View from the Mount

View from the Mount
Sober Thought Provoking Archive Essays by SARTRE from BREAKING ALL THE RULES

Tuesday, December 31, 2013

Wall Street, Money and the Merchant Class

Capitalism is NOT Wall Street. In order to correctly comprehend the nature of the Free Enterprise system, one needs to understand the fundamentals of a business transaction. Real business requires that goods or services are purchased from a seller by a buyer, at a price that both agree upon. A tangible product, skilled service or intellectual property may qualify as an entity of substance. But when we closely examine the composition of equities, warrants, bonds, options, futures or derivatives; we enter a realm that falls outside the scope of normal business transactions. 

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Monday, December 30, 2013

Politics, Spin and the Truth

The realm of political discourse has always been froth with distortion, duplicity and deceit; but recent decades have seen these practices refined to high art. Only degrees separate even the most trustworthy public servant today. On a rare occasion you may find that lone example that may buck this culture, but the odds of knowing with certitude who that person is, can be as difficult as understanding the tax code. How did we get into this malaise of social behavior? 

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Friday, December 27, 2013

Ideology Matters, But What Is It?

We have all been taught the 'so called' difference between the Right and the Left. Refining these distinctions produces even more confusion because the premise in the equation is false. The correct context to view Ideology is within the relationship of the Individual with Government. In today's world a Fascist and a Communist have virtually identical objectives. They both seek dominance of Government over the Individual. 

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Thursday, December 26, 2013

Lamentation of an America Willing to Surrender

All too often we hear of instances where loyal citizens of good character are willing to resign themselves to the latest indignity of the day. The examples are too many and far too frequent to even bother mentioning. We all have our own personal version of horror stories that strike a cord within us and may well affect our family. But all too often we shrug our shoulders and continue on with daily chores and activities. Getting involved with the political system is a prospect that frightens many, and is loathed by most of the rest.

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Tuesday, December 24, 2013

Independence Day for Whom?

The celebration of the Nation's birthday sometimes gets people confused. This day is much more than another holiday from work. It is a recognition of who we are as a People. What it is not is a saint's day for a Government. When the Nation and the Government are spoken in the same breath, most believe they are interchangeable. How mistaken and easily mislead, the public can become. 

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Monday, December 23, 2013

The Republican Death Wish

When Nelson Rockefeller ruled New York like a personal estate in his South American holdings, residents of the Empire State resigned themselves to his liberal version of government. Who can forget the battles that were fought for the heart and soul of the Republican Party back in time when conventions were more than mere PR rhetoric? Lines were drawn and party loyalty took second seat to Ideology and Principle.

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Friday, December 20, 2013

Who are the Teachers of 'Political Correctness'?

As our culture weaves into heightened orthodoxy of the Political Correctness version, we see the next generation as its greatest advocates. Why is this the case and who are to be blamed for teaching this falsehood of conformity? Of course there are many culprits; notably the media, the universities, the arts and movies and non profit activists. But there is one group that is most responsible for the religious evangelism of this 'PC' doctrine. Yes, those gangsters of thought control are the feminist mothers who are raising the Nation's children.

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Thursday, December 19, 2013

Taxes - the People and the Government

The reality of taxes is an axiom of life. In whatever form it takes or methods they are collected, the certainty that governments organize society and are financed to operate is one of those nasty truths that we all really hate to admit. It will be left for superior theorist to postulate worlds of more perfect designs, but for us mere mortals, we are faced with the pain of rendering our cupboards clear, all too often. 

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Wednesday, December 18, 2013

Discrimination as a Virtue

It has become an article of faith that discrimination is a concept that is socially unacceptable. The proponents of the 'TC' culture have deemed any practitioner of this trait as a social leper. We are told that any exercise of prejudice is wrong and must be condemned. Universal brotherhood is lauded as the goal for behavior and intolerance is damned in all forms. Any sober critique of society and student of history will be amused with such assessments. 

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Tuesday, December 17, 2013

Mainstream Myopia Torpor Or Just Plain Indifference

Have you ever talked to a conventional conformist about politics, you get the feeling that you are in a room all by yourself? Well, that sensation of being alone, might just be better than knowing that these yuppies are the people who are running the businesses and bureaucracies. A yuppie is not defined by age or geographic location. It is a mindset! The path to advancement in most institutions requires acceptance of the norms and values of that organization. 

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Monday, December 16, 2013

What Memorial Day Do You Honor?

Many accounts will praise the sacrifices and deeds of those who fought in the American wars. Some versions will emotionally express their thanks and respect, while others will list their heroic actions. There is another viewpoint that seldom gets the attention that it deserves. Simply put, what is the true reason that all this blood was shed and the meaning of continued torment that follows, when the guns are silenced?

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Friday, December 13, 2013

The Middle East Quagmire

Every since the schism between Ishmael and Isaac, continuous conflict has wreaked the land of Abraham. Few topics have inspired more comments and attention. Countless of the world's greatest scholars, to the most militant fanatics, have struggled over the essence of a birth right. The promise made to Abraham is the cardinal covenant. The extension in lineage to the descendants of Issac, is key in understanding the fulfillment of that bond. 

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Thursday, December 12, 2013

A Jury That Is Meant To Convict

With the parade of court cases that fill the news cycle, it is no wonder that the public becomes confused about the criminal justice system. Case after case is presented as another defense team spins distortion, another crime scene is bungled or the prosecution is seen as incompetent. 

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Wednesday, December 11, 2013

The Worst Came Before and After

The rarefied air in the Himalayas are overcome by Sherpas without using oxygen. For the rest of us, we need that breath of pure air to survive. Diane Alden has always provided that lift. So it is a very unusual occasion that her essay, The Worst Generation Ever, demonstrates that a hit of ozone may be in order. Not to be taken straight, but just a little added to the debate to freshen and clear the atmosphere.

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Tuesday, December 10, 2013

The Meaning of Third Parties in America

Since the Nation was formed as a Republic, underlying principles of Democracy have been hailed as the bedrock expression of authority. The practice of one man, one vote; evolved into the basis of legitimacy, as the consent of the citizen was registered for their form of government. With the creation of political parties, the organization of public power was instituted. Parties became the repository for election seekers to gain office.

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Monday, December 9, 2013

The 'Hundred Days' of Reform Demur

Almost a half century ago a time of relative tranquillity was characterized with long afternoons on the golf course. The kindly looking father figure possessed enormous support from his nation. Prosperity was expanding, families enjoyed each other and the era was known as a 'Golden Age'. He was called 'Ike' and America knew her own identity.

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Friday, December 6, 2013

Remembering the Dead

The ceremonies to commemorate those slain at the Oklahoma City bombing was aired on the news networks. It would be difficult for any moral thinking person not to share in the pain and agony for the families who lost loved ones. Murder is a tragic theft from the living. And the sorrow for those who are no longer with us is a loss that strangers seldom can know. 

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Thursday, December 5, 2013

The Lesson on China

Now that the interviews have been aired and the parade celebration has struck an emotional chord, what is the lesson? Most Americans wish the best for the returned crew of the Navy reconnaissance plane. They are thankful that they survived, their stay in detention was brief, and that their return ended the incident. But is this crisis really behind us and how has the world changed because of it? 

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Wednesday, December 4, 2013

Nature of the Bureaucratic Syndrome

The primary product of the bureaucratic culture is the generation of a surreal disconnect with society. It is a leading source in the institutionalization of delusion, that has altered the perception of the proper roles of the individual, and that of their government. The impact and consequences that these abreaction inflicts upon society, is profound and extensive. 

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Tuesday, December 3, 2013

Requiem for Liberalism

Ever since the concept of liberalism was perverted from it's classical liberal definition, this doctrine for political tenants has gone astray. The self righteous arrogance that proponents of this modern day version assumes, has the air and stench of decay. The only value that these guilt ridden sensitivity graduates bring to the arena is a sharp acumen for identifying problems in the society.

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Monday, December 2, 2013

Facts Just Don't Mean the Same

For those who read from the scores of political columnists that are available today, we can conclude that ample talent and insights can be found, if you know where to look. There are many pundits that organize their articles around facts, statistical data and empirical evidence.

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Friday, November 29, 2013

California Dreaming or a Nightmare?

What can be said about this culture of contrast? Is it the land of milk and honey or is it the electric shock dispensary of the asylum? The latest developments that have caused the lights to go out are but the most visible consequence of a society that lives on another planet.

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Thursday, November 28, 2013

So You Say I'm the Pessimist?

Over the years, a constant criticism has been leveled upon the rants and writings that SARTRE presents. In one form or another, I am asked: "don't you have any good things to say about our government"? It continues to amaze me how little these folks understand the meaning of what this message is saying. 

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Wednesday, November 27, 2013

MOROCCO - Reality of Semitic Culture and its Future

None of my travels had prepared me for the bare reality of the kind of poverty that exists in this third world country. I have seen poor people all over the world, from Hispaniola to South Africa; but the 'so called' Westernized Islamic country of Morocco defies description. 

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Tuesday, November 26, 2013

Who Benefits From American Foreign Policy?

As loyal citizens to our Nation, we have been told that our Country is served well by a Foreign Policy that has the United States intensely involved Internationally. There is no part on this globe that doesn’t have some relationship, contact and involvement with the American Government. On the surface, one would assume that interaction can foster beneficial advantage for all parties concerned; and that this objective and goal, certainly can have valid positive consequences.

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Monday, November 25, 2013

What is the Responsibility of a Citizen?

So many word have been written about duty, obligation and purpose that the individual has towards his society and government, that few people are able to recognize the correct perspective between and among all these relationships. We are told from a very early age that each citizen IS an American. But what does that idea, mean?

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Friday, November 22, 2013

The Reason Why Governments Fail

Most arguments in support of the established order assumes that laws and their enforcement can achieve a stable and orderly society. This notion fundamentally lies on a shifting foundation. Any society exists within a culture that alters and varies with the current world view that is shared with the institutions and organizations that dominate.

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Thursday, November 21, 2013

Why 'Socialization' is Dangerous

During our entire life we constantly are being shaped, pressured and exhorted into accepting the current version of acceptable public tenets and conduct. From childhood through our last days, you cannot evade the lessons that are unending. This has always been the price that needs to be paid for the security to reside within a 'Civilization'. By its very nature, this process is neutral. Perspective and value systems will judge if this method of consociation is freely accepted. 

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Wednesday, November 20, 2013

The Case For Becoming A Conscientious Objector

With the great success of Tom Brokaw's book, 'The Greatest Generation', it would seem that the public would have little interest in questioning the tenants of American Foreign Policy that have been in place for most of the last century. The thrust of most political discourse centers upon the role of government, its growth, influence and reach upon society. Few care to concern themselves about those foreign lands and those faceless protectors of American interests that serve their nation. 

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