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EITHER OR, FEAR OR FAITH
NMB, Florida September 27, 2001 A.H. Schectman
THINKING ALLOWED
Essays on Issues, Ideas and Reflections on the Times. Published Now and
Then. Opinions Pro or Con Are Welcome.
EITHER OR, FEAR OR FAITH
Most of my writings have been consumed with the need to reduce problems to
their simplest components. It is easiest to explain complex things if you
break them down and work with small pieces easily comprehended. The best
example of this is the scientific medical made-up word for black lung
disease. The word is pneumonoultrophotomicroscopic-
silicovolcanokoniosis. Break it down into syllables and you can piece
together how the lungs are destroyed by minute specks of mining dust that
interferes with the transfer of carbon monoxide for oxygen. Well, maybe my
explanation is not the most accurate or most scientific but it does help
explain a big thing by taking it apart and examining its small parts.
I don't like either/or situations. Parents do it all the time with small
children. Little ones want either and the parents want or - or the other
way around. The kid is given a choice and knows that if the other that is
offered by the big people is refused he/she gets nothing. So you settle for
the offer.
I also don't think that our situation in these post Trade Tower days is as
simplistic as "fear" OR "faith". There are so many permutations of possible
solutions to problems that answers, sensible answers, are available if we
eschew "fear". We have nothing to fear but fear itself. This is still a
good formula. For us to dash headlong into "faith" as the one solution is
for us to leave good sense behind. We have also, in the past, been
admonished to walk softly but carry a big stick. Sound advice while others
are throwing rocks or flying planes at you. Don't panic, in other words.
Think!
Part of this "faith" thing is to show your colors. That means wear,
display and wave the American FLAG - the good old STARS AND STRIPES. For
some that means just do that and everything will be all right.
I don't think so. Some spend their time checking to see if you are doing it
too. That is too simplistic, unthinking and relying solely on faith.
I believe that THINKING should be ALLOWED. It should, in fact be
encouraged. So, what do you think?
Carol's Evaluation: 10 out of 10.
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