In psychology and logic, rationalization (also known as making excuses) is a defense mechanism in which perceived controversial behaviors or feelings are logically justified and explained in a rational or logical manner in order to avoid any true explanation, and are made consciously tolerable – or even admirable and superior – by plausible means. Rationalization encourages irrational or unacceptable behavior, motives, or feelings and often involves ad hoc hypothesizing. This process ranges from fully conscious (e.g. to present an external defense against ridicule from others) to mostly subconscious (e.g. to create a block against internal feelings of guilt). People rationalize … Continue reading Rationalization (making excuses) ….

A slew of reports over the last two weeks detailing cases of U.S. armed drones killing civilians signaled a new wave of outrage over the unregulated use of drones by the U.S. There was one report from the United Nations, another from Human Rights Watch, and one from Amnesty International. The uproar—and the sense that Washington has done little to make more transparent its use of drones—culminated in a debate Friday at the UN. But a parallel movement has emerged to make sure that a different and perhaps more terrifying technology never makes it this far. The Campaign to Stop … Continue reading The Campaign to Kill Killer Robots Gains Steam…

  Being highly influenced by the Quaker faith I throughly believe in the “light of God in every person”. No one’s life should be considered less than other. We need to quit calling taking innocent lives as “collateral damage” and call it what it is….. Continue reading Some Lives Matter Less Than Others…..

  As she is currently in my Inspiration Hall of Fame I must admit that Elizabeth Warren inspires me. She seems to really care about all the people instead of just the biggest donors. She says things that need to be said but are just too bold for many to say. I see where the Tyco CEO who was convicted of looting billions from his company is soon to be out on parole. I also know that there are millions who will spend the rest of their lives behind bars because they had a little too much cocaine in their … Continue reading Fundamentally Wrong…

We must recognize that Jesus’ life and teachings have no resemblance to the lifestyles we have set for ourselves. So we can go on using his name and ignoring his message . . . or we could start calling ourselves something different . . . or we could practice squeezing ourselves through the eye of a needle . . . or we could do the really hard thing – earn the label we have been wearing and heed his call. SOURCE:  Kathy Vestal: I Tithe…but should it go to my local church? | Red Letter Christians. Continue reading Heeding His Call….

I seem to be busy with other things right now so will see you later. I am currently off doing research for my new blog In Search Of America. Some call it vacation, I call it research :) Continue reading Busy Right Now….

I just needed permission to say ENOUGH! – ENOUGH to the frenzied rush to buy stuff for people who already have everything.”Enough to the myth that happiness must be purchased. Enough to an economy that is awarding CEOs salaries 500 times that of their workers and still manages to seduce people in poverty and wealth alike to give more money to these predatorial corporations. Enough to the American dream that now consumes over 40 percent of the world’s stuff with less than 6 percent of the world’s resources. Enough to a dream that would need four more planets if the … Continue reading Buy Nothing Day – Enough is Enough…

One of my neighbors is just an old-school type of guy. He continues to burn off the leaves around his house instead of composting them or using some other more environmentally friendly method of disposing them.  In many ways he continues to hang on to the ways of the past. He is radically conservative anti-Obama in a very Red State so he fits quite nicely in his environs; much more so than I do.  We seldom agree on things of a political nature. But…. despite our political, and often environmental, differences we continue to be good neighbors and pretty good … Continue reading Old School….

On the Senate floor Tuesday, Elizabeth Warren argued for the need to strengthen Social Security benefits, now that cuts to the program seem more likely. “With tens of millions of people more financially stressed as they approach retirement, with more and more people left out of the private retirement security system, and with the economic security of our families unraveling, Social Security is rapidly becoming the only lifeline that millions of seniors have to keep their heads above water,” Warren said. “And yet, instead of taking on the retirement crisis, instead of strengthening Social Security, some in Washington are actually fighting … Continue reading Run Elizabeth, Run….