Social Media Muck

I have a real love/hate relationship with social media.  Up until perhaps a year ago, I refused to "participate".  Even now, I don't put a whole lot of personal things on.  It might not be completely logical, but things about my children or grand children just feel not safe to me.  I actually have a page that I THOUGHT would mostly be for my novels and use my pen name.  I have a total of less than 10 friends.  Some folks just cluck their tongues when I say that and give me one of those poor old thing looks.

 

So I'm ON, in my own little world. Even though I hate to share a lot, I have to admit that I greatly enjoy seeing other's posts and the things that are going on in thier lives.  Since you get to enter music and other things that you personally enjoy, then you get all those updates and interesting posts that are right up your alley.

 

Having said the part that I do enjoy and since the ho-ho days are about over, I can bitch...can't I? Never mind, I don't need your permission.  I 'bout used up all my patience and cheer during the season.  What I truly do not like is that you feel like an idiot if you get a "friend" request, accept out of guilt and later find out they didn't really request your special friendship at all.  I also hate really needy folks---I don't mean that you have a problem or heartache like everyone does sometimes and need an ear or a little comfort. I get that.  I'm talking those constantly, if they don't have a problem, they post someone else's. They need a hug, need a prayer...most of the time, you don't even know the person in need, they are a friend of a friend's friend.  AND, they try to make you feel crappy if you don't like, pray, send a hug, etc.  Sorry to be an old grouch, but  come on, what ever happened to things being private and getting comfort from your real friends and family. Not the whole world.

 

You know, I am so sad...I'm actually heart broken for all the pain and suffering and outrageous injustices that are in our world. It sometimes keeps me awake at night with a hurt in my soul for the ugliness. But, PA-LEESE, do not try to tell me how to feel. Do not bury me in sad pictures of animals (over and over and OVER) and sick hurting children. Don't try to cram things down my throat. One evening of television often makes me feel like I've been through a freakin' house of horrors.   I make my own choices about what causes  seem important  and it's my private business who I give to.  You can't force people to care or love or send you a hug.  And, honestly; anyone who thinks that their life will be better, their problems less because someone on social media gives you a like or sends you a hug or sympathy will most likely never be free of problems or have a better life.

 

This must sound like the sourest grapes ever stomped.  I truly DO enjoy seeing your grandchildren, your family, the new baby---I am sincerely sad for your loss or illness or sick loved one.  Social media, like most new technology, can be amazing. If you feel good about sharing there, or receive some comfort, I sure don't have the teeniest right to begrudge you that. But, in my opinion, when you start returning and saying "I posted this and it didn't get any likes or comments. What is wrong with you people?"---like in the overall scheme of things, it makes a rat's ass what someone on Facebook or any other web site thinks---you don't need social media, you need professional counseling.

WHEW-W! Got that out of my system.  Gotta go check Facebook...Hope you're planning a Happy New Year.

The Grinch and Me

It's sure the season.  Slinking behind and amongst the Ho, Ho, Happy, the Grinch never fails to make a visit to my house.  He pokes and prods, digs around in the mucky memories and like so many other folks, he often leaves me feeling blue---his job well done.

 

Ah-h, mister green and mean,

In the Christmas cracks he creeps.

Into my old heart he peeks.

 

Can he find a sore spot---an old ow-wy

that heal did not?

He tries his stinking bestest. Because Santa Claus, he is NOT.

 

He prances and dances with his ugly glee.  Sprinkling his sad all over me.

Then in his glorious grinchiness, sprints away to spread more of his holiday drear.

 

Christmas seems to be an exaggerated reflection of our lives.  It seems to come at the end of the year and for many, it is a reminder of all the things that DID NOT bring us happiness in years past.  It's true, we miss loved ones that are no longer here to share with.  While the world sparkles and laughs, the missing, the mistakes and misfortunes haunt us like Dicken's ghost of Christmas past. 

 

It has always been my belief that laughter is the very best medicine.  At Christmas, like in my life, I've really worked on kicking the Grinch on down the road.  There is absolutely joy and beauty and tremendous giving spirit in the world.  The secret of having joy in your life is to allow yourself to be happy for those that have peace and happy hearts all around you.  When you can get past yourself and feel true gladness for the good fortune of others, then you perhaps will have earned your place among them.

 

 

 

 



Underneath the Skin

Just because a person is covered in skin doesn't make them human.  Similarly, just because a person has a brain housed in their skull doesn't mean they are capable or even inclined to use it.  Every day, beings who populate this earth prove they do not possess the intelligence to qualify as human beings.

 

My point? Fidel Castro was a totalitarian dictator. No matter how deep you dig, learn the facts about other dictators, whether Communist or otherwise, you will find no history of a totalitarian dictator being a humanitarian. The very definition is the elimination of private property, all goods owned in common and a single authoritarian government controlling all means of production. A dictator is the sole authority, with all resources going to the wealth of his state. Ultimately, to him self. It might be promised that the wealth of the state will be shared by all the population but it has NEVER been so. The only wealth in Cuba is for the privileged and elite.  The majority of the country, the common man is destitute, with no opportunity to improve their situation.

 

Castro, like Stalin and Lenin left their people impoverished, imprisoned, brutalized and terrorized. He and other dictators before him were responsible for hundreds of thousands of deaths, for torture and extreme human rights abuses.  These type of powerful people may appear to be human.  I quoted in one of my novels,...sometimes the evil and depravity of humans is upholstered in the most normal looking skin. I believe this.  I would say that people who profit and feed off of the suffering of their fellow human beings are just animals.  That is an insult to animals because the huge majority of animals only kill for survival and from instinct. Animals possess no conscious.

 

When one person dies, either at your hand or by your order, you are a murderer.  When thousands die due to your actions, you are a mass murder. The free people of America have no clue what it would be like to live under such oppression.  I pray that I will never see what oozes underneath the shell of such sub humans.

 

There should be no grief, no tears, no glorification or condoning of this man.  Any time a ruthless dictator in this world passes away, it should be a time of celebration.  There are others still surviving on our earth and there should never be any pretense of such a person being a fellow human being.

 

Happy Thanksgiving

Thanks for this country, The United States of America and the life that it gives me the opportunity to have.  May you all prosper and have peace.