ETHICS AND MORALITY. MORAL COWARDICE- WHEN YOU SACRIFICE YOUR PRINCIPLES, SO NOT TO OFFEND. PT 1.

While writing about Political Issues through the years, there is one recurring theme I find most disturbing;

MANY AMERICANS DEMAND THAT THEIR ELECTED OFFICIALS REVEAL AND STAND BY A SET OF MORAL PRINCIPLES THAT ARE EASILY IDENTIFIABLE AND UNCHANGING, YET ARE AFRAID TO FOLLOW THIS LINE OF REASONING IN THEIR OWN LIVES.

Many individuals are deathly afraid to reveal their personal beliefs on Religion and Morality, in fear that their family or friends will ostracize them.                                                 

This has always fascinated me.  Why would any person deceive others, just to maintain a relationship built on lies?  Yes, I understand that a Human Being is essentially a Social Animal, and the need to be accepted is a fundamental desire. However, what do you sacrifice, in the name of being part of a particular social circle?

To be clear, I am not including the individual who is trying to interact with an extremist group, or others that are clearly irrational in nature.  Sexists, Homophobes, Religious Fanatics, Xenophobes etc., are examples of Mindsets based on Fear, Hate and a general loathing of Humanity.

This article is to ask why an Intelligent and Caring person would decide to mask their beliefs, which are genuine in nature, from those that mean the most to them.

Let me ask a question, to all of my readers. Think of the people you are closest to. They may be a relative, or a friend.  By close, I mean an individual that you consider a close confidant, in that their advice would be considered a prominent part of any important decision that you make.  Would you be afraid of offending them, if they found out that there were certain moral absolutes that you were not in agreement?

Look for PT 2.

Senior Resources Fair in East Providence. U.S. REPRESENTATIVE DAVID CICILLINE.

Dear David,

As the U.S. Representative for Rhode Island’s First Congressional District, I am committed to ensuring that our seniors can access the finest resources and services that are available at the local, state and federal levels.

Our incredible community of seniors deserves the best, and that’s why I hope you will join me at my East Providence Senior Resources Fair to be held:

Thursday, May 3rd5:00pm-7:00pm

East Providence Senior Center
610 Waterman Avenue
East Providence, RI 02914

Seniors, adults with disabilities, and caregivers are all invited to learn about important resources available from the Rhode Island Division of Elderly Affairs, the Social Security Administration, Rhode Island Housing, and more than forty other participating organizations.

More information is available on my Facebook page here .

You are welcome to share the flyer below and help to spread the word. 

Please feel free to reach out with any questions by emailing Rita.Murphy@mail.house.gov or calling 401-729-5600.

I hope to see you there!

Warm Regards,

David Cicilline
Member of Congress*

FACING THE TRUTH: THE COST OF HATE. PART 1.

It is time to pull away the Blinders and see the REPUBLICAN TAX PLAN FOR WHAT IT REALLY IS- A CHANCE TO BRING TOGETHER TWO SEPARATE IDEOLOGIES THAT ARE AFTER THE SAME THING: TO HAVE COMPLETE CONTROL OVER THE LIVES OF ALL AMERICANS, FINANCIALLY, ETHICALLY AND SPIRITUALLY.  IT IS THE TOTALITARIAN DREAM THAT FAVORS THE FEW, AT THE EXPENSE OF THE MANY.

Consider the following; What do we know about DONALD TRUMP THE POLITICIAN, IN TERMS OF WHERE HIS SUPPORT LIES;

1.  Those who favor BIG TAX BENEFITS FOR CORPORATE AMERICA, AND KEEPING THE COUNTRIES WEALTH IN THE HANDS OF THE FEW. NO UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE, AND FEW REGULATIONS THAT PROTECT THE CONSUMER.

2. Those who believe in the SOCIAL HIERARCHY THAT FAVORS SPECIFIC GROUPS, AND PERSECUTES OTHERS. FREEDOM OF RELIGION, SPEECH, OR ASSEMBLY etc., ARE NO LONGER RIGHTS UNIVERSALLY APPLIED TO ALL, BUT ARE GIVEN HANDED OUT AS PRIVILEGES BY THOSE WHO CARE LITTLE FOR CONSTITUTIONAL GUARANTEES.

Before you answer, think about it, carefully. When you look at those Politicians who favor TRUMPS
ECONOMIC POLICIES THE MOST, WHAT IS THE GENERAL MAKE UP OF THE 
CONSTITUENCIES THEY REPRESENT. Do they have ...

-...a Higher Standard of Living, when compared
to the rest of the Nation?

-...a Population with a High Percentage having
Medical Coverage, when compared to other States?

-...Wage Standards above the Minimum required by 
Federal Law, that are Adjusted for Inflation or
Economic Necessity?

-...a Public School System that emphasizes the disciplines of Science 
and Logic, whether or not they disagree with Religious Faith?

If we find that some States are consistently located at the lower end 
of the Spectrum, and are represented by Politicians who support
Economic Policies that do not address these problems, we must ask
the question: WHY ARE THEY ELECTED, AND REELECTED,
TIME AFTER TIME?

STAY TUNED...

FEATURE ARTICLES. WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO FOLLOW THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD? PART 1.

As the Controversy Continues over GLOBAL WARMING, THE POLITICS OF THE SUBJECT ARE PUSHING ASIDE WHAT REALLY COUNTS, LEAVING US WITH THE FOLLOWING;

ARE CONCLUSIONS BASED UPON THE PRINCIPLES OF THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD, LOGIC, AND CRITICAL THINKING COMING UNDER ATTACK BY THOSE PUSHING A POLITICAL AGENDA THAT IS ENTIRELY SELF- SERVING, AND CARES NOTHING ABOUT THE REALITY OF THE SITUATION?

This Article is not going to Address the GLOBAL WARMING Controversy Itself, but will look at THE PROCESSES BEING USED TO ARRIVE AT THE DIFFERENT CONCLUSIONS BEING OFFERED TO BEST EXPLAIN THE EVIDENCE RELEVANT TO THE SUBJECT MATTER.  IN OTHER WORDS, WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO FIND THE TRUTH ABOUT ANY NATURAL PHENOMENA, AND WHAT WILL LEAD US TO REAL ANSWERS INSTEAD OF BOGUS ASSERTIONS.

First, a Few Guidelines.

-  If one side spends most of its Time and Energy Attempting to Poke Holes in the Oppositions Theories, Evidence, and Conclusions, and Little on its Own Arguments that Support Their Position, IT MAY BE BECAUSE THEY HAVE LITTLE TO OFFER.

-  Arguing Motivations is a Meaningless Waste of Time.  The SCIENTIFIC METHOD IS NOT A VALUE BASED WAY OF LOOKING AT THE NATURAL WORLD.  LIKE THE RULES OF LOGIC AND CRITICAL THINKING,  THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD ACTS INDEPENDENTLY OF THE REASONS BEHIND THE SEARCH FOR ANSWERS.

-  What is the Source of the Evidence, Testimony, and Opinions being offered? For Example, Are they Taken From Peer Reviewed Material that has been Heavily Examined and Scrutinized for any Procedural Mistakes?

FINALLY, WHAT TYPE OF EVIDENCE WOULD EITHER SIDE CONSIDER IMPORTANT AND CRUCIAL ENOUGH THAT IT WOULD CHANGE THEIR POSITION ON THE SUBJECT?

END PART 1.