Political Atheist

  This chapter opens with John being reunited with a classmate from Middlebury Farhad. In the decade they hadn't seen each other John looked the same. Farhad had put on weight. However, Farhad knew what John did for a living and had been sent to Tehran to get him out before the Shah fell. As he did in the days to come. By this time the Shah had shown his true colors. Farhad's father had been a General in the Iranian Army and even stepped between the Shah and an assassin's to attempt to kill the Shah. By the time they had their reunion, Farhad's father retired from the military and moved to Rome Italy. John learned more about what happened.  The irony of the situation the Shah found himself in was that the Pro-Shah governments turned their backs on him after he was driven out of office. Even the American government turned on him. It was General Torijos who gave the Shah shelter. Seeing an opportunity, DC accused Torrijos of collaborating with the Shah. Yeah! General Torr...

  In this chapter John meets a friend of Yamin who tells John how "democratic" the Shah really is. "Doc" (not the man's real name) told John about how he had once been a part of the thriving Elite circle in Tehran. He had met Eisenhower and Nixon. He helped the American Government put the Shah on the throne after deposing Shah's dad. I have to be honest, like John up to this point I had no idea that Iran would cut off someone's nose for political dissenting. I knew about Saudi cutting off hand(s) of thieves. Doc had been tortured to the point he was in a wheelchair now.  https://youtu.be/KtBiLUnxDNI

  Sloth is the last of the Seven Deadly Sins we are looking at.  Sin: Sloth This is the neglect of physical or spiritual fitness. We all need at least one day a week to set down and reflect on the week. Then it’s time to prep for the week ahead.  Virtue: Diligence  Diligence would be the opposite of sloth. Be diligent about your day. Get done what needs to be done. How? Prioritize what absolutely needs to be done.  https://youtu.be/DAHzoNrvvzo

  Sin: Gluttony This is the overconsumption of food or drink. Why is overconsumption dangerous? It leads to addiction. How many times have you seen someone go from a normal person to addicted to, let’s say drugs. America has a massive problem with prescription addiction. It’s out of control. How did we get here? Gluttony.  Ten Commandments Thou shall not covet.   Virtue: Temperance Temperance teaches self-control.  https://youtu.be/KTPvYm1_z1g

  This chapter opens with John finally spending time in Iran. In the 1970s it became clear that some serious adjustments to the approach MAIN took toward Iran compared to Iran's neighbor Saudi Arabia must be made. What was the difference? Iran had developed their oil riches. Saudi needed help, financially anyway in accomplishing their economic development. Iran didn't need that. So what John and MAIN did was they revamped Shah's image. He was made to look like a great ally and friend of "America". IE the corporation of America. They had to gloss over the fact that he was a King and undemocratic. King of like Charles of England.  The afternoon after touring some of Iran's historic spots, there was a note slide under John's room door. It was an invitation for a conversation with a gentleman who John was told to be a radical who wanted to turn back the hands of time. What John found was the polar opposite. A well educated civilized gentleman named Yamin. Yami...

  Over the last few days, we've seen this mysterious balloon floating  across America. Everyone has been whining and screaming "Chinese spy balloon" with zero evidence. Evidence gives more credibility in order for me to believe anything coming out of the American government and its propaganda machine. Here are a few things we're going to do. Take a deep cleansing breath.  Remind ourselves we're not the center of the world. And China has better things to do than to float a balloon to see things they already know. Finally, we're going to review a few things in the Northwoods Papers that will sound very familiar. Alright. Done with the cleansing breathing. Awesome! I know America's narcissism has gone off the scale, but damn. Really! Everyone from Don Lemon on CNN to Tucker Carlson at Fox is convinced that China is spying on American military bases. They already have that information thanks to the government in DC. These brainless jellyfish have allowed China...

  We left off at Wrath. Now we will continue this list and finish it out. Sin: Lust This is the sin that nails us all. It is wanting power, pleasure, and money. Not necessarily all of these but one or all.  I grew up in the 1980s so when I think of examples of this particular sin I am reminded of Jim Baker and Jessica Hawn. He was married to Tammy and lusted after two things; money and Jessica. Their lust brought them down in the end. Tammy had her own lust for money that contributed to their downfall.  Ten Commandment:  Thou shall not commit adultery.  Virtue: Chastity Being chaste is recommended by Christ. In the book of Mathew chapters 19: 12 and 22: 20 Christ talks of being chaste. Being chaste teaches discipline. https://youtu.be/7Y8lHwOIu_A