Sunday, April 25, 2010

Baby Ruth Is Made Of Poop


When I was a very young child, I happened to mention to a playmate that the tooth fairy had left a Baby Ruth candy bar under my pillow.

My friend was appalled. "Baby Ruth is made out of poop!" he declared.

I was just six years old at the time, and my friend Gary was not yet five, but that was still the craziest freakin’ thing I'd ever heard.

It turned out Gary wasn't kidding. Not only was he adamant about the feculent contents of a Baby Ruth bar, he was unwilling to consider even for a moment that he might have been mistaken.

"If Baby Ruths are made out of poop", I argued, "why would I eat one?"

Gary was serious. "You just like to eat poop."

The source of Gary's knowledge on the subject of this particular candy bar was impeccable: he got his information from his grandfather. Baby Ruth candy bars are made out of poop. Grampa said so, and that was that.

More than half a century has gone by, and I sincerely hope that at some time between then and now Gary has realized that his Grandfather was pulling his leg. But who knows? That kid was never interested in facts. Had I produced a Baby Ruth bar and offered him a taste, he would have recoiled in horror before I got the thing anywhere near his face.

Between the two of us, I was clearly the Baby Ruth expert, having eaten one just that morning for breakfast. But the more we argued, the angrier Gary got about it. What he really wanted was for me to admit that he was right. Finally he threw a Tonka truck in my direction and ran home in a huff.


How Important Is the Truth?

I've since met people fully grown who are as certain in their fixed beliefs as Gary was at four. Any missionary can tell you of people they've met who claim to know all about the Book of Mormon, yet have never so much as held one in their hands.

On my mission I had an impish companion who liked to have a sly bit of fun with these types. The following is an actual conversation that took place between my companion and one of these smug Missouri know-it-alls. We could tell early on that this guy was bluffing, so we had our fun with him.

Elder: "Have you ever heard of the Book of Mormon?"

Contact: "Yeah, I know all about your Book of the Mormons"

Elder: "Oh, you've read it?"

Contact: "Yeah, I read all of it."

Elder: "What was your favorite part?"


Contact: "Well, I didn't really have a favorite part. All of it was my favorite part. It was mostly okay, but I didn't really like any of it."

Elder: "What about the part where Brigham Young rode that buffalo across the plains? Did you like that part?"

Contact: "Yeah, that was pretty good."

Elder: "My favorite part was when Joseph Smith wrestled that grizzly bear."


Contact: "Yeah, that was my favorite part, too."

I have known people who have carefully examined our scripture then decided it was not for them. Those folks I can respect. The ones I have trouble with are those who put themselves out as experts on something they have no fetching clue about.

One of the most valuable things I ever learned came to me in the form of a simple question posed by a teacher. That question came to mind recently, along with my memories of the Gary incident, while I was engaged in a series of online conversations with an intractable acquaintance on Facebook. That question went like this:

“How important is it for you to learn the truth about anything?”

It would advance the cause of civility if we all took a moment to really ponder that question now and again.

How important is it, really...

...for you...

...to learn the truth...

...about anything.

Back in December I received some very positive feedback from a non-LDS reader who described himself as a liberal democrat. He had come across my blog and read my entries detailing LDS doctrine on war. The company he worked for had recently transferred him to Salt Lake City, and until he read my words, he had been under the impression that many of the Mormons he lived and worked among were bloodthirsty, warmongering yahoos.

My new friend had gotten this impression from the pap he was being fed by his coworkers who evidently were confusing their tribal political beliefs with the tenets of their religion. He was very happy to learn that Mormonism was not the mindlessly aggressive religion he had been led to believe. In fact, he was learning, it was quite the opposite. My blog was changing his opinion of Mormons and Mormonism for the better.

We emailed back and forth a bit, finding much to agree upon. We soon developed a mutual admiration for one another’s ideas, a liberal and a conservative finding common ground. Kindred spirits. Best Friends Forever.

Well, that love affair didn’t last long. A few months later my new-found friend was leaving strident posts all over Facebook decrying the awful tea party movement and declaring that those who attended such functions were motivated by nothing but racism.

When I responded in an effort to correct his obvious misunderstanding of the movement, he dug his heels in deeper and shot back with ugly personal insults totally out of character with the person I thought I had gotten to know. As with my childhood friend Gary, now that I disagreed with him, I was nothing but a stupid Stupidhead.


The Great Awakening

I happen to believe that the recent phenomenon that has come to be known as the “tea party” movement is just one manifestation of a bigger spiritual awakening taking place throughout the world.

But if you were like my online friend and tended to accept the conventional wisdom, you would assume that the tea parties were just some Republican party scheme.

The conventional wisdom is wrong.

The first national tea parties were organized in 2007 as a protest against Republican policies.

Mark Twain famously said “It ain’t what you don’t know that gets you into trouble; it’s what you know for sure that just ain’t so.”

My liberal friend was sure of an awful lot of things that just weren’t so. Besides myself, several other constitutional conservatives who also happened to be LDS offered him links to sources intended to disabuse him of his prejudices and give him information he was clearly missing. But he flatly rejected all of these references. His own sources were telling him all he needed to know about the tea party, and if we couldn’t see it his way, we were the idiots. We, who knew something about the matter first hand, were the fools in his eyes.

The tea party, we explained, was not really a “party” in the political sense. Originally a mix of conservatives, libertarians, and disaffected leftists calling for a national protest in 2007, the modern tea partiers took their inspiration from the revolt of the colonists at Boston Harbor in 1773. Many were attracted to the constitutional principles advocated by presidential candidate Ron Paul, who decried the unlawful use of our military to engage in undeclared wars and nation building overseas.

Congressman Paul warned of the impending financial disaster that would soon overtake us if we continued to see our mission as the policemen of the world, and warned that the federal reserve system was leading this country toward imminent financial ruin.

When the predictions of Paul and others came true regarding the collapse of the housing bubble, rising unemployment, and the banking "crisis", more American’s awoke to the awful situation brewing in our country. New tea party protests were organized in response to the first wave of banker bailouts orchestrated by the Bush administration, and to the dismissive attitude many politicians were displaying toward their constituents. Attendance at these functions continued to expand.

By April of 2009, it was apparent that the new Democratic president had every intention of continuing the unlawful policies of his predecessor, committing the people to bailing out still more banks and large corporations while stepping up the number of violations of civil liberties at home. The wars on foreign soil increased while the war against the people and their constitution continued here at home.

The tea party movement exploded as millions more Americans saw their freedoms being threatened by signs of an emerging police state, and this year when a health care bill was imposed with little opportunity for debate and in defiance of the wishes of the majority of the people, the tea party movement now resonated with a majority of Americans.

According to a recent Rasmussen poll, 52% of U.S. voters believe the average member of the tea party movement has a better understanding of the issues facing America today than the average member of Congress. The move to restore constitutional principles over party loyalty was moving mainstream. The people were awakening.

The tea party movement is a rejection of the false religion of both major parties. That’s why I feel it typifies the spiritual awakening of America. The people are rejecting the false god of government.

Up until now most Americans have held out the false hope that if only the priests of their particular church/party were in power, salvation would surely come. But it never has. Tea partiers no longer worship at either the Republican or the Democratic churches, nor do they hold the priests of either religion in high regard.

The people are throwing off their superstitions. They recognize that America’s two biggest religious denominations are empty and false.

The people are rediscovering America’s secular scriptures, the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, which the two dominant churches have ignored and subverted for far too long.

The high priests of both denominations are terrified of the tea party movement, as it is loosening their grip on the faithful. Tea party voters will not support a candidate based merely on party affiliation; candidates must run on constitutional principles. As Gary North has written, “The Tea Party movement is a threat to politics as usual. If incumbents of both parties are defeated this November, this will send a wave of fear through the Establishment. The swing voters are no longer under control.”


The Spin Begins

And so a war of lies is taking place as both churches attempt to retain their members. The priests of the Republican church decided to try to get in front of the movement and mold it as their own. Sarah Palin is on record as stating that the Republicans should absorb the tea party movement, and Republican operatives have had some success in hijacking rallies in some states.

Fox News heavily promoted the tea party rallies last year, maneuvering their on-air personalities into postition as key speakers. This resulted in the Church of the Democrats being able to convince their adherents that the tea parties were mere cheap Republican hustles, and therefore not worth a serious look.

But this war of lies isn’t working, as polls show that four out of ten people who claim sympathy with tea party principles list themselves as democrats and independents.

Attempts by the neocon Republicans to keep their members docile and in line are failing because at every rally across the nation thousands of free DVDs are distributed that describe the essence of what the tea party movement is really all about. Once a person views these documentaries, the major churches no longer have him in their spell.


Going To The Source

The tea party movement has no real leaders, as it is made up of disparate groups of individuals united primarily by their love of liberty. But there is one man who has been called “the prophet of the tea party movement”, and that man is Alex Jones. A gruff young Texan, Jones is host of a syndicated radio show who is a thorn in the side of both the Republican and Democratic establishments because time after time he has exposed both factions as working against the interests of America.

Jones is also an accomplished documentary filmmaker, and he has encouraged viewers to make copies of his films and distribute them freely.

Two of his more recent documentaries, “Fall of the Republic” and “The Obama Deception” have been distributed by the tens of thousands to attendees at tea party rallies. The number of people who have seen his films online for free is conservatively estimated at more than 100 million.

These movies lay out for the viewer what has gone wrong in America, who is responsible, and how we can go about fixing it. (It’s worth noting that “The Obama Deception” doesn’t focus only on how Americans were deceived about Obama, but also how we were deceived about George Bush.)

Regardless of one’s political views, it would make sense that in any discussion of a given topic, the logical place to find information on that topic would be to go to the source. Alex Jones is as close to the source of the tea party movement as one can find as his films, broadcasts, and internet sites have become Information Central for all things connected to the tea party movement.

Yet when I suggested to my online friend that he check out this source he scoffed at the suggestion and snidely ridiculed me for it. His own sources, you see, had already conditioned him to believe that Alex Jones was a violent racist and a right-wing tool. I offered another favored source of truth, LewRockwell.com, and received a similar pecksniffish dismissal.

My friend continued to insist that the tea party movement was a collection of vehement white racists, and nothing more. They were a bunch of slack-jawed hillbillies angry only because there was a black man in their white house. That was all it was. He could see no further motive.

When asked to provide evidence of this pervasive racism, my friend provided links to commentaries by others equally as ignorant as himself. He spoke constantly of empirical evidence proving his claim, but never produced any.

I sent him a link to these videos which completely refute the widely reported claim that the words “nigger!” and "faggot!" were shouted at black congressmen at a Washington rally and that one of the congressmen, John Lewis, was spat upon while walking through the crowd.

A $10,000.00 reward has been offered for any evidence of such racism at that rally. I reminded my friend that there were hundreds of cameras present, so it should be easy for him to claim that ten grand.

He hasn't claimed it yet.

Here's a couple more videos o' them redneck tea party racists:



There is a glorious awakening taking place in America, yet my Facebook friend is completely missing the entire adventure because he continues to kneel at the altar of the beast, refusing to investigate any source not approved by his parochial gatekeepers. His sources are the high priests of the liberal faith, and they have spoken. He has been warned to keep his distance from this phenomenon, and not to look directly at it; for it is, they assure him, a vile, squalid, filthy thing.

Trapped in the blinders of his false religion, my friend has eyes that cannot see. Where I delight in a delicious nougat center dipped in peanuts and covered in chocolate, my friend sees only poop.


How Important Is It?

I enjoy engaging in dialogue with those whose beliefs differ from my own because it nearly always results in my learning something new and useful. But in some conversations there comes a point where you discover that the other participant does not seek enlightenment, but only contention.

Such people are toxic to the search for truth. They waste time. They don’t care about facts, they only care that they win. And if they can’t win, they throw things.

Sometimes they throw insults, sometimes Tonka trucks.

Steve Allen once said that there are two kinds of facts: the kind you look up, and the kind you make up.

One way to tell the look-up facts from the made up facts is to go to the source. If you want to know what a guy believes in, ask the guy.

I don't require that anyone agree with my beliefs. You can politely point out what you believe to be holes in my religion or the flaws in my political philosophy. You can tell me you've found a hair in my candy bar. But don't ignorantly proclaim that my religion, or my philosophy, or my candy bar is crap. That is not how dialogue is advanced.

"How important is it for you to learn the truth about anything?"

Is it important enough for you to learn the difference between a candy bar and a stream of excrement?

If so, then let the conversation begin.


25 comments:

Justin said...

I've learned that there are three things people will rarely - if ever - change their minds about because of a conversation they have with you:
Religion, Diet, and Politics

I avoid these topics because it will always turn into one of the described "brain-off" arguments where no one's mind is changed.

On these three topics, it takes a long series of study and research or a huge, life-changing experience to change someone's POV.

TuNeCedeMalis said...

Justin,


But when you find the right people, people that have knowledge to share with you and people that are willing to accept your knowledge, those three subjects can be some of the most rewarding of all to discuss.

Your comment on those three subjects says more about the flaws in the average person now days then it does about those subjects.

Alan,

Great post. I look forward to reading more.

GayBob SpongeBath said...

I can't quite explain why, but I suddenly have an inexplicable craving for a Baby Ruth and an urgent need to poop.

Amy McIntyre said...

That's the craziest freakin' thing I've ever heard! Everybody knows it's Tootsie Rolls that are made of poop.

Hey Gaybob Spongebath, you're not the only one :)

Tom said...

Great post. In theory.

I only say in theory because like many movements, they tend to get co-opted. I'd like to believe that members of the church of the latter-day tea party are open minded and willing to realize the false dichotomy/religion of the two party church/political system, but I have my doubts.

With the false priests who consistently air the "establishment" views (Beck, Hannity, O'Reilly, Rush, to name a few), tea party members are still kneeling at the altar of their false gods. These are the same false priests who profess that they represent the tea party movement and, as such, the vast majority of tea party members align with whatever these false priests say. Whether it's to rail on anyone who doesn't accept the official version of 9/11, or to continue to propagate a system of -isms, except for the greatest idol of all - capitalism - they lull their adherents with sweet words, mixed with the cyanide of "establishment" which continues still today.

I'm actually surprised to see people who haven't noticed the "status quo" that was brought in with the new President. They say he needs more time, they say he's working to fix the broken system... Yet, all I see is a continuation of broken policies, programs and the continued nation building which is so contrary to scripture I don't know where to begin. Turning to LDS members, there is no more hallowed god than the god of war. We must liberate these captives, we must bring democracy - not just any democracy, but the democracy of corporate elitism that plagues most of the "modern" world - we must bring capitalism to them all. That god of war is a sweet nuggat of crap disguised as a baby ruth...yet because of all the food additives they've grown used to, they can't distinguish the real taste from the chemical one.

I do believe it's an awakening of sorts, but I wouldn't at all be surprised to see Republicans voted into office based on the the 'R' following their name, not based on their values vis-a-vis the Constitution or any other secular scripture.

Maybe I'm just weak in the faith department...or, maybe, it's just way too late in the ballgame to hope for change in a political environment held captive by corporate interests.

I like the way this guy puts it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ivKgQ4R4K7k&feature=player_embedded

Rock Waterman said...

Good link, Tom, and an intelligent interview.

I'm beginning to share your sense that the tea parties may have been hopelessly co-opted and turned into Fox News/Republican organs. There may be no getting them back, although I do hold out hope that films like "Fall of The Republic", if seen by enough people, can inoculate the masses against the takeover. I hope the readers of this blog will click on those links and watch those films.

It may take at least one more election cycle before the voters discover that simply changing back to a Republican majority didn't do the trick.

Look at all those angry at Obama who somehow were unable to recognize that their man Bush wasn't doing things any differently than Obama is now. I suppose that once they get Republicans into office again and find that things STILL haven't improved, a tiny light may finally go on in their heads and they'll finally get a clue and realize that the left-right paradigm is phony and that isn't the solution.

I think the real awakening will be when Americans finally wake up to the fact that they've been played with this game of "our team is the good guys, theirs is the bad guys, and all we need to do is get the ball back into the hands of our team and everything will be swell again."

On the other hand, we're going to have to have a country of moral and religious people, as John Adams said, or it won't work.

The refiner's fire is on its way, sadly, and it's gonna hurt. I fear there's no escaping the painful correction that's coming.

Dave P. said...

Not a day goes by when I don't think of what the Savior says in JS-Matthew. While it speaks for itself, I want to highlight a few particular verses that are being fulfilled more and more:

Verse 4: "The end of the world" is the destruction of the wicked and the sparing of the righteous, or rather the separation of the wheat and the tares. The end of the earth, or the end of our planet, will come after the millennium wherein the earth will be destroyed and resurrected as the celestial kingdom. How many phrases in other cultures, especially Mayan, that translate to "end of the world" also refer to that destruction of the wicked? Sometimes I wonder if the world will even last until 2012.

Verses 6-9: False Christs and false prophets... *Looks over at Capitol Hill.*

Verses 22-23: If possible, the very elect shall be deceived. It's possible and it's happening.

Verse 32-42: The Abomination of Desolation has not yet been fulfilled. It will be. The Savior is telling us to be prepared to flee at first notice of the signs of its approach, even if we just have the clothes on our back. The same happened in Jerusalem when Titus sacked it in 70 A.D. and it will happen again.

The Lord has said that He will first cleanse the church when He comes again, so anyone who tries to play both sides of the net will be the first to go.

Micah said...

Great post Rock. Your intuitive understanding of the Tea Party movement and the attempts to hijack or discredit it very much mirror my own. Thanks for articulating this so well and balanced.

Micah

Frank Staheli said...

Rock:

As you well know, I, too, have some Facebook friends who think that Baby Ruths are made of poop, and that I just simply love to eat poop!

;-)

Oh well. I keep trying, hoping that others who happen by these facebook conversations will see the irrationality on the part of my interlocutors and thus be more interested in my side of the story.

I agree with you that the Tea Party movement IS part of some new spiritual awakening. Admittedly, not everyone who belongs to the movement understands the real reason for the movement, and some who allegedly belong to it are attempting to co-opt it and prostitute it for their own purposes, AND some of those who belong to the movement have their own ways of thinking that Baby Ruths are made of poop, too!

Oh well. We just keep trying!!!

Fred said...

Rock,

That was an excellent post. I also have good friends who see the Tea Party movement as racist and akin to the current mainstream Republican party. Sadly though, I do feel the Tea Party movement is being infiltrated and compromised. In fact, I've seen first hand evidence of this by people who are part of the so-called "9/12" movement, who identify themselves as "Tea Partiers," yet disdain the likes of Ron Paul and Debra Medina. It seems as if they love Glenn Beck and anything he promotes, nothing more or less. It looks a lot like idol worship to me.

Helaman 6:38 is always on my mind. If the righteous Nephites could be so deceived, we of course are equally susceptible to the exact same deception. However, I see so many people at church that seem blissfully smug because "we have the true gospel." All is well in Zion, or so they seem to tell themselves.

This is a great post. How badly do we want to know the truth? Awakening to our situation can be earth shattering for some, as it could affect our world view dramatically. That is why I love so many of the words and works of our Founding Fathers. I think they really understood the foe they were facing. Patrick Henry so aptly stated:
It is natural to man to indulge in the illusions of hope. We are apt to shut our eyes against a painful truth, and listen to the song of that siren till she transforms us into beasts. Is this the part of wise men, engaged in a great and arduous struggle for liberty? Are we disposed to be of the number of those who, having eyes, see not, and, having ears, hear not, the things which so nearly concern their temporal salvation? For my part, whatever anguish of spirit it may cost, I am willing to know the whole truth; to know the worst, and to provide for it.

Dave P. said...

I feel one of the basic tenets of this post is how people can be so prideful that they're never willing to admit when they get something wrong or they themselves are wrong over an issue. It's amazing how this can apply to the smallest detail (but then again, "By small and simple things...").

Two of my favorite sites (and also the biggest reasons why I pray I never have to work in retail) are customerssuck.com and notalwaysright.com where people constantly have to deal with those who believe they're always right, no matter what.

Rock Waterman said...

Thanks for those links, Dave. I'm reading notalwaysright.com right now. Hilarious!

Isaac said...

The Hegelian dialectic strategy that has been employed so successfully on the American public for so long requires that two sides be played against each other, while in reality both sides are with each other and against the public. Some of this has been apparent in the loosely connected tea party groups, most obviously when Newt Gingrich tried to become "the leader" of the whole deal. Talk about an establishment courtesan! I see plenty of people who are making a break for actual liberty, and some who are clamoring for things to go back to "the way they were." I think the latter type are greatly influenced by Glenn Beck and his numerous movements, seminars, and programs. Sitting at the feet of Lincoln will solve our problems? And how do we reduce the size and intrusiveness of government and simultaneously promote, or even demand, a military large enough to invade and occupy three or more foreign countries at once? A larger military budget than the rest of the world combined necessarily requires an enormous, oppressive, invasive government. It's nice to see people reacting so unfavorably to government policies, but can we please remember that Big Government is bad even when we agree with its policies? Will Grigg said it best: "Every invasion of individual rights
happens with the eager support of people acting in the sincere and thoroughly mistaken confidence that what they permit the state to do to others will never be done to them."

So why can't your facebook friend see the tea party thing for what it is, which is a collision of a number of different ideologies that happen to agree that enough is enough, and probably even too much? Probably because he doesn't want to, and probably because he went to public school. It's very hard to think critically, so people shut their eyes and block out the headache-inducing truth.
My dad likes to compare the general population to cattle in a feed lot. Even if some knew they were headed to the slaughterhouse and tried to warn the others, they would still all end up as meat on the table. Or dog food. Or whatever else, but you get the point.

Connor said...

Good post, Rock. I remain unconvinced that the majority of tea partiers know what good government looks like, but I hope to be proven wrong.

We need people who know good principles as much as we need people to effectively tear down the leviathan: http://www.connorboyack.com/blog/on-whether-to-tear-down-or-build-up

Anonymous said...

I attended the first tea party of the tea party movement because I wanted to get a first-hand look at what it was all about. I had my hopes up that perhaps a segment of the population was finally realizing that it was in bondage and wanted out. What I found, though, were largely Obama-haters with a smidgen of Bush-loathers and other ideologies mixed in. In all my interviews and conversations with the people there (I attended two rallies on the same day in different locations), I found only STATISTS among them. I as the lone anarchist.

That night I met with a good friend of mine who wanted my assessment. He was aware that I have two gifts that of late have been quite active, the gift to prophesy and the discerning of spirits, and so wanted my impressions. I told him that the tea partiers, although they appeared genuinely sincere, were delusional; no change of the status quo would come of the movement; and that the secret combination would use these people to further their plans. I counseled him to stay away from it.

Oh, yeah, one other thing: I DID detect racism among many of them.

I realize that there is a desire among the LDS to participate in the political process so that it becomes a force for good in the world--and so the tea party movement which seems well-intentioned appears attractive--but there is only one political ideology that is 100% compatible with the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Father's champion of free agency, and that is anarchism. Everything else compromises with the devil, who is a statist through and through.

LDS Anarchist

honest diaper said...

This diaper is very thin but it absorbs really well. It beats Pampers, Huggies and Costco brand. My son's diaper rash is gone after using this.

Alan Rock Waterman said...

You gotta admit, that is one well targeted Spam program. It saw the word "poop" in a blog and zeroed right in. A tip of the hat.

Thomas said...

Classic "Caddy Shack" doodie (Baby Ruth) in pool- Hilarious!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TPxiXGr9nFM

H Wilde said...

This article reminded me of the prank we pulled in the MTC where we got a Baby Ruth wet and then laid it on a random toilet seat in the bathroom. The reactions were AWESOME!

I just wanted to comment (for what its worth) that I don't like Alex Jones at all. I don't necessarily disagree with his overall big picture conclusions, but I find he has a tendency to jump to the most radical conclusion that he can find. He has some "ok" information, but overall I believe he is by and large doing a disservice to the tea party, libertarians, and history revisionists. I believe this is a result from going to the "Bilderberger" meeting and yelling: WE WILL NOT BE YOUR SLAVES!! Or going on with Piers Morgan and acting like an idiotic baboon.
That is not influential and anyone that hadn't already come to the big picture conclusions that Alex has espoused, is turned away when they see that. I find it hard to believe that anybody who wasn't already at his same conclusions prior to finding his material, sees or listens to Alex Jones and is persuaded by anything he has to say...this is largely because of his A-Typical Conspiracy Theorist antics.
I am not knocking Conspiracy Theorists because I am one. I have been reading of Skull and Bones/ BilderBergers/ Illuminati and the Bohemian Grove since I was 12. (I am 31 now.) Therefore I know first hand how few people are willing to listen to these types of big picture conclusions. I have found that when I run into the majority who are skeptical, they are immediately turned off by whatever Alex Jones says. A disinformation agent or false flag agent for sure...but not a credible person to turn others too...

H Wilde said...

Working currently in retail myself...I'm always surprised how many people in a dispute try to claim too me: The customer is always right!
I usually respond to that with "At Wal-Mart or McDonalds. They can afford to flatter you with such foolishness. However I won't cheat you anymore by continuing the illusion with that great falsehood."
What's funny is that my generation is more ok with hearing that than what I have found in the baby boomer generation.

H Wilde said...

Glenn Beck is a Fear Mongering Salesman. Having a form of truth but denying the power thereof.
My parents think he is a modern Samuel the Lamanite....I think he is a modern Zeezrom, trying to sway righteous men like Ron Paul from doing and saying what is right.
God Bless him...he needs it.

Alan Rock Waterman said...

Alex Jones is, for some people, an acquired taste. I myself have acquired a taste for Alex Jones and enjoy going back to the well for more.

His rant on the Piers Morgan show was abrasive, alright, but he set out to do what he intended: prevent Morgan from doing what Morgan normally does to guests he disagrees with, not allowing them to get a word in edgewise.

Say what you like about Alex's presentation, he has been proven prescient time and again. And his audience is growing.

Anonymous said...

Is Alex Jones right about everything? No, of course not, no one is, not even Joseph Smith was.

But where is there anyone who is standing for right and risking as much to tell the truth as Alex Jones and follow God to bring hidden things of darkness to light?

Those who criticize him only show they don't understand how awful our situation is and how appropriate his outrage is, nor do they seem to know what real righteousness looks like today.

If we had a true prophet around today, especially like Moroni or Joseph, he or they would be acting and speaking much like Alex Jones. Ever hear of Samuel the Lamanite? He and Alex have a lot of things in common, especially how they are received by most people.

Those who won't stand for right themselves, nor for Christ's teachings, will so quickly criticize Alex because he uses all his might, mind & strength to stand for right the only way he knows how & to the best of his ability. Who is doing more or better than him?. I honor him and so appreciate that there are still a few good men like him around.

It seems that Alex has done more to promote freedom than anyone since Joseph Smith. Who can say they do more or better than he does?

Whatever his faults, I believe he will enter heaven before most all other men I have ever known, especially in the Church, because he was willing to stand for right, when hardly no one is. His name will go down with the great patriots of the Revolution.

Jeff Peterson said...

Great post about a fearless search for truth. I understand your points about the Tea Party. Sadly as I believe you've pointed out elsewhere, it has become an entirely different beast, changing and devolving as did the occupy movement as it was co-opted by the two great whore state churches respectively. I also used to be an adherent to Alex Jones, but have since chose to focus my attention to Stefan Molyneaux and the Non Aggression Principle, as it relates to the Gospel. As I know the LDS anarchist group has drawn your attention from time to time, I am curious as to whether your thoughts regarding the constitution have changed. Your posts hold the constitution in high regard, as do a few D&C references. I wonder if time has given you a more... nuanced opinion on this as well? If not a blog, maybe it would make a good topic of discussion over at LDS Anarchist FB if you shared your current sentiments regarding the application and foundational principles of the constitution. Sometimes it's justifications of state expansion can be stinky, but surely it can't all be poop, right??

Alan Rock Waterman said...

Jeff,
I was asked about my political philosophy on LDS Anarchist, and my response was that although the constitution is the best compromise the founders could attain, it is far less than perfect because it depends upon the people to enforce it, and the people don't enforce the contract.

My sympathies are closer to the Anti-federalists like Patrick Henry than for the federalists.