Questioning Revenge, Answering, Debating, Truth, Equating, and Rude

 

“Childhood trauma does not come in one single package.”

-- Asa Don Brown

******************************

Note to my readers:  Not to blow my horn too loudly, but I was just informed that 10,579 people have read my posts this week.  That is similar to the past few weeks of reporting.  If this keeps up, I will garner 42,316 readers for the month or 507,792 readers for the year.  I can count the naysayers on one hand for the year.  Not bad for simply giving my humble opinion.  

******************************

Why does no one let me commit a drive-by shooting for revenge for my childhood trauma?

Because that is what a “sick fuck” does. Rise above your own “childhood trauma” and be a force to change “childhood trauma” for other kids. This is what a “force to be reckoned with” would do.

Why, why, why, why?

“Why?” This is the question of the ages. We should all be interested in it. The answer is not “Because.”

Without invoking a higher power, how do you reconcile the moral framework that many societies adhere to? What basis do you see for ethical principles and values?

Why would I invoke a higher power who washed His hands of us, and gave us everything we need to succeed in life? Moral framework and ethical principles and values all rest on the foundation of the “rule of law” for the specific society or country. Except for those countries that have bastardized their religious beliefs into a reason to declare war, we all base our beliefs on a similar framework.

What do you call selective amnesia at age 2 or 4 that lasts for less than an hour?

Bad filing system. It lasts for less than an hour, so the system is getting a handle on the issue.

Loved people such as friends and immediate family members always come first then pets/animals. It's just how most and/or sane people think. Who else agrees?

I agree if we’re discussing situations that just can’t wait. Priority falls to the most at risk. If the risk is acceptable, the animals can come first so there is nothing you need to worry over while helping others.

I got rejected by all "Ivies" and T20 schools and eventually went to a so-so one. Is my life so far considered a failure?

It depends on how you excel at the “so-so” one. You are there to learn, so learn more than the instructor. You will not be a failure.

“You may encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated. In fact, it may be necessary to encounter the defeats, so you can know who you are, what you can rise from, how you can still come out of it.”

-- Maya Angelou

Why are we humans willing to answer questions asked by people we do not know. If these people stopped us in the street to ask us the same questions, even if we were not busy, we would not be willing to answer compared to answering online?

That is such bullshit. I have no filter, according to a particular lady friend, so if you asked me a question, I’d sit you down and bore you to death. It is what I do.

What is the best method you use to answer questions; the 'perfect' response?

I only answer questions that I have some experience with. Whether it is a “perfect” response is up to the receiver, the questioner. I could be out in left field, but I try not to be. If I’m not sure of my answer, I state that fact. I try to keep my answers short and to the point, so people don’t get bored with my bullshit.

In the age of social media, how do people navigate the decision-making process when accepting or rejecting friend requests from individuals they may not know personally?

If you make mistakes you can block, restrict, or report “friends” that are assholes.

How can I recover from my trauma of being overloaded with too much truth or information?

The truth can be a bitch. Exercise those broad shoulders you are supposed to have… or take a break. A couple of days of “me time” never hurts if you need a break. It would be better, however, to learn how to deal with the truth or information you may not want to hear.

Who is the most evil person in history? Is it a world leader or someone more obscure?

Adolf Hitler.

To what extent might ethics be open to interpretations?

If you have a good code of ethical behaviors, they are not open to interpretation… at least not by you. If you can constantly “re-interpret” them, what is the point of having “good ethics” in your life? You live by good ethics this week, but next week... not so much? It's not a good way to live life.

“The word "good" has many meanings. For example, if a man were to shoot his grandmother at a range of five hundred yards, I should call him a good shot, but not necessarily a good man.”

-- G.K. Chesterton

Why do some people think that personal experiences trump statistics and data and is it worth debating such people? I find it frustrating debating people who argue on this basis because their experience isn't representative of the facts or reality.

Personal experience can be the exception to the rule. Because there is a “rule” it becomes very hard to debate using your experience.

Is it true that most people who are dumb don’t even know that they are dumb because they are too dumb to realize how dumb they are?

For the most part, this can be true. My experience says that most “dumb” people know they are lacking the spark of intelligence that might set them off from the madding crowd. But, doesn’t knowing this already set them on a more intelligent side? I think if you are capable of learning anything, you are “smarter” than you are dumb, and if you apply yourself you will realize the world will open to you.

Will stupid people survive the coming years of technology? 

There will always be menial jobs for those who have limited intelligence. If most people are involved with technology, who will dump their trash or clean the restrooms? 

Is it common for people who have been abandoned as children, by their biological parents, to develop cold personalities, sarcastic or careless attitudes, as defensive mechanisms toward such trauma? Are such considered mentally ill?

Not necessarily. Children who have been through this can see the anguish of other children going through this, and they can step in a show a strength that can get the other children to a better place mentally. Children who allow this abandonment to negatively affect their lives may, very well, become mentally ill. But, I think that most children can grow stronger, as they get older, from the negativity thrust upon them.

How is it true that when dealing with people, remember you are not dealing with creatures of logic, but creatures of emotion?

Pretty true. We learn this during interrogation.

What has happened to you related to a cult?

In 1974, several of us in the Air Force went to check out Scientology. It didn’t take us long to see through the “mind control” and realize most of the people getting involved were weak-minded. Getting out of the “cult” atmosphere was tough… for anyone but members of the Intelligence branch. Physically touching us was their first mistake. We got some exercise that day. We went back to the air base and did a debrief for the commander. He put Scientology off-limits for our base, at the time, and I was told they were not allowed on the base to "recruit" membership.

“Scientology always has been a game of power and control. L. Ron Hubbard was the ultimate con man, and it's hard to figure out how much of Scientology was an experiment in brainwashing and controlling people, and how much of it was truly intended to help people.”

-- Jenna Miscavige Hill

What are some signs that indicate a person is genuinely seeking truth?

They don’t let anyone prevent them from picking apart what they consider to be bullshit. They will dig down until they find the truth.

How is it wrong to post someone's obituary to your blog, when that's the only evidence you have to prove that that person's family belongs to a corrupt organization?

If their obituary has proof that they belong to a corrupt organization, then the police are morons and the corrupt organization knows this. Shame on the police. Wrong to post? Hell, post away!

What are the reasons behind people thinking he is a bad person now?

Who are we considering? 

Why should I know why I do what I do? What are the reasons that make people know this?

According to Friedrich Nietzsche, if you have a “why” to live for, you can bear almost any how. If you don’t know why you do what you do, why, in God’s name, are you doing it? The reason why most people know this is because they don’t want to waste their time doing things for no reason.

What is the impact of motivational factors on academic achievement?

If you have no motivation, why would you expect any achievement? The impact on achievement is certainly tied to an individual’s motivation.

What are the reasons behind people not recognizing their own ignorance? Can anything be done to address this issue?

Uh… they’re ignorant. Point out why they are wrong.

“You are not entitled to your opinion. You are entitled to your informed opinion. No one is entitled to be ignorant.”

-- Harlan Ellison

Why do people equate hatred with ignorance?

People tend to hate what they are ignorant about. If you’re going to hate something, know what you’re talking about. Otherwise, you’re just another jackass in the herd braying.

What do people lie about?

Sexual affairs. Usually to their wife or husband.

Is it still lying if someone doesn't tell you right away?

If you don’t ask them, they have no “responsibility” to tell you. If they blab, why would anyone tell them anything? Is that right? Not necessarily, any more than it’s wrong. What you don’t know can’t hurt you. But, when you know, friendships can go south… rapidly.

What motivates someone to feel superior over others? Is this a common mindset or uncommon?

Ego, or a false sense of ego. It is becoming more uncommon as we learn to accept each other for what we bring to the table.

Why do some people like authority over others?

Ego. They like the feeling of having authority over other people.

What is the meaning behind a person constantly telling lies and never admitting to them, but then denying them later on?

If you always tell the truth, you don’t have to remember what you said. I think they deny them because they know you found out they were wrong, or they forgot the lie they told in the first place. Karma always catches up with liars first. It is simple to disprove bullshit. If it sounds too good to be true…

“There are three types of lies -- lies, damn lies, and statistics.”

-- Benjamin Disraeli

Why do some people consider asking why to be rude?

They are ignorant, and content to remain so.

How would you feel if someone called you stupid and disrespectful for not putting Nas or Jadakiss in your top ten rappers of all time?

I don’t like “rap” so it matters little what people call me. It makes little matter what people call me, period. If they choose to show their stupidity and disrespect by judging me over rap, so be it. I will support them.

Is somebody a liar if they're 99% honest?

Is someone “infectious” if they are 1% “infectious” to other people? It would seem so.

If Trump was not running for president, would he be facing any of the lawsuits that he is now?

No. The lawsuits have no foundation and are politically motivated. He should sell his buildings and move from New York. The outcry would be heard around the world. He could set up shop in Florida and do no business with New York ever again. Just saying. 

Is it considered rude to constantly talk about oneself instead of asking others questions about themselves?

It is rude and egotistical.

How do I find an enemy to verbally disrespect?

Do you have to find an enemy to verbally disrespect? They are dripping off the walls. My favorite is Vladimir Putin. He thought it would take less than a week to take Ukraine. Two years later, he hasn’t moved more than he originally had, and the Ukrainians have shown the world what they are made of. Yeah, it would be really easy to disrespect Putin.

"You can get arrested if you live in Russia, and you say that there is war in Ukraine. You can only say "special operation." There is a popular joke in Russia: Tolstoy’s "War and Peace" should be now renamed "Special Operation and Peace."

-- Boris Akunin

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