[ DISCLAIMER ]   When serving in the United States (U.S.) Marine Corps  (1996-2007), I was taught that terrorism was the use of violence against noncombatants to achieve political  or ideological aims. Generally, such terroristic action involves intention (a determination to act in a certain way).   To draw a meaningful distinction, I invite you to consider two hypothetical scenarios. Scenario one: A U.S. Marine expeditionary force deliberately targets a village of civi

[ DISCLAIMER ]   When attending United States (U.S.) Marine Corps Recruit Training  at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego , the recruits with whom I attended boot camp also trained at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton  (1996). There, we learned about warfighting from World War I  (WWI).   Specifically, recruits were taught about the gory endeavor of trench warfare  and how as a last resort fixed bayonets (attached stabbing blades to the muzzle of a rifle for close-quarters

[ DISCLAIMER ]   When listening to an electronic dance music (EDM) DJ set  by Xenia Torino (UA) , I heard her spin the track “ After Love ” by Anyma , from his album Genesys II (2024), featuring vocals by Delilah Montagu . The second verse states:   Where does the feeling go when it’s gone? Will it reappear? When it finds its storm ? You’ll always be the place I belong, But I’m letting go . I’m not that strong.   When contemplating these lyrics, I can relate from both a per

[ DISCLAIMER ]   On the album Freakjet (2022), rapper Vel Nine  (also known as Vel the Wonder ) released the song “ Winning Team ” that featured rapper YL . Wisely , Vel Nine stated, “I don’t know where tomorrow will take me, but I know where today is.” This is a matter of uncertainty.   According to the American Psychological Association, uncertainty is defined  as “the state or condition in which something (e.g., the probability of a particular outcome ) is not accuratel

[ DISCLAIMER ]   Regarding this blogpost, a number of terms warrant definition. According to the American Psychological Association (APA), psychopathy is defined  as “a synonym for antisocial personality disorder [ASPD]” and “formerly, any psychological disorder  or mental disease .”   Similarly, the APA defines  a psychopath as “a former name for an individual with antisocial personality disorder.” As ASPD is referenced in both of those definitions, it’s worth noting that t

[ DISCLAIMER ]   When providing psychoeducational lessons on Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy  (REBT), I teach people about the ABC model of self-disturbance (how people upset themselves  through use of irrational beliefs ). Now, I’ll address a finer point of this psychotherapeutic model  of wellness .   For context, REBT uses the ABC model to illustrate how when an undesirable A ction occurs and you B elieve an unhelpful narrative about the event, it’s your unfavorable a

[ DISCLAIMER ]   When living with my dad during my elementary and junior high school years in Aurora, Colorado, he discouraged me from being lazy (disinclined to activity or exertion). Referring to laziness as the big ‘L’, “Son,” he’d say, “Why aren’t these dishes washed? Is it the big ‘L’?”   I was taught to promptly tend to my chores, because my dad wanted to instill within me a strong work ethic . After moving back to Amarillo, Texas, away from my dad and then eventually i

[ DISCLAIMER ]   When listening to an electronic dance music (EDM) DJ set  by Mila Rubio , I heard her spin the track “ 9 PM (Till I Come) ” by trance music German DJ and producer ATB from his debut studio album Movin’ Melodies (1999). That track brought back a lot of pleasant memories!   Hearing one of the EDM tracks I spun when DJing in the ‘90s and ‘00s, I thought of a relatively brief psychoeducational lesson on Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy  (REBT). Now, I invi

[ DISCLAIMER ]   As Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy  (REBT) is informed by Stoic philosophy , this blog entry is part of an ongoing series regarding a book entitled The Daily Stoic: 366 Meditations on Wisdom, Perseverance, and the Art of Living  by Ryan Holiday  and Stephen Hanselman .   The authors quote ancient Stoic philosopher Seneca who stated, “No person has the power  to have everything  they want, but it is in their power not to want what they don’t have, and to

[ DISCLAIMER ] When assigned to the Marine Security Guard  (MSG) detachment in Lima, Peru (2000-2001), I attended a United States (U.S.) Marine Corps Birthday ball  without a date. A fellow MSG, who often expressed disdain for me, took as a date someone to whom I’ll refer as “Chaparrita.”   Regarding how I met her, I stated in Non-Monogamous Desires  that “there was the matter of another Marine’s date in Lima, Peru who liked me more than him, and who became my rave partner wh

[ DISCLAIMER ]   There was a time when I set out to write blog content regarding the Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy  (REBT) book Creative Marriage  (1961). However, I admittedly haven’t contributed many posts to it in a while, and perhaps won’t do so again (current post excluded).   That’s because I don’t endorse “sucka shit,” as one source thusly describes this term, “Anything that is not acceptable or violates the G code . This includes snitching, switching up on your t

[ DISCLAIMER ]   I’ve paid close attention to the 2026 Iran war (also euphemistically referred to as an operation, hostilities, conflict, etc.) which was started by the United States (U.S.) and Israel—specifically, U.S. President Donald Trump and Prime Minister [PM] of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu .   In particular, I’ve observed quite a bit of propaganda ( ideas , facts , or allegations spread deliberately to further one’s cause or to damage an opposing cause). Much of what

[ DISCLAIMER ]   On the song “ Trappin Like a Fool ” by rapper Fat Trel , from his third mixtape No Secrets (2010), is a sample from rapper Gucci Mane ’s freestyle  on the Hood Affairs Ent. Gucci Mane - Trap-A-Holic DVD  (2008). I recall hearing the non-written lyrical content when it was first released!   Gucci Mane stated, “I was trappin’ [selling drugs] like a fool, me and that fat fool. Kept that fuckin’ tool [firearm]. Didn’t go to school. I was trappin’ like a bitch. I

[ DISCLAIMER ]   When providing psychoeducational lessons on Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy  (REBT), I teach people about the ABC model of self-disturbance (how people upset themselves  through use of irrational beliefs ). Now, I’ll address a finer point of this psychotherapeutic model  of wellness .   For context, REBT uses the ABC model to illustrate how when an undesirable A ction occurs and you B elieve an unhelpful narrative about the event, it’s your unfavorable a