Abnormal Psychology and Therapy

We have compared and contrasted the similarities/differences of Normal psychology vs. Abnormal psychology. We will now begin to highlight some mental disorders and mental illnesses to show those similarities and differences. Then upon the completion of this portion we will discuss therapies for treating such illnesses as currently utilized among the mental health professionals in the United States today.  We will begin by discussing Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder or (PTSD) as it is more commonly referred to as in public discourse.

Post-Traumatic Stress disorder has an unusual history as it has likely been with us since the biblical reference to the murder of Abel by his brother Cain. It is most often associated with military personnel that have directly or at least closely involved in a combat environment. PTSD was not recognized as a mental health issue until Vietnam and was poorly understood by the military leadership, general public, as well as the mental health community. Prior to its acknowledgement during the Vietnam era it was often referred to as “combat-stress” or “battle-fatigue”. 

 It’s most public display of ignorance in regards to its existence and being a serious issue worthy of medical treatment was the slapping incident involving General George S. Patton during WWII. General Patton was attending to his wounded soldiers at a field hospital when he chanced upon a visibly unwounded soldier, when Gen. Patton asked the soldier why he was not at the front fighting the soldier’s reply was “Sir, I can’t take it anymore.” Gen. Patton became incensed at this apparent “cowardice” and struck the soldier with a leather glove in the face. Gen. Patton berated the soldier and ordered him immediately to return to the front or face a court-martial for cowardice in the face of the enemy. The remaining history of this incident is public record and not pertinent to this discussion.

Yet even with the acknowledgement of the existence of PTSD during Vietnam, it was at least 20 years before the Veterans Administration began to seek new methods of treatment or simply even acknowledge a veteran was suffering from the condition. I saw this first hand as a boy, my father had served from 1968 till 1971 in Vietnam and saw direct combat. He rarely if ever spoke to anyone about his experiences there but I saw much of his suffering directly if he had an episode. The most graphic was back in 1987, it was during the night and we were experiencing a severe thunderstorm with hail. 

My father was apparently triggered by the hail, it sounded like gunfire to him. I was sleeping in a bedroom over our garage. He low-crawled all the way from his bedroom and up the stairs into my room, I was awaked by him hissing in a low voice “Gooks are in the fucking wire, man your position and be ready to kill them when the move towards the perimeter.” Needless to say this frightened me but I learned much about my father after that when I began to slowly discuss it with him. Despite his own wounds from his service he did not discourage from me seeking to become a soldier myself upon graduating high-school in 1992

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To provide some more technical details of PTSD, it is defined as Disorder and not a Psychosis. This simply refers to the fact that most disorders are at least treatable and often a “cure” can be found to mitigate the effects of the disorder. The symptoms are somewhat vague and are often mistaken for an anxiety or depressive issue but there are clear distinctions of PTSD from a regular anxiety or depressive disorder.  Individuals that suffer from PTSD in any form often will “re-live” the incident that caused the disorder over and over, will experience arousal in response to a trigger such as a smelling cooking meat on a grill or a sound. PTSD is not simply a disorder suffered by the military but by any human being such as victims of sexual assault or abuse or anyone whom is likely to encounter life-threatening situations either for themselves or others.

I am currently actively seeking treatment for PTSD due to my service in Iraq and can say that we have learned much but still have many gaps in our knowledge of how to treat this disorder. I currently have been provided both counseling and medication to deal with my PTSD. One of the more popular and successful approaches used today is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. CBT involves the active participation of the patient and provider to find ways to deal with or prevent the PTSD from being triggered or how to mitigate its effects once triggered. This usually involves one on one or group therapy with others whom suffer from PTSD. By active discourse and by learning how to recognize triggers, the patient can be better prepared for his or her own issues as they arise. 

PSTD is not a death sentence but if left untreated can become aggravated and lead to other behaviors that are either self-destructive or potentially dangerous for society as a whole. This is not to insinuate that anyone who suffers from PTSD is a danger but that we should be cognizant of its severity and the risks if left untreated. Like any mental illness education and raising awareness of the issue is critical to avoiding the stereotyping of the disorder and its victims.

Reference

Laugharne, J., Lillee, A., & Aleksandar, J. (2009, November). Role of psychological trauma in the cause and treatment of anxiety and depressive disorders [Abstract]. Current Opinion in Psychiatry,, 1-5.

Critical Observation: Post-Traumatic Stress

Note this post is from one of my papers I have written in the course of my pursuit of a degree in Psychology so it is academic in nature.

The subject of this paper is Post-Traumatic Stress or as it is more commonly known Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder or PTSD among most individuals today. The term in current usage in the psychological field is Post Traumatic Stress or PTS. PTS was not given its current name until the Vietnam War and shortly after when returning veterans began to have difficulty re-adjusting to life outside of a combat zone.  This label very quickly gathered a negative stigma to be associated with it; veterans who found themselves unable to get proper treatment languished in a personal hell for many years. Only in the last 15 years has the public’s perception changed in regards to PTS but there are many still ignorant of what it really means. 

The subject of this paper is myself; I am a decorated Operation Iraqi Freedom veteran with my initial combat tour occurring in 2003-2004. I returned for a 2^nd combat tour that was cut short when my degenerative disc disease was aggravated and I was returned to the continental United States in June 2005. My symptoms appeared approximately about 6 months after my return. I found myself very quickly reverting back to the hyper-vigilant mode of awareness. I became easily agitated in crowded locations and did not wish to be around such gatherings. 

I was able for quite a while to deal with the PTS by having a strong support network of close friends and family.  But by late 2005 my first marriage after 12 years ended in divorce I found myself adrift. The dreams and feelings seemed stronger and more intense; I then threw myself into my work as a Military instructor at Fort Huachuca, teaching other analysts to perform in combat the same job I did. I enjoyed the work and it became my security blanket to teach the soldiers how to do the job right and bring your guys home alive.

Things were going smoothly then around mid-2006 I met and began dating the woman, who would become my 2^nd wife, Kathryn.  Kate as she prefers to be address became very quickly an anchor against the darkness that I felt sometimes was going to swallow me whole.  Assisting me in dealing with my PTS was a fellow veteran, Paul Matsuzak; he served with me as a fellow instructor. Paul and I became very close as we shared many of our issues with each other and became that friend you call at 2 a.m. and you can’t sleep because of the nightmares. In September 2006 the Army moved me to Camp Parks, where I spent the next two years training soldiers whom were about to deploy to Iraq or Afghanistan.

For myself my PTS episodes begin very innocently, usually restlessness when attempting to fall asleep. I will hear voices, smell burnt flesh, or see images of comrades that died over there during my tour(s). I also see my father whom I was informed of his death the day we lost 5 men to a grenade attack while during a shift change so some of them were lying down, the others getting ready to pull their shift.  I cannot ever forget that day, it is burned in my soul till I die and beyond.  I can recall how I begged my mother to not make me return home as I had a mission do take care of, that my father would understand why.  I finally sought treatment in August of 2009 for my PTS through the Veterans Administration; I was diagnosed with a “mild-anxiety” disorder shortly after being discharged for my degenerative disc disease in 2008. 

The effects of a PTS episode upon me range from mild to severe, examples of my PTS is I with draw from social activities for a few days, possibly miss work, or feel the pain in my back reach excruciating levels beyond the pain medications I take to control the pain.  The emotional toll is I am left feeling numb to everything around me as I slowly recover from the latest episode.  I have been proscribed medication to deal with the anxiety and with the counseling seem to be effective in managing my PTS so far. 

The psychology that is used to explain my behavior is still developing as we learn more about how/why PTS occurs in human beings. The current and ongoing conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan have dramatically increased the number of individuals that now seek or are directed to mental health professionals for treatment. This is the reason I have sought a degree in psychology, to better understand myself and my issues and to eventually seek to become a mental health professional to treat others whom suffer as I have. 

The ethical dilemmas that could arise from my PTS and the fact I seek to become a mental health professional to treat others, first I must have my own issues in control and be able to set aside my biases so that I can treat others. Another that could arise is the danger of becoming too emotionally invested in a patient, preventing effective treatment based on sound psychological/scientific practice.  Yet another issue is putting my issues upon my patient and not treating their issues as a separate and unique issue. This can be avoided by a solid grounding in professional ethics and ensuring that I am able to separate self from patient/client needs.

A Soldier's Thoughts on Memorial Day

A Soldier’s Thoughts on Memorial Day

By

Jared Michael Royka

Today I choose to write because once again I am struggling with the guilt of my surviving my combat service unharmed and getting to go home.  My life is a story in contradictions and things I have done or not done, it seems that I am adrift without those anchors I once held to so tightly. I do not feel sorry or ashamed for myself as that is a waste of the priceless gift I have been given by my gods, life.  There are so many days now that I miss what I once had, mostly my identity as a soldier and a servant to our great people.

I miss teaching the young faces and hearing the grumbles of those just starting out on their service as a soldier.  I miss my brothers and sisters in arms especially those whom I had the distinct honor and privilege to serve alongside directly throughout my 18 years of military service. I try to honor them each day by being thankful that I live and was blessed by knowing them. I find my body getting older and things don’t work as well as they did back when I was 19 and felt immortal. 

Yet I see the cycle move endlessly about me as I view the world through those eyes of mine that have seen many things.  The thing I have found most interesting about my life since being honorably discharged from active duty service, is that I see what my dad surely must have seen after his departure from the Army. I watch at a distance a world that I can never be fully a part of ever again. I am forever changed not just by my service but what I did as a soldier in both peace and war. I do not resent those whom do not understand why my eyes mist with tears when I return to a place I will never wholly leave behind.

I now know what it is that all veterans carry within themselves especially those whom survive to return home.  I know now what it is my father saw in those moments he drifted back to another time and place. I know the shame he felt at being a “lucky one” who made it home, only reinforced by a nation that could not separate the war from the warrior. I am eternally grateful to my fellow citizens whom have so courteously and with such heartfelt honesty thanking those whom have served, are serving, or will serve in the future. Our nation learned many painful lessons during the Vietnam War and we still have much to learn and remember.

I remember every single moment and I each day offer prayers to my gods that my fellow warriors will never be forgotten so long as I remember, I cannot forget.  My eyes stream with tears at how fortunate I am, when so many others paid the highest cost in the service of their country. It is the least I can do for having that gift that they gave so nobly and freely to all of us. We owe it to them and ourselves to reflect each day on what we have that truly matters most our humanity. 

The events that propelled our nation into its current conflict have been largely forgotten by most. It greatly hurts me deep inside my soul that so many of our warriors, men and women, linger slowly fading into a background of the daily pressures of life.  This is not out of a gross negligence on the part of everyday citizens but a larger issue that of we must never forget those whom have borne the scars of war. Less than 1 percent of our nation has served in the current conflicts that our nation has fought in recent memory.

What shames me more is that so many of us forget the costs paid to ensure our freedom is kept intact. We live in a world now that seems more chaotic and dangerous than ever. Yet we still move onwards towards a future that is often unclear to us till we have passed through it and it becomes the past. We argue over political and social viewpoints with an ever increasing hostility towards any whom may disagree with our point of view. This to me is the greatest tragedy of all as we seem to forget those bitter lessons history teaches us and so few now have to bear its weight till their dying day.

May 30^th is a day set aside to remember and honor our fallen heroes, who have come from every place upon this earth, every walk of life, and ultimately chose a life of service to others.  Yet I watch those whom see it as merely a day to go shopping or enjoy a barbecue with friends, not taking a moment to reflect on what it means to be free.  Every day is a day of remembrance for our nation’s veterans; we lived those moments and cannot ever forget them even when we want to.  

So I ask all whom read these words, remember and never forget the price paid and sacrifices laid upon the altar of liberty by so many.  Remember not just those whom served directly but those whom are truly never seen. The mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, friends, and loved ones whom bear that memory of that sacrifice, they deserve your respect and thanks as well.  Ultimately Memorial Day for me is a renewal of my sacred vow to remember and never forget the humanity and the human dignity of all whom have sacrificed so much in the service of our people, our nation, and our way of life.

That is why we have fought and bled our bodies, our hearts, and our souls for that is the most perfect distillation of our nation’s ideals.  That is that all humanity has the right to be treated with respect and dignity no matter the situation. It is an ideal that we must never stop striving to achieve a state of perfection but when we fall or fail to remind ourselves why it is important in the struggle.

In closing I ask everyone before you hurl an epithet, insult, or slur at anyone remember what price was paid for that human dignity to be freely expressed. Remember that is a fellow human being and we are a people steeped in the idea that all humanity has a sacred right to be treated with dignity and respect. We will not always agree with each other nor will we always remember to be respectful of one another. But we are all human beings and thus deserving of that most basic right of our human dignity.

Fatherhood...my journey into unknown waters.

I sit now in the silence of my mind contemplating what today may mean to me in about 9 months from now. Kate and I today return to our fertility doctor  to take the final step in our IVF treatment, the implantation of the fertilized embryos into Kate's uterus. I now find myself dumbfounded at the possibility of being a father at a later stage of my life.

Likely I am one of the last of my high school classmates to have had children. Having to face infertility has challenged me on many levels, I have been largely able to handle it by focusing upon my wife and not looking too deeply into myself. Yet now less than 12 hours away from this dream potentially becoming a reality, I cannot run any longer from myself. There are days when I feel like I am a study in failures of every size and scope.

This is despite what many of my closest friends say is the opposite of the supremely confident man they know. Many things that lurk within the darkest parts of my psyche bubble to the surface of my mind's eye at moments such as this. I have to admit that I am terrified of the idea that I would be permitted to be a father.

When that thought finally hit me I began to list all of my faults and failings as a human being.  I cry tears of sorrow and joy equally mixed for various reasons. One of the first is that my father will never get to see or hold his grandchildren from myself and Kate. Next is the question do I deserve to be a father after serving in combat and helping to kill other human beings?

Forgive my maudlin ramblings but I cannot help myself but to think about what my life has been to this point. I am an itinerant writer, philosopher, and lackadaisical student of the human condition. What business do I have in creating life and then being responsible for that human being's education, welfare, and upbringing? While I am not the first man to have these thoughts mine are well uniquely of my own creation.

Kate is so much stronger than I and it is for her that I keep my voice silent of the doubts and questions. I could not ask for a better friend, lover, and most importantly stunningly beautiful woman to share my life with. I have to wonder now how my father felt when he and my mother found out that I was growing in her womb?

On a slightly humorous note, my parents were hoping for a girl rather than a boy as I would have been, if born female, the eldest granddaughter on both sides of my family. I was told this as a young boy, talk about things that come back to mind when you are least expecting them.  That rates right up there with your mother and father telling you that your sister was conceived to the song "Paradise by the dashboard light" by Meatloaf. Yeah I still threaten to send my mother the therapy bill for that little bit of too much information.

But what scares me most in spite of this potential miracle so much hangs upon something that is amazingly fragile. I have had nightmares about being back in combat again and rather than being told I have lost my father, that I lost my child and my wife. That very image within my mind horrifies me and makes me wake in a cold sweat praying to my gods that its only my fears that plague my unwanted dreams.

There is nothing I would not sacrifice or suffer to provide for my family, I would break my body and soul a million times over to see them cared for. Now I sit contemplating what it will mean to me if this dream comes to pass?  I have to admit as well that this journey for me has been harder than just about anything I have ever experienced.

Watching my wife endure countless injections and vaginal ultrasounds in our drive to become pregnant. I know that she considers me to be far more than a sperm donor yet my daemons plague me with doubts. I at times feel so utterly useless and undeserving of such a magnificent woman in my life. Kate has endured so much and I am often left feeling lost and in the way of progress?

Again I don't have an answer to why I feel this way and I understand why this is so difficult for couples. Being under fire in combat wasn't as scary as realizing that you cant' conceive normally. It also makes me boil with a silent and cold fury at those whom seem to have children and then treat that gift as  though it were an inconvenient and unwanted nuisance.

Also given my wife's strong feminist identity I have to understand that ultimately it is she not I whom must undergo the trials and tribulations of pregnancy. Having grown up in a post Roe vs. Wade United States and coming to the realization that if she so desired to terminate an unwanted pregnancy. I have no real authority or recourse and it makes this prospect more frightening than it was before.

I find myself at odds with the idea that I am basically as far as the law goes really nothing at all other than a contributing bystander. Yet I am strangely accepting of this as I understand because of this what it is that women face in this even today still dangerous process of conception and ultimately giving birth. It is women whom bear the greatest risks and potential losses in the perpetuation of our species.

I personally view all life as sacred and deserving of protection from anything that would endanger that life. Yet I do not believe that life as far as sentient life begins at the moment of conception. I have very strong feelings about abortion as well as the landmark case that made it the law of the land via the Constitution. I am however sensitive to the fact that it is not a trivial topic despite its treatment in the realm of the 6 second sound bite media that we know today.

Perhaps it is that I accept the fact that life is complicated enough without passing judgement on the most intimate of human activities, giving birth to a child. I have come to accept that life as I know it is full of contradictions and conflicting desires, beliefs, and ultimately needs. I do not condemn any woman whom makes her choice for ultimately it is they whom must bear the costs of that choice for the rest of their lives.

In fact I find it reprehensible that both sides treat the women whom face that choice as little more than a football to be kicked around for points. Now having to face the prospect of becoming a father it further forces me to look at what life does really mean. I respect the right of my fellow citizens to voice their beliefs and views, in fact I went to war to defend those rights and to see those rights were extended to a subjugated Iraqi people.

I don't expect my thoughts on this night to make sense to anyone even myself. I hope and pray to my gods, my ancestors, and the great mother whom we all depend that I am granted the sacred charge of being a father. Again forgive my ramblings and musings as I am a jumble of thoughts, hopes, fears, and dreams of holding my a baby or potentially babies in my arms.

I hope that I am both worthy and up to such a monumental task. I will not let my fears rob me of the joy that bubbles up from my soul at the idea of being called "daddy". I know when that day finally arrives I will weep unashamed of the public display of raw emotion of becoming a father. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to share this with you, I have bared my soul to let these words flow from my fingers to this medium. May all of you be blessed for the support and friendship you have shared with me and Kate.


Jared

Op-Ed Boston and the human face of triumph borne from tragedy

April 15, 2013 is yet another date that is etched deeply in to my soul and it seems that my generation has had many of these already.

That day for me started with another night of no sleep as I have became accustomed to my nocturnal nature these days. That morning saw my beloved wife and I taking the next step in our struggle to conceive children as we underwent the next step of the in-vitro fertilization treatment.  With that process being done and returning safely home we went about our daily lives with our customary quiet dignity.

Yet when I awoke after finally convincing my body it needed sleep, my wife informed me of the events that occurred at the Boston marathon. My mind immediately pictured my beloved sister-in-law Thia and her lovely soon to be wife hurt or harmed by someone's desire to use violence to make a political statement. Gratefully I was informed that both of them were safe and well.

Yet I have spent the past few days mulling over what this event and its aftermath means to me. It has been this stream of conscious thought that prompts me to write about this tragedy.  Some have compared the shock of this bombing to the terrible day of Sept 11, 2001 and that is I believe an apt comparison for many reasons that I will discuss in depth. What followed that immediate tragedy is what makes my eyes tear up with humble pride at the resilience and strength of my fellow citizens of our great nation.

Within minutes and hours we began to hear news of the sheer capability of our nation to come together as one in the face of such things as terrorism upon our shores.  To paraphrase our President Barack Obama, "On days such as this we are not republicans, democrats, conservative, or liberal. We are Americans one and all."  I disagree with many of the policies and ideas of our sitting President yet I echo those same sentiments.

We are a free people and we all know deep within ourselves that that freedom demands a price of each and every one of us. We do not always get along and our disputes can be vitriolic and savage in their intensity of the give and take of the free market place of human thinking. Like any family we do have our dysfunctions and yet when something tragic strikes we line up to give selflessly to our fellows in a time of need. This strength is what makes my heart swell to bursting with pride and bow low with humility at the speed with which we act when the need is great.

No force upon this earth will ever deny our people the inalienable rights of "Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness." We have fought amongst ourselves and even others outside our borders in defense of that ideal that epitomizes our central belief of both the divinity of humanity and that freedom of humanity is paramount above all else. As our country begins yet another search in the murky world of terrorism in its hunt for the perpetrators of the Boston marathon bombing, please read my words and take heart.

We are a free people whom will when it matters most put aside our differences and live up to the Latin phrase of "E Pluribus Unum" or translated "One out of many". Do not let your hearts be darkened by fear of the unknown faces that seek to remove our freedom to replace it with fear and terror. Instead celebrate that we will not ever bow to any such pressures. In those acts of human kindness and unity in the face of fear and terror find strength to resist those whom seek to harm our belief in the goodness of humanity and the unity found in our bonds of brotherhood.

We the people of the United States of American stand in defiance of those whom would use violence and terror to subjugate humanity in an endless darkness. Our people are united yet again because you fail to understand what freedom does to the human soul once its light shines brightly upon it. We WILL NOT give up nor will we GIVE IN to fear and terror. As we have so many times before we rise to your challenge and overcome it with poise and dignity.  So in closing to my fellow citizens whom directly suffered this terror, you are not alone for we stand united with you now and in perpetuity.


Jared Royka

A Call to Arms...Attack the culture of violence itself not the tools.

Distinguished Readers,


To walk through the world in which we live our daily lives, it is amazing that we get out of bed at all. If one simply turns on the television, internet, print media, or radio; one is overwhelmed by the sheer amount of violence and horror in our lives. After the recent spate of extremely sensationalized mass shootings of recent memory all of them are horrific and tragic to the extreme. 

Yet again the talking heads and pundits of various interests ranging from the anti-gun crowd and their opposites namely the National Rifle Association war with each other. I hope to offer you a rational post of my thoughts upon this subject and to elicit a response in you the reader. 

The response I am hoping to elicit within you is to have you take the time to fully research this issues and what is really going on.  Let me first begin saying that I personally own several handguns and rifles as I enjoy the discipline required of a marksman. I also have a concealed carry weapons permit and intend to always have one as I am very committed to the exercise of my freedoms as a law abiding citizen of the United States of America.

Both points of view upon this issue have made it quite clear that neither side of this issue will accept anything less than total victory of their goals.  We have had gun control in the United States since the passage of the National Firearms Act in 1934 during the Franklin D.Roosevelt administration. This legislation prohibited the possession of fully automatic weapons, silencers, sawed-off shotguns, ect by private citizens. 

The National Firearms Act was followed in 1938 by the Federal Firearms Act which required those whom sold firearms; specifically interstate or international sales to purchase a Federal Firearms License. So we can see that we have had some form of gun control since the depression in the United States. Also one can specifically find instances of earlier restrictions upon the carry, possession, and use of firearms throughout our nations history. An accurate example is the Tombstone, Arizona law requiring those entering the town to leave their  firearms at the Tombstone Marshall's  office circa 1870s boom-town era.

Yet we continue to see a raging debate upon the 2nd amendment of the bill of rights because of the tragic shootings of past and recent memory.  Are further restrictions upon firearms ownership and other firearms related items required? One statement that I have heard often is  that we should "enforce those laws on the books" rather than passing further legislation. Furthermore those whom resist further restrictions upon firearms see any reforms of existing laws as a evidence of intention to take away their rights to bear arms.  And this concern is often ridiculed  and those whom utter it are often labeled derisively as "gun-nuts".

The advocates of stricter gun laws and regulations often state that private ownership of firearms creates more potential harm to society at large. Often called "anti-gun" or worse by those whom support the more liberal interpretation of the 2nd Amendment. Another area that often is cited as a reason for further regulation  and restriction of firearms is the prevalence of firearms found in criminal activities. Gun violence is in their views all too common and tragic could be easily prevented by the aforementioned  reform of gun control legislation.
The concerns about gun violence are not entirely unfounded or without merit.

Yet  I offer you this what is really at stake here within the gun control/2nd amendment debate? Do we no longer require the 2nd amendment? Should we have unrestricted access to firearms and to use those firearms for any purpose that does not harm others? At the heart  of the gun control/2nd amendment debate is a a deeper question that does not get address at all by either side in  my humble opinion, the culture of violence itself. What is the culture of violence you ask?

The culture of violence is in my own words; the cultural acceptance and inculcation of the usage of violence to achieve one's desired ends or to defend one's self from the violence of others. To clarify I am addressing the root cause of gun violence, which is the act of committing violence rather than the method that is used to commit the violent act itself.  Among the feminist community there is a concept  called "rape culture"; feminists state "rape  culture" is the cultural elements that trivialize rape, protects the perpetrators of rape, and ignores the victims of rape. I believe that our society has made the same cultural mistake with violence within our culture.

We glorify violence and encourage our young children to embrace it as a legitimate way to get what they want from others. Violence comes in many forms and flavors whether its against women, children, minorities, or simply for the sake of violence itself. This inculcation of violent behavior is ingrained by everything from sports to music. Yet sadly we see those areas blamed as the root cause or at least part of the problem of violence rather than ultimately laying blame where it truly belongs  ourselves.

It is we whom permit the use of violence as a socially acceptable method to get what one desires, not guns, video games, movies, music, or any other medium consumed by us. I also wish to clarify that violence per my definition also includes aggression as that is the act that often proceeds violent action. We have the duty and responsibility to educate ourselves and others; when violence is permitted and even necessary such as the defense of those whom cannot defend themselves.  I do not say that violence itself the evil that must be fought but that it is the ignorance we permit in regards to understanding the culture of violence.

I hope these words reach you and cause you to ponder a moment upon what really is wrong within our culture. I firmly believe that violence is a tool but that it should never be employed lightly or without the understanding of its consequences.  To long have we pointed fingers at everything but ourselves in attempting to deal with this issue. Please read, research, and critically assess the nature of the problem and educate yourself upon the culture of violence. We all must learn when, where, what, and how violence is necessary as well as when it is clearly not justified in its application.



Very Respectfully,

Jared M. Royka

Money Talks & It's Not Going Away Any Time Soon...

Distinguished readers,

Yet again we find ourselves at the same place yet again, its time to argue and wrangle over the federal budget. Regardless of what side of the isle you stand or don't, this is a important issue. We are once again deluged with messages of fear-mongering by both political parties. This is when we must be critical thinkers and be able do our own research and make decisions based upon those rational facts we find.

I am by far not the most politically active within my circle of friends yet I understand all too well its impact upon our daily lives. Both sides of the congressional isles wants to cut spending on the other party's constituent programs or simply items as defense spending or social security depending upon orientation of view. Yet there is a 3rd group those whom are fed up with the partisan bickering and brazen behavior that our lawmakers demonstrate all to well by acting with the maturity of toddlers in a sand box.

I know of people whom without some form of governmental assistance would be homeless and starving. Yet we all know from our experiences in the real world that we cannot spend excessively without consequences. Screaming about how the poor are over paid in this country or that the rich get too many breaks is frankly tiresome and detracts from the real issues. Will there have to be a spending reduction of some sort or fashion likely so but that doesn't mean we throw anyone to the wolves just yet.

So yet again I implore you all, to read as much information on these proposals. DO NOT buy into the fear-mongering of interest groups or political parties. Be vocal, call, write, email all your congressional representation. But remember in the end we must find a middle path and balance within ourselves. Our first words in our constitution is "WE THE PEOPLE" not corporations, political interest groups, and for god's sake certainly not money are the arbiters of our own government.

Yet we mostly remain content to be sheep waiting to be led to the next patch of grass. This cannot be permitted any longer, our Federal Republican form of government requires an educated, informed, and active citizenry. YOU get the leadership you DON'T demand and hold ACCOUNTABLE.

Yet we are a people that believes that while the majority rules, we will never permit the persecution or harm of a minority either through legal or illegal actions leveled at that minority. To permit that is to accept tyranny and that is not who we are as a free people. I hope that my words spur you to some action to research both sides of these issues. To find the facts and even if they contradict your personal views make a decision upon those facts.

We are one out of many and in that is our greatest strength. No force on earth can touch that strength. Let us set about shaping the rebirth and new growth of freedom; with malice towards none and charity for all (Lincon, 1863, Gettysburg address)

Sincerely,

Jared Royka