On A Personal Note …

Posted on by under Bits 'n Pieces, Environmental Issues, Global Issues, History, Personal, Political commentary, Racism & Bigotry

Sometimes there is just so much rambling in my head that I cannot focus on a single topic, and this is one such time.  So, I thought to clear out my head by sharing some of those thoughts with you, my friends.

I would like to start by telling you how very proud I am of my daughter, Chris.  Last Friday, she was informed that she had won the monthly “Employee Incentive Award” of $500.  The person who had nominated her for the award was one of her staff members, interestingly, who had argued with Chris on more than one occasion, but in her nomination praised Chris saying she was always there when her employees needed her, worked harder than anybody else, etc.  But all of that isn’t what made me so proud.  That evening, as Miss Goose and I both congratulated her on the win, she asked if there was anything special we would like to do with the money.  Naturally, I told her it was hers to do with as she pleased, and her response was, “Then, I think I’d like to donate it to help the people of Ukraine.”  I get teary-eyed just recalling her words … I’m so very proud of her.

I keep hearing people say we should stop importing oil and gas from Russia.  I agree that it would be in keeping with the other sanctions we have imposed on Russia and that it would make sense in more ways that one.  BUT … I know what will happen to all those voices who are demanding that President Biden ban Russian oil imports … they will have a 180° turnaround when the see the fuel prices at the pump a month from now.  The cost of a gallon of gasoline or diesel fuel is almost certain to spike to $10 or nearly so, and those same people will be whining and bitching, blaming President Biden.  I want to say to every one of those people, you asked for it, you got it, so shut the #$%& up!!!  People whining has gotten on my nerves so badly that I’m turning into Oscar the Grouch!  They whine about being told to wear a mask, they whine about the increase in food prices, they cry about one thing and another, never stopping to realize just how great they have it compared to the people of Ukraine, Afghanistan, and many other countries too numerous to name.  Being asked to wear a mask and paying $10 for a gallon of fuel pales in comparison to being shot at!  Perhaps … just a thought … they could walk more and drive less, turn the thermostat down by 5°, turn a few lights out, and stay home instead of dining out or going to the cinema?

Even after the IPCC (Interglobal Panel on Climate Change) came out with dire warnings at the end of last month, at least some people are not taking it seriously.  The former guy was talking to a group of rich jerks who had donated to him when he said, in response to the scientific concept that sea levels are rising as a result of our carbon output … “The global warming hoax, it just never ends. There was a big thing about global cooling — what will be next? I say, great, we have more waterfront property.”  Can anybody possibly be more stupid?  But the worst of it is that his supporters will believe him and will fight against those of us who are trying to stall or reverse climate change, just as they fought against things like mask and vaccine mandates that were put in place to fight COVID, which Trump also claimed was a hoax, or nothing to worry about.  We have a large portion of the population that, rather than listen to experts like scientists and doctors, would prefer to listen to clowns like Trump and Carlson.  They are making life riskier for all of us.

Speaking of the former guy … I am calling on editors of the major news outlets to keep both his name and picture out of their publications for a period of one week … 7 days, 168 hours!  Nothing he does is actually news, but his intent is always two-fold:  to rile and divide people and to keep the spotlight on himself.  Publications like The Washington Post, New York Times, NPR, Reuters and others are guilty of adding to the divisiveness in this country by keeping the former guy front and center in the news, reporting on his every irrelevant word or action.  They are giving those of us with some sense an ulcer, and causing glee among the unwashed masses.  Let them try, just for one week, to report actual news and not mention the former guy … let’s see what happens.

The ridiculous ‘trucker convoy’ reached the Washington, D.C. area yesterday.  I find it ironic that they can create havoc by blocking major highways, making people late for work, doctor’s appointments, meetings, classes and more, and yet they are applauded by too many people.  Compare their actions to those of  football player Colin Kaepernick who in 2016 took a knee during the national anthem to bring attention to racial injustice that was on the rise all across the nation, and he was booed, scorned, ultimately lost his job, and still today is a pariah in some circles.  Tell me again that the ‘United’ States is not a racist country … and I will call you a liar.  This nation is every bit as racist today as it was in 1964.  I once thought we had made progress, but we haven’t … not really.

Those in this country who would support the monster Vladimir Putin, who is now killing civilians including children in Ukraine should be made to either shut up or go live under Putin’s autocracy in Russia.  Putin is a murderer and evil oozes from his every pore.  There is not one single reason for people in the U.S. to be praising Putin.  Those who think their rights are so violated here in the U.S. and that Putin is anything less than a cruel madman don’t deserve to live in the U.S. … banish them to Russia and then let them complain about their ‘rights’ … see how long it takes them to find their way to the gulag.

See, I told you I had a lot of things running loose in my mind!  Perhaps now I can focus on something … anything!  Thanks for letting me vent!

58 thoughts on “On A Personal Note …”

  1. Well done Chris! Applause for your selfless generosity. Your are worth at least 50 of the ‘boys with their toys’.
    Good ramble Jill, a ramble is often what is required in these turbulent times. Annnndd the Oil Card has been played, so when someone starts to whinge tell them ‘Go speak with The Ukrainians,’

    Liked by 1 person

    • Thanks, Roger! Chris read and loved your comment! And you’re right … she is a gem!

      Yes, I was rambling and these days that’s how my mind seems to work, to the degree it can be said to work. Some days it doesn’t work well at all! Yep, the oil card has been played, there will be a price for us all to pay, but … it had to be done. I will need to avoid people for a while, for I have no patience with those who will whinge and blame the prez! Good answer, Roger … “Go speak with the Ukrainians”!

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      • Me too Jill.
        I am definitely extracted myself from sites to stop getting into scraps.
        My last one was with a classic UK type…blames the West for everything and said Putin had warned us what he was going to do…….blah…blah..blah, and now he’s the ‘bad’ guy…..
        Since I can’t shred Putin I had my 5 cents worth with this guy…he gave up first….Didn’t feel any better though, still steaming over the mindset…..
        I watched a Hallmark ‘rom’ film to calm down. (I like Hallmark films….so sue me🥰)

        Liked by 1 person

        • Yeah, your guy sounds much like the Republicans here. I’ve stopped arguing with them, for they do not listen … they are so convinced that they know what is true, what is right, and everyone who disagrees is stupid. I may not be the brightest bulb in the pack, but I ain’t stupid, either. Arguing with that mindset is ulcer-inducing and I don’t need it. Hmmmm … I haven’t watched a Hallmark film in ages … I used to enjoy them, though! Perhaps I should try that!

          Liked by 1 person

          • Yeah this guy was a mirror image fellow….Deluded British Left, been around for decades now….It’s never Russia’ fault mindset.
            I’d recommend a short dose of Hallmark films. You know how they are going to end and there will be a spoonful or two of syrup…but what the heck….We’ve got enough Reality on the news.
            And ‘The Croods’… animation set in the ‘Stone Age’…there’s ‘Croods 2’……

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            • I had never heard of The Croods!!! I really thought perhaps you were joking, but I looked it up … Nicholas Cage, Cloris Leachman … an all-star voice cast! Now I’ll have to check that out! Indeed, we do get enough of the real world from the moment we arise in the morning until we finally turn it off and head for either a book or a Hallmark movie. I actually watched The Sound of Music a few weeks back … probably the 30th time I’ve seen it … just to have a dose of ‘feel good’!

              Liked by 1 person

              • Funnily enough a few weeks back Sheila said we should watch ‘Sound of Music’….And we did enjoy it too!!…
                Both Croods highly recommended, not just for the knock about humour, but for the messages. Be prepared to have tissues handy during some of the scenes towards the end the first film.

                Liked by 1 person

    • Thank you, my friend!!! Chris is indeed a wonderful humanitarian! I think that most of us share the same feelings about the things that are happening around the globe these days … sometimes it helps to vent just a bit.

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    • Thank you, Clive!!! I thought about that, but then … if I take credit for the wonderful woman Chris has become, I also have to take responsibility for the arsehole my son has become. The two are but 18 months apart in age, raised by the same parents in the same circumstances, and yet are as different as night and day … I don’t understand it at all! But yes, Chris is a wonderful humanitarian and has none of my grumpiness!

      Liked by 1 person

    • Thank you, Gary! She is indeed! She has a heart of gold and is the most kind, considerate person I know!

      Yes, it seems that we all, no matter what side of the pond we’re on, are experiencing many of the same frustrations. People want to have their cake and eat it too, as my mother used to say. Sigh.

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  7. Pingback: ON A PERSONAL NOTE … |jilldennison.com | Ramblings of an Occupy Liberal

  8. You mentioned a new climate change estimate. We didn’t get it up here, but I am wondering if this one took into account the methane and carbon dioxide being released into the atmosphere in the Far North of North America and Eurasia. According to scientists the unthawing of the permafrost is releasing almost as much natural pollutants into the air as humans are producing, meaning CLIMATE CHANGE is happening close to twice as fast as has been previously reported, which considered only human-made pollutants. We caused the permafrost to start to thaw, but now Mother Nature has decided to join forces with us, in a negative manner!
    And just in case anyone is wondering, when we gassed up today, we paid the equivalent of $5.48US per 1 American gallon. I live in the biggest oil producing province in Canada. Anyone care to tell me what the price of gas is in Texas and Oklahoma these days?
    The American truckers’convoy is not doing one tenth (1/10) the damage or obstruction that the Canadian convoy caused. And ours lasted to 23 days! Be very thankful you have it so easy.
    Chris! Way to go! You rock, girl!

    Liked by 2 people

    • The IPCC report is global, so I’m sure Canada received it, but perhaps your media chose not to report widely on it. Here’s a link to the full report in case you’re interested: https://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar6/wg2/

      I don’t know about Texas or Oklahoma, but here fuel is just over $4 per gallon. I have no doubt that it will increase further, but I’m likely to deck anyone who has the nerve to blame President Biden to my face! I’m so sick of it … if lightening struck somebody’s house, they would undoubtedly blame Biden!!!

      No, the trucker’s convoy here is mostly a bad joke, for what they are protesting no longer even exists, for the most part, and most of those who began the long journey dropped out along the way. It’s just enough to slow things down and annoy people, which is likely the goal to begin with.

      Yes, Chris is indeed a gem … a one of a kind!

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  10. -sigh- you’ve vented many of the things swirling around my mind too, Jill. I’m sickened by the depths to which the media has sunk. It’s like a dentist who gives you candy because it’s ‘good for business’. I am so sick of everything in the West revolving around ‘business’.
    Except your for people like your daughter. You have a young women to be proud of, very very proud. Tell her she and others like her push back the tide of rottenness so we can all breathe a bit of clean air.

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    • These are tough times … so much happening in this world that we have absolutely no control over … it’s frustrating, isn’t it? And you’re quite right … the media, even the more legitimate ones, are NOT helping matters!

      Thank you … Chris is indeed a wonderful young woman and she is my ‘breath of fresh air’ when things get tough. My granddaughter, Natasha, is much like her mother (Chris) but has a bit more of my … um … “snarkiness”. 😏

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        • Yes, indeed! And she is the light of my life! Natasha is 27 years old, and she and her mum, Chris, live with me — I don’t know how I’d survive without them! Awwww … I hope your Offspring has a change of heart someday, but Natasha is the same … she swears she’s never getting married and doesn’t want children! I guess in this day and age, that is maybe the sensible stance, but still …

          Yeah, snark is necessary to keep from going insane! 🙃

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  11. Hello Jill. I love your rambling thoughts. You manage to express so much emotion and clarity in your writing which is a hard combination to do at the same time. It accents what you’re trying to say. It is like listening to you speak in person. Have you thought of an audio / or video version of when you have random thoughts you want to express? Something you could fire up, let loose on for 5 or 7 minutes on what is bothering you, and then later do more in depth written posts on if you wished. As Beau says, it is just a thought. Hugs

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    • Thanks, Scottie! My mind just runs around in circles some days, hopping from one topic to the next without settling long enough to write an entire post on a single topic! The price I pay for being a ‘news junkie’ I suppose. No, given that I am nearly deaf, I doubt an audio/video would work well for me. Plus, I stutter and am old & ugly, so … it’s doubtful. Then again, when I’m on my soapbox ranting to the girls about one thing or another, the stutter largely goes away and I can orate pretty well. Hmmmmm … maybe something to think about! I do love Beau and his style! Hugs!

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  14. I don’t think you wrote a single word that any of us would disagree with.

    P.S. I hope it helped, but somehow, I doubt it simply because the topics are ongoing. 😣

    Liked by 3 people

    • I’m afraid you’re quite right, my friend … it helped for a bit, but then I booted up the computer this morning, scanned the headlines, and landed right back in the pit of despair. Ah well, it’s something we’re all going through and hopefully we can turn some of the negatives into positives at some point.

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  16. Congratulations also to you, for such a thoughtfull daughter, Jill! I fully agree with you, in view on the increasing prizes of fuel. If we really want to save the climate, we also will have to do this. As i had written: Crazyness all over! ;-( xx Michael

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    • Thanks, Michael! She is a gem indeed! People seem to want to have it both ways, and of late I think we need to be doubling down on our efforts to switch to all renewable power sources and leave the oil, coal, and gas in the ground! Yep, craziness is a pandemic in and of itself! xx

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