[Opinion] The voice of ordinary people

[ChrisNG53]

An ordinary life becomes extraordinary
when you seek truth
setting your face against deception and lies.
Find it. Defend it.
Then your life will have meaning to others.
It will make a difference; howsoever small.
And the world will change; for the better.
Yes we can.

The above is the impact statement on the 1st page of my book "The Other - without fear, favour or prejudice", published on line just a few months ago.
I imagined that the time had come for ordinary people to lead change by seeking and defending truth. A central theme was to reject the current purveyance of convenient untruths and suppression of inconvenient truths.

I could not have imagined how right I was to be proved to be ... and how soon ... in Tunisia, Jordan, the Yemen and just now, Egypt.

It is as well also to recall these words -

It is from the numberless diverse acts of courage and belief that human history is shaped. Each time a man (or a woman) stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes out against injustice, he (or she) sends a tiny ripple of hope, and crossing each other from a million different centers of energy and daring, those ripples build a current which can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance.
Robert Francis Kennedy,

Now, what else can one say? really?

[Dave A]

I've had a few moments of extraordinary recognition in my life. It's an odd feeling; for me I tend to feel incredibly humbled.

The danger to my mind is you can be affected by the hype. And in order to keep something of the core me untouched I remind myself

I'm just an ordinary person living an extraordinary life.

I've often wondered if others who manage to remain humble through far greater recognition do much the same thing.

[adrianh]

An ordinary life becomes extraordinary
when you seek truth

And the world will change; for the better.

Who's truth?

I could not have imagined how right I was to be proved to be ... and how soon ... in Tunisia, Jordan, the Yemen and just now, Egypt.

And this lot has exactly what to do with truth?

Nee ou broer - non-scientific truth is like beauty "It only exists in the eye of the beholder"

[ChrisNG53]

The voice of ordinary people

I've had a few moments of extraordinary recognition in my life. It's an odd feeling; for me I tend to feel incredibly humbled.

The danger to my mind is you can be affected by the hype. And in order to keep something of the core me untouched I remind myself

I'm just an ordinary person living an extraordinary life.

I've often wondered if others who manage to remain humble through far greater recognition do much the same thing.

Dave A, with respect you could not have put it better. I somehow stumbled to the conclusion that ordinary lives are extraordinary, if their TRUTH is distilled out and served up for the betterment of humanity.

Mostly the stories of politicians and other celebrities (which is what is always published) is so predictable and "hype filled" as to have little real value, let alone meaningful interest. They serve to do no more than maintain the status quo.

So I published a biography of an ordinary life, and stumbled on the central theme that, on account of its preoccupation with TRUTH in a world concerned to push convenient untruths and suppress inconvenient truths, that life was extraordinary.

It followed that I concluded that if we all became preoccupied in the same way, this would provide the springboard for real transformation of a pretty buggerred up world.

That is why I am quite awestruck as to how right I have been proved .... and so soon.

As regards AdrianH's "whose truth" stance, all I can say is that it is this type of "stoic defeatism" that plays into the hands of the snouted swines at the top..

Fortunately the people of Egypt have not been as confused on the matter.

And AdrianH, with respect if you are confused about truth, you should give up your right to vote.

[adrianh]

It followed that I concluded that if we all became preoccupied in the same way, this would provide the springboard for real transformation of a pretty buggerred up world.

That is why I am quite awestruck as to how right I have been proved .... and so soon.

As regards AdrianH's "whose truth" stance, all I can say is that it is this type of "stoic defeatism" that plays into the hands of the snouted swines at the top..

Fortunately the people of Egypt have not been as confused on the matter.

And AdrianH, with respect if you are confused about truth, you should give up your right to vote.

I will say this: You prove that age does not always bring wisdom, sometimes just arrogance.

I'll keep an eye open for your book in the Humour section at Bargain Books!

Chris I have many things to say but I'm not going to waste my time since you already have all the "Truthful" answers.

[Dave A]

I think anyone involved in those demonstrations in Egypt will look back one day and realise it was an exrtaordinary moment in their lives.

When it comes to declaring it a moment of truth and progress, I tend to lean towards Ardrian's concern about rushing to conclusions. It'll take time to tell.

[ChrisNG53]

The voice of ordinary people

I think anyone involved in those demonstrations in Egypt will look back one day and realise it was an exrtaordinary moment in their lives.

When it comes to declaring it a moment of truth and progress, I tend to lean towards Ardrian's concern about rushing to conclusions. It'll take time to tell.

I hear you. I suppose having spent over 30 years in the Courts, I have a natural intolerance about being confused about truth.

I will insist though that ridding themselves of Mubarak was a "moment of truth", whatever the future may bring.

[adrianh]

I will insist though that ridding themselves of Mubarak was a "moment of truth", whatever the future may bring.

Moment of truth
Defined
A critical or decisive time on which much depends; a crucial moment.
A crucial point; a turning point; a decisive moment.

Truth
Defined
A fact that has been verified.

The phrase " A moment of Truth" and the word "Truth" have nothing to do with one another.

Of course ridding themselves of Mubarak is "a Moment of Truth"

I suppose having spent over 30 years in the Courts, I have a natural intolerance about being confused about truth.

Ok, the rest of us will keep on wondering...

Did OJ Simpson kill his wife?
Did the CIA have a hand in the shooting of JFK?
Did George Bush orchestrate 9/11?
Did Zuma take a bribe?
Was Mark Thatcher allowed to pay his way to go home while the rest of the clan stayed in jail?
Is Shabir Shaik dying of cancer?
Does the phrase "Thou shalt not kill" have any meaning?
Did Jesus live?
Were the Crusaders right to do what they did?
Are the Americans justified in supporting the Israels annihilation of the Palistinians?
Is it right that the Palistinians are treated like animals?
Were the Gods aliens?
Did men build the pyramids?
Should women be stoned to death if they partake in adultry?
Should a hand be chopped off if a person is caught stealing?
Did aliens have a hand in drawing the Nazca lines?
Are Christian going to heaven and Muslims going to hell?
Is heaven a place where we all play harps and hell a place where we all burn?
Is love chemical?
Do mental disturbances form part of the soul?
Can reincarnation be disproved?
Is Buddhism bad?
Are Muslim states the axis of evil?
Are we going to heaven or hell?
Does the law allow some to be more equal than others?
Does God exist?
Was the fact that people believed that the earth is flat true for them?
Is democracy the perfect answer?
Are the masses always right?
....

You may think that I am stupid, fair enough, but I'll rather be stupid whilest asking questions than be deluded with my own opinions.

Here are a couple of words that fit together perfectly
Truth - Courts - Law - Religion - Beliefs - Society - Delusions

And another set
Humility - Fuzzy - Learn - Change

I have no regard whatsoever for what you call the law because law and truth have very little to do with one another. Law is simply about punishment, and the punishment is based on who is on trail. This does not mean that I am a criminal at heart, and it does not mean that I will go out of my way to break the law, it means that I do not subscribe to all the rules laid down by the law. The punishment doesn't fit the crime and all that the punishment does is either take money from the "guilty" or turn them into worse criminals by sending them to jail to be raped and drawn into gangs.

If you want to reach me then convince me that you are right, otherwise you are simply flapping your wings and making a noise!

[ChrisNG53]

The voice of ordinary people

Adtrian A - I unconditionally accept your commendable treatise on the definitions of "Moment of Truth" and "Truth".

However I must insist, with respect, that you have perhaps understandably misconstrued my stance. So we must go back to the impact statement -

An ordinary life becomes extraordinary
when you seek truth
setting your face against deception and lies.
Find it. Defend it.
Then your life will have meaning to others.
It will make a difference; howsoever small.
And the world will change; for the better.
Yes we can.

From this it is pretty clear that I am encouraging the "seeking of truth" ... in order to affect "meaningful" change" to humanity. The statement that follows, referencing "inconvenient truths" and "convenient untruths" puts the context beyond question.

My point is that the Egyptian people got there, as elusive as "truth" often is ... and that is why we are agreed that it was a "Moment of Truth".

I unconditionally withdraw my statement that if you are confused about truth you should give up your vote. I will recast it as - if you unwilling to seek truth and set your face against deception and lies -- then give up your vote.

Note:- I have no reason to think you are "stupid" and no where have I implied this. The reference to "flapping of wings" is not understood.

I am also not at all clear what your point is about law etc. My reference to experience in the courts was a concession that perhaps I have "tunnel vision" when it comes to the issue of "truth".
If ever you get a copy of my book, from the Humour section at Bargain Books, you may be surprised to find out that there is huge convergence between you and I on the issues of "law" and "justice" ... and the innate failings of the system.

PS: Philosophically, the fact that truth has not been verified, does not mean that it does not exist. As Homo Sapiens it's is our task to seek it for the betterment of humanity. I reject the attitude of "Stoic Defeatism", i.e, "ah well, since I don't know what is true or not, I should just shut up and do nothing".

PPS: As a direct consequence of the book, I have just been invited to address judges and advocates in the UK on "Justice and Equality", having already done this in Namibia.

[ChrisNG53]

The voice of ordinary people

adrianh: - I thought I had an obligation, as a member of Homo Sapiens to give you answers on the questions you pose.

Did OJ Simpson kill his wife? Of course, he was Black and in the dock
Did the CIA have a hand in the shooting of JFK? Not a hand ... a point something Remington rifle
Did George Bush orchestrate 9/11? Too stupid to "orchestrate" things
Did Zuma take a bribe? Oh NO, just flooded with appreciation
Was Mark Thatcher allowed to pay his way to go home while the rest of the clan stayed in jail? It is an admitted fact
Is Shabir Shaik dying of cancer? more like dying of laughter and good living
Does the phrase "Thou shalt not kill" have any meaning? Not if you are the victim
Did Jesus live? Does it matter ... is alive in so many minds
Were the Crusaders right to do what they did? To the Crusaders, ... and the little boys they took with them - YES
Are the Americans justified in supporting the Israels annihilation of the Palistinians? NO ,but provides opportunity to generate lots of martyrs ... and all religions agree martyrs are a good thing
Is it right that the Palistinians are treated like animals? Man IS an animal species
Were the Gods aliens? Still are, where they when there is so much crap around
Did men build the pyramids? Absolutely, I was there .. is why I am still so tired
Should women be stoned to death if they partake in adultry? NO, the giving of so much pleasure should never result in death
Should a hand be chopped off if a person is caught stealing? Only when found in the napkin of a child
Did aliens have a hand in drawing the Nazca lines? I really don't know
Are Christian going to heaven and Muslims going to hell? They all already in hell
Is heaven a place where we all play harps and hell a place where we all burn? Depends what you are "stoned" on
Is love chemical? No, it is like virginity ... a bubble in a mountain stream that bursts at the first prick
Do mental disturbances form part of the soul? Again it depends on what is your drug of choice
Can reincarnation be disproved? Maybe, put Mugabe under "regression therapy"
Is Buddhism bad? It can't be, The Dalia Llama says its great
Are Muslim states the axis of evil? Don't know but met one Moslem bugger who certainly was bad... but not as bad as Mugabe
Are we going to heaven or hell? We already in hell
Does the law allow some to be more equal than others? All the time ... without laws people would just be "unequal"
Does God exist? Oh yes, and if you on the right stuff you will see Him
Was the fact that people believed that the earth is flat true for them? Belief is a matter of faith, not fact
Is democracy the perfect answer? If you love sharing stupidity
Are the masses always right? About being stupid, YES

[adrianh]

The problem with non-scientific "Truth" is that people call all sorts of things that are unverified true. Another problem with "Truth" is that people consider that lots of things to be true because a leader / company etc says so. I am all for the pursuit of truth, but having said that, the unbiased objective truth.

I must admit that I am a total sceptic and that I am unwilling to accept things at face value. As soon as the human mind is involved in a judgement then the notion of truth becomes obsure. I for one have serious problems with my memory and I am honestly unable to remember many many things. The implication is that I know that I can't trust my own mind / memory. The problem is that I might believe something to be true that may or may not have happened. Given all of this I am very weary of considering other peoples opinions to be "True". The fact that the masses believe something to be true doesn't mean that it is so. The masses believed that the earth was flat, to them it was true.

Maybe I am too ridgid in my thinking given that I look at things from a logical / mechanical point of of view. I find it very hard to look at things from a belief point of view because I see the different sides. One religious group believes this, anoother that, who is right, who is wrong, I don't know, should one side with one or the other, I can't say for sure either.

My dominie, many years ago, once said a great thing to me: he said "You don't have to believe as I do, but at least give me the chance to show you what I believe" I will read your book and try to see the world through your eyes.

Where can I buy the book?

[ChrisNG53]

The voice of ordinary people

adrianh: -The first response I penned to your post was –

“Take your list and pin it up.
Then have a vleis, wors and pap braai, with lots of Klipdrift.
When you are all really “happy”, go through the questions.
When you seem stumped by questions like “Were the God aliens?” and “Is love chemical?” just start singing “Don’t Worry, Be Happy” by Bobby Mcferin. Such matters are of little consequence to our lives.

However, as regards questions like “Did Zuma take a bribe?”, “Is Shabir Shaik dying of cancer” and other questions that have meaning to our lives, and social justice, you do need to take a view and decide for yourself where the truth of the matter is.
If you do that, you will have retained your right to vote.”
______________________________

My stance is that we must be rigorous about tackling the issue of the “peddling of convenient untruths” and “suppression of inconvenient truths” which is the mode of bad government. I think that this is what occurred in Tunisia and Egypt and they got it right.

I agree that truth is elusive. Bad governments make it their business to make it even more elusive. I am very happy about WikiLeaks and the Palestinian Papers. I really don't care if Julian Assange has red eyes, a forked tongue, cloven hooves and a tail. He is giving us information that we need to pursue truth.

In my book I have a chapter that is titled: “New madness - truth is rarely pure/never simple” and another titled: “Some are good, even the bad - some are bad, even the good”. This latter Chapter induced SA publishers to give it a miss.
The book is available at http://www.lulu.com/product/paperbac...udice/14857391. Just order by surface mail - takes about 3 weeks.

PS: You have refined my thinking on the issue of truth. I do tend to be a bit tunnel visioned about it.

[wynn]

Well 'Wikileaks' made rather a splash of truth then?

[Dave A]

PPS: As a direct consequence of the book, I have just been invited to address judges and advocates in the UK on "Justice and Equality", having already done this in Namibia.

What concerns me though is it's the politicians who frame the laws... For great strides that's the mob that needs fixing.

[ChrisNG53]

The voice of ordinary people

Well 'Wikileaks' made rather a splash of truth then?

I watched Julia Gillard, Prime Minister of Australia being interviewed by David Frost. She was right on point. I was most impressed. I was also so impressed by Helen Zille when interviewed on CNN. But then again I am very biased in favour women as leaders.

What was notable was that Ms Gillard, though not happy about WikiLeaks, was unable to proffer one reason why. In particular she was unable to dispute Assange's claim that disclosure has caused no one harm of prejudice.

Dave -

What concerns me though is it's the politicians who frame the laws... For great strides that's the mob that needs fixing.

Politicians make laws in accordance with the mandate that they claim or imagine to have been voted in on, e.g, the media laws that the ANC now wants to pass. All political parties make grandiose statements about justice until they are in power.
Such laws may have only a nodding acquaintance with justice. The two are not necessarily the same. Bad laws often frustrate justice.

I have learnt more about justice from life experiences, including that gleaned from human experiences as revealed in the courts of law.