Torture and death were the penalties for independent
thinking during the 600-year Inquisition. The InterNet
opens a new "Pandora's Box" that is more difficult to
control, because it is now an integral part of economic
and social life.
However, there is no offensive language, graphics, or
pictures in these pages and there is no sexual content.
Words are the only medium, but they are not simple words.
Small children and uneducated adults will not follow the
logic, but will stop reading before the narrative lifts
the tails of the SACRED COWS.
BUILD YOUR OWN AGENDA FOR LIVING
Remote links reveal alternative insights about facts that
have been suppressed or ignored by the media. Other pages
at these websites may be more controversial.
The Net contains many "far out" ideas that I do not agree
with personally. For instance, you may be asked to sign
petitions for or against this or that, usually without
having any way to check the facts. Other authors present
convincing but biased arguments that the "War on Drugs" is
futile. They gloss over the destructive nature of the drug
problem, and never mention the close ties between illegal
drugs and terrorism.
To explore further on a linked site, go to the (Netscape)
LOCATION or (Explorer) ADDRESS and erase to a higher
directory level. However, it is your choice. Nobody
forces you to search for controversy.
SCREEN WHAT YOU READ!
To develop a PERSONAL AGENDA as a basis for FREE THINKING
about sociology and politics, an INDEPENDENT ANALYST needs
access to many points of view. There are links here to
many kinds of writing.
Often authors present valid insights about some subjects,
but on other subjects they dig deep into their own barn
basement agendas and regurgitate foolish ideas. They may
urge you to sign petitions in support of radical causes.
Don't be conned into following the action agenda of
others. When in doubt, walk softly, be on the safe side,
and follow your own conservative hunches.
An independent analyst is not a sheep. He/she does not
blindly follow the emotional agenda of any Dogmatic
Religion, Evangelist, Militant Sect, Television Preacher,
Witch, Warlock, Magician, Psychic, Anti-Government
Militia, Disgruntled Radical, Corporation, or Political
Party, whether conservative or liberal.
Instead, in a constant search for TRUTH, the analyst
gathers as much data as possible in the time available for
the task, and then makes a decision as to the TRUTH by
considering all apparent logical objections and practical
alternatives. Then he/she develops an agenda and supports
only those organizations that fit that personal agenda.
SORT OUT THE BIAS (Especially From InterNet Sources).
An analyst is always receptive to new ideas, but must have
zero tolerance with any fixed, unyielding (revealed)
DOGMA.
Unfortunately, some of the following links may contain
flagrant bias, of any persuasion, for whatever reason.
There is no way that I can be responsible if you allow
yourself to be misled. But, you don't want to hide from
all contact with the world!
"What to do, what to do!" you agonize. The answer: Start
by learning to detect the unstated bias in all mass-media
communication...
SACRED COWS AND METHODS OF DOMINATION.
Ancient taboos restrict freedom of the press in many
countries, including America. Topics not to be discussed,
truths not to be presented, and viewpoints to be edited
out are all called "SACRED COWS", a term from India, where
cows are sacred symbols. In India cows can go anywhere,
anytime, and must not be harmed or criticized in any way.
Also in India, trainers indoctrinate elephants into a life
of bondage and forced labor by using smaller and smaller
ropes. Finally, only a tiny rope is needed for control.
As public attitudes mature in secular regions of the
American Southwest, traditional "sacred cow" bonds are
overcome, but infamous latter-day inquisitors still force
censorship of news and editorial opinions in the "Bible
Belt".
BE CAUTIOUS ABOUT CHANGING THE STATUS QUO
You don't want to make the situation worse...
If changes need to be made in society, the independent
analyst WORKS WITHIN THE SYSTEM to make those changes,
using the powerful weapons of TRUTH, logic, rational
argument, persuasion, and patience.
To develop these skills an individual may require more
(formal or informal) education to accumulate a store of
background information as a basis for analysis and
argument. Formal school courses in physical science make
a good foundation, but most adults return to the Public
Libraries for a lifetime of supplemental reading and
study. When all else fails, the InterNet has merit, but
much of the available material on the InterNet consists of
news, news opinion, and advertising. It is difficult to
sort out true factual data from such sources.
SORT OUT THE TRUTH
TRUTH and FALSITY are intermixed in every communication
that we see or hear, often in the same newspaper column or
editorial! No matter what the authors or speakers claim,
all past and present insights concerning humans and our
world were originated by mortal humans with mortal
frailties. Perceptive analysts must recognize and allow
for inherent bias, always sifting and screening, to sort
the wheat from the chaff...