Tag Archives: Freedom of Speech

by

Mob Violence in a Modern World

Mob violence is never restricted to one side or the other. In the modern world, the town square is often replaced by social media groups. The pitch forks and torches of the past may have been replaced by the written word or photograph, but do not doubt that the modern version of tar and feathers damages individuals and businesses just as much, if not more so than, it did in the past. Looking the other way and hoping the furor will die down does not absolve or protect us from the tragedy when the mob takes action. While we can try to insulate our groups and personal pages from such behavior, we cannot hide from the mob, at least not permanently.

Stars of Valor

 

Article discussing how mob mentality is affecting the quilting world.

by

Saith Me… Reflections on Change

Do we really need to burn down the house in order to get out of the kitchen? 

 

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

During a discussion with my children about the varied political theater which has dominated the news during the last 12 months, this rhetorical question emerged. Throughout history, a desire for change has often led to radicalization rather than the reasoned thought needed for change to be successful. Sometimes the radical voices drown out reasoned ones and disaster occurs. Other times the reasoned voices prevail.

by

Turning the Other Cheek vs. Turning a Blind Eye

Where is the accountability in this statement?

No one can offend you unless you choose to be offended. 

A person may choose to remain offended, in essence to remain a victim of someone else’s offense, but they did not necessarily choose to be offended in the first place. Whether the offender intentionally or unintentionally caused offense, they should be held accountable for their actions.

Turning the other cheek and turning a blind eye are not one and the same.

by

What Choice Do We Have?

This wonderfully well-written blog post was shared with me today. It articulates the perception that Trump and his devout followers create. This perception is of their own making. It is difficult for the rational mind to make any other assumption than the ones outlined by this blogger.

The thing I have noticed, which I have been noticing elsewhere as well, is that there are so many confused people who are seeking a leader who does not require them to read or think on their own. They simply want someone to tell them what to do. Trump is excellent at reassuring his followers that they need not think because he will think for them. Somehow this assurance is more comfortable for them than continuing to struggle with an imperfect Hillary or a revolutionary Bernie. Certainly, it is more comforting than shifting through the mass populace of Republican candidates who only seem to confuse the GOP identity rather than define it.

Those who commented on this blog who either did not read it, or did not understand the literary nuances of it, or simply hated what they saw, struck out, attacking the blogger and demanding that the blogger give equal critical measure to the other candidates. Others who read the blog but found it to make them uncomfortable with their choice to follow Trump asked the blogger to tell them what other choice they have.

What other choice do we have? We can choose to do more than ask someone else to do the research and work for us. Yes, we all like to share a quick meme or thought, but we need to research and reason, rather than simply seek a shepherd to follow.

by

Saith Me… Politics Today

Politics used to be likened to a Three Ring Circus, but now it seems to be much more like a Reality TV Show – entertaining, but terrifying in its portrayal of human nature and intellect.

 

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . .

FYI: I cannot view, nor do I endorse any of the ads that are shown on my blog.

by

Saith Me… Boldly Proclaim, Wisely Reevaluate

einstein_1bIt seems human nature to boldly proclaim thoughts and opinions which are often formed from only a mere scattering of information collected.

It seems wisdom is gained from reevaluating one’s ideas after having accumulated greater information which is often derived from someone else’s bold proclamations.

Therefore wisdom is a result of both boldly proclaiming and wisely reevaluating.

 

 

 

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . .

FYI: I cannot view, nor do I endorse any of the ads that are shown on my blog.

 

by

Saith Me… Fear as an Excuse

If we let fear become a legitimate excuse for the violation of law then we have lost the war – terror wins.

 

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . .

FYI: I cannot view, nor do I endorse any of the ads that are shown on my blog.

by

History: To Study or Not To Study

The more I study history the harder it becomes to ignore the ignorant who have been fed propaganda and generalizations rather than actual history with all its good, bad, and complicated parts.

The notion that one must tear apart mythology in order to seek fact does not appeal to me, nor does the idea that all facts must be conclusively proven in order to be held as true. Yet on the other hand, I find the the idea that mythology and popular lore should be the only history consumed by a patriotic citizenry just as unappealing.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . .

FYI: I cannot view, nor do I endorse any of the ads that are shown on my blog.

by

Saith Me… Fake News

Sometimes you really wish the fake news was the real news because it makes you laugh rather than makes you want to cry.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . .

FYI: I cannot view, nor do I endorse any of the ads that are shown on my blog.

by

Saith Me… Truth and Compassion

Speaking the truth, particularly when the subject is a negative one, must be done with care. Life’s difficult lessons seldom need harsh reinforcement. When the truth is shared compassionately, there is a greater chance that a lesson will be learned rather than rejected out of self-protection and defense.

Those wise enough to both see the need to share the truth and share it compassionately are rare and are priceless beyond measure. For it takes great courage to be a person of truth and compassion in a world where the truth is used to harm and compassion is seen as weak.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . .

FYI: I cannot view, nor do I endorse any of the ads that are shown on my blog.