Post Category → Politics

Questions and thought for September 28th, 2016!

Questions and thought for September 28th, 2016!
Good post debate Wednesday morning!
1. Questions – Your assignment is to write a paragraph and explain, after watching the Presidential debate tonight, and determine who if you could vote would you select as the next President of the United States based on the following:
Who has the best plan to fight terror?
Who has the best plan for immigration?
Who would be the best Commander in Chief?
Who would Congress work best for?
Who would you trust to nominate possibly the next 2 or 3 Supreme Court justices?
Who would benefit you and your family most in the next four years?
By 2020 who would improve America more?
Which candidate do you trust?
2. Thought – I will not repeat what 100 students said. But I will……………………………………… Later.
We had a discussion in class about the debate and it was lively. We are also studying the Constitution. We read the Preamble to the United States Constitution today and concluded that the next Presidential debate should begin with both candidates in unison repeating these words:
We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

 

The students said this ought to be repeated before each debate. I smiled. They said it.
A student wrote: “In all honesty, I hate politics. Watching his debate killed me and watching these two argue for an hour and a half was torture. My answer for all these questions would be none of the above but if I have to answer, I go with…..” (and then this wonderful student argued for a candidate.)
Kindof gave me hope!
rem – “I’ve never let my schooling interfere with my education.” (Mark Twain)
Question & Thought & ANDs.

Question & Thought for March 31st, 2016!

Question & Thought for March 31st, 2016!

See Ya March!
1. Question – If everything is meaningless, does that mean that that statement has no validity?
2. Thought – I recall an exchange I once had on the campus of the University of the Philippines in Manila. A student from the audience shouted out that everything in life was meaningless. I responded by saying, “You do not believe that.” He promptly retorted, “Yes, I do,” to which I automatically countered, “No, you don’t.” Exasperated, he said, “I most certainly do; who are you to tell me I don’t?” “Then please repeat your statement for me,” I requested. “Everything in life is meaningless,” he stated again without qualification. I said to him, “Please remain standing; this will only take a moment. I assume that you believe your statement is meaningful. If your statement is meaningful then everything is not meaningless. On the other hand, if everything is meaningless, then what you just said is meaningless too. So in effect you have said nothing.” The young man was startled for a moment and even as I left the auditorium, he was pacing the floor muttering, “If everything is meaningless, then….” So it went!
“There are three things that must go right with any argument:
  • The terms must be unambiguous
  • The premises must be true
  • The argument must be logical” (Beyond Opinion by Ravi Zacharias)
 Goodbye Sampa!
rem – I had no knowledge that I had no knowledge.
Question & Thought & ANDs.

ANDS for March 5th, 2016!

ANDS for March 5th, 2016!
Good Saturday Morning from You!
 
AND: It’s more than simply the “better intelligence”.  A culture exists that believes “Technology” can solve/fix anything.  That an “Algorithm” can make better decisions. What’s more, we’ve created an environment that “PC Eggshells” surround our Leaders and influence their timely decision making.

What’s more, these items have helped create Managers, not Leaders. They ‘manage’ data and more data means better management opportunity.  They manage the PC environment with the data to reach an optimally acceptable outcome versus a best outcome.
 
Is it how we fight our WOT….Yes, its how we do most things today.  Sad….
 
AND: Can’t add or subtract a thing.  “The Judas Test”…Haven’t thought of betrayal that way.  This writing is so true.  For me, it is very hard to find the patience and tolerance to overcome betrayal.  So difficult to forgive, and especially to repent of failure to forgive.  I have questioned,  “Why should I suffer for a wrong someone committed against me,” and then I try to justify my resentment and bad attitude.  You’re right.  Learning to forgive in such circumstances is one of the ultimate tests of life.
 
AND:  In Lincoln’s time there was another great conflict going on and then as now, both sides invoked God’s support. Then as now, both sides could not claim God’s intent as their own. Lincoln saw this not as a contradiction but perhaps a revelation. 

      Maybe we have this conflict now to birth a new and greater faith again Mark. 
      
Will of God Prevails”The will of God prevails. In great contests each party claims to act in accordance with the will of God. Both may be, and one must be, wrong. God cannot be for and against the same thing at the same time. In the present civil war it is quite possible that God’s purpose is something different from the purpose of either party – and yet the human instrumentalities, working just as they do, are of the best adaptation to effect His purpose.”
Abraham Lincoln
 
AND: I am the fool…I am overly cautious.  When I lack the wisdom to decide in a situation, I hold back making a decision…because I do not want to make a mistake.  Unfortunately, this becomes such a way of life that I forget I didn’t used to be like this…and I accomplished many things by not holding myself back with caution.
AND:I watched perhaps the last 30 minutes of the debate….maybe more like the last 20 minutes.

The failure of the GOP debates, whether led by Fox or CNN or whoever, is that the monitors decide the questions and topics.  Have any of the monitors in any of the debates asked the questions you are seeking?  I don’t think so.  And why is that?
Its all about money, viewership, ratings for whoever sponsors the event.  Fox doesn’t care who is the candidate…CNN does not care either.  They are in the business of providing a ‘service’ to the public…but the more viewers that service manages to get people to tune in, the more money they make.  So, the “debate” is then morphed by the questions…the questions are morphed away from boring policy and towards confrontation.
Are these debates governed by Roberts Rules?  No.  The debates have been a reality show of sorts…and as long as the candidates and the networks proceed on this vector, the greater the chance the candidate who plays ‘reality show’ best gains ground.  Its the self licking ice cream cone.
The networks are at greatest fault here–but, you have to agree they are in the business of making money, not candidates.  Next I blame the RNC.  Why put your candidates thru a process like this?  No substance. No dignity.  Just air time.  The RNC is showing its ignorance IMO.
AND: One can validate this theory by simply observing the traffic jams around Charlotte daily and the weekly shootings over drug deals.
Stress can create so many health issues.
 
AND:You have to wonder, is it pure coincidence or happenstance that both Rubio and Cruz started pinging Trump on the same day?  Perhaps there was collaboration between the two?  I don’t think so.  Perhaps ‘someone’ from within the RNC got to both Rubio and Cruz and recommended the tactic?  Perhaps, but again I don’t think so.  Maybe, just maybe someone who is fearful of Trump’s success/election approached Rubio and Cruz.  That’s my bet…could be “establishment GOP” (hmm, Cruz approached by establishment?)…could be Lobbyist (Trump is not beholden to Lobbyists) perhaps. But at any rate, you can bet it is someone or some organization that does not want the standard political ROE’s to be changed.

Should we fear Trump?  IDK either.  But, there are some nice things….Business with an eye at the bottom line would be a welcomed change.  Imagine not funding “crap”…imagine spending and getting value.  Do I care if he’s Left or Right?  I don’t think so.
I do think we are at a telling time in America.  Its not a cliff…its simply a fork in the road.  One direction will take us away from our cultural past, the other will bring us back towards our traditional value system.  I don’t think Rubio can do it.  Cruz, perhaps.  Trump, IDK.
 
AND: Interesting. No, not as divided as ever. I would imagine Civil War time was the worst divide. I did hear an interesting tidbit on the radio just this week- and I happen 

to agree with it.  I’m forgetting who said it- I listen to many, wonderful, intelligent conservatives- Rush Limbaugh, Mark Levin, Benjamin Shapiro, Glenn Beck, etc
He said- ten years ago was the most prosperous time n America. Those children were expected to live longer, healthier & more successful lives than their parents. 
He listed several more reasons that I can’t remember now- I listen to a lot of talk radio, I love it. Unless we elect a Christian President who turns our country’s future over to God, I truly am afraid for my grandchildren and the America they will grow up in. I’m praying for God to elect a God-fearing man. 
 
AND: Not necessarily.  The Vietnam war divided this  Nation with the students in the moratorium and Democrat’s Chicago convention  growing
up in Liberal teaching colleges that engrained their progressive beliefs.   Some of the baby boomers of the sixties are now the parents of  narcissistic
children who opt for the non-religious, non-institutional , or unorthodox spirituality, commonly known as hippies in the 60s.  This generational split continues to manifest into today’s culture.   We observed this at the last Democrat convention in Charlotte when God was booed. 
 
AND: I think we as a Nation ignore the real threat vectors out of PC.
 
AND: I agree. I believe all young people need mentors. I have always taught my children to not be too proud to not get help, when they need it. I’ve taught them also to at least listen to advice from smart people & then take with them what sounds like good advice to them, personally. 
 
AND: I know John the Baptist was way way way more than this: He was a good man. He never performed any miracles, but he told me about Christ, which led me to know Him for myself.”

You know brother – it just bugs me when “authors” stretch things.  This is definitely one of those times.  Reminds me of the stupid sermons that happen every non-sabbath.

Kind of like-hey, let’s use John to talk about you.  Works at getting the message to the narcissist.  “How does this apply to you” versus “How do you apply yourself to it”

 
AND:Support for Trump must be much greater than what I estimated.  If not, why the bashing from Rubio and Cruz?  What’s more, the bashing is sophomoric and personal at best.  Cruz goes so far as to insinuate criminal associations.  Really?

This got me to thinking.  In campaigning,  I hope I get to know and understand the candidate.  I hope that what I hear and see reflects the candidate’s true persona.  Of all the candidates–both parties–here is my impression:
+ HRC: a liar, so I expect her to lie.  When she speaks, I hear lies. Tho biased, she is displaying what I expect.
+ Sanders: a strong socialist.  While his message is often softened, I believe what I see is authentic–an unapologetic socialist.
+ Carson: a smart fellow and good man.  His image is consistent
+ Kasich: a politician willing to work with others. Sees compromise as a useful tool in advancing good.
+ Trump: a business man first. Fairly consistent persona.
+ Cruz: a politician willing to change personas depending upon the audience.
+ Rubio: a politician first, willing to change personas and perhaps positions depending upon the audience.
Honestly, the most consistent of this entire group is Sanders and Trump.
Imagine that…
AND: Long ago–back in ’03ish–I learned that you could pay Google for where your link may fall during a search.  Its one way they made money.  So, if you were looking for replacement windows and Googled ‘replacement windows’, the first ‘hit’ may be Pella…then Anderson…then Marvin.  These companies paid for that placement.

Once this was learned, Google suffered a lot of pushback. So they changed their ways, sort of.  Google added a feature–do a search and the top return spots could go to “ads”….meaning, they’d differentiate the search results by placing “ad” markings in front of the first two or three results that were clearly paid for.  What I don’t know is what the priority of results are that follow the “ad” status.
I don’t know how Google decides the priority of information today. I do use Google as my primary search engine.
A few things popped into my head as I was listening to this report yesterday, and again as I read what you sent:
+ I have long suspected a bias in what is presented by Google whether that be political (when searching news) or commercial (when searching products)
+ People lack analytical skills.  People are lazy creatures.  People tend to “go with the flow” and are comfortable taking the path of least resistance.
+ In the marketplace of Information, let the buyer beware.
+ What is Truth
+ Thankful I know Truth
+ While we’d like to think POTUS is just another ordinary guy, trying to do good.  The reality is that it is the world’s most powerful seat and coveted by many.  In that light, no expense nor type of corruption should be underestimated in the pursuit of winning the POTUS election.  Its not just about dead people voting in Chicago or Philadelphia precincts voting 120% for the Democrat…its about the under the table money, the information manipulation, the media control, and yes, the paybacks once elected.  Its ugly…its not wholesome in the least.
I am a registered voter, and I vote.  I am not affiliated with a Party.  I do not answer online surveys nor do I take any telephone surveys.  I do not participate in social media.  I will do whatever I can to not let some pollster label me and put me in a pigeon hole.  Look at Lois Lerner and the IRS to understand why we all need to protect our identities from our government.  It only takes one person in even a limited-power position to bring havoc to your life.

Have a great weekend!

rem – I had no knowledge that I had no knowledge.
Question & Thought & ANDs.

Question & Thought for the last Sunday in January 2016!

Question & Thought for the last Sunday in January 2016!
Good Sunday Morning!!!
1. Question – Is it Constitutional for the Supreme Court to meddle in religious state issues?
2. Thought – When Thomas Jefferson was serving in the Virginia legislature he helped initiate a bill to have a day of fasting and prayer, but when he became President, Jefferson said there was no authority in the federal government to proclaim religious holidays. In a letter to the Danbury Baptist Association dated January 1, 1802, he explained his position and said the Constitution had created “a wall of separation between church and state.”
In recent years the Supreme Court has undertaken to use this metaphor as an excuse for meddling in the religious issues arising within the various states. It has not only presumed to take jurisdiction in these disputes, but has actually forced states to take the same hands-off position toward religious matters even though this restriction originally applied only to the federal government. The obvious distortion of the original intent of Jefferson (when he used the metaphor of a “wall” separating church and state) becomes entirely apparent when the statements and actions of Jefferson are examined in their historical context.
It will be recalled that Jefferson and Madison were anxious that the states intervene in religious matters so as to provide equality among all religions, and that all churches or religions assigned preferential treatment should be disestablished from such preferment. They further joined with the other Founders in expressing an anxiety that ALL religions be encouraged in order to promote the morale fiber and religious tone of the people. This, of course, would be impossible if there were an impenetrable “wall” between church and state on the state level. Jefferson’s “wall” was obviously intended only for the federal government, and the Supreme Court application of this metaphor to the states has come under severe criticism. (The 5000 Year Leap by W. Cleon Skousen)
“Is there no virtue among us? If there be not, we are in a wretched situation.” (James Madison)
rem – I had no knowledge that I had no knowledge.
Question & Thought & ANDs.