DON'T LET THESE VICTORIES GO TO WASTE. ARTICLE AND POSTS FROM JULY, 2015. THIS IS THE U.S. SUPREME COURT WE HAD THEN...HOW TIMES CHANGE.

 DON'T LET THESE VICTORIES GO TO WASTE.  PT 1.

The SUPREME COURT RULINGS DURING THIS PAST WEEK ARE EVIDENCE THAT LOGIC, REASON, MORALITY, AND JUSTICE ARE TERMS AND CONCEPTS THAT CAN COME TOGETHER TO ACCOMPLISH A COMMON GOAL.

THEY ARE NOT MUTUALLY EXCLUSIVE. THE DECISIONS TO AFFIRM THE LEGAL STANDING OF THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT,  ALONG WITH THE RULING THAT GOVERNMENT CANNOT DENY SAME-SEX COUPLES THE RIGHT TO LEGALLY MARRY, ARE PROOF OF THIS.

Of Course,  Some of those who Opposed Such JUDICIAL DECISIONS ARE CRYING FOUL, AND WILL DO ANYTHING IN THEIR POWER TO OPPOSE THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THESE DECISIONS INTO THE LEGAL SYSTEM AND PUBLIC POLICY.

HOWEVER, THEIR ARGUMENTS AND TACTICS HAVE NOT CHANGED. EQUALITY, RIGHTS AND JUSTICE ARE TERMS MANY DELIBERATELY USE INCORRECTLY, TO SUPPORT AN IRRATIONAL POINT OF VIEW THAT DOES NOT STAND UP TO SCRUTINY.

BUT THEY ARE NOT THE REAL DANGER.  THE SELF-CENTERED INDIVIDUAL WHO CARES NOTHING FOR OTHERS, ALONG WITH THE RELIGIOUS ZEALOT WHO BELIEVES GOD IS THEIR PERSONAL PIPELINE, ARE WITH US NOW AS IN THE PAST.  THEY CAN BE DEFEATED, AND WILL BECOME LESS AND LESS OF A FACTOR, AS LONG AS THOSE WHO ARE CELEBRATING TODAYS VICTORIES REMEMBER THE ETHICAL JUDGMENTS, AND MORAL ABSOLUTES THEY SUPPORTED TO ACHIEVE THESE GOALS.

DON'T LET THESE VICTORIES

GO TO WASTE.  PT 2.

So what Moral Absolutes am I Talking about?  I have Discussed These in Earlier Posts, and on other Pages, but it is Important to Remember Them.

-  Creating a National Health Care Plan that Benefits all Americans, by Making Medical Insurance Affordable and Accessible, is a MORAL DECISION THAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT BELIEVES IS A DUTY AND RESPONSIBILITY IT HAS TO THE CITIZENS OF THE U.S.  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.

SO WHY IS IT A MORAL ABSOLUTE?  THE "GOOD" THAT COMES FROM SUCH A LAW TRANSCENDS THE ECONOMIC POSITIVES OR NEGATIVES THAT MAY ISSUE FROM THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THIS PLAN.  IT IS NOT CONSIDERED TO BE AN ETHICAL QUESTION THAT SHOULD BE LEFT TO THE WHIMS OF THE MAJORITY, WHICH WOULD MAKE IT IMPRACTICAL TO ADMINISTER IN THE LONG RUN.

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.

I will DISCUSS THE IMPLICATIONS OF THE LEGALIZATION OF SAME- SEX MARRIAGE IN THE NEXT POST.

Date-  7/10/2015.

Scroll down for future posts.

DON'T LET THESE VICTORIES

GO TO WASTE.  PT 3.

Let us Sit Back, and Think Carefully. What does the LEGALIZATION OF SAME- SEX MARRIAGE IN THE U.S. REALLY MEAN?

What Does it Create?-  COUPLES OF THE SAME GENDER CAN NOW ENTER INTO A LEGALLY RECOGNIZED MARRIAGE, WHICH IS, AT ITS HEART, A CIVIL CONTRACT.  

THEY NOW HAVE THE SAME RIGHTS, AND THE SAME RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES OF HETERO- SEXUAL COUPLES.

THERE IS NOTHING IN THIS DECISION THAT CREATES FOR SAME-SEX COUPLES A DIFFERENT OR ALTERNATE SET OF RULES IN THE EYES OF THE LAW, THAT WERE CREATED BECAUSE OF THE DECISION.

-   A  LEGAL SAME-SEX MARRIAGE IS SUBJECT TO THE SAME CIVIL AND CRIMINAL PENALTIES, FOR VIOLATING CERTAIN PARTS OF THE LAW, (I.E., 

MINIMUM LEGAL AGE TO BE MARRIED, INCEST, POLYGAMY, CONSENT, MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS etc.), THAT HETERO-SEXUAL COUPLES ARE SUBJECT TO.

SO WHAT'S THE PROBLEM, WHERE DOES THE CONTROVERSY LIE?

Date-  7/16/2015.

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DON'T LET THESE VICTORIES

GO TO WASTE.  PT 4.

Unfortunately, the Controversy

can be found in the Usual Place, WHEN WE DISCUSS ENFORCING OR LEGISLATING RELIGIOUS FAITH INTO LAW:

IT IS THE SELF-CENTERED JUDGMENT THAT FAITH ALONE SHOULD DECIDE THE MORAL AND ETHICAL GUIDELINES THAT ARE TO MAKE UP AN ESTABLISHED CODE OF LAW, BINDING ON ALL.

FREEDOM OF RELIGION, as it is defined within the CONCEPT of INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS, Means:  

ALLOWING THE MANNER OF WORSHIP, PERFORMANCE OF RITUALS, AND THE PUBLIC EXPRESSION OF A BELIEF SYSTEM TO BE FREE OF GOVERNMENT INTERFERENCE AND POSSIBLE SANCTIONS...

...UNLESS SUCH BEHAVIOR VIOLATES A SEPARATE CODE OF CONDUCT,

ESTABLISHED TO PRESERVE AND MAINTAIN THE REPUBLIC ITSELF, ALONG WITH THE SAFETY, FREEDOM, AND WELL-BEING OF ITS CITIZENS.

WHY?

A CONSTITUTIONAL REPUBLIC CREATES TWO SETS OF LAWS WHICH SEPARATE THE FOLLOWING CATEGORIES OF PROPER AND ACCEPTABLE MORAL BEHAVIOR...

SEE NEXT POST.

Date-  7/22/2015.

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DON'T LET THESE VICTORIES

GO TO WASTE.  PT 5.

CATEGORY #1-  Laws that place Guidelines on Behaviors and Judgments that Could Undermine the Peace, Safety, and Liberty of the Government and its Citizens.

CATEGORY #2-  Laws that Protect Individual Beliefs and Behaviors that do not

Endanger the Stability of the State, or Infringe upon the Civil Liberties of other Individuals.

What Many Americans Forget, or Don't Realize: THAT A RIGHT IS NOT A GET OUT OF JAIL FREE CARD, ALLOWING ANY CITIZEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO USE THE BILL OF RIGHTS TO EXCUSE OR JUSTIFY ANY BEHAVIOR OR JUDGMENT AGAINST ANOTHER.

For Example;

FREEDOM OF RELIGION-  Does not Include:

-  Child Abuse.

-  Polygamy.

-  Forced Observation of Certain Holidays.

-  Enforcing Moral Attitudes on Everyone Else.

,,,AMONG OTHER THINGS.

FREEDOM OF SPEECH-  Does not Include:

-  Insulting Your Employer, without any possible

Repercussions.

-  Disturbing the Peace.

-  Slander.

-  Perjury.

...AMONG OTHER THINGS.

... AND SO ON.

SO MANY AMERICANS SEEM TO IDENTIFY WITH THE FOLLOWING...

A CONSTITUTIONAL REPUBLIC IS A POLITICAL SYSTEM SET UP TO

PREVENT GOVERNMENT INTRUSION INTO CERTAIN ASPECTS OF AN INDIVIDUALS LIFE.

YET, THEY FORGET...

IT IS ALSO SET UP TO PREVENT CITIZENS FROM INTRUDING INTO CERTAIN ASPECTS OF OTHER INDIVIDUALS LIVES.

THE U.S. CONSTITUTION PROTECTS AMERICANS FROM UNDUE AND UNNECESSARY INTRUSION INTO THEIR LIVES BY GOVERNMENT, AND BY OTHER CITIZENS.

Date-  7/29/2015.

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I OFFERED THE FOLLOWING SHORT ANSWER TO A QUESTION I WAS ASKED ON QUORA.COM: WHAT IS A "SECULAR STATE."

 

A “SECULAR STATE” in general, is a form of Government that does not allow Religious Faith or Dogma to be the basis for its Social or Legal System.

That does not mean that there is no RELIGIOUS FREEDOM, but that FREEDOM is for personal Worship, and is not ALLOWED TO BECOME PUBLIC POLICY.

A System of ETHICS AND MORAL ABSOLUTES IS CREATED APART FROM FAITH BASED SYSTEMS. WHY? RELIGIOUS FAITH, BY ITS VERY NATURE, IS ACCEPTED WITHOUT QUESTION. There is no need to justify it to others, for the belief itself is not questioned by the individual.

Certain Concepts, such as the Idea of HUMAN OR CITIZEN RIGHTS, MANIFESTED IN LAWS THAT CREATE SUCH ETHICAL “GOODS” as Freedom of Speech, Freedom of Choice, Freedom to Assemble.,etc, cannot be guaranteed, or in some cases even allowed, IN A FAITH-BASED SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT.

QUITE SIMPLY, IN A SECULAR STATE ALL EXISTING LAWS CAN BE CREATED OR ALTERED BY THE GENERAL CIVIL POPULATION. IN A FAITH-BASED SYSTEM THAT POWER EXISTS ONLY WITH THE RELIGIOUS HIERARCHY.

CONSUMER GUIDE: GOING ON A DIET? YOU CAN LOSE MORE THAN JUST WEIGHT. PT 1.

No doubt, almost 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, too 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, let's 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 emphasizes 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.

BLAST FROM THE PAST: So, allowing Putin to Dictate Foreign Policy to NATO members is the Better Choice? Caving into Despots always ends well.

LET'S lay this one out:

NATO is a Treaty Organization created to protect its members from possible Foreign Invasion. (Which, at its creation, WAS THE U.S.S.R AND ITS SATELLITE PUPPET GOVERNMENTS.)

So, with the breakdown of the U.S.S.R, former IRON CURTAIN COUNTRIES SUCH AS POLAND, THE CZECH REPUBLIC, AND GERMANY joined NATO. Given the recent history of THESE COUNTRIES BEING SUBJECT TO THE TYRANNIES OF STALIN AND HITLER, allying yourself with other DEMOCRACIES for mutual protection would seem to be a NO-BRAINER.

With the recent invasion of UKRAINE BY PUTIN, it would seem to be a pretty smart move, considering the fact that the rest of the world has apparently forgotten the LESSONS LEARNED BY THE CONFLICTS OF THE 20th CENTURY.  LESSONS SUCH AS:

APPEASING OR BACKING DOWN TO SOCIOPATHIC HEADS OF STATE, WILL NOT MAKE THEM:

- MORE REASONABLE IN CONFLICT RESOLUTION.

- WILLING TO IMPLEMENT "HUMANITARIAN POLICIES."

-  PURSUE LESS AGGRESSIVE FOREIGN POLICIES THAT WILL 

ENSURE NO FURTHER DIRECT PHYSICAL INTERVENTION

INTO THE SOVEREIGNTY OF OTHER NATIONS.

Current NATO Countries and the Years They Joined:

Note: * indicates a founding member

Country	Joined		Country	Joined
Albania	2009		Lithuania	2004
Belgium	1949*		Luxembourg	1949*
Bulgaria	2004		Montenegro	2017
Canada	1949*		Netherlands	1949*
Croatia	2009		North Macedonia	2020
Czech Republic	1999		Norway	1949*
Denmark	1949*		Poland	1999
Estonia	2004		Portugal	1949*
France	1949*		Romania	2004
Germany	1955		Slovakia	2004
Greece	1952		Slovenia	2004
Hungary	1999		Spain	1982
Iceland	1949*		Turkey	1952
Italy	1949*		United Kingdom	1949*
Latvia	2004		United States	1949*

WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE ABOVE LIST, ASK YOURSELF THESE QUESTIONS:

- HOW MANY WERE FORCED BY MILITARY INVASION OR PHYSICAL INTIMIDATION

TO JOIN NATO? 

- SO NATO IS A THREAT TO RUSSIA? PERHAPS YOU CAN LIST FOR ME THE NUMBER OF

MEMBER  NATIONS THAT INVADED ANOTHER SOVEREIGN COUNTRY, AND SEIZED 

CONTROL OF ITS GOVERNMENT?

- HOW MANY OF THESE NATIONS SUFFERED THE TYRANNIES OF THE U.S.S.R,  NAZI

GERMANY, OR OTHER FASCIST REGIMES BEFORE, DURING, OR AFTER WW2, AND WILL

CLAIM THAT THEY WERE COERCED INTO JOINING?

AT THE SAME TIME, THINK OF HOW OFTEN THESE COUNTRIES SUFFERED BECAUSE OF POLICIES AND AN AGENDA DIRECTED BY A HEAD OF STATE SITUATED IN MOSCOW?

...WHAT WILL THE EXCUSE BE WHEN PUTIN DECIDES TO PUT ANOTHER COUNTRY ON HIS SHOPPING LIST, AND LIES THROUGH HIS TEETH ABOUT HOW IT WAS NECESSARY TO INVADE, TO PROTECT RUSSIA?

I REALLY SUGGEST THAT PICKING UP A HISTORY BOOK MIGHT "ENLIGHTEN" SOME WORLD LEADERS AS TO WHAT COULD BE LOST, IF WE CHOOSE TO THINK THAT THE PUTINS AND TRUMPS OF THIS WORLD CAN BE TRUSTED.