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Looks Like the Statue of Liberty Is Cryin’
[DISCLAIMER] Photo credit, designed by Magnific, fair use When I attended United States (U.S.) Marine Corps Recruit Training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, three brothers comprising hip hop trio TRU (rappers Master P, C-Murder, and Silkk the Shocker) contributed to Silkk the Shocker’s debut studio album The Shocker (1996). One of my favorite tracks from the anthology is “Why My Homie”, which was produced by Mo B. Dick and features a sample of Patti LaBelle’s “If
Deric Hollings
Jun 2612 min read
The Secret Is to Win: The Only Sane Response to Tyranny
[DISCLAIMER] *Lee (2023) spoilers contained herein. Earlier, I posted a blog entry entitled All of Lebanon Must Burn: What Have I Done to You? (6/22/2026). In it, I encouraged readers to consider use of Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) regarding healthy and unhealthy negative emotions. Specifically, I demonstrated use of the ABC model as a method of moving from negative and unhealthy self-disturbance (e.g., rage) to negative and healthy self-distress (e.g., frus
Deric Hollings
Jun 2211 min read
All of Lebanon Must Burn: What Have I Done to You?
[DISCLAIMER] Recently, Israel’s Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir posted a demand on social media platform X that was consistent with the unrestrained speech characteristic of a nation that has engaged in genocide, ethnic cleansing, and war crime behavior, as he stated (translated): With all due respect to the Americans, Israel must make it clear to the entire world that the blood of our sons and the security of our citizens is not in vain. All of Lebanon must
Deric Hollings
Jun 228 min read
Real Terrorism: Operation Eternal Darkness
[ 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
Deric Hollings
Apr 910 min read
Propaganda: War Machine
[ DISCLAIMER ] * War Machine (2026) spoilers contained herein. Photo credit , property of Roadshow Films and Netflix, fair use In Propagandizing to the Lazy , I stated, “I’ve observed a growing trend for just under a decade whereby some people spread misinformation, disinformation, or malinformation while relying on lazy individuals not to question the propaganda.” This matter involves rhetoric (the study of writing or speaking as a means of communication or persuasio
Deric Hollings
Mar 89 min read
Blowback and Knock-On Effects: Subjectivity of Beliefs
[ DISCLAIMER ] My primary job in the United States (U.S.) Marine Corps was military police , as my secondary billet was as a Marine Security Guard (MSG). Regarding the latter (above photo), I was ignorant about how my diplomatic mission supported the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). Nevertheless, when guarding the U.S. embassy in Lima, Peru , I became disillusioned when realizing that my military service supported CIA activities and wasn’t an honorable matter. That’s
Deric Hollings
Mar 312 min read
There's a War Goin' on Outside, That's Just the Way It Is
[ DISCLAIMER ] Mobb Deep, Heltah Skeltah, and 2Pac Among classic tracks from the golden age of hip hop , songs with which arguably even those individuals who don’t like rap music remain familiar, are “ Survival of the Fittest ” by duo Mobb Deep (lyricists Havoc and the late Prodigy ) and “ Changes ” by the late lyricist 2Pac . Featured on Mobb Deep’s second studio album The Infamous (1995), “Survival of the Fittest” was produced by Havoc and contains a sample from th
Deric Hollings
Mar 217 min read
What You Can Avoid
[ DISCLAIMER ] Since Donald Trump became the 47th president of the United States (U.S.), I’ve heard a lot of sociopolitical...
Deric Hollings
Apr 27, 20258 min read
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