by Reid Fitzsimons
There is a sense of personal liberation in being unburdened by thought and the pursuit of knowledge. If one can avoid uncomfortable experiences and banish from their sphere annoyances like different perceptions and opinions, they are freer to engage in self-gratification and pleasure, such as watching streaming TV, caressing an Iphone, sipping crafted coffees, getting tattoos, attending various protests, and all-in-all having a good time. If someone can dispel and render moot disagreement with their world view using a single word or mindless phrase, so much the better. After all, having to come up with a well-reasoned argument to support a position can be hurtful to the brain of certain people.
This approach goes back to ancient times and continues to the present. In the historic dark days of Christianity, for example, one merely had to make the accusation of heresy or witchcraft and the person who didn’t fit comfortably in your insulated world was gone, often literally. Or in the current dark days of Sharia Islam where calling someone an infidel can have a similar result. In the US, this isn’t necessarily a political right/left phenomenon, and there are recent examples of of it being used by putative conservatives: during the post-WW2 “red scare” it didn’t take much beyond accusing someone of being “red” or a “commie” to have a real negative impact on their lives. Presently, and for the past decade or so, this approach has been on the ascendancy with the progressive left, and is ubiquitous today.
Carole Ann Milljour
I love your article Reid! Very well done as per usual. I have to say, Reid, a great deal of what you pointed out, is most certainly food for thought! Thank you for giving me an opportunity to express my feelings on the various subjects you write about. Not that I feel mine are noteworthy, but I get to think of things that normally I might not have thought about!
“Throughout U.S. history, various presidents have attempted to suppress or control the press, particularly during times of political tension. For example, President John Adams enacted the Alien and Sedition Acts in 1798, which made it a crime to publish false or malicious writings against the government, effectively limiting press freedom.” Wikipedia
It’s too bad the press, aka main street media, is so corrupt! I will say, I am thankful that some of our crooked politicians are now facing indictments. ...that to me, is a definite step in the right direction. ...maybe someday some on the left will realize that it doesn’t pay to be dishonest, greedy or corrupt after all!
With dementia and Alzheimer’s on the rise, I wonder if some of those types of individuals, who would rather have someone think for them instead of for themselves, and/or would prefer not to seek out knowledge of some sort, ever wonder what is going to happen to their brains as they age. OMG, if you can’t think for yourself, or you want to live in a bubble, what purpose is that going to serve you throughout your life. I just don’t get it, people don’t seem to care too much and in some cases, not at all. I try to keep up on the news, doing puzzles, reading articles, getting to know other people’s opinions, ideas and info that is helpful to me and whoever I come in contact with that could use it.
If all people care about is going along with the in crowd, that crowd might not be around mentally to some degree later on down the road. Just hope for their sake there are enough people in the caring industry to help them out with their cognitive needs as they age. What a disaster that would be if their minds turned to mush because they failed to use them. “If you don’t use it, you loose it!” ...as the saying goes!
In reference to slavery and the race card, I find that black people are very fortunate that their ancestors were brought over here due to the sole fact hat they were finally given their freedom. They married, had children and because they were more than talented from all they learned from their years of slavery, had a great deal to offer and pass along to their future generations. Our black Americans were given every opportunity, the same as immigrants from other countries who sought citizenship had as well. They were and now are part of something huge. We are now a free country because of our “strength” through the years. All due to the hard work and great effort of our ancestors. Those pioneers sought it because they felt it was worth fighting for. ...and, in the end handed it to us on a silver platter. Sure, we may have had to deal with wars and disasters of various nature, but we have had the ability to persevere and thrive!
My great, great grandfather was marquis de La Fayette. Lafayette at one time was a leader of the liberal aristocrats (dubbed the Fayettistes) and became an outspoken advocate for religious toleration and the abolition of the slave trade. He was a true and valued friend of George Washington during the Revolutionary War. He named one of his son’s George in honor of President George Washington. That son' son, also named George, moved his family to the US and from there, my family tree has consisted of a great many men named George!
Interestingly enough, there are lots of individual’s tied into famous people. I was just happy to learn about some of my ancestry and because of it, I have had a desire to learn all I could about his life and our nations founding fathers and, of course, our great nation! One National Under God!
There is so much to learn and so little time to learn it all, it is just very sad that some people don’t take the time to appreciate what they have, where they come from and what good they can do to enhance other people’s lives before theirs’ is over. “Time waits for no man.” ...as the saying goes!
I understand that my bloodline also includes American Indian and some likelihood of black American as well. (In essence I guess you could say I'm a mongrel! ...I'm sure lots of American's fall under that category in that type of sense at least!) I am sure through all the last 200 plus years this country has become a great nation, lots of my ancestry were killed and maimed by others throughout our history. To me, we are just fortunate we didn’t have to pave the way to freedom like they did. I am thankful for my heritage and I believe everyone should feel that way.
Some people just like to create problems where no problem exists. Hate is not the answer, but sometimes that’s all they feel they have, I guess. They follow like sheep and sheep are notably dumb animals! Anyone who says they hate DJT and/or this country, are free to leave! They never had it so good and if they keep this nonsense they spiel up, they may never have it as good. If they did care at all, it could be lots better for everyone involved. They are holding the key to a future that could be made better if they truly thought about what they are doing and where they are heading. We all have a choice! My dad was great for sayings that made lots and lots of sense: “Just because someone jumps off a bridge doesn’t mean you have to. Stay out of the mirror. Do it right the first time and you won’t have to do it a second time.” (One comical thing he use to tell me was: "If there was a hard way to do something, I'd find it!" I guess I just loved challenges, but as the years role on, not so much anymore! LOL) I could put more of my dad's saying in there, but I think you get my drift! One must always know that God loves each and everyone of us. and to that I will add, even those unbelievers!
To those individuals who want to ban books and spiel hate, I truly feel sorry! They are missing out on what could be a fabulous life!
Alfred
Good one Reid! When will woke people wake up?
Carole Ann Milljour
Good one Alfred!