FDR's 1st inaugural address: "Only Thing We Have to Fear Is Fear Itself" Franklin Delano Roosevelt (FDR: 1882~1945) was the 32nd US president . Elected to four terms in office, he served from 1933 to 1945, and is the only U.S. president to have served more than two terms. A central figure of the 20th century during a time of Great Depression and WWII, he has consistently been ranked as one of the three greatest U.S. presidents. Courtesy of Wikipedia

Again today I was watching the news on the television. The medical news was very frightening to say the least. According to the reports many people are developing Alzheimer's disease and various forms of cancer at an alarming rate, and these reports were punctuated with comments by doctors and professionals. These medical professionals were urging people to run to their doctors and get the tests necessary to find out if they have any of these diseases or maladies.

Why do we fall prey to the fears that are presented to us constantly? Why do these professionals try to put fear in us and try to control us with the very things that we have little control over? Our fears are things that can work against us and we are subject to the persuasions of others by the use of these fears. I think that the fear is more powerfully destructive than the things we actually fear.

I was afraid of the stuff living under my bed when I was a child. I feared the unknown monsters living there. I too am afraid of dying and I do not wish to be in a hospital suffering from some endlessly debilitating disease. I am also afraid of the advent of a worldwide disaster, which will decimate our global societies. Then again, I am a realist and I know that to live under constant fear leaves us lost, hopeless, and wanting for joy.

Wars, famines, floods, global warming, pandemic diseases, and any number of natural and man made catastrophes can leave the human race in peril, but we must not allow the fear of these things and the speculation of these risks to leave us mentally debilitated. Our lives are too precious to allow anyone or the threat of danger to leave us in a less than optimistic state. We must always be thankful for the good things, which are constantly around us; our families, the good food we are having, the fine sunrise, the superb weather, and a million other wonderful experiences we will have from day to day.

We have so much for which to be grateful; it is a shame when the news media comes into our living rooms to upset our peace of mind. They must be more sensitive to our need for peace and tranquility, but these news programs are designed to make us edgy and full of anxiety. They cause us to feel panic and outrage. I, myself am appalled at the evening news and other such programs that take it upon themselves to control our moods and use their "techniques" to control our emotions and our minds. It is mind control pure and simple, whatever the motive may be they are using our mental states towards their own ends, not ours. I do not care what they say as to why they are exciting our hearts and minds, the motive is clear they are trying to control us, no matter how subtle or righteous it maybe.

As a noble man once said; "There is nothing to fear but fear itself…" now we all know this to be true, but we cannot help ourselves, we are a people concerned. I am concerned and will continue to be concerned by the various things that plague us as human animals. But I wish to be outraged on my own terms not by some slick news program selling something by using fear tactics to project its client forward financially with the use of professional reports and commentaries.

I must resist the manipulations of those who have the power to manipulate. I will resist those who use the art of psychology to sway the minds of the unsuspecting and the vulnerable. Defenseless minds must not allow the cunning to prey upon them and move them to their wills.

We are a world, which now depends upon the various news agencies to keep us informed, and more often than not these agencies use tactics that are less than honorable. If you feel that you are being unduly influenced by news stories or commentaries that are using tactics that are based on fear and guile, write them, e-mail them or better still do not watch their programs anymore. Send these people a message telling them to start playing fairly with our mental states and to stop forcing their mind control techniques on our children, families, and communities.

These are the times when people seeking power try to take unfair advantage of those who are unsuspecting; the aged, children, and the heads of households; they want various things from us; power, money, votes and our attention. We cannot allow them to use our energies to their advantage, we are free to think, feel, and believe the way we want. We are intelligent and we are not the pawns of some industrialized news media. We must stay in control of ourselves no matter what they say and do.

The advertising agencies have been using the power of persuasion since day one. They have been searching for those things that can control the mind of the consumer and make us vulnerable to their wiles. Media moguls think we are sheep to be swayed this way and that when they cry wolf. We are not sheep! We are the bread and butter that hold these organizations together. We cannot allow them to use unfair tactics upon us. If you feel that their advertising tactics are tricky and subliminal then do not buy their products, and send those companies letters telling them to back off with their sneaky tricks.

We, as Americans, do not allow any company, government, or organization to dictate to us. We shape how business is done here in our country. If we do not like their policies or practices, we will strike out at the injustice and the infraction. Remember, a lack of revenue is a powerful voice when it is spoken by the consumer or the constituent. The American people must always hold the reins of power no matter what the situation. Do not allow the power seekers to use fear to make us do what is really against our best interest.