I the past, it was always my practice to to forget what red and blue are as designations for political persuasions and states.

I have been losing the game because these colors are constantly in my face.

I still now know how to recognize them to some extent, but I am not always successful and  forgetfulness prevails. I have no need or desire to correct that deficiency.

Seriously, I can't always keep track of other political and ideological tags and usually don't wish to.

Principles transcend labels.

The problem is that some who embrace the labels closely to their chest have often elevated them above principles in these days.

That being said. if I know where something is coming from, I might detect the attachment of an unspoken or unwritten agenda and I might keep my eyes open and my nose clear to sniff out the peculiar smells of being led in the direction of a sewer -yet with an open but aware mind. 

I have found myself agreeing with someone and nodding enthusiastically many times and then realizing that I have wandered into a position I do not hold — by accident (or manipulation).

So … while I cannot afford to dismiss an idea, I can examine it carefully.

Absolute certainty, set in stone is a cruel myth. It is debilitating when it comes to cultivating new ideas.

We need some tools.

Here are: