Questioning Access, Excuses, Success, Morality, Love and Love

 

“Although we each believe our thoughts are specific and personal, our thoughts, fears, and desires are typical to all egos and commonly shared. In this way, it is relatively easy to read the thoughts of most humans with just a few subtle cues. Thoughts tend to run along the same worn tracks leading to the same worn conclusions. Combining this knowledge with an understanding of the types of thoughts that individuals at different levels of consciousness gravitate towards will, with experience, lead to becoming a most astute mind reader.”

-- Donna Goddard

How can you stop someone from accessing your thoughts?

Access away! They might not like what they hear, but they “accessed” it.

Do you realize that you have no life by posting on [this site]?

Considering that I post my answers early in the morning when no one is up, it leaves me the rest of the day to have a life. Your question is faulty.

Are people cowards who answer your question and then prevent you from replying to their answer?

That, pretty much, sums up what I think.

Is it true that people refuse to believe others due to their status and it has nothing to do with honesty at all?

Some people probably do. I look for the validity of what their opinion is. If they offer incontrovertible proof, it would be hard to refuse to believe them. I have listened to some truly happy old guys who are poor, but they have the wisdom of ages. Their “status” has nothing to do with their wisdom.

Why don't people give up?

Perseverance.

What motivates people to suck up to others? Is this behavior considered positive or negative?

Negative. “Sucking up” is evidence that you have no dignity and don’t care that other people know. I was hired for a position because the VP knew I had been in the Intelligence field. He knew I had no filter and would tell him exactly what I thought. I don’t “suck up” to anyone. I stayed in that job for 17 years.

“I don’t want somebody sucking up to me because they think I am going to help their career. I want them sucking up to me because they genuinely love me.”

-- Michael Scott

Why is it that once people start to make excuses for other's bad behavior, they find it easier the next time? Why does making excuses for another person snowball and grow with every excuse that is made until the excuser is as bad as the excused?

Never make excuses for bad behavior. If their behavior is bad, call it bad. Call them down for it. Let them know their behavior is not appreciated. If you stand up to them, others may follow suit. If they don’t, then there is a bigger issue with the people you hang with.

What would you say if you live with several roommates and one says they think everyone should contribute to buying toilet paper, but you don’t even use their shared toilet paper because you have always kept your own rolls in your room?

Tell them that you use your toilet paper and opt out of contributing.

Why does saying thank you do nothing for the American people?

You must be visiting New York City. Come down to Mississippi and say “thank you” to folks. It is a cherished courtesy and we use it all the time.

I'm just bored. Who can answer this question?

Can’t answer a question that hasn’t been asked.

Why do good people abuse me by cutting off all resources to me if I don’t say thank you, hi, and bye?

Define “good people” for me. I had no idea that “good people” abused other people. I think you need to do two things. One, redefine “good people” for yourself. Two, find some truly good people to hang out with.

When you do not believe someone who has broken promises and your trust, are you making a choice/decision not to believe them?

Nietzsche said it best:

“I'm not upset that you lied to me, I'm upset that from now on I can't believe you.”

-- Friedrich Nietzsche

Why do some people view vile and vindictiveness as a necessity to their success?

It is the way they were brought up.

If Ted Bundy got a talk show, what should it be called and what should the full plot be?

Plot? There is no plot to a talk show. They talk. They can call it “Charm” since that seems to be what he excels in.

Why do you think honesty is important?

If it wasn’t important everyone would be lying and cheating, not just the majority. 

Have you been in a situation that's "I missed the part where that's my problem"?

I ran into this constantly in the Air Force. It may not be your problem, but you’ll be assigned to make it right.

Don’t you have to be pretty stupid to donate your money to a self-professed multibillionaire?

That goes without saying.

What’s a word you just fucking hate for no reason?

Most ladies I know hate the word “fucking.” But, since you’ve used it as part of your question, I guess I’ll have to let it slide. Everything one hates is for a reason, even words, or they wouldn’t hate them.

“Profanity is the effort of a feeble brain to express itself forcibly.”

-- Spencer W. Kimball

Is it possible for atheistic beliefs to align with moral principles?

The question for theists and atheists has to do with God, not with moral principles. Anyone can live a good and moral life if they choose to do so.

Should I be upset with my boss?

Did she grab your butt?

Is kicking or firing someone out of my work group when I think it is the right thing to do due to the amount of people. I don’t need bad karma, or is it a normal thing that happens in life?

Well, your wording is concerning. Do you think it is alright to “fire” or “kick” them out, just because the group is too large? What have they done wrong that requires them to be kicked out or fired? Perhaps discussing the issue with the group, letting them know that the best will be kept on, and thanking the others for their participation, might be a better tactic.

How do I get someone interested in us?

How interested, as a married couple, do you want them to be? There are many levels of “interest” and you haven’t given much information so we can zero in on it.

Do you despise the younger generation?

The question was, “What do you hate most about the younger generation?” I’m not sure why it changed from the main page to where we answer it. Maybe to make it a bit more softer? Regardless, most of the younger generation don’t seem to understand the term, “work ethic” when it comes time to get a job. Employers seem very happy to get older people applying for even menial jobs because they know the job will be handled properly and in short order.

Is it common for people to feel unmotivated at work?

I think it is more common for young people than for the older generation. It has to do with having a good work ethic.

“Good is the enemy of great. And that is one of the key reasons why we have so little that becomes great. We don't have great schools, principally because we have good schools. We don't have great government, principally because we have good government. Few people attain great lives, in large part because it is just so easy to settle for a good life.”

-- Jim Collins

Does a husband's expression of love towards his mother indicate that he loves his wife less?

If the husband has a great relationship with his mother, then the “wife” will always be loved less. It has to do with his mother bringing him into the world… so he can marry the wife. Woe to the wife who tries to make a real man choose between mom and herself.

How does fear impact decision-making in a high-pressure situation?

Fearing the possibility of failure can impact decision-making in any situation, especially when “high pressure” is in play.

What if you feel like you can't get over being bullied?

If you can’t strike back? It will only make you stronger. I took the chance to strike back. I got my ass kicked, but it proved that I was no coward. I stood up to whatever came my way. When I graduated from high school, I majored in psychology in college. When I was drafted by the military, I was chosen for Intelligence. I learned to take care of myself and never feared bullies again. I served my country for 23 years, and have never regretted a minute of it. 

Are you okay with seeing someone get bullied?

No, and if it requires action, I will extricate the victim. People might get hurt. It's a choice.

A girl bullied me in school. I am a boy. What can I do?

Buy her flowers. She probably likes you, but she doesn’t know how to say it. If she’s big, remember, she probably likes you but doesn’t know how to say it. Better to have a “big” friend than a bully.

Why are you so forgiving?

I was on the “short end of the stick” for too long. I made it my career to be honest, and never treat people poorly, even if they deserve it. Forgiving, however, is not forgetting.

“The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong.”

-- Mahatma Gandhi

What is the best way to prove love for a woman?

True love doesn’t have to be proved. You are her dearest friend, she can rely on you always, there are no secrets between you, and if she is badly scarred you will attend to her, Most of all, when she looks into your eyes… she will know the only “proof” available. There is no substitute for true love. 

How important is importance?

If importance wasn’t important, you wouldn’t be asking this question.

I want to make you think that I am smart. How smart of me is this?

Not very. Why do you care what we think think? If you are smart and you are aware of it, then nobody needs to know until it benefits you, like for a job. The fact that you are smart will be obvious when you start making decisions and talking to people. Until then, screw what other people think.

Should I stay with my boyfriend even though he doesn’t love me?

No. Why would you do this? Stand up for yourself.

Do you believe that boyfriends have the right to ask anything from their girlfriends? Why or why not?

They have the right to ask for their love. Pretty much it. Anything else is in the purview of the girlfriend. Why? Because girlfriends are not pieces of meat. They are intelligent and should expect to be treated as such unless they are submissive. But, even then, they should be told they are important and not submissive pieces of meat. Just saying. 

Why do I have such a problem with stupid people?

We all have problems with stupidity. If you can’t beat them, sure as hell don’t join them.

“Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the universe.”

-- 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 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