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Column, Politics

NEW SLAVES FOR THE GLOBAL ECONOMY

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Slavery is the total control of one person by another for economic exploitation. Keeping in mind that from the dawn of time, slavery has been a key factor in progress, profit, and social stability; Jesus himself said “You will always have the poor” Do dare ask yourself: Is slavery dead, or has it been refined; normalized, and globalized? Do realize that in today’s growing global economy, new slaves are not only necessary, but they must possess a specific mindset able to function within a dynamic, flexible system of socio-economic control. A mindset that is systematically groomed throughout an individual’s experience within the standard educational system, both private as well as public. Ask yourself; Are You Free? Assuming you feel you’re not, do you even want to be free? After all, to smoothly exist within the present economic game of capital gain, a game of reward and punishment, a game where the only requirement is to obey … why not submit and conform to the given authority? You only have to put on the side visors and “forward march” chanting, “If you see something, say nothing.” Just become another cog in the assembly line. But do note that traditional, agriculturally based slavery, regardless of inherited atrocities, did not change in a silent vacuum. It took a major shift in public opinion. A shift that, without proper buffers in place, would trigger chaos, anarchy, and/or revolution.  Thus enters British/American Capitalism and more. Capitalism (an economic and political system in which a country’s trade and industry are controlled by private owners for profit, rather than by the state for the people), like slavery, has not changed … they continue to evolve with a barbaric base and one objective: the monopoly, or the centralization of power and profit. At all costs, the fundamentals of feudalism, land ownership, must be preserved. At all costs, its means of production, distribution, and consumption through indentured servants must be preserved. Thus enters the illusion of democracy’s basic principles: Equal Citizen Participation, Political and Religious Tolerance, Accountability, and Transparency. In a democratic society, the illusion of these ideals often finds its way into a constitution or bill of rights upheld and protected by individuals elected to represent the constituents of a given geographic location: States. And that’s where the problem begins. There are consequences.  Cognitive dissonance (see social psychologist, Leon Festinger) is a condition where an individual’s perception of self and the world around conflicts with the realities of day-to-day life; thus creating an emotional toll/strain on one’s mental psyche.   Alienation (see Jean-Jacques Rousseau/Erich Fromm) is the state of being withdrawn or separated from a group, person, or situation to which one was formerly attached; separation of human beings from some essential aspect of their nature or society often results in feelings of powerlessness or helplessness.  A perfect environment for creating the new slave – the Automaton – a relatively self-operating or controlled mechanism designed to automatically follow a sequence of predetermined instructions. In future articles, we’ll be discussing how if you have a credit card, a mortgage, and a car: YOU ARE AN AUTOMATON. Read More From This Writer All Post Art Books & Poems Business Column Community Community News Education Entertainment español Food & Culture Health Interviews Media Military & Veterans Music Peace People Politics Sports Technology BETTER LATE THEN NEVER: WHY NATIONAL WOMEN’S MONTH! April 17, 2022/No Comments BETTER LATE THEN NEVER: WHY NATIONAL WOMEN’S MONTH! Women! Ha! What are they good for? Ha! ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING! For starters,… Read More “LOVE IS A BATTLEFIELD” February 17, 2022/No Comments “LOVE IS A BATTLEFIELD” Wow! February! Lovey dove time for couples to share flowers, chocolates, dinner, special gifts, and of… Read More FOR WHAT’S ANOTHER NEW YEAR January 17, 2022/No Comments FOR WHAT’S ANOTHER NEW YEAR The New Year is a worldwide celebration mainly full of parties, costumes, drinking and resolutions… Read More Load More End of Content.

Column, Military & Veterans

MY UNCLE, MY WAR HERO

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I’ve always wondered why war heroes are so greatly important in our modern society today. As I have grown up, I have learned and was welcomed by a prime example to have a response to those same inquiries, my uncle, Carmen S. Turchiarelli. Carmen was not born in the US, he stepped into American soil at age five. What puzzles me is the fact that he returned the call of offering himself as a draft pick without any hesitation, as a 19-year-old boy! He was barely a man at that age and certainly had much to lose being that he had the wealth of family by his side. It’s quite easy for the average human to be able to verbally commit and tell themself that they are devoted to achieving a matter so dangerous. To play the part of the character that willingly leaves their family, friends, and whatever milestones of their past in the environment that they once called home, it’s much more difficult than described. Behind that, I was most intrigued by the aspect that Carmen had no consideration for the idea of fighting for his new country of now 14 years; it was no trouble for him to have at least a moment to process the crucial offer, he dove right in headfirst even if it was not his birthplace.  After enlisting, he was hit with what one would call a bomb. He was informed of the possibility that he might have to face the Italian army. Carmen was not at all even the least fazed by the idea of going to war with his former countrymen.  He simply dismissed the possibility and proceeded forward into the battle of warfare. However, luckily, he did not have to confront that possibility. Instead, he was racked with his first introduction of combat experience, fighting against German soldiers in one of World War II’s significant battles — D-Day, the United States’ invasion of Normandy on June 6, 1944.  As a 13-year-old student-athlete, I still, to this very day, cannot comprehend the sacrifices that my uncle made as a soldier. And for what reason? America was not his mother country, and he was not born or raised in the United States. Why would he be willing to possibly sacrifice his life? As his military experience intensified, along with training, and demonstrating bravery, he was sent to the battlefield in record time. He was a member of the 1st Infantry Division, formally known as the “Big Red One”, giving him a clear run of the use of the Bazooka, shooting down several German tanks in the “Battle of Hürtgen Forest”, a battle where many of our American boys lost their lives.   Men in his Division described him as a brave soldier, coming to the rescue and saving countless lives. This earned him the Silver Star. Later on, he was also awarded a Bronze Star for his continued bravery and service to this country.  It takes quite a buildup of skillfulness to take charge in the fearfulness of a battlefield, knowing that you can get killed, but the hero pushes on, moving forward, fighting for his adopted country, and protecting the lives of his men; coming home, with the memories of the servicemen that died, not coming back home, and not forgetting the lives one had to take on the other side. My uncle is my hero. I will do my best to keep his memory alive, to advocate on his behalf, reminding people of this American heroism, my uncle.  Note: The 1st Infantry Division’s nickname, the “Big Red One,” originated from the division’s insignia, a large red number “1” on a khaki field. This nickname was adopted during World War 1 when the 1st was the first American division to arrive in France. (Source: Internet: History on the Net, https://www.historyonthenet.com/1st-infantry-division). Read More From This Writer All Post Art Books & Poems Business Column Community Community News Education Entertainment español Food & Culture Health Interviews Media Military & Veterans Music Peace People Politics Sports THE SCHOOLS CONTRAST NIGHT AND DAY December 20, 2023/1 Comment As of this year of 2023, for 2 years of grade levels, I have attended quite an unhealthy student environment… Read More

Column, Health

Mindful Methods to Build Resilience – Part 1

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The cultivation of calm, clarity, optimism, and happiness is not only doable but can prove to be inviting. All of us can achieve this one moment at a time. Nurture resilience and joy not by blocking whatever may be difficult, but through acknowledgment, acceptance, and appreciation. Where we place our attention makes a difference and can be the way to turn obstacles into success! I hope that you learn one-minute methods to turn self-doubt and negative thinking into affirmations of your abilities one minute at a time in this series.   How important is a minute? How many minutes did you pay attention to today, even before reading this? Did the little in-between moments slip by unnoticed because you were caught in distraction?  Or were your minutes populated by thoughts of worrisome stories or fears? Did you ever stop to think how a single minute, this very next minute, holds the potential to change the direction of your thoughts, and your life? How can these next 60 seconds act as a storehouse of resilience to help you bounce back from daily challenges, difficulties, and hardships?  No one among us is immune to life’s challenges. To live with a human body and mind means having to confront grief, loss, disappointment, frustration, and even illusion. While you cannot always control the cards you are dealt in life, you can decide how best to play your hand – in this upcoming minute. How you respond to life’s stumbling blocks and hurdles right here, right now, in the next 60 seconds can make all the difference. Where and how you use your awareness in this next minute determines the very quality of your life- your ability to live joyfully, to accept the present conditions of the precious life you have, and to bounce back from life’s most challenging obstacles. The positive, supportive, and life–changing possibilities inherent in the next minute are infinite. In one minute, you can utilize the astounding power of your attention to sharpen your focus in new ways that bring contentment, clarity happiness, and optimism. This is the core foundation of resilience. Resilience would be nearly impossible if you were constantly upset, irritated, irrational, and beset by a host of negative feelings.  Calm is the magic elixir that brings you to a place of balance, harmony, and peace. It is from this emotionally centered point of view that you are more prepared and capable of making compassionate, caring, and sensible choices for yourself and others. Check us out next month for several one-minute strategies and tips! Read More From This Writer All Post Art Books & Poems Business Column Community Community News Education Entertainment español Food & Culture Health Interviews Media Military & Veterans Music Peace People Politics Sports FORGET THOSE NEW YEAR RESOLUTIONS! January 1, 2024/3 Comments As another year during one of the most challenging times in history draws to a close, it may be time… Read More AFFIRMATIONS: WHAT ARE THEY? December 18, 2023/1 Comment Affirmations are phrases or statements that, when you repeat them regularly (either out loud or to yourself), can shift negative… Read More MEDICINAL MUSHROOMS October 4, 2023/3 Comments In this edition, I hope to educate and inform about medicinal mushrooms, specifically about lion’s mane mushrooms. Lion’s mane mushrooms,… Read More Load More End of Content.

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