Critical Thinking vs Cynicism

 

Quote: "Inside every cynical person is a disappointed idealist," George Carlin

 

Affirmation: Breath is my anchor. My anchor is my breath.

 

Realization: I think now it is the deep, dark, unrelenting cynicism of our age constantly embraced by so many which poses the most immediate threat to peace.

 

Joseph Pulitzer is reported to have said "A cynical, demagogic press will produce in time a people as base as itself." When and how does critical thinking morph into cynicism? How does one influence the other? Can faith be restored?

 

 

Long may she wave!

 

Quote: “Musicians and cooks are responsible for the most human pleasure in life.” Fran Leibowitz

 

Affirmation: Love is truth- Love must never incite anger- this is the test of Love.

                                                     If anger arises, it is not Love.

 

Realization: To fertilize the seed of a lie with grains of truth is to abandon wisdom.

 

 

 Quote: "People always seem to band together in accordance to a principle that has nothing to do with love, a principle that releases them from personal responsibility."  James Baldwin

Affirmation: I honor that within you which is the same in me. Namaste

Realization: We as a nation are taking every opportunity to screw this whole thing up.

Let me be clear and state it for all to hear: I abhor all violence. This includes the destruction of property, both private and public, by anyone. Monuments should be removed by plan not by mob. 

 

That said I would not be honest if I did not say I understand with a high degree of certainty why it takes place. And it all truly makes me sad that we let the goons among us influence our protests of power. Turning them into deadly riots accomplishes nothing and leaves us worse off than ever.

 

The US is in trouble. It is long past time to stop condoning reckless hate and ignorance. Stop stoking the flames with baseless claims and accusations.

Breath - A 30 Day Yoga Journey w/ Adriene

 

As I began yoga practice this morning, I was in a dark place having just watched the news with my coffee. Thanks to Adriene though, the clouds parted and my abject anger dissipated. My mind cleared and a series of thoughts occurred.

 

What if Tom Brady and the New England Patriots refused to accept the final score of a Super Bowl they lost based upon no credible evidence what so ever? What would you think of him…of them? What would happen if prior to the big game he insisted they would win, and if they didn't it would be because the other side cheated? How would this reflect on the game if he complained about the officials, or instant replay or home field advantage even though they play at a neutral site? What would people think of him if he said that the half-time show was too long? Or too short? What would you think if he constantly kept on repeating the same thing to anyone who would listen? That they really had won. That the score meant nothing. And what if the losing team stormed the post-game ceremony and took the championship trophy by force?

 

The analogy is not meant to insult anyone, especially Tom Brady or the Patriots. Yet there are those who would believe that the rules of our recent election were somehow changed to favor one side over the other. They claim mail in voting tipped the scales unfairly. What they don’t want to hear are facts. Facts like North Carolina set a record for mail in ballots. And in case you don’t know or care, the fact is Trump won that state. Well before the election, the former reality TV host groomed his followers with the message that if he lost it would be because the election was rigged. And now those are the folks who are convinced and will hear nothing else.

 

I understand people are frustrated over things of which they have no control. No one can control time. The United States, the world, is moving forward. It will never go back. But back to what? I just don’t understand what people are thinking we might go back to, but I digress.

 

Being malcontent is a result of dissatisfaction, but anger and violence are choices. Everyone has a right to his or her own opinions, but not their own facts. We have heard that before. But the armchair quarterbacks, in this case armchair politicians, offer no realistic solutions to the very real problem of delusion and disillusionment by so many people who will not rationally and logically consider what they are doing for themselves will harm their fellow citizens. And if the answer to the proposition is, they don’t care about anybody that disagrees with them, then what can be done about that? It seems they want to found their own nation and exterminate all opposition.

 

Storming the Capitol may have made for tense reality television, but at what cost. One death would have been too many and the toll now stands at five. You say they are fighting for Freedom. Who’s Freedom?

 

If they truly want to help then they should become election observers or volunteer with their local board of elections. Run for office. Enter the debate with peace and good will. Not with banners, slogans and flags like an angry mob seeking to usurp the entire best chance the world has ever had at the evolution of our species both socially and politically.

 

January 7, 2021

 

Affirmation: I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. And to the Republic for which it stands, One Nation, (Under God) Indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for All.

 

Quote: “I will not say do not weep. For not all tears are evil.” JRR Tolkien

 

Realization: My tears of sorrow for what has become of the USA will become tears of joy once DJT is no longer the leader of the “Free World.”

 

The time for tolerance is over. I believe in leading by example. Exercising and demonstrating tolerance of people different from me, with whom I disagree, is an advanced form of being and an effective method for avoiding violence. Listening to opposing points of view and debating issues, calmly and carefully examining facts helps reach solutions to the vast and very real problems facing us. Peaceful compromise is the very foundation of civilization.

 

After the disgusting display of toxic humanity witnessed by the events of January 6th, the very lowest point in our nation’s history, I can no longer tolerate anyone who supports or believes Donald Trump.

 

For four years, I have tried to give you all the benefit of the doubt. For four years, I have suffered your relentless assault on reality. Now in desperation some resort to violence and chaos. Because you lost? Tell me, why is Donald Trump so certain the election was stolen from him? Is it because he knows how to steal an election? And get away with it? Is that what really happened in 2016? Or were the questions asked and a commission formed to find out the truth? Did he not remain in the most powerful office in the world because there was insufficient evidence to prove he had anything to do with anything illegal? And now, he can’t divulge the truth of how elections might be stolen without implicating himself? How is that for a conspiracy theory?

 

I don’t believe this election was stolen. I do believe the simple fact is he can’t accept defeat.

 

He is a…the word sore is too nice…A LOSER!

 

His malcontent with his own existence and how the world is not in the "order" he wishes it to be is not the basis for a political movement. It is the basis for a cult. It is seditious and anyone who storms a government building with no good reason other than that they "don't like the way things are going," is a traitor to the ideals of justice and freedom. They have been deluded and misled into becoming agents for foreign governments who seek to over-throw democracy itself. They and their right to dissent without just cause, their devolution into violent and lawless attackers, expose them for what you really are. People incapable of reason whose only resort is strong arm tactics, mob rule, and war for selfish benefit and profit.

 

You believe the election was stolen yet you lack proof? I believe the ghosts of Patrick Henry, Nathan Hale, and George Washington are spitting in your faces. Not to worry, Benedict Arnold is coming to wipe it off with the filthy white rag of surrender. You have surrendered your rights as citizens and leaders to a person who never served anyone or anything of true and moral value.

 

You are not patriots. If you cannot look inside yourself to reflect upon the brink to which this creature who will be forever known as the 45th President of the United States, has brought this country by continuing to delude and lie, if you think he is right, please UNFRIEND ME HERE AND NOW. I can no longer tolerate war mongers.

Quote, Affirmation, Realization

I am taking a cue from James Clear, author of Atomic Habits, who posts a weekly news letter designed to motivate and challenge. Everyday I am committed to finding a meaningful quote, a positive self affirmation and a realization which will inform me on my journey of self-expression.

 

Quote: "If you know whence you came, there is really no limit to where you can go." 

 The Fire Next Time James Baldwin

Affirmation:  I create stillness in my day. A moment of quiet before and after every task.

Realization: I am a white American male in a multi-cultural world in favor of anti-racist policy.

 

  Atomic Habits by James Clear