Logic Part I

As was promised about five, six months ago, the subject of logic will now be addressed. It must happen now because understanding future posts will require that a reader can grasp this concept.

In an effort to comprehend the upside down nature of current events, it has occurred to me that those who feel far outweigh those who think. That is not to say that those who feel are less intelligent. It is more a reference to the wind that they have chosen to direct their sails.

So many people get out of bed knowing the way they want things to be, and then proceed to color their day with propaganda, filtering out those things that "don't fit". Few are those who wake up knowing how they want things, and then seek to find "what is".

Logic is void of wants. It is not affected by emotion. It cares nothing for feelings. This may be why it is so unpopular; however, by definition only chaos will ensue when it is abandoned.

Logic seeks to determine one of two things: Is it true, or is it false? That is it. Quite simple.

2 + 2 = 4 True or false? Obviously, true!! This is logic.

Another example: 2+2=5 True or false? Obviously false!! This is logic.

So far, so good? Let's keep going.

In order to determine the validity of conclusions, it is often necessary to combine other known truths or premises. This is often done in a syllogism:
Major Premise: All insects have six legs
Minor Premise: My pet grasshopper, "Hops", is an insect
Conclusion: Hops has six legs

"Hops" has six legs is valid conclusion, assuming that both premises where true. This is where things get a bit tricky. The Minor Premise, unless I'm a liar, is true. The major premise, however, begs the question, "Do all insects have six legs?"

Well, yes, that is one of the defining characteristics of an insect. But is it possible that, in a sick and twisted moment, someone pulled one of Hops' legs off, and that since he is a tough little grasshopper, he has pressed on with only five legs? In this case, the conclusion would have been false because the Major Premise was not true. Some insects may have had their legs pulled off by Sid from Toy Story, so while the conclusion would most likely be true with most grasshoppers, it was not for poor Hops.

Let's do one more:
Major Premise: Drinking regular soda always causes one to gain weight.
Minor Premise: I'm drinking regular soda.
Conclusion: I'm going to gain weight.

The conclusion is true if the premises are true. One could debate the Major Premise; however, for the sake of argument, let's assume that it is true.

But I don't want to gain weight!! Okay, then stop drinking regular soda.

But I don't want to drink diet soda!! Okay, then your going to gain weight.

But I don't want...

STOP IT!!!! You can't have both!! It doesn't matter what you want. How you feel doesn't change reality and truth. Regular soda contains lots of sugar that is metabolized into fat. Your wants are contradictory, they are not logical!!

What is frustrating is that those of us who want to know "what is", and are not afraid to declare it are often subject to Ad Hominem (i.e., name calling) attacks. We are labeled as hateful and mean.

So you think I'm fat? I didn't say anything about your weight, I merely pointed out a logical solution to your problem.

So you're trying to tell me what to do? I don't care what you do; I'm just saying that you can't loose weight and drink regular soda at the same time so please stop complaining about being overweight while you are sucking down a Pepsi!!!

I'm getting a bit off-track. This is supposed to be "educational". I will stop for now, and let the reader absorb the following points:
1) Logic is a means to determine what is true and what is false
2) Logic is callous, it does not care about feelings or wants. By definition, what is true is true and what is false is false. One's emotion cannot change reality.

Stay tuned for Logic Part II: Logical Fallacies.

Commentary 20090225

"Obama Seeks $634M Over 10 Years to Revamp Health Care System" - Fox News

Great idea!!! Tax "the rich". This should stimulate the heck out of the economy because we all know that it is poor people run the companies that hire workers.

"Fact Check: Obama's Words on Home Aid Ring Hollow" - Fox News

Someone obviously missed the memo. It's not what he says, but how he says it!!

"MSNBC Introduction for Gov. Jindal: 'Oh God'" - Fox News

Liberal press? How absurd!

"Arrest Made in Home Foreclosure Civil Disobedience Program" - Fox News

Correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't ownership imply purchase and payment? If occupancy constitutes ownership, why not find a comfortable seat behind the wheel of a new Corvette.

Commentary 20090221

"Poll: Obama More Popular Than Jesus, Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr." - Fox News

"Whoever does not fall down and worship will immediately be thrown into a blazing furnace."
- Daniel 3:6 (NIV)


ABC's Terry Moran: For Obama, Presidency Is a 'Step Down' - Newsbusters

"Therefore, as soon as they heard the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp and all kinds of music, all the peoples, nations and men of every language fell down and worshiped the image of gold..."
- Daniel 3:7 (NIV)


"Santelli's Tea Party" - CNBC

"At this time some astrologers came forward...They said to King Nebuchadnezzar, 'O king, live forever! You have issued a decree, O king, that everyone ...must fall down and worship the image of gold, and that whoever does not fall down and worship will be thrown into a blazing furnace. But there are some...who pay no attention to you, O king...'"
- Daniel 3:8-12 (NIV)


"Iran Blocks Web Sites Promoting Reformist Khatami" - Fox News

Are we really that far off?


"Socks, Feline Face of the Clinton White House, Dead at 18" - Fox News

How sad. May he rest in peace.

Snow

This morning. I woke up. I looked outside. About six inches of snow on the ground.

Got up. Went outside. Spent 10 minutes clearing snow from car. Tromped through large drifts. 15 degrees. 30/mph winds. Fingers turned white.

Thank you President Obama for "taking care of us" and addressing global warming. Thank you for packing the "Stimulus Package" full of soon-to-be taxpayer dollars (not yet, it's all credit right now) that will go to fight global warming. I'm sure that by this time next year, once you have "cooled the planet", I won't even need a car anymore.

We will all travel on dogsleds.

Should I buy one now, and then you will send me money later when I can't afford the payments, or should I save money to buy one later, and then have it taxed to pay for those who chose the antecedent?

And So It Continues...

"Democrats Consider Reviving 'Fairness Doctrine'" - Fox News
It's called the 1st Amendment...


"Oh, Gracious God", please tell me that this is the exception and not the norm!!!

"Student Group Wants to Rename High School After Obama" - Fox News
In light of the Fairness Doctrine, does this mean that the school across town will be named George W. Bush Elementary?

"Report: Woman Files Lawsuit Against Miley Cyrus For Offensive Gesture" - Fox News
I'm bald, would someone care to take a crack at me. I could use the money...oh wait...never mind. I forgot that the government is handing out free money...

...Tell me things are not upside down: The World Is Crazy: Now What?

Black Helicopters

They're either ignorant or they are diabolical. Government spending has never stimulated an economy; however, every time tax cuts have been implemented, the government actually takes in more money (Tax Cuts vs. Government Revenue, Study: Bush's Capital Gains Tax Cuts Provided Stimulus; More Revenue). Wealth is created.

Still, today, an overwhelming majority of the Senate voted in favor of continuing the biggest SPENDING spree in US history ("Financial Bailout Balloons to the Trillions"). Folks, this is insane!!! Money doesn't grow on trees...wait a minute...for the government it may; all it has to do is print it. That works great until "America's chickens come home to roost" and inflation pushes a loaf of bread to $20.

While the voters remain apathetic and dogmatic, cheering for change, the politicians are destroying the pillars on which America was founded. Unknowingly? Are they ignorant? I haven't decided which is worse, but it is not unwittingly. They know exactly what they are doing.

Those promoting the "Stimulus Bill" continue to insult our intelligence. One has to comb and comb to locate any funds with even minute potential to facilitate long-term economic growth. To the contrary, it is jam-packed with social hand-outs and kick backs ("50 De-stimulating Facts"). If the intent is to fund the arts, give tax credits to those who don't pay taxes, and pump money into Amtrak, then just come clean. Don't lie to us.

Here's where the black helicopters come in: THEY DON'T INTEND TO STIMULATE THE ECONOMY.

In November of 2008, Rahm Emanuel tipped the new administration's hand when he said, “You never want a serious crisis to go to waste. And what I mean by that is an opportunity to do things you think you could not do before” ("Media MIA On Emanuel's Crisis Comment").

President Obama has never hid the fact that he is the antithesis to Ronald Regan, that he believes that the government is the solution to the problem, that government control results in utopia for all.

For those who are bothered by having to think, please, time is running out!! This bill is the start of the "big plans" referenced in Obama's speech ("Barack Obama's Inaugural Address"). It will potentially be the most prolific government take-over of many private sector elements since the New Deal. In the cross hairs is health care. Once this is under government control, the rest will soon come after.

Today, a few Americans swallowed the red pill and unplugged a few connections to the Matrix to discover a chilling "Logan's Run" vibe in the stimulus package ("Ruin Your Health With the Obama Stimulus Plan: Betsy McCaughey "). What Hillary couldn't do in the early 90's, it may accomplish, plus more. What defies belief is that it is not all that "hidden"; yet, American's remain mesmerized, willing to miss their prime time programs in lieu of 60 minutes of pure sugar-coated dribble.

At the center of totalitarianism is fear and panic. Many a regime has acquired power in tumultuous times. They know damn well that this "stimulus package" will only harm the economy. They need a recession. They need a depression.

Even with an overwhelming majority in the House and the Senate, the administration has still encountered resistance to such a blatant attack on prudence and reason. To combat the dissent, it has resorted to fear and panic. Like an 18th century physician bleeding a patient in order to cure him, Harry Reid contends that we have to do something, that any action is better than inaction ("US Senate pushes stimulus as job woes mount").

President Obama continues to fan the flames saying that the US economy is on the verge of an eternal recession ("Obama: We may be "unable'' to reverse the financial crisis if Congress doesn't act"). He has flat out said that the government is the only entity that can save the US economy ("Obama’s Prime-Time Press Briefing"). Do American citizen's actually believe this?

...Wait, what is that...time to take cover...the black helicopters...