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Tuesday, August 20, 2024

MORE LOGIC ARTICLES. THE NEED TO EDUCATE, AND MAKE IT THE ENEMY OF IRRATIONAL, SELF-CENTERED, AND PSEUDO-SCIENTIFIC THOUGHT. PARTS 1-3.

  PT 1.


Knowledge, Book, Library, Glasses


















I Know it's Entertaining to Watch TV SHOWS that use Plot Devices that Make CERTAIN FICTIONAL CHARACTERS SEEM TO BE DEEP AND PROFOUND THINKERS, WHO ENJOY EXPOSING THE INTELLECTUAL WEAKNESSES OF OTHERS. THIS IS OFTEN DONE BY SHOWING HOW THEY ARE VIOLATING THE RULES OF LOGIC AND CRITICAL THINKING.

While I Applaud any Effort to Introduce RATIONAL THINKING SKILLS TO ANY PART OF THE HUMAN EXPERIENCE, (EVEN ENTERTAINMENT), THE UNFORTUNATE TRUTH IS THAT IT IS NOT ALWAYS CARRIED OVER INTO REAL LIFE SITUATIONS.  THIS IS ESPECIALLY TRUE, WHEN WE EXAMINE ISSUES DEALING WITH POLITICS, SCIENCE, AND RELIGION.


Yes, These can be Extremely Volatile and Deeply Personal Subjects, and often Elicit Purely Emotional Responses to any perceived Criticism.  However, it is These Episodes that POINT FOR THE NEED TO INTRODUCE THE DISCIPLINE OF LOGIC, AS AN EDUCATIONAL NECESSITY, AT AN EARLY AGE.

When We Compare the Three, IT IS EASY TO SEE THAT THE RULES OF LOGIC, AND CRITICAL THINKING SKILLS, ARE NOT FOUND, DEVELOPED OR USED IN THE SAME WAY WHEN PEOPLE ENGAGE IN ACTIVITIES ASSOCIATED WITH EACH.

That, in itself, is not NECESSARILY A PROBLEM, OR UNDESIRABLE. EACH EXISTS FOR SPECIFIC REASONS, AND WHAT SETS THEM APART IS THE FUNCTION OR NECESSITY EACH FILLS WITHIN THE LIVES OF EVERY INDIVIDUAL, AND SOCIETY AS A WHOLE.

However, Problems arise when Individuals and Groups decide to take the Beliefs and Essentials that are found in One, and Attempt to Apply them to one of the others. This is a Process that is Doomed to Failure, and does a DISSERVICE TO THE ROLE EACH PLAYS IN SOCIETY.
Date-  1/3/2016.
















LOGIC.

THE NEED TO EDUCATE, AND MAKE IT THE ENEMY OF IRRATIONAL, SELF-CENTERED, AND PSEUDO-SCIENTIFIC THOUGHT.  PT 2.














When we Discuss Educating Young People on the Practical Uses of LOGIC AND CRITICAL THINKING IN EVERYDAY LIFE, THE POLITICAL SYSTEM IS AN AREA OF SPECIAL IMPORTANCE.  

ENCOMPASSING CIVIL AND CRIMINAL LAW, THE ECONOMY, AND OTHER PARTS OF DOMESTIC AND FOREIGN POLICY, ELECTING AND SUPPORTING THE MOST COMPETENT, HONEST, AND CAPABLE INDIVIDUALS IS A GOAL THAT EVERY CITIZEN SHOULD FEEL IS A RESPONSIBILITY, ONE THAT SHOULD NOT BE TAKEN LIGHTLY.

In a free and open society, POLITICIANS CAN GIVE AN OPINION ON JUST ABOUT ANY SUBJECT, USUALLY WITH LITTLE FEAR OF PUNISHMENT. However, that does not mean they know what they are Talking About, or even care, as long as there are Those who are willing to close Their Minds, and Accept What is being said at Face Value.

THIS IS MANIFESTED BY THE POLITICIAN WHO IS ADEPT AT DELIVERING A SPEECH THAT CAN LAST FOR HOWEVER LONG THEY NEED IT TO, USING WORDS AND PHRASES THAT MAY SOUND INTELLECTUAL AND INSIGHTFUL, BUT LACK ANY REAL SUBSTANCE OR MEANING.  THE BODY OF THE SPEECH IS JUST EMPTY RHETORIC, SPOKEN BY SOMEONE WHO KNOWS OR CARES LITTLE FOR THE FACTS, OR ADDRESSING REAL ISSUES WITH KNOWLEDGE AND COMPETENCE.

SO HOW CAN WE INSTRUCT YOUNG LOGICIANS IN IDENTIFYING THOSE POLITICIANS WHO TALK A LOT, BUT SAY LITTLE THAT SHOULD BE CONSIDERED OF ANY VALUE?

IT IS TO TEACH THEM THAT NOT ALL POLITICAL SPEECH IS OF EQUAL WORTH, AND HOW TO TELL THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN VALUABLE AND VALUELESS.  TO DO THIS, WE SHOULD POINT OUT THERE ARE TWO MAIN FORMS OF POLITICAL SPEECH THAT ARE USED TO SWAY VOTERS, BUT USE DECEPTION, PREJUDICE, AND A SELF-CENTERED MINDSET TO IGNORE AND AVOID PROVIDING REAL ANSWERS THAT MIGHT ACTUALLY WORK TO THE BENEFIT OF ALL AMERICANS.

THEY ARE...

-  ...THE UNSUPPORTED CONCLUSION/BASELESS ASSERTION.

                               AND

-  ...THE VAGUE/UNDEFINED MESSAGE.














LOGIC.

THE NEED TO EDUCATE, AND MAKE IT THE ENEMY OF IRRATIONAL, SELF-CENTERED, AND PSEUDO-SCIENTIFIC THOUGHT.  PT 3.

Communicate, Speak, Two, Heads, Faces

THE UNSUPPORTED CONCLUSION/BASELESS ASSERTION.

ANY STATEMENT, PHRASE,OR DECLARATION THAT IMPLIES
AN ETHICAL\MORAL, LEGAL, SOCIAL OR ECONOMIC JUDGMENT
THAT HAS NO  PROPER FOUNDATION THAT CAN WITHSTAND 
COMPREHENSIVE RATIONAL OR CRITICAL ANALYSIS.

LET US LOOK AT A FEW EXAMPLES:

"THE ECONOMY IS IN TROUBLE, WE NEED TO GO IN A DIFFERENT DIRECTION."

"WE ARE WEAK AS A NATION, OUR FOREIGN POLICY DOESN'T SCARE 
OUR ENEMIES."

"IF WE HAVE GUN CONTROL, ONLY THE CRIMINALS WILL HAVE THEM."


AS YOU SEE WITH THE ABOVE EXAMPLES, THEY ARE SIMPLISTIC PHRASES THAT USUALLY LACK;

-  SPECIFIC STATISTICS, AND/OR COMPARISONS WITH PAST DATA.

-  CONTEXT, OR JUSTIFICATION FOR THEIR USAGE IN SOME INSTANCES,
   AND NOT IN OTHERS.

-  AN EXPLANATION FOR THE USAGE OF INFLAMMATORY WORDS THAT CAN BE DEFINED AND USED SO AMBIGUOUSLY THAT THEY HAVE NO INTELLECTUAL VALUE, AND DO NOTHING TO EXPLAIN OR DEFINE ANY OPINION OR POINT OF FACT THAT THE SPEAKER IS TRYING TO MAKE. 

 WORDS SUCH AS- "WEAK", "SCARE", "TROUBLE", "WELFARE", 
 "CONTROL"  "DANGER", "ENEMY", "VICTIM", AND ON AND ON...   

IF YOU ARE A POLITICIAN WITH NO REAL CONCEPTION, OR DESIRE, TO DO WHAT IS BEST FOR THE ELECTORATE AS A WHOLE, YOU TURN TO TIME-WORN PHRASES LIKE THESE. SO WHY DO THEY WORK?

WE'LL GET INTO THAT IN THE FUTURE, BUT REMEMBER THE SALESMANS
MAXIM:  

 "IT'S NOT THE DEAL THE CUSTOMERS IS GETTING THAT IS IMPORTANT, IT IS THE DEAL THEY THINK THEY ARE GETTING."

JUST SUBSTITUTE "CANDIDATE" FOR "DEAL", AND "VOTER" FOR
"CUSTOMER."


HMMMM... THE TRUE SECRET TO GETTING ELECTED?

Saturday, August 17, 2024

Rant-filled rallies, an unpopular VP and lies, lies, lies: Trump just had his worst week yet. USA TODAY.

 

BY REX HUPPKE, USA TODAY.

Former President Donald Trump’s reelection campaign capped off a gobsmackingly disastrous week by letting its flawed and aging candidate hold a make-believe “press conference” at his New Jersey golf           resort.

The subject, was … maybe something about food prices? Or the economy? Or possibly something about birds getting killed by windmills?

It didn’t really matter. Trump delivered an epic rant-a-thon, nearly two hours of pure, uncut lies, weird tangents and whining ‒ then took a handful of questions, most from pro-Trump outlets basically asking the Republican presidential nominee to explain how he got to be so awesome.

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Trump's campaign had an astonishingly terrible week in rallies

Given the week the campaign has had, it was nice of them to take the candidate out for a little air and a chance to babble at clouds. But Thursday’s event in Bedminster did nothing to quell the rising belief that Trump’s campaign has been a mess since Vice President Kamala Harris rose to the top of the Democratic presidential ticket and surged in the polls.

Allies have been pleading with Trump to dial back the personal attacks on Harris, so on Thursday, he said: “I think I’m entitled to personal attacks. I don’t have a lot of respect for her. I don’t have a lot of respect for her intelligence.”

You could almost feel the whoosh of moderate suburban voters racing away from him.

The more voters see of Trump, the more they think, 'Yikes'

Asked how he felt about Harris’ plan to propose a ban on corporate price gougingTrump responded, and I’m not making this up: “She wants to have no fracking. ‘I want NO fracking.’ But for her whole life she said that. No fracking. But then a couple months ago ...”

It was at that point that the people gathered on that rich man’s golf property should’ve started slowly walking away, careful to not move too fast and agitate the blathering 78-year-old.

But they stayed. And he continued, saying to no one in particular: “Instead of playing this game with wind that is ruining everything, killing all your birds, destroying the fields, all these gorgeous fields, you got windmills all over the place and you have birds. You want to see a bird cemetery, just go under a windmill. You see thousands of birds dead.”

My, my, my. I’m sure GOP donors are glad to see a campaign laser-focused on windmills and avian safety.

AI lies, a vapid interview with Elon Musk ... and then JD Vance existing?

Trump’s spectacularly not-good week began Sunday when he said, without a smidgeon of proof, that Harris’ crowds at recent campaign rallies were actually AI-generated. That lie sat there and looked dumb for a day or so, and then Trump ‒ whose political advisers must loathe him ‒ hopped on a phone call Monday night with his not-at-all-weird friend Elon Musk.

That alleged “interview” was a glitchy, absurd mess. It likely helped Trump lock down the coveted Musk fanboy demographic, which he already had an iron grip on, but did nothing to drive away the “weird” label Harris’ campaign has stuck to him.

In case you missed it: Trump rambles, slurs his way through Elon Musk interview. It was an unmitigated disaster.

That was all bad enough, but unfortunately for Trump, Sen. JD Vance of Ohio continued to be his running mate, pulling in headlines like: “JD Vance is more unpopular than Sarah Palin”; “J.D. Vance’s Team Won’t Comment on His Viral Drag Photo”; and “Now JD Vance Accused of Dissing All ‘Postmenopausal’ Women.

At one of the small campaign events he did this week, Vance forgot which Pennsylvania VFW post he was at and had to pull out a card to remind himself, right after calling it the “VFA.”

Trump thinks he alone can save his campaign. He's very, very wrong.

Trump ‒ who will soon be saying, “Vance who? Never heard of ‘em” ‒ gave a Wednesday speech on the economy in North Carolina. Except it wasn’t really a speech, more another rant, and it had little to do with the economy.

Just more tired name-calling and now-recognizable lies that he repeats over and over.

The GOP's problem with women: You're not imagining it. Republicans have been weird about women for years.

On Thursday, the Trump campaign brought back former adviser Corey Lewandowski, a widely disrespected operative who was previously canned by a MAGA-affiliated super PAC following accusations of hitting on the wife of a donor.

So that should certainly calm things down.

The Harris campaign should thank Trump for talking so much

Then Trump held his New Jersey festival of narcissism, griping, for no apparent reason, about Hillary Clinton, pointing out that he beat former Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley in her own state “by legendary numbers” and praising brutal Hungarian dictator Viktor Orban.

And he said whatever this is about China and artificial intelligence: “They’re building a coal plant every week, but now I hear it’s two coal plants a week. And we’re dying for energy. We don't have energy. And they're getting set for the AI because they're gonna create so much electricity and we're not gonna be able to do it, but you'll do it if I have it. Because that's an emergency.”

That this week in Trump’s presidential campaign hasn’t sent GOP donors fleeing is shocking. That this week of hearing Trump dissemble relentlessly and chatter disjointedly hasn’t led the political press in America to write story after story questioning Trump's mental state and capacity is an indictment on the industry.

Voters saw a lot of Trump and Vance this week.

That’s the best news the Harris campaign could hope to hear.

Follow USA TODAY columnist Rex Huppke on X, formerly Twitter, @RexHuppke and Facebook facebook.com/RexIsAJerk

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Rant-filled rallies, an unpopular VP and lies, lies, lies: Trump just had his worst week yet.

********************************************************************************************

Yeah, but Joe Biden was the unstable one. More evidence, as I have said before, that Donald Trump gets a free pass no matter what Inane Drivel, Hate filled Rhetoric, or the Long Lists of Lies and Untruths he spouts on a regular basis.- DAVID MCDONALD.

Tuesday, August 13, 2024

TRUMP, MAGATS, FASCISM AND TERRORISM. PART 2. (UPDATED)

  "DON'T IT ALWAYS SEEM TO GO, THAT YOU DON'T  KNOW WHAT YOU GOT 'TIL IT'S GONE."

FROM THE SONG "BIG YELLOW TAXI."

TERRORISM THE USE OF VIOLENCE, OR THREAT OF SUCH, TO ADVANCE THE DOCTRINE, IDEOLOGY, RULES, OR GOALS OF A GIVEN AND IDENTIFIABLE GROUP THAT IS NOT GENERALLY REGARDED AS A LEGITIMATE POLITICAL ENTITY, OR THE RECOGNIZED LEGAL AUTHORITY FOR A RESIDENT POPULATION OR GEOGRAPHICAL AREA.

FURTHER, TERRORISM GENERALLY REFUSES ANY TYPE OF REASONABLE MEDIATION TO SETTLE DISPUTES OR FORM COALITIONS TO BECOME PART OF A STABLE ESTABLISHED GOVERNMENT. IT IS A "MY WAY, OR ELSE" AGENDA.*

IN ADDITION, TERRORISTS WILL OFTEN FOCUS ATTACKS ON "SOFT TARGETS," SUCH AS COMMERCIAL CENTERS, SCHOOLS, CHURCHES, OR EVEN LIGHTLY PROTECTED GOVERNMENT OFFICES. IN THIS WAY THEY DO NOT COME AGAINST WELL-ARMED, LARGE CONTINGENTS OF MILITARY OR POLICE FORCES THAT ARE TRAINED AND EQUIPPED TO DEAL WITH SUCH ATTACKS.


The following exchange occurred during a White House Press conference on Wednesday, Sept 24, 2020.

 “Win, lose, or draw in this election, will you commit here today for a peaceful transferal of power after the election?” reporter Brian Karem asked Donald Trump, who didn’t even attempt to give the impression he cares whatsoever about preserving democracy. “Well, we’re going to have to see what happens,” Trump said. “You know that. I’ve been complaining very strongly about the ballots, and the ballots are a disaster.” Pressed again to “commit to making sure that there’s a peaceful transferal of power,” Trump responded, “Get rid of the ballots and...we’ll have a very peaceful—there won’t be a transfer, frankly. There will be a continuation. The ballots are out of control. You know it. You know who knows it better than anybody else? The Democrats know better than anybody else.”

''...Pressed again to “commit to making sure that there’s a peaceful transferal of power,” Trump responded, Get rid of the ballots and...we’ll have a very peaceful—there won’t be a transfer, frankly. There will be a continuation."

*As you can see from the Quote above, TRUMP IS ISSUING A DIRECT THREAT THAT TO HAVE A PEACEFUL ELECTION RESULT THE BALLOTS MUST BE DISREGARDED. THERE IS NO ATTEMPT AT ANY COMPROMISE, NOT TO MENTION AN OFFER TO PROVIDE ANY EVIDENCE THAT THE ACCUSATION HE IS MAKING IS TRUTHFUL. PURE TERRORIST TACTIC.

IN OTHER WORDS, DO WHAT I TELL YOU AND WE WON'T NEED A TRANSFER OF POWER, JUST A PEACEFUL CONTINUATION.


Here, Donald "Bravely" discusses Hillary Clintons views on GUN CONTROL, and how her 2nd Amendment opponents might...

Thursday, August 8, 2024

BREAKING DOWN THE MUELLER REPORT. THE ENEMY WITHIN...?

 


Hatred, Emotion, Rejection, Faces, Hate

Those of you who are long time readers, will recall my evaluation of the 2016 Presidential Election revealed that the Trump victory was due to Election Fraud in at least Six States. However, nothing was done to investigate the bogus numbers that handed DONALD TRUMP the White House. Why do I mention this? Read on.
You can find my articles on this subject on the WEBSITE; 
WWW.SEARCHINGFORREASON.NET



The most disturbing actions involving the RUSSIAN GOVERNMENT, AND ITS AFFILIATED
INDIVIDUALS AND GROUPS, WENT FAR BEYOND:

- Spreading False Information and Innuendo.

- Hacking into Computers to Steal Information to aid the Trump Campaign.

-  Creating Bogus Political "Groups" on Social Media that were not created
   by Americans, but Russian Agents working to ensure a Trump victory.
   etc...

While these are bad enough, the Mueller Report gives us a far more disturbing
look into RUSSIAN INTERFERENCE IN THE 2016 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION.

As an aid to understanding the magnitude of this assault on our country, the following
definition is essential:


WHAT IS THE GRU? ( FROM THE ARTICLE: "WHAT IS RUSSIAS GRU MILITARY INTELLIGENCE AGENY?" BY GUY FAULCONBRIDGE, FOR REUTERS)



What is the GRU?
Russia’s military intelligence service is commonly known by the Russian acronym GRU, which stands for the Main Intelligence Directorate. Its name was formally changed in 2010 to the Main Directorate (or just GU) of the general staff, but its old acronym - GRU - is still more widely used.
Its published aims are the supply of military intelligence to the Russian president and government. Additional aims include ensuring Russia’s military, economic and technological security.
The GRU answers directly to the chief of the general staff, Valery Gerasimov, and the Russian defense minister, Sergei Shoigu, each of whom are thought to have access to Russia’s portable nuclear briefcase.
WITH THAT OUT OF THE WAY, HERE ARE A FEW DIRECT
QUOTES TAKEN FROM THE TEXT OF MUELLER REPORT. 

THESE QUOTES APPEAR UNDER THE HEADING:"Intrusions Targeting the Administration of U.S. Elections "
"...GRU officers also targeted individuals and entities involved in the administration of the elections. Victims included U.S. state and local entities, such as state boards of elections (SBOEs), secretaries of state, and county governments, as well as individuals who worked for those entities."

"...also targeted private technology firms responsible for manufacturing and administering election-related software and hardware, such as voter registration software and electronic polling stations."


"By at least the summer of 2016, GRU officers sought access to state and local computer networks by exploiting known software vulnerabilities on websites of state and local governmental entities."



.
..AND THERE ARE THOSE WHO ARGUE THAT RUSSIA IS OUR ALLY? IF THAT IS TRUE, I HATE TO SEE WHAT OUR 
ENEMIES ARE UP TO.

TO BE CONTINUED...