Ellie Mae

Ellie Mae
Beautiful Ellie Mae

Freddie, the French Bulldog

Freddie, the French Bulldog
Lazing on a sunny afternoon

The artist

The artist
Ollie Mac

Ollie and Annie

Ollie and Annie
Azorean grandmother

Acrylics and watercolors

Acrylics and watercolors
Cannabis and sunflowers

Papa and Ollie Mac

Papa and Ollie Mac
Priorities, Baby

Acrylics and watercolors

Acrylics and watercolors
Hollyhocks

Mahlon Masling Blue

Mahlon Masling Blue
My friend and brother.

Mark's E-mail address

bellspringsmark@gmail.com

Wednesday, January 4, 2017

Earth to Markie-Do You Copy?

Earth to Markie-Do You Copy?

Two events occurred yesterday that relate to the political arena, one of them on the national level, and one in my personal space, on social media. Both relate directly to the American public’s refusal to accept the upcoming threatened political changes, without a battle. As the link indicates, 


Americans are watching closely and are willing to express outrage, when it becomes apparent, that indignation must be expressed.
Instant action-instant reaction... 

First the national level: Americans rose up in unified protest, yesterday, when it was revealed that House Republicans had voted to gut an ethics watchdog, thus curbing the powers of the independent ethics panel. Additionally, President-Elect Trump also tweeted his displeasure, indicating his belief that Congress should “focus on tax reform, healthcare and so many other things of far greater importance!”

Having voted favorably Monday night on Virginia Representative Bob Goodlatte’s proposal, to place the Independent Office of Congressional Ethics under their own control, the lawmakers backed down on Tuesday, following the loud outcry from constituents and Trump’s two tweets.

The proposal would have barred the panel from reviewing any violation of criminal law by members of Congress, requiring that it turn over complaints instead to the House Ethics Committee or refer the matter to an appropriate federal law enforcement agency.

Additionally, the ethics office would no longer be able to accept or investigate any anonymous reports of alleged wrongdoing by members of Congress.

This immediate turnabout, as a result of backlash, is a clear sign that resistance is in the air, and that it will carry the weight of a big stick. This is crucial to note, in preparation for the upcoming marches in Washington DC and other major cities throughout the country.

On social media yesterday morning, I took express note of a meme proclaiming a female singer’s intent to “follow her heart,” all the way to singing at Donald Trump’s inauguration. It was an innocuous enough post, focused on the singer and not the event, but Markie shoved me aside, grabbed ahold of the keyboard, and let it fly.
“Seriously? Follow her heart all the way to the destruction of the planet? Good-bye Suzie Creamcheese (not her real name),” thus dismissing Ms. Creamcheese from the ranks of my friends.

To my utter shock, Trump supporters not being known for their ability to even think, let alone express themselves on paper, “Ms. Creamcheese” responded with an unusual request, and I am paraphrasing here, “Please do not remove me from your friends list; I am not a Trump supporter but I like this person’s personal story.”

“We’re good,” Markie responded, and life moved forward, except that further comments were made, and the train derailed.

There were four women who jumped in on Ms. Creamcheese's side, ostensibly trying to convey the message that folks should be allowed their own political opinions, and should not be subject to attack from dirty, hippie, commie perverted pinkos, like myself.

Having provided enough dark chocolate edibles for Markie, to slow down an elephant, I was now able to regain control of the keyboard, where I patiently explained my reasoning. Again, I paraphrase here, “When discussing flavors of coffee or contemporary films, opinions are all fine and dandy, but when it comes to racist, misogynistic, homophobic, inhumane regimes, opinions are no longer valid, if they spew hatred.”

I find it unacceptable to rationalize the current regime, as “only being four years,” when four minutes of this President-Elect’s time is all that is needed to make another inexplicably bad appointment to the Cabinet of Hate.

I cannot have “friends” posting memes that praise, support or accept the President-elect, so that they appear on my wall. Hey, post all you want-I just don’t want to see them. Therefore, in order to accomplish this, I cut ties.

Nothing personal-just go on about your business and allow me to go about mine. I know that I am never going to convince you otherwise, so allow me to continue on my journey, unencumbered by concrete expression of your own personal lack of education or intelligence.

Opinions? When they conflict with human rights, dignity and worth, I don’t want to hear them, not when they oppose mine. We’re not talking football playoffs here, we are talking about people.

I will resist the new regime with its antiquated values system, which denigrates anything not white, straight and Christian, and I will resist those who support this regime.

Nothing personal-just doing my job, standing up for social injustice. It's what I get paid the big bucks to do.


2 comments:

  1. And you do your job quite well and should be getting the big bucks.....

    ReplyDelete