Questioning Students, Methods, Knowing, Problems, Success, and Relationships

“I have never let my schooling interfere with my education.”

-- Mark Twain

Do teachers still prioritize their students' education?

A very small segment of them. God forbid if the teacher's Union finds out they're doing it, heads will roll!

How can we encourage a love for learning in children from an early age?

Encourage real learning, not indoctrination to a political agenda that the Teacher Union would applaud. Field trips, with reports, to archeological sites, children’s hospitals, veterinarian hospitals, farms, and factories, are all places that can teach how life moves on.

How can we encourage students to read more than just textbooks?

“Article Reports” is a thought.

What are the mistakes related to a child's education?

Calling it an “education” and not “indoctrination” would be a good start. But, then, that would mean the “teacher” must teach reading classics, creative writing, real history, and arithmetic. You know, so the students can move forward. Just a thought.

How can I express uncertainty about my desires?

“I’m not sure, but…”

How important is it for students to have access to reading material outside of their textbooks?

A selection of “modern classic” readings would be appropriate. Such modern classics as “Lord of the Flies,” “1984,” “Animal Farm,” “Brave New World,” “A Wrinkle in Time,” “The Tattooist of Auschwitz,” and the like, with reports of their thoughts on what they’ve read.

“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go.”

-- Dr. Seuss

What are some methods to verify a potential employee's essential skills and qualifications for a job?

Have them perform the job. It is one reason we have a short observation period, to see if they are all they say they are.

What's the most powerful question you can ask your audience to spark their curiosity and desire?

“Why?”

What is the point of living in a world where people are pure evil?

There is no point, except to teach you not to live there. Luckily, we live in a world with various habitats to choose from. We will never get rid of evil, as it provides a balance that nature requires and that the universe demands. Without this balance, we would never know the other side of life.

How is no sense of identity in this day and age affecting our society?

People wander aimlessly, with no job. no direction, and no focus.

How can we remove crime from our society?

Remove greed. Unfortunately, this will never happen. There will always be greed and people will always covet what others have. This “other side of the coin” provides the balance that the universe demands. There must always be a yin and yang in life.

Which famous person do you hate? Why?

The present leader of the free world. Because he hasn't worked hard, and still he and his minions have managed to destroy national morale, national borders, and a good part of the national economy.

“After seeing Joe Biden give Hawaiian Electric $95,000,000 after their involvement in the destruction of Lahaina, I will not be voting Democrat in the next election.”

-- Steven Magee

Is it possible for one to know everything?

No. “Everything” is too much information for one person to learn in multiple lifetimes.

What is the best job for students without investments?

One would think they wouldn’t be “Investment Counselors,” but, for the life of me, I think most of them are. There is something about paying good money to have someone lose your life savings that seems a bit sick. My Dad always believed in losing his own money, if it came to that. Luckily, he did very well where finances were concerned.

What are the students’ fields of interest?

Doesn’t that depend on the individual student?

What are the roles and responsibilities of a husband?

In this day and age, the role of the husband can be transferred to the wife if she is the “breadwinner” of the family. The traditional role is to earn a “living” wage, discipline as needed, love always, and protect to the death. Much of this has been forgotten, which is why the woman should have no problem picking up the reigns of command and try reinstating the responsibilities the husband has let go of.

What should I do if I have no clue what I want to study in college?

Take general courses until you realize which one you want to major in.

Can humans gain true knowledge, understanding, or wisdom from their struggles and sufferings?

If they are prone to learning lessons and admitting the error of their ways, then yes. It isn’t that you failed with struggles and suffering, it is what you do with them that counts. One must persevere in the face of such obstacles if they are going to continue forward in life.

“There is no beauty in sadness. No honor in suffering. No growth in fear. No relief in hate. It’s just a waste of perfectly good happiness.”

-- Katerina Stoykova Klemer

Is there a problem that does not have a solution? If so, what is it?

Time travel.

Is it true that money is needed for everything?

Money isn’t needed to fall in love. You can fall in love at the drop of a hat, and lust is so much easier. You might need some money to impress the one you love, but falling in love is free. 

Can repeating something change a person's opinion on it?

Democrats seemed to think so.

Would it help society as a whole if people were terminated by age 70? I ask in all seriousness; would this be good for society, as a whole?

As a 70-year-old man, I’d have to say “screw you” with all humor. This isn’t Nazi Germany. I have a better idea. Give me a gun and let me fight for my life. If I can convince the British Navy I can do unspeakable things with a plastic knife from McDonald’s, I can certainly win at this.

Why don't retired people stop scrounging from working people?

I’m retired, and I don’t “scrounge” from working people. Who spreads this stuff?

Can I sue to get my virginity back?

Nope. You should have thought about this before you lost it in the first place. A person’s “virginity” is a precious commodity. It is only supposed to be given to your true love, and they are supposed to respect you for sharing it with them. If you let some moron take it, well, that simply sucks. You only get to share it one time, then it's gone forever.

“It is an infantile superstition of the human spirit that virginity would be thought a virtue and not the barrier that separates ignorance from knowledge.”

-- Voltaire

What is the definition of success in your way?

Success in life is when you strive for true happiness always and in all things, regardless of your circumstances. This is a simple choice all of us should make. If you aren’t truly happy poor, how will you ever be truly happy when you are well off?

Why are young people today terrified of capital letters?

Drama. Anything that can create drama in their lives. Capital letters? Why not?

Why would someone say they don’t know how to treat you?

I’m used to being treated badly, so it really doesn’t matter how you treat me... as long as you pay attention. I hate it when people treat me badly and then just walk away. If you’re a woman, I can take whatever you dish out. You can spank me, I don’t care. If you’re a man treating me badly, I deserve an equal chance to you, as well. I think that’s only fair. 

Should teachers give power to students?

A teacher’s responsibility is to teach, not to dole out power. If a student doesn’t want to learn, they should be told to leave the school grounds, under their own “power.”

Is it true that without money you are nothing?

Only if you believe it. Start with the premise that “I am.” The fact that “you are” is already admitting that you are something… and without money. You can have friends and acquaintances, and you can do so without money. So, you are something and you have friends and acquaintances. You haven’t needed money, yet. You will need money for clothes and food, to continue living, but you are already something, or you wouldn’t be trying to stay alive. So, it isn’t true that you are nothing without money. You are, and that is all most people care about.

What are some common fears human beings have that no one talks about?

I could say much, but most of what I was going to say isn’t common fears. No one talks much about “death,” though. Most people fear death. 

“I'm not afraid of death; I just don't want to be there when it happens.”

-- Woody Allen

How do I know if I'm too demanding in a relationship?

Forcing love would be a big clue. If your partner is too submissive to your wants, you are being too demanding. A relationship is about sharing, some give and take. If you’re always taking, you are too demanding.

What are some ways to increase sex naturally?

Multiple partners?

Is it possible for artificial intelligence (AI) to become sentient? If it happens, what will be the consequences of it?

Have you seen the “Terminator” movies? Isaac Asimov wrote a series of books starting in 1950 dealing with artificial intelligence, and “I Robot” was made into a recent movie with Will Smith. If there are no rules to prevent countries from programming computers to think for themselves, machines may very likely rule the roost. But, we’re talking about greedy countries, so, good luck with that. The consequences are dire.

Is it considered rude to clap with only one hand?

Yes, but it isn’t clapping if you use only one hand. It is considered “slapping.” You can clap your hands together or slap something else. I would consider it rude to slap.

To what extent do humans have control over their decisions between right and wrong?

Totally, unless they are unhinged from reality. Only the person in question can determine if they are going to do right or wrong. It is their decision, nobody else can make them do wrong. If their mind is normal and not artificially controlled, they have the freedom to choose between right and wrong.

Can you provide a quote about making a difference and helping others?

Try this:

“Selflessness. It should be the basis of every relationship. If a person truly cares about you, they'll get more pleasure from the way they make you feel, rather than the way you make them feel.”

-- Colleen Hoover 

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