Year-End Forgiveness?

Starting in 1984, according to a book I am reading, academia began to call for research into the idea of forgiveness. This theme, dealt with by philosophers through-out history was being neglected in the modern world, it seemed. Then in the early 21st century, Jimmy Carter, and Bishop Desmond Tutu, among others, began calling for a foundation which would be funded with mega-dollars to conduct in-depth research. Now, it seems people are increasingly conscious of the idea of the need for forgiving one's fellows for wrongs committed against oneself and one's loved-ones. If this is true, then 2013 would seem to have generated much-needed calls for forgiveness. From tragedies in the Middle East to school shootings and many lesser crimes and slights, humanity is as guilty as sin, as they say. But according to the book I have started, it is the one who forgives who benefits the most. This is a deep subject, of course, and one deserving of actual study. I hope to present some of what I am learning in future posts. N.B. It is good to be back on line after a period of rest during the Christmas holiday! Blessings to you, no matter your faith.

Boehner/Ryan Admissions Astonishing

Not only were Boehner and Ryan's charges that outside groups were attempting to extort the Republican Party and the American people for their own purposes, welcome news. Unfortunately they were also much too late. While it appears another budget log-jam has been averted, where were these missing-in-action leaders three months ago? Thus we do now have a much-needed dose of honesty from the Republican Party but also a huge political and economic mess to clean up after the budget crisis of October. Of course late is better than never, but leadership demands so much more than this. What we have here is another example of election gerry-mandering and corruption. ********************************************** N.B Life with the Musical Patriot is wonderful but demanding. I am ever so fortunate to have met with a measure of success in a music career. This time of the year has, of course, brought special demands on my time. I will do my best to increase the number of blog posts here later this month and into the new year. For now, I wish you and yours a most merry and meaningful holiday season. Please check back here soon as I plan to post again in the very near future. -- TMP

Fascism Defined

The Musical Patriot Turns Teacher In complex topics it is usually best to start with a definition. The term "fascism" has become a loaded word surrounded in hubris and confusion. However, it is a legitimate word and term in the English language. I like the Oxford Dictionary's definition best. According to the Oxford Dictionary, fascism is:

an authoritarian and nationalistic right-wing system of government and social organization. •(in general use) extreme right-wing, authoritarian, or intolerant views or practice. The term Fascism was first used of the totalitarian right-wing nationalist regime of Mussolini in Italy (1922–43), and the regimes of the Nazis in Germany and Franco in Spain were also fascist. Fascism tends to include a belief in the supremacy of one national or ethnic group, a contempt for democracy, an insistence on obedience to a powerful leader, and a strong demagogic approach...

This information is useful in that it allows for somewhat different forms and practices from one country or region to another, yet all share common characteristics. Later in this series I will talk more about economic organization. But for now, it is clear that fascism involves heightened authoritarianism, including a controlled social organization. The form of the authoritarian organization is left somewhat open by Oxford. In America, fascism has been seen primarily as an autocratic form of government headed by a dictator. While this has historically been true in Europe, fascism involves other kinds of control besides dictatorship. Eventually I plan to throw some light on these other aspects of fascism and ultimately show what allows a dictatorship to take hold in a nation. Coming Soon: Fascism gets a foothold in Italy

Low-Wage Earners in U.S. Scheduled to Strike Today (Friday)

Rush Post See the article at this link: http://www.jdjournal.com/2013/08/29/low-wager-earners-walk-out-and-strike-across-country/

What Is Fascism?

Several weeks ago I promised a piece on the subject of fascism, what it is and how it operates. What you are reading now is not the planned piece, but it shall be a prelude to the writing of the article. The matter I will deal with today is whether we have fascism in the world today and where do we find it? Fascism can take many forms. It is best known by its extreme forms such as in Mussolini's Italy, and Hitler's Germany. However, it is sometimes forgotten now that Spain had a severe form, but not as extreme as Hitler's Germany. The Spanish Civil War was fought between the Republicans (democrats) and the fascists (Francisco Franco). Franco ruled Spanish for a couple of generations. Eventually a new republican democratic government took power. Fascism can take other forms, as well. Fascism can run what are called Constitutional monarchies. A lighter form can even run far-right political movements within democracies. There are many details to all this. In coming weeks and months I shall endeavor to bring some light to the subject and try to help us decide just what form of government we have in the United States and in other countries as well. Please check back here soon. -- TMP

Science Worth Knowing!

At this link "The Guardian" reports on the most recent brain science which confirms differences in the neural circuitry between male and female brains. Fascinating!

United Nations to Investigate Surveillance Techniques

Rush post At the link below you can find out about the United Nation's investigation of surveillance programs in the light of the Edward Snowden revelations. This is a critically important subject for a free world.