Tag Archives: Freedom

The Basic Truths Are The Same

Posted on August 8, 2021 by N.S. Palmer

My mentor Brand Blanshard, a philosophy professor at Yale, said that “the basic truths of life are the same for every honest mind, whether atheist or devotee.” My grandfather, a Methodist minister, said that “Every person you meet knows something … Continue reading →

Posted in Life, Philosophy | Tagged Blanshard, Freedom, Meaning of life, Rationality, Serenity, Tolerance, Truth, Wisdom | 1 Comment

Beware of “Exceptions” to Freedom

Posted on January 30, 2021 by N.S. Palmer

Yale University historian Timothy Snyder wrote a short book called On Tyranny that’s quite good. Each of its 20 chapters explains a way to preserve freedom and civilized society in the face of attacks by tyrannical government. The book came … Continue reading →

Posted in Political Science, Psychology | Tagged America, American ideals, Community, Courage, COVID-19, Emergency powers, Freedom, Lockdowns, Patriotism, Tyranny | 3 Comments

Freedom Means Responsibility

Posted on November 20, 2020 by N.S. Palmer

My first summer job in high school was as a copy boy for The Indianapolis Star newspaper. Yes, it was so long ago that we were called copy “boys” and nobody got triggered about sexism or patriarchy. Every morning when … Continue reading →

Posted in Life, Psychology | Tagged Constructive attitude, Courage, Declaration of Independence, Fear of freedom, Freedom, Personal responsibility, Positive thinking, Self-Respect | 3 Comments

A Moment from the Middle Ages

Posted on October 19, 2020 by N.S. Palmer

Let’s consider a moment from the Middle Ages. Of course, people in the Middle Ages didn’t think they were living in “the Middle Ages.” That term was invented during the Renaissance to denote the era between Late Antiquity (after the … Continue reading →

Posted in Psychology | Tagged Courage, COVID-19, Fear, Freedom, History, Propaganda, Psychology, Rationality, SARS-CoV-2 | 2 Comments

A Pop Quiz About Government

Posted on October 14, 2020 by N.S. Palmer

We’ve got a pop quiz today, kids. But don’t worry: There’s only one question, and it’s multiple-guess. The authors of the U.S. Constitution were greatly influenced by a book called The Spirit of the Laws. It said there were three … Continue reading →

Posted in Political Science, Psychology | Tagged Courage, COVID-19, Democracy, Fear, Freedom, Justice, Politics, Propaganda, Psychology, Rule of law, SARS-CoV-2, Social harmony, Virtue | Leave a comment

Memorial Day 2020

Posted on May 25, 2020 by N.S. Palmer

This is a beautiful video celebrating Memorial Day. I’m proud to be an American. I’m grateful to those who founded our country and fought for it. May it always endure.

Posted in Life | Tagged America, American ideals, Constitution, Decoration Day, Freedom, Memorial Day, Patriotism, Rule of law, United States | Leave a comment

Lockdown Imitates Art as “They Live”

Posted on May 22, 2020 by N.S. Palmer

“We are living in an artificially-induced state of consciousness … They have created a repressive society, and we are their unwitting accomplices.” — Scientist in “They Live” As countries around the world struggle to recover from the Covid-19 pandemic, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Political Science, Psychology, Society | Tagged COVID-19, Fear, Freedom, Learned helplessness, Lockdown, Public policy, Risk, SARS-CoV-2, The American Spectator, They Live | 4 Comments

Free Yourself and Live

Posted on May 17, 2020 by N.S. Palmer

“You have at least nine months. Perhaps as much as eighteen.” “The first doctor gave me from one to two years.” “I hope he’s right. What are you going to do?” “Well, I have no family. I haven’t taken a … Continue reading →

Posted in Life, Philosophy, Political Science, Psychology, Science, Society | Tagged COVID-19, Fear, Freedom, Golden Age of Radio, Golden Age of Television, Lockdown, Overcoming fear, SARS-CoV-2 | 8 Comments

Forgiveness Can Mean Freedom

Posted on November 4, 2019 by N.S. Palmer

When people have deceived or manipulated us, it’s difficult to forgive them. I’ve worked for some terrific bosses over the years. One of them is Jim Grey, whose luck with his own bosses hasn’t been quite as good as mine. … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Human Relations, Life, Psychology | Tagged Forgiveness, Freedom, Life, Positive attitude, Pragmatism, Revenge, Wisdom | 2 Comments

Trick or Treat

Posted on June 7, 2019 by N.S. Palmer

Is it okay to “trick people” for their own good? That question comes up early in John Staddon’s book The New Behaviorism. I’ve just started reading it, and it’s a thought-provoking analysis. Behaviorism is a psychological approach that, true to … Continue reading →