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Best of PBS March 2024

Premieres March 17, 2024  Alice & Jack on MASTERPIECE Andrea Riseborough and Domhnall Gleeson star in Alice & Jack, a love story for the ages. When Alice and Jack first meet, they’re bound by a connection so powerful it seems nothing can break it, but will their path lead them to a place of happiness and togetherness? Alice & Jack on MASTERPIECE premieres Sunday, March 17, 10/9c. Add to My Watchlist   From Your Local PBS Station

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March Highlights

Premieres March 17, 2024  Nolly on MASTERPIECE Helena Bonham Carter stars in Nolly. Nolly reveals the story of Noele “Nolly” Gordon, one of the most famous faces on British TV in the 1960s and 70s, whose unceremonious firing from her hit show at the height of her career was front-page news. Nolly on MASTERPIECE premieres Sunday, March 17, 9/8c. Add to My Watchlist

Get Ready For A New Season of Call the Midwife New episodes of Call the Midwife Season 13 are delivering early for PBS Passport members. Stream a new episode every week before the broadcast premiere, March 17 at 8/7c. Add to My Watchlist

Independent Lens Greener Pastures Following four multigenerational family farms in the Midwest over several years, Greener Pastures is a story of perseverance and survival within the farming industry in the heartland. Add to My Watchlist

Celebrate Women's History Month with PBS

What to Watch Women's History Month March into Women's History Month with documentaries celebrating women who made history and those continuing to do so! This month, we salute women who have changed lives with documentaries about and by women, their achievements, their artistry, and their struggles.  View the Collection

POV Collections Women's History Month Celebrating women who make history everyday with films like  And She Could Be Next, made by a team of women filmmakers of color. The film asks whether democracy itself can be preserved—and made stronger—by those most marginalized. Add to My Watchlist

History Facts Why is Women's History Month in March?

Originating as a local celebration in Santa Rosa, California, Women's History Month evolved from National Women's History Week, kicking off on March 8, International Women’s Day. Inspired by this, women's groups petitioned Congress for national recognition. Join us on Instagram to learn more history and discuss the women who have impacted your life. Let's Connect

ETHICS AND MORALITY- WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO FORGIVE? PARTS 1-2.

 

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO FORGIVE? PT 1.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO FORGIVE?  PT 1.

It is Suppose to be one of the Most "HUMANE" Acts one Person can do for another.  That no Matter How Much you have been hurt by SOMEONE ELSE, be it MENTAL , PHYSICAL, OR BOTH, TO "FORGIVE" THE ACTIONS AGAINST YOU IS CONSIDERED TO BE NOBLE AND VIRTUOUS. 

Yet, at the same Time, even though "FORGIVENESS" IS SUPPOSE TO BE A VOLUNTARY DECISION BY THE "VICTIM",  IF IT IS NOT OFFERED, THE ONE WHO HAS BEEN HARMED IS CONSIDERED TO HAVE COMMITTED A MORAL TRANSGRESSION AGAINST THE ONE WHO VICTIMIZED THEM.

It is a Fascinating example of how Some People Believe that taking the "HIGH ROAD", especially if They are Talking about someone elses Victimization, must be part of the ROAD TO RECOVERY IN OVERCOMING THE PAIN AND ANGUISH THAT HAS BEEN INFLICTED ON THEM.

HOWEVER, JUST WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO FORGIVE ANOTHER?  Does it Mean the Same Thing to Everyone, or DOES THE DEFINITION OF "FORGIVENESS" CHANGE DEPENDING ON THOSE INVOLVED, OR PERHAPS THE SITUATION/EVENT THAT LED UP TO SUCH A DECISION POSSIBLY BEING MADE.

Let's Create a Basic Example.

-  An Individual Decides to Act in a Way that is considered a FREE CHOICE.

-  This Action may result in the Direct Harming of Another, and it is 

a possibility that any Reasonable Person would be aware of.

-  Ignoring the Possible Consequences, the Individual Acts, and Harm

comes to someone else, who in no way contributed to the NEGATIVE 

RESULT that has been Inflicted on Them.

STOPPING HERE, UNDER WHAT CIRCUMSTANCES OR DEVELOPMENTS WOULD YOU CONSIDER "FORGIVENESS" AS A JUSTIFIED EXPECTATION OF THE "TRANSGRESSOR",  AND A MORAL REQUIREMENT OF THE "VICTIM?"  IF SO, WHAT WOULD "FORGIVENESS" CONSIST OF...

END OF PART 1.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO FORGIVE? PT 2.

I Ended Part 1 with an example, and a "WHAT WOULD YOU DO?" Question.  However, You may have noticed that Answering such a Challenge isn't easy. Nor should it be. "FORGIVENESS" is not the Simplistic Concept Many would have you believe, for it contains Different Elements and Levels that are Unique to each Situation.

Those who believe that Short and Quick Resolutions are the Answer to Resolving Conflicts, sometimes begin Their Advice with words like the following;

-  "He's really sorry for what he did, you should forgive him."

-  "She's not like that usually, it won't happen again, don't worry about it."

-  "You pushed the Wrong Buttons, you know how they are.  Watch it 

next time."

THIRD PARTY INDIVIDUALS are usually the ones to offer such "ADVICE."  Either by Design, Ignorance, or Fear, They seek to place the BURDEN OF RESOLVING THE SITUATION ON THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN HARMED, OFTEN WITHOUT ANY SANCTIONS AGAINST THOSE WHO HAVE CAUSED THE SUFFERING. 

It is just another CASE OF BLAMING THE VICTIM.

So where do We Start?  How and When should "FORGIVENESS" BE OFFERED, AND UNDER WHAT CIRCUMSTANCES?

How about Defining "FORGIVE."

THIS IS THE DEFINITION TAKEN FROM THE MERRIAM- WEBSTER DICTIONARY.

: to stop feeling anger toward (someone who has done something wrong)

: to stop blaming (someone)

: to stop feeling anger about (something) : to forgive someone for (something wrong)

THIS IS TAKEN FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA- BERKELEY "GREATER GOOD."  THE SCIENCE OF A MEANINGFUL LIFE, WEBSITE.

What Is Forgiveness?

Psychologists generally define forgiveness as a conscious, deliberate decision to release feelings of resentment or vengeance toward a person or group who has harmed you, regardless of whether they actually deserve your forgiveness.

These Definitions are fairly close to others I came across, and all have Basically the same things in common.

HOWEVER, THERE ARE TWO IMPORTANT THINGS THAT SHOULD BE NOTICED:

-  BOTH DEFINITIONS REQUIRE NOTHING FROM THE INDIVIDUAL(S) WHO HAVE CAUSED THE PHYSICAL OR MENTAL TRAUMA.

-  BOTH USE THE TERM "FEELINGS,"  AS A NEGATIVE DESCRIPTION REGARDING HOW THE VICTIM CONTINUES TO PERCEIVE THE PERSON AND ACTIONS THAT HAVE HURT THEM.

THIS LEADS US TO THE FOLLOWING:

IS "FORGIVENESS" JUST ANOTHER FORM OF "ACCEPTANCE", SINCE NOTHING HAS CHANGED IN THE DYNAMIC BETWEEN THE "VICTIM" AND THE "PERPETRATOR?"

WHY IS CONTINUING TO JUDGE THOSE WHO HAVE HARMED YOU SOMETHING THAT MUST BE OVERCOME, IF THE INDIVIDUAL(S) INVOLVED HAVE NOT ALTERED THEIR PERSONAL BEHAVIOR, WHICH MAY CONTINUE TO CAUSE PAIN AND SUFFERING TO YOU AND OTHERS? 

END OF PT 2.

THIS ANALYSIS IS AS TRUE NOW, AS IT WAS 8 YEARS AGO.

(I FIRST PUBLISHED THIS ARTICLE ON 7/12/2016.  THE ONLY THINGS THAT HAVE CHANGED ARE: THE REPUBLICAN PARTYS LOYALTY TO THE FAR-RIGHT ELEMENT OF THE GOP HAS INCREASED, WITH THEIR OBEDIENCE TO DONALD TRUMPS IRRATIONAL AND HATE-BASED RHETORIC BEING VIRTUALLY UNOPPOSED BY THE LEADERSHIP. WHAT HASN'T CHANGED IS THE ALMOST COMPLETE DISREGARD FOR PROPER INTELLECTUAL ANALYSIS AND DISCOURSE WHEN THE GOP FORMS ANY PART OF THEIR POLITICAL AGENDA. TO THEM VOTER IGNORANCE, IRRATIONALITY, AND PERSONAL PREJUDICES ARE TO BE EXPLOITED AT ANY COST.

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HATE CHRONICLES. THE KEYS TO UNDERSTANDING THE MINDSET, MOTIVATIONS, AND GOALS OF THE FAR-RIGHT FANATIC. #1.

It is a mistake for Progressives to think that those who make up the Most Conservative Elements of the "NEW REPUBLICAN PARTY" ARE ALL CUT FROM THE SAME CLOTH. WHILE THEY MAY VOTE AS A BLOC,THE PRIMARY MOTIVATION DIFFERS FROM GROUP TO GROUP.

While They are usually Packaged Together, ULTRA CONSERVATIVE POLITICIANS HAVE REALIZED THAT FINDING THE ONE KEY ISSUE THAT DRIVES CERTAIN GROUPS OF VOTERS TO THE POLLS, OFTEN WILL TURN THEM INTO LOYAL ALLIES, who will support an agenda full of Issues They may care little about.

It could be GUN CONTROL, SAME- SEX MARRIAGE, GOVERNMENT SPENDING, SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE, IMMIGRATION LAWS, REPRODUCTIVE MEDICINE etc. THE STRATEGY IS TO PUT FORTH AN UNCOMPROMISING, RIGID, AND VITRIOLIC POINT OF VIEW ON A PARTICULAR ISSUE, APPEALING TO THE BASER ELEMENTS OF HUMAN NATURE.

THE REASON: TO LEARN OF THE ONE ISSUE THAT EACH SECTION OF INDIVIDUAL VOTERS MOST IDENTIFIES WITH, AND MANIPULATE IT TO THEIR ADVANTAGE.

IT'S A TACTIC THAT REQUIRES NO INTELLECTUAL EFFORT ON THE PART OF THE LISTENER.THERE IS NO NEED TO UNDERSTAND, OR EVEN CARE ABOUT THE OPPOSITIONS POINT OF VIEW. IT PLAYS ON RAW EMOTION, WITHOUT THE NEED FOR CONTEMPLATION OR REFLECTION.

THE INDIVIDUAL IS ENCOURAGED NOT TO THINK ABOUT AN INTELLECTUAL JUSTIFICATION FOR THE OPINION THEY ARE SUPPORTING, BUT TO REACT TO THE WORDS OF THE AUTHOR AND\OR SPEAKER, AND ACCEPTING THE MESSAGE AS TRUE, AND WORTHY OF SUPPORT.  THIS, IN TURN, ENCOURAGES AGREEMENT WITH OTHER OPINIONS THAT ARE EXPRESSED THE SAME WAY.