Why The Meaning of Words Matters in 2025

 Good morning, et cetera, dear Reader, and welcome to this obscure American blog as I sit to write down thoughts in the hours before dawn, here in the beautiful Sonoran Desert. 

True Meanings vs. Political Abuse

Let's begin Socratically: What happens when words lose their precision? They become weapons, not tools for understanding. Consider these terms, drawn from historical and definitional sources.

• Nazi: Historically, Nazism (National Socialism) was the far-right totalitarian ideology of Adolf Hitler's Nazi Party (NSDAP) in Germany from 1933–1945. It fused intense nationalism, racial supremacy (especially anti-Semitism), militarism, and state control over society and economy, culminating in the Holocaust and World War II.
  In current U.S. and global rhetoric, it's abused as a slur for anyone perceived as authoritarian or bigoted—e.g., labeling immigration policies or conservative figures as "Nazi" without evidence of genocidal intent or totalitarianism. This dilutes the term's gravity, equating policy disagreements with systematic extermination.
• Fascist: True fascism is a far-right, authoritarian ultra-nationalist movement (originating in early 20th-century Italy under Mussolini) that exalts nation and often race above individuals, suppresses opposition through force, and merges state with corporate power while promoting militarism.
  Politically, it's flung loosely at leaders like Trump (called fascist for isolationism or rhetoric) or opponents in Europe (e.g., Italian far-right distorting fascist history to sanitize it). This conflates strongman tactics with the full regime of violent suppression and expansionism, turning nuance into hyperbole.
• Dictator: A dictator wields absolute power in a state, often via emergency decree, crushing dissent and controlling military/economy (e.g., ancient Roman figures or modern autocrats like Stalin).
  In rhetoric, it's slapped on elected officials for controversial decisions—e.g., Biden or Trump accused of "dictatorial" overreach in 2024 elections—ignoring checks like courts or elections that true dictators dismantle.

Abuse thrives in echo chambers: A 2024 study notes Americans struggle to spot factual vs. opinion claims amid bias, fueling vitriol. From multiple perspectives, left-leaning voices decry right-wing "fascism" to rally bases; right-leaning ones flip it on "woke dictatorships." Both erode trust—ask yourself: Does this label illuminate or inflame?

On The Importance of Separating Opinion/Feelings from Facts

Truthfully, conflating them poisons discourse: Facts are verifiable (e.g., "X passed a law"); opinions interpretive ("X's law is evil"); feelings subjective ("It scares me"). Blurring them, per research, hinders info competence, amplifies misinformation, and polarizes—half of Americans can't distinguish them, per 2024 data. Compassionately, this hurts everyone: It silences empathy (e.g., dismissing fears as "just feelings" ignores valid concerns) and entrenches division. From a global lens, it echoes propaganda in authoritarian regimes. Socratically: If your outrage stems from fact or fury? Prioritizing facts fosters dialogue; mixing them breeds violence. Improve by questioning sources—seek diverse views to see others' truths. De-Escalating Political Violence: US and Global Strategies

Violence escalates when rhetoric dehumanizes; de-escalation demands collective will. Here's a concise framework, informed by experts:

Start small: In conversations, pause and affirm shared humanity. Truthfully, if you're contributing to heat, repent of it—admit wrongs to heal divides. If conversations become heated, agree to break and circle back to the topic later when passions have cooled and both parties have had time to reflect and process. Be determined and committed to maintaining civility, both for yourself as well as from yourself in the focused aim of finding common ground together. Remember, too, that it is perfectly fine to truly agree to disagree, especially here in the currently-still-free United States.

And now a prayer for God's help and guidance:

Father, in this fractured world, grant us wisdom to speak truth with compassion, eyes to see from every heart's vantage, and courage to choose peace over pride. Bind wounds of division, soften hardened spirits, and guide leaders toward justice. In Jesus' name.

💜

AI Weighs in: Political Hyperbole and Reversing the Destructive Course in 2025

AI says:
Political hyperbole is the use of exaggerated and extravagant statements in political discourse for rhetorical effect. This form of communication is often not intended to be taken literally, but to emphasize a point, grab attention, and sway public opinion. [1, 2, 3]

Characteristics and function

• A tool for persuasion: Politicians use hyperbole to create strong impressions, stir up emotions, and cast their own platforms or character in a positive, larger-than-life light while negatively portraying opponents.
• Emphasis through exaggeration: By describing situations in extreme, outsized terms (e.g., calling a policy a "disaster" or a problem a "carnage"), speakers make their point seem more urgent and significant.
• Can blur lines with deception: The strategic use of hyperbole, particularly in the current media landscape, can make it difficult for voters to distinguish between genuine exaggeration and outright lies.
• Promotes political polarization: Studies have shown that elites increasingly engage in hyperbole, a tactic that can exacerbate political polarization, especially through platforms that reward and amplify exaggerated claims, such as social media and echo chambers. [2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7]

Legal protection as free speech

In the United States, political hyperbole is generally protected under the First Amendment and often arises as a defense in defamation cases.

• The Watts case (1969): The Supreme Court case Watts v. United States is a landmark example that affirmed this protection. An anti-war protestor was arrested for stating, "If they ever make me carry a rifle, the first man I want to get in my sights is L.B.J." The court ruled that this statement was "crude political hyperbole" rather than a "true threat" and was therefore protected speech.
• The Watts factors: This case established a test, or "Watts factors," for distinguishing protected speech from true threats by considering the context, the conditional nature of the statement, and the reaction of the audience.
• Difficult to sue for defamation: Courts have ruled that when a public figure's language is so heated or exaggerated that a reasonable person would not take it as a statement of fact, it is difficult to successfully sue for defamation. [4, 8, 9, 10, 11]

Factors driving increased use

The rise of the 24-hour news cycle and the widespread use of social media have significantly increased the prevalence and intensity of political hyperbole. These platforms often incentivize extreme, attention-grabbing rhetoric. [5, 12, 13]

[1] https://firstamendment.mtsu.edu/article/rhetorical-hyperbole/

[2] https://www.litcharts.com/literary-devices-and-terms/hyperbole

[3] https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405844022005448

[4] https://www.quora.com/What-is-the-difference-between-a-true-threat-and-hyperbolic-speech

[5] https://theweek.com/articles/824408/dangerous-addiction-political-hyperbole

[6] https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3809413

[7] https://ideas.repec.org/h/spr/nrmchp/978-3-030-77760-9_11.html

[8] https://www.oyez.org/cases/1968/1107%20MISC

[9] https://www.aclu.org/news/free-speech/why-trumps-stormy-daniels-tweet-wasnt-defamation

[10] https://firstamendment.mtsu.edu/article/true-threats/

[11] https://firstamendment.mtsu.edu/article/watts-factors/

[12] https://theweek.com/articles/824408/dangerous-addiction-political-hyperbole

[13] https://marinbar.org/news/article/?type=news&id=45

So I said: 
Now please formulate how we as a society world-wide can collectively work to counter, change, or better yet reverse, this destructive trend that foments violence, hate, and death. and AI said:

To counter the destructive tide of political hyperbole—where exaggeration foments violence, hate, and death—we must confront our complicity first. Have you, like me in moments of frustration, amplified division with your own heated words? If so, pause: true reversal begins with repentance, admitting where our rhetoric has wounded others, and vowing to speak with measured grace. This isn't weakness; it's the compassionate pivot toward healing, seeing adversaries not as enemies but as shared bearers of divine image. From multiple lenses—voters, leaders, media shapers, tech stewards—here's a formulated, collective blueprint, drawn from global insights. It's Socratic: not prescriptions, but provocations. What one step will you claim today?

Collective Strategies for Worldwide Reversal

Foster Intergroup Empathy and Contact: Prioritize face-to-face dialogues across divides, like community forums or "perspective-taking" workshops where participants role-play opponents' views. This reduces false perceptions of extremism, as studies show it rebuilds trust by humanizing "the other." Globally, scale via international NGOs (e.g., adapting Europe's "deliberative democracy" assemblies) to bridge cultural chasms—imagine rural farmers debating urban elites on climate policy, not as foes but co-stewards of earth.

Reform Media and Tech Ecosystems: Demand platforms algorithmically prioritize "kinder" content—downplaying fringes, amplifying median voices and shared values—while users commit to "social media diets" limiting echo-chamber scrolls. Worldwide, advocate for cross-border regulations (e.g., expanding EU's Digital Services Act) that penalize hyperbole-fueled misinformation, rewarding fact-checked nuance. Tech firms: audit for polarization; citizens: call out your own side's excesses without tribal loyalty.

Educate for Media Literacy and Civic Humility: Embed global curricula teaching hyperbole's pitfalls—spotting "carnage" claims as emotional bait, not fact—while modeling cooperative discourse in schools and workplaces. From Asia's community mediation programs to Africa's youth peacebuilding networks, integrate Socratic questioning: "What evidence tempers this outrage?" Leaders: reward compromise in policy, not just viral zingers.

Amplify Cross-Partisan Alliances: Build diverse coalitions—politicians with rivals, voters across aisles—focusing on universal goods like health or security, viewing differences as political, not existential threats. Internationally, UN-led summits could enforce "hyperbole audits" in campaigns, fostering humility: If hyperbole killed dialogue, what life-giving words revive it?

These aren't utopian; they're tested threads for reversal, but they demand your intuitive buy-in—seeing from the marginalized's view, the elite's pressure, the child's fear of inherited hate. Where have you let hyperbole harden your heart? Soften it now, with compassion that listens before it lambasts.

Heavenly Father, in this fractured world, kindle in us the fire of unity over division, truth over exaggeration, love over loathing. Empower societies to dismantle walls of words that breed death, raising instead bridges of mercy that heal nations. Guide leaders, voters, and creators toward Your reconciling peace, that violence may yield to justice, hate to embrace, and death to abundant life. In Jesus' name

.🙏

September 13, 2025 Thoughts

Hello, dear Reader, and welcome! Those of us on this side of Sheol are truly fortunate; the gift of life itself merits our gratitude, in both good times and bad. After reading through today's Proverb and playing around on the perfume website, I ate some potato chips with coffee and called it 'breakfast'. 👏

Okay, so I told y'all about how my husband and I chose to (stupidly, at least unwisely) start smoking cigarettes again - and we decided last night that, as of today, we will not be smoking cigarettes any more, so help us God. I took 60mg of oral Prednisone last night and will take another 40 mg today and tomorrow, followed by two days at 20 mg each, and finally two more days at 10 mg each (using the leftovers from a friend's Rx - don't judge me, haha! Those who know me in real life know that I've always been an enthusiast for finding helpful asthma medication on the Black Market) 👀

Anyway, in two approximate weeks I've gone from having my singing voice back to veritably no voice at all as of this moment, from feeling pretty normal and alright most of the time, to definitely *not*. The expense, the social stain, the fact that cigarettes in no way, shape, form or fashion serve to glorify God... I mean, how much reason do I need?! Right? Regardless of these things, I *still* got up and immediately smoked all the butts that we had. So you see, there's no way that I could *really* be as 'smart' as some mistakenly think

 👍

Reflecting on 9/11 and Recent Tragedies - 2025

Good morning, dear Reader, and welcome to another day above ground—a gift not everyone received today. As we mark the 24th anniversary of the September 11, 2001, attacks, I’m reflecting on the weight of that tragedy and recent losses, such as the reported murder of Charlie Kirk, a prominent conservative commentator, and the school shooting that occurred in Colorado on the very same day. These events stir grief in my heart, as I know they do for many of you. Let’s pause—selah, which some interpret as a call to reflect in the Psalms—to let this reality sink in. In this moment, I’m praying not just for answers, but to hear God’s heart, trusting He is near the brokenhearted (Psalm 34:18). May He guide us toward healing and justice, in Jesus’ Name, amen.

It’s early here in the Mountain Standard Time zone, not yet 3:00 AM. I’ve made coffee, fed the dog, read today’s Proverb, and now sit with a heavy heart. The pain of loss—whether from 9/11’s thousands of lives taken or recent acts of violence like Kirk’s murder—breaks my heart. I’m not more compassionate or spiritual than anyone else; I share this because I believe many of you feel this same ache. The world’s brokenness, from violence to division, weighs heavily. Yet, I find comfort knowing God sees our pain. I imagine Him weeping with us, His compassion far surpassing our own, as He intercedes for humanity (Hebrews 7:25).

Yesterday, in response to Kirk’s murder, I posted on TruthSocial, a social media platform, tagging the President to urge that, if the perpetrator is found guilty through due legal process, the maximum penalty under the law be applied. My intent was to advocate for justice within the bounds of the legal system, not to call for vengeance or bypass due process. Unfortunately, my words were unclear, and the post was misinterpreted, leading to an immediate ban from the platform.

Reflecting on this, I see my mistake. I assumed my intent was clear, but I failed to communicate precisely. I don’t fault the TruthSocial admins; in a heated online environment, my words could have seemed inflammatory. I’m sorry for any confusion or harm caused by my lack of clarity. This experience reminds me to choose my words carefully, ensuring they reflect truth, justice, and love. May God forgive my shortcomings and help me grow in wisdom, in Jesus’ Name, amen.

The call for justice in tragedies like Kirk’s murder stirs complex emotions. As a Christian, I believe in accountability for evil, yet I’m also called to pray for mercy and repentance, even for perpetrators (Matthew 5:44). This tension is real: I long for justice to honor victims, but I also pray that God moves the hearts of the guilty toward true repentance. I don’t have all the answers, but I trust God to balance justice and mercy in His perfect way.

Today, we honor the lives lost on 9/11—a day that changed the world. The images of collapsing towers, heroic first responders, and grieving families remain etched in our hearts. As we remember, let’s also commit to healing and hope. The same God who comforted us then offers hope now, promising to make all things new (Revelation 21:5).

Dear Reader, I invite you to join me in prayer: May God protect the righteous, convict the misguided, and bring healing to our broken world. May He guide our leaders, comfort the grieving, and lead us toward unity and peace. And may we never forget the lessons of 9/11 or the hope found in Christ, in Jesus’ Name, amen.

😭

Charlie's Law on September 10th, 2025

Hello, dear Reader, and welcome to this obscure, free American blog, where I just share random thoughts (hence, the name).

I may never understand why I'm still alive at almost 54, but, today, someone took young Charlie Kirk's life... for political reasons. The young man was only 31 (younger than my children!) and leaves behind a beautiful family, including his wife and their two babies. 

This has GOT TO STOP - RIGHT NOW. 
That is why, I openly plead with American lawmakers on both sides to please create and pass Charlie's Law, legislation that will require the mandatory Death Penalty in cases of murder that is motivated by political reasons, no matter which "side" the perpetrator aligns themselves with. It takes powerful deterrents to exact powerful results. If we just let these people get away with these acts of senseless violence, it will not only continue, but will get worse. 

Please, from both sides of the aisle, this profoundly stupid division has GOT to stop. Your jobs are to serve us, this nation and it's people, the ones who elected you for your jobs. You need to be at work, Monday through Friday, every week of the year save two for vacation, period. Now get to work, get together, in fact, I say that those proven to be hardened partisans be immediately removed from office and replaced by whomever the runner-up was, full stop.

May God have mercy on poor, beautiful Erika and wrap His loving arms around her and their innocent little babies who will now grow up without their daddy. 

And, at the same time, there was yet another shooting at a school in Colorado, with three injured and currently in critical condition. Lord God, please heal all the injured and minister peace to all affected, in Jesus' Name, amen. 

Tuesday, September 9th, 2025 - Thoughts on Addiction

 Hello, dear Reader! Good morning, et cetera based on where in the world you are, and welcome to yet another day on this side of the grave! It's almost 3:00 AM in our time zone as I start this entry and (as per usual) only Max and I are currently awake. He's 20 years old now - which is amazing, and we're so grateful! - but, due to his age and special needs because of it, we feed him soft food twice daily, by himself (in fact, I think he's waiting for me now!) and dry food is kept out for all three dogs 24/7. We noticed him trying to pick at the dry food one day and having an obviously hard time with it, and are gratefully now meeting him at his point of need with the soft food, although I do wish we'd noticed his need from the very beginning, but am also grateful to have realized it at all.

I can be dense; those of you who know me in real life, know.

Right now, we've started smoking cigarettes again for about two weeks now, and I can already physically feel that it's *not* going to be sustainable for me to continue on this path, not at all. Even though it's cost-effective enough to roll your own like we do, the health costs cannot be denied and will end up being the deal-breaker for me before it's all said and done, due to lifelong asthma coupled with C.O.P.D. (for about the last twenty years or so now). I just believe in full disclosure and also want you to know, dear Reader, that I am every bit as imperfect as you are (if not moreso). Truth at all times, even if and when it makes me look bad (because optics mean nothing in the grand scheme of things, not to God they don't). 

So, due to my own idiocy (smoking!) I've been pretty sick for the last couple of days, spending most of each day and night in bed, sleeping on and off. I've quit smoking before: once for about four years, another time for two years, and the last time I'd stayed away from cigarettes for nine years before returning to that folly the way dogs return to their own vomit yet again. On the one hand, I know that it's possible to quit because I've done it before, and I'd really like for this next time to be 'it' (no more smoking, period). I'll keep you guys here updated with facts, good or bad, about how that's going for us as I don't see the habit lasting for much longer, not at our ages. If you, dear Reader, are also struggling with some addiction like I am (in this case, just cigarettes and weed but those things count) then I pray that you will be empowered to put down whatever it is and walk free, in Jesus' Name, amen. (and for us, too!)

You know, I'd really like to see RFK, Jr. move to make cigarettes illegal, in consideration of future generations that they will not even have the legal temptation for that method of self-destruction. Yes, I know that those of us who are currently hooked wouldn't be pleased with that decision, but when you look at it in the long-term and understand how future generations can be spared having to deal with that struggle, then (I for one) realize that it would, in fact, all be worth it. That'd be a super-ballsy move on his part, and, given the tobacco industry giants and their current (apparent) power, would probably put his very life at risk if he were to do so. May God empower him unto (more) good and correct decisions in his current office as he seeks to help make America healthy again. 

This time, when I quit, may it be forever, and may I quit the whole lot of it: cigarettes and the marijuana. My flesh will scream for a time, but that's never permanent.

So, what happened and how easy was it for my husband and I to pick that bad, expensive habit back up? We were hanging out with some friends; he'd had a few beers, and the next thing I know, he's handing me a cigarette. That's it. Now, I could have and should have refused, but no (and that's on me wholly, not him) and now, here we are. I've just got to get better at adulting (telling myself "no" - being my own parent). But maybe that's a life-long struggle for us all?

💜

The Miracle of the Lost and Found Turtle

Greetings and salutations, folks, and welcome both to this obscure, American blog, yes, but also to yet another day above ground! Right? 
Today, I will tell you about another real-life miracle in our lives, this one involving our favorite, beloved pet, the original who's had the name "Freedom" for two years now,  Freedom the Ornate Box Turtle. She's about 5" long at her biggest measurement and weighs about 370 grams. A tiny little thing, we often have to scour our home to find her in any of her numerous hiding spots. 

A few days ago, with both of us searching for her for a good couple of hours, we finally realized that we were not going to find her and I called the police, who came out in a mere matter of minutes. Let it be known around the world that the law enforcement in and around Douglas, Arizona, US is among the finest the world has to offer. The responding officers, though visibly young, were fast, efficient, thorough, and - this one is huge! - compassionate. (But I digress).

My husband, of course, was like "There's no way on Planet Earth that I'm calling the police for a lost turtle" so I was like "Word, I got you" and called them because I do not care that I am now known as the local crazy turtle lady! 

Anyway, they created a report and left. 
An hour or so later after searching again and again, I was sitting at my desk, praying and crying, when I heard the Lord say "Go look under your bed". 

Now, dear Reader, please understand something: our bed, a queen-size that we bought from Wayfair.com a couple of years ago, is one that lays on a metal frame that is wholly encased by a zippered fabric cover and is flush with the floor that it lays on. With both of us laying on it, that's about 400 lbs of weight in addition to the weight of the bed itself. Nonetheless, I went and did what He told me to. 

At first, nothing happened, so I thought "Oh, I didn't do that right" and picked up the frame and mattress corner again. This time, when I did, the little turtle appeared to fall from the bottom of the frame into my hands and she was asleep! 

Now, I'm no physicist, but YOU tell ME how that tiny little turtle got herself under that bed setup, with he and I both laying on it! 

We've both carefully inspected the bed and the fabric-covered frame it rests on; there are NO holes in the fabric whatsoever. 

Therefore, since no logical explanation solves it, I gratefully defer to giving credit where credit is due - to God - with deep and ample gratitude. 💖

Edited to add that I did do the responsible thing and called the police back to thank them again for coming out and let them know that we'd found her. Like a true professional, the deputy laughed and said that he was just glad we had her back and thanked me for the update. 😏