My stance on violence is … complicated. Starting with a conversation I had decades ago with a friend. Him – “I’m a pacifist. I’m just not non-violent” Me – laughing. Him -“I’m serious. I honestly believe violence doesn’t solve anything. But sometimes you have to use it.” Technically speaking he’s right. Violence doesn’t ‘solve’ problems. … [Read more…]
If we divide types of groups into individualistic, socio-centric and divine we get three different ways to organize things. Individualistic is the group exists to serve the needs of the individual. The needs of the group come second to the rights of the individual. Very Humanistic this philosophy and it works when basic needs are … [Read more…]
Over the last few years I have been telling people that I was tracking the rise in “Right Wing Extremism.” Now much of it was just tough talk, but there was enough to make me seriously concerned — especially when it was looking as if Hillary was going to win. These guys were gearing … [Read more…]
Something I am working on is explaining the human ‘wiring’ to be tribal and how modern society has pushed us out of our comfort zone when it comes to the ‘size’ of our tribe. This is a simple concept with MASSIVE implications. Starting with that we ‘owe’ obligations/sharing/support/concern to those INSIDE our tribe. The rules … [Read more…]
I often tell people I weathered the LA Riots — and most of them have no clue what that means. Nor do they understand why I fear mob uprisings (especially thick are those who are pushing for such uprisings). You really do want cops keeping a lid on things and you really don’t want to … [Read more…]
Congratulations, you smeared distinctions to create a bigger political block, raising an inclusive banner to seem to present a unified whole for your cause. Good idea right? After all, your PR to create and identify a large, unified group to the outside world worked. Except now everyone else can’t tell the difference between you and … [Read more…]
I was not happy when I found out that there had been a 3 hour delay when the shooting started at Pulse Night Club in Orlando and SWAT storming the building — especially in light of the 911 call that started caroling, ‘ISL Daesh is coming to town”) (New info, it now appears that the … [Read more…]
I want everyone reading this to hold up their hand. Repeatedly curl your index finger. If you can do this, you have the physical ability to end a human life. That completely removes any contention of what you ‘can’t do.’ Everything from that point on boils down to what you are comfortable in doing and … [Read more…]
I’m wrestling with a ‘pyramid of denial’ in regard to the “Stop kicking the Dog” note I published. (Although it’s been suggested that I call this MacYoung’s Hierarchy of Screeds.) As I’ve been tracking the shares and comments and the comments on the original I’m seeing a strong attitude “Well, I’m not kicking those ignorant … [Read more…]
I’m writing this during the 2016 election campaign. However, it’s a concept that has been a long time coming and — quite frankly — the potential for violence scares the hell out of me. Stop and let that sink in for a moment … violence professional … expert on the subject of violence… scared of … [Read more…]