The Practical Parson

 Over the past week, I have listened as the national media have turned their hand of hatred momentarily from the president-elect, and towards some of his picks for cabinet positions in the incoming administration.  Curious, I delved into the stories that are being peddled, to see if I could ascertain a morsel or atom of truth; and as usual, found only hatred and vitriol where fact or evidence should be applied.  Whether or not the men in question are guilty of some form of sexual assault of which they have previously been accused seems little the point; in light of the bigger point for the press, that the allegation was made at all.  Because in the media's twisted view, why would anyone lie about such a thing?  If this person is so wonderful and above board, how could anyone say such a thing about them?   To understand this, we have to understand both what an allegation is (in truth, and in media's view), as well as what it does, and does not do. ...

 So this past weekend, Kensington Palace issued a photograph of the Princess of Wales with her 3 children, in wake of her recovering from a recent surgery.  Eagle-eyed reviewers (their own term, not mine) immediately began calling the photo into question, and caused numerous publications and news outlets to retract it; claiming multiple evidences that the photo was either fake or at very least digitally altered.   The AP (Associated Press) essentially said that they could not publish something that they willingly know is false because it would damage their reputation as journalists.  So in unison, numerous Press outlets are saying they cannot and will not publish erroneous images or information.   What  A  Crock  Of  Shite.  The press regularly lies to the public, publishing altered or doctored photographs; as well as publishing completely WRONG photos to bolster a fictitious story they're peddling at any given time.  Case...

 Imagine you live in one of the smallest countries in the world, surrounded by larger nations who have repeatedly vowed to destroy you and your country.    Imagine groups of people who violently assault you and members of your family on a consistent basis; while claiming YOU are the one who is committing a crime.  Imagine your children being burned alive; your sisters and mothers brutally raped and butchered; your family and friends mutilated and dragged into the dirt streets and left for dead; your neighbors beaten to death while their children watch, then having the children either kidnapped and held hostage or raped and videos of it sent to family members.  Imagine your country finding its footing and launching a defense against people who want you and everyone like you dead; to protect the innocent and eliminate terrorists who prey on the innocent.  Imagine the same terrorists using innocent women and children as human shields so that when you wipe...