July 2020

It’s not racism, it’s elitism

We all agree we have a problem in this country that needs to be solved, but it’s not racism. It’s elitism. It’s the inconsistent application of the rules. But it’s not different rules for blacks and whites. It’s different rules for those who consider themselves elite. By elite, I’m not talking about wealthy people. I’m talking about those who are very vocal about telling us all how we should live while not applying those rules to themselves. The list is endless: George Floyd and John Lewis get packed funerals with no distancing and few masks, but no one else’s…

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Some black lives matter

When you make blanket statements based on people’s physical characteristics or legal status, you’re implying, if not saying outright, that all of those people are the same and should be subject to, or the beneficiaries of, whatever position or policy you’re advocating. (I’ll give you a minute to parse that sentence…) For example, if you say something as simple as black lives matter, then it’s reasonable that you are held to the standard you set out: all black lives matter. That means, they all deserve your respect and care. It means they’re all worth fighting for. However, blanket statements…

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Mansplaining: redefining condescension

A woman I work with was recently complaining about all the “mansplaining” her boss does to her and other women. Apparently, they define “mansplaining” as when a man talks down to women, like they’re children, and over-explains something to them like they couldn’t figure it out on their own. My interpretation is, unsurprisingly, a bit different. I think she’s a woman looking for more supportive evidence to justify her stance that all men are sexist and arrogant. For “mansplaining” to be a real thing, it would have to be something that only men do. However, it’s just as easy…

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Since when is everyone so easily oppressed?

When did this country become so easily oppressed? America has always been known for overcoming adversity. We’re the original comeback kids. Whenever the going gets tough, our tough gets going. Yet suddenly, everyone is oppressed. Since when are we so easily defeated. If you have a goal or something you want, and you really want it, you have to be persistent, not give up, and pursue it until it happens (or until you learn definitively it’s not happening). Seeing all of these people in the streets and in politics (the Democrat Party, specifically) who feel helpless or who expect…

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Lead with optimism, destroy with pessimism

Today, candidate for President, Joe Biden, had this to say about women who want to work in this country: “The hard truth is women — and particularly women of color — have never had a fair shot to get ahead in this country. That’s why today, I’m releasing my plan to make sure women can fully participate in our economy and country.” As is getting entirely way too predictable, another Democrat makes a blanket statement, lumping an entire gender together, to say they’ve all been oppressed and prevented from pursuing their happiness. (Ironically, about the only group you can…

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Share the misery or celebrate success?

I remember reading this joke in a Michael Walsh column awhile back, and I thought it made an important point worth sharing: It seems there were two subsistence farmers, Ivan and Mikhail, both equally poor. Then one day, Ivan somehow acquires a cow. His life immediately improves. Instead of the wife, the cow pulls the plow; the cow gives milk; it produces calves for meat and the market. Quickly, Ivan far outpaces Mikhail. One night, starving and miserable, Mikhail drops to his knees and prays. “Oh, God,” he implores, “Ivan and I were always equal. And now look at…

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Protest rioter brutality

I just read somewhere that 18 police officers have been killed and nearly 1000 injured since George Floyd was killed (remember him?) and the rioting began in the United States. If the brutality of the rioters doesn’t call for protests, I don’t know what does. We need to gather in the streets and protest rioter brutality. We need to start beating up and tormenting any rioters we see. Our rally cry will be, “defund the rioters!” And we’ll get our city councils to defund any city organizations who are funneling money to the rioters. Oh, there may be some…

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Let’s keep our standards high

Are people lowering their standards? I have very high expectations and standards for myself. And since I have them for myself, I believe I’m justified to have them for others, as well. When something doesn’t go right or as expected, I still get passionately irritated by it, and I work every possible scenario in my head trying to search for a way to fix it, make it better or have it turn out as intended. In my view, it’s never too late. But my standards and expectations aren’t everybody’s. Things are bad right now for a lot of people….

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Nation of fear

Consider the hundreds of thousands of Americans who fought and died for the cause of ending slavery in the United States. It’s hard to believe the people of this country withstood the Spanish Flu from 1918-1920 simply by getting some fresh air. It’s hard to believe the greatest generation survived the Great Depression. Imagine the hundreds of soldiers who stormed the beaches of Normandy during World War II, against impossible odds, with certain death for many, if not all, awaiting them. Consider all the people who volunteered to get shot into space, the great unknown, in a metal tube….

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Ahr tick you late

Isn’t it funny the things that stick with you years after high school. (Unless, of course, you’re still in high school…) I had an English teacher who was not only hellbent on using the English language properly in print, but speaking it properly, as well. About once a week, you would hear her telling some poor soul, if not the entire class, to “ahr-tick-you-late” when you are speaking. She said it all the time. Mumbling and poor speaking habits were simply not tolerated. I think of her all the time as I read texts, listen to music lyrics, and…

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