HOW OPINIONS ARE FORMED

            As we grow older many of us senior citizens form strong opinions.  Some of us like me find a forum in which to tout opinions.  And as a senior citizen there is not much the politicians and political correct policeman can do if they disagree as long as I don’t slander maliciously, thanks to the Constitution. 

            I am a thinker and the primary purpose of my blog is to inspire thought, provoke dialectical dialogue and muckraking pontifical authority, stopping short of defamation. 

            They say that the two most controversial topics are politics and religion.  If we add morals to the equation, intransigent opinions are bound to get a rise.  And in that regard, if you haven’t noticed, most all of my posts reference religion, politics (government) and morals. 

            For those of us unafraid to voice opinions, and the Internet is saturated with opinions on all subjects, how are our opinions formed?  Are we echoing the opinions of our fathers, do we adopt safely the opinions of those in power, are our opinions inculcated by influential teachers or do we cogitate, weighing each issue and alternative before arriving at a reasonable opinion?

            However, even the most chary of us sometimes strike out, jumping to conclusions before knowing all the facts, and more often than not regretting the outburst. 

            Mother Nature constructed the human brain in such a fashion as to cause it to form a diversity of opinions.  In that regard I think my ideas pertaining to the function of the brain conforms with that of neurologists and psychologists.  The brain’s purpose is to solve problems, detect danger, create and assist in the perpetuation of the species – all of which goes towards survival. When brains collaborate they tend to construct a culture, that is – “the customary beliefs, social forms, and material traits of racial, religious, or social groups” – much like our Founding Fathers hammered out a Constitution which many of us believe, like the Muslims believe in their Koran, that it is useful and applicable for all time.  Guys like me believe that the United States Constitution is not an antiquated document that should be expunged, replaced or distorted into a more socialistic and communistic, repressive substitute.

            Now, did I arrive at the above sentiment, because I occasionally listen to Glen Beck?  No!   Beck appeals too much to the religious right for my taste, although he has exposed some interesting, and I must agree, disturbing political shenanigans and posturing among our elected officials and their administrations. 

            A seventy-year old Iranian is not apt to have the same opinions about religion, politics and morals as I.  A doctorate educated at Harvard is not apt to have the same opinions about government, religion and morals as a doctorate educated at Brigham Young University.  Does that difference in opinions make them any less American?  Maybe and maybe not.  My philosophy is if it’s not broken don’t change it.  Change is inevitable, all things change naturally, eventually, but to change for the sake of change I think is foolish and dangerous. 

            I posted on Dec. 28^th an essay entitled “Sedition.”  A friend of mine, Nick Willie, forwarded a copy to his friend, Jule A. Caylor, who, according to Nick is a retired entomologist educated at Stanford.  This is what Mr. Caylor had to say about “Sedition.” 

            Whoever is the author of this article could use some psychiatric help and observational skills training.  It is, in my opinion, an unfortunate and ridiculous diatribe by someone whose thoughts mirror those of the neo-Nazi, religious fundamentalist, bigoted Right Wing fanatics that try to masquerade as Majority Republicans of today.  This person’s views are representative of, in my opinion, the true enemies of this country, this time, the free world economy, the world environment, and the entire future of our children.  I am no Obama convert, but I see the world much differently than the writer of this article does.  We don’t need to be sucked into more stupidity than is already so prevalent….

            I am going to treasure Mr. Caylor’s opinion even though his opinion is flawed, by what I don’t know, because it is an example of how we can get off track.  The portrait he has painted of me if taken literally is offensive, but I’m not offended, only amused because it is so at odds with what I am – representative [of] “the enemies of this country?”  I don’t think so.    

            My world view is a world in chaos.  How can one read the newspapers and watch television (that is the news stations) and not wonder with all the riots in Europe, the African civil wars such as Nigerian sectarian violence, the impotency of the United Nations, the discord in South America, Islamic terrorism, our outrageous national debt and the growing political polarization in the United States.  I applaud the unprecedented independence, temerity and accomplishments of tiny Israel.  I shudder at the belligerence of North Korea, were I served as a youth in the 1950s, and the bellicosity of Islamic Iran.  Should we not worry about atomic bombs in the hands of fanatics?  Have we forgotten the insanity and holocaust unleashed by Adolph Hitler and the sneak attack on Pearl Harbor?  How nice it would be to visit the pyramids in Egypt without being escorted by armed tourist police. 

            Yes, it seems to be a world economy, but is that really good for the people of the United States considering our enemies?  It was our independence during the Second World War and the American fighting spirit that enabled us to arm Russia and England and overpower the Axis with our industrial might which now seems to have gone overseas. 

            I know it is popular and politically correct to champion the cause of the “gay crowd,” but no matter how sophisticated the polemics, you can’t get around the biological fact that it is unnatural in that it goes counter to perpetuating the species.  Just because some monkeys are “switch-hitters” doesn’t make it alright for humans.  I acknowledge that there are benign gay people who are not a threat to heterosexuals and I don’t advocate discriminating.  But if you investigated the filthy restroom lovemaking and disgusting child crimes committed by gay men as I did as a deputy sheriff you would know where I am coming from.

            In conclusion I think government and religion should serve the people rather than the people serving them.  We elect our political officers with idea of their leading, not ruling.  And I hope it’s not seditious to criticize government waste.  We live in the most free and greatest nation that has ever been organized on earth.  But I fear that ego, arrogance, avarice, satiated bellies, misplaced compassion and masochistic-like appeasements have weakened our discernments and may result in a collapse within.  

            A good portion of the world  is still dominated by the tooth and claw as opposed to reason.  Within that context to be concerned over the direction it appears one’s county is going doesn’t make him an enemy.  To succumb to the stifling rhetoric of the opposition without speaking out is cowardly.  Silence may be prudent or a sign of giving in.  However, I’ve never been one to tip toe through the tulips, and I’m not about to start now.   I’m willing to bet that if Mr. Caylor and I were to sit down over a convivial picture of beer we would find we had more in common than opposition.