Sunday, July 1, 2012

Post No. 146: For The Year 2012 — My Posting Sabbatical, Part 2


(Image by Paul Whiting)

WARNING: THIS POST HAS CONTENT THAT MAY BE DISTURBING TO SOME READERS. VIEWER DISCRETION IS ADVISED!

"Me, Myself and I..." Part 2
(Continued from 'Me, Myself and I...' Part 1)

I am completing my year-long writing posting sabbatical while I work on "me."

Specifically, I am having my teeth fixed after having not taken care of them for a while, when I was really sick a few years ago! So, I decided to spend a year on a "writing posting sabbatical." That is, I am not posting anything—except for my posting sabbatical writing—while I am getting all of my dental work done...

-Paul Whiting
(a.k.a., Small All White in the Forest)
"I am no barrier to its sun; the light and I are as one!"

My Poetic Notes:

The reason that I wrote this posting sabbatical writing can be summed up with the following statement: "I am having my teeth fixed after having not taken care of them for a while, when I was really sick a few years ago! So, I decided to spend a year...not posting anything—except for my posting sabbatical writing—while I am getting all of my dental work done."

By the way, when I originally published this post, I accidentally called it a "Writing Sabbatical," because I was confused!

So, I eventually realized my mistake and corrected it by calling this post a "Posting Sabbatical," since I was taking time away from 'posting' (in order to have my teeth fixed over the year 2012), rather than taking time away from 'writing,' like I had mistakenly thought!

And this posting sabbatical writing was also published on my "Poet, Artist and Philosopher" blog (please see the hyperlink below for the blog), since I feel that the message in this writing applies to the message I am trying to convey through "Poet, Artist and Philosopher."

This posting sabbatical writing was written in Portland, Oregon.

-Paulee

https://poetartistandphilosopher.blogspot.com

My Posting Sabbatical Writing for Part 2 in Date Order:

My Writing About Your Soul's Résumé: Your Karma is your soul's résumé. –Paul Whiting (written July 1st, 2012 and revised July 24th, 2022)

My Writing About Prudes And Rape: I think that there is a really strong correlation between those who are "prudish" in their nature (which I also believe is basically the same situation as those who do not find themselves sexually attractive) and those who say it is "okay" to commit sexual assault! Additionally, I truly think that rapists buy into this horrible and ridiculous premise since they believe that God has some kind of "plan for rape" (as they will sometimes even say themselves) which translates to mean that they have every right in the world to commit sexual assault in order to "Cash In On God's Guarantee" that they get to have sex by force as a reward for having achieved "Being In God's Good Graces The Right Way!" And that is why I honestly think that rapists seriously believe that they are wholly deserving of being able to commit sexual assault. –Paul Whiting (written July 1st, 2012, revised April 14th, 2015, revised September 21st, 2015, revised April 20th, 2022, revised April 21st, 2022 and revised September 1st, 2022)

My Writing About God and Everybody: "God, I love everybody! Everybody, I love God!" –Paul Whiting (July 3rd, 2012)

My Writing About Mitt Romney's Tax Returns: "I think the really obvious reason that Mitt Romney has refused to release his tax returns is because he is hiding the fact that he has been avoiding U.S. taxes by investing millions in offshore tax havens." –Paul Whiting (July 3rd, 2012)

My Writing About the 4th of July: "Please join me in celebrating the 4th of July by making a donation to the charity of your choice that supports the those who serve our country! For, the men and women of the United States Armed Forces protect and uphold our freedom each and every day." –Paul Whiting (July 4th, 2012)

My Writing About "Friends and Enemas": "Keep your friends close and your enemas closer! LOL" –Paul Whiting (July 8th, 2012)

My Writing About Self-Love Being The Greatest Problem And The Greatest Solution: I believe that "The Greatest Problem In Life" is Creating Self-Love. And I believe, as well, that Creating Self-Love is also "The Greatest Solution In Life." –Paul Whiting (written July 19th, 2012 and revised August 24th, 2022)

My Writing on the Tragedy in Colorado: "Americans seriously need to rethink our collective 'vigilante mentality' with regard to solving our problems, or expressing our emotions! How many more shootings do we need before we finally realize that gun violence has no place in a free society? For, any free society that allows guns to be placed in the hands of emotionally unstable people isn't really free." –Paul Whiting (July 20th, 2012)

My Writing About "Manscaping Parties": "I think that there should be such a thing as 'Manscaping Parties' where guys can get together and they can help each other out to 'Manscape' in those really difficult-to-reach areas, such as a hairy back! Plus, they can also share 'Manscaping Tips' and 'Manscaping Products' too!" –Paul Whiting (July 21st, 2012)

My Writing About The Republican Party's "War On America": Sometimes I truly think that the Republican Party is literally conducting a "War On America!" All they seem to want to do is disenfranchise, marginalize, get rid of—and even kill outright—anyone who is NOT one of them! –Paul Whiting (written July 23rd, 2012, revised November 21st, 2015 and revised September 7th, 2022)

My Writing About My 'Mormon' Upbringing: Although I honestly do consider myself to be a "Recovering Mormon," one of the many Valuable Values that I learned in my upbringing in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints ("The Mormon Church"), through their enduring Pioneering Spirit, is the ability to prepare my own home-cooked meals! Because I know how to prepare my own home-made food, I have a really wonderful day-to-day sense of independence for which I am very grateful for my "Mormon" upbringing. –Paul Whiting (written July 24th, 2012, revised October 7th, 2022 and revised September 12th, 2023)

My Writing About President Obama: "President Barack Obama truly stands for 'We the People' and not just simply 'We the Privileged.'" –Paul Whiting (July 24th, 2012)

The New and Improved "Look for the Union Label" Song:

Look for the Union Label,
When you are buying for your kids, or your spouse!
Remember, somewhere, our quality's showing and
Our wages are going to feed the kids and run the house...
We always work hard, but who's complaining?
Thanks to the Unions, we're paying our way!
So, always look for the Union Label... It says,
"We Proudly Made It, Right Here In The USA!"

–Paul Whiting (written July 25th, 2012 and revised September 2nd, 2013)

My Writing About LIBOR-gate: "With regard to 'LIBOR-gate,' I could not have stated this any better myself: 'End the Banking Culture of Impunity: Investigate, Prosecute and Incarcerate.'" –Paul Whiting (written July 28th, 2012 and revised May 31st, 2022)

My Haiku About the Love of God:

The Love of God is You

You are God's Own Love!
For, the Love of God is You!
So, Become God's Love!

–Paul Whiting (July 30th, 2012)

My Model Regarding Universal Self-Love:

The Universal Self-Love Model
(Or, "Insourcing In A Void")

Hard work and honesty creates direct cause and effect, which creates predictability and control, and that creates Self-Identity and Self-Love, both of which are Insourcing In A Void, and that is the basis of Universal Self-Love!

–Paul Whiting (written July 31st, 2012, revised March 20th, 2015, revised April 14th, 2015 and revised August 24th, 2022)

My Writing About President Obama's 51st Birthday: "There are 'fifty-one-derful' reasons to wish you a happy birthday, Mr. President!" –Paul Whiting (August 4th, 2012)

My Other Writing About President Obama's 51st Birthday: "Please join me in celebrating President Obama's 51st birthday by making a donation to Obama for America!" –Paul Whiting (August 4th, 2012)

My Additional Writing About President Obama: "I truly believe that Barack Hussein Obama is the 'Greatest American President' since Franklin Delano Roosevelt." –Paul Whiting (August 4th, 2012)

My Writing on the Tragedy in Wisconsin: "Americans seriously need to let go of our collective 'cowboy mentality' with regard to the way we treat other human beings! It's almost like way too many Americans simply see each other as just another easy target in the proverbial buffalo herd and (thanks to America's gun laws) everyone has got their own rifle..." –Paul Whiting (August 5th, 2012)

My Writing About Beautiful Souls: "To behold a beautiful body is really wonderful! But to behold a beautiful soul is even more wonderful!" –Paul Whiting (written August 6th, 2012 and revised October 17th, 2015)

My Writing About The "Caterpillar, Cocoon And Butterfly" Meaning Of Life: I truly believe that—metaphorically speaking—we are all meant to start out as "The Caterpillar" by only consuming knowledge! And then, we are all meant to 'go within,' so to speak, by creating "The Cocoon" in order to transform ourselves through our consumed knowledge! And then, we are all meant to emerge as "The Butterfly" in order to share our transformed knowledge! And, finally, each "Emerged Butterfly" is meant to encourage each "Consuming Caterpillar" to 'go within,' as well, in order to transform themselves and to become "The Butterfly" also! –Paul Whiting (written August 9th, 2012, revised June 1st, 2022 and revised October 1st, 2022)

My Writing About Obama and Biden in 2012: "In 2012, it's forward that we're all stridin' with Obama and Biden!" –Paul Whiting (August 17th, 2012)

My Writing About Republicans Supporting Rape And Incest Through Anti-Abortion Legislation: I truly think that it is blatantly clear that Republicans support both incest and rape by making abortions in those cases illegal. –Paul Whiting (written August 21st, 2012 and revised September 7th, 2022)

My Writing About How Way Too Many Republicans Are Latent Incestuous Rapists: I honestly believe that way too many Republicans are latent incestuous rapists due to the really obvious indicator that they wish to make abortions illegal in cases of both rape and incest. –Paul Whiting (written August 22nd, 2012 and revised September 7th, 2022)

My Writing About Self-Loving and Self-Loathing: Self-Love is the Pinnacle Of Love and all other forms of love stem from Self-Love. And, in contrast, Self-Loathing is the Pinnacle Of Loathing and all other forms of loathing stem from Self-Loathing. –Paul Whiting (written August 21st, 2012, revised April 14th, 2015 and revised August 24th, 2022)

My Writing About Why I am a Democrat: "I am a Democrat for the very simple reason that the Democratic Party genuinely stands for what I truly believe in and that is 'the simple principle that in America, hard work should pay off, responsibility should be rewarded, and each one of us should be able to go as far as our talent and drive take us,' which is a quote from The 2012 Democratic National Party Platform." –Paul Whiting (written September 4th, 2012 and revised April 14th, 2015)

My Writing About Each And Every Soul Being On A Path To Becoming God: I honestly believe that—quite literally—each and every soul is on a path to becoming God. –Paul Whiting (written September 6th, 2012 and revised August 3rd, 2022)

My Writing About "A Day of Silence and Reflection": "In honor of all of the lives lost during—as well as all of those devastatingly affected by—'The Attacks of September 11th, 2001' (and in honor all of the lives lost, and all of those affected, since that time), I feel like September 10th should be 'A Day of Silence and Reflection,' so that our 'One Nation Under God' can reflect on how just much that we can affect each other as human beings and—more importantly—the way that we chose to affect each other as human beings! And, also, I really feel that 'We the People of the United States' specifically need to reflect on how much that America needs to simply grow up and leave the proverbial sandbox behind..." –Paul Whiting (September 10th, 2012)

My Writing About "The September 11th National Day of Service and Remembrance": "For those like myself who prefer to 'Volunteer Financially' for the September 11th National Day of Service and Remembrance, please join me in making a donation to the participating organization of your choice in order to support the efforts of those who are Paying Tribute Through Service!" –Paul Whiting (September 11th, 2012)

My Writing About Listening to Mozart's Requiem on September 11th: "On this anniversary of September 11th, I decided to listen to Mozart's Requiem Mass in D minor as a way to express my feelings over the events of 2001." –Paul Whiting (September 11th, 2012)

My Writing About Republicans And Lies: Way too often it seems like there are way too many Republicans who seem like they have never met a lie that they didn't like! –Paul Whiting (written September 12th, 2012 and September 7th, 2022)

My Writing About Public Libraries Being Used for Church on Sunday: "I seriously think that public libraries should really be used for church on sunday, since they have a lot of books to read about the wonder and mystery of God and the Universe—in comparison to the churches themselves, which usually only seem to have one book to read..." –Paul Whiting (September 12th, 2012)

My Writing About the Attack on the American Embassy in Libya: "With regard to the attack on the American Embassy in Libya, I could not have stated this any better myself: 'as long as there are those who would take innocent life in the name of God, the world will never know a true and lasting peace,' which is a quote by Secretary of State Hilary Clinton discussing the death of the U.S. Ambassador to Libya, Christopher Stevens." –Paul Whiting (written September 12th, 2012, revised April 14th, 2015 and September 21st, 2015)

My Writing About Women Earning 23 Cents Less Than Men: "The Census confirmed that women working full time year round continued to be paid only 77 cents for every dollar paid to their male counterparts! Women workers are NOT worth 23 cents less than men! So, in addition to signing a petition urging my Members of Congress to pass the Paycheck Fairness Act, I also made a $10.23 donation in order to support this critical issue and to also symbolically give all women workers the extra 23 cents that they are due!" –Paul Whiting (written September 13th, 2012 and revised October 17th, 2015)

My Writing About Voter Fraud: It seems like the only criminals that we need to be concerned about committing voter fraud are the Republicans through their attempts in multiple states to enact voter suppression laws. –Paul Whiting (written September 14th, 2012 and revised September 7th, 2022)

My Writing About Self-Identity: It's no one else's job to be you on your behalf. –Paul Whiting (written September 20th, 2012, revised April 14th, 2015 and revised August 24th, 2022)

My (Belated) Writing About the One Year Anniversary of the Repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell": "I am so very grateful to be able to say that, one year (and one day!) ago, the United States of America at-long-long-last made it legal for gay men and women to openly and proudly serve their country in the United States Military!" –Paul Whiting (September 21st, 2012)

My Writing About The Republican War On Women's Rights: I am a gay male who is voting Democrat for President, Senate and Congress! And I approve this message. –Paul Whiting (written September 26th, 2012, revised April 14th, 2015 and revised September 7th, 2022)

My Writing About the Most Important Relationship in Life: "The most important relationship in life is the relationship that you have with yourself! For, relationships with others may come and go, but your relationship with yourself is eternal." –Paul Whiting (September 26th, 2012)

My Writing About The Policy Of Honesty In The Kingdom Of God: In the Kingdom of God, honesty is not only the Best Policy, honesty is the Only Policy. –Paul Whiting (written September 29th, 2012 and revised September 12th, 2023)

My Writing About The Republican "Fact-Checker Free" Presidential Campaign: SARCASM WARNING: I am voting Republican because I am not going to let my life be dictated by fact checking, or arithmetic, or honesty, or common sense. –Paul Whiting (written September 30th, 2012, revised June 11th, 2022 and revised September 7th, 2022)

My Writing About "The Two Faces of Mitt": "The Mittens Has Two Faces!" –Paul Whiting (October 1st, 2012)

My Writing About the Republican Vice Presidential Candidate: "Four words: Paul 'Ayn Rand' Ryan!" –Paul Whiting (written October 2nd, 2012 and revised April 14th, 2015)

My Writing About the First Presidential Debate: "I really don't think that Mitt realizes the power of having effectively treated a Totally Infamous American Icon—such as Sesame Street's Big Bird—like a sitting duck! I guess that Mitt is, apparently, looking to save Americans from the 'horrors' of borrowing from China by defunding the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS). So yeah, I bet that he really does like Big Bird... Mitt likes Bird Bird under glass with a nice, crisp salad." –Paul Whiting (written October 3rd, 2012 and revised April 14th, 2015)

My Writing About Supporting Walmart's Striking Workers: "I stand in solidarity with and totally support Walmart's striking workers." –Paul Whiting (October 8th, 2012)

My Writing About Breast Cancer Awareness Month: "Please join me in supporting Breast Cancer Awareness Month by making a donation to a participating charity and/or by making 'Pink Ribbon Purchases' in stores, or online." –Paul Whiting (October 15th, 2012)

My Writing About Women Voting: They are women: hear them roar! –Paul Whiting (written October 17th, 2012 and revised November 8th, 2022)

My Writing About Blog Action Day 2012: "'The Power of We' is the power to be the change that you wish to see in the world." –Paul Whiting (October 19th, 2012)

My Writing About "Who Let the Billboards Out?": "Right after I learned about Clear Channel putting up 'Voter Fraud is a Felony' billboards in Black and Latino neighborhoods in Ohio and Wisconsin, I decided to look up Clear Channel on the Internet and I subsequently found out that Clear Channel is owned by Bain Capital! So, obviously, the connection between these Clear Channel billboards, Bain Capital and Mitt ('Who-Let-the-Dogs-Out?') Romney is blatantly, um, clear!" –Paul Whiting (October 21st, 2012)

My Writing About the Final Presidential Debate: "With regard to Mitt Romney's 'the-1%-is-the-only-precent' and, so, 'say-whatever-it-takes-to-win' ('Etch-A-Sketch') campaign, I could not have said this any better myself: 'Governor, when it comes to our foreign policy you seem to want the policies of the 1980s, just like you want to import the social policies of the 1950s and the economic policies in the 1920s,' which is a quote by President Obama during the final presidential debate." –Paul Whiting (written October 22nd, 2012 revised April 14th, 2015 and revised May 31st, 2022)

My Writing About the Attitude of "Never Leave Someone Behind" vs. "Judge Others and Throw Them Away": "There is an attitude in the United States Military that you should never leave someone behind! And this stands in complete contrast to the attitude held by many Conservative Thinkers, which is to judge others and then throw them away." –Paul Whiting (October 25th, 2012)

My Writing About How I Vote: When I vote, I typically consider the recommendations of various organizations, news publications, as well as election 'political mailers' and, then, I decide whose recommendations for, or against, each candidate or ballot measure make the most sense. Plus, I usually always vote for Democrats. And that's how democracy rolls in this house! –Paul Whiting (written October 28th, 2012 and revised November 8th, 2022)

My Writing About "God's Plan For Rape": I truly believe that God's only "plan for rape" is to literally eradicate rape from all of existence! And I truly feel that it is "God's Plan" to end all rape through each and every soul expressing "Self-Love" instead. For, I honestly think that it is "God's Plan" to eliminate the actual need to commit sexual assault by way of each and every soul expressing "Self-Love," instead—rather than anyone ever forcing themselves upon others in an ungodly way. –Paul Whiting (written October 27th, 2012, revised April 14th, 2015, revised August 24th, 2022 and revised September 1st, 2022)

My Writing About Hurricane Sandy (or, "The Frankenstorm"): "In order to assist all of those adversely affected by Hurricane Sandy (or, 'The Frankenstorm'), please join me and donate to the charity of your choice! Plus, also please join me and 'Connect the Dots between Extreme Weather and Climate Change,' which is a quote from leading environmental activist organization 350.org." –Paul Whiting (written October 29th, 2012, revised April 14th, 2015 and September 21st, 2015)

My Writing About the Proverbial Snake and Rat: "There is nothing more threatening to the proverbial snake than a courageous and defiant rat!" –Paul Whiting (October 30th, 2012)

My Writing About Climate Change: "I'd like to teach the world to think in perfect harmony." –Paul Whiting (October 30th, 2012)

My Haiku About Autumn Leaves:

Each autumn leaf is
a work of art, as painted
by the hand of God!

–Paul Whiting (November 3rd, 2012)

My Writing About the 2012 Election: "There is a God!" –Paul Whiting (November 6th, 2012)

My Writing About Donating To Veterans' Charities On Veterans Day (for 2012): Please join me in honoring the brave men and women of the U.S. Military by making a donation to the veterans' charities of your choice to express thanks to and give support for Our Veterans. –Paul Whiting (written November 11th, 2012, revised June 15th, 2022 and revised November 11th, 2022)

My Writing About "The True Servants of God": "I truly believe that all of those souls who feel Truly Blessed in Their Lives by God and who also try to Help Others in the World are 'The True Servants of God!' For, they authentically 'Walk the Talk' of Us All being Our Brother's and Sister's Keepers." –Paul Whiting (November 15th, 2012)

My Writing About Thanksgiving (for 2012): I am so very grateful to live in "The Land Of The Free And The Home Of The Brave!" –Paul Whiting (written November 22nd, 2012 and revised November 24th, 2022)

My Writing About Black Friday 2012: "Although I did not attend the 'Action in Solidarity with Striking Walmart Workers' at my local Walmart on this Black Friday, as I had planned to do, I did manage, however, to contribute to OUR Walmart (Organization United for Respect at Walmart) in order to demonstrate that I stand in solidarity with and totally support Walmart's striking workers." –Paul Whiting (written November 23rd, 2012, revised April 14th, 2015 and revised May 31st, 2022)

My Writing About Chocolate and Child Slavery: "I am a frequent consumer of chocolate and 'Chocolate and Child Slavery: An Abolitionist’s Guide' changed my chocolate-buying habits overnight! I will no longer support companies who are known to use slave-produced chocolate, which includes M&M Mars, Hershey's, Kraft (including Cadbury, Nabisco, Toblerone), Nestlé, General Mills (including Häagen Dazs), Lindt and Sprungli (including Ghirardelli), Unilever (including Breyer’s Ice Cream and Ben & Jerry’s), Godiva and any other companies who use slave labor! Instead, I will be supporting companies that sell slave-free chocolate, which includes Divine Chocolate, Equal Exchange. Endangered Species Chocolate, AlterEco, Camino Cocoa, Cloud Nine/Tropical Source Coffee-Tea-Etc., Dagoba Organic Chocolate, Deans Beans, El Rey, Frontier Cooperative, Green and Black's Health by Chocolate, Malagasy, Rapunzel, Sweet Earth Chocolates, Terra Nostra Organic, Theo Chocolate, Whole Foods (Private Label), Vital Choice and any other companies that sell slave-free chocolate!" –Paul Whiting (November 25th, 2012)

My Writing About the Potential 2013 Tax Increase for the Middle Class: "As a single, gay man (who is also on SSDI, due to being HIV-positive), I can only imagine how much that an average middle-class family would be impacted by seeing their taxes go up by $2,200! And, yet, because of my living situation (of being on a limited monthly income), my sympathies truly go out to all of those middle-class families who may have to deal with potentially paying $183.33 more per month, due to this 2013 tax increase." –Paul Whiting (November 28th, 2012)

My Writing About God's Will for Women: "I truly believe that God's will for women is the women's will for themselves! And I also truly believe that all women's bodies and all of their health choices are to be controlled by the women and *only* by the women." –Paul Whiting (November 30th, 2012)

My Writing About the New York City Fast Food Workers Strike: "I stand in solidarity with the New York City Fast Food Workers Strike!" –Paul Whiting (November 30th, 2012)

My Writing About the State of Florida's 'Shoot First' Law: "Americans seriously need to stop using deadly force (via 'Stand Your Ground,' or 'Shoot First' Laws, such as the one in Florida) as a form of conflict resolution and/or self-protection, whenever some armed individual feels (quote end quote) 'threatened' by someone." –Paul Whiting (November 30th, 2012)

My Writing About "The Meaning Of Life For All Of Us Deities" (Or, "The Meaning Of Life For All Of Us 'IOUs Of Void Energy!'"): "We, The Deities" are meant to purposefully make calculated mistakes and, then, we are meant to correct those same mistakes: in other words, that is how Karma works! That way, "We, The Deities" can test how a particular aspect of Quantum Mechanics works by purposefully making calculated mistakes with regard to that particular aspect—and, then, we can correct those same mistakes! And, therefore, that is also how "We, The Deities," or "All The Souls That Exist In A Void"—who are basically "IOUs Of Void Energy" (that is, "Individual Operating Units Of Void Energy")—can learn how to Self-Identify and experience how to transform Our Deified Potential In A Void from "The Mere Possibility of Something Happening" into, quite literally, "Everything That Exists!" –Paul Whiting (written December 1st, 2012, revised March 20th, 2015, revised April 14th, 2015, revised September 21st, 2015, revised August 24th, 2022 and revised October 1st, 2022)

My Writing About St. Nicholas Day: Please join me this December 6th by celebrating St. Nicholas Day—since "he had a reputation for secret gift-giving, such as putting coins in the shoes of those who left them out for him, and thus became the model for Santa Claus"—by contributing to the charitable causes of your choice and 'Give The Gift Of Charity' this Holiday Season! –Paul Whiting (written December 6th, 2012, revised December 6th, 2022 and revised December 24th, 2022)

My Haiku for December 12th, 2012:

A Haiku for 12/12/12

Twelve days to give gifts!
Twelve is the month when Christ lives!
Twelve feels like Christmas!

–Paul Whiting (December 12th, 2012)

My Writing About the "Global Day of Solidarity" for Walmart Workers: "I stand in solidarity with Walmart's workers and their unions in Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, South Africa, United Kingdom, Zambia and the United States, who are joining together for a 'Global Day of Solidarity' to demand change at Walmart through the UNI Walmart Global Union Alliance!" –Paul Whiting (December 14th, 2012)

My Writing on the Tragedy in Connecticut: "Americans seriously need to rethink all of our collective gun laws! From the ease with which guns can be purchased to the 'Stand Your Ground' Laws (or, 'Shoot First' Laws), America has become a veritable shooting gallery, complete with live targets." –Paul Whiting (December 14th, 2012)

My Writing About How Helping Others Naturally Helps You To Consume Less, Since You Feel Fulfilled From 'The Inside Out': When you give to others (while still taking care of your own needs!) and/or when you help others (while still taking care of your own needs!) and/or when you take the time and effort to genuinely consider how your lifestyle choices impact the lives of others—including people, animals, insects, plants and the environment as a whole—and you strive to make the very best choices that are possible for both you and every other being that is being affected by all of the choices that you make, it helps you to feel good on the inside! And, therefore, you will naturally consume less, since you feel fulfilled from 'the inside out' (rather than feeling fulfilled from 'the outside in'), thereby reducing your 'footprint,' so to speak, on the environment and society as a whole! –Paul Whiting (written December 19th, 2012 and revised December 24th, 2022)

My Writing About Honoring the Bangladesh Fire Victims by Calling on Walmart to Improve Safety Standards in Their Supply Chain: "Recently, 112 people died in a Bangladeshi factory fire producing goods for Walmart. Walmart must take responsibility, make amends, and act to prevent future tragedies! For, Walmart's profit-at-any cost business model can no longer be tolerated! And so, in Honor of the Bangladesh Fire Victims, I support the 'Prayer Vigil for Walmart Supply Chain Workers' around the country on December 22nd. Plus, I have also signed the petition 'Ensure Basic Safety and Human Rights of Workers,' calling on Walmart to improve safety standards in their supply chain." –Paul Whiting (December 22nd, 2012)

My Writing About Including The Charitable Causes Of Your Choice In Your Holiday Gift-Giving: Please join me this Holiday Season by including the charitable causes of your choice in your Holiday Gift-Giving and celebrate "The True Meaning Of Christmas" by giving to those in need—just like the Three Wise Men gave to the Christ Child who was in need! –Paul Whiting (written December 25th, 2012, revised December 24th, 2022 and revised December 26th, 2022)

My One and Only Joke About a Hound Dog that Walks into a Dry (Non-Alcoholic) Bar: "So, this hound dog walks into a dry bar and he says to the bartender, 'I have just gotta have a little something to wet my whistle, bartender, because I have been out hunting—like a dog—all day long! And I simply cannot seem to catch a rabbit! I mean, it has gotten so bad that I have been crying all the time! Maybe, I just need a friend, or something. I'm not sure...' And the bartender—who looks strangely like Elvis Presley—says to the hound dog, 'I'm really sorry, but I can't serve you anything, let alone be a friend to you!' And the hound dog looks at the bartender, with his big, puppy-dog eyes and says, 'Okay, but may I at least ask you why not?' And the bartender replies, 'Cause, you ain't nothing but a hound dog, crying all the time! Well, you ain't never caught a rabbit and you ain't no friend of mine...'" –Paul Whiting (written December 27th, 2012 and revised February 6th, 2016)

This "Small All White in the Forest" Post No. 146 was edited on November 1st, 2023.

"Prose is using all of the words that are necessary in order to describe all that is necessary to describe." –Paul Whiting [June 1st, 2022]

"Poetry is using the fewest words possible in order to describe all that is possible to describe." –Paul Whiting [June 1st, 2022]