Previously posted on my Facebook Page.
Apparently, I am an avid follower of sports and politics. Yet, I don’t really have a favorite sports team. I am after an exciting game. Entertainment royale! And I am not also a follower of any political party. I am after good leadership for the majority, regardless (if ever) I am not part of the majority. I am not into ism, ideology, or paradigm. I’d prefer a system that works for more people. But I try my best not to mix my earnest for politics with my sports leisure.⛹️👨⚖️😜
Boycott. Out! Cancel. Shame. These words or their equivalent have evolved into vicious weapons of character punishment these days. Reread a book that was written 75 years ago. Don't like a paragraph: Boycott! Boss scolds staff for tardiness: Out him! White dude wore an afro wig: Cancel! Neighbor went to Church: Shame! Years ago, that’s fine. First amendment? But on the internet/social media per New Moralism? Better be careful. You may even lose your job. 👤🗣🫂
I don’t dig protest moves in situations where/when people are having fun. But uh huh I get the tactic. Still, I don't see the sense in advocating stuff while the crowd’s focus is obviously on (non-political) entertainment. Not the venue, not the time. Don't engage. I'd rather sit and be cool. Save my energy for sustained legislative lobby, media barrage, and dissent on the plaza with a legal permit. Change the law as I work in/around it. Meantime, enjoy the game! 👤?☮️
Many activists brag that their acts of dissent are done voluntarily, without pay. Not necessarily. Years ago, I was an active organizer of civil disobedience moves. A professional job with nonprofits/NGOs that were funded big time. A personal passion but it was also a job. I know of protesters these days who are paid a lot better than regular employees. Yet there are those who help in calamity areas, no pay. Many get injured, got sick, die/d. The true activists. Heroes. 👤🗣🫂
Wars don’t solve any problem, global or regional. Repeat: I am anti-war, not anti-military. Soldiers are needed beyond wars. But the military budget doesn’t need to exceed spending for gut issues like health care, vaccine research, safe housing, internal law enforcement, food supply etcetera. Washington’s military budget is now at $811+ billion. Budget of America’s perceived “enemies,” you ask? $253 billion combined: China: $229.5 bn; Russia, $24.6bn.
China has more people, 1.4 billion (almost 5x than the U.S.) Russia is the largest geography. They got more people and home territory to protect, if need be. The U.S. and NATO can easily pulverize both nations, sure. But would that “silence” or defeat them? Hate would be louder, for sure. Not even talkin’ about the gargantuan global divide, massive ruin, and huge economic implications to the majority of the world—that a nonstop war between superpowers would usher. That’d be the end of Life, not climate change. ☯️💝☮️
Understandable to defend your president. But there are obvious flaws that hit leadership that we shouldn’t hide with twisted memes. Such as the price/s of gasoline. A meme says why are we so hot with $4+ per gallon, when it is double in France? Here: The cost of gasoline in Europe has always been higher than the U.S. Always. Also: E.U. is still buying oil from Russia despite the so-called sanction. Oil giants dictate economics but leaderships approve and implement them.
[1] Taxes in Europe have always been a lot higher than in America; hence oil/gas are also taxed high out there. Most European nations also don’t impose “wealth tax.” Some who do, tax their rich a lot lower than the U.S. China taxes its rich 46 percent. [2] Oil/gasoline are still delivered to Europe, despite the Ukraine War or its sanctions, as long as these are pipelined, not shipped. You may google European energy/utility giants that have invested a lot of money on Nord Stream pipelines. But they gotta say Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is the reason why you are paying this amount at the pump. Dig? ⛽️💰⛽️
Post-Uvalde or post more shootings (I really am so sad to say), we wash our grief, cushion our pain, muffle our fear—how? Toss balls at the wall that keep on bouncing back at our face? Shaming. Shame the police, shame the “rogue” state, shame the other polar extreme. Easy, smartass memes as response to the unending horror? Arm the teachers, embarrass the cops. Expand NATO, let the hawk flaunt its military brawn. The Dove of Peace gasps. Wounded.☮️💔☮️
I was raised in a Catholic/Conservative family. I grew up in conformity per parental rules. Whole lotta don’ts. No problem. My dad on the dinner table before us nine children: “Eat and finish your food. Don’t talk unless you have something important to say.” No problem. Rules, law, common cool. But then I wasn’t raised to hush it when I got “important things to say,” regardless of disagreements. So from age 14, I pursued journalism—and activism. Speak my mind. No problem. 👶🗣👴
Right and Left. Then and now. I coexisted with polar extremes. I learn from both. The Right, when they deem you are the opposite, would treat your presence like a bumblebee. Though mostly they are not rude; they’d just leave you alone. The Left, so hot to talk because of the rabid need to lecture how wrong you could be. Difference? Old Left, will spend 4 hours straight, in calm, to gain your thumbs-up. New Left, it won’t take a minute for them to auto-call you “Idiot.” LOL! 😛😝😂
Vehemently, I don't agree with euthanizing dogs while in shelter. I get the rationales but still. Control reproduction, I agree. But euthanize them? Nope! No more budget for animals? What about military spending? Or study 1000 year old Viking poop? WTH! All the weird frivolities that we spend on? We throw away lots of food that can be (re)processed as dog food. Dogs have a short life span—to enjoy earth and its blessings. Why can’t we give them love before they go? 🐕💖🐕
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