Wimerwhiners

Saturday, September 19, 2009

Glenn Beck: nonsensical or spiritual?

As a result of the recent diatribe over the validity of Glenn Beck and his endless chalkboard points, I decided to watch his program one more time to see if there was anything of value purported by the commenters on my articles and the commenters of Keith Wimer’s articles. I entered the experience with an open mind and as sure as I can say, “You Betcha”, Glenn proceeded to make a complete moron of himself on national television. And the commenters say I should take this man seriously? Give me a break! This man puts his foot in his mouth so much that it’s natural for it to live there. He begins his monologue with his famous chalkboard supposedly spelling the word oligarchy. However, his spelling was O-L-I-G-A-R-H-Y. Not noticing his blatant mistake, he comes back the next night and states that he purposefully left out the C because it stood for “Czars.” ??? The stupidity of this man goes beyond his entertainment ability. Why? Because he believes his own horsecrap! He then proceeds to identify points based on each letter which have absolutely nothing to do with each other, save in his own demented mind. Calling Mr. Beck a sound political commenter is like calling a rapper a musician. A musician creates and translates music through his being into an instrument. He doesn’t sample what others have done, add his own spin to it and call it original music.

This nonsense of his is insulting to those of us who seek a greater knowledge of the world around us. Being aware of your physical existence is only part of the equation. We have, as human beings, other aspects of our beings that need to be recognized in order for us to grow individually and collectively. If we but took the time to nurture and develop these aspects, we would become more aware of the world around us. When we go to school or college we are developing our mental aspects. We learn how to study, listen and think. We are inputted with many types and forms of information, and through the practical application of this information we obtain knowledge. By developing our emotional intelligence, we learn to listen and respect the other guy and his position, even though he might not agree with us. However, when someone continually subjects us to moronic and unsubstantiated claims, we either fight them or simply turn them off. In my non-self righteous indignation, I have chosen to refute the claims of nonsensical individuals like Glenn Beck. His daily dispensing of misinformation no doubt comes from a deep-seated emotional and mental problems. His behavior is so indicative of a “dry-drunk" (an astute observation by Sue Golden, a reader of my column). Kerry Martin, the FBM.com) has more interesting information about this whole "divide and distract" thing of Mr. Beck.

But is he truly spiritual? The final, and most important aspect of an individual, is where we can truly see whether this man is telling the truth. His religious affiliation is Mormon (The Church of Latter Day Saints). I have had many years of exposure to Mormon believers and I have plenty of information about their belief system. My eldest son is a devout Mormon and he and I have had heated debates over what Joseph Smith witnessed on the hill of Cummorah in New York state. You can rest assure, I will have a series of enlightening details about Mr. Smith and his “Latter Day Saints.” My experience with this church is that they brag about family values and their commitment to their people, yet they stick their noses into people’s private business where they have NO purview. To me, they are the worst form of hypocrites. Why? Because they feel that they have some special knowledge and dispensation from God just like I called out Mr. Wimer on in his first article on Ted Kennedy. Anyone that tells you that they have as direct channel to God is waving the worst kind of B.S. possible. A truly spiritual person seeks to develop their spiritual side by becoming one with God; without a middle man. The religions of the world are great for those who are novices in spirituality. But there comes a time when you must grow up in your beliefs about God. When you understand the knowledge you have obtained, then, and only then, do you obtain wisdom.

Make the time daily to still yourself and become one with God. The reward you will get is less stress, more peace, a developing spiritual connection to the divine, and finally, the ability to distinguish nonsense from truth. Take the peace from this time and seek the truth. Develop all of the aspects of your being; physical, emotional, mental and spiritual. Don’t just develop one aspect and think that it is enough to get you through. Balance of all of the aspects is what makes one aware and truly a contributor to truth and understanding.

For more info: Download my free Wilmington Spirituality Examiner toolbar. “Life is a gift. Be thankful for it and it will be replete with abundance. Encourage others to express creativity, release negativity and embrace pro-activity." ©2009 Dean A. Banks. All Rights Reserved. Dean A. Banks, MCIWD, DD can be reached at webproducer@hotmail.com or banksnet.com. Download my free eBook on Articles 1-10 here.

Spirituality and the public option

Much has been said recently about the public option of HR3200. The supporters say that we need such an option to provide health care for millions who don’t have it, while the nay-sayers preach fear and distrust because it increases government and takes away an individual’s right to choose. Let’s examine. The word option means the power or right of choosing. Hmmm. How is a public option taking away a person’s choice, when the very root of the word is choice? I really think the nay-sayers have blown it on this one. No matter how many times they are told that it won’t affect their own insurance, or right to buy that insurance, they still listen to the Beck’s, Limbaugh’s, Hannity’s, O’Reilly’s and Murdoch’s of the world. People who make a living on spreading hate.

Spirituality is the belief that things that cannot be seen affect things that can. However, it works both ways. What you do outwardly every day affects your inner spirit. The nay-sayers don’t seem to have any clue how their negative behavior based on innuendo and not the facts is affecting their spiritual being. Thomas Paine once said, "A long habit of not thinking a thing wrong gives it a superficial appearance of being right." Are the nay-sayers fooling themselves? Or do they have a point? They base their argument on the right of individual choice.

Years ago I had the privilege of studying under Dr. Cleon Skousen. Dr. Skousen, a staunch conservative and Mormon, taught about how individual initiative is what allowed the first settlers to this country to survive. Communistic policies that were enforced in the first winter after their landing led to laziness and lack of contribution by some members of the community. But was his assessment correct? At that time it was. We, as people, are dynamic. As our bodies and minds grow, the awareness of our spirit grows as well. Because some form of behavior created a set of circumstances at one point in history does not necessarily make it viable at other points in history.

We have grown as a society in incremental steps toward a greater understanding of our spiritual nature. However, there are many churches, priests, preachers and religious leaders that still attempt to beat us up with fear, sin and eschatology. If you believe that God has created this universe then come to realize one thing; this universe is abundant. Can you count the blades of grass, the drops of water and the stars in the sky? We have the tools, like most of our Deistic (not Judeo-Christian) founding fathers utilized; to take what God has given us and make it a better world. We have that opportunity with HR3200 to give everyone an equal right to healthcare. It does NOT take away individual initiative, it reinforces it!

A public option would push the insurance companies to negotiate more fervently and as a result it would lower current health care costs. Currently, some Medicare beneficiaries have experienced cost increases; the public option would lower these costs as a result of more fierce competition. Costs wouldn’t be shifted to Americans with private insurance because we would be paying for value, not volume, and subsequently, a practical elimination of over payments. Socialized medicine is NOT socialism. We will still operate as a democratic state and not become a welfare state. The public option will lower costs to families due to the more intense competition. The fear that is being preached is that Americans will be forced to purchase insurance from a public plan. That is so far from the truth it is disgusting! Remember what the word option means. Finally, the patient-doctor relationship would improve because only the necessary care would be administered. Currently, insurance companies decide what they will pay out regardless of what the bill says, and stick the patient with the rest. How is that fair?

Dr. Skousen was right on one very important point. Competition is the soul of our capitalistic society. Furthermore, if we need to resort to socialized medicine to drive up competition, then so be it. To the nay-sayers, stop preaching fear, lies and lack. Realize your true spiritual connection to God, your fellow man and yourself. The more tightly you squeeze on something in your hand the more easily it will slip through your fingers. This is an abundant universe and we are all children of God. Stop hoarding, lying and being self-centered. It will make you a better human being for yourself, others and the rest of the world. As was once said about Ted Turner, “lead, follow or get out of the way.”

Keith Wimer: right wing whiner

As a result of my recent article on Glenn Beck, I have received many comments from yahoos and right wing nuts who think that I am not logical. People who don’t know how to think; they just emotionally react. I have stated my respect for Mr. Wimer to those who defend him. And yes, I did respect him until I read his article on Ted Kennedy. Mr. Wimer stated, “Edward M. "Ted" Kennedy has died. Sincere condolences to his loved ones. God have mercy on his soul. May the Almighty be infinitely more attentive to Mr. Kennedy's eternal condition than Mr. Kennedy appears to have been to lovely, bright-eyed, blonde-haired, 28 year old Mary Jo Kopechne whom he left behind to drown in the car he had driven off an unlit bridge on the night of July 18, 1969, in Chappaquiddick, MA. Kennedy, and this (i.e. special treatment) is a fairly common tale amongst the fabled "Camelot" clan, was given a mockery of a sentence (2 months in prison - suspended, a year’s probation and a 6 month loss of driving privileges) by a Massachusetts "kangaroo court" for "leaving the scene of an accident".

Who died and left you judge, Mr. Wimer? What would your daughter think of you if she knew you made statements and claims about anyone without being there? Were you there at that bridge or in the water? How do you know if Ted Kennedy didn’t try to save her? Did God let you in on some special knowledge that the rest of us don’t know? You ought to be ashamed of yourself. Well, just like your yahoo readers, your true essence has come forth. Whatever respect I had for you is totally lost. I sure hope the readers can see who you truly are. A proponent of misinformation, fear mongering and hate.

Then, in the next paragraph Mr. Wimer displays the picture of one of the greatest haters of all time; Bill O’Reilly. Why don’t you say what Mr. O’Reilly said in his famous YouTube speech now that you have been caught in your spreading of hate? People like you and your constituents continually spread misinformation because you can. Thanks to Liberalism and not Fascism. You reinforce your skewed beliefs and don’t seek the truth. You tipped your hand, Mr. Wimer. Your assessment definitely misses the WWJD test. Jesus taught love and respect for others. The spreading of misinformation, fear mongering and hate IS lunacy and is NOT what Jesus would do. Mr. Wimer states, “Every true Christian, this one included, hopes this is so and again, the sincere and heartfelt sentiment here is that God will be merciful to Mr. Kennedy.” Your supposition of what happened in the water under that bridge shows your personal belief in your superiority in KNOWING what truly happened. How dare you! Take yourself down from your high horse and be thankful for all that God has given you and stop judging others.

Step up to the plate Mr. Wimer and teach the truth. Show people you truly have character and admit that you weren’t there at that bridge. Admit that you truly don’t know what happened. Then, and only then, will your credibility be re-established. Start to teach your viewpoint without acting like you have some special knowledge that God has dispensed on you. Your arrogance is only tempered by your humility. I will continue to read your posts because I believe down deep inside you are a truth seeker. However, if you don’t start to humble yourself when it comes to things beyond your purview, then you will reap the rewards of your actions. May God bless you, Mr. Wimer. I hope that you will see the error of your ways as you have stated in your article, Ted Kennedy: death of the Liberal Lion.

Glenn Beck: the fusion of fear mongering and lunacy

Got your attention, did I? Well, I won’t let you down. Keith Wimer, former Eschatology Examiner and now current Religion and Politics Examiner has recently had a series of articles on Glenn Beck, erroneously portraying him as the school yard nerd who is getting beaten up by the big boys. I commented on Mr. Wimer’s article by saying, “Who is more foolish, the fool or the fool that follows him? This was not an attack, but a question. I want to congratulate Mr. Wimer on his recent success with the Examiner. But at what cost? First, the switch from Eschatology to Religion and Politics because his writings have drawn out the Religious Right contingency and given them a basis for their immoral turpitude on the true teaching of the Bible. It’s understandable when you believe in the eschatological horsecrap based on the psychotic induced visions, or should we say delusions, of St. John The Beloved. John is the supposed author of The Revelation of Jesus Christ. But did Christ truly reveal this allegory to John? Christ taught love and forgiveness. Revelation teaches FEAR! You decide. One of my commenters, Father Jacob, insists on the Bible as the complete Word of God. Father Jacob, why don’t you comment on how the Catholic Church canonized Revelation? Please, let’s seek and speak the truth!

I for one will continue to challenge readers on their beliefs. Where did they come from? How can you know for sure that what you believe is sound? Oh right, the Protestant and Catholic doctrines of sola fide and sola sciptura. Tools for fear mongering preachers like Mr. Beck who day after day sells his soul at the altar of TV ratings. What is fear mongering? It is uses fear through repetition. Keep saying a lie over and over again and eventually people will believe it’s the truth. What is lunacy? Its meaning is insanity and it is classified as a mental disorder. It is sometimes referred to as intermittent insanity and was formerly believed to be related to phases of the moon. Insanity is repeatedly doing something over and over again the same way and expecting different results. One might ask, “How can someone lie repeatedly and still sleep at night?” It’s simple; if they believe they are in the right they simply don’t know any better. Any challenges to their beliefs are summarily dismissed. We are all products of our environment and products of heredity. The truth only lies in the complete investigation of the origins of our beliefs. Something Mr. Beck doesn’t seem to understand because he touts his delusions every night with reckless abandon. Take the FEMA camp at the military base incident. If that lady would have caused any harm to anyone, Mr. Beck would have been just as guilty as she for inciting her with his lies. Who is more foolish? The fool, or the fool that follows him? Beck describes his program as "the fusion of entertainment and enlightenment.” I describe it as “the fusion of fear mongering and lunacy.” Remember, Glenn Beck, like Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity and Bill O’Reilly are entertainers; NOT experts. More like big mouths that spew diarrhea of the mouth and constipation of ideas.

Back to Mr. Wimer. His audience seems to be a mix mosh of good ole boys, yahoos, BACF’s, in-breds and generally those with an eye for sensationalism. Like Keith Olbermann said last night on his program, “Why don’t you just get a hood?” If the shoe fits wear it pal! I challenge each and every one of his readers to NOT read my column because they might learn something that would undermine the basis of their whole existence; it’s called the TRUTH! Go ahead, Jim Bob, make your comments and further cement your lack of awareness by even entertaining anything coming out of Glenn Beck’s mouth. Glenn Beck teaches fear from his basis of lunacy. Like Olbermann says, “A Don’t Tread on Me Paranoia.” Ready to attack? Then listen. I was raised a Republican. I became a Libertarian. I don’t believe in big government but I believe that if government illegally collects a wage tax from you they can at least provide medical coverage for you and your family. Right wing nuts can call it socialism, but it works. Isn’t that better than UIC’s CEO collecting 750 million dollars off the sweat of your brow? Argue with that one, Jim Bob. Have I got more? Like the right wing nut job and pageant wanna-be says, “you betcha!”

All we have is now. What we thought and believed in the past has made the circumstances you are living now. What you think and believe about now makes the circumstances of your future. One such example is Ted Kennedy. He stayed focused on basic human rights and believed that he could help create a world where we could talk and not kill each other if we disagree. Republicans have been trying to paint Ted Kennedy’s contributions as bi-partisan and conciliatory. Yes, he reached across the aisle, but he embraced the principles of liberalism and to walk a mile in the other guy’s shoes. He did it because he believed in the democratic process. He fought for the average American even though right wing nut jobs took the life of his brothers Jack and Bobby. He believed in the goodness of people. So did Jesus. Did Jesus pick up a stone and stone the adulteress? Did he grab Peter’s sword and finish the job on the Roman? No; he expressed understanding and love. Something that Glenn Beck has NO concept of; you can tell a great deal about the person by the fruits that they bear. Jesus cursed the fig tree when it didn’t bring forth fruit. Corporations, the very thing that Glenn Beck supports and vilifies, have backed out of supporting him. To date, 46 corporate advertisers have said, “we don’t want guilt by association.” Doesn’t that tell you something, Jim Bob? I have prepared a response to Mr. Wimer’s 3 articles on Mr. Beck and they will be forthcoming. I challenge him to tell the truth about Mr. Beck and stop perpetrating the spin on Glenn Beck’s statements, policies and behaviors. Let the battle begin!

Spiritual agendas

Over the past few weeks our country has been in a gridlock over healthcare reform. The loudest reactions to health care reform have been those who don’t want it. Why do you think that is? And, what does this have to do with spirituality? Plenty. Your being is a psycho-physical unit that is programmed to survive, and ultimately thrive. If not, we would not be here as the human race. An agenda is a list of things to be done; done in order to either maintain or grow a current situation. When things don’t proceed in an effective manner, and either stagnation or regression appears imminent, then a methodical outlined approach of how to manifest inspiration leads to an agenda. Not everyone will agree on what is termed political agendas, but they sometimes will get even angrier when discussing spiritual agendas.

A political agenda is a set of policies or issues addressed or pursued by an individual or a group. In order to understand why those policies are on their agenda, one must understand their motivations. For example, why such fights recently about health care? Let’s examine their motivations. On the surface the proponents of no plan say that government run health would be disastrous; look at Medicare. Please, let’s look. Medicare operates with a 4% overhead while insurance companies hauled in $230 billion dollars in profit last year. They cry socialism yet Medicare works! Hmmm. I smell a rat. Yes, about every 10 years Medicare gets into trouble because of rising health care costs, yet it still manages to provide quality payment of health care services; it does not provide health care services. Medicare IS a government run program. Insurance companies provide payment of health care services; they do not provide health care services. There is a difference! When a political agenda focuses primarily on the profits of companies instead of the health and welfare of individuals, there is bound to be acrimony over anything that threatens that position. What value do the insurance companies provide to us for the billions in profit they generate? Have they re-invested into our health care system? Remember, in business the bottom line rules and it is their God!

A spiritual agenda is a set of policies adopted by a religious group or an individual. For example, the Catholic Church has a defined set of rules that were adopted alongside their understanding of the Bible that their church adheres to; this becomes the guideline for their spiritual agenda. The Protestants as well have their agenda, even though they disagree with the Catholics on many issues. Other religions adopt agendas based on the needs of their constituents and desire for growth. Due to the firm beliefs of some Muslims, Christians have lived in fear of their religion by lashing out anyone who is part of the Muslim religion. There are radicals in every religion. Take Blackwater’s “Christian” agenda for example. Then there are those who outside of the mainstream religions who simply want to live their lives in peace without sets of rules and agendas in order to become the best that they can be. But, according to some, there are going to hell unless they take it upon themselves to help save their soul. What audacity!

Most Christians today operate on two principles in relation to understanding the Bible. These are the doctrines of sola scriptura and sola fide. Sola scriptura maintains that the Bible is the final source of authority for Christians; in other words Literary Authoritarianism. Sola Fide maintains that faith and not works is what is necessary for salvation; in other words the gospel according to Paul. When any book or sets of books that has been passed down by man mouth to mouth, and then written down, there has to be a question as to what has changed. Christians believe in the infallibility of the Bible as it stands as the Word of God. Yet, man, in putting down the written word had his own agenda. Many Christians use Sola Fide as a crutch to convince themselves and others the validity of Sola Scriptura. Instead of going within and listening to the still small voice of God, who guides and directs your every movement, they aggressively bang the Bible when, most of the times, they haven’t even read it or meditated upon it. They follow what their religious leaders have told them. Why? Is it too much to research it themselves? Are they too lazy? Or do they just want to take the easy way out and jump on the bandwagon. When people rely solely on their emotions and don’t think, what we have seen recently in the news is not surprise. What is your spiritual agenda? Are you looking for a better life? Are you willing to take the steps and walk the walk to a better life? Are you willing to do the research? Or will you blindly accept what others have told you to believe. It’s up to you. Design your own spiritual agenda to daily seek the truth and wisdom of God; meditate and listen to His still small voice. Don’t rely on the written word alone but feel the spirit of God within you. He will reward you with health, wealth, prosperity and abundance. It is your birthright.

Right to life?

Does the Constitution say that we have a right to life? Bob King, in his graphictruth.com post states the following, “The Right to Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness are all things that can only be guaranteed to the extent that we agree to not interfere with the lives and choices of other persons.” Well said, Bob. HR3200 states clearly that the government will pay for an initial counseling session where the patients doctors will discuss with the patient and/or the patient’s family what their viable options are. Options, options, options; not death panels. Now, if you don’t choose to believe me then go and read the bill. In a response to a comment I received from Bill of Houston I said, “The panels as you say are for consultation as to whether they will have a quality of life, that the government will pay for. Have you ever been to a nursing home, sir? Have you seen the constant meds and soul-less stares on the patients, as doctors hack one limb off after another and the patient doesn’t even know where, or who they are? Know what you are fighting for, sir! These people have no quality of life because the pharmaceutical companies are making such a huge profit off of their care.” I know. I visit my father in a nursing home. He doesn’t even know who I am because they have him so drugged up and in a constant stupor; the longer he lives the more the pharmaceutical companies make. Is this quality of life? Hardly!

Republican spokespersons who put down HR3200 say that the government should stay out of our personal choices about life; a belief I hold true as a Libertarian. Well then, what about W. cancelling his vacation to stop Terry Schiavo’s husband from taking her off of life support? He didn’t cancel his golfing vacation for Katrina, when thousands of people’s of lives were at stake (he flew over, tours the area and went back to golfing), yet he said, “we should err on the side of life” just for one individual. No doubt sound advice from his brain Karl Rove. And what about statements made by McCain and Palin about their approval of advanced directive (including living wills) and now denouncing it? Sounds two-faced to me. Argue that one, jim bob.

Now, let’s look at abortion. One of my commenters, Alan, stated that abortion is murder. My response to him was, “ ...Find me one, mind you, just ONE thing about abortion in the Bible...” I challenge all of the evangelical Christian community to find me a verse. Just one; that’s all I ask. But some of the activist Christian community believes that it’s OK to murder abortion doctors. Did Jesus grab Peter’s sword and finish the job on the Roman soldier? No, he picked up his ear and healed him. I don’t care what you say, your actions to meet what act you perceive as wrong by committing the same act is just as wrong. If you don’t see that, then there is definitely something wrong with you. Alan also stated that abortion is against the mandates of the Bible and that I was a pro-abortionist. My response to him was, “As for abortion, I don’t believe in abortion. I have 6 children and 6 grandchildren and I thank God everyday for such a blessing and legacy. I never said that abortion was OK. The mantra you refer to is a woman’s right (to choose)!“ Alan further says, “Anyone who stands by Obama, a rabid pro-abortionist, and still tries to hide behind the hem of Jesus' garment is the worst possible kind of hypocrite.” Sir, I don’t hide behind the hem of Jesus’ garment, I announce it! As for your remarks about a man who recognizes that he is not a woman and has NO right to make choices FOR her, your form of sexual bigotry is dying out quickly.

Like the lady in the town hall meeting who said (no doubt from a script), “you’ve awakened a sleeping giant.” The sleeping giant was awakened last November 4th when the country mandated a change. A move away from fear and fascism toward a democratic and peaceful society. In fact, this same lady, when asked by a reporter said that she “wanted us to go back to what the founding fathers wanted for us.” When he responded with, “Ok, no Medicare, no women’s right to vote” she clammed up and couldn’t say a thing. The Founding Fathers made the Constitution a dynamic, living and breathing document that grows as we grow. Not a static set of rules like most evangelicals THINK the Bible is. The Bible is our operation manual for life. It is NOT our life! Give thanks for the blessing that God has given each and every one of us and you will see and receive the blessings of this abundant universe!

Politics and religion

When I woke up today I went through my usual routine. I started my day with thanking God for allowing me to embrace another day as the caffeine from my coffee seeped into my veins. It is a great day, I thought! I spent most of my evening responding to commenters about my article yesterday. It was enlightening to find that most of them accused me of either being a liar, the devil or simply an idiot. What a great country we live where we can speak our minds without fear of reprisal. It’s funny to me that I posted, in Jesus’ own words, the Beatitudes concerning our attitudes to be. What else is funny, is that none of the commenters paid attention to what Jesus was saying. They only focused on how I was using Jesus’ words to further my political agenda. First off, I have no political agenda. I have a thirst for the truth. Especially the truth as revealed by Christ; IN HIS OWN WORDS!

But, as usual, the point was missed by the commenters completely. It has been said that if you want to make friends, then don’t discuss politics or religion. I am not out to make friends; I am out to seek the truth. When I witness the moronic actions at the town halls, the blatant lies being perpetrated by common people in the media and the hostility of the commenters, I begin to understand why Jesus was put to death. He spoke the truth to those who didn’t want to hear the truth. The only way that His words could be silenced, they thought, was to put Him to death. As we all know, that didn’t work. Listen up Rush, Bill, Glenn and Sean. Distraction might work for a season, but ultimately, you will be known by the fruits you bear. Remember, Jesus cursed the fig tree that didn’t bear healthy fruit. Can anyone of you say that the fruits of racism, birthing, deathing and disrupting are healthy fruit? I think not.

Yet, you bellow out you position, day after day, louder and louder each day, drowning out the calm and respectable voices that are present at the town hall meetings. I was very impressed by the Republican man at the Obama town hall who spoke what he felt, in turn and calmly. There are many composed and contained Republicans and Conservatives who speak with maturity and conviction. I fail to see why they don’t shut down the hate mongers like Sarah Palin and her death panel constituents. Or why they let Rush become the figurative head of the Reps. Or how they scream how Bill O’Reilly speaks the truth! That, right there, shows me how misguided and misinformed they are. These are the same people that call me the devil after I quote Christ. I say, what about the devil in you, my friend? Cast the beam out of your own eye before you point out the speck in mine. The speck in mine is my reaction to the idiocy of the past few weeks. People speaking out of turn about things that they don’t know and about companies and people they know absolutely nothing about. Yet, they have an opinion. An opinion means nothing unless it is an informed opinion based on the FACTS and on an obvious truth.

HR3200 might not be the perfect solution to our problem of health care, but it is the only one on the table today. Yes, it might be loaded with earmarks and deals that have to be there so that the corporations can still rape us somewhat, but at least it offers a way for people with CURABLE maladies to afford to have them treated. It won’t affect your current health care, yet the spin doctors want you to believe that so you can shoot it down. Stop listening to the lies of the those who worship the bottom line. Are you truly a believer in God and the word of Jesus? If you are from another religion, do you believe the God you worship would cause harm to His most prized creation? Would someone who respects God’s creation torture another human being? Would they lie to their brother so they can make interest on them? Remove the beam from your eye so you can clearly see the light of day. The only choice left is to live in the darkness.

Racists, birthers, deathers and disruptors beware!

Your time has come. It’s the end of an era of posturing and ignorance. Your good ole boy clubs and networks have been placed under the microscope. Every day that you invade town halls with your rhetoric and insanity proves this fact. Your bellowing of how health care reform will drastically interfere with the free enterprise system is being revealed by the fact that good ole boys are paying citizens to disrupt discussions at town halls. The financing from the insurance companies and pharmaceutical companies of the good ole boy network is trying to stop what they feel will hurt their bottom line. You are fueling the underlying racial divide with rhetoric and distraction. Do you honestly think that the average intelligent person can’t see through you scripted statements and false passions? Most of the people are simply tired of your B.S. That’s why Obama was elected. It’s time for you to grow up and stop being sore losers. Oh, but that’s trying to get rationality out of people who are irrational, which, in itself is irrational. Oh no, circular logic!

Was Jesus a racist? Did he not say that the good news was for both Jews AND Gentiles? Jesus embraced all kinds of people. A simple analysis of the Beatitudes reflects this:

Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew5:3) – the poor and humble in spirit are blessed by God. Are the racists, birthers, deathers and disruptors of town halls humble in spirit? Hardly. Theirs is a spirit of frustration; “I want my country back!” Back from whom? A black president? Ah, you have revealed your racism!
Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. (Matthew 5:4) – mourners are those who have endured the tremendous might of evil which invades the world; one of these evils is racism. Christ is also a comforter. His wisdom and love of man is unparalleled.
Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. (Matthew 5:5) – the meek are humble and gentle; they don’t strive for disharmony because they put their needs in God’s hands, who ultimately delivers their inheritance of peace and justice on earth.
Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. (Matthew 5:6) – the loaves and the fishes are a result of the oppressed people who longed for salvation and acceptance; sound like slavery of the African-American people? How many years did they endure oppression? Separation from their family members. Working hard for NO wages. Yet they thirsted for righteousness and the result was an African-American president who is aware of, and capable of, bringing the races together. Something the separatists despise. It is ruining “their America!” Funny, I thought this was our America?
Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. (Matthew 5:7) – When you show mercy to another person who you perceive has violated you, then you are superseding justice with love. By assuming a quality of God and showing mercy, mercy will be shown to you. Are the racists, birthers, deathers and disruptors merciful? They are demanding back what they perceive is theirs without regard for anyone else. That, is NOT mercy!
Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God (Matthew 5:8) –When you see God in everything that He has created, you are pure in heart. We are all expressions of God no matter what race we are. Anyone who sees that differently is NOT pure in heart. Is someone who accepts money to disrupt a town hall meeting with rhetoric and distraction pure in heart? Hardly!
Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. (Matthew 5:9) – Those who seek peace accept God as the creator of all things and diligently seek enlightenment and alignment with God. The God of the Old Testament appears to be a warrior God to some. Defending the Jews and claiming them as his “chosen people.” We are all children of God, yet when we seek separation from the whole of God’s creation, we are dividing up the whole into us and them. This is the basis for war, racism, separatism and all hostilities. Those who seek peace and calm, focused discussion recognize their connection to God. Is this the kind of behavior exhibited by racists, birthers, deathers and disruptors? Hardly!
Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5:10) – God set the example of how we should behave with the actions and behaviors in the life of Christ. Jesus demonstrated human emotion, divine healing and showed mercy and brotherhood to all. When Peter cut off the ear of the soldier, Jesus put it back on. He lived in the Kingdom of Heaven and said it was here and now. Not in some far off place in the sky. It is up to us to emulate his behavior and live in the Kingdom of Heaven now! There is no derision and hostility in the Kingdom of Heaven. Will there be sidearms present when you live in the Kingdom of Heaven? Think about it!
Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you. (Matthew 5:11-12) – This verse has been my guiding light. I am exceedingly glad and my reward is being able to live in the Kingdom of Heaven here and now. When I receive attacks from commenters who speak out of their a~s, without anything to back it up, I smile and thank the Lord for blessing me with insight and understanding. The Beatitudes are about keeping the testimonies of God and seeking Him with all of your mind, body and spirit. When you do this your are living in the Kingdom of Heaven everyday. Those who seek derision against man without proof, claim to know the Bible without thoroughly researching it and act like animals at public events are persecuting everyone who shows up to discuss the current issues. Rejoice in their ignorance for they truly have their reward! They have to live with themselves. Ultimately, pray for their guidance from God and the understanding of His laws.

Racists, birthers, deathers and disruptors beware. Your B.S. has been seen in the light of day. Try actually reading the content of the Health Reform Act before you cast judgment. Stop listening to self-aggrandizing inciters like Sarah Palin who don’t have a clue about reality, except to manipulate apparent circumstances to support their positions and increase their bottom line. Do you really think she actually cares about you? If you do then you are quite foolish. Keep displaying your ignorance and keep revealing your lack of understanding of what Jesus has taught us. I can only pray that one day you will wake up and smell the flowers. They, too, are a part of God’s magnificent creation!

Sieg heil, corporate america

It never ceases to amaze me how the lack of intelligence and bullheadedness of conservative right wing intellectual terrorists will defend the very thing that is hurting them the most: corporate america. And what is an intellectual terrorist? A person that keeps battering you with distraction and nonsense long enough for you not to observe and THINK about what is REALLY happening. The expression the blind leading the blind comes to mind, but however, that is not what is happening. Most of these average American citizens are hard-working, family-oriented and want the best in their lives. Yet Corporate America daily dangles the carrot of that better life without hope for them to ever get it.

Many years ago the banks orchestrated the Federal Reserve creation in order to run rampant on the average citizen with interest rates and low monthly payments to keep them in debt forever. The government imposed an income tax on citizens and the IRS took that, according to their code (and NOT the law), to tax your wages. Income tax is legal and wage tax isn’t. There IS a difference! Every ounce of sweat you give into your job earns you money and gives you stress. Stress is the major source of all illnesses because it weakens your immune system. The only way a wage tax would be fair is if the government offered the supporters health care. But do they? Not currently except for the poor and the elderly.

Yet every time a conservative right wing regime is in power in this country, health care reform is passed over. Do you see a pattern here? Corporate America is in the pockets of both Republican and Democratic representatives who proclaim that their stance against health care is for the betterment of America’s citizens. They wave the flag and decry socialism. They try to distract all of us from the truth. Corporate America worships only one God; and that is THE BOTTOM LINE! Their deacons and ministers are the numerous bean counters who daily tally up that “take” and advise them what needs to be done to keep increasing the bottom line. And what’s wrong with that a healthy capitalist might say? Nothing, except when it steps on the freedoms and rights of American citizens. Physical slavery was abolished over 100 years ago and look how long it took for an African-American president to be elected. It is time that people ignore the distraction and nonsense of misguided individuals who support Corporate American rapists and put a STOP to financial slavery.

Stop worshipping at the altar of a false god. What do you think the Hebrews did when Moses didn’t return when they thought he should? They made idols of golden calves (money?) and began worshipping them. God and Moses didn’t take kindly to that, did they. But yet, these same people who bang the Bible in town hall meetings are the same people who turn a blind eye to what Corporate America is doing everyday and cry, “I want my America back.” Why don’t they just call a spade a spade and admit that they are racists. They can’t believe that the best person for the job of leading us out of the mess created by the neo-cons is an African-American. What better person than Barack Obama, who had to grow up with bi-cultural assets in a separatist world, could understand the plight of the average person who is being raped by Corporate America.

People, wake up. Don’t bang the Bible professing it is truth. Read the truth that is in it and realize that Corporate America is your enemy, not your friend. Bring down the regime that has forcibly put you into financial slavery by supporting the real people who are fighting for your individual rights. Don’t just pray for them, get off your tush and do something about it. Show up to town hall meetings to discuss the issues, not distract the discussions from the issues. Truly be an American; one who fights for religious freedom and says no to taxation without representation. Write your congressman, go to town hall meetings, make your voice known. John the Baptist was a lone voice crying in the wilderness; yet his cry announced the Son of Man and the blessings that God has bestowed on us. Wake up and smell the stench of the lies of those who wish to control, dominate and manipulate your every action! Don’t listen to Sieg Heil!

Conspiracy theories

“A conspiracy theory is any theory which explains a historical or current event as the result of a secret plot by usually powerful Machiavellian conspirators. The word conspire means ‘to join in a secret agreement to do an unlawful or wrongful act or to use such means to accomplish a lawful end.’ The word ‘theory’ is, in this usage, sometimes considered to be more informal as in ‘speculation’ or ‘hypothesis’ rather than mainstream scientific theory (Source: Wikipedia).”

Two of the most popular conspiracy theories are 911 and the Moon Landing. Some people, in contrast to the eyewitnesses and scientific evidence foolishly, in my opinion, believe that the moon landing never took place. One of my readers commented to my article "That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind", “The moon landing was fake, filmed in the desert in Nevada with the help of captured Aliens from area 51. Don't believe it.” Well, I choose to believe the facts in this case; not implausible theories. In regard to 911, however, there are two conspiracy theories; the first is that Al-Qaeda perpetrated 911 and the second is that the Neo-Cons, under the command of Bush (more like Karl Rove) and Cheney, allowed it to happen. In Secretary Mineta’s testimony to the 911 Commission he stated that Cheney had, within his power, to stop the attacks cold; but Cheney’s order to stand down never changed. It kind of makes you wonder what was going through the diabolical mind of a man who has had repeated heart problems and lives in fear. As for Bush, his dumbfounded look in the classroom when he was informed of the attack clearly shows he had no idea; he was clueless. Yet Cheney, was in the “bunker” in command and giving the orders; or should we say NOT giving the orders to shoot down the jets. After years of searching for the WMD, none were found; yet one man’s fear plunged us into a war and many American and Iraqi lives were sacrificed on the altar of fear. If you are wondering how could someone like this sleep at night, come to know that they can; because they are convinced they are doing, or have done, what is right for themselves and everyone else. Neo-con thought embraces the principles of Machiavelli.

In The Prince, Machiavelli is attributed with the fundamental break between political Idealism (the outside world is an extension of the mind) and political Realism (existence is independent and not a result of knowledge and consciousness). The Prince is a manual to acquiring and keeping political power. In regard to Bush and Cheney, there is an interesting quote from The Prince; "There are many who think a wise prince ought, when he has the chance, to foment astutely some enmity, so that by suppressing it he will augment his greatness." Interesting, considering Machiavelli’s position taken by the Medici family when the families of Italy had to be united in a common cause against the Gauls. As a political scientist, Machiavelli emphasized the methodical exercise of brute force (punishment or reward) to preserve the status quo (current or existing state of affairs). The term “Machiavelli” denotes someone of politically-extreme perspective and is referenced in modern psychology as a personality type. Personality types involve qualitative differences between people as opposed to personality traits which are quantitative differences between people. In regard to personality types, Carl Jung postulated that there were four main functions of consciousness; sensation and intuition were perceiving functions and thinking and feeling were judging functions. These functions were modified by the two main attitude types of extroversion and introversion. Jung’s theory further states that whichever function dominates a person’s consciousness, its opposite is repressed and will characterize their unconscious behavior. In regard to personality traits, the Big Five factors and their constituent traits are Openness (curiosity), Conscientiousness (self-discipline), Extraversion (self-confidence), Agreeableness (compassion) and Neuroticism (easily experiences negative emotions; emotional instability). In other words, if your dominant thoughts are neurotic and extraverted, you will repress the good things in life and tell others that’s how it is. When you live in fear you are living outside of yourself (Realism). Turn to the world on the inside of yourself and discover a place where there is no fear, only faith (Idealism). Show me anything created by mankind on this earth that wasn’t first a thought in someone’s mind. You can’t! Seduction comes from the Latin and it means “to lead astray.” Mankind continually uses distraction and seduction to convince others to follow their belief system instead of going within and accessing the one true God. Don’t be fooled by getting distracted and seduced by unscrupulous individuals who are out to gain power over you and rent space in your head.

The true principles of spirituality lead you to an alignment with God and His resultant creation. Those who perpetrate fear and separation are responsible for all of the lack and limited beliefs in the world. This universe and this world are abundant. Those who live in fear will always tell you otherwise. You have the power to change their channel to a channel of wisdom, peace and abundance. It starts by shutting off the outside world and going within to seek the Kingdom of Heaven. God has no conspiracies!

For more info: Download my free Wilmington Spirituality Examiner toolbar. “Life is a gift. Be thankful for it and it will be replete with abundance. Encourage others to express creativity, release negativity and embrace pro-activity." Dean A. Banks, MCIWD, DD can be reached at webproducer@hotmail.com or banksnet.com. Download my free eBook on Articles 1-10 here.

Saturday, September 19, 2009

Glenn Beck: nonsensical or spiritual?

Spirituality and the public option

Keith Wimer: right wing whiner

Glenn Beck: the fusion of fear mongering and lunacy

Spiritual agendas

Right to life?

Politics and religion

Racists, birthers, deathers and disruptors beware!

Sieg heil, corporate america

Conspiracy theories

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