Discovering My Faithless Religion

Philosophies are to be based on facts. If the facts are wrong then your philosophy is untrue.


phi·los·o·phy (f(image placeholder)-l(image placeholder)s(image placeholder)(image placeholder)-f(image placeholder))n. pl. phi·los·o·phies

1. Love and pursuit of wisdom by intellectual means and moral self-discipline.


2. Investigation of the nature, causes, or principles of reality, knowledge, or values, based on logical reasoning rather than empirical methods.


3. A system of thought based on or involving such inquiry: the philosophy of Hume.


4. The critical analysis of fundamental assumptions or beliefs.


5. The disciplines presented in university curriculums of science and the liberal arts, except medicine, law, and theology.


6. The discipline comprising logic, ethics, aesthetics, metaphysics, and epistemology.


7. A set of ideas or beliefs relating to a particular field or activity; an underlying theory: an original philosophy of advertising.


8. A system of values by which one lives: has an unusual philosophy of life.

These definitions provided by dictionary.com.

These are all very good definitions, and all apply to my goals, but I want to go one step further. In my mind I define philosophy such as this;
Philosophy: A faithless religion.

I believe (I am more than willing to be corrected in this) that if any religious belief were to remove everything from their religion that involves faith, you would be left with the philosophy that was its basis.
I believe that religions are formed when we as humans meet a situation that our philosophy does not explain and rather than accept that we can not explain it, we attempt to bridge the gap with faith.

Faith has been the killing factor for me when I think about religion. I go back and re-read some of the things I have here and I realize that I really have no faith. I have beliefs that attempt to reconcile the things I know to be true with the things I can not explain, but to say I have true faith in them would be a lie, and I am tired of lying.

faith Pronunciation Key (f(image placeholder)th)n.

1. Confident belief in the truth, value, or trustworthiness of a person, idea, or thing.


2. Belief that does not rest on logical proof or material evidence. See Synonyms at belief. See Synonyms at trust.


3. Loyalty to a person or thing; allegiance: keeping faith with one's supporters.


4. often Faith Christianity. The theological virtue defined as secure belief in God and a trusting acceptance of God's will.


5. The body of dogma of a religion: the Muslim faith.


6. A set of principles or beliefs.

I think it is only fair to say that I am closer to the concept of believing in “God” than I am in believing “the word of God.” The Bible was written by man and therefore is corruptible. To blindly think that mankind is not capable of corrupting the concept of an almighty to fit its own purpose is irresponsible at best.

I want with all my being to be respectful to the faiths of others in this post. I want you to understand that I respect your faith in your faith.

I have been told of or have read about the workings of God. I have been witnessed to and testified too but I have never had a definitive example set down to me that these actions could only be done by “god” and only “god”.

Nor have I seen any evidence that any other explanation is more correct. One thing I can come to terms with is that I don't know everything. That much is evident.

Believe it or not though this post is not to prove or disprove God though. If you are here for some Christian bashing then I am afraid that I am going to disappoint you. This post will however take a brief look at the philosophy of religions including Christianity. I think what I am trying to do is find the common ground that they share. I believe all these opinions come from somewhere.

Most accepted religions have a simple “carrot and the stick” system in place. They don't all agree with the details, but there is enough faith that they are in fact there that people have been dieing for their beliefs. I think to remove faith from something I have to remove reward. I have to say there is no Heaven, therefore there is no Hell. (No Reward equals No punishment)

Most faithfully accept the presence of a divine caretaker, who looks over us and for a variety of reasons wants us to live out our lives in their service.

There are some who have faith that life as we know it is capable for our creation. (aliens)
We human beings have a variety of faiths. My attempt here is to discover the philosophies behind them.
If we take away faith we have only the rules are left to guide us. We are left with the idea that we should do the right thing because it is the right thing and for no other reason. We are left with facts to base our lives on and not supposition.

It may surprise some to know that the Egyptians as well as the Hittites had laws which are very similar to the Ten Commandments, which Moses is said to have brought down from the mountain. We know that they had these laws in place LONG before Moses had his talk with God. We know what the Ten Commandments are the accepted base of the laws and legal system of the world. They are for all intents and purposes the rules by which we live. Islam, Hebrew, and Christians all accept them as the basis of acceptable behavior. (Islam recognizes them but does not have them quoted in the Qur’an) Only after faith is added do we start killing.

I have a few quick notes before I go for the day, First there is more than one version of the ten commandments and the accepted version taught in America is NOT the correct translation from the original Hebrew text. Next, these ideas of “right and wrong” come from somewhere. They started somewhere. One person or one group of people put them or something very similar in writing. Why? I hope that “IF” we can ever figure that out we will begin to find a philosophy worth having faith in.

Well it’s a small start but it’s a start. I will be back later I have some thinking to do.

You down with OPP?

As usual watching the news has made me mad. In this case we might be working under the Mad “as in crazy” definition. I was writing about presidential power, and being mad at myself for actually feeling sorry for our President. The thoughts came together, as most thoughts do and added themselves to a series of “but then” and “well if that’s true.”

I have never held a public office. I loudly say that I have never wanted to. I am neither Republican nor Democrat. I believe that the understood meaning of what a President is and does has changed somehow from the ideas we are taught to the reality that we expect.

Somehow we expect a President to be more experienced in life and in the changes that are happening on a global scale. At this point I would like to point out that information does not equal experience.

Isn’t it supposed to work that “we the people” tell him where we want to go and then he figures out a way to lead us there? Where is it said that we also have the right to tell him how we want to get there? I wonder what would happen if “we the people” could agree on what we want and then honestly let someone “lead” us there. I have come to believe that “we the people” can easily be compared to the kids in the back seat asking “are we there yet?”



DISCLAIMER: To the best of my knowledge the “Official Pragmatic Party” is a fictional organization that I am making up off the top of my head. Nothing here is meant to insult but it is meant to promote thought. Like most things concerning government and its policies this is muddy and convoluted at best. Good luck

Even though I believe it would showcase my honesty with the nation to run on the “deadbeat drunk” ticket, I should probably come up with a name that will allow me some votes by default. So at this time I would like to announce the founding of the “Official Pragmatic Party”

Keeping inline with my party’s beliefs, I want announce now where we stand on issues, and in what direction we will “LEAD” our nation.

Agreeing to Elect the OPP is an agreement that we have the following goals:

1. Leave people alone and not interfere with their human or individual rights.




2. People leave us alone and not interfere with our human or individual rights.

That’s it! This is our destination. What follows are some of the methods we are going to use to get there.

Step one: Vocabulary
I say constantly here that if we can come together on the meaning of our words than we can avoid a lot of confusion, so let me start by saying that I do not believe in the separation of a foreign policy or a domestic policy. Our domestic decisions impact upon the world and vice-versa. What I am discussing here is the OPPP. (Official Pragmatic Party Policy)

prag·mat·ic adj.

• Dealing or concerned with facts or actual occurrences; practical.




• Philosophy. Of or relating to pragmatism.




• Relating to or being the study of cause and effect in historical or political events with emphasis on the practical lessons to be learned from them.




• Archaic.




• Active; busy.




• Active in an officious or meddlesome way.




• Dogmatic; dictatorial.

n.

1. A pragmatic sanction.




2. Archaic. A meddler; a busybody.

OPP Letter to the World

America would like to announce that we have come under new management. “We the people” of America believe that Democracy in some form is the fairest and most efficient form of government, but we recognize and respect whatever form of government you have chosen.
We recognize your human rights and freedoms to govern yourself and will no longer make any attempt to interfere or assist in your lives.

We will no longer attack or threaten you or your way of life in anyway unless you physically attack us. You have the right to voice your opinion on the global stage, but we believe you will soon realize that we no longer care whether or not you believe we are right.

We understand that to some of you our way of life is alien and disturbing. It has come to our attention that regardless of our goodwill our methods we are not acceptable to you. It is with this in mind that we have decided that it is best if we simply stop trying to convince you. We have watched you for a long time and we feel that eventually you will either figure out a peaceful resolution without our help or kill yourselves anyway.

We wish to announce at this time that we are willing to forgive any trespasses against us and we are hoping with our hearts and souls that you are willing to do the same. At this time we believe the score is 0-0 and we do not wish to play anymore.

Please be advised that we are attempting to have some “alone time”. We no longer wish to be involved in World affairs. It is our sincere hope that the rest of you can learn to get along but be advised that we do not plan on assisting anyone in anyway should trouble arise. We as a nation are begging you not to do anything that would directly cause us to feel a need to respond.

We feel at this time it is only fair to announce that we will no longer plan on honoring anything that was to this point considered part of our “National Debt.” Nor do we expect any of you to feel that you owe us anything.

At this time we do not have any enemies. At this time we have no friends.

Respectfully,
America

That will hopefully take care of some stuff. I am banking on stereotypes being strong enough for the rest of the world to be happy just to be rid of us. Meanwhile, as they continuously hit redial only to realize we took the phone off the hook this is what we will be doing here.

Religion in America

The Christian God will be declared the official God of the nation and any nation that has a different God will be considered an enemy. All others that worship God will also be considered an enemy because they don't worship the way we do. We at the OPP are not planning on warring or fighting with anyone, but we need to know who to keep an eye on.

As usual you will have the right to worship whatever God you want but as long as the majority in the country worship “God” then as a democratic society we are required to represent the wishes of the majority. Freedom “of” Religion does not and will not guarantee you Freedom “from” Religion.

I am not a Christian but if saying God in your morning prayers will let you work for us better than that’s cool with me. It’s your right, and I am here for you. (Pagans can use this time to feel superior which is our right under our Constitution.)

Since you are however Christian we need to do some things to protect you. Pagans for the most part don't have a grievance with each other, but lets face it Christians in general you have made some people kind of mad. I am not judging, I am just being honest here. Your charities and mission work don't make it to CNN as fast as some of your other historic events. We at OPP take responsibility for our people, but we reserve the right to hinder you ability to get yourselves and therefore the rest of us in any more trouble.

I propose we stop broadcasting our news for a couple years, probably longer to the outside world. Freedom of Press is an “American Right” and there for I don't believe it covers anything about a “right” to broadcast outside America. Nor do I believe it involves allowing that freedom to Non-American. People do stupid things when they are scared and not knowing what is going on in America from day to day will scare the hell out of a lot of people. We will use that fear to our advantage later.

In order for something like this to work we will have to make some changes in our own lives but they all create jobs as well as social awareness so they should work even if they do cause a lot of bitching.

I propose that we stop educating foreign nationals and we give those slots to the poorest smartest American kids we can find. (Since we are no longer accepting anyone new into the country this step will be easier than it sounds.) I am tired of seeing us educate foreign nationals only to see them overcharge us for services so they can support their non-educated immigrant family. I propose that we make MANY doctors and salary cap the profession as a whole. We allow specialists but we create a surplus of general practitioners. There is no reason why any child or adult should go without medical aid, and there is no reason why any doctor should demand a BMW to give it to you. If you don't want to be a doctor to help people then don't be a doctor. Because of this we will be making advanced first aid a mandatory high school class. Knowing a subject from predicate has no meaning if you can’t stop yourself from bleeding to death.

I will also propose a law that insures no “Educational Dynasties.” Meaning if your father went to “medical school” or is now or has been practicing in any high demand trade or trade school, you will not be allowed to. We want to spread the wealth around and knowledge is wealth. (A good lawyer could try to argue this, but after you see what we have in mind for lawyers you’ll rethink this.)


American Domestic Infighting

There will be a one year mandatory military service, followed by a mandatory 2 year reserve status. While in your mandatory time you will NOT be deployed or used in any combat situation, you will however help with such things as disaster relief and other social reform projects. You will receive pay that is less than the wage of a volunteer soldier but it will be a livable wage. You will receive the same basic training as any full time soldier regardless of your religious affiliation, or personal belief. Your opinion in this matter is valued of course but meaningless in the long run. (We at the OPP believe that a basic problem with our country is that we have nothing in common. This mandatory schooling will begin to put us all on a common ground.) All federal grants, loans and scholarships will be decided and based on the quality of your mandatory service. After your mandatory service you will be allowed to voluntarily continue your service with very competitive benefits.

Immigration Trouble

At the time of the OPP election everyone standing on American soil is at that time considered to be an American. American citizen who are abroad will be given 5 working days to return to the United States, failure to make it on time will result in loss of citizenship. ALL SOLDIERS will be recalled to America. Foreign nationals legal or otherwise will be given 5 working days to claim their citizenship. Foreign owned properties will be seized and ambassadors will be asked to leave until further notice. Until further notice no other person will be coming to or leaving America. Finally our melting pot is going to begin to actually melt something. (Upon consideration it is believed once other changes have been emplaced it may be possible to allow family members that did not make it in the 5 day purge to apply for “Americanism.”)

War and Warmongering

Our military will shift gears from large “invasion” style forces to small “sleeper cell” forces who will be our eyes and ears on the ground. The majority of our military will be on ships, in planes and in relative safety as we fight from a distance, or used for “homeland security”. I as President will not allow the rhetoric of “honor” to put us in a toe to toe fight. We are America and we are beyond that. I am not foolish enough to think that it will never come to killing, but I believe that if we make the decision that our children are more important to us than their children are than our style of fighting becomes obvious. A good Defense is NOT a good offense, but the OPP believes that a good defense is the global fear of a terrifying repercussions. Any attack against the OPP America will be considered the simultaneous and unanimous decision of the offending country and all off its citizens regardless of age to become the first or next global landfill. The repercussions of any attack against the United States will be so severe that I can not properly describe the horror it will create for future generations.

Note: Being a Christian country allows us to come to terms that people fall into two and only two categories.

Christians; who will go to heaven.
Those who deserve to burn in hell.

Rising Oil Costs

Since we will no longer be accepting money from other countries, or allowing our lobbyists to receive money from outside the country I believe we will quickly find that Oil Costs will drop. Our “war machine” will be changing gears so our dependence on oil will lessen.

Companies in America owned by outside interests will have to be seized. Foreign nationals will be given the option to stay or to go. No other option will be made available to them.

The monies normally used for oil purchasing will be used for alternative energy sources. The technology that oil companies have been paying to keep down will be fostered. The sizable budget created by no longer using oil will create a research fund that insures we never again become dependant on it.

Abortion / Prostitution

State laws rules here. If you don't like the laws of your state, then move. I think eventually we will see which states fill up faster and have an accurate description if what you really think on these matters. The only law federally that the OPP will add is that in States that allow abortion you will have to have lived and worked in that state for no less than two years before allowed to take advantage of that states pro abortion standing. No minor will be allowed to have an abortion unless their family has lived and worked in an abortion state for two years. If you are a parent who believes you child is being treated unfairly and deserves an abortion regardless of your location then we at the OPP believe you should have been concerned with raising your daughter BEFORE she was impregnated. I think if we do this we will eventually find the ones who say no and mean yes, or vice-versa. Also no state that allows for abortion can simultaneously allow prostitution.

Prostitution will be made legal on a state to state basis. Federal requirements will require a licensed taxable prostitute system be emplaced. This will create a standard of service as well as an ability to monitor cleanliness and hygiene. No man or woman will be able to take advantage of the pro-prostitution laws of their state until after they have lived and worked for two years in that state.

If you don't like the laws of your state then move. You will also notice that these laws in concert mean that prostitutes can NOT have an abortion. They will receive no benefits for children. If you have exhausted every option in your life to a point that prostitution is absolutely the only thing that you are capable of doing to help society and yet you can not even follow the basic steps that involve doing that profession safely and professionally then quite frankly we don't want you here and we will send you away, with the hopes that your stupidity will be bred into the gene pool of our enemies. You and your new child will be given a one way Visa to wherever is most convenient for us to send you.

Lawmakers: Your ability to get federal funding as well as your personal pay will be directly weighed against the amount of people who have lived and worked in your state for more than two years, so I hope you are prepared to make the laws that the people want.

Drugs and Drug Sales

Any drug not natural in form with any non natural additive will be illegal. Anyone selling these drugs will be put on trial for attempted murder, as well as treason against the United States of America. I think that I will allow you to make your own drugs, but any attempt to give or sell to others in any form will be illegal. Any lands or properties used in the creation of these substances will become government property and will be used in some manner to help the people. If you want to destroy yourself then that decision is yours really as long as you only affect yourself. It is the opinion of the OPP that in this world people at times deserve a release. No one deserves to profit from the release of others. This is a hard law to enforce but I think we can fine tune it. We at the OPP understand that times change and as such laws should change.

Pharmaceutical law will be decided at a later date.

Bribes in Government

Government officials should announce the bribes. I don't mind. I am going to tax the bribes for social work. I fully expect our “lawmakers” to do whatever fundraisers they feel are necessary to make their states better. I think however that when were done organizations are going to find that they have a lot less money to toss around to the Law makers in exchange for there “help” (see; Drugs and drug sales above and think “cigarettes”). Also, law makers are going to find it a lot harder to slip stuff in. I have no desire to limit government power, actually in some things I believe our government will need to exercise some muscles we have not thought of in the past. Those with the power now are going to do whatever they think is necessary to keep it. They are not going to like the idea of your kid going to the same school as their kids.

Laws and Politics

1. No law will be passed in Congressional or Senatorial or Presidential branches that can not be clearly explained on one 8 ½ X 11 sheet of paper with a size 12 font.




2. No two laws will be written on the same paper, and no two laws will be solely dependant on each other.




3. Every law will be posted publicly in electronic form for no less than 60 days. American citizens will be given that time to rate the law on a scale of 1 to 10. Any vote 1-5 being considered a “NO”, and any vote 6-10 being a considered a “yes”. All results will be posted publicly.

The OPP believes that if you don't take the time to vote on these issues than you can not take the time to complain about them. Every effort will made to make “lawmaking” a non-profit occupation.


Unemployment
Since we will be doing a rather abrupt closing of the borders a lot of jobs will be opening up. The Midwest will have a revival of farming technology. California will have to do with the immigrants it has now. I like oranges but if I cant find an American to eventually pick the things off a tree than I can do without. Actually as an example to the rest of America let me say this; If I want orange juice I can pick the damn things of the tree and squeeze them myself. The food we grow will actually go to us instead of countries because I am pulling aid to other countries until we renegotiate the terms, and you can bet they are not going to like the terms.

We will be educating a different standard of life that does not involve such a high need for cash. Our standards will be based on quality over quantity. There will be a cap on things such as movie ticket prices. There will be no editing or censorship of opinion in our media but if you want to give out a message then you should do it for the messages sake and not for the ungodly amount of money your controversy will make.

Those that don't like it have options such as Canada, and Mexico that are within walking distance.

National Debt
I am tired of being told this virtual number is owed to other countries. First of all aren’t we the ones who define the value of a dollar? Also who owes us money? How come we give everything away and then we purposefully take the bad end of a trade in some effort to make the other country feel good? We at the OPP announce that when we take charge one of our first steps will be to tell the globe that we owe them nothing! All bets are off. We will call our allies on the phone and give them a heads up but they will have about 15 minutes to put on a suit and get ready to tell there people about the global economy problems that are coming. If they don't like this they can sue us I guess. Not sure how that would work but I guess if they all get together they might cry loud enough to get our attention, but to be truthful we are the only ones that have ever bothered to get them to try to agree on anything anyway. Other countries either agree with us or agree with each other in there hatred of us. Either way I say we are above that and should just concentrate on our problems and let them kill each other.

We owe them nothing.

Import / Export
Why do you buy a product or service? Either you can’t make it or your to lazy to do it yourself. I am hard pressed to think of something that we “can not” do ourselves here. There are an abundance of things that are inconvenient for us to do, but that does not equal “can’t”.

Until new deals are made there will be no Import / Export. In the beginning we will allow NOTHING AND NO ONE in or out. I know this idea sounds scary. Quite frankly we can’t be sure no cocaine is coming into the country as long as we can’t make sure no coffee is coming in. We can not be sure there are no MORE terrorists coming in until we can make sure NO ONE is coming in. Once we get it under some sort of control then we can do some things in moderation but for the most part keeping our lives and way of life quiet on a global scale will work greatly for our benefit. This will mean some changes in our work ethic. See Unemployment

United Nations
Good bye. That building will make some great housing.



###CLASSIFIED###

OK here is the super secret OPP master plan.

We know that other countries people hate us for a variety of reasons. Some say they are jealous, some say they are morally outraged. We have our differences with the world, but they are the same differences that we have always had. The only change now is that these other people are better informed about our strengths and weaknesses and the truth has empowered them against us. They used to fear us but now that they know more about us and can understand us easier we no longer scare them into submission. The plan of the OPP is to take away any understanding and to once again reap the benefits of global ignorance.

By withdrawing into ourselves we simultaneously stop interfering in stuff that’s none of our business as well as set up a global mystique. We will use this mystique and illusion to barter with the world under new terms. They will no longer know what we are capable of so we can go back to the “good ol’ days” and claim to have godlike supremacy over the rest of the world.

If we don't play our music to loud, and we don't go next door when we realize that the neighbor is beating his wife they wont start resenting our kick-ass stereo or feeling shame in our presence because they know we are judging them. They will have no reason to hate us either real or perceived.

###CLASSIFIED###

Beer = Stupid

I appreciate stupid in all its forms. At some level stupidity calls out to me and begs me to watch. Sometimes stupid lures me into participation. Everyone has fallen to the power of stupid at one time or another and it is nothing to be ashamed of.

At this time I want to clarify that I “appreciate” stupidity in all of its forms. I am sure you have come across a show late at night or perhaps heard something or read something and asked yourself; “Who would enjoy this?” I am your answer. It is me that modern media targets when deciding what should be allowed to take the precious minutes of our lives.

When I was a very young child I had the TV guide memorized from front to back. It came to a point that my mother at one time had to limit my TV viewing time to 2 hours a day. With the coming of cable it takes me longer now but I still can tell you when certain shows have gone into reruns. I average 3 hours a day in “news”, and I spend the rest of my day in search of ‘stupid”.

I choose to spend the majority of my day absorbed in the most useless programming I can find. I want to be clear here when I say I search out stupid. It comforts me. It makes me feel superior to the masses. It makes me feel safe.

I am not defining stupid here as comedy. Stupid as I understand it knows no bounds. Stupid is created when any idea is taken to such an extreme level that it makes a mockery of the subject.

What is Stupid?

The drama and heartache of a personal struggle with weight loss becomes “stupid” when we stuff the subject in spandex and parade them out to the masses. The facing of ones fears in some noble effort to better yourself becomes “stupid” when it becomes a testicle eating gross-out contest.

Anything that emphasizes an exaggerated version of reality in an effort to distract us from our true reality without providing us with any benefit is “stupid”. (This is of course a personal definition and when I say or write “stupid” from this point on this is the meaning and understood meaning I will be attempting to communicate.)

Having defined it this way I think now you can understand how I can say that I appreciate stupid. It is my belief that in understanding a thing we learn to appreciate a thing. Stupid takes my mind off the things I don't want to think about. Stupid is one of my distractions.

A very large part of me feels ashamed of myself for this, but another section of my mind tells me that the billion dollar decisions being made by the Ted Turners of the world are not made solely for my personal comfort. The shows are put out there to provide comfort for the majority. Like it or not I and maybe you are part of the majority.

A point to make here is that I also appreciate beer. Beer has many flavors and effects many people in many different ways. You can enjoy it. You can find what you believe to be comfort in it. I like beer. Beer is very much like stupid.

I am not the only person to like beer. They don't make all this beer for me because that’s what I want, but they are making it for someone. You can believe that they don't make it unless they have a good idea that someone is going to buy it.

Although you don't know it there has been quite awhile since I wrote this last paragraph. I have been reading and re-reading trying to figure out what I am missing. Its likely you got it by now and if you did congratulations and being a very big step ahead of me. Now here it is……

Stupid is not only on television. Stupid is not only a product that the media feeds to us. Stupid is everywhere. When you see someone distracted at work to a point that they forget there own life, simply apply the definition given above and confidently know in your mind they are not “dumb”, they are not “retarded” they are “stupid.” If watching them has distracted you from your life then what they are doing is “stupid” and you are “stupid” by default. There are many causes of “stupid.”

In some ways this Blog and this post are stupid. Using the definition listed above we can fit A LOT of things under the stupid umbrella, and yes that includes my precious beer.

Basically the provision of “providing benefit” is the killer. Benefits can be most anything but how much of our day do we spend where we get absolutely nothing in return! Like beer I know I should only allow myself a limited amount of “stupid”, but also like beer I am an addict. “Stupid” is free.

TV gives us “stupid” because that’s what we want and we are willing to pay for it. It does not matter how many channel you have the odds are drastically in favor of getting stupid just by turning on the TV.

What fundamental needs are we attempting to replace with stupid? If you failed to get anything from this post then the post is stupid. If you walk away thinking of a way to better yourself then its not.

Your Dieing...thought you should know.

First of all let me say that “art” is the natural predator of “war”. Artists by nature can easily be stereotyped as being those who are not violent. There profession and mindset makes them excellent talkers and allows them to see options that many politicians do not or can not see. The idea of art itself is that by its presence alone it is to inspire thought or create emotion. That is a very powerful tool.

It is not uncommon for a popular actor or actress to make Twenty million dollars to be in one film. That same popular actor or actress might do more than 15 films at that rate. It is very likely that in that time that actor will have played a role that somehow discusses our society and our American way of life.

(Its important to take the time here to realize that by doing one film and only one film at this rate you could easily give yourself a $50,000 annual income and live comfortably above the national average, and never ever have to work again. You could do this, live better than you do now, and still leave quite a bit of money for your children.)

Hollywood is home to the highest paid soldiers in the history of the world. Some have an agenda, some don't. Many are mercenaries willing to use there weapons in whatever fashion pays the bills, all the name of “entertainment.”

I am really going to do everything in my power not to go down the “art-school commie” road. It would be an easy road to take and quite frankly once you dig through belligerent stereotypes associated with it, it’s not hard to see where that type of opinion can come from. I am going to say here, as I have said in the past, I do not necessarily agree with the actions of our government; especially when it comes to decision that bring people to combat. I do however have reasons that are “my own” and not reasons that were given to me by Hollywood.

Our armed forces have units that were created to design and implement Psychological Operations. I trust you to investigate these units on your own. I will discuss them only a little here, but I believe it’s a subject worth every American knowing about.

Basically Psyop units are trained to sway the hearts and minds of a target audience using popular media sources. ART. Psyopers are trained to think pencils, film, radio broadcasts, and filtered information, as weapons more valuable than bullets. Every enemy who puts his weapon down is considered a Psyop kill. Psyops is involved in every conflict and has likely been involved long before you or CNN heard what was going on.

Psyopers are restricted by law from using these talents in a way that would affect the thoughts or beliefs of American citizens. Even writing their private opinions in a public forum can at times be questionable concerning the law. Since these are considered weapons, there is no difference between the use of words by a trained Psyoper and a rifle by a trained Sniper.



Dictionary.com
trea·son     P   Pronunciation Key  (tr(image placeholder)(image placeholder)z(image placeholder)n)n.

1. Violation of allegiance toward one's country or sovereign, especially the betrayal of one's country by waging war against it or by consciously and purposely acting to aid its enemies.


2. A betrayal of trust or confidence.

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[Middle English, from Anglo-Norman treson, from Latin tr(image placeholder)diti(image placeholder), tr(image placeholder)diti(image placeholder)n-, a handing over. See tradition.]


When one has understood that words are weapons how does this definition concern that 20 million dollar actor? We have all heard of the WMD (Weapons of Mass Destruction), but we overlook the WMP (Weapons of Mass Persuasion). Free Speech protects the artist from government reprisal, but it is the “claim” of entertainment that protects the artist from “we the people”. Artists can claim that “we the people” can choose freely to believe whatever we want, but I think we can agree that “we the people” have a proven history of believing what we are told.

It has long been understood that we are not to trust our politicians. It’s part of our culture to teach this lesson to our children. Recent scandal concerning “bribes” in government have the media scrambling to raise the prices of their commercial time, knowing that “we the people” will be glued to the set hoping to see some senator cave in.

bribe     P   Pronunciation Key  (br(image placeholder)b)n.

1. Something, such as money or a favor, offered or given to a person in a position of trust to influence that person's views or conduct.


2. Something serving to influence or persuade.

It’s important here I believe to understand the definition of the word bribe. Please think about it. Put it in your own words. I don't need to know your thoughts on it, but as usual you are welcome to speak your mind. After you have done this I want you to ask yourself the differences between a senator accepting money to vote in a way that he might have voted anyway, or the 20 million dollar actor portraying a lie designed to “to inspire thought or create emotion” that may not be your own.

I think what I am trying to say here is trust no one. Remember that the idea of the selfless hero is just another idea sold to us by the media. I am not saying that they are not out there, but I am saying that they are not on a screen somewhere proudly proclaiming there selflessness.

Even if you are all alone in your beliefs and ideas you are still a soldier fighting in a war to protect those beliefs. I think it is important for you to understand all the weapons that are being used against you everyday. We as individuals are not special, but we are unique. Anyone attempting to change your unique thought is an enemy.

Being old, and powerful does not make you an authority on what is right. Being young and beautiful does not make you an authority on what is right. We let the rich sway our opinion because we admire them, and hope that by thinking the way they do, we can somehow become more like them. My advice then is to find the faults in everyone starting with you. You don't have to try to fix them if you don't want to but you do have to understand them in order to insure that they are not being used against you.

I don't even know if I made any points here, but I do know that I was able to get some things down and straight I my own head. I hope that a casual reader finds something here that helps.

No titles work here.......

I am still here. I have been working on a project concerning my oldest daughter from my first marriage. I have done some talking here concerning my feeling concerning my youngest daughter. As I have written a few posts ago I am resolved to have more contact with my daughters. Unfortunately when this concerns my oldest I have a few barriers in my way.

First of all let me say that I have no legal restriction on contact with either of my daughters. When I say contact I mean the ability to write letters and or speak on the phone. A judge set up a child support schedule for me based on what he was told my income was, and my visitation rights are based on the ability to pay that schedule. I have not paid anything for child support and have not been able to see my daughter. My first wife believes that my contact with my daughter should limited concerning any writing, phone, pictures or information. I can only guess that this is a fact because the mother will not speak to me on this or any subject. I feel that my in-ability to pay for visitation as well as my ex-wife’s stubbornness may have caused a divide that my daughter will not be able to cross. My daughter is a teenager now and I have received one e-card, and one letter.

Recently through some creative web searches I have been able to find the location of my daughter. I have looked many times in the past and always come up with nothing. I have no proof, but I believe my ex-wife understands that I am looking and also understands that it is my desire to be better informed of my daughter’s life. I have a picture on my desk of my daughter taken for Christmas. She is about 2 years old in that picture. Stuck in that frame I have a picture of her asleep on my chest on the couch. These are the last and only images I have of my daughter.

For those of you, who have not bothered to read any of the other posts here, let me remind you that I AM NOT DEFENDING MYSELF. I admit freely that the things I did were in many ways wrong. I am not here for an argument. I am here in an effort to understand why I am the way I am, and how to make myself better.

My first wife and I did things to hurt each other. We were very young when we decided to marry and I believe if she were here she would tell you that we did it to early. We were two stupid kids who needed desperately to feel like grown-ups. I can proudly say that she was not pregnant until after we were married, unlike so many of those who get married at that age. I believe we were responsible for our age but were not responsible enough. I won’t list the good and bad on both sides because a divorce is just as much a product of teamwork as a marriage. I will say though that I do at least regret my part or ruining that relationship.

My feelings concerning my marriage and divorce to my first wife are blurry at best. Looking back I think I can honestly say I was in shock and doing everything I could do to forget everything about the time for years. I reacted badly.

I understand that there is no way to make up for the time I have lost with my daughter. I know that there was a point in my life that I really stopped caring about the idea of whom or what my father was. I can only imagine that my daughter feels the same about me. The only difference here is that my father died when I was young and therefore did not have the chance to try harder. I don't have faith that he would have, but I can at least hope.

I don't know if my daughter hopes for me. I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. I am basing so many things on guesswork. I hate not having facts.

I am ashamed when I realize I have gone days without thinking of her. She has not been a part of my life for so long it’s hard to think of her. I know there is a father somewhere who can honestly say that not a day has gone by that he has not planned on a grand reunion with his daughter, but I am not him. I feel I should be. I would like to have been, but I am not. My life got in the way. I ran so far so fast. FEAR. I would greatly like to give my daughter the opportunity to tell me to stay away, but it would have to be after I feel that she has had time to meet “me” and not the “me” that her imagination and mother have created. I am not saying that she will like “me” any better but it is only fair. I love my daughter, but I am afraid that my love is limited now to the picture on my desk. I love that girl. I would love greatly to get to know the real person that she has grown to be and will grow into. It is very likely that she has a picture of me from that time. I know she knows who I am and I am proud to say that she still has my last name regardless of her mothers remarriage. I know it’s a small thing, but it gives me hope.

I have a feeling that his will be a subject I will come back to from time to time over the next couple of weeks. I feel that I have A LOT of work to do in this area. My opinions might change as I study more but, and I will likely end up contradicting myself somewhere but that’s part of learning.

A method of interrogation is to ask the same question repeatedly and monitor the changes in the subject’s response. The subject will remember what they said and try to keep the story straight but monitoring the slight changes in the answers will lead you past the truths into that facts. I am sure I will be asking myself these questions for along time. The only thing I am sure of at the moment is that I have a lot of work to do.