The Multitude Are Wrong! - by Hénock Gugsa

The Multitude Are Wrong! 

~ by Hénock Gugsa ~

Recently on Facebook, I responded to somebody named CG [initials] who made the following inane comment to the posted picture meme ....

CG ===> I absolutely love how ironic this picture is, and you all are proving it. It is simply saying ALL issues aren't so simple and everyone needs to be well informed. Nowhere does it mention politics, but what do so many of you do? You simply the issue to a "Democrats vs Republicans."
For fuck sakes, get your head out of the politician's assholes and THINK for yourself.
_______________________________
[ and I responded to CG as follows ...]

HG ===> Curtis: Couldn't you just simply give us only your take on the message in the meme instead of your snarky commentary about the world? I do not get anything of value from your commentary here, but I want you to know that I like and agree with the message in the meme. I don't have to give anyone a reason why ... do you give your reason for everything you do or for your beliefs and judgements?!

HG ===> ... and oh, incidentally, I see that  286  people have given your commentary a thumbs up.  I believe this proves that indeed the multitude seem to prefer taking the wrong path as stated by the meme.  This is a perfect example of "res ipse loquitur" ["the thing speaks for itself"]. 

Assessment and Prognostication - by Hénock Gugsa

Assessment and Prognostication 

~ by Hénock Gugsa ~

A Seriously Damaged Party:

The Democratic Party has taken a severe blow in the gut.  

The anger and frustration (hopelessness, helplessness) of the "working class" was not sufficiently addressed.  Hillary was never really there, and Obama was misguided in his unnecessary and (I believe wrong) advocacy of TPP* ~~~ both Clinton and Obama, thereby damaging the Democrat brand.  Hillary never picked up Bernie's cry, instead she chose the bland and uninspiring route. Big miscalculation!

And as for Donald Trump ... he's just an opportunist and a wild card! He stole the fire that should have been in the Democratic Party's camp!

Beginning of the Future: 

If things don't go well for this new Republican administration, you can bet your bottom dollar that indiscriminate scapegoating will be the order of the day. What's more, since Mr. Trump's agenda is obscure and not even seriously thought-out, there is great potential for self-propagating failure. I do not see clear skies in the horizon. 

In the global sphere, I am envisioning the world as conceived by George Orwell in his book, "1984".

The setting of Orwell's book  is the futuristic, fictional country of Oceania .  When Orwell wrote the book in 1948, the future he envisioned was 1984 ... hence the title of the book.
Oceania is one of three world powers; the other two are Eurasia and Eastasia. War with one or the other world power is a constant reality. 
It is always an alignment of two powers against one.
 
I am now envisioning the Americas as Oceania ... Eurasia as being all of Europe including Russia ... and Eastasia as China, India, etc.
 
Currently, with the Putin and Trump friendship, can you see the beginning of an alignment between Oceania and Eurasia against the "current" threat, Eastasia?  

------------------------------------------------------------------
*  TPP = Trans Pacific Partnership (trade pact)
 

The Demise of Language - by Hénock Gugsa

The Demise of Language 

- by Hénock Gugsa -

======== **** ========

// Someone asked on Facebook  (and I paraphrase):  How does the citizenry get dumbed down so effectively, so fast? ....  And the same someone answered (again I paraphrase):  By the systematic decline and neglect of the national language within the educational structures  ....  Then, a bit later, the same person wrapped up the discourse with a reference to the story of the Tower of Babel. //

~~~~ 

My response:  I don't believe Government has ever made a conscious and deliberate move similar to God when He was punishing humanity for their pride, and their insolence toward Him.  And if Government ever had any such nefarious  designs on its citizens, it would certainly not have been so lucky as to have willing accomplices like science and technology.  In this day and age of acronyms, emoticons, icons, and the vehicles of social media (Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, etc.), the destruction of our language by abbreviations and punctuation marks is inevitable and unavoidable.

The limited boundaries set in Twitter, for instance, are emblematic of a society already addled by attention-deficit-disorder.  But then again, even in ordinary situations of police reporting or doctors' or nurses' medical chart reports, the English language is so stilted and mechanical-sounding, it does not even sound human.  Strangely, the police may surprise you with their vocabulary which may include the word: "semaphore" ... but then at another point, they would confound you with: "vic", or "unsub".  

Conclusion:  I don't think the Government has cursed us into the situation we are in.  I think that, much the same as in the time of Babel,  we ourselves are our own ruination! 

~~~~ 

 

Trying Times! - by Hénock Gugsa

Trying Times!

- by Hénock Gugsa -

In these crazy Orwellian days, of-course anything goes.  Right is wrong, and wrong is right!  The crazies have indeed been calling the shots.  Yes, I'm talking about the national epidemic of "unreason" being spread around by Wall Street, Financial Institutions, governments, the police, the mass media, and political institutions.  Tell me: Has anybody stopped to ask the most fundamental questions to explain the irrational actions or thoughts that are affecting our lives now and will in the future?  So let us now ask:  W H Y  ???

~~ Why are lies being spread about the economy? -- To destroy what has been achieved and to profit from the ruin. 
 
~~ Why are immigrants, and minorities targeted as enemies? -- Because scapegoats are always needed when legitimate reasons are not evident for the perceived problems, and immediate solutions are scant.
 
~~ Why are decency and civility cast aside? -- Because they get in the way of the quick and easy .... "Political Correctness" is seen as denial of freedom of speech by some, and coverup of "truth" (reality) by others.
 
~~ Why are people (normal everyday people) so upset and het up by the "Black Lives Matter" movement? -- It's not really because they don't understand or that they disagree with the movement ... they are not even willing to sit at the table to discuss the burning issues.  No, I just thought of a reason, and it is radical and inflammatory:  I submit to you it is because, deep down, they believe that "black lives" don't really matter at all !

********************************************************************************** 
The conservatives have been outed ... they are the destructives!
Can anything good be salvaged?  Will the nation survive?          
-- Answer:  Yes, it has before, and it will again!
**********************************************************************************

Insane Asylum Admission Criteria - by TPO

Insane Asylum Admission Criteria *

=== by TPO ===

Some of these reasons are, IMO, possibly applicable to the orange-headed Presidential candidate of 2016 .... By order of strength of validity ===>
~~ Egotism
~~ Bad habits and political excitment
~~ Greediness
~~ Gathering in the head [very appropriately so!]
~~ Brain fever
~~ Intemperance and business trouble
~~ Immoral life
~~ Excessive sexual abuse
~~ Dissolute habits
~~ Vicious vices
~~ Feebleness of intellect

-------------------------------------------------------------

* log book of the West Virginia Hospital for the Insane, 

archived by West Virginia Division of Culture and History 

My Takeaway ~~ by Hénock Gugsa

My Takeaway
(of the Presidential Debate, 10/9/2016)
- by Hénock Gugsa -
========================

Spellbinding!  Fantastic !!
I have for a long time opted to watch these debates on C-Span for the basic reason that you get an unalloyed, unfiltered presentation of the events first-hand.  As a result, I am able to formulate my opinions or to describe my impressions as my own with a clear and uncluttered mind.  
So, here is my summarized take of last night's debate participants ...  ************************************************************
Last night's Presidential debate between Hillary and Donald was, in my opinion, unique and for the ages. It was historical (on many levels) and educational for everybody, young and old.

Donald Trump ===> unfocused, petulant, petty, insolent, bullish, and stubbornly unremorseful.

Hillary Clinton ===> polished, in-control, knowledgeable, confident, unperturbed, and worthy of high respect.
************************************************************ 
 

Asking: What is Aleppo? - by Hénock Gugsa

 Asking: What is Aleppo? 

 - by Hénock Gugsa -
~~~~~ *** ~~~~~

This minor and misunderstood moment in a candidate's recent interface with the media actually speaks volumes about the mad rush to judgement by the media! What a pack of marauding hyenas they are !!!

I think Mr.Johnson should be given some slack. After-all, he is a libertarian and he doesn't even like foreign entanglements. Why should he be expected to know and differentiate Aleppo from Kirkut?!!

At least three things bother me with the whole flare-up here .... 

1) How many people (including the media) really, actually know or have even heard of Aleppo before?! Even now, many Americans (and especially politicians) don't know Aleppo from, excuse the expression, a hole in the ground.

2) Why should Mr. Johnson be expected to know about Aleppo, and what is wrong with him even admitting his ignorance?  At least, he is not parading around as a know-it-all braggart !!!  Also, Aleppo is not the problem .... The problem is and has always been American ignorance about the world and the resulting, disastrous mule-headed foreign policy.  Everybody knows what the problem is but they are not admitting it.
3) Priorities, priorities !!! Why is the  Syrian city singled out as an American concern when it is being bombed by its own government?  The evil enemy, ISIS, is not even there, and why are we not concerned more about the Russian complicity in the Syrian tragedy, etc.?? .... On another front, world refugee crisis is not entirely from Aleppo or from Syria in general.  There are thousands and thousands of refugees from everywhere else in the world.  

Conclusion ===> So let us talk about Eritrea?  Do Americans know about Eritrea?  Are they going to ask:  What is Eritrea?!

 

*** U.S.A. *** - by Bill Withers

*** U.S.A. *** 

~ ~ ~ by ~ ~ ~
 Bill Withers

Ad Populum Fallacy - by TPO

 Ad Populum Fallacy *

- by TPO -

The ad populum fallacy is the appeal to the popularity of a claim as a reason for accepting it.
The number of people who believe a claim is irrelevant to its truth. Fifty million people can be wrong. In fact, millions of people have been wrong about many things: that the Earth is flat and motionless, for example, and that the stars are lights shining through holes in the sky.
The ad populum fallacy is also referred to as the bandwagon fallacy, the appeal to the mob, the democratic fallacy, and the appeal to popularity.
The ad populum fallacy is seductive because it appeals to our desire to belong and to conform, to our desire for security and safety. It is a common appeal in advertising and politics. A clever manipulator of the masses will try to seduce those who blithely assume that the majority is always right. Also seduced by this appeal will be the insecure, who may be made to feel guilty if they oppose the majority or feel strong by joining forces with large numbers of other uncritical thinkers.
Examples of ad populum appeals:
    “TRY NEW, IMPROVED [fill in the blank with the name of any one of innumerable commercial products]. EVERYBODY’s USING IT!
    “Gods must exist, since every culture has some sort of belief in a higher being.”
    “The Bold and the Listless must be a great book. It’s been on the best seller list for 8 weeks.”
    “Arnold Killembetter’s movie "True Garbage" is the greatest movie of all time. No movie has made as much money as it did.”
    “The fact that the majority of our citizens support the death penalty proves that it is morally right.”
______________________________________________________________   
* Source: http://skepdic.com/adpopulum.html

"No Little Things" - by Naftali Reich

"No Little Things"
- by Naftali Reich * -
=============

What is the image that comes to mind when we think of the ideal national leader? Someone who has a grasp of the issues, who can see the big picture. Someone who is strong and courageous, who can hold his own in the arena of international affairs in times of war and peace. Someone who has a vision for the future and the ability to make it happen. Someone who, through his words and actions, can inspire and galvanize his people.

[But] what is [a leader's] qualification for leadership? That he is attuned to the spirit of each and every individual [citizen].

And the overriding quality required of a leader ...
It is not enough for a leader to have grand schemes and plans. It is not enough for a leader to deliver soul-stirring addresses to the people. A leader must be able to relate to his people on every level. He must be sensitive to their needs and aspiration. He must empathize with their pain and joy. A true leader cannot stand off in the distance. He must be thoroughly attuned to the most minor requirements of his people in order to lead effectively. For a true leader, there are no little things.
_____________________________________________________ 
* Rabbi Naftali Reich, "No little Things", www.torah.org/legacy 7/14/2008

 

What is "normal"? - by Dr. Gabor Maté

What is "normal"? 

- by Dr. Gabor Maté -

 

In response to Giuliani - by Hénock Gugsa

In response to Giuliani
- by Hénock Gugsa -
~~~~~~ // ~~~~~~ [Rudy Giuliani on FOX News: "When they come to save your life, they don't ask if you are black or white, they just come to save you!"  Rudy Giuliani thanked all the police officers who are out protecting us [sic] ....]

But that is their job! And that is what we expect them to do ... to do their job!

The police are public servants, they are expected to serve and to protect.  Neither they nor we should expect them to do any more or any less than their duty.  We  of-course love and care for them as members of the community .... They should be (and are) well compensated.  They should be well-equipped and trained to do their duties just as the military does with one difference.  The police are a civilian force which means that they are civilians and should not have a battle (war) mentality!

There is also one other aspect of our relationship with the police that is often overlooked or hardly ever mentioned.  It is the covenant of trust that we have laid at the feet of the police.  They are bestowed all the power and privileges of the "law enforcer."  Naturally, we expect policemen to carry out the delicate task of the day-to-day application of the law in people's lives.  Most importantly,  we entrust the police with the protection of our lives, our property, and our human rights.  We expect the highest standards of unwavering moral conduct, and we expect responsible, respectful behavior from our policemen.  These are the actual job requirements of the police.  If it is deemed that they cannot be met, that we are asking too much of the police, then maybe these folk need to find other softer or cushier positions like, for example, the clergy. 

Here is a look why the police should not demand respect and special thanks just for doing their jobs ....  Think of your mom and dad ... you expect them to love, protect, and nurture you ... but you don't expect them to do all that because they expect you to thank them.  They're doing their duty and your happiness and welfare is their only reward!

The work that policemen do should not be looked at collectively, but individually.  We should assess a policeman by his record, not just by the fact that he is wearing a blue uniform.  Let us give the police special honor and thanks following a job performance review just like every citizen in the country.  To do otherwise is to invite hubris and abusive behavior from folk whom we have given the highest honor of our trust. 

Depressed! - by Hénock Gugsa

Depressed! 

- by Hénock Gugsa -

I went to church this morning; and when the service was over, I found myself depressed by two things that had happened ... ====>
 
1 - During the sermon, the pastor brought up the topic of the recent social turmoil here regarding police killings of young black men.  The pastor actually began his comment with,  "All lives matter and it saddens us that ...".  I was almost tempted to raise my hand and object, but I restrained myself.  How can he not comprehend that when people have been crying in anguish that "Black lives matter!", there is a contextual (unsaid but understood) reference to inclusion, as if saying 'black lives matter too' ... don't forget us.  Why do things have to be spelled out to people?  Where is your comprehension of language? 
Also, and above all, why are people so reactionary and so defensive?  Why are they so dismissive, and why do they egregiously trivialize the serious concerns of a group with legitimate grievances?!
 
2 - During the "Peace" greetings of the congregants to one another, I shook hands with an old lady who said to me, "Are you a visitor?"  I started to say that I wasn't because I have been there once before.  But then I replied, "Yes."  However, I got neither a "Peace to you,"  nor a "Welcome." ....  Walking home, I thought why should things be this way?  Isn't a church a house of God where everyone is automatically and unquestionably welcome to worship?  Or is God approachable only exclusively to regular congregants?  Is God a bartender?!
-------------------------------------------
Phisshh ... I am so depressed!!

Stirring Photo - by Osman Sagirli

Stirring Photo 

- by Osman Sagirli -

Little girl surrenders when she mistakes camera for gun!
 
Turkish photojournalist Osman Sagirli took the picture. 

The four-year-old girl, Adi Hudea, was at the Atmeh refugee camp in Syria in December 2014. 

The Police State - by Hénock Gugsa

 

The Police State
- by Hénock Gugsa -
====== *** ====== I'm sitting here wondering what next ... I am utterly confused.  Are we in Israel fighting Palestinians?

These days, the Police everywhere in America are actually militarized over and above what has been the norm for years.  They have nightsticks, tasers, Glocks, sniper-rifles (with scopes), shotguns, bullet-proof vests, night-vision goggles, mob-controlling shields, etc., etc. .... And now we are adding "Killer Robots"!!!

And don't forget: The police are presumed to have received thorough training in all aspects of stressful confrontations including proper application of force.  Cops are expected to have and to display mental and physical fortitude.  They are supposed to be well-equipped in every way.

Nonetheless, one wonders: Are the police protected enough?!  What more should be done to lessen their fear of the public that they are supposed to serve and protect?

Is all their armament sufficient or necessary to cope with single life-and-death situations?  Or is it needed to impose and perpetuate a permanent siege mentality? 

I don't know about you, but I sure don't feel particularly well-protected or served.

 

The Blunderbuss Effect - by TPO

The Blunderbuss Effect

- by TPO -

~~~~~~~ // ~~~~~~~

** From: Epoch Times
===================
7:25 a.m. (July 8, 2016)

A man wrongly identified by Dallas police as a suspect in a sniper attack on police says he turned himself in and was quickly released.

The Dallas Police Department [had] put out a photo on its Twitter account late Thursday of a man wearing a camouflage shirt and holding a rifle with the message: “This is one of our suspects. Please help us find him!” The tweet remained on the account early Friday morning.

The man in the photo, Mark Hughes, tells Dallas TV station KTVT that he “flagged down a police officer” immediately after finding out he was a suspect. He says police lied during a 30-minute interrogation, telling him they had video of him shooting.

Videos posted online show Hughes walking around peacefully during the shooting and later turning over his gun to a police officer.  

BREXIT! ===> You breaks it ... you owns it! - by Hénock Gugsa

Click to enlarge figure

BREXIT! ===> You breaks it ... you owns it! 

- by Hénock Gugsa -

Breaking away?! .... I am wondering if there is or not an universal truth or finality to such a decision in Britain. 

It is indeed a reflection of Britain's isolationist mood.  Furthermore, there are going to be ripple effects both in England and globally.  The big question is:  Could this stupidity be reversed? .... 

On another deeper, local, and demographic level, could there be a more serious rift between the old and the young? 

I stand with the youth.  The old are selfish and think of themselves more than of the youth's future.  

"The Good Old Days!" - according to DT

 

"The Good Old Days!" 

- according to Donald Trump -

(thru the good graces of Marianne DeMarco)

~~~~~~~ *** ~~~~~~~

Unnecessary and Pointless Strife - by Hénock Gugsa

Unnecessary and Pointless Strife

- by Hénock Gugsa -

   “It’s not a favorable time to be a black, Muslim, Somali immigrant.”

      -- Jamal Abdulahi, who has lived in Minnesota for more than 20 years. --
 =====================//=======================

** A rather inane,and weaselly thing to say!
Why doesn't he just say "a Somali-American"?  After-all, he knows as well as the rest of us that 99.99% of Somalis in the U.S. are black , Muslim, and immigrants.  We also know that the Somali community is not trying very hard to improve its image.  Sadly, we hear that a Somali undercover terrorist informant had to be paid a six-figure amount to assist in catching terrorist plotters here in Minnesota.  Shameful!  Where is the American patriotism or the simple, unconditional love and appreciation for America?  Where is common decency, where is duty, and where is honor? **

Facebook conversation between MG and Hénock Gugsa follows ....
==================================================

MG ===> I think I must have missed a conversation somewhere.
----------------------------------------------
Hénock Gugsa ===> Here's the latest info on the court case against 3 Somali youth: www.mprnews.org/story/2016/06/03/isis-trial-minnesota-men-verdict 
/// 3 Minnesota men found guilty of plotting to join ISIS [mprnews.org|By Laura Yuen]
----------------------------------------------
MG ===> They have very sad eyes. I don't know what to make of this. What are your thoughts Hénock?
----------------------------------------------
Hénock Gugsa ===> I have lived here in Minnesota a cumulative of over 30 years. There is a diversity of communities and cultures living and prospering in this wonderful, liberal, and most generous State. Most of the communities are law-abiding citizens who meticulously keep a low profile, or if you hear about them, it is mostly in good light. The same cannot be said for the Somalis, and they have not only alienated themselves but have alienated others against them. Living in tight small communities separate from the main (host) society, not assimilating well, and getting in skirmishes with the law does not help. In my opinion, Somalis give immigrants a bad name with their arrogance and their aggressiveness. Am I prejudiced? I don't know, but I have known Somalis a long time even before I came here (back in Ethiopia). But you have to make your own assessment thru the writings and history out there (good and bad).
----------------------------------------------
MG ===> What are you thoughts about the "lost boys"?
----------------------------------------------
Hénock Gugsa ===> That is a totally wonderful and inspiring tale of Sudanese boys who trekked long and arduous miles to safety .... 1-) They were a family or members of an extended family. 2-) They are non-militant, peace-loving Christians. 3-) They have assimilated very well and have deserved all the respect and accolades bestowed upon them.
----------------------------------------------
MG ===> Why are the Somali kids so troubled?
----------------------------------------------
Hénock Gugsa ===> That is a mystery to me.
======================================  

Gun Madness - by G B (on Facebbok)

           

The madness about AR-15s
- by - G B  (Facebook- June 14, 2016 - Portland, OR)
==========================================
Today I went to my local gun store (US Guns, 9063 SW Barbour Blvd.) to ask about AR-15 guns. I didn't go in to berate, but to try to understand why a store would sell such weapons. The two young guys in the store were understandably jittery but tried to answer my questions.

ME: I'm trying to learn more about the AR-15 and why an ordinary citizen would want one. I already know that the AR does not stand for "assault rifle" or "automatic rifle" but for ArmaLite, the company that developed it.

CLERK at US Guns: Most people use them to shoot cans and stuff.

ME: You'd have to be a very bad shot to need that kind of gun to shoot cans. I did just fine with my BB gun and my dad's 30-06 deer hunting rifle. I didn't need 45 rounds per minute.

CLERK #2: They are good for shooting coyotes and ground hogs because those little suckers really move fast.

ME: It seems that the AR rifles are nearly all you have here, except for the hand guns.

CLERK: Yes, they are our most popular.

ME: But surely everyone isn't buying them to hunt coyotes, ground hogs, and tin cans.

CLERK #2: They are good for wild pigs in Texas. They're a real problem in some parts there.

ME: But we don't have wild pigs in Portland. Why do people in Portland buy these types of guns?

CLERK: Well, some are for protecting their families and property.

ME: Protecting them from whom?

CLERK: I don't know, that's just what they say.

ME: Have you ever had someone you love killed by a gun, and I don't mean while hunting rabbits?

CLERK: No

ME: I have. You are young, and the older you get the more likely you are to lose a loved one. Whether you think they are killed by a gun or a person you will discover they are dead. What would happen if you stopped selling AR rifles?

BOTH CLERKS: We'd be out of business.

ME: So it's about the money.

CLERK: Yeah.

ME: I ask you to reconsider and to stop selling these guns. Thank you.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
And I left. But wait, there's more ....
Part II
As I headed to my car I was approached by a guy who was in the store and followed me out.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GUY: They are lying. They sell the guns to people to protect themselves when "they" come?

ME: Who is "they," zombies?

GUY: Yeah, that and all the others who might try to steal your food after an earthquake or take your guns or imprison your family members.

ME: Is that something that really concerns you?

GUY: Yeah, with the way the country has been going the last 7 years. . .

ME: You mean since we got a black president?

GUY: Well, not just that but look at all the Muslims and immigrants streaming across the border to get us. I have six ARs, and plenty of ammunition.

ME: But you can only shoot one gun at a time.

GUY: But I bet I feel lots safer than you do.

ME: No, I'm not afraid of hoards of zombies, Blacks, Mexicans, or Muslims coming after me and my family. I'm more afraid of going out dancing, or to church, or the movies, or school.

GUY: Nah, those are pretty safe places.
=========================================================
I drove away proud that I hadn't screamed at anyone, but just asked questions, hoping I would learn something. I did, and it made me cry a bit as I drove home.

I thought of my friend John, a husband and father, who was depressed about school and couldn't buy beer in Utah because it was Sunday, so he bought a gun and shot himself.

I thought of my daughter, who wanted to clean the carpets but was turned away because she was wasn't old enough to rent a Rug Doctor. But she was old enough to have bought a gun if she wanted.

There is something very wrong here and the only way it will get fixed is if we all get off our butts and do something about it. Everyone start by finding your neighborhood gun store and go in and ask questions. Challenge them a bit to think about it and to come clean with the real reasons for these guns. It has nothing to do with the Second Amendment. It has to do with the money they make from paranoid people, made even more paranoid by the NRA. We all have a gun story. Tell them your story and ask them to stop selling AR guns. They probably won't, but you will have made them think about it.