I'd post more if I wrote more

I've realized yet another reason why it sucks to rush out the door in the morning. Aside from skipping the expected playtime with my cats. Morning, especially soon after I wake up is when Ihave the most brilliant thoughts. Brilliant comedy, brilliant solutions, brilliant ideas covering many subjects. Usually at random. This morning I hadto laugh because of a brilliant comedic solution that popped into my head. But now I have no idea what it was. Playtime with my Easter and her 3 grown children shouldn't be optional. It does me a lot of good, keeps my mind and heart healthy, and it's great for them too. But writing should not be optional either. Neither should drawing at night. I need all that and more.

Empathy default setting: ON

To have hate for LGBTQs to the extent of expressing approval of the Orlando massacre requires justification, it seems. Scriptures are often cited by haters, but not by those expressing grief and by people, organizations that contribute to help the survivors. Not that there aren't biblical passages that extol & mandate such compassion. It's just not necessary to acknowledge and act upon the belief that the killings were immoral. Empathy needs no justification, whereas hate does.

I'm reminded of the antisemitism of the Nazis. Their propaganda needed to offer so-called 'facts' about Jewish people that would shut down empathy. Individuals that risked their lives to save Jews, others need no justification for their morality.

My conclusion is that empathy doesn't need rationalizations to become active because its default setting is On. Shutting it off requires bad information, psychological duress, biochemical imbalance or some other factor. Only then is it possible to regard other humans (and nonhuman animals as well) as "other," as inferior, and as deserving of harm.

What do you think? Do you agree? Comments are welcome.

Empathy default setting: ON

To have hate for LGBTQs to the extent of expressing approval of the Orlando massacre requires justification, it seems. Scriptures are often cited by haters, but not by those expressing grief and by people, organizations that contribute to help the survivors. Not that there aren't biblical passages that extol & mandate such compassion. It's just not necessary to acknowledge and act upon the belief that the killings were immoral. Empathy needs no justification, whereas hate does.

I'm reminded of the antisemitism of the Nazis. Their propaganda needed to offer so-called 'facts' about Jewish people that would shut down empathy. Individuals that risked their lives to save Jews, others need no justification for their morality.

My conclusion is that empathy doesn't need rationalizations to become active because its default setting is On. Shutting it off requires bad information, psychological duress, biochemical imbalance or some other factor. Only then is it possible to regard other humans (and nonhuman animals as well) as "other," as inferior, and as deserving of harm.

What do you think? Do you agree? Comments are welcome.

I had a discussion with others about school bullying and suicide. Something that should concern everyone. That night, and the next day I had several flashbacks. Well, not truly the crippling PTSD ones anymore but my peace of mind was shattered. Because  of what happened to me over thirty years ago. More than three decades in the past, and it still hurts!
Fuck anyone who believes LGBT+ kids don't deserve protection like every other student.