As the world continues to turn, it becomes a more confusing jumble of misconception everyday. There are many different facets of the 'normal' workings in our day to day lives that appear to be teetering on the brink of an immense abyss from which there is no return. The complexities of the system in which we live are too numerous to comprehend all at once, but the way in which it is all interconnected means that each dimension is able to affect the others in some form or fashion.
Take the price of oil, for example. With the fields in Libya exporting at a greatly reduced capacity, the struggles and difficulties in the middle east, and the Ukraine upheaval, why is the price of oil falling? Logic would indicate a rise in prices, and if history is an indicator, prices should be up sharply, but they are not. Frank says, as the economy slows down we consume less. But if we consume less, the companies need to make the same profit, so the price goes up. On the other hand, if we consume more, there is more demand, and the price goes up. Either way, the price goes up, so why is it going down?
There is an outbreak of a respiratory virus among children that is spreading through our country at a phenomenal rate. It is not a brand new virus, but is highly unusual in that it is affecting the
respiratory system. There have been questions about where this virus originated. Did it come across the southern border recently? Was it intentional, or just brought by those that are arriving here in ever growing numbers? And speaking of that, why is it that the working people of America have to pay for the facilities and all the services being provided for people entering the country illegally? Why should anything be provided at all except a one way trip back to the border? Why should we spend one dime when there are so many people here who are law abiding American citizens that are out of 
work or under employed? I know there is a purpose in letting our borders leak like a sieve, and I don't think the intent of that purpose bodes well for We The People.
Speaking of illnesses, have you heard much about Ebola lately? No. You hear more about the new watch you can't live without, professional athletes making poor decisions and the never ending battle of the politicians. But, you know what? Ebola is out of control and spreading at an
alarming rate. There are countries that have exhausted all means of containing the spread of this disease, countries that will be devastated by the loss of life and infrastructure. And now we are sending military troops to these places to 'fight' this disease. Why? So they can bring it here in ever greater numbers? It appears that it will only be a matter of time before it continues to spread. One article I read recently described the spread as exponential. Where will it end? We have yet to see.
The rumors and stories about ISIS are numerous. The destruction they leave in their wake is horrific. The ability of a group of people, that appear to have lost their souls and compassion for mankind, to flourish amongst other civilized countries is unbelievable. How can the governments of the world, and especially those in that region, bear to let them continue to exist and continue their slaughter of the innocent? Why are they waiting around for someone else to do their dirty work?
Religious persecutions abound. The persecution of Israel and Christians have risen to an almost fever pitch. I still don't understand why it is okay for a satanic mass to occur without protest, but a child cannot say 'bless you'
to a classmate that sneezes. Why is it every form of religion or atheism has the right to display/express their views, but when it comes to Christianity it is a hate crime? I guess I know the answer to that, but it doesn't mean I have to like it. And now we read or hear on the news that we have joined in a coalition to fight ISIS to the very end. But, guess what? Not one country in the coalition is going to put troops on the ground to fight. What am I not getting here? Are they going to beat the monsters back with hot air and wishes? Just how weak and pathetic have our leaders become?
There is an interesting editorial called The Great Unraveling at the New York Times.
This is a very thought provoking article that won't take long to read. It puts together some events in the world with a different twist.
When we read the headlines lately, it appears that there are many, many things being emphasized that are just fluff, shocking or ridiculous, things that are just meant to distract, amuse or irritate. I can't help but wonder what is really going on behind the scenes that the powers that be don't want us to notice or be aware of. There is
the Scotland referendum, the erratic fluctuations of the stock market, the never ending bias against this group or that, the militarization of police forces, the frequent purging of military officers, the never ending cacophony of hate from one group to another that drowns out the real life changing events happening right before our very eyes. Sometimes the 'noise' is deafening. It makes it hard to see what is coming. It's kind of like a thick fog, or the proverbial smoke and mirrors, that smudges the edges of reality. With so many events and people vying for the attention of the populace, it can be dizzying trying to discern those things that stealthily bring danger to your door.
Try to sift through the onslaught of worrisome slop that is fed to us everyday. Discard the refuse, evaluate the validity of all else that is presented. Attempt to determine if it is of worth to you and yours. Above all else, don't get bogged down in the slime and filth that is passed off as entertainment, lest it woo you down into complacency. There may not always be tomorrow to prepare. Now is the time to prepare your future. If you don't, you may not have one.
Until next time - Fern
I found this interesting quote on Ol' Remus. It sums up what a lot of people are saying now days.
"I'm getting tired of being held accountable for what other people do.
Being punished, not because I've caused anyone any harm but merely
because I chose not to get on the short bus, grin like an imbecile and
accept being treated like an imbecile because some people are imbeciles.
Eric Peters at ericpetersautos.com"
This reminded me of a quote I found years back and kept:
"If you attack stupidity, you attack an entrenched
interest with friends in government and every walk of public life, and you will
make small progress against it." Samuel Marchbanks
I hear many people saying that in years past they didn't resent what the crooks in politics did because it didn't seem to affect us as much. We were still able to make a decent living and have most of the luxuries offered to regular, working class folks. Now the intrusion of government into every
facet of our lives has fostered a serious growth of resentment. Resentment that those who work are now supporting an ever growing, almost majority, of those that don't. Resentment of the ridicule we receive for doing so. Resentment for having more and more regulations to meet in education. Resentment for the way our military and veterans are being treated. They're not terrorists or psychopaths, they are heroes!! Resentment for being told what we can eat, and that the food we can eat is full of herbicides, pesticides, fertilizers and man made chemicals that most people can't say, let alone understand the incredibly detrimental affects it has on our bodies. What will happen when this resentment fills the cup to overflowing? What will happen when the pot boils over?
After I read the quote at Ol' Remus, Frank ran across this article on FoxNews. Have Christians lost the culture war? One of the quotes in the article says: "Over the past few years, I’ve documented hundreds of instances of
religious persecution in the United States. And the targets have been
exclusively Christians." So, now, add
religious and racial persecution to the mix of resentment. How did it become okay to persecute those you disagree with? I thought that was a hate crime. It appears that hate crimes can only go one direction, but not both ways. One of the reasons this is so is because for some unfathomable reason, most media outlets are no longer reporting in a true and honest fashion. Whether this is by choice or by dictate, the outcome is the same. The population of our country is no longer given a true, unbiased look at the events surrounding our everyday lives. Events that are in some instances taking our country by storm, literally, in the form of mobs and violence, most people know nothing about, because it is no longer being reported.
Why is it we can no longer say what we think? Why is it okay for some groups to say what they think, but if you have a differing opinion it is a hate crime? Why is it when some people go to the airport they get groped, but
some groups don't? Then if you complain about the other group, it's a hate crime. When did things get to be so one sided? And how is that possible? Many people are now afraid of and despise what our government has become. How is it that voter fraud and intimidation is not only allowed but never challenged? There is a story on The Hill that covers some comments from Vice President Biden. "Vice President Biden said new voter ID laws in North Carolina, Alabama
and Texas were evidence of “hatred” and “zealotry” during a Black
History Month event at the Naval Observatory on Tuesday." Since when does having to identify yourself become an act of hatred and zealotry? Does this sound like America or some third world country?
When did it become okay to confiscate money from the masses in the form of ever increasing taxes, debt, penalties, licensing requirements,
more taxes, inflation and out right theft of retirement and bank accounts? And yet, those that work, and take pride in that fact, continue to scrape together what they can to make ends meet and make the ever shrinking dollar stretch to cover basic needs and financial obligations. When did it become okay for the government to steal everyone's money and give it to the 'too big too fail' cronies so they could all get filthy rich while peoples' lives are ruined?
What do we do with this increasing frustration, resentment and fear? How do we channel this energy into a purpose that will possibly increase the
likelihood of our survival and well being? I don't have an answer for that. Many people have chosen to hunker down and minimize their notice-ability. Some have become very outspoken in their complaints about the ever degenerating conditions in which we find ourselves. And yet others choose to look the other way and keep pretending that "Things will get better." After all, the media keeps telling us we are in a recovery, right? If they keep repeating that mantra enough, will that make it true? Will it?
I see an ever increasing sea of angry people, stressed out people, depressed people. People that know that they will not be able to
increase their standard of living the way they once thought. People that may have adult children still living at home because there are no jobs and no hope for any. College graduates that will never get out of debt because there are no jobs, which means there is no hope for a 'normal' future. People that were expecting to be able to enter their 'golden years' in comfort are finding themselves struggling to manage basic necessities. People that feel hopeless, weak and defeated.
What will come of our once great nation, our One Nation Under God? We are more divided than ever. There is a strong undercurrent of divisiveness
that didn't exist a few short years ago. There are those that would ruin lives in a heartbeat to further their cause. There are those that wouldn't give a second thought to the people that have lost their jobs, and would work at just about anything instead of going on the government dole to support their families. There is a growing feeling that 'The People' are expendable. 'The People' are just a means to an end and when that end has been reached 'The People' will no longer be needed, therefore, they are expendable.
I wonder if 'The People' will wake up and see what is happening? Even if half of the people wake up, which is not going to happen, I think it's too late.
Until next time - Fern
