FEATURE ARTICLES. THE SOCIOPATH- WHAT LIES BENEATH...

Unfortunately, there is currently no possible way to determine what creates a Sociopath.  While there are certain things that seem to be present in many cases of identified Sociopaths, there are no universal factors that occur in all. We are unable to point at an individuals Physical Appearance or Heredity and conclude they are or will become Sociopathic.  Further, while many Sociopaths grow up in dysfunctional homes, not all of them do.  In fact, siblings who are exposed to the same lack of a stable Nuclear Family will often become well-adjusted adults who are able to overcome early negative influences.

While it is said that a high percentage of our convicted felons are Sociopathic, it does not mean that most Sociopaths have a criminal record. The most telling attribute that seems to differentiate the convicted Sociopath from one who manages to avoid prosecution, is the ability to maintain a guise of normalcy when interacting with other members of society.  This is usually done by observing early in life, within the family, what behavior is expected of them.  While some Sociopaths silently mock such concepts, they learn to get what they want by pretending to go along with the majority.  This is fined tuned as they mature and grow older and the ability to expand their web of deceit grows to include all facets of their life.

The real difference between the Sociopath who is caught and exposed to all of society, and one who may stay unidentified for their entire life, seems to be self-control and functionality within society.  In other words, the capacity to use others for selfish purposes, and never being caught or punished.

( See PT.7 in a future posting.)

FEATURE ARTICLES. IGNORING THE TRUTH ABOUT TERRORISM. A KEY TO GETTING ELECTED? PT 1.

Why is it that Many Politicians continue to make Unreasonable and Irrational 

Judgments about dealing with TERRORIST ACTIVITIES, WHICH OFTEN SEEM

TO FLY IN THE FACE OF COMMON SENSE, AND CAN ACTUALLY MAKE THE 

SITUATION A LOT WORSE THAN IT IS?

Yes, I Know many Candidates running for Elected Office Count on Acquiring the 

BACKING AND SUPPORT OF THOSE WHO DO NOT BELIEVE IN RELIGIOUS FREEDOM AND SOCIAL OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL.  SUCH INDIVIDUALS AND GROUPS LOOK FOR ANY EXCUSE TO PERSECUTE THOSE WHO DO NOT SHARE THEIR WORLD VIEW.  IT IS AN EXAMPLE ALL TO OFTEN REPEATED IN U.S. HISTORY, AND LUCKILY FOR ALL AMERICANS, THEY USUALLY GO DOWN TO DEFEAT.

Unfortunately, this can take years, or even Decades, and the HARM CAUSED WHILE THE ISSUE IS STILL UNDECIDED CAN DESTROY AND RUIN THE LIVES OF THE INNOCENT, WHILE PROTECTING THE RACIST, MISOGYNIST,RELIGIOUS BIGOT, HOMOPHOBE. etc.

So how is this becoming a LARGE PART OF THE UPCOMING ELECTION IN THE U.S.?  IT IS BECAUSE THOSE WHO PREACH INTOLERANCE AND HATE ARE HIDING THEIR VIEWS BEHIND REAL ISSUES,AND MASKING THEIR TRUE BELIEFS BEHIND THE STANDS THEY TAKE, OR THE OPINIONS THEY HAVE REGARDING ANY GROUP THAT DOESN'T LIVE UP TO THEIR CHOSEN "STANDARDS."

FOR EXAMPLE, LET US TAKE THE EXAMPLE OF TERRORISM, AND SEE WHERE IT LEADS US.

#1-  THE IDEA THAT FIGHTING TERRORISM IS AN ISSUE OF LOCATING PARTICULAR "ENEMIES" WHO ESPOUSE CERTAIN BELIEF AND GOALS, AND DESTROYING THEM.

The Problem is Defining Terrorism as a Specific Characteristic of a Particular Political Ideology, Religion or Sect., Ethnic Population etc. IT IS NOT.

TERRORISM, IS A TOOL TO ADVANCE A SPECIFIC SET OF GOALS, OR A PARTICULAR AGENDA, THAT CAN BE FOUND IN JUST ABOUT ANY TYPE OF ORGANIZATION. 

THROUGHOUT WORLD HISTORY, POLITICAL AND RELIGIOUS GROUPS , COUNTRIES AND NATIONS, LABOR AND MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATIONS, AMONG OTHERS, HAVE ENGAGED IN TERRORISM TO GAIN VICTORY OR ADVANCE SPECIFIC POLICIES.

IT IS A BELIEF THAT "THE ENDS JUSTIFY THE MEANS."

Look for Part 2.

Date-  1/10/2016.

FEATURE ARTICLES. THE POLITICS OF PREJUDICE. PT 3.

Perhaps the Most Effective Use of this Strategy, by INDIVIDUALS OR GROUPS WITH A SPECIFIC AGENDA, WHO CARE LITTLE ABOUT HOW IT IS ACHIEVED, IS TO TARGET MEMBERS OF SOCIETY WHO HARBOR PREJUDICIAL ATTITUDES, BUT CANNOT FIND A COHERENT REASON TO CONVINCE OTHERS THAT THESE BELIEFS SHOULD BE LEGISLATED INTO LAW.  IT IS THE:

              

                                                   JUSTIFIABLE EXCUSE DEFENSE.

                                                                (FROM PART 1.)

It is Repeated Throughout History.  How Many Times Has A Government, Resident Population, or the Electorate Sought to Address its Problems Not Through Reason or Critical Analysis, but by Attacking the Least Influential and Mostly Powerless Members of Society.  It is an Insidious, but often Effective Way of Gaining and Holding Power.

If we Have a Specific and Identifiable Political Movement that Lacks the Numbers or Credibility to Achieve its Immediate Political Goals, They May Turn to Manipulative Scare Tactics that Blame, Tarnish or Accuse a Specific Group of Being the Underlying Cause For...,Well just about anything.  Sometimes, the More Outlandish the Charges, the more likely the Acceptance by Different Parts of Society.

Naturally, the Success of such a Strategy is Dependent upon Gaining and Holding on to Allies.  So what do you do if this is your POLITICAL MOVEMENT, AND WANT TO ACHIEVE AND MAINTAIN POWER?

#1-  CREATE AN IMAGINARY ENEMY THROUGH DECEPTION, HALF- TRUTHS, AND THE IRRATIONAL PREJUDICES OF THOSE YOU ARE REACHING OUT TO.

You Know that the LEAST POWERFUL OR INFLUENTIAL GROUPS OFTEN LACK THE FINANCIAL ABILITY TO FIGHT A DETERMINED OPPONENT.  

Along with this is a REALIZATION THAT CERTAIN SEGMENTS OF SOCIETY ALREADY HATE THESE GROUPS, BUT VERY FEW WILL ADMIT PUBLICLY THE TRUE NATURE OF THESE FEELINGS.

So what do you do?  CREATE A CONTROVERSY, THAT ALLOWS THOSE WITH PREJUDICIAL ATTITUDES AN EXCUSE TO MAKE THEIR BELIEFS KNOWN TO THE WORLD, AND WILL JUSTIFY THEIR DESIRE TO SEE THESE HAPLESS GROUPS REMAINING AT THE BOTTOM RUNGS OF SOCIETY.

In Turn, it will be used to convince others the necessity of keeping these groups down.

LOOK FOR PART 4.

UNDERSTANDING THE JURY SYSTEM? PART 3.

What must be understood about a Jury, and convincing them as an Attorney to decide in Their Clients Favor, is NOT JUST a Lesson in Pointing Out;

-  How much better your PHYSICAL EVIDENCE is in Establishing Truth.

-  The Veracity of the Witnesses who Testify on behalf of your Client.

-  How the Opposition has Failed to provide Sufficient Evidence, along with no Compelling Testimony, to decide in Their Favor.

The Above, are on the Surface, what people are led to believe is the Proper Function of a Trial Setting.  That both sides present the Evidence, Offer Opposing Conclusions on what it means, and after Instruction by the Trial Judge, retire to decide on a Just and Fair Verdict.

Yes, all of the Above can and will probably be brought out during the Trial., but it is not just CONTENT THAT MATTERS, BUT PRESENTATION.  HOW INFORMATION IS GIVEN TO THE JURY,  CAN BE JUST AS IMPORTANT AS THE EVIDENCE ITSELF.

Now if a Courtroom/Trial setting was set up to just Determine the Most Accurate Interpretation of the Evidence, and Rendering the Most Just Decision, the Criminal Justice System in the U.S would be much different.

WHY?

1)  A JURY IS DRAWN FROM MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY, AND SITTING ONE IS NOT BASED ON ANY ABILITIES THAT POTENTIAL JURORS MAY OR MAY NOT HAVE.

2)  PICKING THE MEMBERS OF A JURY, IS SUBJECT TO PEREMPTORY CHALLENGES BY EITHER ATTORNEY.  QUITE SIMPLY, THIS MEANS DISMISSING INDIVIDUALS REGARDLESS OF THE CAPABILITIES THEY MAY HAVE IN EVALUATING THE MERITS OF EACH SIDE, AND RENDERING A FAIR AND IMPARTIAL VERDICT.

3)  WHILE POTENTIAL JURORS ARE SUPPOSE TO ANSWER ALL QUESTIONS HONESTLY, THOSE WHO HOLD HATEFUL AND IRRATIONAL PREJUDICES MAY SEE NO REASON TO LET THEM KNOWN TO THE COURT.

4)  THE EXTENT TO WHICH PUBLIC OPINION MAY WEIGH ON ANY JURORS MIND, AFFECTING THEIR JUDGMENT.  THIS INCLUDES THE PERCEPTION THAT THE COMMUNITY MAY HAVE ABOUT THE CASE, AND HOW RESIDENT JURORS MAY BE TREATED AFTER THE TRIAL.

LOOK FOR MORE ON THIS SUBJECT.