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Articles by John Manzo
COLUMN: When it comes to good choices, it's up to us
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MANZO COLUMN: When it comes to good choices, it's up to us
We have been watching the Netflix series, “East of Eden,” a miniseries on John Steinbeck’s book, “East of Eden.” It’s a complex story to say the least and focuses in on the story in Genesis 4 about Cain killing Abel and it focuses on the Hebrew word “timshel,” which is defined using old English texts as “thou mayest.” In a modern translation Genesis 4:7 it is translated as ‘you must master it.” It is, of course, in reference to the concept of sin and how we approach so many things in life.
MANZO COLUMN: The importance of serious conversations
When one teaches Philosophy in college, the subject itself inspires what one could call serious conversations. Philosophy is the mother subject of academia and often seeks to answer the question ‘why.’ In working to enable students to learn, it becomes important in enabling them to actually have serious conversations. To the credit of the students, they actually not only engage in these serious conversations, but enjoy doing so.
Truth in an untruthful time
There is a law in New Zealand that makes lying by candidates in the media, illegal, 48 hours before an election. There is a movement in that country saying that politicians who lie are going to be criminally prosecuted and the movement also indicates that people who lie in office will be removed. There are critics of course, and the usage of AI can make it seem that a person is lying who actually isn’t. In any case, there is misinformation and disinformation fatigue in New Zealand.
Truth in an untruthful time
There is a law in New Zealand that makes lying by candidates in the media, illegal, 48 hours before an election. There is a movement in that country saying that politicians who lie are going to be criminally prosecuted and the movement also indicates that people who lie in office will be removed. There are critics of course, and the usage of AI can make it seem that a person is lying who actually isn’t. In any case, there is misinformation and disinformation fatigue in New Zealand.
Truth in an untruthful time
There is a law in New Zealand that makes lying by candidates in the media illegal 48 hours before an election. There is a movement in that country saying that politicians who lie are going to be criminally prosecuted and the movement also indicates that people who lie in office will be removed. There are critics of course, and the usage of AI can make it seem that a person is lying who actually isn’t. In any case, there is misinformation and disinformation fatigue in New Zealand.
MANZO COLUMN: Why a book on empathy
I recently authored a book “How Empathy Changes Everything.” So, you might ask, why did you write a book on empathy? The short answer is that I was asked to do so, but that really doesn’t explain it. I love to write. I write a weekly column, and I do it because I like doing it. It’s sort of my contribution to what I call public theology and ethics. I love writing. I gave sermons for 40 years in churches which means I have probably written over 2,000 sermons.
John Manzo column: Truth in an untruthful time
There is a law in New Zealand that makes lying by candidates in the media illegal 48 hours before an election. There is a movement in that country saying that politicians who lie are going to be criminally prosecuted and the movement also indicates that people who lie in office will be removed. There are critics of course, and the usage of AI can make it seem that a person is lying who actually isn’t. In any case, there is misinformation and disinformation fatigue in New Zealand.
Truth in an untruthful time
There is a law in New Zealand that makes lying by candidates in the media illegal 48 hours before an election. There is a movement in that country to criminally prosecute politicians and remove them from office. There are critics, of course, and the usage of AI can make it seem a person is lying who actually isn't.
MANZO COLUMN: Truth in an untruthful time
There is a law in New Zealand that makes lying by candidates in the media, illegal, 48 hours before an election. There is a movement in that country saying that politicians who lie are going to be criminally prosecuted and the movement also indicates that people who lie in office will be removed. There are critics of course, and the usage of AI can make it seem that a person is lying who actually isn’t. In any case, there is misinformation and disinformation fatigue in New Zealand.
MANZO COLUMN: Truth in an untruthful time
There is a law in New Zealand that makes lying by candidates in the media, illegal, 48 hours before an election. There is a movement in that country saying that politicians who lie are going to be criminally prosecuted and the movement also indicates that people who lie in office will be removed. There are critics of course, and the usage of AI can make it seem that a person is lying who actually isn’t. In any case, there is misinformation and disinformation fatigue in New Zealand.
Walking the line between ambition and greed
Often movies have classic lines. “Jaws” had the line, “I think we need a bigger boat.” kAmx? E96 >@G:6 “p u6H v@@5 |6?[” E96C6 H2D E96 4=2DD:4 =:?6 3J r@=@?6= y6DDFA[ “%CFE9P *@F 42?’E 92?5=6 E96 ECFE9]”k^Am kAm|J 72G@C:E6 =:?6 H2D 7C@> E96 >@G:6 “%96 v@572E96C[” H96C6 r=6>6?K2 D2JD “{62G6 E96 8F?[ E2<6 E96 42??@=:]”k^Am kAm~?6 4=2DD H2D 7C@> E96 >@G:6 “(2== $EC66E” H96C6 E96 492C24E6C[ v@C5@?
MANZO COLUMN: Faith is the opposite of certainty
Years ago, a friend and something of a mentor told me there were two words never to use. The two words are always and never. From that point on I have always made it a point to never use the words always and never. While I’m saying that I’m not using these words in a joking manner, I’m actually quite serious. The words always and never imply a powerful sense of certainty and often certainty has a dangerous ring to it. Even though we may be certain of something it doesn’t mean we are right.
Faith is the opposite of certainty
Years ago, a friend and something of a mentor told me there were two words never to use. The two words are always and never. From that point on I always have made it a point to never use the words always and never. While I'm saying that I'm not using these words in a joking manner, I'm actually quite serious. The words always and never imply a powerful sense of certainty, and often certainty has a dangerous ring to it. Even though we may be certain of something it doesn't mean we are right.
MANZO COLUMN: Faith is the opposite of certainty
Years ago, a friend and something of a mentor told me there were two words never to use. The two words are always and never. From that point on I have always made it a point to never use the words always and never. While I’m saying that I’m not using these words in a joking manner, I’m actually quite serious. The words always and never imply a powerful sense of certainty and often certainty has a dangerous ring to it. Even though we may be certain of something it doesn’t mean we are right.
MANZO COLUMN: Faith is the opposite of certainty
Years ago, a friend and something of a mentor told me there were two words never to use. The two words are always and never. From that point on I have always made it a point to never use the words always and never. While I’m saying that I’m not using these words in a joking manner, I’m actually quite serious. The words always and never imply a powerful sense of certainty and often certainty has a dangerous ring to it. Even though we may be certain of something it doesn’t mean we are right.
MANZO COLUMN: Faith is the opposite of certainty
Years ago, a friend and something of a mentor told me there were two words never to use. The two words are always and never. From that point on I have always made it a point to never use the words always and never. While I’m saying that I’m not using these words in a joking manner, I’m actually quite serious. The words always and never imply a powerful sense of certainty and often certainty has a dangerous ring to it. Even though we may be certain of something it doesn’t mean we are right.
MANZO COLUMN: Faith is the opposite of certainty
Years ago, a friend and something of a mentor told me there were two words never to use. The two words are always and never. From that point on I have always made it a point to never use the words always and never. While I’m saying that I’m not using these words in a joking manner, I’m actually quite serious. The words always and never imply a powerful sense of certainty and often certainty has a dangerous ring to it. Even though we may be certain of something it doesn’t mean we are right.
MANZO COLUMN: Faith is the opposite of certainty
Years ago, a friend and something of a mentor told me there were two words never to use. The two words are always and never. From that point on I have always made it a point to never use the words always and never. While I’m saying that I’m not using these words in a joking manner, I’m actually quite serious. The words always and never imply a powerful sense of certainty and often certainty has a dangerous ring to it. Even though we may be certain of something it doesn’t mean we are right.
Column: Walking the line between ambition and greed
Movies often have classic lines. “Jaws” had the line, “I think we need a bigger boat.” kAmx? E96 >@G:6 “p u6H v@@5 |6?[” E96C6 H2D E96 4=2DD:4 =:?6 3J r@=@?6= y6DDFA[ “%CFE9P *@F 42?’E 92?5=6 E96 ECFE9]”k^Am kAm|J 72G@C:E6 =:?6 H2D 7C@> E96 >@G:6 “%96 v@572E96C[” H96C6 r=6>6?K2 D2JD “{62G6 E96 8F?[ E2<6 E96 42??@=:]”k^Am kAm~?6 4=2DD:4 H2D 7C@> E96 >@G:6 “(2== $EC66E” H96C6 E96 492C24E6C[ v@C5@?
Guest column: Walking the thin and important line between ambition and greed
Often, movies have classic lines. “Jaws” had the line, “I think we need a bigger boat.” kAmx? E96 >@G:6 “p u6H v@@5 |6?[” E96C6 H2D E96 4=2DD:4 =:?6 3J r@=@?6= y6DDFA[ “%CFE9P *@F 42?’E 92?5=6 E96 ECFE9]”k^Am kAm|J 72G@C:E6 =:?6 H2D 7C@> E96 >@G:6 “%96 v@572E96C[” H96C6 r=6>6?K2 D2JD “{62G6 E96 8F?[ E2<6 E96 42??@=:]”k^Am kAm~?6 4=2DD:4 H2D 7C@> E96 >@G:6 “(2== $EC66E” H96C6 E96 492C24E6C[ v@C5@?
John Manzo column: Walking the line between ambition and greed
Often movies have classic lines. “Jaws” had the line, “I think we need a bigger boat.” kAmx? E96 >@G:6 “p u6H v@@5 |6?[” E96C6 H2D E96 4=2DD:4 =:?6 3J r@=@?6= y6DDFA[ “%CFE9P *@F 42?’E 92?5=6 E96 ECFE9]”k^Am kAm|J 72G@C:E6 =:?6 H2D 7C@> E96 >@G:6 “%96 v@572E96C[” H96C6 r=6>6?K2 D2JD “{62G6 E96 8F?[ E2<6 E96 42??@=:]”k^Am kAm~?6 4=2DD H2D 7C@> E96 >@G:6 “(2== $EC66E” H96C6 E96 492C24E6C[ v@C5@?
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Often movies have classic lines.
John Manzo column: The challenge of equality
In the Declaration of Independence Thomas Jefferson wrote the earth-shaking words, “All men are created equal.” The words are both inspirational and aspirational and words people have been grappling with since they were written in 1776. kAmu@C >@DE @7 FD[ x 9@A6[ H6 G:6H E96D6 H@C5D 2D “2== A6@A=6 36:?8 6BF2= H:E9 2== >62?:?8 2==]”k^Am kAm%92E E9@F89E H2D ?@E :? E96 >:?5 @7 %9@>2D y6776CD@?] y6776CD@? 5:5?’E 36=:6G6 E92E H@>6? 925 C:89ED] w6 5:5 ?@E 36=:6G6 E92E 49:=5C6?
MANZO COLUMN: Walking the line between ambition and greed
Often movies have classic lines. “Jaws” had the line, “I think we need a bigger boat.” kAmx? E96 >@G:6 “p u6H v@@5 |6?[” E96C6 H2D E96 4=2DD:4 =:?6 3J r@=@?6= y6DDFA[ “%CFE9P *@F 42?’E 92?5=6 E96 ECFE9]”k^Am kAm|J 72G@C:E6 =:?6 H2D 7C@> E96 >@G:6 “%96 v@572E96C[” H96C6 r=6>6?K2 D2JD “{62G6 E96 8F?[ E2<6 E96 42??@=:]”k^Am kAm~?6 4=2DD H2D 7C@> E96 >@G:6 “(2== $EC66E” H96C6 E96 492C24E6C[ v@C5@?
John Manzo column: Walking the line between ambition and greed
Often movies have classic lines. “Jaws” had the line, “I think we need a bigger boat.” In the movie “A Few Good Men,” there was the classic line by Colonel Jessup, “Truth! You can’t handle the truth.” My favorite line was from the movie “The Godfather,” where Clemenza says “Leave the gun, take the cannoli.” One class was from the movie “Wall Street” where the character, Gordon Gecko states, “Greed, for lack of a better word, is good.” So, greed is a funny word. It is one of the Seven Deadly Sins.
John Manzo column: Walking the line between ambition and greed
Often movies have classic lines. “Jaws” had the line, “I think we need a bigger boat.” kAmx? E96 >@G:6 “p u6H v@@5 |6?[” E96C6 H2D E96 4=2DD:4 =:?6 3J r@=@?6= y6DDFA[ “%CFE9P *@F 42?’E 92?5=6 E96 ECFE9]”k^Am kAm|J 72G@C:E6 =:?6 H2D 7C@> E96 >@G:6 “%96 v@572E96C[” H96C6 r=6>6?K2 D2JD “{62G6 E96 8F?[ E2<6 E96 42??@=:]”k^Am kAm~?6 4=2DD H2D 7C@> E96 >@G:6 “(2== $EC66E” H96C6 E96 492C24E6C[ v@C5@?
MANZO COLUMN: The challenge of equality
In the Declaration of Independence Thomas Jefferson wrote the earth-shaking words, “All men are created equal.” The words are both inspirational and aspirational and words people have been grappling with since they were written in 1776. For most of us, I hope, we view these words as “all people being equal with all meaning all.” kAm%92E E9@F89E H2D ?@E :? E96 >:?5 @7 %9@>2D y6776CD@?] y6776CD@? 5:5?’E 36=:6G6 E92E H@>6? 925 C:89ED] w6 5:5 ?@E 36=:6G6 E92E 49:=5C6?
MANZO COLUMN: The challenge of equality
In the Declaration of Independence Thomas Jefferson wrote the earth-shaking words, “All men are created equal.” The words are both inspirational and aspirational and words people have been grappling with since they were written in 1776. For most of us, I hope, we view these words as “all people being equal with all meaning all.” That thought was not in the mind of Thomas Jefferson. Jefferson didn’t believe that women had rights. He did not believe that children had rights.
Recreational bitterness
There is a concept that I suspect we’ve all been aware of but have often found it difficult to put into words. I recently heard the words I had been seeking. The words are “recreational bitterness,” and come from an American Zen Buddhist named Joan Halifax. This bitterness as well as other forms of consistent moral outrage are contagious and addictive. To say that this is an unhealthy way of going through life is an understatement.
MANZO COLUMN: Recreational bitterness
There is a concept that I suspect we’ve all been aware of but have often found it difficult to put into words. I recently heard the words I had been seeking. The words are “recreational bitterness,” and come from an American Zen Buddhist named Joan Halifax. This bitterness as well as other forms of consistent moral outrage are contagious and addictive. To say that this is an unhealthy way of going through life is an understatement.
MANZO COLUMN: Recreational bitterness
There is a concept that I suspect we’ve all been aware of but have often found it difficult to put into words. I recently heard the words I had been seeking. The words are “recreational bitterness,” and come from an American Zen Buddhist named Joan Halifax. This bitterness as well as other forms of consistent moral outrage are contagious and addictive. To say that this is an unhealthy way of going through life is an understatement.
Domestic violence a serious moral, legal issue
Recently there have been national headlines about a member of Congress accused of domestic violence. I am not going to mention his name or party because I don't want to have this post perceived as a political post. It's not. Domestic violence is not a political issue or at least it should not be. It's a serious moral and legal issue.
MANZO COLUMN: Domestic violence is a serious moral and legal issue
Recently there have been national headlines about a member of Congress accused of domestic violence. I am not going to mention his name or party because I don’t want to have this post perceived as a political post. It’s not. Domestic violence is not a political issue or at least it should not be. It’s a serious moral and legal issue. The allegations made are serious. The accused man’s father-in-law is also a member of Congress, different branch and same party.
MANZO COLUMN: Domestic violence is a serious moral and legal issue
Recently there have been national headlines about a member of Congress accused of domestic violence. I am not going to mention his name or party because I don’t want to have this post perceived as a political post. It’s not. Domestic violence is not a political issue or at least it should not be. It’s a serious moral and legal issue. The allegations made are serious. The accused man’s father-in-law is also a member of Congress, different branch and same party.
MANZO COLUMN: A flourishing life
Scientist Neil deGrasse Tyson poses a question. If an intelligent being from another solar system came to earth and asked you to take them to your leader, who would you choose? In thinking about this, ponder who, you think, might embody the best of humanity. My first two thoughts were the Dali Lama or the Pope. They both, at least in my opinion, are examples of people living a life well lived.
MANZO COLUMN: A flourishing life
Scientist Neil deGrasse Tyson poses a question. If an intelligent being from another solar system came to earth and asked you to take them to your leader, who would you choose? In thinking about this, ponder who, you think, might embody the best of humanity. My first two thoughts were the Dali Lama or the Pope. They both, at least in my opinion, are examples of people living a life well lived.
MANZO COLUMN: A flourishing life
Scientist Neil deGrasse Tyson poses a question. If an intelligent being from another solar system came to earth and asked you to take them to your leader, who would you choose? In thinking about this, ponder who, you think, might embody the best of humanity. My first two thoughts were the Dali Lama or the Pope. They both, at least in my opinion, are examples of people living a life well lived.
MANZO COLUMN: An object lesson
There is an object lesson, a parable of sorts, which is not really a parable. It comes in the Hebrew Scriptures in 1 Samuel and speaks of a young shepherd boy, David, going up against a Philistine “giant” by the name of Goliath. The Philistines were largely seafaring people, from the Aegean region off the coast of Greece, and settled on the southwest coast of Canaan where they became rivals and enemies of the Israelites.
MANZO COLUMN: An object lesson
There is an object lesson, a parable of sorts, which is not really a parable. It comes in the Hebrew Scriptures in 1 Samuel and speaks of a young shepherd boy, David, going up against a Philistine “giant” by the name of Goliath. The Philistines were largely seafaring people, from the Aegean region off the coast of Greece, and settled on the southwest coast of Canaan where they became rivals and enemies of the Israelites.
MANZO COLUMN: An object lesson
There is an object lesson, a parable of sorts, which is not really a parable. It comes in the Hebrew Scriptures in 1 Samuel and speaks of a young shepherd boy, David, going up against a Philistine “giant” by the name of Goliath. The Philistines were largely seafaring people, from the Aegean region off the coast of Greece, and settled on the southwest coast of Canaan where they became rivals and enemies of the Israelites.
Guest Column: Be careful when overgeneralizing Generation Z
Recently, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt made an observation about her own generation. She accused her own generation, Gen Z, of being raised with “silver spoons in their mouth” and being “a little bit” lazy as a result of it, blasting them for complaining about the rising cost of living. I am not going to be critical of her in a personal perspective. She’s obviously been successful in life and is doing well. I will say that she’s guilty of over-generalizing about her own generation.
JOHN MANZO: Do we care for one another, or not?
Ayn Rand was born in 1905 in Russia and died in 1982. She was a novelist and two of her most famous novels were The Fountainhead and Atlas Shrugged. Many of her novels were between 700 – 1,100 pages. Underlying her novels was her sharing of the philosophy of what she called Objectivism. In ethical circles her ethical theory is referred to as egoism. It is based on the belief that the only way to live an ethical life is to live for yourself with a strong sense of individualism.
MANZO COLUMN: Do we care for one another, or not?
Ayn Rand was born in 1905 in Russia and died in 1982. She was a novelist and two of her most famous novels were “The Fountainhead,” and “Atlas Shrugged.” Many of her novels were between 700 – 1,100 pages. Underlying her novels was her sharing of the philosophy of what she called Objectivism. In ethical circles her ethical theory is referred to as egoism. It is based on the belief that the only way to live an ethical life is to live for yourself with a strong sense of individualism.
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I'm going to go out on a limb here and state that most people aspire to be good people. History tells us that there have been incredibly dreadful people in
GUEST COLUMN: Wisdom enables us to separate important information from nonsense
One of the most monumental events in the history of the 20th Century took place from July 10, 1940, until October 31, 1940. Nazi Germany had overrun Western Europe leaving only Great Britain to be conquered. This was a multi-layered problem. For England this was bad news because a large part of its army had escaped from Dunkirk — which was good, but their weapons were now owned by Germany. Since Germany had defeated them so handily in Frances, fighting the ground war was grim. kAmv6C>2?J[ @?
MANZO COLUMN: Overgeneralizing a generation
Recently, White Hohuse Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt made an observation about her own generation. She accused her Gen Z of being raised with “silver spoons in their mouth” and being “a little bit” lazy as a result, blasting them for complaining about the rising cost of living. I am not going to be critical of her in a personal perspective. She’s obviously been successful in life and is doing well. I will say that she’s guilty of over-generalizing about her own generation.
Overgeneralizing Gen Z paints a false portrait
Recently, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt made an observation about her own generation. She accused Gen Z of being raised with "silver spoons in their mouth" and being "a little bit" lazy as a result of it, blasting them for complaining about the rising cost of living. I am not going to be critical of her in a personal perspective. She's obviously been successful in life and is doing well. I will say she's guilty of over-generalizing about her own generation.
Being good
I’m going to go out on a limb here and state that most people aspire to be good people. History tells us that there have been incredibly dreadful people in society. People have proven to have a demonstrative ability to do unspeakably evil things. We know this. Recognizing evil, however, most of us aspire to being good. Philosophers, when referring to “the good life” referred to people flourishing and being all they could be and to flourish, it meant to live by an ethical code.
Being good
I’m going to go out on a limb here and state that most people aspire to be good people. History tells us that there have been incredibly dreadful people in society. People have proven to have a demonstrative ability to do unspeakably evil things. We know this. Recognizing evil, however, most of us aspire to being good. Philosophers, when referring to “the good life” referred to people flourishing and being all they could be and to flourish, it meant to live by an ethical code.
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