First Principles: I Love Agitation and Investigation and Glory In Defending Unpopular Truth Against Popular Error

“I love agitation and investigation and glory in defending unpopular truth against popular error.” – James A. Garfield

Did you know that President Garfield was once a minister?

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Praise In the Air

Praise In the Air
by Michael Doyle

Laughing out on my best days,
I see nothing that I can't praise.
Wtih every song, I am moving forward.
It's to Heaven that I'm moving toward.

From the lowest valley deep,
The Lord's love makes me weep.
Tears of joy roll down my face.
The love of the Lord fills me with grace.

From the mountain's majestic peak,
My voice finds the words to speak.
I sing it out loud, and I sing it strong,
Offering my praise for the Lord, all day long.

Though I sometimes feel astounded,
My reasons for praise have me surrounded.
I am absolutely certain that I have no doubt.
My love for the Lord has to come out.

Feeling the love of my sacred soul,
I am at peace with God in control.
Anywhere God brings me is my home.
In His company, I am never alone.

As I sing, I give what is due.
Certain as it is, no one is greater than you.
I am forever grateful for all you do.
You are the almighty, loving, and true.

(c) October 12, 2026 Michael Doyle
All Rights Reserved
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Thought For the Day: Disciplining Yourself To Do What You Know Is Right and Important, Although Difficult, Is the High Road To Pride, Self-Esteem, and Personal Satisfaction

“Disciplining yourself to do what you know is right and important, although difficult, is the high road to pride, self-esteem, and personal satisfaction.” – Margaret Thatcher

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First Principles: No Society Can Surely Be Flourishing and Happy, of Which the Far Greater Part of Its Members Are Poor and Miserable

“No society can surely be flourishing and happy, of which the far greater part of the members are poor and miserable.” – Adam Smith

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Thought For the Day: I Think Forgiveness May Be the Greatest Virtue On Earth, and Certainly the Most Needed. There Is So Much of Meanness and Abuse

“I think [forgiveness] may be the greatest virtue on earth, and certainly the most needed. There is so much of meanness and abuse, of intolerance and hatred. There is so great a need for repentance and forgiveness. It is the great principle emphasized in all of scripture, both ancient and modern. Somehow forgiveness, with love and tolerance, accomplishes miracles that can happen in no other way.” – Gordon B. Hinckley

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First Principles: When Jesus Rose Early On the First Day of the Week, He Appeared First To Mary Magdalene, From Whom He Had Driven Out Seven Demons

“When Jesus rose early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, from whom he had driven out seven demons.” – Mark 16:9 NIV

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Desperately Seeking True Intelligence

Desparately Seeking True Intelligence
by Michael Doyle

Has AI come to save us
From our worst folly?
Or will it oversee us?
And diminish temper finally?

We stand on the verge
Of killing each other with the urge
With the need to seek to accomplish
The last of what will bring environmental finish.

Not to be all the worst in contradiction
To be contagious, as is our tradition.
But maybe we humans need that control,
However bad it might feel to our souls.

Putting a damper on our emotion -
Would that wreak mankind's devotion?
It would harm us to our rotten core.
Our orations have their canecled reasons.

Even anger serves its warped purpose.
It can be of real service
When taken from the right point of view.
Oftentimes, it tells us exactly what to do.

Truth blended with sadness
Trends toward a bit of madness.
As each of us tries to cope
Without giving up all of our hope.

But none of us wish our souls
To be under fascist control.
There is no way to live free
Which we all need so desperately.

We all desperately seek self in our existence,
Putting up our best AI resistance.
We pledge to fight with persistence.
Those who think and feel, provide the resilience.

(c) October 10, 2026 Michael Doyle
All Rights Reserved
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Thought For the Day: The Artist Must Yield Himself To His Own Inspiration, and If He Has True Talent, No One Knows and Feels Better Than He What Suits Him

“The artist must yield himself to his own inspiration, and if he has a true talent, no one knows and feels better than he what suits him.” – Giuseppe Verdi

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First Principles: Those People Who Treat Politics and Morality Separately Will Never Understand Either of Them

“Those people who treat politics and morality separately will never understand either of them.” – Jean-Jacques Rousseau

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No Better Than This

No Better Than This
by Michael Doyle

The warrior culture has its code.
It gives respect as it is owed.
Cobra wine is part of that culture.
What doesn't kill you is bound to nurture.

The misperception of too much laxity
Is meant to foster creativity.
It's all well and good to be by the book.
But opportunities and success have to do with a look.

Aces and Eights, the Deadman's Hand,
However it is played to understand -
Everyone knows the stench of fate.
It's to be known before it's too late.

There's plenty to fear with fire.
The contender knows and won't tire.
Time might force drinking alone,
But the call won't come on the phone.

It's another kind of matter to go through motions,
Hard-pressed and caught by complex emotions.
Sometimes a child of light is caught by darkness
When all he knows is a world filled with harshness.

Aces and Eights, the Deadman's Hand,
However it is played to understand -
Everyone knows the stench of fate.
It's to be known before it's too late.

When your losing hand isn't worth a bet,
You play it still without any regret.
You falter, they say to get it straight
Until you drive another road that just won't wait.

Life in the pursuit of evil's elimination
Is the top-flight, jet-lagged intimidation.
You stare into tomorrow's abyss
Until you realize it gets no better than this.

Aces and Eights, the Deadman's Hand,
However it is played to understand -
Everyone knows the stench of fate.
It's to be known before it's too late.

(c) October 9, 2026 Michael Doyle
All Rights Reserved
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