Fiction-, Stories, Myths, and Legends. THE LESSON. PT 1.

 

The Student was ready. He had passed all the Exams, and was considered to be the Brightest and Most Capable of them all.

Yet, much Troubled him. His Teachers, Instructors, and Counselors were Highly Accomplished, and he had learned much. However, as he faced Graduation, his Life Path was still not Charted.

Told of all the Things he could do, and the paths he might take, it was Frustrating not to be able to single one out. Finally, he Decided what to do, and it shocked those close to him.

Many Years Before, there had lived in the area an Individual of such Wisdom, that All sought his Counsel. Teacher or Student, Man or Woman, it mattered not. All came to ask advice, for Failure never seemed to find him. It was said that his Intellect was so great, that to Limit it to the Classroom or Public Forum, would be a Crime against Reason.

However, as the Years Passed, the "Wise One," as all came to address him, grew so Exhausted by the constant Demand on his Time, that he left the City one Morning, to live a Solitary Life in the Mountains. He had acquired enough Wealth through the Years, (Gifts from Grateful Individuals whom he had Helped), to arrange for Food and other Supplies to be Delivered at a Specific Location, which he could pick up at his leisure. This was to be done on Certain Days, and Payment would be Tendered for the continuation of such services.

No one had seen the "Wise One" for several years, even though a few did search for him. It was said that he would be found when it was necessary, and not before.

END PART 1.

"IT IS SAID THAT THE GREATEST ACCOMPLISHMENT OF ALL, IS TO STAND UPON THE SHOULDERS OF GIANTS, AND CONTINUE THEIR GOOD WORKS. IS THIS SO?"

"NO, IT IS THAT IN THE FUTURE, THERE ARE THOSE WHO SEEK TO STAND UPON YOUR SHOULDERS, AND CONTINUE YOUR GOOD WORKS."

A TRIBUTE: DR. RONALD BARNETTE.

 Today I learned that DR. RONALD BARNETTE, who was HEAD of the Philosophy Dept at Valdosta State University when I was an undergraduate, passed away. Below is the Obituary, and a message I posted in memory...

Obituary for Ronald Lee Barnette

Family and friends grieve the loss of our beloved Ronald (Ron) Lee Barnette who passed away unexpectedly at the age of 80 on Thursday, November 17, 2022.

Ron was born on July 7, 1942, in Compton, Los Angeles, California, to Max and Eileen Barnette. The family later settled in Ukiah, California, before making Laguna Beach, CA their permanent home. Ron graduated from Ukiah High School in 1960. He obtained his Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from California State University - Long Beach in 1967. He also attended Berkeley University and the University of Oxford during the course of his educational development. He obtained his Ph.D. in Philosophy from the University of California – Irvine in 1972, before beginning his teaching career. His areas of specialization were Logic and Critical Thinking, Applied Ethics, Philosophy of Technology and Education, Philosophy of Science, Minds and Machines. Additional background details can be found at www.ronbarnette.com.

Ron was a long-time resident of Valdosta, Georgia, where he served as Head of the Philosophy Department at Valdosta State University and taught for over 30 years. Throughout his career, Ron was actively involved in the American Philosophical Association (APA). Ron was a pioneer in utilizing the internet for online teaching and supporting research efforts, recognized by numerous awards for his formative innovations. Ron also earned the lifetime designation of Professor Emeritus.

Ron was the consummate promoter of logic and critical thinking. His inclusiveness and tolerance, without judgment, of everyone around him exemplified his dedication as a true humanitarian.

Upon retiring in 2002, he and his wife moved to Dunedin, Florida, where they immediately became engaged in all aspects of their new community. Ron was elected to the Dunedin City Commission, on which he served for over five years. Prior to his election to the Commission, he created the City of Dunedin Code of Core Values for Civility and Ethics, which was adopted by the City.

Ron was a member of “The Castells”, a Southern California vocal group in the early 1960’s. Throughout his life, Ron was an author of and contributor to numerous professional publications. Ron and his wife also co-wrote the fictional psychological mystery One More, published in 2020. Ron was an enthusiastic reader and loved classic cars, having been an amateur drag racer in his youth.

Ron was a loving and devoted husband and father. Together with his wife of 49 and a half years, Candy McKibben Barnette, they lived a rich and full life traveling and hosting extraordinary social gatherings in their home and in the community. Ron loved to entertain and had a devilish sense of humor and wit, which led to a lifetime of laughter.

Ron was preceded in death by his father, Max, his mother, Eileen, and his brother Gregg. He is survived by his wife Candy, his son Daron Wiemeyer, his daughters Blair Barnette (Cem) and Rebecca Barnette Bernier (Mark), and granddaughter Anna Elizabeth Bernier, and by his aunt Gay Harter, and cousins Darcy Thornborrow, Danny and Doug Meester, Dennis and Wesley Morrissey, Debi Hempel and Rocky Harter, and his sweet, furry feline companion, Kibbie.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Ron’s name made to the Dunedin History Museum, Dunedin International Film Festival (DIFF), Dunedin Library, Dunedin Fine Art Center (DFAC), and Dunedin Cares, Inc., are appreciated. All friends are welcome to join Ron’s family in celebrating his phenomenal life well-lived at his memorial service, to be held on Monday, January 16, 2023, at Historic Andrews Memorial Chapel, 1899 San Mateo Dr, Dunedin, FL 34698.

Dave McDonald

I don't know how to say it any clearer than this: Thank You, Doc. First as a Professor and Mentor, and later as a Friend, Critic and, Supporter. I, and so many others had the privilege to interact with and learn from you, and it is a debt that can never be repaid. However, knowing you, repayment is not the correct term. "Give to others the Time and Effort I gave to you, and we'll be even." There is no greater epitaph for a life spent teaching others that the search for Truth and Wisdom was the noblest goal of all, and one that should not be taken lightly, especially by those who seek to be called PHILOSOPHER. To Candy and the Family, there is nothing I can say that will make it easier, but I think he was as proud of you, as you were of him. DAVID.

DEFINING AND UNDERSTANDING TWO OF THE MOST DESTRUCTIVE TERMS THAT ARE OFTEN AN ESSENTIAL PART OF CREATING TOTALITARIAN GOVERNMENTS.

 

FASCISM - FORM OF GOVERNMENT IN WHICH ALL POWER, POLITICAL ,LEGAL, SOCIAL RESTS WITH ONE PERSON AND/OR A SELECT FEW.

DICTATOR- ALL POWER RESTS WITH ONE PERSON.

JUNTA OR RULING COUNCIL- POWER RESTS WITH A FEW, HALF-DOZEN OR SO.

THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS CIVIL RIGHTS. LAW ENFORCEMENT AT ALL LEVELS IS CONTROLLED BY ONE SOURCE.

THE MILITARY PLEDGES ALLEGIANCE TO THE RULER(S).

RELIGIOUS FREEDOM IS ALLOWED ONLY AS FAR AS PERMITTED, DEPENDING ON HOW IT SERVES THE PURPOSE OF THE RULING GOVERNMENT.

COURTS ARE ADMINISTERED BY SELECTED JUDICIAL FLUNKIES, WHO KNOW THAT THEIR DECISIONS MUST BE AGREEABLE TO THE FASCIST LEADERSHIP, OR THEY ARE OUT.

THERE CAN BE ELECTIONS, WHERE ALL CANDIDATES ARE CAREFULLY SELECTED BY THE DESPOTS IN POWER. THERE IS NO PARTY SYSTEM ALLOWED. NO REAL OPPOSITION.

EVEN IF SOME FORM OF ELECTION(S) IS ALLOWED, THE RESULTS MUST BE AGREEABLE TO THE POWERS THAT BE, OR THEY ARE VOIDED. 

THE NEWS MEDIA IS NOTHING MORE THAN A SYSTEM OF PAID PROPAGANDISTS, NO OPPOSITION IS PERMITTED.

MOST IMPORTANT OF ALL- THE LEADERSHIP IS ACCOUNTABLE TO NO ONE. SINCE THEY ARE THE SOURCE OF ALL LAW, THEY CAN NOT AND WILL NOT BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR ANY ACTIONS THEY UNDERTAKE. 

TERRORISM-  THE USE OF VIOLENCE, OR THREAT OF SUCH, TO ADVANCE THE DOCTRINE, IDEOLOGY, RULES, OR GOALS OF A GIVEN AND IDENTIFIABLE GROUP THAT IS NOT GENERALLY REGARDED AS A LEGITIMATE POLITICAL ENTITY, OR THE RECOGNIZED LEGAL AUTHORITY FOR A RESIDENT POPULATION OR GEOGRAPHICAL AREA.

MY RESPONSE TO JUSTICE ROBERTS AND ALITO. PART 5. (FROM QUORA.COM)

 

I was asked to submit an answer to a question posed on Quora.com. I think it fits in with previous posts on this topic.

The following is a very brief answer to a complex question, so I attempted to make it as reader-friendly as possible.

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Why did God lie to so many Evangelical "Christian" leaders, who said God had told them personally that Republicans would win midterms? Is God a liar?

You have to remember, people can sometimes hear what they want to hear, especially in matters of faith.

RELIGIOUS FAITH, by definition, requires NO PHYSICAL EVIDENCE, LOGICAL PROOF, OR SCIENTIFIC JUSTIFICATION to convince a true believer. That is why the U.S. CONSTITUTION was so specific about keeping INDIVIDUAL FAITH FROM BECOMING LAW. (Something the current Scotus is trying to implement) If you decide that Faith alone is a proper justification for the creation of a Legal System, you are left with the following:

A legal System based on Majority Rule, where Legislators and Judges are free to make arbitrary decisions based on personal moral codes of conduct, which can then be wiped out as soon as another steps in.

Concepts such as INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS, HUMAN RIGHTS, SOCIAL JUSTICE, CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR, etc., mean whatever those in charge want them to mean. No Consistency or Legal Precedent can be enforced, because RELIGIOUS FAITH REQUIRES ADHERENCE TO ECCLESIASTICAL AUTHORITY, NOT CIVIL AUTHORITY.

In the end, GOD didn’t lie to them, they just misinterpreted the message, or failed to understand that what THEY BELIEVED TO BE A DIVINE MESSAGE, WAS JUST A DESIRE BASED ON PERSONAL PREFERENCE.

One of my favorite sayings about Religious Faith, a sort of catch-all for a situation like this:

Question: “Does God answer all Prayers?”

Answer: “Yes, but sometimes the answer is no.”

So a person of Faith may have prayed for a specific outcome in the election…