To the Ancestors, the Seventh Generation,The Bahamas Issues Community, My peeps in Flipmode Squad, Delroy Even tho we don’t agree on many issues, for having the foresight to create this space, My radical Lefty friends, those granola bar crunching dirt worshipping tree hugging hippies i stand strong among you, Those block heads you know who you are so i wont call you out this time, and those just reading visiting this place for the first time i salute you with the concept.( see post# 28 in Re: The Essential Theory And Praxis Of National Culture for clarification on Affirmation and Acknowledgements)
Namaste: A Hindi word meaning I honor the Place in you where the universe resides the place of peace, love of truth and Justice, and when you are there and i am there we are one.
Now if you happen to be like casual observer and you think you had enough namaste; you need some more, really take a deep breath and think about the full implication of the concept Namaste, the place of peace, love, truth and justice what would you give to be at that place? when you have a Block Head (Please see post #11 in Re: The Essential Theory And Praxis Of National Culture for an explanation of the term Blockhead) saying that they had enough Namaste you know that they have lost their mind. just a few more diversions before I get to the main point if you will.
Why its gotten cold here, they are predicting snow in the valley, i have money that it dose not happen but they say it every day on the news stations because they know that people panic and go to the grocery store and buy more food, i wonder if Pavlov was patterned cause his estate would be super wealthy by now, you know or may be you don’t know, the condition response work, dogs and the ringing bell, i am trying my own conditional response work as a Bahamian i am calling it critical thinking response, here is how it works any time some one respond to you or me, what we do is count to one thousand and think about exactly what the response mean, then we respond with a request for more information until the subject is as clear as possible then we craft a response aint that cool. So after slapping Casual observer around intellectually that is, i think that even he will be able to respond critically, but with block heads you just have to hit them continuously with critical thinking until they are KO (knocked out intellectually that is and that is what happens in this thread). The Aikido of mental combat is a must for all Bahamians may be i should design a class i will think about that, but i am on a long tangent a circle and i am going to get back to the point i just need to introduce some levity to a very heavy topic, even a Flipmodian must dance, and celebrate from time to time. Ah here is the memory that i was searching for, well about a month ago i was at the mall teaching and promoting chess. I have a personal standard that if you know nothing about the game in 15 minutes i could take you through all the pieces and the language of chess, in 30 minutes to and hour i can give you the ability to understand some of the finesses of the game.The universe intervened i had this young man Knew nothing about the game I started with the king since you can derive the other piece movement from the king. well we made it through the king to bishop, rook and then he started to forget, complete and utter shut down. But being a Flipmodian I take on all challenges, but it did not work his attention span was to short and with all the activities in the mall it was to much for him. He was/is learning challenge, in the old days we use to say retarded, you know; he reminded me of Rory.
Alright the tofu, mix veggies and spaghetti is ready to be eaten, i shall take a break and get back to this important subject and you can eat what ever it is that you plan on eating. The saga continues, I was hesitant about writing about such a complex issue but as i was addressing points of it in the thread Bahamian student Seeks employment and The thread armed police in school i decided that i should just consolidate the spirit of this subject here, as this is also the subject of my dissertation will give me a chance to work through it at my leisure and at the same time share with you. How many intellectuals do that? will come to your back yard and chew the fat so to speak.( conversation). As i began writing and thinking, fellowshipping with the ancestors, sitting at the feet of the elders, living in the community and being a part of the community It dawned on me just how massive a task this is to kick out across the net, and to do it correct. Therefore as Dido plays in the back ground I am going create an open ended index at this junction of the materials that i am employing in this discussion. Feel free to add your Material as this is an open ended discussion but there are guide lines see post# 11 Re: The Essential Theory And Praxis Of National Culture for the sprit of this discussion
Index of The Essential Theory And Praxis Of National Culture:
Christopher Columbus & the African Holocaust By Dr. John Henrik Clarke
Unlimited Power A Black Choice by Anthony Robins & Joseph McClendon 111
African Presence In The Americas Fulcrums Of Change By Jan Carew
Pedagogy Of The Oppressed By Paulo Freire
From Global Capitalism To Economic Justice An Inquiry into the Elimination of systemic Poverty, Violence and Environmental Destruction in the World Economy by Arjun Makhijani
The African Personality in America: An African-Centered FrameWork By Kobi Kazembe Kalongi Kambon
Return TO The African Mother Principle Of Male and Female Equality Volume 1 by Oba T'Shaka
Who Betrayed The African World Revolution And Other Speeches By John Henrik Clarke
The Destruction Of Black Civilization great Issues of a Race From 4500 B.C. To 2000 A.D. By Chancellor Williams
Slavery In The Bahamas 1648-1838 By Gail Saunders
Brain Power Learn To Improve Your Thinking Skills by Karl Albrecht
Civilization Or Barbarism An Authentic Anthropology By Cheikh Anta Diop
9-11 by Noam Choamsky
Yurugo An African-Centered Critique Of European Cultural Thought And Behavior by Marimba Ani
The Grand Chessboard American Primacy And Its Geostrategic Imperatives by Zbigniew Brzezinski
Creating A New World Economy Forces of Change and Plans for Action edited by Gerald Epstein, Julie Graham and Jessica Nembhard
The Wealth Of Nations By Adam Smith
The Art Of Leadership volume 1 and 2 by Oba T Shaka
The Lost Art Of War, Sun TZU 11 Translated with commentary by Thomas Cleary

you know i specifically sought out your book list to see if you had Diop on your list sadly- I dont believe youve read any Diop or know anything about his message. I am convinced you are a cut and paste philosopher. may your stupid soul find harmony in the real world of reason.

In the process of creating a The Essential Theory And Praxis Of National Culture some times you have to stop and identify those who promote and maintain Racist Ideology, pulling them dragging and screaming some times on to the Red Carpet That they might be examined http://www.bahamasissues.com/showthread.php?t=3026&page=2 :

I know that there are a lot of you here that think that I am extreme, but what I find funny is when the racist ideology is put forth in your faces, you called the creator of it wise, aint that some thinking. Here is a very dangerous idea that the concept of civilization is imbued within those of European decent, and lacking in Africans, but if you don’t understand racism then you really don’t know when to call it when you see it. Here is CG at his best:
Quote:
Originally Posted by CG
There is an old legal saying, "possession is 9/10's of the law." (I like how you say "yours!") but supposing it was mine, supposing I got what I have by ill-gotten gain, which was not "ill-gotten" at the time. I possess it. Do you want to pull a "Zimbabwe" on me? Look what happened there. They took the land from the White farmers and gave it to the Black "War Veterans." In five minutes Zimbabwe went from the bread-basket of Africa to a beggar nation! Not only that, but the whole civilized world held them in disrepute, because "possession is 9/10's of the law." You cant take something from someone because of a real, or imagined wrong, done 100 or more years ago! That is a road to disaster. There are other means that will work without demanding a hand-out, which will only be lost to the next smart guy that comes along! By the way that is not what Truth and Reconciliation is all about. What you seek is vengeance!

Ahh the old Oh I am not to blame for things that happen in the past, How un Buddhist, or should I say Buddhist when ya wanna be?

For a definition of racism see the thread Racism = Double Edged Sword! http://www.bahamasissues.com/showthread.php?t=2763 :

From the book The Independent Compensatory Code/System/concept a textbook/workbook for thought, speech and /or action for victims of racism (white Supremacy):


Racism some initial answers

Two facts

1. The white people of the known universe, are collectively the smartest, and the most capable of all people, and ,

2. The white supremacist (racists ) are the smartest, and the most capable of all white people.


Of all the people of the known universe—both white and non white –these white people who practice racism ( white supremacy) have the greatest ability to use truth, and to use it in such manner as to produce justice and correctness, in all areas of activities, in the shortest period of time.


The white people who practice racism know that they could, if they chose to do so, produce justice and correctness among the people of the known universe. They are smart enough to do this. They also know, however, that in the process of producing justice and correctness, they would also eliminate white supremacy (racism). Knowing this, they have chosen not to produce justice and correctness. They prefer to continue to practice white supremacy, though they fully understand that in order to practice white supremacy they must do so by promoting falsehood, non-justice and incorrectness. They apparently have judged that white supremacy is better than revealing truth. They apparently believe that the value of white supremacy is at least as valuable as the practice of justice and correctness. To them, the promotion of white supremacy has proven to be better than correctness.


The white supremacist (Racist) have a total need to be, and to feel, supreme over all non white people, at all times. This supremacy is what they value most, though they know that it can only be maintain by promoting falsehood, non-justice, and incorrectness. Through the skill use of deceit, direct violence, the masters of racism (white supremacist) have chosen to continue this practice for no apparent basic reason to be proud of themselves for causing others to be fearful of them, and /or to be dependent upon them. Such a realationshipis non-just and incorrect. This is not the way that [any] people should relate to each other.


Those white people who practice white supremacy should stop doing so. They should strive to become wise instead of being satisfied with being “smart’ . The knowledge and understanding that they posses is a gift. That gift should not be wasted on what is fundamentally an ego-producing enterprise. It is incorrect to squander the gift of knowledge and understanding on the promotion of Racism. All knowledge and all understanding should be used to produce a universe in which no people—white or non white—abuse each other. The basic duty of each and every person in the known universe is to find truth, and to use truth in such manner as to produce justice, and correctness, at all times, in all places, in all areas of activity.


In practice, there is no other way for any person in the known universe to justify his her existence.



Tuesday night after listening to George address to the nation, more Double Speak(see 1984 by George Orwell, now on DVD If you don’t like to read) than any thing else, I switched to PBS and watched a documentary on George Clinton and P Funk, I guess this may be because its BLACK HISTORY MONTH. But I must tell you it was inspiring, entertaining and educational, in many ways George Clinton and I are very similar in the Creative ways we engage the world. I must say if you get a chance you should view the documentary I give it the A1000 thumbs up, that is a must see.

Once you start grappling with this subject that is The Essential Theory And Praxis Of National Culture, ideas tend towards a book, I did not want to just fire out concept after concept but take a gentle transition into this moment discussion. Tafadhali bless her heart, simply is unaware of the Neocolonial System under which we live, I would be the same had I not studied, humble myself, lose my ego and accept the possibility that my conceptual system may in fact be wrong. Yet the accusation of Tafadhali :


you know i specifically sought out your book list to see if you had Diop on your list sadly- I dont believe youve read any Diop or know anything about his message. I am convinced you are a cut and paste philosopher. may your stupid soul find harmony in the real world of reason.


Yes Tafadhali, I have read Civilization Or Barbarism An Authentic Anthropology By Cheikh Anta Diop and if you had you would have noticed that John H Clark wrote an introduction in it. In fact if you only read and understood his introduction you would double your social consciousness.

Cheikh Anta Diop was born into the African Liberation Movement, Racism had not transformed itself from overt actions to covert actions. Thus unlike us Cheik had no illusions about his assigned place in the world. Franz Fanon in the book The Wretched Of The Earth wrote about the cycles of consciousness. He describes three cycles:

1. assimilation where the colonized accepts the world as describe to him or her by the Matrix of colonialism,

2. disturbance at this point the colonized mind is shaken from its sleep may be it’s a white racist cop beating the colonized about the head, or being question at the border, but there is some instance that shakes up the colonized, the colonized begins to speak up work within the system this is where you find the Yorick Browns, whatsayyous, y2kbads, Tafadhalis, Casual observers, Pharaohs, growing’s, great demos, licks of the world

3. a fighting stage here the colonized breaks completely with the colonial matrix and fights against it, pushing and challenging the people to recreate them selves.

Civilization Or Barbarism An Authentic Anthropology was produced out of Cheikh fighting stage, in which he rescued Egypt from the clutches of western Asia (aka Europe) and its intellectual hegemony, placing it back in Africa where it Originated, grew and was maintained. Thus the Magna Opus of this book is the African Origins Of Egypt.

There are other ideas Cheikh brought to the fore front:

1. The two cradle theory in which he draws attention to the cultural difference between Africans People and Western Asians (Aka Europeans) this is also a theme in the thread Do believers have to practice "Old Testament" Laws? http://www.bahamasissues.com/showthread.php?t=2736&page=6

2. Cultural Identity and the factors that need to be modified in order to manipulated for cultural hegemony to be successful. What one has to be conscious of is that Western Asia (aka Europe and Usa and Canada) does not posses the man/woman power or gun power to police the entire world. But what they did discover was that culture carries with it rules for thinking. Thus the attention was a movement away from physical slavery towards Mental Slavery. Whats up Slave!

3. Excellent discussion on the evolution of humanity, it just busts up so many lies.


Once again Yes I did read Cheikh book The question is will you read it understand it and incorporate it in your life.

I feel the MOTHERSHIP COMING (from the Tuesday night affect of P Funk):angel:

Civilization Or Barbarism An Authentic Anthropology was produced out of Cheikh fighting stage, in which he rescued Egypt from the clutches of western Asia (aka Europe) and its intellectual hegemony, placing it back in Africa where it Originated, grew and was maintained. Thus the Magna Opus of this book is the African Origins Of Egypt.
There are other ideas Cheikh brought to the fore front:
...............Once again Yes I did read Cheikh book The question is will you read it understand it and incorporate it in your life.
I feel the MOTHERSHIP COMING (from the Tuesday night affect of P Funk):angel:

You are working from a false foundation?
http://skepdic.com/afrocent.html
http://skepdic.com/refuge/lefko.html

You are working from a false foundation?
http://skepdic.com/afrocent.html
http://skepdic.com/refuge/lefko.html
Why do I get the feeling both of these people are white?

Why do I get the feeling both of these people are white?

The "feeling" you should be having is, are they right? To dismiss them because they maybe White is as bad as someone dismissing an argument just because it comes from the lips of a black person. :)

The "feeling" you should be having is, are they right? To dismiss them because they maybe White is as bad as someone dismissing an argument just because it comes from the lips of a black person. :)
If the black person is talking about white culture, of course I'll dismiss them & Vice-A-Versa. BTW: We have enough Uncle Toms to speak for us, you can even recruit a few from this board.

If the black person is talking about white culture, of course I'll dismiss them & Vice-A-Versa.
Why?
BTW: We have enough Uncle Toms to speak for us, you can even recruit a few from this board.

There seems to be a perverse movement in Black society. They brand everything that criticizes them, be it from White folks or Black, as racism or Uncle Tomism! As a result people are afraid of entering into a dialog. So errors in thinking are allowed to continue. Black scholars have entered into a kind of bullyism. "Question me and I will call you a racists." The truth can never be found with that kind of thinking. Perhaps the truth is the last thing they really want to come out.

It matters not what Black folks, or and other folk, have done in the past. The question is, what are they doing now?

Why?
There seems to be a perverse movement in Black society. They brand everything that criticizes them, be it from White folks or Black, as racism or Uncle Tomism! As a result people are afraid of entering into a dialog. So errors in thinking are allowed to continue. Black scholars have entered into a kind of bullyism. "Question me and I will call you a racists." The truth can never be found with that kind of thinking. Perhaps the truth is the last thing they really want to come out.
It matters not what Black folks, or and other folk, have done in the past. The question is, what are they doing now?
:jawdroop: Oh Really?

:jawdroop: Oh Really?

Yes! Really!!!:) Don't forget the last part "The question is, what are they doing now?"

Namaste, A Hindi word meaning I honour the place in you where the universe resides the place of peace of love, truth and joy and when you are there and I am there we are one.

I am still reeling from the effects of the PBS documentary On George Clinton, P Funk and The Parliament, as I have written before it was educational, inspirational and entertaining. In fact when you become African-Bahamian Centered you would realize that this is a contribution made by an African-American to the body of music. But when you are bounded by Racist Ideology, you ask stupid questions (see the thread The Essential Theory And Praxis Of National Culture post #97 ) i.e:
http://www.bahamasissues.com/showthread.php?p=40149#post40149

There seems to be a perverse movement in Black society. They brand everything that criticizes them, be it from White folks or Black, as racism or Uncle Tomism! As a result people are afraid of entering into a dialog. So errors in thinking are allowed to continue. Black scholars have entered into a kind of bullyism. "Question me and I will call you a racists." The truth can never be found with that kind of thinking. Perhaps the truth is the last thing they really want to come out.

It matters not what Black folks, or and other folk, have done in the past. The question is, what are they doing now?

I must say that for the past two days it has been snowing, there is some thing mystical about the snow, but that is another subject. However lets take this discussion to another manifestation of creation lets assemble the nation. From the Movie The Matrix:

“………….Morpheus: This is the construct. It's our loading program. We can load anything from clothing, to equipment, weapons, training simulations, anything we need.
Neo: Right now we're inside a computer program?
Morpheus: Is it really so hard to believe? Your clothes are different. The plugs in your arms and head are gone. Your hair is changed. Your appearance now is what we call residual self image. It is the mental projection of your digital self.
Neo: This...this isn't real?
Morpheus: What is real. How do you define real? If you’re talking about what you can feel, what you can smell, what you can taste and see, then real is simply electrical signals interpreted by your brain. This is the world that you know. The world as it was at the end of the twentieth century. It exists now only as part of a neural-interactive simulation that we call the Matrix. You've been living in a dream world, Neo. This is the world as it exists today.... Welcome to the Desert of the Real. We have only bits and pieces of information but what we know for certain is that at some point in the early twenty-first century all of mankind was united in celebration. We marveled at our own magnificence as we gave birth to AI…………………”

Let us sit or assume what ever position we find comfortable on the pink sand of this beach in Eleuthra. There is a light breeze blowing and the needles of the cedar trees have formed a mat upon the sand, free from all the normal undergrowth. It is evening time on this beach yet the temperature is just right for all that are gathered in this spiral circle pattern. We can hear the waves crash on the shore, its harmonic singing imbues us with peace, love truth and joy, and for some its OM, Jesus, Shango and others but despite our particular call to the path of spirituality the sea speaks to us. This is the Assembly Of The Nation, This is the gathering of The Seventh Generation, This is the manifestation of the Elders the adults the teens the children, the babies those unborn, the ancestors, the creator and the other manifestation of creation, we are not anthropocentric thus we recognize all existence.

On this beach in Eleuthra resting on cedar needles which cover the pink sand we are gathered to hear from each other and each one is heard as if we were all sitting next to each other, and each is understood as if each was one mind.

And the Elder from the council of Elders spoke, CG tell us of your reality that we might understand you, for we have noticed that you are not from the same cultural paradigm as we are, that you still cling to the church of Anthropocentrism. Thus CG spoke. From his Sum being he spoke to us (The Essential Theory And Praxis Of National Culture post #93):
http://www.bahamasissues.com/showthread.php?p=40149#post40149

You are working from a false foundation?
http://skepdic.com/afrocent.html
http://skepdic.com/refuge/lefko.htm
l

And the Elder responded, as there was no need for any other to respond as we were all bound by the same Cultural Matrix, we were firmly rooted in are African Centered World view. And the Elder asked CG what do you mean by working from a false foundation, please clarify this, but bear in mind that in the following thread Do believers have to practice "Old Testament" Laws? Post #69: http://www.bahamasissues.com/showthread.php?t=2736&page=5

As a Buddhist I should say that there is no such thing as the truth, truth is an illusion. Lol! But I know what you mean.

I see truth as a "fluid" thing. It changes and grows as our knowledge grows. When something is presented to me as a fact I read as much as I can on the subject - both pro and con. If possible, I try to "visit" the fact. By that I mean I try to get my hands on tangible things like artifacts, etc. When I have digested as much as I can find I make a decision "is it true or not?" However. I do not mark it "case closed!" From time to time I re-visit the "fact." New information is always coming on-stream. My understanding of old information can change. This new information may change my opinion, old information can be seen in a new light.

The Elder continued explain to us why these two websites:
http://skepdic.com/afrocent.html
http://skepdic.com/refuge/lefko.html

what relevance do they have to the subject at hand? No other spoke as there was no need as all were in agreement all rooted.

The Elder spoke to Marichal there was no need to shout as all heard as if one was sitting face to face with the Elder his her self, and the elder said what does this mean, look into your being and speak to us that we might understand you, and you might understand us (The Essential Theory And Praxis Of National Culture post #96):
http://www.bahamasissues.com/showthread.php?p=40149#post40149

If the black person is talking about white culture, of course I'll dismiss them & Vice-A-Versa. BTW: We have enough Uncle Toms to speak for us, you can even recruit a few from this board.

The Assembly of the nation was silent waiting for those chosen to speak.

nutty dutty ... talkin about the matrix "movie" (eg. its fake, its a story) and morpheus ... LOL ...

I can see you went to a lot of effort in this post. I hope my reply can do justice to it.
You wrote. "CG tell us of your reality that we might understand you, for we have noticed that you are not from the same cultural paradigm as we are, that you still cling to the church of Anthropocentrism." Anthropocentrism? By that you mean - An inclination to evaluate reality exclusively in terms of human values? If that is what you mean then the answer must be, "sometimes yes, sometimes no." We live in a world where nature, spirituality and human values rule. I suppose one could try to live in just one of those but that is not realistic.

As for your use of the word "paradigm. Do you mean - The generally accepted perspective of a particular discipline at a given time? Then the answer is yes! I do live in a different paradigm - not better, not worse, just different - as you live in a different one - not better, not worse, just different.

We need to celebrate the differences that are natural to mankind. There are different thought patterns to be found in many races and cultures - even different ones within peoples of the same race and culture. Unfortunately, we tend to think that if there are two different views, one must be better, the other worse. I don't see that. A rose differs from a carnation but they are both flowers and both have their strong points and their weak points. Yet placed in a garden both offer beauty - neither to be despised.

If we are ever to get a handle on this racial problem, we have to realize that we are different - not better, not worse but different. :) We must not fear the difference but learn to respect those differences and to use them for all our benefit. We don't need to change each other - just understand each other. The world is too small now.

I get the distinct feeling that you see me as "the enemy!" I am not. I am just a guy on the Journey of life trying to understand. I am someone who finds the "differences" interesting, often beautiful and always fascinating. I have run the risk of being call all kinds of things (mostly by White friends) because they carry the myth that the White race is the superior one. Perhaps I see the beauty of other thought patterns, beliefs, and myths where they cannot? Notice how many people dismiss your posting! Your thought patterns are a threat to many because they go against the accepted norm, but I always try to answer you. I do not see you as a threat or a fool.

You also asked regarding the two sites I posted "And the Elder responded, as there was no need for any other to respond as we were all bound by the same Cultural Matrix, we were firmly rooted in are African Centered World view. And the Elder asked CG what do you mean by working from a false foundation, please clarify this.
First of all we are not all firmly rooted in an African centered world. Those two sites - and many other writings - clearly hold the view that Afrocentrism is a myth. The false foundation is that it is believed as fact. There is nothing wrong with a good myth - they can open the soul to new incites but don't call it fact. Call it what it is, a myth. Religion has made the mistake of calling myth fact and look at all the trouble that has caused. Myth has been with mankind from the dawn of time. It has shaped us more that we might care to admit and when used appropriately it can be a great tool. Used otherwise, and wars break out and hate gets the upper hand.

This is Black History month, what a shame that the shortest month in the calender is reserved for that! I used to teach Black History when I was in College - mostly because the faculty thought it was a waste of time so they handed it off to upper class men under the disguise of "teaching experience." I taught Black HISTORY and Black MYTH but I never confused the two.

HMmmmmmmmmmmm!

Man this entire thread is hilarious, and educational at the same time.....


I can take the MCAT now.

It is autumn now as I sit on my porch and glance at the trees, the wonderful yellow and flaming orange leaves. I can hear the river behind the house in the distance; although it has been dammed it still calls out. On this bright sunny day I can see the mountains a far, I love living in the valley tho as a child of the ocean, I do long for my return to the shore. Yes the hippie in me is alive.
This season brings back thoughts of the great leader chairman Mao of china. I remember spending hours in deep study of The Red Book. All countries as they continue the task of solidifying its national identity or as I prefer the term national culture must have among its rank the vanguard. One of the task entrusted to the vanguard is the production of the national Culture theory and praxis, thus as a vanguard I am putting fourth in addition to philosophy of education, the theory and praxis of national culture of the Bahamas.
These are an excerpts from The Red Book by Mao don’t leave home without it.
The proper handling of contradiction among the people.
We are confronted by two types of social contradictions - those between ourselves and the enemy and those among the people themselves. The two are totally different in their nature.
On the Correct Handling of Contradictions Among the People (February 27, 1957), 1st pocket ed.. p. 2.
To understand these two different types of contradictions correctly, we must first be clear on what is meant by "the people" and what is meant by "the enemy". . . At the present stage, the period of building socialism, the classes, strata and social groups which favour, support and work for the cause of socialist construction all come within the category of the people, while the social forces and groups which resist the socialist revolution and are hostile to or sabotage socialist construction are all enemies of the people.
Ibid., pp. 2-3.
In the conditions prevailing in China today, the contradictions among the people comprise the contradictions within the working class, the contradictions within the peasantry, the contradictions within the intelligentsia, the contradictions between the working class and the peasantry, the contradictions between the workers and peasants on the one hand and the intellectuals on the other, the contradictions between the working class and other sections of the working people on the one hand and the national bourgeoisie on the other, the contradictions within the national bourgeoisie, and so on. Our People's Government is one that genuinely represents the people's interests, it is a government that serves the people. Nevertheless, there are still certain contradictions between the government and the people. These include contradictions among the interests of the state, the interests of the collective and the interests of the individual; between democracy and centralism; between the leadership and the led; and the contradiction arising from the bureaucratic style of work of certain government workers in their relations with the masses. All these are also contradictions among the people. Generally speaking, the people's basic identity of interests underlies the contradictions among the people.
Ibid., pp. 3-4.
The contradictions between ourselves and the enemy are antagonistic contradictions. Within the ranks of the people, the contradictions among the working people are non-antagonistic, while those between the exploited and the exploiting classes have a non-antagonistic aspect in addition to an antagonistic aspect.
Ibid., p. 3.
In the political life of our people, how should right be distinguished from wrong in one's words and actions? On the basis of the principles of our Constitution, the will of the overwhelming majority of our people and the common political positions which have been proclaimed on various occasions by our political parties and groups, we consider that, broadly speaking, the criteria should be as follows:
(1) Words and actions should help to unite, and not divide, the people of our various nationalities.
(2) They should be beneficial, and not harmful, to socialist transformation and socialist construction.
(3) They should help to consolidate, and not undermine or weaken, the people's democratic dictatorship.
(4) They should help to consolidate, and not undermine or weaken, democratic centralism.
(5) They should help to strengthen, and not discard or weaken, the leadership of the Communist Party.
(6) They should be beneficial, and not harmful, to international socialist unity and the unity of the peace-loving people of the world.
Of these six criteria, the most important are the socialist path and the leadership of the Party.
Ibid., pp. 57-58.

ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ! Ya finished yet?

Immauel Kant (1724-1804) took metaphysical quest far more serious than you and Chairman Mao (red book). Kant felt that some psychological defects in reasoning were not problems with the intellecual enterprise of men who claimed to know; but rather a basic disconnect in what human beings could possibly know! As in your case.

Kant begun his study of human (Critique of Pure Reason) by supporting the Empirist' theory that knowledge (yours and Mao's: i.e., red book) begins with experience. He went on to say that what we know, even though it does not arise from experience only, is the result of one's own thinking faculty! In other words, contact with the experiential world shapes content of knowledge, but our biases "color" what we know.

In your piece, you so elegantly put forth yours and Mao Knowledge derived from both your collective experiences; yet both failed to established what a priori knowledge you two posessed that make your concepts of social order universal and necssary beyond supernatural or physical which moves beyond ordinary experiences and thus, becomes vital for social restructuring of the Bahamian social order!

Kant suggested that there are two kinds of priori knowledge: analytic and synthetic.

Analytic are judgements of truths that are determined from without reference to any experience, but soley on the basis of terms used to describe them. Clearly you nor Mao care to abide in this realm of unaniable rights for all humankind!

Synthetic predicates that the judgenments must contain some information not present within the subjects! Thus, the concepts contained within the judgements could not suffice to establish whether the judgements themselves are true! This type of circular falacy runs through Mao's (red book) and your assertion of the same!

For example, in you and Mao's reasoning, even though predominatly synthetic, predicates contained concepts not included in subjects, thus are not a priori--therefore, they are not universal or necessary to our practice! In other words, even if true in the Chinese phenominon, they may not be true at all times and in all places!

As far a Kant is concern, you and Mao's synthetic a priori judgements of social order must contain some information not purely of a logical nature, but yet not on empirical or experiential judgements from you two! Herein lurks the danger according to Kant. He believed that a priori synthetic judgements usually springs from the mind of the believer and not from a real world based in everone's reality!

You see, your reasoning becomes a problem for me because I have no way of determining if your mental apparatus is applicable to any thing beyond the world of your personal experiences and afinity for the Chinese phenomina! Much less being a vanguard for Bahamian social development! :cutie: