A look to the past – my blogging past that is.
Commend those who will stand on a principle. Do not commend those who revile the belief of another. Even when in opposition of someone’s stand, commend those with the courage to stand on their principle despite those who will revile them.
In a politically heated world, it is easy to forget that it is not whether you win or lose but how you play the game.
When we focus too much on a goal of winning, we may falter in our understanding of what we perceive we are up against. It becomes too easy to for us to let emotion sway our reason, sway our perception of truth. In the end whether we win or whether we lose, we still must be able to move forward.
When we become polarized in our ideas of right and wrong, ferocious in our belief that the other side is not only the opponent, but desires the destruction of all we hold dear; when this happens we run the risk of our own ruin. For no matter the outcome of the election, the world will no longer meet the standards we have set, no politician will ever make us happy, and no law will satisfy our thirst for a sense of perfection. Politicians will promise, platforms will declare, but in the end disappointment will be our companion if we do not learn that the political apparatus cannot supply a sense of wellbeing. Only we can supply that feeling, that sense of prosperity, that sense of safety.
When we vote in an election, especially when the election is close, we must focus on the value of the process and not simply on the outcome we desire. This will ensure that win or lose, we will feel good about ourselves, our efforts, and our opponents, once the game is over.
Good theater should not be bogged down by facts. As long as you can distinguish theater from reality, you will be entertained and avoid being misinformed.Write for yourself, but preserve the writings for the future.
Political Spin = rearranging the facts.
Political Propaganda = looking at only one fact.
Political Avoidance = ignoring all the facts.
Political lying = saying something even your brother will call you out on because it is such a whopper of a lie.
Is it possible that the Baby Boomer generation all suffer from a type of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder? That their youth filled with bomb shelters and threats of communist infiltration has left them traumatized. Do they suffer from Cold War Syndrome – the fear that we are in grave peril whenever we do not have an enemy inciting strong militaristic talk from our own leaders.
This syndrome includes the strong desire to stockpile weapons, have a National Offense Policy rather than a National Defense Policy, and the belief that anyone who disagrees with us is ideologically evil. Symptoms include, bullying our friends and threatening any who votes against our National Interests. Happiness and a sense of security is only achieved when the world tells us we are the best, most beloved, and bows at our feet.
The 80’s generation is often exempt from this syndrome because of the mentality that war equals total destruction, and our own leaders are just as dangerous as those of our enemy. However, there are a few who were overly influenced by movies like Red Dawn and have subsequently developed an off shoot of the syndrome called Cold War Hero Syndrome. This syndrome is similar to its parent syndrome, but deviates by placing a stronger belief on the idea that huge, home-based stockpiles of weapons will save the day.
It is highly possible that there is a genetic factor in the developing of Cold War Syndrome and Cold War Hero Syndrome. Evidence, while not conclusive, indicates that the syndrome is more prevalent in family units and therefore maybe passed from one generation to the next.
Fortunately these syndromes do have a cure. Education, Community Service, Cultural Diversity, International Travel, and Loving Thy Neighbor as Thyself all reduce, if not eliminate, the fear that perpetuates these syndromes. Humility and a desire to work with rather than dominate others, also helps.
Before joining a revolution, make sure you know the intent and the cause.
There is a difference between a revolution and a pitch-fork wielding, assimilated riot. One is based on seeking a better world through freedoms and diversity of thought. One is based on holding back freedoms and diversity; restricting thought.
Make sure your desire to protest, march and fight is based on a clear understanding of the objective, intent and goal. That you are not simply an assimilated, crowd following, pitch-fork wielding puppet of someone else’s plan to hold back diversity out of fearful ignorance.
Agency is the freedom to choose. It is unwise to choose assimilation over knowledge, and choice of thought. It is unwise to give your freedom up so that you may fit in with the crowd. For you never know when the mob will turn on you, and the riot will be in your backyard.
see also: Why Do We Go to War?, To Be Informed or To Be Educated,
How accurate are phone call polls when many people simply hang up? If only those entrenched in their party take the time to answer, are we actually polling the entire voting populace?
The undecided may not be the only ones not answering the questions.
A monster known, is a monster that can be managed! Monsters don’t frighten me once I know their name – I just make them my pets!
Pithy Ponderings 