THE CLASSROOM. SENATOR AL FRANKEN- DESTROYING MEDICARE.

David, What’s still ringing, you ask? I’m talking about the giant ringing alarm bells I mentioned in a recent email. I rang those bells because the GOP is angling to end Medicare as we know it. It’s a big deal, and we need to act fast. Oh, you didn’t hear the giant ringing alarm bells? Well, allow me to ring them for you again -- the GOP is planning to end Medicare as we know it, and we need to organize to stop them.  Donald Trump and Republicans in Washington have shown a remarkable capacity to push their preferred storylines in place of, you know, facts. That means we can’t get distracted by the latest scandal coming out of Trump Tower. Not because the latest scandal isn’t important (or a different degree of terrifying) but because saving Medicare definitely is and right now, we’re organizing a defense. The GOP would very much like us to focus on something else while they’re dismantling one of the most successful public health programs in American history. We are not going to let them do it.  ...tell the GOP that you’re ready for this fight. Thanks, Al

ETHICS AND MORALITY. PERSONAL ETHICS VS INSTITUTIONAL ETHICS, OR FINDING GOD VS FORCING GOD. PT 7.

I Believe that the CONCEPT of PERSONAL RELIGIOUS FREEDOM BEING MISINTERPRETED, MISUNDERSTOOD, OR MISUSED, IS ONE OF THE MOST PERVASIVE AND HARMFUL ATTITUDES THAT INHIBITS SOCIAL AND POLITICAL PROGRESS IN THE U.S.

It is Fascinating, and at the same time Disturbing, to Hear Individuals relate how Their Religious Convictions are being ignored by Politicians and Lawmakers.  How?

BY OTHER AMERICANS BEING ALLOWED TO ENGAGE, PARTICIPATE AND ENTER INTO CONTRACTS, ACTIVITIES AND BEHAVIORS, WITHOUT ANY SANCTIONS FROM THE LEGAL SYSTEM...

...THAT ARE CONTRARY TO THE INDIVIDUALS CODE OF MORALITY, WHICH IS OFTEN DERIVED FROM RELIGIOUS FAITH AND DOCTRINE.

I Often wonder how They Define Religious Freedom, if it is done at all.  In Most Cases, it seems that the PASSAGES IN THE U.S. CONSTITUTION ARE IGNORED, IN FAVOR OF SOME KIND OF TRADITIONAL INTERPRETATION OF AMERICAN HISTORY.  THIS IS COMPLETELY SUBJECTIVE IN NATURE, AND IGNORES LEGAL PRECEDENT, THE FOUNDING FATHERS INTENT WHEN DRAFTING THE CONSTITUTION, AND HOW THE BILL OF RIGHTS NOW PROTECTS ALL CLASSES OF AMERICANS.  

Women, Children, Racial Minorities, Certain Religious Faiths, The Disabled,and Political Dissidents etc., are EXAMPLES OF GROUPS THAT AT ONE TIME WERE NOT GIVEN EQUAL PROTECTION UNDER THE LAW.  However, the U.S. CONSTITUTION WAS DESIGNED TO EVOLVE, AND IN THIS WAY CORRECT ANY INJUSTICES IN THE SYSTEM THAT WERE TO BECOME KNOWN AS TIME WENT ON.

THE MYSTERIOUS WORLD. HOW DO YOU KNOW WHAT TO BELIEVE? #5.

It is VERY IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER THE FOLLOWING:

THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD COULD NOT EXIST AS A VALID, TESTABLE, 

AND RELIABLE PROCESS, WITHOUT THE RULES OF LOGIC BEING ITS

BASIC FOUNDATION. IF CERTAIN CONCEPTS SUCH AS DEDUCTIVE AND 

INDUCTIVE REASONING WERE NOT SET IN PLACE, AND USED IN A 

MANNER THAT WAS BOTH APPROPRIATE AND UNDERSTANDABLE, THE

SCIENTIFIC METHOD COULD NOT EXIST IN THE FORM WE USE IT TODAY.

The Things we take for granted Today, Advancements that make Life EASIER, SAFER, AND LONGER ARE THE RESULT OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF PRINCIPLES THAT ALLOW US TO REMOVE MUCH, IF NOT ALL, OF THE "GUESS WORK" THAT USE TO BE THE LARGEST PART OF TRYING TO UNDERSTAND, PREDICT, AND IF POSSIBLE, CONTROL THE WORLD AROUND US.

How many Times have you heard the Following:

-  TRIAL AND ERROR.-  OR, CREATE A HYPOTHESIS THAT SEEMS TO BE INDICATED BY THE EVIDENCE GIVEN. BREAK IT DOWN, MAKE SURE YOUR PREMISES ARE SOUND, AND SUPPORT THE CONCLUSION. DOES IT WORK? DOES IT WITHSTAND SCRUTINY? IF NOT, TRY AGAIN.

-  FOLLOW THE EVIDENCE.-  IF IT TAKES YOU IN ONE DIRECTION, FOLLOW

IT.  MAYBE IT'S NOT THE WAY YOU EXPECT, OR EVEN WANT, BUT TRUTH 

DOES NOT DEPEND ON YOUR FEELINGS, OR EGO. 

-  HASTE MAKES WASTE.-  CONSIDER ALL THE EVIDENCE, NOT JUST THE PORTION THAT SUPPORTS A PRE- CONCEIVED CONCLUSION.  ANALYZE ALL THE PREMISES, DISCARD WHAT DOESN'T FIT, THAN REEVALUATE. 

-  PATIENCE IS A VIRTUE.-  IF YOUR GOAL IS TRUTH AND ACCURACY, SLOW AND STEADY MAY WIN THE RACE.                                                     

While you may have never associated these Phrases with SCIENCE AND EDUCATION, THEY CAN BE USED TO REPRESENT DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD.  HOWEVER, THE REASON THAT THEY MAKE SO MUCH SENSE TO US IN PRACTICAL TERMS, IS THAT THEY FORCE US TO UNDERSTAND AND OBEY THE RULES OF LOGIC...             

LOGIC. IT'S NOT JUST FOR VULCANS, AND VIEWERS OF "THE BIG BANG THEORY." #6. SHELDON AND HIS MOTHER- POST HOC, ERGO PROPTOR HOC, AND THE FALLACY OF TRUTH BY ASSOCIATION. PT 2.

This is an excellent example to put the spotlight on a common misconception; Logic, Science, The Scientific Method etc., is ANTI- RELIGION.  Further, that it promotes ATHEISM, and denies existence of a SPIRIT WORLD, and the SUPERNATURAL.  

This ties into another example of FALLACY OF TRUTH BY ASSOCIATION.

In the scene, listen carefully to what Sheldon says.  He never asserts that praying for his safety was in any way ineffective or, that to do so could have no affect on the outcome of the trip.

He just pointed out, quite correctly, that his Mother reached a conclusion that was Logically Invalid.  However, many people of faith equate this criticism with ATHEISTIC IDEOLOGY.  Yet, just because an Atheist would agree with Sheldons assessment, it does not follow that ONLY ATHEISTS would reach the same conclusion.

This is an example of  Fallacy Of Truth By Association;  ANY CONCLUSION REACHED BY AN INDIVIDUAL, THAT IS ALSO SHARED BY MEMBERS OF A CERTAIN GROUP, INDICATES THAT THE INDIVIDUAL MUST BE PART OF THAT GROUP.

Consider the following scenarios;  In the first example we will imagine a conversation that includes Sheldon as an Atheist, in the second he will indicate no specific religious beliefs.

Dialogue from the episode: "THE ELECTRIC CAN OPENER FLUCTUATION."                                               

"No mother, I could not feel your church group praying for my safety.  The fact that I'm home safe does not prove that it worked, that logic is Post Hoc, Ergo Propter Hoc."

 #1                                                                        #2

                                                                                 

SHELDON THE ATHEIST.                                   SHELDON THE UNCOMMITTED.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     

"MOM, HOW COULD PRAYING                       "WELL MOM, I APPRECIATE THE EFFORT.

HELP ME IN ANY WAY? IT                               HOWEVER, SINCE IT IS AN EXPRESSION

ASSUMES THE EXISTENCE                            OF FAITH, THERE IS NO WAY TO KNOW IF

OF A SUPREME BEING THAT                          IT HAD ANY AFFECT."

CAN CONTROL THE FORCES

OF NATURE."

TO BE CONTINUED...