"These days, it seems that the words "Intelligence" and "Common Sense" are so malleable as to be meaningless. . . at least when it comes to Government. . . or Religion."

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We are taught that "ALL PEOPLE ARE CREATED EQUAL" . . .but it doesn't seem to stop a pretty fair number from choosing ignorant over informed.

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"We have no idea how often consciousness arises throughout the Universe, nor can we be sure that ours is anything but a rudimentary example of the possibilities.  I, for one, am confident that is exactly the case."

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Barack Obama is black.  We've never had a black President.  Maybe it's time we had one.  Now there's solid decision making.

Hillary Clinton is a woman.  We've never had a Woman President.  Maybe it's time we had one.  What an intelligent reason to vote "Clinton" for President.  Hillary shed a tear yesterday.  A substantial reason to vote for her rather than Obama.

Perhaps Democrats should be running some sort of a Bi-Polar, Eskimo, Hermaphrodite.  We've never had one of those as President either, maybe it's time.  Such a He-she would be a shoe-in for such discerning-voters.

I know that the words "Faith" and "Belief" as a rule can be used interchangeably.  And though the following is a personal interpretation, in my mind there are some subtle differences .

I generally grant "Faith" to things that are rational, or have been proven evident to me and are utterly dependable over time;  whereas, I'm aware that "Belief" can be bestowed upon absolutely anything, with or without facts or experimental reproduction.

I have faith that the sun will rise tomorrow, but I wouldn't say, "I have a belief that the sun will rise tomorrow.  "Even though the context is correct, it somehow relates a subtle, modest possibility that I believe the Sun might NOT rise tomorrow.

We call the Yellowstone geyser, "Old Faithful", not "Old Believable".

The problem with "Belief" is that one can believe anything at all, for any reason at all, even without the use of logic or reasoning. . . at all.  All that's really required is the freedom of choice to employ it.

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"As civilized human beings, we strive to include Tolerance as an attribute; but, ignorance, religious extremism and Tribal obsessions being what they are, we can actually only afford Tolerance under defined circumstances.  We must not loose our society to a "blind eye", a "turned cheek", "Political Correctness". . . or even to the attribute of Tolerance.

Perhaps we should even start using the term, "Conditional Tolerance".  What a shame.

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Sometimes I pass along poignant sayings that come my way, not because I think you're unaware of the wisdom, but so we can celebrate that there are those besides you and I who recognize it when they see it.

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We're on our Anniversary trip to the Cliff House Inn at Mussel Shoals.  Patti and I are just sitting on the Cliff . . .watching the world.  I can't help but wonder if "appreciation " is a learned ability, or if we're just born with it. . .obviously we're born with the potential.

I can't help but wonder : If there is a purpose to life, maybe it's simply to appreciate it. "TO APPRECIATE" would be a perfect purpose.  I'm watching a herring gull soaring on the brisk winds that are blowing today.  I can tell he's not looking for fish, he's just flying around.  Some Dolphins swam by earlier today.  I know that, in the wake of a ship, they can set their tails at 22 degrees and just surf the wake. They couldn't be going anywhere in particular .