It is Monday morning, 17 October 2022. It is currently 6:19 AM, and I’m gathering up some thoughts in a little basket, normally used for collecting flowers.
Nah.
I don’t need a flower basket to gather my thoughts. My thoughts are rarely floral but tend to lean towards the aromatic side.
I opened up Facebook today and gave myself a little pat on the back. Social media is a bit like a bar at 2:00 in the morning – it’s pretty rare that something good happens at a bar at 2:00 in the morning, and everybody knows it. Social media tends to be the same way. I’ve stayed connected and reconnected with old friends and classmates, and I have often provided fuel for the fire, giving people that think the way I look at the world doesn’t align with theirs. Many old acquaintances have come to the conclusion that they’ve had enough of me, and have either stopped posting in response to my occasional post or blocked me altogether.
It doesn’t bother me. I believe in the First Amendment and I support Freedom of Speech. I believe it should be exercised and exercised often. My typical catchphrase on that subject is that the First Amendment, “makes it easier to spot the assholes”. I still believe that t be the truth. It’s uncomfortable, but it is necessary. People should speak up… and others around them should take note of their positions. Some of these people may aspire to political office, and it is important that we elect folks that are aligned with our beliefs.
In Kansas, there is a massive amount of support for the Republican party. It’s a very white, agricultural, and manufacturing state. Not exactly the best form to look at for examples of diversity and inclusion. It’s the kind of state that will pay a woman 20% less and completely rationalize it due to her responsibilities to raise a family outside of her career… even if she was single, unmarried, and with no kids.
We all can do a little better on that side of the issue, and we should.
But, we still need to vet. We can’t have bigots, misogynists, racists, and homophobes in positions of power in our political system. Yes, that includes the police department.
I’m guessing that there are a number of Kansans who would chime right in to tell me why and how they aren’t biased. That’s great. Good for you.
I think most of us have some sort of bias. I probably do, but I hope that I’m self-aware enough about my tendencies to resist them and keep them on the sideline when stuff comes up.
That’s enough of a rant for now.
I hope the world is treating you better than you deserve.
Peace y’all.
