I believe it was Governor Adlai Stevenson who remarked, "It is easier to fight for one's principles than to live up to them." He was, of course, correct, as I have learned tonight from my interpersonal experiences. A principle I believe in is friendship. However, tonight, I have failed to live up to that principle, even after promising a friend that I would be there for them, whenever they needed me- yet I was not. This contradiction... this hypocrisy, saddens me, and I'm regretful. Though my words conveyed genuine concern, my contradictory actions only sent the message to my friends that they are second to my priorities. Second to my wishes... and this, causes me great cognitive dissonance, as I do believe that friendship should have come first... yet I failed to act. Words only go so far... the rest of the message has to be carried by the actions that accompany them. Tonight, I gave only words of assurance, but no action to manifest them. I'm sorry.
I believe it was Saint Paul who said, "Faith without works is dead." How true does words seem now. Not only in my interpersonal relationships, but in my role in the community, which, though it does have action, is lacking enough action... it needs more. Even in my interpersonal relationships... more action, to live up those principles that I claim to hold in a personal ethos. Tonight, I've only proven myself a hypocrite. In the Gospels, Jesus condemned the Pharisees for their hypocrisy. Am I to be like they?
I'm sorry for my lack of action... my hypocrisy that ran deeper than my words. I feel that I have cheated not only my friends, but myself... I have betrayed the principle of friendship... a principle set in my own ethos. Thus, I have betrayed my friends and myself.
Perhaps if I begin to consider the context of the day, I can begin to understand how this came about. Recently, especially in the last few days, I have become so super-focused on my work... that, now that I think about it, I have placed my friendships second... which I shouldn't have. Work comes and goes, remember... but friends... they're people, with real emotional needs. I say this now, but I wonder if I will live up to those words.
I felt the need to blog this; to reflect on my hypocrisy and ponder what to do about it tomorrow. Perhaps I need to find a way to make it up. To reverse the message of "You're second to my interests" and make it, "I do care about you- I'm here for you." I can say it in words... but the challenge is devoting the energy to make those words, and their meaning, manifest.
To whoever reads this, value your friendships and remember that "Faith without works is dead," so make manifest your ethos in your actions. As Ghandi would say, "Be the change you wish to see in the world" - do more than speak your vision... live it!

Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness

If we truly believe that all persons are entitled to "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness," then that principle must apply to all persons, at all stages of their development, from conception to death.
Below, US Congressman Ron Paul, outlines a libertarian perspective on the issue, offering a valuable insight, linking life and liberty and calling for the prevention of tyranny:

"Libertarians believe, along with the Founding Fathers, that every individual has inalienable rights, among which are the rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Neither the State, nor any other person, can violate those rights without committing an injustice. But, just as important as the power claimed by the State to decide what rights we have, is the power to decide which of us has rights.

Today, we are seeing a piecemeal destruction of individual freedom. And in abortion, the statists have found a most effective method of obliterating freedom: obliterating the individual. Abortion on demand is the ultimate State tyranny; the State simply declares that certain classes of human beings are not persons, and therefore not entitled to the protection of the law. The State protects the "right" of some people to kill others, just as the courts protected the "property rights" of slave masters in their slaves. Moreover, by this method the State achieves a goal common to all totalitarian regimes: it sets us against each other, so that our energies are spent in the struggle between State-created classes, rather than in freeing all individuals from the State. Unlike Nazi Germany, which forcibly sent millions to the gas chambers (as well as forcing abortion and sterilization upon many more), the new regime has enlisted the assistance of millions of people to act as its agents in carrying out a program of mass murder.
. . .

We must promote a consistent vision of liberty because freedom is whole and cannot be alienated, although it can be abridged by the unjust action of the State or those who are powerful enough to obtain their own demands. Our lives, also, are a whole from the beginning at fertilization until death. To deny any part of liberty, or to deny liberty to any particular class of individuals, diminishes the freedom of all. For libertarians to support such an abridgement of the right to live free is unconscionable." - Ron Paul

9/11 Truth

I feel the need to reiterate my feelings on 9/11 Truth and to reaffirm my stance towards the issue. I believe, firmly, and advocate for, a new truly independent and fully transparent investigation, that without bias, looks at all the evidence and explores a wide range of relevant hypotheses, to determine which theory is most substantial. Does that make me a conspiracy theorist? Does that make a 'tin-foil hatter?' I get so sick of hearing all these stereotypes... it's so easy to label, but really, what credence is there in such labeling? None what-so-ever. Anyway... don't want to turn this into a rant post, just wanted to reaffirm my stance.

On the train...

Being shy, I usually don't speak to individuals on the train. It's become a sort of norm for everyone. You don't speak to anyone to don't know the name of. You just mind your own business- read, listen. Etc and avoid disturbing someone. However, I did speak to someone on the train, and even by the time I left, I still didn't know his name. Actually, he started speaking to me. He asked me whether I was a school captain (I don't know how he knew... I wasn't wearing anything that indicated as such), and the conversation continued from there. He was very nice, articulate and clear, and most importantly, friendly. One particular thing that he told me, regarding my captaincy, was that I could do it. I don't know why, but this man that I didn't really know that well, telling me that I could do it was really comforting. Anyway, just thought I'd post this, for some reason...

SLG Retreat

From the 7th to the 8th of this month I was fortunate enough to have attended an overnight retreat for the Student Leadership Group. I enjoyed it a lot. It was a chance to get away from study and duties, to think for a moment, and also to connect with other people. As Moz would say, "It's fun in the sun." And he'd be right, it was. I must give a huge shout of thanks to Brendan who kindly paid for our Staff-Student Dinner. That night was awesome too, but I won't go into the details- too many inside jokes about combustion and "Jump on it, no-one's there." and the like. Suffice to say that little sleep was done and I'm sure the girls heard our laughter from their dorm.
The retreat was centered around the concept of leadership and what it means to be a leader. From my own cluster, I found the character of Sir Donal Bradman to be a fascinating example. A humble country boy who, through the concentration of his physical and mental sharpness and the focus of his energies, captained a cricket team that rose to high esteem, lifting the spirits of the Australian people in a troubling time and contributing to the formation of an Australian identity. The Don stuck me as a person of genuine principled integrity, who stood by his ideals and understood the value of hard-work and perseverance, even against the odds, and he maintained his character. From this I could see, coming to clarity, the understanding the genuine leadership and authority are different- not mutually exclusive. One could retain official authority and offer little or no leadership, while one with no official authority could reflect the values of leadership. Genuine leadership is about leading by example, through participation, passion and integrity. The Don resembles this genuine leadership, as do many persons' throughout human history, such as Martin Luther King Jrn. who refused to remain silent to oppression and injustice and projected his voice in the name of a good cause. Mother Teresa who went to the Poorest of the Poor, leading by example, in her efforts to not only assist people, but to connect with them, form bonds- community. Though I'm not accustomed to calling many politicians leaders, I am inclined to think of Ron Paul, who is currently running as a US Presidential candidate, as one. He comes across as the kind of guy who has principled integrity, a vision and retains the same message, often speaking of liberty, no-matter who the audience. This is likely why he appeals to many people, even internationally.
Often I need to remind myself that I'm not perfect- that I'm human, and we humans tend to be complex characters filled with contradictions sometimes. I still hope though, that I can be humble in my endeveours and achievements. And though I may not embody all the qualities of leadership, I still hope that I can maintain an integrity of character. I'm thankful to have many examples of leadership so that through such experience I can understand what it is. Examples not only from history, but from my own life. My grandmother is a leader, in her immense capacity to forgive and her strength and hard-work ethic. She demonstrates such qualities to me, making me impressed to imitate her in a way that I could. What worries me is perhaps being an 'image' leader. I want to be a leader in the sense of one who listens and who voices- seeking to understand. I guess that means being down-to-earth. The challenging part however may come in doing things that are not necessarily popular, such as reaching out to someone who may be alone. I must admit that this is the hardest challenge for me to overcome. I find it so difficult to simply reach out to people and connect. This is the personal challenge that I'm faced with, actually reaching out to someone, connecting with them. After hearing a story today about someone who regretted not connecting with a school colleague who was ostracized, I think it's really important to recognize that situation and approach it. I pray for the courage to do so appropriately, even if the risk may be embarrassment- I'd be overcoming my fear, my shyness, my own reservation, and in doing so I'd be able to connect with people- something that I now consider to an essential and maybe the most challenging aspect of leadership.
Cath left us with this quote to ponder, "To attain excellence, you must care more than others think is wise, risk more than others think is safe, dream more than others think it practical."

Perceiving truth

In the search for truth, one must be careful not to get stuck on a single perception, but rather, must keep an open-mind. I think it's very easy to fall into a certain belief and then reject all things that contradict that belief. Does this inhibit the search for truth? I guess so. If you are focused on one belief you invest more energy in protecting that belief rather than searching for truth. I know I'm rambling again but I realize that I've fallen into such a trap many times. O well, just a thought.

I have something to admit that I'm not exceptionally proud of. I feel and think that I've been a bad friend. A little insight on the situation.... my friend Sami is in hospital. To not reveal too much, since it involves a personal issue, I will not reveal why she is there, but the point of the matter is that she is. I have not visited her or even called her. My excuse? Oh wait, yes.... there isn't one. I feel bad about this... as I said, I had to admit something that I was not proud of. Ash and Brooke have gone to visit her (for whatever reason, I was not invited) but why should they even have considered inviting me? After-all, I didn't even call Sami to see if she was okay. Is that friendship? Does that demonstrate concern for anyone other than myself?
In the past few days I've just been procrastinating, lazing around the house. At no point in my inactivity did I even think to call a friend of mine who has always been there for me. Is that friendship? What have I demonstrated here, other than a wholesome lack of compassion... a lack of feeling, as my grandmother would call it.
In truth, I've been involved in a long-running forum discussion that has had me enthralled. And while lost in the heat of the debates I find myself in, I forgot about those most important. I feel awful about this. I feel as though I have betrayed someones friendship. Why should I expect to receive Sami's support, as I have in so many times of need, when I fail miserably to give her any in her times of need?
Here I am, claiming to be a personalist, and yet I mistreat my own friends. Here I am claiming that people are what matter, and yet failing to show why.
I'm sorry Sami. I'm sorry for failing you as a friend.
My New Year's Resolution (I know it's late) is to live-out my personalist perspective in my life, and to hopefully... truly demonstrate an appreciation for the people in my life- my friends, my family... because it's these people, these people, who are always there for me. In turn, I should be there for them.

"Whatever an education is, it should make you a unique individual, not a conformist; it should furnish you with an original spirit with which to tackle the big challenges. What's gotten in the way is the theory that says there is one right way to proceed with growing up. That's an ancient Egyptian idea symbolized by the pyramid with an eye on top-- everyone is a stone defined by its position on the pyramid-- it signals a worldview of minds obsessed with the control of other minds, obsessed by dominance and strategies of intervention to maintain that dominance."
- John Taylor Gatto, Dumbing Us Down

Life's lessons

I think I've learned a valuable lesson today while posting on an internet forum. One of the contributor's did not agree with my view so he resorted to a personal attack claiming that I either have the intent of willful ignorance or plain stupidity. In response to this aggression, I felt like aggressively asserting such an attack of my own in retaliation. However, I realized that his personal attack toward me merited him no credence, and that such retaliation would merit me nothing either. So I rather tried to remain calm and replied that I would not retaliate in such a way.
Aggression breeds only more aggression.

Xmas reflection

Christmas is a celebration of God entering the human journey to be with us and to bring us into an intimate communion with him. It is a celebration of love entering the world to renew it- the ultimate act of giving. The Supreme Being, out of love for us, humbled himself and became the Suffering Servant. Such love, so pure, so perfect and divine, such love manifest in giving... that is what Christmas is about. That is the message.

I shared Christmas lunch with my grandmother and my brother. A thought occurred to me, struck me suddenly. I thought how truly fortunate I was to be where I am. At that very moment, countless persons', fellow human beings, could not participate in the feeling of belonging, of family that I had. Countless children not only did not have a meal, at that very moment, but many suffered such hunger with crippling loneliness, having no family to share such a feast with. Do they know it's Christmas, I wondered. I made a pledge to fight depravity, yet I feel that I am doing close to nothing to honour that pledge. How many have this Christmas gone without a feast, or perhaps even without a family... without a sense of connection that recognizes our humanity. A connection that celebrates our human identity. Love is born today, in the humblest of surrounds, in the human heart. And it calls, it beckons each of us to reach out to each other, to connect with other human beings and together acknowledge our humanity through that connection. I think I understand now what I am meant to do if I am to truly 'love my neighbor'... I must connect with fellow persons'. That is what my pledge to fight depravity is about. It is not merely fighting depravity in physiological needs, but is also about fighting the depravity of the heart. How? By connecting with people. For through this connection, a sense of belonging, of solidarity, of recognition is born, and it is these feelings, these connections that we share that are central to our human identity.
I hope, it is my Christmas hope, that I can practice what I preach... that I can connect to persons', regardless of race, sex or social condition, regardless of cultural barriers, in a positive way.

Merry Christmas to everyone. Love is born today and everyday and calls us to love. Love is not love until you give it away. Once more, merry Christmas to all.

9/11 Truth

There are some who claim that the 9/11 Truth momentum is a fringe social phenomenum, having little or no practical knowledge base, nor even the insight to have a credible stance on the issue.
However, this proves to be drastically incorrect as Prof. David Ray Griffin outlines in his literary work, Debunking 9/11 Debunking, in which he states that individuals insinuating that those who oppose the popular notion of truth found in the official narrative of 9/11 are 'nut-cases' with little insight on the issue would have to contend with the combined insights of, "economist Michel Chossudovsky, former CIA analyst Ray McGovern, British Minister of Parliament Michael Meacher, former Assistant Treasury Secretary Paul Craig Roberts, former Assistant Secretary of Housing Catherine Austin Fitts, journalists Wayne Madsen and Barrie Azwicker, Institute for Policy Studies co-founded Marcus Raskin, former diplomat Peter Dale Scott, international law professors Richard Falk and Burns Weston, social philosopher John McMurty, theologians John B. Ruether, ethicists Joseph C. Hough and Douglas Strum, writer A.L. Kennedy, media critic and professor of culture Mark Crispin Miller, attorney Gerry Spence, historians Richard Horsley and Howard Zinn, and the late Rev. Williams Sloane Coffin, who after a stint in the CIA, became one of the country's leading preachers and civil rights, anti-war and anti-nuclear activists.
Furthermore, if everyone who believes the alternative conspiracy theory, rather than the official conspiracy theory, is by definition a nut, then Cockburn would have to sling that label at Philip J. Berg, a former deputy attorney general of Pennsylvania; Colonel Robert Bowman, who flew over 100 combat missions in Vietnam and earned a Ph.D in aeronautics and nuclear engineering before becoming head of the "Star Wars program ...; Andreas von Bulow, formerly state secretary in the German Federal Minisity of Defense, minister of research and technology, and member of parliament, where he served on the intelligence committee; Giulietto Chiesa, an Italian member of the European parliament; Bill Christison, formerly a national intelligence officer in the CIA and the director of its Office of Religion and Political Analysis; A.K. Dewdney, emeritus professor of mathematics and computer science and long-time columnists for Scientific American; General Leonid Ivashov, formerly chief of staff of the Russian armed forces; Lt. Col. Shelton F. Lankford, former US Marine Corps fighter pilot; Captain Eric H. May, formerly an airplane accident investigation expert in the US Air Force; Colonel Ronald D. Ray, a highly decorated Vietnam veteran who became deputy assistant secretary of defense during the Reagan administration; Morgan Reynolds, former director of the Criminal Justice Center at the National Center for Policy Analysis and former chief economist at the Department of Labor; Robert David Steele, who had a 25-year career in intelligence, serving both as a CIA clandestine services case officer and as a US Marine Corps intelligence officer; Captain Russ Wittenberg, a former Air Force fighter pilot with over 100 combat missions, after which he was a commercial airlines pilot for 35 years; Captain Gregory M. Zeigler, former intelligence officer in the US Army; all the member of Scholars for 9/11 Truth, Scholars for 9/11 Truth and Justice, Architects and Engineers for 9/11 Truth, Veterans for 9/11 Truth, and Pilots for 9/11 Truth; and most of the college and university professors lists under "Professors Question 9/11" on the Patriots Question 9/11 website.
Would Cockburn really want to suggest that these people are "nuts" with "no conception of evidence," no awareness of "military history," and no grasp of "common sense" and "the real world"?"
- Prof. David Ray Griffin. Debunking 9/11 Debunking.

Let us not also forget families impacted by the deaths of loved ones on 9/11 and survivors such William Rodrigues who openly question the official conspiracy theory and demand a new fully independent and transparent investigation.... http://www.newswithviews.com/Devvy/kidd317.htm

"The 9/11 Commission is probably the worst representation of the 9/11 Families or for that matter all the American public because it's a sham. It really is.... We had tons of different questions that we asked them to ask. They wouldn't do it. And the continuing cover-up is just beyond belief... There's just such a continuing coverup. And why don't we just let the information about 9/11 be known? And then maybe this conspiracy type of thing would go away, but it's never going to go away or I don't think it can go away because they were complicit..." - Bob Doyle. Head of the Coalition of 9/11 Families.

Michelle Little, sister of Firefighter David M. Weiss, FDNY, Rescue Company 1, Midtown Manhattan, lost his life trying to rescue others from the World Trade Center the day of the attacks. Press Conference, National Press Club 9/12/06: "I am here today to call for the facts of September 11, 2001 to be released to the American public. ... The time is now to call upon all the Americans to lobby local media to cover this story and to pressure members of Congress to support legislation by reopening this investigation. We must hold those involved accountable for this atrocious tragedy. My brother, David, and ten brothers from his unit were murdered on 9/11. For them and for all of our mothers and fathers, sisters and brothers, aunts and uncles that died that day, it is imperative for their lives to know the truth."

Barry Zelman, brother of Kenneth Zelman, Oracle Corp., on assignment at Marsh & McLennan, WTC North Tower, 99th floor. Speech given at The Citizens' Commission on 9-11, 9/9/04: "I just embrace people that understand that four airplanes an hour and half between the first impact and the second impact with zero military response in the United States. It didn't happen that way. It couldn't have happened that way. You're talking about the most intelligent agencies that we have on the face of the earth. State of the art agencies ... And there was zero military response? ...It's very transparent that our own president did not want to investigate this tragedy. And I'm standing before you today for one reason. The only thing that I can give my brother is the truth. That's it."

Daniel Wallace (1984 - 2007), son of Lt. Robert Wallace, Engine 205, Ladder 118, FDNY. Speech 12/3/06: "Ever since that day, I believed the official story for all about 2 minutes. I always had my questions. My family had their questions. The government sent us the 9/11 Commission or I should say omissions, really. They sent us that. I read the whole thing. As I'm reading the whole thing; it was just incredible; the lies in this book... It hurt me to read this book....

Pro-life

The reasoning behind my pro-life stance relates to my personalist outlook. I believe that each human person is infused with innate dignity and that such dignity should be respected at all stages of the lifespan, from conception to death. To assert that an unborn child is anything less than a free human being is to discount the value and potential of human life. To assert that an unborn child is mere property is to sell-out human life. Were we not once fetuses? Did that make us the property of another? Did that mean our lives had no value that we could have been terminated? We that are born were too once unborn.

On 9/11

Views on the tragic events of September the 11th, 2001, and what caused them to transpire vary greatly. There is the official conspiracy theory formulated by high levels of the US government and other official agencies which have repeatedly spewed epic lies and have clearly used this crisis for the furtherance of a political agenda; or the alternative theory which has its roots in valid skepticism arising from omissions and distortions indicative of a cover-up in the official narrative. The alternative theory raises the uncomfortable possibility and the confronting and unpopular notion that criminal elements within high levels of power, at the very least, allowed this crisis to occur in order to advance a political agenda, of which they apply to the definition of terrorism as the use of terror to enforce ones own political agenda, or, the even more disturbing thought that this crime syndicate engineered the 9/11 crisis as a false-flag operation for the same purpose.
Given the history of either direct or indirect state-sponsored terrorism as a form of mass 'shock therapy' to disorientate the population for systematic manipulation and the advancement of an agenda- the politics of fear, and the fact that the Helegian principle of Problem, Reaction, Solution was even considered as liable means of justifying wars as indicated by the Northwoods document, to question the authenticity, credibility and validity of the official conspiracy theory is certainly not beyond the realm of reason.
Regardless of your views on 9/11, whether it was a real or state-synthesized terror crisis, one thing remains abundantly clear... that elite figures within high positions of power have utilized this crisis as a pretext and catalyst for:

• Launching a series of economically and interpersonally costly wars which reap huge profits for the military-industrial complex, notably arms manufacturers and the banks responsible for financing the wars. To ordinary people war may be bloodshed, but to these, its big business.
• Accessing and securing for the West an increasingly scarce commodity - oil.
• Relinquishing civil liberties under the patriotic cloak of homeland security and thereby granting the state greater power over the person, ultimately contributing to the incremental consolidation and centralization of power and the progressive formation of a Big Brother state control-grid.
• Obtaining for the American state a key strategic geopolitical foothold in the Middle-east.

If the alternative theories regarding 9/11, suggesting government complicity, are at the very least, even plausible, then we are obliged to act. Ignorance is bliss because it implies being unaware and therefore not being responsible for one's actions. Being aware and informed implies an obligation to act appropriately on one's consciousness. If even plausible, we must focus our energies in seeking truth, asking questions and demanding accountability and justice for the victims, their families and the world.
In an age of misinformation, it is critical to seek truth amid deception, to seek clarity amid distortion, and to think outside the square of the corporate media box and to see the bigger picture. As George Orwell fittingly stated, "In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act."

Sacrificing liberty

"Those that would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety." - Benjamin Franklin

When one surrenders liberty, it does not disappear into nothingness, into the air. When one surrenders liberty, in effect, they give someone else a greater degree of control, of power over their own life. At present, this is occurring internationally, the global consolidation and centralization of power, under the guise of security.

Some valuable reading

To whomever may be interested, I would highly recommend reading David Ray Griffin's book, Debunking 9/11 Debunking, and The 9/11 Conspiracy edited by James H. Fetzer. These two literary compositions offer a great depth of insight into alternative theories of the 9/11 conspiracy, providing provocative insights and evidence, and dramatically diminish the credibility of the official conspiracy theory. David Ray Griffin's work also debunks popular 'debunking' publications and places the notion of 'conspiracy theory' into perspective, outlining the fact that the official narrative found in the 9/11 Commission Report is itself a conspiracy theory.
The corporate media tends to use 'conspiracy theorist' as a derogatory term, carrying a negative connotation, and denoting someone with seemingly 'fringe' beliefs. However, the corporate media does not tend to acknowledge that in generic terms, we are all conspiracy theorists.
Myth, whether or not true, if perceived true, acts as a mobilizing agent for a people, directing their actions towards particular ideas. Griffin highlights this, stating the a myth can serve as "an orienting and mobilizing story for a people" and relates this to 9/11, without saying, in the sense that it mobilizes and orients the public towards a particular political agenda.

On abortion

Distinguished academic scientist Albert Einstein once said, "There are two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle." Which do we choose, the former or the latter? Do we choose to acknowledge the miracle of human life, or, do we choose to blind ourselves to its wonder?
Life is precious, and certainly worthy of preserving, of protecting, especially when it is vulnerable. Is it not worthy of a voice in the discussion? Do we choose to acknowledge the innate dignity of the human person, or, do we degrade human life as an asset or property, liable to disposal at connivence? How can we claim to value the miracle of human life if objectify it as property, subject to ownership?
Our inner moral compass of conscience obliges us to not remain silent to this injustice- to speak-out about it. To preserve and protect the miracle of human life that is the unborn, a free human person infused with innate dignity.
As a former fetus, having experienced the status of being unborn myself, I stand against abortion.
I pray for the courage to speak-out against it appropriately, confronting my own fear of speaking-out.

What do I feel? Is it guilt... or remorse, or some form of sympathy? Please explain is to me because I can't seem to find the right words, least not now. I am so fortunate, yet do I take it all for granted? Am I just a spoilt-brat? At the moment, it feels that way. It feels as though I'm not doing enough. As though I'm advocating materialism and consumerism in my actions rather than the personalism I advocate in words. Am I a hypocrite? One of my most extravagant purchases this year was a new iPod. Not with money I earned, but with my parents'. I hope to use it as a visual tool to create digital flashcards for memorizing information. Yet, with the same amount of money, a child's needs could have been met for a single year, possibly. I'm confused now. Confused as to whether my actions mirror my own personal philosophy. Questioning whether I do the right thing or unintentionally advocate other ideas. I apologize if this post makes no sense to you, the reader, but my mind is clouded with these ideas and a fear of contradicting myself and so on and on. Please forgive me if I have proven hypocritical. Perhaps my New Year's resolution should be to actively apply the philosophy of personalism, or perhaps to be more involved in the search for 911 Truth.

First they ignore you. Then they laugh at you. Then they fight you. - Mahatma Gandhi

From the humble beginnings of the 911 truth movement, many, particularly those in the corporate media have at first ignored the movement, considering it to be on the fringe with little to zero influence and voice. Next, seeing the momentum of the movement, they were forced to analyze, on a superficial level, its ideas and valid skepitism. They laughed, portraying any theory alternative to the official conspiracy theory as the product of crack-pot conspiracy theorists. Of course, it would be ludicrous to suggest anything alternative to the official narrative or to speak in condemnation of it. Now, seeing that this movement is not 'on the fringe' but rather real, some within the mass media have blatantly attacked it, calling it 'anti-American' or 'unpatriotic.' Since when is it ever unpatriotic to question one's government or the received reality of events? Since when is it unpatriotic to think for oneself, to think outside the box of corporate television, confining one's view to a limited, controlled and regulated flow of information? Of course, make's complete sense. In this line of thinking, being unpatriotic is tantamount to going against the tide of conforming to popular notions of truth.

911 Conspiracy theories

Views on the tragic events of 911, 2001 and what caused them to transpire vary greatly. There is the official conspiracy theory formulated by high levels of the US government and other official agencies which have repeatedly spewed epic lies and have clearly used this crisis for the furtherance of a political agenda; or the alternative theory which has its roots in valid skepticism arising from omissions and distortions indicative of a cover-up in the official narrative. The alternative theory raises the uncomfortable possibility and the confronting and unpopular notion that criminal elements within high levels of power, at the very least, allowed this crisis to occur in order to advance a political agenda, of which they apply to the definition of terrorism as the use of terror to enforce ones own political agenda, or, the even more disturbing thought that this crime syndicate engineered the 911 crisis as a false-flag operation for the same purpose.

My view on education is that schools must facilitate teaching a very important skill. A skill that has liberated many minds and resulted in various contributions- proactive thinking.
Think outside the square and see the bigger picture. The iceberg has hidden depths.