Questioning Age, Choices, Tone, Honesty, Denial, and Jealousy

“Sex at age 90 is like trying to shoot pool with a rope.”

-- George Burns

How old are you? How are you

I am 70. People don’t see the age. I don’t feel the age, either. I tribute this “youth” to 23 years in Air Force Intelligence.

Is there a way to wish her something to come true if you think about it hard enough?

Wish in one hand and crap in the other, and see which one fills up first. You can wish till you’re blue in the face, or you can do something to bring it to fruition. It is a choice between doing nothing but wishing, and doing something to bring what you wish into fruition. Not a difficult choice for the doers.

Why do most psychopaths avoid playing? Due to boredom, shouldn't they seek to be a toy, to have a purpose?

Who says psychopaths avoid playing? Maybe because the games they play are psychopathic?

Why can you not be yourself?

Why can’t I be somebody else? The only person I can be is me. Everyone else has already been spoken for. I can try to be someone else, but it is a mask the true me would be hiding behind. Better to just accept reality and make the most of who we are.

What reasons are there to be optimistic about the future of humanity from 2024 forward?

One can think about suicide, wallow in a pit of despair, become a whimpering baby, or you can be optimistic about the future. I’m optimistic because the alternatives simply suck.

Is it truly a game if it plays itself?

It would depend on if you are learning something from the “game” playing itself. If you aren’t, then the “game” would be moves where the outcome is, probably, “predetermined” by the computer. The 1983 movie "WarGames" presents a perfect example of this. 

Stephen Falken: Did you ever play tic-tac-toe?

Jennifer: Yeah, of course.

Stephen Falken: But you don't anymore.

Jennifer: No.

Stephen Falken: Why?

Jennifer: Because it's a boring game. It's always a tie.

-- "WarGames" (1983)

Are you sure you made the right choice?


If I didn’t, my penis will fall off tomorrow. But, that depends on what choice you’re discussing.

Is greed the seed?


If you’re planting “evil” it can be a bad seed, indeed. Controlled greed can be a good thing. We move forward in our history by controlling our greed, steering it in the right direction to our benefit. On the other hand, uncontrolled greed is a step closer to evil, which is, obviously, not good.

Can it be true that your strength is revealed in challenging times, embrace difficulties as opportunities for growth and resilience?

The strength is in perseverance. A person’s ability to persevere in the face of failure defines their “can do” character to people around them. 

Author's comment: Well written, thank you. 

How are we able to feel the knowledge and thoughts of our brains in our subjectifs experience is this fact is innate?

Uh... What?

I love my brother's friend, but I can't tell him. What should I do?


You have two obvious choices. Don’t tell him. Or, grow a set of broad shoulders and tell him. I find honesty to always be the best policy. But, then, I have no filter.

Which year, in your opinion, was the last year that most things in life were run "old school", that is, internet-free? 

1988.

“I want to remind the new generation about the power of old-school romance.”

-- Jubin Nautiyal

Is it possible to say 'you're very smart' without being sarcastic or condescending?

It has to do with the honest way you say it. If it's about yourself, it will seem egotistical. 

A quote by Frederick Akuamoah says; “the only way to start is to quit”. Do you agree or not? What is your reason?

Freddy has no clue. The only way to start is to take the first step. Perseverance will take you the rest of the way. You can’t start by sitting down. You have to move forward.

Judging on the number of published volumes, the Bible is by far the most believed, than anything else. Why are a bunch of less-believed books used in schools to cheat our children? Why isn't the Bible the sole ruling book in our schools?

The published numbers have little to do with believability. I have four volumes on my reference shelf and I have issues with what I can believe in them. However, this does not mean I don’t think it is a “good” book. The philosophy is sound, but what man has done with it garners no merit. The fact that so many cultures attend schools, nowadays, it would be hard to pick a religious tome to guide students. If I had to choose, I would pick Taoist philosophy. It is less “religion” and more a philosophy for living life. Forcing "God" on children is tantamount to brainwashing. I'd like to think God wants us to make our own decisions, and we can be judged by them, in the end.

Can standing out in plain sight be an effective way to hide from an enemy? Are there any examples of this in nature?

It can be effective with the right camouflage. If you sand out in plain sight, you risk being shot… and being called a dumbass.

Why is it so hard to get a woman who is attracted to you to go on a date with you? Shouldn't it be the easiest thing in the world?

Is she married? 

What would you want to know, and why, if you could only learn one unchanging truth about the nature of reality? 

“Why?” It is a question that no one can answer, except by saying, “Because.” The problem is, “because” just doesn’t answer it. 

“There is much asked and only so much I think I can or should answer, and so, in this post I would like to give a few thoughts on what seemed to be the overwhelming question: “WHY?”

And here is the best answer I can give: Because.

Why, you ask? Because, I answer.

Inadequate yet true.”

-- Libba Bray

I like this girl and I’m pretty sure she likes me back, but I don't know how to ask her out. Should I do it over text or something else?

Honesty! Go right up to her and ask, “Would you like to go out with me? Maybe, to a movie, or dinner?” I hate to say it, but, this isn’t rocket science.

If you bought the house before you got married, why would you put it under your wife’s name after marriage?

In the divorce, she gets it anyway.

How can someone build gratitude in difficult circumstances?

Don’t try, and the “circumstances” have no bearing. In everything you do, be selfless. In selflessness, gratitude plays no role. You do what is right because it is right, not because of any reward, like gratitude.

Does realizing someone cares for them make some less afraid of commitment/ fear of rejection?

For that particular person that cares, probably. They may still be afraid, for others, however.

What is the difference between a good deed and a bad deed, and time?

Time has no bearing on good and bad deeds. Just because time isn’t what you expect, you don’t choose to do a bad deed. Doing “good” is always the fallback stance in any situation. I will lie to you to save people, but karma will peel your face off, sooner or later, for making me lie. Good will always win out over evil.

What happens when a writer spends too much time on the internet?


For me, I need variety. I can spend the day answering questions. This is not conducive to a healthy mind and body. I spend a couple of hours each day here, then I go out and about.

“The real enemy of genius is the router in the hallway.”

-- A.O. Monk

Let's talk about insecurities and self-denial. Are you still willing to go back on the road after that accident?

You can’t stop doing what you do, just because a choice you made caused an accident.

Why do I live if I am just going to be unhappy and a failure?


You were probably a wealthy asshole in a previous life. This time around, you get to experience the other side. The universe is all about balance. By the way, killing yourself will put you in a world of hurt. So, don’t even think of it. Better you learn how to be truly happy always and in all things, regardless of your circumstances. It is a better choice.

How do I know if I am actually a worthy person?


Worthy of what?

What are some book recommendations for dark psychology and manipulation stuff? 

Anything addressing the psychology of deviant behavior. Donatien Alphonse François was a bit deviant. I think that reading any of his works might get you into the mood for the rest of it.

When you talk much, the probability of you telling lies will be high or low?


I rarely lie, so it will be low.

How can researchers navigate the barriers presented by individuals who purposely portray ignorance within cancel culture?

If you can “navigate” barriers, they aren’t good barriers. They are more like traffic calming devices. If you’re a researcher, you’re a smart person. You are up against ignorance, a dumb person. How hard is it to tell who thinks they are presenting ignorant “barriers” you need to navigate? “Cancel culture” defines their ignorance, so try looking for that.

“The brick walls are there for a reason. The brick walls are not there to keep us out. The brick walls are there to give us a chance to show how badly we want something. Because the brick walls are there to stop the people who don’t want it badly enough. They’re there to stop the other people.”

-- Randy Pausch

How can the God of all things, of whom nothing can be separately distinguished, be jealous of anything?

One would think not.

What do you think is more important, material wealth or knowledge, wisdom, and decision?

Since you can’t, generally, accumulate “material wealth” without knowledge, wisdom, and decisions, wealth is at the lowest rung. You can’t get wisdom without knowledge, and you have to decide if you want to accumulate knowledge. I think the ability to “decide” is most important to anything.

Why are African Americans judged by their lowest class?


Because the judge is a racist.

Why is it important to understand history to shape identity and comprehend the current context? 

Those who don’t understand history are doomed to repeat it. Since many of us don’t want to repeat much of our history, I vote we learn and understand the intricacies history lays before us.

What is question 11+88=?


The question is mathematical. The answer is 99.

Why does it seem like you're lying when you're trying to defend something you anticipate being accused of even though you're telling the truth, or defending something you know you will be accused of?

One, I don’t lie that much. Two, I don’t defend myself until I’m accused. Three, I only explain myself once. If they’re too stupid to believe me, there’s nothing that repeating myself will make them believe. It is hard to make the stupid smart. 

“I have weapons of self-defense. They’re called jokes.”

-- Jarod Kintz

 

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 in 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