Who's the Victim here?

 It's been a little bit since I've posted with so many real life things going on, but this one has been on my mind for a while.  When did we start villainizing the "good" guys and making victims out of the "bad" guys?  It is absolutely insane to me that someone can commit a crime and put themselves in the position of being arrested (then resist that arrest) and when something happens to them because of it, they are suddenly incredible people with so much to offer and were victimized by police.  Ugh!  Here's a thought, don't commit crimes and they police will leave you alone.  I, by no means, am suggesting that there aren't bad cops out there, but most don't go into that line of work with the idea of abusing power and authority or as a means to exercise some hidden prejudices.  

It's probably obvious that this post stems from a reaction to all the recent "police violence" issues all over the news and, more specifically, in the wake of the George Floyd trial.  Wild guess that more people will remember his name than that of the officer involved as time passes.  So, I'm going out on a limb here.....

He can't breathe.  He can say out loud that he can't breathe which implies that opposite.  Of course, struggling makes it harder to catch your breath anyway.  But, had he not resisted arrest or had his other health issues, would this have happened?  I don't know....and guess what....neither would have the officer.  Part 2....let's consider whether the crowd should be culpable or complicit.  Do you honestly believe that had there not been a potential fear of and need to control the crowd who were rather aggressively berating the cops?  Do you think that any of the officers were concerned that the crowd might turn violent or that they possessed weapons of some sort that needed to be watched for?  If the crowd had shut up and let the police do their job, I doubt that there would have been cause to maintain control of the perpetrator for as long as they did and the situation wouldn't have happened at all as it did.  So, while I agree that the situation wasn't handled as it maybe could have been, all of our opinions about it constitute back seat driving and hindsight.  Adrenaline and fear were the biggest enemies here.  And the crowd's entitlement of believing they had the right to dictate how things should be done makes for a very hostile work environment for officers who are already in a dangerous field of work to start with.  Once we've arrested the crowd for their contributions to the events that took place, maybe I'll be okay with the charges against the officer.  And, yes...I've left his name out on purpose.  I realize so many have demonized him as it is and I'm electing to generalize this because that's what everyone else does.  Suddenly, every cop is the bad guy because the public wants to generalize this behavior without a single iota of consideration for what put these purported "victims" in the situation that resulted in the behaviors the police exhibited.  One of the better posts I've seen on Facebook in a while.....Police took on the job knowing they might have to face a life and death situation.  Why should any less be expected of criminals?  I'm paraphrasing there.  Perhaps some out there are wanting law enforcement to be so over-regulated under the guise of human rights, but it seems more like a recipe for making the life of a criminal easier.  Maybe a little more deterrent would decrease the commission of crimes and the potential for these types of situations to even come up.  

If you commit a crime, be prepared to pay the price.  Society owes you nothing when all you do is take away from it.  I'm backing the Blue here and anyone who is doing otherwise had better be able to point to more than singular issues that they've generalized.  Without our law enforcement, chaos and anarchy would reign supreme and I'm willing to bet most of these anti-cop pacifists wouldn't last a day in that kind of world.  

Gone Fishing

      In the process of doing the last post, another habit of social media users came to mind.  And this one is almost as much of a pet peeve as the pot-stirring hate-mongering of useless postings.

FISHING.....I hate it.  I don't like it for real which is probably a disappointment to my dad, but I hate it even more online.  As much as I wish some people just wouldn't say anything, I absolutely despise it when someone puts out a little line that sounds like a problem or complaint but says nothing at all of relevance.  The whole point is to get others to respond with "what's wrong" and other, often empty, platitudes.  Some really do care and those posters are feeding on that and, in my opinion, abusing it.  Misery loves company and some fish for a bite to bring others to the pity party.  

     It shocks me how often someone will put out a little snippet of something and, then, how quickly people come out of the woodworks wanting to know what the vague post was about.  

Schadenfreude anyone?

If you have a problem or issue that you don't feel is appropriate for social media, DON'T put it on there.  If you really need positive thoughts or prayers, pick up the phone and call those who you know will care and understand  Vague posts are like an inept cry for help and attention.  I don't understand how some people can do that without feeling like they've demeaned themselves.  Don't be a drama queen.  It's boring and childish.  If you have a real and personal problem, social media certainly isn't going to the place to solve it.  I understand that there may be some circumstances where it might be appropriate on the larger scale when (and only when) the post is specific and pertinent.  If I see one more post alluding to some mysterious mental, physical or whatever issue and I would have to respond in order to find out what's going on or making sure they're okay, then I feel they didn't respect me enough to call me for help or consolation and that it must not be that big a deal.  They took the time to post and, likely, respond vaguely to all the "caring" people who want in on the mystery.  I'm sure they're covered with enough attention for me to move on the next post about gas prices or "expert" opinions on domestic and foreign policy......ugh.

Posting points with no point

      I am on social media quite a bit for a variety of reasons.  One of the reasons I started this blog was to avoid the daily arguments I see amongst many of my friends and those people who are connected to me for no more reason than belonging to a common site group.  Here's the thing I've found so far....

      Everyone, and I mean everyone, has an opinion about everything (or so it seems).  That, in itself, isn't surprising.  That so many feel the inherent need to post it all the time is what floors me.  My great aunt in Texas said it pretty plainly.  People will say things on social media now that they wouldn't have stepped out on their front porch to scream to the neighbors 20 years ago.  The virtual world has removed the filters of common sense, propriety and decency.  No one said that a person isn't entitled to an opinion, but the question is whether everyone else needs to be subjected to it.  

     It isn't to say that some of what is being said isn't worth being said, but I question the use of a format that gives me your opinion in the same breath as it offers me ads for ED medication and pre-made meals shipped straight to my home.  For all intents and purposes, we have commercialized the concept of communication.  Like a post, reTweet, whatever......but I see it like this.  If you post something controversial, your friends will like (or not comment) and your haters (so to speak) will argue against it.  So what's the point of putting it out there if not to stir the pot.  Like-minded individuals already feel the way you do and don't need convincing.  Those opposed aren't going to be swayed by what usually amounts to hateful rhetoric and finger-pointing.  Those on the fence, won't be impressed either way by the follow up commentary (and I use that word lightly) that follows the initial starter thread or post.  

     I'm dating myself a little, but this post sort of started as I was listening to some music from my youth and came across Anne Murray's "A little good news."  We don't hear enough positive as it is and yet everyone feels the need to express whatever is pissing them off.  The combination of instantaneous gratification via virtual media and the lack of any cool-down time to consider whether posting is really necessary or wise has led to some of the most ridiculous and hateful interactions I've ever seen.  I do not think I have a single friend that would actually engage in this type of behavior and argumentation in real life unless a great deal of alcohol was involved....and even then....?

     When you have that urge to make a point, consider who you're making it to.  Does it tip the scales for any good reason?  What can you possibly achieve by sharing your anger or misery over something that cannot be controlled by mere postings and tweets?  If you want to stir the pot, try actually getting involved in whatever cause centers around the issue your upset about, or.....simply.....make some gumbo  or good old chicken noodle soup.  At least your stirring there makes a difference.  I've seen too many friends suddenly "unfriend" each other because of disagreements on social media that really had no bearing in their everyday lives and interactions.  Agree to disagree and remember that silence is golden (but duct tape is silver).  I won't use my dad's phrase on this one, but I will repeat another I've heard before....put up or shut up.  Or, to quote Elvis....."a little less conversation, a little more action, please...."

Help! I don't know who (what) I am!

      Okay, I've been talking about it for days with others, so here's the two cents on the gender identity crisis that seems to be sweeping the media.  Sensitivity is fine and dandy until it becomes an open door for people to go crazy.  Of all the "one or the other" arguments out there, this is one I certainly agree with.  Male or female.....period.  Its an anatomical fact and that should be all it's identifying.  You want to switch it later...knock yourself out.  That's choice, not biology.  Sure, someone is going to throw the hermaphrodite argument out there and I wont even bite.  That's one of those exceptions to the rule to a certain degree, but then again....chromosomally, they can still be labeled in some sense and I really don't care which in cases like that.  But for everyone else.....you were pretty much born with one set of something-something or the other.  What you do later, should you choose (and it is a choice) to make changes is simply semantics at that point.  Biologically, you were born as one or the other...Period.  

     People are spending so much time focusing on the PC elements of interaction in society that common sense has essentially flown out the window.  Here's the deal....I don't care what you want to identify as, but if you choose something that is either not obvious or is simply an exercise in theoretical futility, don't get mad when I use the wrong pronoun.  I'm not a mind-reader and I don't have the time for the drama of your invented feelings and sensitivities.  Its no worse than a man with a higher voice going through a drive through restaurant and being called ma'am before they seem him at the window.  It's going to happen and getting all upset over someone not knowing your gender, or your "gender-identify preference" is just asinine.  It's not a hate crime to be genuinely mistaken and fueling more issues of sensitivity requirements just puts everyone on some edge about even being allowed to be themselves.  How about my feelings?  I'm offended constantly by the level of stupidity people will stoop to for attention or their proverbial 15 minutes of fame.  The world doesn't owe you anything and forcing your feelings on others amounts to intellectual abuse.  

      Just a thought and I'm sure I'll have more to say as I really mull this one over more...  :)

It's hardly a party...

     One of the things that inspired me to start this blog was the excess of political party commentary all over most of my social media feeds.  I'm often asked where I stand with regard to the parties and find it all the more amusing when someone assumes they know which party I'm registered with based on what they think they know about me.  To be honest, I've been registered as Republican, a Democrat and an Independent at different times.  Why the change up?  Because I think that political parties are anything but a party.  I believe in issues rather than in what I often see as a cult mindset in blindly following this or that party simply because they are called one thing or the other.  The two-party system has subjugated most citizens into believing it is only a package deal one way or the other and that the Independents are really more along the lines of outliers with no real chance of winning true power.  Unfortunately, it is that belief that makes that claim self-fulfilling anyway.

     I am of the opinion that people should vote based on the issues that they feel are important.  Most will tell me that one party or the other holds true to most of their actual beliefs, but few can actually site much more than base ideology which is often spoon-fed from whichever media outlet they choose to listen to.  There is no way to have a perfect political group represent each and everyone of your particular ideals, if you've really even stopped to think about them.  So, it comes down to deciding which represents the majority of what you believe and has a track record of acting upon those particular values and issues.  

     Now, some will say that that is precisely why they've chosen the party they have.  Fine.  That's great.  But, by blasting someone who has chosen differently, a person has chosen to say that party loyalty is more important than an individual's beliefs.  When one spouts negativity about an opposing party, they are, in essence, undervaluing those who have identified their beliefs with that opposing party.  You aren't insulting the party so much as those citizens who have freely chosen to identify with it and it's stated values and goals.  Why?  We are fond of saying that everyone is entitled to their opinion and this is no different.  But, instead, we create a caste system to identify the Red and Blue (even Green) as if it is a competition rather than simply differing views of how to better our nation.  Does anyone really think that one side is so right and the other side is so wrong that they feel justified in demeaning those that are different?  

     When people talk about a division in our country, here is a perfect example of where it stems from.  Perhaps if we stopped worrying about so much loyalty to a machination of the political system and spent half as much energy in making our voices heard at the local level to start with, we could actually come together in consensus to enact the will of the people (via majority, of course) and, subsequently, push that policy agenda to the highest levels with actual substance and understanding rather than blind faith in a very clearly broken system.  

     Ask yourself this.....why do you identify as one or the other?  Do you really (I mean really) know what the other side stands for?  Are you painting everyone with the same brush simply because of their party identification rather than actually knowing what issues they identify with that has resulted in their choice?  If you simply follow a particular media outlet of choice that has identified with your chosen party, then I'll refer back to my "cult" reference and hope that you can wake from it to make your own informed decisions in ways that you can truly relate to while remembering that all citizens should be doing the same.  It says "We the people...."  Not, "We the party..."

Comments are welcome, but I do ask that courtesy be used.  

Hello to you all.

 Hi,

      This is my first attempt at a blog and is a personal venue to respond to all of what I see daily every time I open social media or take in the news from any source.  There seems to be a great deal of negativity out there and a serious intent to lay blame on someone or something for everything.  Naturally, there are a number of issues out there that seemingly make no sense and are so far-fetched that they seem to almost be jokes.  This has been a growing trend for years now and the increased popularity of social media as a platform for the everyday person to voice their "opinions" and "thoughts" seems to have made this a pandemic in its own right.  I'd like to address any number of topics as they come to me and am setting this up to do just that.  What you won't find, finger-pointing and spins of the wheel for the "blame-game."  These are just thoughts and I welcome other views and feedback that can avoid the personal drama that infests Facebook and Twitter every time I look.  Here's hoping that this is working out the way I want and that I can really start posting soon.

R-