FEATURE ARTICLES. THE SOCIOPATH- A DANGER ALL AROUND US. PT 20.

So, what are some other Clues that Could INDICATE you are dealing with a SOCIOPATH.

To Manipulate Others, and create Situations That can be Exploited for Their Own Benefit, Sociopaths are Natural Liars and Gossips who will Direct Their Venom at just about Anyone, be it Family, Friend, Co-Worker or Acquaintance.  You may Notice a Complete Lack of Loyalty to Any Person or Institution.

The Sociopath, by Their Nature, Cares About Nothing but Fulfilling the Personal Needs and Desires that are Found in Their own Mind.  Sometimes it might mean helping others, sometimes not. The Difference is how the Outcome will Benefit Them.  Together, with the Lack Empathy for how people may be affected by Their Decisions, the Sociopath may seem to Love and Understand Another Individual One Minute, then Hate and Ignore Them the Next.  This Type of Behavior Often Confuses those around Them, who do not Understand the Sociopaths True Motivations.

Along with this Lack of Loyalty to Anyone else, the Sociopath is Always seeking Allies to Support Their Own Agenda.  To this End, The Sociopath is Quite Able to Switch Opinions about What They Think of Others at a Moments Notice. In Other Words, they may Praise the Qualities and Virtues of an Individual One Day, THEN TEAR THEM APART THE NEXT.  What has changed?  It is Whichever Set of Opinions Suits Their Purposes Best.

This Leads us to a Common Misunderstanding about the Behavior of the Sociopath.  Many People Expect to Find an AMORAL BULLY when a Sociopath is Finally Exposed, who ran Roughshod over anyone in Their Way.  While that COULD BE TRUE TO SOME EXTENT, IT IS NOT NECESSARILY TRUE IN SOME OR ALL SITUATIONS.  The BULLY OFTEN LACKS THE DISCIPLINE TO PROPERLY DEAL WITH OTHERS IN ACHIEVING PERSONAL GOALS. INTIMIDATION IS THEIR TOOL TO CONTROL OTHERS, BUT IT IS SELDOM HARD TO SPOT, AND OFTEN LEADS TO THE BULLIES  DOWNFALL.

THIS IS NOT TRUE WHEN WE EXAMINE THE MINDSET OF THE SOCIOPATH.  See the next post on this subject.

HOMEOPATHY- MEDICAL ADVICE FROM THE IRRATIONAL. PT 1.

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With Affordable Health Care now becoming available to every American, there is one industry that is facing the loss of tens of millions of dollars.  Because adequate medical treatment will be a positive improvement on the lives of millions, the desire to seek out "Alternative" treatments from dubious or even bogus sources will be dramatically decreased.  Perhaps, this will mean the end of one of the greatest medical travesties in history- HOMEOPATHY. 

This is not a case of a fringe theory with results that are hotly debated by the Medical community.  How anyone with a minimal ability to reason and understand the choices that affect their lives would want to follow this lifestyle is astonishing. Homeopathy lacks, in every way, the bare minimum to be called a valid choice when dealing with medical conditions in human beings.

Homeopathy, as it is practiced today, is still basically the same as it was two hundred years ago.  The basic theory is that all disease is not caused by outside sources, but from imbalances within the body itself.  To check these imbalances, one must take a diluted mixture of the poison harming the body.

In the beginning these "dilutions" were small, but enough toxins were present in the "remedy" to cause harm to the individual.  To solve this problem, Homeopathic Practitioners came up with an unusual solution.  The answer was to dilute the substance many times over, even to the point where there is no molecular identity of the "Active Ingredient" within the "Remedy".  To put it another way, the so called treatment has no trace of the substance that is supposed to heal the body. 

THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT. A "GOOD" FOR ALL OF US.

Creating a National Health Care Plan that Benefits all Americans, by Making Medical Insurance Affordable and Accessible, is a MORAL DECISION THAT HAS BEEN MADE BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. IT IS THE IMPLEMENTATION OF A PROGRAM THAT IS DESIGNED TO:

MAKE HEALTH INSURANCE AFFORDABLE FOR ALL AMERICANS. THIS IS DONE BY PROVIDING SUBSIDIES THAT ALLEVIATE THE FINANCIAL HARDSHIP OFTEN ASSOCIATED WITH OBTAINING DECENT/MINIMAL COVERAGE.

IT IS THE JUDGMENT THAT GOVERNMENT HAS A RESPONSIBILITY TO THE CITIZENS OF THE U.S., TO AID THEM IN GETTING BASIC MEDICAL COVERAGE.  To Some it will be an Immediate Benefit, to Others a Safety Net Against Loss of Employment and a Reduction in Financial Status.  Many Americans may Never Need to Use it, but it REMAINS A SAFEGUARD TO PROTECT THE HEALTH AND WELL- BEING OF ALL.

BASICALLY IT IS A MORAL "GOOD" THAT TRANSCENDS THE ECONOMIC POSITIVES OR NEGATIVES THAT MAY ISSUE FROM THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THIS PLAN.  ALLOWING THIS LAW TO BECOME  AN ISSUE THAT WOULD BE LEFT TO THE WHIMS OF THE MAJORITY,  DEFEATS THE REASONING THAT LED TO ITS' CREATION.  IT DOES NOT CEASE BEING A "GOOD" or "ETHICALLY" DESIRABLE PROGRAM JUST BECAUSE NEW FACES INHABIT THE HALLS OF CONGRESS, OR THAT THE WHITE HOUSE HAS A NEW RESIDENT EVERY 4-8 YEARS.

Of course there are Economic Considerations that must be addressed, but these can be considered, and adjustments made, without scrapping the entire program. We do not shut down other Government Programs because they are imperfect or flawed, we look for new ways to make them better and more efficient. The NEEDS THAT LED TO THEIR CREATION ARE STILL THERE, AND ENDING THEM ONLY BREEDS ANIMOSITY AND FEAR.

Given Time, there are PRACTICAL CONSIDERATIONS THAT CAN LEAD TO ECONOMIC BENEFITS FOR THE NATIONAL ECONOMY, THAT WILL BE A PRODUCT OF THIS NEW LAW. However, that is AN ANALYSIS THAT CANNOT BE DONE AT THE INITIAL STAGES OF IMPLEMENTING THE SYSTEM.

FOR NOW, IT IS SIMPLY THE "RIGHT" THING TO DO.

WORTHWHILE OR WORTHLESS- A CONSUMER GUIDE TO AVOIDING SCAMS AND SCOUNDRELS. GOING ON A DIET? YOU CAN LOSE MORE THAN JUST WEIGHT. PART 1.

No doubt, most all of us have worried about those extra pounds that add unwanted dimensions to our bodies. This seems especially true the older we get.  However, to often people are unwilling to put in the Time, Effort or Discipline it takes to trim down, and add muscle to replace fat.  That is a dilemma the Con- Man has been willing to exploit for generations.  As has happened throughout the years, a new group of aging adults is falling for the same type of Hocus- Pocus their Parents and Grandparents fell for. 

Unfortunately, sometimes we see things as they could be, and ignore what they actually are.

First lets look at some common Terminology you may encounter.

Dietitian vs Nutritionist-  A Dietitian is a Licensed, Board Certified and Formally Educated Individual Legally recognized as an expert in their field.  A Nutritionist is required to have no specific education or training.  This does not mean that a Nutritionist is completely unqualified to advise you, just be diligent and check Background and Accreditation.

Cleansing Diets -  You can dress it up any way you want, but these diets are just another form of FASTING. Eliminating or Drastically cutting back the intake of Foods, and replacing them with Water, Special "Drinks", Pills etc are Decades old Lures that differ only in the Names of the Products and Diet Plans being offered for sale.

Naturopathy-  Lies in the category of Alternative Medicine. It is not based on evidence that passes scrutiny using the Scientific Method, and seems to rely only on Faith and Belief.  Any assertions made by those practicing Naturopathy have no basis in reality, because they have not been accurately tested and studied under proper clinical conditions.

"All Natural" or "Organic"-  If you find a claim that is emphasizing either of these two terms as a reason for success, don't buy in.  They are Buzzwords that have nothing to do with weight loss, and are used for Marketing purposes.

Look for PT 2.

LOGIC. WHAT ARE DEDUCTIVE AND INDUCTIVE ARGUMENTS? PART 5.

IF WE TAKE THE FOLLOWING EXAMPLE:

"TO BE A CHRISTIAN, ONE MUST ACCEPT THE DIVINE NATURE OF JESUS OF NAZARETH AS BEING THE SON OF GOD." 

AS A PROPER DEFINITION FOR BEING A CHRISTIAN, WE MUST ASK THE FOLLOWING:

WHY DOES SUCH A DEFINITION AUTOMATICALLY PLACE THOSE WHO ACCEPT IT AS TRUE, INTO AN ADDITIONAL CATEGORY OF BEING "ANTI-SCIENCE?"

THE ANSWER USUALLY REVOLVES AROUND THE FOLLOWING LINE OF REASONING...

                                (REPRINTED FROM PART 4.)

... That to Accept the Divine Nature of Jesus, Means you have to BELIEVE IN THE "MIRACLES" HE PERFORMED, AS ACTUAL EVENTS.  HOWEVER, THESE VIOLATED "NATURAL LAW", SO TO ACCEPT THE TRUTH OF THESE EPISODES RELATED IN THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE IS TO REJECT SCIENCE AND THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD.

The Problem with this Line of Reasoning, is the MIXING OF TWO DIFFERENT TYPES OF THINKING, OR BELIEFS, WHICH ARE NOT COMPARABLE OR COMPATIBLE. 

FAITH BASED  -  IS AN ACCEPTANCE OF A "SUPERNATURAL REALM", THAT EXISTS APART FROM THE NATURAL WORLD AND THE PHYSICAL UNIVERSE, AND IS NOT SUBJECT TO ITS LAWS, BUT MAY ENTER IT AT TIMES.

SCIENCE BASED  -  EXAMINES/STUDIES, THEORIZES AND ATTEMPTS TO UNDERSTAND THE UNIVERSE AND NATURAL LAW.  ANY ASSERTIONS OR CONCLUSIONS ABOUT EVENTS, PROCESSES, AND OBSERVABLE PHENOMENA THAT OCCUR WITHIN THE BOUNDARIES OF THE PHYSICAL UNIVERSE, ARE SUBJECT TO THE RULES OF LOGIC AND THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD, WHICH ARE CONSIDERED THE BEST WAYS TO PROPERLY EVALUATE THE REALITY AND TRUTH ABOUT ANYTHING THAT EXISTS AND INTERACTS WITH OTHER PARTS OF THE NATURAL WORLD.

HOWEVER, SYSTEMS OF FAITH DO NOT WORK THIS WAY.  IF YOU BELIEVE THAT GOD, OR ANY OTHER FORM OF SUPERNATURAL ENTITY EXISTS APART FROM THE PHYSICAL UNIVERSE, BUT CAN ENTER IT AND DETERMINE OR INFLUENCE ANY PART OF IT WITHOUT BEING SUBJECT TO ITS LAWS, MECHANISMS, OR RESTRICTIONS YOU ARE LEFT WITH THE FOLLOWING...

TO BE CONTINUED IN THE NEXT POST ON THIS SUBJECT.

QUICK HITTERS. FOR THE PEOPLE...?

As the UNITED STATES Endures the Horror and Tragedy of another Multiple Victim Shooting Incident, Involving Individual(s) who had access to Assault Weapons, will it finally motivate Republicans into adopting stricter gun control laws? Probably not. Let's face it, if the slaughter of small children at SANDY HOOK COULDN'T MOVE THEM INTO ACTION, WHY DO YOU THINK THE MASSACRE OF HELPLESS INDIVIDUALS IN LAS VEGAS WOULD LEAD TO CHANGE?

In the past, the NRA AND THEIR CRONIES* IN GOVERNMENT HAVE REFUSED TO ENACT LAWS MANDATING BACKGROUND CHECKS, WHICH WOULD INCLUDE CRIMINAL AND MENTAL HEALTH GUIDELINES. In addition, RESTRICTING ASSAULT WEAPONS TO THE MILITARY AND POLICE FORCES,(Who actually REQUIRE BACKGROUND CHECKS BEFORE YOU ARE HANDED A FIREARM, LET ALONE ONE THAT CAN CAUSE DOZENS OF CASUALTIES IN A FEW MINUTES), SEEMS TO BE A CONCEPT THEY HAVE TROUBLE GRASPING.

(* By Cronies I am referring mainly to Republicans)

Knowing what we do about INVALIDLY ELECTED PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP AND HIS ADMINISTRATION, CAN WE EXPECT LOGIC AND REASON TO FINALLY MOTIVATE THOSE WHO OPPOSE ANY FORM OF GUN CONTROL TO CHANGE?  

I have already written about the CONSTITUTIONAL ISSUES, and will do so again in the future. However, LOGIC AND REASON IS NOT THEIR STRONG SUIT, SO REPUBLICANS USE DIFFERENT MESSAGES TO IGNORE, AVOID, AND CONFUSE THOSE WHO SEEK TO UNDERSTAND THE MOTIVATIONS FOR DOING NOTHING.

Before I answer that, consider the following, WHICH SHOULD REMIND YOU OF THE MENTALITY, WORLD VIEW, AND PRIORITIES OF THE NATIONAL REPUBLICAN PARTY. 

PROGRESSIVE DEMOCRATS                                      REPUBLICANS.

            SUPPORT.

                                                                                        

                                                                                         

-  UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE.                                         OPPOSE ALL

-  RAISING THE MINIMUM WAGE.                                           OF

-  LEGALIZING SAME- SEX MARRIAGE.                              THESE.

-  RESTRICTIONS AND DISCLOSURE LAWS,                       

   ON CONTROLLING  CAMPAIGN SPENDING.

-  PROVIDING SANCTUARY FOR WAR REFUGEES 

   FROM SYRIA.

-  STRICT OVERSITE OF FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS.

...AND, OF COURSE, COMPREHENSIVE GUN CONTROL

   LAWS.

                                                   FOR THE PEOPLE...?

Now, add Donald Trump to the mix.  WHAT DO YOU THINK IS GOING TO HAPPEN?  HOW DOES THE OPPOSITION INTIMIDATE A "PRESIDENT" WHO ATTAINED OFFICE THROUGH A SHAM ELECTION, THAT THEY DIDN'T CONTEST?

WHAT A SHAME- A look at the low points in the modern media. AN INTRODUCTION TO THE U.S. CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM- WHAT THEY DON'T TELL YOU ON T.V. PT 2.

Anyone who has spent any amount of time in Court, be it Civil or Criminal, can say one thing with certainty;  The Majority of time a Courtroom in session is a boring and tedious venue, that most people outside the practice of law would find hard to comprehend.

Naturally, this does not translate well for attracting viewers to programs offered on Network or Cable Television, that focus on Trials currently being adjudicated.  The Answer?  Bring in Personable Hosts that "Mediate" debates conducted with "Special Guests" brought in to lend their expertise about the proceedings being broadcast over the air.  Since a Courtroom in session spends a great deal of time upon matters of proper procedure, which involves only the Attorneys and Presiding Judge, these interactions between Host and Guests must engage the viewer enough to prevent them from changing the Channel.

So, what do they choose to discuss, this panel of experts?  Many times it is the Conduct and Manner of the Counsel representing both sides.  Since most these shows focus on Criminal proceedings, it leads us to the next point;

- THE U.S. CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM IS ADVOCACY BASED, OR, "MAY THE BEST LAWYER WIN."  TRUTH, JUSTICE AND EXPEDIENCY ARE PREFERRED, BUT NOT NECESSARY.

When you listen to the commentary from the Host and Guests, you may notice that the criticisms seem to be less about the Law, and more about such things as Physical Appearance, Courtroom Behavior and the Ability to capture and hold the attention of the Judge, Jury and the attending Media.

This mirrors a concept that many Americans refuse to accept or acknowledge; ENTERTAINMENT OFTEN TRUMPS INTELLECT. 

Look for PT 3.