Think For Yourselves!!!

When did the people of this country stop thinking for themselves? When did everyone just take what they see at face value and accept it? When did people stop questioning, stop investigating, stop wondering?

A vast majority of the people in this country have become sheep. This may seem harsh, but there is no other way to put it. And sheep who blindly follow a shepherd who is ill prepared, and just as blind, will lead to ruin. The wolves will come. They will surround the unsuspecting sheep and pick them off, one by one. All the while, the blind, incompetent shepherd will continue to tell the sheep that everything is OK, and the sheep will believe him. After all, he is the one in charge, he must know what's going on.

Well, I am not a sheep. I am not blind. I do not accept that everything is OK. I see the wolves closing in, and I am scared. I see what is going on around me, and I see far more than I really wish I did. At times, I wish I could be one of the blind sheep. I wish I didn't know what was going on. Sometimes, ignorance really is bliss.

We need to start thinking for ourselves again. The media has delved into a highly biased, insane place. Sensationalism, fear, and lies are the order of the day when it comes to watching the news. Why do the news networks, and news shows want us to be so scared? What is gained by this? Aside from ratings, that is.

With the outbreak of swine flu several years ago, people were running scared. Then it was something else, and next it will be some other super-bug. Truth of the matter is, if you are cautious, wash your hands, and be observant as to where the outbreaks are, you are going to be fine. Millions of people are not going to die. This is not a Stephen King book. This is not some government engineered super flu that will wipe out 90% of the world's population. You can relax!!! But, the news, and even the Vice President, is feeding that fear. Don't travel, stay away from Mexico, close down the schools, avoid confined spaces at all costs!! Be scared!!!

It's really not that bad. Watch the news to keep track of where the outbreaks are happening of whatever bug is the current source of panic. If there are none in your area, that doesn't mean there won't be. So, be careful. Wash your hands (you are supposed to do that anyway), carry hand sanitizer with you, and take care of yourself to boost your immune system. All those basic things you were taught to keep yourself from getting sick still apply.

Fear is more contagious than any flu, virus, or infection. Fear is an illness that is spread quickly, and the news is only spreading it faster. THINK FOR YOURSELF!!!! Locking yourself away every time the news tells you that something bad is happening is not a good idea. If you did, you would seal up your house with plastic sheeting and duct tape, stock up on supplies to last you through the next decade, and never leave. This is not a solution.

People need to learn to make their own decisions again. People need to learn to question what they see, what they read and what they hear. What happened to the time when people asked REAL questions? Engaged in honest debate? Took the time to understand what is going on around them, instead of just blindly believing everything they are told?

Honestly, I blame the school system. Even when I was going through school, my education had nothing to do with teaching me to think. It was about teaching me to know things, teaching me to parrot back my teacher's speeches, and to buy into everything I was taught. We were not taught to question things, or to come up with our own ideas. How can any great ideas or innovation take place if people are not taught how to think, and are instead taught what to think?

One teacher was an exception to this, and every day, I thank her for being the amazing teacher that she was. She taught me to think. She taught me to see things from my own perspective, as well as those of others. She taught me to make connections between my ideas and those of others, and see things from all sides. She gave us the chance to question things, to engage in debate about differences in opinions. She taught me art, poetry, history, literature, and so much more. She taught me that life isn't about agreeing with everyone, or making everyone happy. She sometimes butted heads with the school on several issues, but she always stood her ground. She taught me to stand up for what I believe in, even if no one else agreed with me.

I wish more people had teachers like her. I wish more people were honest with their own ideas. I wish more people had the guts to stand up for what they believe, to question authority, to speak out when they see something going wrong. Instead, we have a nation of sheep. Sheep who bleat back the same answers to the same questions, never stopping to think it might be wrong.

Over the years, freedom of thought has been replaced by an overwhelming need to be politically correct. For one, I think this is crap! If I have an opinion, as long as it is in no way a danger to someone else, why shouldn't I be allowed to express it? Since when did we become so obsessed with not offending anyone?

Politically correct bull crap is everywhere!! We aren't even supposed to offend dangerous terrorists by calling them terrorists anymore. Let's see...they blow up buildings, want to kill us for no other reason than because we aren't them, and they want to incite terror. What should we call them? Friends? Those people who don't like us? Dislikers of Americans? It's crap!!! THEY ARE TERRORISTS!!!!

We can't put up a Christmas tree, or say Merry Christmas, because it might offend someone who doesn't celebrate Christmas. What kind of idiot would be offended by someone trying to be nice?? Who is offended when someone offers a kind greeting or comment?? I personally wouldn't be offended by someone wishing me well, no matter how they did it. Wish me a Happy Hanukkah. I won't be offended just because I don't happen to be Jewish. Someone wishing you well is not offensive. If you feel it is, you are a moron. It's crap!!!!

Several years ago, much attention was drawn to the Miss USA pageant, specifically to the contestant from California. So much attention because of one stupid question at a stupid, outdated custom known as a beauty pageant. Really?? Who cares what she thinks? Does it really affect the world that much if Miss California thinks marriage should only be between a man and a woman? Not really. It's crap!!! She stated her opinion. Good for her!!!! She can think for herself! Do I agree with her? No, I don't, but that doesn't make her any less entitled to her opinion, and for all the idiots that created such an uproar over it, get over it. She isn't preventing you from doing anything. All she did was state an opinion.

Later on, it was revealed that contestants are coached to give only politically correct answers to questions. They aren't even expected to give their own opinions. They don't even want contestants to give their own opinions, they just want them to parrot mindless, politically correct B.S.!! That being the case, what is really the point of that part of the competition anyway??? It's crap!!! I, for one, congratulate Miss California for being brave enough to stand by her own beliefs, and for not being one of the many, mindless, bleating sheep!!! Do I agree with her opinions, no, but that isn't the point. She was told not to give her own opinions, she did it anyway, despite the consequences. She didn't hurt anyone, she didn't endanger anyone, she didn't even offend anyone. And, anyone who was offended, well, they need to grow up. She's just as entitled to her opinion as anyone else.

She was not then, nor is now, in a position of power. She didn't condemn anyone, she didn't call for rounding up people who disagree, she did nothing wrong!!! The people who are in the wrong here are the ones who would vilify her for her opinions. The ones that say that no other opinion is allowed but theirs. In matters of opinion, people who say that you are wrong just because you don't agree with them, are narrow-minded, pig-headed and just plain wrong. Their opinions are their own, but to say that their opinions are the only right ones, that is wrong. Some people claim to be so enlightened and tolerant, but only if you agree with them. If they don't agree with you, they are the least tolerant and most offensive people I have ever encountered.