Are Americans patriotic any more? Is anyone proud to be an American? It seems like everyone is always complaining about how horrible the government is and how awful fellow citizens are; people are taking freedom of speech too far. Aren't we supposed to pursue happiness in this wonderful country of ours?
You have people like #Edward Snowden who commit treason and yet are quoted in the media every other day. Everyone is screaming about their privacy and placing it above national security. When exactly did that mindset start? Since I don't involve myself in criminal behavior, I don't really understand WHY I should not want the FBI to look at terrorists' cell phones.
People don't even take the time to put flags out for Independence Day, #Flag Day, Veterans Day, Memorial Day or Labor Day. There was a time when the people with NO FLAGS in front of their house were the odd ones out. I like to imagine there are some small towns out there full of citizens who still proudly fly the American flag.
It's not lost on me that all this bad stuff is happening BECAUSE we live a free country, but I still miss real patriotism. It used to be us against them (whoever 'them' are). I'll never stop tearing up when I hear the national anthem. I want to keep trusting the government to protect our country. I'm never going to stop putting flags outside.
Everybody is exhausting me. And by 'everybody' I do NOT mean YOU. I adore you. I would kiss you on the mouth if I could.
February 29, 2016
February 27, 2016
Fuller House - A soft place to fall
While I've only watched one episode of #FullerHouse so far, I like it. I like the idea of it. Sweet. Silly. I know when I'm turning on that show that I can just forget about everything for 20 minutes. No #TeenMom or Real Housewives and their fake problems. No world crises.
The 24-hour news cycle will be waiting patiently for me when I turn off #Netflix. I can get right back to seeing all the crime and stupidity in the world. But for 20 minutes, 20 glorious minutes, I pretend there are no problems except what the Tanners are dealing with - and I KNOW those problems will be resolved by the end of the show.
I hope I didn't just jinx myself. If I go back to watching all the episodes and see political references (beyond #DonaldTrump being considered a bad word in their house) or terrorist activities and racial tensions, I will think #HowRude and I will come back and delete this post.
The 24-hour news cycle will be waiting patiently for me when I turn off #Netflix. I can get right back to seeing all the crime and stupidity in the world. But for 20 minutes, 20 glorious minutes, I pretend there are no problems except what the Tanners are dealing with - and I KNOW those problems will be resolved by the end of the show.
I hope I didn't just jinx myself. If I go back to watching all the episodes and see political references (beyond #DonaldTrump being considered a bad word in their house) or terrorist activities and racial tensions, I will think #HowRude and I will come back and delete this post.
February 25, 2016
Two sides to every story! Don't forget! You'll get smarter!
No matter how flat a pancake is, there are still two sides. Intellectually I know this is true, but frankly, I'm not sure I've thought that way in years, if ever. I'm opinionated and pretty bossy. I do take the time to listen to people; I smile and nod. BUT.
Seriously considering or pondering what people say in response to me doesn't come naturally. When I have an idea or an argument in my head, I'm bent on getting my point across, and allowing the other person to occasionally speak is simply a courtesy I extend. Many times, after they make a new point, I jump in to rebut that as well.
Today I realized I am really cheating myself by not thoughtfully considering other views. That's how we learn, how we grow as human beings. Chipping away and putting some cracks in your strongly-held views might in the end make them stronger.
While we certainly won't always have our minds changed because of listening to opposing beliefs, we will be better informed, and possibly more convincing, in our original conviction. And don't be surprised if once in awhile your original feelings do change. You become enlightened. Wiser.
Soon people will enjoy verbally sparring with you because they know you'll be genuinely fair and considerate. The topics can range all the way from the existence of God to what to serve for brunch. There is #NO DOWNSIDE to listening to a contrasting idea. Start today!
Seriously considering or pondering what people say in response to me doesn't come naturally. When I have an idea or an argument in my head, I'm bent on getting my point across, and allowing the other person to occasionally speak is simply a courtesy I extend. Many times, after they make a new point, I jump in to rebut that as well.
Today I realized I am really cheating myself by not thoughtfully considering other views. That's how we learn, how we grow as human beings. Chipping away and putting some cracks in your strongly-held views might in the end make them stronger.
While we certainly won't always have our minds changed because of listening to opposing beliefs, we will be better informed, and possibly more convincing, in our original conviction. And don't be surprised if once in awhile your original feelings do change. You become enlightened. Wiser.
Soon people will enjoy verbally sparring with you because they know you'll be genuinely fair and considerate. The topics can range all the way from the existence of God to what to serve for brunch. There is #NO DOWNSIDE to listening to a contrasting idea. Start today!
February 23, 2016
Good vs Bad and nothing else
We can start inching toward better race relations in this country as soon as we stop making it about black and white, and start making it about good and bad. Most people in 2016 have friends, classmates, coworkers and neighbors of different races. And we have these relationships because we're like-minded people, good citizens, not criminals.
If law-abiding citizens (good), regardless of color, speak out LOUDLY against all the criminals (bad), we could all move forward together. No level of criminal behavior should ever become acceptable, including stealing a classmate's iPhone or lunch money or stealing a car.
There are terrifying violent crime and murder statistics in Chicago and Philadelphia (and probably many other big cities.) WHY is it that the only time people speak out against these crimes is if one of the criminals is shot by police or if both a black and white person are involved? Should we consider how many of these murders are committed by each race? Would that make a difference?
I also wonder how much the media are involved in instigating some of these racial tensions, with their sensational reporting, always trying to get 'ratings'. So far this year there is a record number of murders in #Chicago yet I don't see anything or anyone in the news speaking out against it. But if all those murders were committed by white people against black people, it would be off the charts in news reporting. How would that be any worse than people of the same race shooting each other?
A giant step forward to a peaceful and loving coexistence will happen when EVERYONE stops accepting any amount of criminal behavior as okay, and is not afraid to say it. We all have to agree if you choose a life of crime there is a chance you will pay for it with your life.
If law-abiding citizens (good), regardless of color, speak out LOUDLY against all the criminals (bad), we could all move forward together. No level of criminal behavior should ever become acceptable, including stealing a classmate's iPhone or lunch money or stealing a car.
There are terrifying violent crime and murder statistics in Chicago and Philadelphia (and probably many other big cities.) WHY is it that the only time people speak out against these crimes is if one of the criminals is shot by police or if both a black and white person are involved? Should we consider how many of these murders are committed by each race? Would that make a difference?
I also wonder how much the media are involved in instigating some of these racial tensions, with their sensational reporting, always trying to get 'ratings'. So far this year there is a record number of murders in #Chicago yet I don't see anything or anyone in the news speaking out against it. But if all those murders were committed by white people against black people, it would be off the charts in news reporting. How would that be any worse than people of the same race shooting each other?
A giant step forward to a peaceful and loving coexistence will happen when EVERYONE stops accepting any amount of criminal behavior as okay, and is not afraid to say it. We all have to agree if you choose a life of crime there is a chance you will pay for it with your life.
February 20, 2016
STOP doing these things
STOP:
#Driving with with one eye the road and one eye on your phone. Your eyes don't work like that.#Throwing trash on the ground or out the window of your car. This makes you look like trash.
#Physically or mentally abusing children. Be BETTER than the person who did it to you.
#Defending the criminals who end up getting shot by police. You play with fire, you die.
#Driving around with the giant handicapped placard hanging from your rear view mirror. It's meant for parking only.
#Ending everything you say with 'you know' or 'so'.
February 19, 2016
American President? Not sure.
Ted Cruz was born in Canada to an American mother - although I guess she could have been born in Iraq to an American mother - and God only knows where she was born.
If #Ted Cruz was born in Syria to an American mother would we feel the same?
I think I want my President born in the United States because this seems like a slippery slope.
If #Ted Cruz was born in Syria to an American mother would we feel the same?
I think I want my President born in the United States because this seems like a slippery slope.
February 17, 2016
Nearly empty prisons!
Prisons would have a fraction of their current inmates if it wasn't so comfortable for the criminals. Make them do hard labor and they will NOT want to return.
Why should criminals, who go to prison, get released, commit more crimes, go back to prison, and so on and so on, be treated gently?
The reality is, most of the criminals come from places that don't have stocked kitchens or comfortable beds. Prison is NICE for them. Go talk to any high school counselor in a major city and they will tell you the saddest stories. Multiple children sharing one bed (when they're lucky). Questionable people coming and going, sleeping in their house, harming them. No food in the kitchen. That's why the City of Philadelphia schools have to provide breakfast and lunch, and limit days off, because students will not get food on those days.
For so many of these folks, prison is a good deal. A roof over their head, their own bed and three squares a day. You get to watch TV and work out. You might have a small job cleaning dishes or folding laundry. The worst that happens is Big Bubba messes with you. Well, the same thing happens outside of prison except you don't get the food and shelter.
A record-breaking 61 murders in Chicago to date this year!
CONVICTED FELONS NEED TO WORK THEIR ASSES OFF ALL DAY DOING HARD LABOR and, I promise you, they'll think twice before robbing, killing or raping your daughter.
Added perk: They might not have babies they can't provide for and they might actually show up to school every day and do their homework! Then get a job! Education is important? Wait what?!
Problem solved.
Why should criminals, who go to prison, get released, commit more crimes, go back to prison, and so on and so on, be treated gently?
The reality is, most of the criminals come from places that don't have stocked kitchens or comfortable beds. Prison is NICE for them. Go talk to any high school counselor in a major city and they will tell you the saddest stories. Multiple children sharing one bed (when they're lucky). Questionable people coming and going, sleeping in their house, harming them. No food in the kitchen. That's why the City of Philadelphia schools have to provide breakfast and lunch, and limit days off, because students will not get food on those days.
For so many of these folks, prison is a good deal. A roof over their head, their own bed and three squares a day. You get to watch TV and work out. You might have a small job cleaning dishes or folding laundry. The worst that happens is Big Bubba messes with you. Well, the same thing happens outside of prison except you don't get the food and shelter.
A record-breaking 61 murders in Chicago to date this year!
CONVICTED FELONS NEED TO WORK THEIR ASSES OFF ALL DAY DOING HARD LABOR and, I promise you, they'll think twice before robbing, killing or raping your daughter.
Added perk: They might not have babies they can't provide for and they might actually show up to school every day and do their homework! Then get a job! Education is important? Wait what?!
Problem solved.
February 12, 2016
February 11, 2016
No plastic. Write in down.
I show up to the supermarket with a thousand reusable cloth bags. I not only don't want to add to the plastic bag problem in the Pacific Ocean, but I also find the cloth bags easier to handle.
Yet EVERY TIME the bagger holds up every other item and says 'Do you want plastic for this?'
So you suggest I go in a checkout WITHOUT a bagger? I do. Every time. Then they see me and run over just to question me about plastic bags.
So you then suggest I should ANNOUNCE to the checkout when I arrive that I do not want any plastic under any circumstance? I do. Or I should say, I used to. BUT these people STILL hold up various items and ask if that particular item should go in the plastic. And because I made the initial announcement, my blood boils at their stupidity. So I stopped.
I know I just need to accept this... but I'm grumpy today.
(FYI - Lest you think I am buying all kinds of weird sticky foodstuff, I am not!)
Yet EVERY TIME the bagger holds up every other item and says 'Do you want plastic for this?'
So you suggest I go in a checkout WITHOUT a bagger? I do. Every time. Then they see me and run over just to question me about plastic bags.
So you then suggest I should ANNOUNCE to the checkout when I arrive that I do not want any plastic under any circumstance? I do. Or I should say, I used to. BUT these people STILL hold up various items and ask if that particular item should go in the plastic. And because I made the initial announcement, my blood boils at their stupidity. So I stopped.
I know I just need to accept this... but I'm grumpy today.
(FYI - Lest you think I am buying all kinds of weird sticky foodstuff, I am not!)
February 10, 2016
No Love for Serial Season 2
I binged-listened to last year's podcast #Serial with Sarah Koenig. It was so compelling and intriguing, with quite a cast of characters. THIS season of Serial is a bust. BORING. Many times I fell asleep while listening then had to start over. There's no mystery. Bowe Bergdahl admitted to committing a crime. Plus he seems a little off, and I just don't care about him.
Then they switched it to every other week and I forgot about it, I forced myself to catch up two weeks ago but, quite frankly, I don't even care if I finish the series. The Serial folks should have kept it WEEKLY, left a 'cliffhanger', then made a follow-up podcast six months from now.
#Serial
#SerialSeason2
Then they switched it to every other week and I forgot about it, I forced myself to catch up two weeks ago but, quite frankly, I don't even care if I finish the series. The Serial folks should have kept it WEEKLY, left a 'cliffhanger', then made a follow-up podcast six months from now.
#Serial
#SerialSeason2
WHO cares about who wins an Academy Award?
On the list of things I care about, who is nominated for or who wins an Oscar is at the very bottom.
The very bottom. It doesn't change my life in the least.
But if this is a super serious issue that the public should be aware of, then Jada Pinkett Smith should have been talking about it all year long, not waiting to see if her husband was nominated before she decided it was a problem. I'd like to see intelligent people discuss why this is so important. I don't want to read what the vulgar dumb-dumbs on Twitter have to say.
Spoiled, narcissistic, rich Hollywood people of all races and their 'problems' don't interest me. Go volunteer in a impoverished neighborhood and shut up.
The very bottom. It doesn't change my life in the least.
But if this is a super serious issue that the public should be aware of, then Jada Pinkett Smith should have been talking about it all year long, not waiting to see if her husband was nominated before she decided it was a problem. I'd like to see intelligent people discuss why this is so important. I don't want to read what the vulgar dumb-dumbs on Twitter have to say.
Spoiled, narcissistic, rich Hollywood people of all races and their 'problems' don't interest me. Go volunteer in a impoverished neighborhood and shut up.
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