It's All about Control

 

I've read a lot about the Revolutionary War and the Founding Fathers, and frankly, I wish more Americans would do the same. Maybe it would give some of them a greater appreciation for the country in which they live.

There were heroes in those days, both on and off the fields of battle. And yes, many of them were flawed men. Anyone who thinks the so-called Founding Fathers were perfect needs to go back and read some history. But keep in mind, in studying historical figures, we should be careful not to judge and criticize based on contemporary standards. It is a simple fact that things were different. It was a much different time and place altogether and we shouldn't forget that.

Now understand, that does not excuse their behavior or in any way justify some of their actions, but despite their imperfections, they accomplished amazing things.

Sorry to digress. More to the point, for today anyway, thirteen individual colonies (who were used to doing their own thing) reluctantly joined forces to battle a common enemy - King George III and England. The problem? A distant central government was exerting too much control and creating unnecessary burdens on the people.

And when these colonies succeeded in achieving independence, the last thing they wanted was to trade one oppressor for another. In other words, they did not want a huge federal government that would once again become a burden. Which explains why they struggled mightily over the creation of the new Constitution.

Many citizens of those thirteen colonies wanted nothing more than to go back to their homes and govern themselves once more with as little interference as possible from this new federal government. Many had no interest whatsoever in creating a central government.

Now, centuries later, many are still fighting this same battle. States want to govern themselves without undue pressure to conform. Governors want to do what's best for their citizens without being bullied from Washington DC.

Cities want to run their own local schools and businesses themselves without burdensome regulations from above. Mayors don't want governors telling them what to do or how to govern their communities.

And individuals want to make their own decisions about what's best for themselves and their families without broad (and sometimes unreasonable) government mandates.

My point? Vaccines may be completely safe and effective (even without FDA approval) and they may be the best way to combat the current virus, or any other. Masks (even the cheap, cute, cloth ones) might really protect you, despite the conflicting messages from Dr. Fauci and the CDC. Who knows?

But ... Should the federal government, or the state government, or even the city government (or any elected official) be allowed to force individual citizens to follow one-size-fits-all mandates?

Or do individuals still have the right and the freedom to make decisions for themselves?

Why Write?

I've been spending a lot of time lately examining my motivations for writing. With a chaotic work schedule and a corresponding decline in energy (old age perhaps?), I'm finding it more and more difficult to write. My current WIP (work in progress) is suffering, as well as the previously completed novel waiting to be revised and edited.

With such persistent doubts arising, the obvious question has popped up. Why? Why do I write? And if I can't come up with a decent answer, why should I keep doing it?

So, why do I write? What is my motivation? What does (or should, or might) keep me going?

I suppose the first thing that comes to mind is that I value storytelling. As an old English teacher, I remember teaching kids about the early forms of literature. The oral tradition, before paper and pen. Before printing presses. Early man told stories . And remembered them and told them over again and again.

So, I guess what I'm saying is that I place a great value on storytelling, for instruction, for entertainment, whatever. And I like telling stories. I suppose I come by it naturally. My father was a storyteller. Some saw that as a fault. He talked too much. He repeated himself. I see it as a gift. He loved to talk, to tell the old stories, to entertain. And it made him happy. When I think of him, I always picture him smiling.

So, whether you write poems, or songs, or stories, or novels, or whatever, consider it a creative gift and share your tales. The world needs storytellers.

And those other reasons? Sure, I'd love to be a rich and famous author with bestsellers on shelves at all the best bookstores. But in the meantime, having a few people, here and there, now and then, say they loved a particular book or story is about the greatest thing about writing.

And that motivates me, gives me a reason to write more. And maybe that's enough.

The Problem with the 2020 Olympics

I have always loved the Olympics. Until now. The 2021 Toyko games will be remembered by most as a huge disappointment for many reasons. Overshadowed by the Pandemic and the Woke politics of the Left, most will probably not remember these Games at all.

For me, the Olympics used to be special. The greatest athletes from around the world coming together in friendly competition. Country vs. Country, not in war, but in athletic competition. And such a variety of events!

Like most (American) sports fans, I primarily watch football, basketball, and occasionally golf and tennis. The beauty of the Olympics has always been the attraction of all those other sports not usually followed by the average fan. Gymnastics, Track and field, and swimming, just to name a few, along with a slew of of others. Honestly, there are sports I have never watched other than during the Olympics. The same is probably true for many people.

The timing also makes the Olympics special. A competition that only happens every four years! Some of the world's best have missed out on medals due to the timing. Others have defied the odds to return again and again winning medals in multiple Games. Special.

But not anymore. Postponed due to COVID, the games started with several athletes losing their opportunity to participate before they had even begun. Despite precautions, the "bubble" proved less than perfect and cases appeared right from the start. But even the Pandemic couldn't compete with political activism.

Sadly, my own country has led the way in placing sports last and social activism first. The U.S. trials featured tons of kneeling and other podium protests by athletes who insisted on putting themselves first and their teams and country last. (The only thing missing was a special event for Colin Kaepernick.) All those special hypocrites who hate their flag and anthem and country, yet still want to represent their hated country in the Olympics. Wow!

So, like a vast majority of Americans, I'm not watching this year. Even the highlights are not worth watching. Unless you're curious to see who embarrassed our country on a particular day. And although they won't admit it, all the politics is having a negative impact on performance. Just look at the US women's soccer team.

Supposedly the world's most dominant team, they have barely squeaked into the medal round and have generally played like crap, but hey, at least we all know how embarrassed they are to be from America. (And they just lost their semifinal match and their shot at the gold medal.) The US men's basketball team is underperforming. Our best gymnast has dropped out. An American athlete has already embarrassed us on the medals stand. And people wonder why no one's watching.

Of course, the worst thing about this whole situation is that the athletes most deserving of our attention, our praise and adoration are being ignored. All those squeaky wheels are getting all the grease. As for me, I’ll spend my time and attention elsewhere.