Or should it be Common Sense as opposed to Politics?

Common sense is no longer common; it is now so uncommon as to be a superpower. Ironically, it is so easy to see what the common sense approach is in any situation--and to act on it. Let’s talk about how.

Everyone has a place they can go to in their heads to hear themselves tell the truth. There may be a physical place you go to that helps in this process, but all it really requires is some quiet, and an attitude of listening for the truth without bringing in any notions or biases to cloud the listening. We take no agendas with us in here, save listening for the truth. And if you have not already discovered what place is for you, look for it. And look quietly and easily. You’ll find it.

Let’s apply common sense to some of today’s controversial issues. Ready? Remember, we are going to relax, quiet down, and listen to the truth as it comes to us. Not the thinking we indulge in when we are looking for reasons to support our various preconceived notions. The Bible advises, “Be still, and know that I am God.” Here, just be still and rely on your instincts, your inner wisdom, the core of you to guide your thoughts.

Simple sayings and stories can often provide deceptively powerful advice. We’ll look at some of them together. Do you remember the story about the scorpion and the frog? They both needed to cross a river, and the scorpion asked the frog for a ride. Fearing what might happen, the frog demurred, with the scorpion promising, oh-so-sincerely, not to sting and kill the frog. The frog relented. After ferrying the scorpion safely across, the frog saw the scorpion aim his lethal stinger and plunged it directly into him. The frog’s last words were, “How could you? You betrayed me!” The scorpion, replied, “No”, I did not betray you. You knew all along that I was a scorpion.”

We know that the leaders of both Iran and North Korea are scorpions. And we know the same about Hamas in Gaza. Now stop, if you are at all tempted to raise your voice in defense of any or all of them, pause and think. North Korea is a third-generation hereditary dictatorship. It is basically a prison camp of 28 million people, with only the elite having anything approaching an acceptable life. Iran is a theocratic, Muslim, specifically, dictatorship. Remember: “Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” John Dalberg-Acton. What part of common sense would lead anyone to think that either leadership could be trusted with anything that is not checked and doubled-checked on a routine basis? And none of that checking is worth anything if you cannot swiftly punish infractions.

Hamas is only slightly different in that it was elected. But, then again, so was Hitler. (Did you know that?) And like Hitler, Hamas used an election to establish dictatorial powers. And unlike Hamas’ neighboring opponents who use their military to defend its citizens, including women and children, Hamas puts women and children in front of its military; partly as a shield and partly as a heartless political and public relations ploy to exploit them when when they are harmed.

No matter what they say, administrations like those of Iran, North Korea and Gaza will sting you as soon as they can without harming themselves. Like the scorpion in our story, they will sting you, attack you with everything they have, as soon as they no longer need you. Remember, the frog was not an enemy--just no longer useful. But the scorpion was always a scorpion.

Now let’s take three examples that are closer to home. We’ll start with Hillary Clinton’s private email server. Isn’t there only one common sense explanation as to why anyone would go through the not inconsiderable added cost, time and inconvenience of having and maintaining their own private server when your employer had all of the required hardware,