Things Don’t Add Up

You may have noticed that I (#blogger #blog #somseason #YA #authors)  haven’t written a post since September 21. There is a reason for that. World events are changing so fast that each time I a plan a post, it is already old news. Let me explain.

Initially, I planned to write about the wildfires (I know, it’s old news). Beginning in March 2023, the news was consumed with wildfires. As the article, North America’s summer of wildfire smoke: 2023 was only the beginning, says, “Canada’s seemingly endless wildfires in 2023 introduced millions of people across North America to the health hazards of wildfire smoke.”  The article blames climate change and makes the statement “global warming means more fires.” Legacy Media amped up the climate change rhetoric, claiming Climate change made weather conditions that powered Quebec fires twice as likely, scientists say. Yet, Alberta’s premier downplays link between wildfires and climate change, commits to arson investigations. Is climate change the problem? These headlines suggest otherwise. Quebec man arrested for starting multiple wildfires, RCMP charge Alberta woman with 32 counts of arson after spring wildfires, Arsonists Behind More than Half of Italy’s Wildfires, Officials Say, Italy arrests two Sicilian sheep farmers for lighting wildfires, and Greek police arrest dozens for arson as EU’s largest-ever wildfires rage. How can climate change be the cause, when arsonists are lighting the fires? Why are arsonists lighting these fires? Are they being paid? It doesn’t make sense. Or, to use the old adage; Things “do not add up,” meaning things do not seem plausible, logical, or believable. All I can say, is we are NOT being told the full story.

Then came the Maui wildfires when in August, we heard non stop reporting on them. The Hawaiian Electric says power lines started morning fire on August 8, but not afternoon Lahaina Fire, so humans once again are to blame. What about the devastating Lahaina fire? Were humans to blame—and I’m not talking about the climate change narrative? Some are blaming Direct Energy Weapons (DEWs), as in the articles, Were Maui wildfires caused by a US weapons test? and the Video: Maui Wildfires: Evidence of Direct Energy Weapon? Of course, Legacy Media were quick to call the DEW story conspiracy. Things “do not add up.” More is going on than meets the eye.

Then the headlines changed to what some called Nazigate, and the stories about wildfires disappeared. In case you don’t know what Nazigate is, on Sept. 22, 2023. the Canadian parliament accidentally honours Nazi – with Zelensky and Trudeau applauding, and reporting that the Speaker of the House apologized for calling Nazi SS soldier a ‘Ukrainian hero.’ That’s honouring a bully (#bullying, #antibullying)! How do you accidentally honour someone? Someone please explain it to me. Of course, some Legacy Media try to downplay the incident with articles like, Last week’s Nazi incident in parliament was framed by some as a learning opportunity.  Canada’s Immigration minister claims ‘Canada has a really dark history with Nazis in Canada’ and some say Canada has a long history of soft-pedalling the Ukrainian Waffen-SS Galicia Division.  Our deputy Prime Minster, Chrystia Freeland says she has nothing to be ashamed of about her grandfather’s ‘Nazi’ ties. It’s true,  Chrystia Freeland has a Nazi history according to the Civilian Intelligence Network.

Now I agree that this Nazigate event is Canada’s disgrace and parliament’s Nazi celebration cannot be forgotten or forgiven. Don’t try to convince me this is a mistake. Things just don’t add up. Why would Canadian parliamentarians applaud a former Nazi like he is a hero?  Watch the video where all Canadian Parliamentarians give Yaroslav Hunka, 98, an ex-Waffen SS fighter, a standing ovation. What is really going on? As this article asks, How did a Nazi fighter end up in Parliament?  Things “do not add up.” There has got to be more to this story.

Then the Nazigate news disappeared. as on October 3, the US speaker was ousted starting a US government crisis as U.S. Congress is headless after a first-in-history ouster of House Speaker. It is said to be the first-ever ejection of a sitting Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives. News broadcasts were consumed with this crisis. Twenty three days later, on October 25, 2023,  Rep. Mike Johnson of Louisiana elected speaker of the House. But little was said about that event as October 7, 2023 Hamas launched a surprise attack in the south of Israel. We are still hearing about this as it is all Legacy Media talks about. Read Background to War in Israel if you don’t know what that is about. The rhetoric is building as The US is mounting a frantic effort to head off a wider Middle East war. Watch the video below: Can President Biden prevent World War III?

I find it comical that the world’s fate is put into the hands of a man who seems to be senile. It is said that the New Middle East war delivers a new threat to world economy. The scariest rhetoric Is Middle East Closer to World War 3 After Israel-Palestine Conflict?  I have to wonder, Are we heading for World War Three?

I am confused though. According to the article, A detailed look at how Hamas secretly crossed into Israel, Hamas militants broke through Israel’s complex border security systems, attacking towns, killing hundreds of people and taking at least 150 hostages. CNN asks, Why didn’t Israel’s sophisticated border security stop Saturday’s attack? According to them, Israel’s military found itself caught off-guard, despite decades in which the country became a technology powerhouse that boasts one of the world’s most impressive armed forces and a best intelligence agency. A former international spokesman for the Israel Defense Forces said, “The entire system failed. It’s not just one component. It’s the entire defense architecture that evidently failed to provide the necessary defense for Israeli civilians.”  How can an entire security system fail? Something doesn’t add up. We’re definitely not being told the real story. 

What is even more interesting is the sudden silence on the Ukrainian war. Did that war suddenly end? Back in February 2022, Russia launched a military invasion of Ukraine and that was all we heard for months. For months, billions of dollars from all over the world were being sent to the Ukraine for the war effort. CNN asks since $113 billion was sent to the Ukraine, Where has the US investment in Ukraine aid gone? The World Bank approved $723m financial package, and Canada has promised more than $1.5B in military aid to Ukraine. Why all money for the Ukraine? Why is Ukraine so important? This article says there are 5 reasons America must support Ukraine and help it defeat Russia, but I don’t buy any of it. Justin Trudeau, Canada’s prime minister said, “Canada will stand with Ukraine with whatever it takes, for as long as it takes. As Ukrainians continue to fight for their freedom and their democracy, our support will be unequivocal until they are victorious,” yet the article, Marking 50 Years in the Struggle for Democracy it says:

New coups and other attempts to undermine representative government destabilized Burkina Faso, Tunisia, Peru, and Brazil. Previous years’ coups and ongoing repression continued to diminish basic liberties in Guinea and constrain those in Turkey, Myanmar, and Thailand, among others. 

Why aren’t we sending money to these countries as they “fight for their freedom and their democracy?” That argument doesn’t make sense. Things “do not add up.” Are we being fed propaganda? Are we being told what they—whoever they are—want us to think and believe. We are not being told the real story, that’s for sure.  What is really going on in this world? As Haruki Murakami, a Japanese writer says, “Please remember: things are not what they seem.”

Speaking Truth to Power

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.