using your own eyes

I think that we usually act and react based on preconceived notions. Programmed so to speak. Things that have shaped our perspectives. Our parents, our friends, our government, our news media, even our pop culture. Even our experiences to some degree but then even those are biased to an extent by the influences mentioned above. I'm curious if anyone else tries to look at life and the world without using the lens you were given.
A simple example would be a white child growing up in the 40's or 50's and even into the early 60's would have had a very bad view of native Americans. The movies of the era portrayed "Indians" as savages who swooped in on horses to kill and scalp innocent white people. History textbooks used in most public schools weren't much more honest.
Later as the tribes became active in seeking rights and recompense for their treatment they were frequently portrayed as agitators, subversives, and anti-American by the people who disseminate information. Eventually a lot of us, maybe most, became aware of the truth or at least gained a more realistic view.
As a child of the late 20th century I always was taught that communists and socialists were evil. Many times they were. They were the bad guys. Does that really make us the good guys?
I see a lot of news about faraway lands and how they threaten us. What we seldom see are the views of "them" and how the world looks through their eyes. We of course are told that all of our government's actions are reasonable and necessary. And of course given the lens we have been provided to see through... it looks like the truth.
This isn't a political issue really. Politics actually has little to do with this. There are people of both main political parties who have doubts. Some are beyond doubts, they are certain. In their view. It is odd how we so seldom hear about things that happen out there beyond our borders other than the bad "them" who threaten us for no apparent reason.
A website with contributions from former government workers including people who worked in the State department and intelligence agencies.
http://www.thirdworldtraveler.com/Bl...ns_WBlumZ.html
I'm not a big fan of Lew Rockwell but he makes some good points.
http://www.lewrockwell.com/barnett/barnett30.1.html

I agree with your remarks. When it comes to all politics there is no objective truth, just opinions in the end. Even "the facts" can have different interpretations. All political and economic systems are compromises and tradeoffs. There are no magic answers, just personal preferences.

That being said, it is easy to paint groups with broad brush strokes and assume because a person is X, Y, or Z they have to behave in X Y or Z manner, or hold X Y or Z viewpoints. The only way to get past this sort of simplistic stereotyping we have to start regarding everyone as a unique individual first and formost, with a unique mind and perspective.

A bit of personal sharing, In 1985 I spent two weeks in the former Soviet Union (part of an outreach program, of which I was involved in the pilot for NC) and talked to a lot of Russians at all walks. In the end they were not the firebreathing "Commies" that the media made them out to be (actually only 3% of the population was actual member of the party) but just ordinary human beings doing the best they could with the lot handed to them, so I think this holds true for most people. Fear and misconceptions are understandable responses to that which is different, but such things disapear when you get to know those of different cultures and find out, they are not all that different from yourselves. The point is to be open minded at all times.

This day and age, more than ever peoples opinions are pre concieved, we live in an often shallow fast paced world in which it is rare to see true analysis being performed. One has to ignore the noise in the media, and check sources of information directly, read carefully the opposing arguments and come to conclusions which are your own.

I arrived at my Libertarianism through a long path of reflection, reading and analysis of many philosophers, economist, political commentators, etc... From Smith, to Marx, from Von Misses to Galbraith, Hayak to Keynes, etc... I seek to understand the fundemental nature of human beings. I am well aware that anyone could read through the material I do and come to very different conclusions. I then do not begrudge statists, "conservatives" socialists or even Marxists, most I have met are people with basically good intentions, I often disagree with their analysis and conclusions.

That is a good thing though, it is through rigorous but deep debate and discussion at all levels, we grow. I would be truly bored if everyone held the same viewpoint.

I agree with your assessment George. Because there is so much conflicting information floating around I subscribe to the principles of Love All, Protect All, Educate All. Many might believe that being loving puts us at a disadvantage but I disagree. Love is immensely powerful and conquers hate, fear, ignorance, and prejudice.

There is an old saying I once heard: "The price of security is suspicion."
I feel sorry for the poor bastard that gets on the wrong end of that.

I think this guy said it better...
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisf...th-korea-nukes

Using my own eyes tells me that Life is a Gift, and a rather short one. That Love is elusive but wonderful if found. That Money is a torment to most folks who either have too much or too little. That Politics are for those who either have high egoes or low consciences. That my gut guides me through this life to help me see the pitfalls and evils out there.

This world is full of bad folks who lie, manipulate, torture, murder, rape, steal, etc.
This world is also full of good folks who are honest, have integrity, abide by man's laws, compassionate toward others, loving, peaceable, kind, etc.

So, using my own eyes, I see alot of goodness that gets overwhelmed with some terrible badness.

I don't live paranoid. I live as wise and aware as possible. And my eyes need glasses for all they see!!!!!

It goes totally without saying I agree with you. Logic alone will not save us. Reason combined with love is the path I see out of this mess.