, and is indicative of a dysfunctional society in which we are producing.

My reply: Indeed.

What can we agree on?

Something we both find acceptable.

What can someone do to accelerate the fulfillment of a goal or vision?

Work harder to bring it to fruition. The problem you face is missing important points by accelerating the process. It would be better to take the process at a speed you are comfortable with. This way, you miss nothing.

“If you try and lose then it isn't your fault. But if you don't try and we lose, then it's all your fault.”

-- Orson Scott Card

What is the definition of an honest government official?

If we ever find one, we’ll be able to answer the question.

Why is curiosity important in teaching and learning?

 If you aren’t curious, why learn and why teach what you learn? Curiosity has driven us to other planets and created the knowledge of medicine, engineering, and physics. Curiosity isn’t simply important in teaching and learning, it is who we are as human beings. Curiosity is our life. I can’t imagine how boring life would be if I weren’t curious.

What does it mean to admit something?

You see the light of truth.

Which question should I ask?

There are so many. I like to ask the philosophical question, “Why?” Unfortunately, it always gets the response, “Because.” The question you should ask is the one burning in your mind. The one that stands out front and dares you to ask. There is no stupid question… unless you ask it more than once.

Have you always held, at least to some degree, a coy axiomatic assumption that your "I" is the closest thing to perfection that can exist?

Oh, hell no. I have many “imperfections” that I hold dear.

How are you such a strong person?

“School of Hard Knocks” has much to do with it. 23 years in the military intelligence field helped round off the sharp edges. I was bullied as a young kid until I stood up to the abuse. Life is a choice. You can lie down and let life walk all over you, or you can stand up and dare life to come at you, meet it at the door, and deal with it immediately. I chose to live my life and help those who would listen. At 70 years of age, it has worked pretty well. 

“People who are unable to stand within the dark places of life, those who are always running towards their happy places, are the same things as candles without flames. There is no worth in a candle without a flame, and we only add the flame when there is darkness. Without darkness, there would be no need for warriors and angels. Warriors are not made because the whole world is happy and angels were not formed because there are no demons. Be of worth, have a flame.”

-- C. JoyBell C.

Why did I lie & tell my friends my gf was a slut?

You’re an asshole?

How hard is it to become rich in Canada?

As hard as it is to become rich anywhere. It requires hard work and knowledge to be sustainable.

What is the meaning of “some”?

“Some” is less than all but more than nothing.

Is it possible to be too smart? Can it make your life more complicated or difficult?

You’re thinking of intelligence. If you’re smart you find ways to keep it from becoming complicated or difficult. Being smart is a good precursor to intelligence. Even Einstein understood this.

What is your perspective on churches having Sunday school?

How does religion pass on their knowledge without school?

Common sense matters, regarding high level or true genius AND what is overall intelligence? True?

This question hurt my brain. For one thing, “common sense” isn’t that common. “Common sense matters regarding the high level and true genius, as well as overall intelligence. True?” 

Good sense matters. Good sense matters in everything, not just what you have questioned. Without good sense, we would not be as far as we have become as a society. Imagine if all of us used good sense. The only law on the books would be to use good sense. Unfortunately, the majority of us don’t understand what “good” sense is. A sad reflection concerning the most intelligent life on the planet.

“Of all things, good sense is the most fairly distributed: everyone thinks he is so well supplied with it that even those who are the hardest to satisfy in every other respect never desire more of it than they already have.”

-- René Descartes

Is it possible to change our opinion in front of others without feeling bad?

It’s called having an open mind. Being able to change your opinion is part of living in a free society. I have no problem changing my mind… when I find that I’m wrong.

If Trump gets elected president again, then what is the outcome of what might occur to the mass migrants in America as of late, subsequently?

Throw their illegal asses back across the border and make them immigrate the proper way.

How do you date the opposite sex?

It’s the only “sex” I’ve ever dated. I do it with politeness, good manners, and respect, and I always pick up the tab, whatever we do. I'm always up for it, but, it is totally up to her if we do the "nasty."

What is the best way to respond to a child who says, “You are the worst teacher ever”?

“When you become a teacher you can judge me. Until then, sit down and shut up, rug rat”

Does everything in this world happen for money?

Nope. Some of it happens due to selflessness. I think the “oldest profession” started this erroneous rumor. Of course, I could be wrong. But, I’m always up for some free, selfless, sex.

How would you describe someone who is always polite but has an attitude problem?

Complicated.

“Strange how complicated we can make things just to avoid showing what we feel!”

-- Erich Maria Remarque

Is it possible for people who always tell the truth to also lie, and vice versa? If so, how is that possible?

If they always tell the truth, they will never lie. If they always lie, they will never tell the truth. It is an impossibility given the parameters you’ve stated.

How can you deal with a very rude individual without getting into a verbal fight with them?

Ignore them.

What does it mean to think that everything that's happening in real life is just a dream?

You are not entertaining reality. In the real world, hurting yourself will really hurt, and killing yourself will be the end of all for you. Better that people who think like this, saunter over to reality for a while.

Why do I get no response or answer to any of my questions?

Well, this is a good question. This seems to be cogent and to the point. If the rest of the questions were like this, I can see how it might be concerning to you. 

Should women be able to woo the man they love?

Please “woo” me! My current girlfriend of 20 years “wooed” me. It was a nice change, for once. Women should always be able to do whatever the man can do to get a partner, even more, to my thinking. Women should grab some ass or some “package” and state, “You and me, right now… big boy!” There will be no arguement.

How do you respond if someone asks, "How much longer are we going to talk about this?"

If they have to ask this, then they don’t have a clue. “Until you grasp my point, and state it back to me. Not long, for most people.”

"It's not that I'm so smart, it's just that I stay with problems longer."

-- Albert Einstein

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