Philosophy – Page 18 – Blog – Jaclyn Holland-Strauss

What is the NRA saying about what happened in Newtown, Connecticut?

December 22, 2012

People have been waiting for a week to hear what the National Rifle Association (NRA) think about the mass shootings in Newtown, Connecticut. Wayne LaPierre, the executive vice president of the company, finally broke his silence. He stated that the […]

What do the King Solomon story in the Bible, the fight over the Gaza Strip between Israelis and Palestinians, and the mass shooting in Newtown, Connecticut all have in common? A fight for ownership rights at the expense of innocent children.

December 21, 2012

King Solomon was a very wise man. In the King James version of the Bible, specifically in the 3rd book of 1 Kings, a story is told where he was supposed to judge between two mothers of children. Both mothers […]

Piers Morgan and the issue of gun control: His view on Newtown, Connecticut

December 20, 2012

Piers Morgan, the CNN talk host, has strong opinions about what America should do about gun control in the wake of the Sandy Hook Elementary School tragedy. He went on Twitter the day the tragedy occurred, and posted several tweets […]

Father of Newtown, Connecticut victim Emilie, Robbie Parker: A great example of a Mormon:

December 19, 2012

Robbie Parker is a remarkable man. He lost his daughter, Emilie, in the recent Newtown, Connecticut shooting. When I heard him talking on television, I thought, “He sounds like a Mormon.” When I mentioned this on Facebook, one of my […]

Should girls ask guys out on dates? No!

December 10, 2012

When I was at Ricks College, I experienced something new. It was called Morp, which is Prom backwards. The reason they spell it backwards is because of the fact that for this one time, girls ask guys to the dance, […]

My Brand

I am an amphiist, which I define as someone who looks at both sides of issues (it's a Greek word). However, I have my own expanded definition, which means that I believe in three interrelated concepts, which, when taken together, inform an amphiist viewpoint. Abraham Maslow talked about self-actualization, a person reaching their highest potential. Thomas Carlyle discussed natural aristocracy, which is a principle the Founding Fathers created with regard to the United States, that a person did not have to be of royal birth to have merit; it was the content of their character that counted. And scholars Mayer and Salovey came up with the concept of emotional intelligence, an idea popularized by Daniel Goleman. We should have control over our emotions, and see the bigger picture. All of these together make up an amphiist, and I apply this reasoning to politics, entertainment, etc. I defend the oppressed by offering an alternative perspective. I am currently raising funds for publication of an Amphiist newspaper, the primary focus of which will be anti-extremism. We need to find common ground. We need to stop thinking in terms of liberals against conservatives. Right against left. Men against women. One race against another. One religion against another. If you would be interested in contributing, please consider supporting my work at Paypal via jaclyncarter2005@gmail.com.

Testimonials

Just finished. I am humbled by your story (Catherine's story). My mind is left in a whirlwind of thoughts. I understood the pain, the misery. The path from victim to victor, I applaud you (Catherine). Really, I am speechless. You have a brilliant mind. Your talent is astounding. You were sent to this earth to be a positive influence for others, that I am certain of.

I'm sitting in a restaurant in Green Bay Wisconsin and just finished your book. WOW WOW WOW! So freaking amazing. You have so captured the nature of the marginalized...your postscript at the end WAS ABSOLUTELY GREAT. Your book spoke to me at a heart level and encouraged me about my own feelings of insignificance. Thank you so much for writing this very heart touching work of art. You are an amazing person who I would be proud to have not just living on but running my island all day every day. In short, your book is AWESOME!!!!

One of my favourite things about this book is how the author described the characters. I rate this 5 out of 5 stars. It's such an important message. No matter what our religious beliefs—even if we have no religious beliefs—He is aware of us, He loves us and He talks to each of us. We are His. The author did a fantastic job with it!