Got a Few Things on my Mind

Some of this stuff has been building up. Some of it is recent. We haven't had a COW* post in some time so you may have thought I've mellowed. No, I've just been practicing restraint.

So here goes:




 Dentist vs. Lion. You know the names. You know the circumstances. Unless you've been on another planet this week. Well, of course the dentist shouldn't have shot that particular lion. IMNSHO, nobody should be shooting any lion at all (or any other wild animal) unless it is for food or population control, so I don't think the dentist should be shooting any lions at all. People are incensed. Some are calling for him to be tortured or killed. Uh, I don't think so. Paying a huge fine (apparently he has plenty of money) or perhaps having to do community service in some relevant way, yes; but he doesn't need to have his life threatened because he did a dumb thing.

Dentist vs. Public Outrage. I've been meaning to rant about these goofy shrines that appear on the side of the highway or on a front lawn, you know, the flowers and stuffed animals. But I haven't gotten around to it. While I don't get it -- these shrines, I mean -- in general, I do kind of like this impromptu that has begun to appear in front of the dentist's office!

I'm peeved at those who are twisting this thing around. One news source noted that the dentist made a contribution to the Romney campaign. What the hamfat (as my late mother was wont to say) does that have to do with anything? And others are posting outrage that people are grieving the lion when they should be campaigning against Planned Parenthood. Hello? And other details of the dentist's life, details that normally wouldn't be known by his neighbors much less the entire literate world, are coming to light, details that don't have anything to do with a great big error in judgment vis-a-vis hunting. Come on, people: Focus!

The Candidates. Let's just say that some of them appear to be somewhat saner than others. And some supporters seem to have lost their presence of mind. An otherwise normally very bright friend of mine is crazy about Christie. And while no one has admitted it to me personally, apparently there are a whole slew of people who actually think that a certain reality TV star -- that's right, I'm not going to mention his name here -- who bears more than a slight resemblance to a lhasa apso should be our next Commander-In-Chief. My personal belief right now is that the election is Hillary's to lose and that's unfortunate -- not because she's an unworthy candidate, but because I would love to return to the years when I actually had reasons to think hard about which candidate -- the Republican or the Democrat -- would make the better President.

Police Officers. And please don't say "cops." I just think that is disrespectful. Yes, there have been a number of truly unfortunate incidents. And on the surface, some of these seem to have a racial component. But there's developed a sort of baby-with-the-bathwater mentality, collectively labeling all police officers as power hungry, racist, and other unpleasant things.

In my work as a hospital chaplain, there is not a shift that goes by that I do not interact with a police officer or two. Or more. Patients that come into the hospital as Trauma cases are often accompanied by police officers. Who are without exception, professional, courteous, helpful, concerned, compassionate, clear-thinking men and women. From several different police departments. I cannot say enough good about my interactions with these officers. I'm well aware that there have been some bad apples in the news. But these are definitely the exceptions, not the norm.

Okay. I feel a little better now. I'll get back to Alaska in the next post. Seriously.



*Cranky Old Woman

Comments

Unknown said…
I concur with each subset. Too much media nowadays, methinks.
stitchinpenny said…
As I told my sister-in-law when a local priest in her area was charged with abusing an altar server, there are good and not so good people in all walks of life. In our case right now we are seeing many bad choices made in lots of situations. We see politicians, dentists, and police who are all making very bad decisions. I wonder if similar bad decisions have been made throughout time and we are just more aware because of constant media attention that tries to shape our reactions to each. How things are reported make a lot of difference in what the public reaction will be. We will continue to make not so great decisions and public opinion will play a larger part in how each of these things is viewed. I grew up in a time when sex outside of marriage happened, but was not talked about, now there are television shows glorifying it. Public opinion shaped by television.
Anonymous said…
Once again you've 'hit the nail on the head'. I wish more of the media would concentrate on all that's good and wonderful in our world........and when they do, put it first on the broadcast or on the front page of the newspaper.
Barbara Anne said…
Amen, sister!

May I Moo, too? HOW can ANYONE think it's a good idea to vote against healthcare for women and children, food for all, impartial justice, clean air, clean water,and to end fracking, among other issues???? These are Biblical issues, for crying out loud. What do these folks think about when they're in their churches since Monday thru Friday they do their darnedest to harm their fellow citizens, prolong injustice, and grievously injure the planet? I stand dismayed.

Hugs!
I could not agree more on all fronts so I'll mooooooooo along with you!
Karla said…
Well said! I wish I said every word you did. I wish you would copy and paste this in Facebook so I could share this. I want to moo too. Why do people think their political/justice/religious rants are the true and correct rants. So much venom in their words. Stop! Listen and speak (type) from a place of love!
Janet O. said…
Well said on all points!
Mrs. Goodneedle said…
I am in 100% agreement with all of the above; and I thought I was alone in my utter distaste for the news of late convincing me that the entire world is going nuts. Thanks for this post. What I see happening right now w/ the media and reporting is reminiscent of a situation recalled from a school field trip when my daughter was in Jr. High; her teacher was admonishing a boy from the class for making a rude comment. His response to the teacher was "well, it's the truth", to which she responded: "just because it's the truth doesn't mean you have to say it out loud; the mark of maturity is understanding when to keep some truths to yourself". The reporters and journalists could learn a lesson from that teacher.
sharon said…
thank you for saying it... moooo
Oh thank you for vocalizing what I've been thinking on all the points. Here's one you may not have heard: the company that built the dentist's website in 2009 (and hasn't had anything to do with him since 2013) has been getting threats because of the association. Say wha? It's a crazy world.
quilt for fun said…
Yes, yes, yes and yes. I'm with you on every one of these topics. I often wonder how we got to the point in this country where no one is willing to compromise, or have empathy for others who are less fortunate. The CEO of Dunkin Donuts says $15.00 an hour is too much to pay workers. Meantime he's earning more than $4,000.00 per hour. Well, that's another topic to moo about.
OT Quilter said…
Mooing here, near NYC. Irresponsible journalism plus social media maketh a combustible combination. Again, your words have managed to coalesce and clarify the random thoughts knocking around in my COW brain. Thanks.
Quiltdivajulie said…
Abso-MOO-tley posi-MOO-tly on target.

Thank you!
Lori said…
I agree with every single MOO!
sometimes ya just gotta vent a bit....