Speaking truth to power is a non-violent political tactic, employed by dissidents against propaganda of governments that are regarded as oppressive or authoritarian. Walter Cronkite, an American anchorman for CBS News said, “In seeking truth you have to get both sides of a story.” That’s my motto. I (#blogger #blog #somseason #YA #authors) always told my high school students that “your opinion isn’t worth the paper it’s written on unless you back it up with evidence.” Preparing students for their argumentative essays in Social Studies, I emphasized the importance of presenting both points of view. I always try to write my blogs that way. Yet, it astonishes me how many people I talk to know nothing beyond the narrative presented on television.
I recently saw this in a post:
Why do people refuse to research anything, yet demand we spoon feed “proof?” Then you give them proof and they don’t even read it. They say, “well, that’s not a reliable news source,” or “that’s not a reliable doctor.” They always have an excuse why they stick to their talking points.
That has been my experience. People tell me I’m using unreliable sources, that it’s conspiracy, that I am wrong, or even that I am crazy. Some even infer—not in words—that I might be mentally unstable because my view differs from theirs, or because I differ from the narrative spewed on the TV. Yet, I have never had a single person ask me why I think the way I do. In 1800, Thomas Jefferson said, “I never considered a difference of opinion in politics, in religion, in philosophy, as cause for withdrawing from a friend.” Yet, I have experienced numerous family and friends withdrawing from me because of my differing views.
Cognitive Dissonance is to blame. When presented with evidence that challenges a person’s core beliefs, their brains refuse to accept the new evidence. Cognitive Dissonance creates much distress for people, so many people have a need to protect their core beliefs, t0 rationalize, ignore, and deny anything that fails to support their core belief. Have a look at the article, 7 signs you exhibit cognitive dissonance, for more information.
Informed people MUST know all perspectives of a debate. American politician, Dudley Malone said, “I have never in my life learned anything from any man who agreed with me.” Nor have I. Corporal (Cpl.) Daniel Bulford is a specialized RCMP officer who, in November, left his position as the prime minister’s personal sniper detail after speaking out against the federal COVID-19 vaccine mandate, and now works for Mounties For Freedom. He presents a perspective that opposes the official narrative. The story, One of Trudeau’s bodyguards speaks out against COVID jab mandates, calls them ‘authoritarian,’ tells Cpl. Bulford’s story. In case the video is censored, you can watch it on Pandemic Debate: Corporal Daniel Bulford. Here is his perspective.
If you didn’t listen, here are some highlights. Cpl. Bulford emphasizes that “fundamental rights are NOT to be limited…even in a national emergency.” He said as Mounties “everything we do is guided by the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.” Regarding the RCMP, Cpl. Bulford says they “work to prevent crime and enforce the law knowing the supreme law is the constitution…We are [there] to assist Canadians in emergency situations…In the context of the pandemic, I’ve seen us intimidate and arrest Canadians as opposed to assisting them.” He says, “Every individual is equal before and under the law and has the right to equal protection and equal benefit of the law.” He says he took an oath to keep Canadians safe and to protect their civil liberties. His most powerful statement was, “If others have NOT sought out both sides of the argument, it’s no wonder what they think and do…It is time to be strong in character. It will require sacrifice and preparation. The sacrifice will be the comfort and security that can be found in remaining silent.”
His talk is compelling! If you’re not sure what CPL. Bulford means regarding policing during COVID, have a look at Policing in the Pandemic from policeonguard.ca. Be warned, it is disturbing to watch.
Dr. Julie Ponesse was a professor in the philosophy department at Ontario’s Huron University College and taught ethics for 20 years. Her workplace implemented mandatory vaccination policies, and when she refused to comply, she was fired. The article, Ont. professor on paid leave after refusing to get vaccine or wear a mask, tells her story. In case her talk is censored, here is her talk on Rumble: Why are so many choosing a life in a cage? Rumble. Listen to her view.
Here are some highlights. Dr. Julie Ponesse shows a picture of a lone German refusing to raise a stiff right arm among Hitler’s presence at a 1936 rally.
She then refers to a study revealing that only 10% of people are likely to be like the man in the picture, saying “our dominant world strategy is compliance.” I find that alarming. In another experiment, researchers used individuals to disrupt lineups. Only 1 in 25 spoke up, asking those disrupting to move to back of the line. The rest of the people were too lazy to be bothered, or too afraid of what others would say or do. She then discusses the atrocities happening in the name of COVID. She says, “In the history of mankind, there has never been a political elite sincerely concerned about the well-being of regular people. What makes any of us think it is different now? We have been instructed by our leaders to hate, divide, shame and dismiss, and we are excelling at these things superbly. This is what it now means to be a Canadian…Why is it so many are choosing life in a cage? We don’t need to comply and agree about everything to have a functioning democracy… A society in which we respect each other’s differences is a true democracy.”
Bulford and Ponesse are just two of many offering perspectives on COVID that differ from the TV narrative. How do we know what or who to believe? My answer is to ‘question everything’ and ‘follow your intuition.’ Doe Zantamata defines institution as:
“Intuition literally means learning from within. Most of us were not taught how to use this sense, but all of us know well that ‘gut’ feeling. Learn to trust your inner feeling and it will become stronger. Avoid going against your better judgment or getting talked into things that just don’t feel right.”
That is what I am talking about. Even Albert Einstein said, “I believe in intuition and inspiration… at times I feel certain I am right while not knowing the reason.”
As a teacher, I dealt with bullying (#bullying, #antibullying) among my students many times. I also saw bullying on television, in the movies, as well as from political leaders, I knew deep down within me that bullying is wrong. That is why I wrote my book, A Shattered New Start. From the very beginning of the COVID narrative, April of 2020, something deep within me said “something is wrong.” I’ve written many blogs explaining why.
Many claim God dwells within us. Growing up Christian, I was taught that God—or Yahweh, Allah, Universe, Creator; the name doesn’t matter—is in heaven, and if you follow the commandments and be good, you will go to heaven and be with God. This is where the image of God sitting on a throne in heaven comes from. Christianity calls this God within the ‘Holy Spirit.’ In Luke 17:21 of the Christian scriptures, Jesus was asked when the kingdom of God would come. His reply, “The coming of the kingdom of God is not something that can be observed, nor will people say, ‘Here it is,’ or ‘There it is,’ because the kingdom of God is in your midst.” Jesus is saying the kingdom of God resides within us. That is what I believe.
There is nothing wrong with listening to others, and getting their thoughts and ideas, but we do not need to rely on that. We have God’s Spirit within us, teaching us and guiding us. I rely on that spirit to determine truth. If it feels true, I trust that.
Energy institutive, Lee Harris, in his December energy update said:
“We’ve lost a lot of critical thinking in the last couple of years, or the ability to stand back and take a very balanced view to things that are going on. We’re encouraged to be in our emotional brain, our emotional reactions, to be in fear, or to worry about things.”
That is what I see. Most people are living in fear because of the propaganda. Psychology Today’s article, The Psychology of Truth: Feeling It, explains what ‘feeling truth’ is. I encourage you to read it and try the activities in it. The article says:
The deepest thing we know about truth is that we feel it. Our consciousness is key to our being able to learn, think about, and use what we feel is the truth.
I trust what I feel. If something feels wrong, I trust that. The COVID narrative has never felt right. What governments, health officials, and corporate media say has never resonated with me. It doesn’t feel like truth. That is why my truth may differ from yours. Most people appear to believe and do what they are being told. I don’t because I trust my gut.
Sommer Season all year 