Ad Hominem

You can only know and discriminate between the true and the false when you yourself are on the higher ground. 

-T. Austin-Sparks

In a world of 24/7 information puke out, how can you know if you’re being lied to? How do you know you’re being manipulated? Who can you trust? How can you be objective or form good questions if even the right to ask questions goes from being discouraged to being forbidden? How can you discern when something seems ‘off’ in news coverage when it’s not only simplified (to better reach the now dumbed down masses), it feels almost cookie cutter?

The answer is hidden in plain sight.

For quite some time now I have been comparing this modern era to being on the verge of an imitation of art, i.e., like the fictional dystopian worlds of 1984 and The Matrix. In each dark tale, the citizen characters live within a completely totalitarian ruled world. In both stories, one representing the result of devastating ongoing world war and one representing the result of digital technology gone rogue, the masses have no idea they are just pawns in a created illusion. They believe what they are conditioned to believe. They do not ask questions because, well, why should they? They have no idea they exist only to serve the purpose of those who have the keys to the control room. 

Their normal is unrecognized oppression. 

There have been real life examples of such total control of the population many times in human history. In every case, those who had control, were quite brutal to the citizens who thought, because they were promised, that they were part of a great revolution that would bring justice and prosperity to their world. The ugly reality is that millions died at the hands of great leaders such as Lenin, Stalin, Hitler, Mao Zedong, to name a few. The common thread being, of course, socialism/communism. 

I guess this is why there is a huge push to revise history. Need to make sure the younger generation doesn’t know about the abject failures of the ideologies that have never brought prosperity to anyone but those who have the keys. So, how could those people have realized or known that they were being lied to before they were completely overcome? We can’t know what we don’t know but we can be armed with common sense. We can pay attention to the subtle as well as the glaring red flags. If we are smart enough to admit there are red flags.

Those who have diabolical agendas, who have no interest whatsoever in the welfare of anyone but themselves, will often employ compelling tactics known as Logical Fallacy to manipulate the common mindset. An often used variation of distraction tactics that create a smoke screen and diversion is referred to as the Ad Hominem strategy. 

Within the alternate reality of 'attacking the man', when everything you see or hear says exactly the same thing, you are inclined to believe it must be true, because, everyone is saying it. Right? But those who are paying attention will notice that this does not reflect real life. 

Only in a virtual world, created by those who have control over the narrative, will there be consensus of opinion. This does not align with real life and is a huge red flag that something is not right. Historically speaking no president has ever had the approval of all the people or those who produce the news media and therefore all reporting, in real life, is expected to be both good and bad. But what if all the news, in every newspaper, television/radio broadcasts and social media is negative all the time - no exception? 

And now reverse this and ask, what if all comments and reports are only positive, as in Heil Hitler! would that indicate something was wrong as well? 

What if all the negativity causes maverick citizen journalists to launch opposition as a way to defend against the Ad Hominem attacks and then find they must then defend themselves against being canceled or shut down by social media? What if otherwise respected, credentialed professionals across a spectrum of industries, including education, are fired for daring to speak in opposition to the Ad Hominem view point? 

Would this seem surreal in a country founded on free speech and individualism? Would it seem like someone or something sinister is at the master control? 

Would it make sense to conclude that the one who is the focus of all the negativity could not or would not be the one controlling the narrative? 

Would this scenario resemble patterns from history when those who had dark agendas to overcome and enslave a population to totalitarianism in the name of JUSTICE! and PROSPERITY! were successful in completely changing, destroying a country using the same tactics? 

If you noticed the similarities would you start asking questions? Would you even know what questions to ask? 

Would you believe that it could never happen in America? 

For Him,

Meema

Recommended reading: Isaiah 5:1-30

Portrait Of A Deplorable

 

In the 2016 Presidential election, Hillary Clinton was quoted as saying that Trump supporters were ‘deplorable’. Though I certainly do not have access to every comment posted on the internet, I don’t recall seeing outrage or people screaming down the street demanding safe spaces to hide from such an egregious insult. My impression was that most folks, who felt the derogatory comment referred to them, were honored to be counted as such. 

I know I was. Sticks and stones…sticks and stones.

Four years later, however, watching in grief, as cities burn, businesses are forever closed, lives ruined, (a large number of which include Black Americans), under the dubious excuse of protesting for social justice, it occurred to me that the contrast between what was redefined as deplorable and what actually is deplorable, is profound as well as revealing.

Perhaps the intent wasn’t meant to redefine what deplorable stands for but rather just a specific qualifier that declares any and all people who support Trump are, well, just disgraceful, dishonorable, shameful… period. However, historically speaking, and it stands to reason, once an English word has been reassigned significance, it becomes a one way street. 

So, if you are a Trump supporter you might …

… count yourself among the numbers who are now deemed deplorable because  you support the concept of the American dream of free enterprise, free speech, religious freedom, and the fundamental right to pursue happiness. If so then there are distinct differences between you and those who wish to see all these fundamental rights be eliminated.

If you are deplorable, by the new standard, you will likely be one who has worked most of your life, perhaps spending many years getting an education that you might have to continue to pay for into your middle age. You are one who does or has worked long hours at your job, perhaps having had to prove your way up from the bottom. 

You might be entrepreneurial and have risked everything to start your own business, doing without, sacrificing comfort, in order to make your dream come true. You might farm the land to contribute to the food supply. You might be one who works long night shifts, responding to save other humans from health crisis or horrific accidents, fires, or crimes committed.  

You are likely to be one who loves the concept of family and plan to form one. If you have a family you are likely willing to defend your tribe by any means necessary so you are a supporter of the second amendment even if you don’t wish to  own a gun. 

You understand the basic difference between right and wrong. You know that purposefully hurting someone else or destroying their life’s work is wrong. You know what common courtesy is, and how civilized society is founded on humans treating each other with respect. Odds are that you hold to the long held fundamental standard that all lives matter, especially that of human babies. You might even wonder how this foundation of humanity has been reinvented to represent women’s rights. 

You may or may not believe in God but you accept that everyone has the right to be able to choose either way.

You support the concept of law and order and believe that such a condition could not be possible in a state of anarchy where anything goes, and there is no trained/skilled entity, like the police, to intervene.

You are not inclined to break laws or assault a stranger on the sidewalk and call it a Knock Out Game. You pay your taxes, even though you know they are often misused by those in charge of spending them. 

You usually avoid confrontations with those who think you are deplorable but in those times you feel strongly about the threat of your God-given rights being taken away if you gather with others to rally to express your support, you do not set things on fire or smash windows and rob the merchandise from businesses. You do not scream obscenities at those who are gathered to oppose you. You wave the American flag, cheer on those who are speaking and hope others enjoy the encouragement of likemindedness. Then you clean up after yourself and go home.

If you contribute to a charity it is not likely to be a fundraiser for a thug or career criminal who has been temporarily elevated to sainthood to represent the opposite of the new definition of deplorable.

You might be disappointed that society is now willing to vilify a business that stands by a religious conviction even as other businesses are allowed to take political or social stands, including refusing to sell to police officers (think Walmart and Starbucks).

In an age where good is deemed bad and bad is good, the label DEPLORABLE can be hijacked by anyone who has celebrity status and then wielded like a weapon to cast aspersions, devise false narrative, determine that those who disagree with the new woke stream of consciousness is just flat dumb and ought to be silenced and cancelled. But just because one is smart, talented, educated, experienced or credentialed, does not mean that one is wise. Those who are wise know who they are, what they stand for, what is at stake in this mounting war that feels more and more Biblical every day. 

The new definition of deplorable, as applied to those who still believe in what America was founded on, should now be added to Webster’s Dictionary as:

de·plor·a·ble

/dəˈplôrəb(ə)l/

adjective

adjective: deplorable

1. Not one who destroys. One who builds. Individual of integrity. One not defined by race, creed or ethnicity. One of high principals.

For Him,

Meema

One Good Thing About 2020

 First week of homeschool 20/21 and we are off and running! 

One of the many great perks of homeschooling is that you can adapt curriculum to the student’s strengths and weaknesses. 

This year we will be focusing on all the forms of written communication, applying what we learn to the art form of conveying and imparting information in clear language.

We conclude week one with an essay. Coaxing cogent thoughts from an introverted sophomore, who does not like to share his inner self, was a challenge for student as well as teacher. But based on this essay, I think we have some surprises coming. 

Stay tuned. 

For Him,

Meema 

————————————————————————————————————

One Good Thing About 2020

by Keaton Pascoe

As bad as 2020 has been, one great thing happened for me. The day it happened I opened the door, eased into the seat, wrapped my hands on the wheel, the smell of leather flooded my nose, I inserted the key, twisted it carefully and just sat there listening to the deep rumble, grinning like a fool. It was the most satisfying sound I have ever heard. 

It was weird, too, because I was crazy happy but also a little intimidated. I knew that my first car was both a big step into my future as well as a great responsibility, that with one mistake it could cost me everything. This thought was terrifying yet humbling. I was so eager to try it out, I couldn't wait, so that’s what I did. I pushed the accelerator slightly and I felt it begin to move forward. 

So did I, of course, but also in another way.

For the last six months everything has been so strange, scary and full of the great unknowns. The year 2020 has been like a meteor that the scientists didn't see coming. It’s easy to doubt not just when but if this is going to get better. At age 15 I’m not grown but now old enough to have the responsibilities of an adult put in my hands. I can’t help but wonder what will the world be like when I am on my own? 

Words are difficult to find to describe all the ways normal was turned upside down this year. Everyone has their own stories like my brother who had to graduate from high school by getting out of a car in a line up in front of the school. If it weren't for the internet and having access to gaming online with other people, being in quarantine would have felt like being trapped alone in a rocket ship orbiting another planet. 

But I do know it’s been way worse for some people, though, both mentally and physically, so I can’t complain too much. I am definitely grateful for my car, that has been like a life raft for me, a bright spot that gives me hope for the future. 

Really the big unknown now is how long it will take to realize how much has been lost this year and how long it will take for us to recover. Will life ever be like it was just a year ago? Will it be worse? We may not know the whole cost for decades, if ever. But, even so, we have nothing to lose to just keep going, keep hoping and keep trying. There have been many times in history that were difficult to live through, World Wars,  the Great Depression, the Dust Bowl years, but people survived and carried on. 

My grandmother shared with me a quote: 

Happiness is something to do, someone to love and something to look forward to.  

If I could encourage anyone who is struggling with all that is happening in this crazy stressful time, I would say, just don’t give up. There’s always tomorrow. Today is what it is but yesterday is already in your rear view mirror.