You probably thought it was over. I know I did.
And for the vaccinated, I’m still believing it is. The odds of a breakthrough infection are .02%, and the chance of death at .00%, which is no greater than adding a 3rd reader for this post.
And the Delta Variant –isn’t that xenophobic? I know I now won’t go to a Greek restaurant … Can’t we just call the variants Fauci 1, F2, F3? And what’s up with the Greeks? Last year they visited hurricanes upon us, and now this…they seem angry about something…
The Delta variant is the unvaccinated’s problem.
But the surge has been a catalyst for media hysteria (continued) as well as Government overreach.
Every mandate/restriction is based on the “If I tell you what to do, and not do, you’ll think I know what I’m doing, and that I know how to solve this”. Said with a raised voice, that was the basis of our parenting strategy.
This all came home when my Captor and I flew to Memphis for a wedding. We left from Brunswick and connected in Atlanta, with those our first flights in nearly 2 years.
It was relatively unpleasant.
The unpleasantness began with the TSA process. My Captor received a pat down inspection – as did the woman before her, whose inspection was so thorough that she exchanged numbers with the TSA agent and they resolved to “do this again”. No one really knew why my Captor got the biz, but I warned her not to bring the Koran to read on the flight.
And while we’re on overreach, why are we still taking our shoes off? Let’s hope the Terrorists don’t figure out hair bombs or we’ll all get our heads shaved at check-in…
The unpleasantness reached overdrive with the mask wearing requirement, beginning with walking in the airport door, to exiting in Memphis, 5 hours later. It was the longest I’d worn a mask since starring in a 7th grade production of Phantom of the Opera.
Not wearing a mask is a federal crime, which we were reminded of on multiple occasions. And the statute gives flight attendants the right to require full face coverage, which they did for the more unattractive passengers.
I attempted to make the mask wearing less irritating by holding my breath – which worked in stretches. But after passing out for the 4th time, I decided to stop.
All the talk about federal crimes unnerved me – what might the government require next? Toe rings? Parting our hair on the opposite side? Being honest when we file our taxes?
Every new administration arrives with the belief that they know what’s best for us, more so than we know for ourselves. And while I know our President has reaffirmed his belief in our basic constitutional rights: The right to bear muskets, to communicate freely via telegram and fax, and to congregate for Bingo, I also know he absolutely envied Tyrone Power, who was absolutely corruptible.
And ‘mask resistance’ may seem silly – just do what’s best for everyone and play along with “Hygiene Theatre”– but as my Father said “Fear Your Government”.
To quote another famous American, “It ain’t your guns they want, it’s your voice”.
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TO ENHANCE YOUR ENJOYMENT OF THIS POST, PAIR IT WITH THE FOLLOWING SONGS:
Former Owner Del Amitri (a great Scottish band from the ‘80s)
“Her emotions won’t be reached or released, Because the former owner is keeping the keys
Like a ticket inspector running for a bus, Irony’s revenge surrounds us
And it’s ironic that he promised you he’d never let you go
When he’s left you used-up and disturbed
And I said, “Just as the early bird catches the worm, The early cat catches the bird”
But that former owner is keeping his word”
Don’t Worry About the Government Talking Heads
“I see the states, across this big nation, I see the laws made in Washington, D.C.
I think of the ones I consider my favorites, I think of the people that are working for me
Some civil servants are just like my loved ones, They work so hard and they try to be strong
I’m a lucky guy to live in my building, They own the buildings to help them along
My building has every convenience, It’s gonna make life easy for me
It’s gonna be easy to get things done, I will relax along with my loved ones”
Waltzing Matilda The Pogues (One of the greatest anti-war songs)
“Then a big Turkish shell knocked me arse over tit, And when I awoke in my hospital bed
And saw what it had done, Christ I wished I was dead
Never knew there were worse things than dying
And a band played Waltzing Matilda
As they carried us down the gangway
But nobody cheered, they just stood and stared, And they turned all their faces away
And now every April I sit on my porch, And I watch the parade pass before me
I see my old comrades, how proudly they march
Reliving their dreams of past glory, I see the old men, all twisted and torn
The forgotten heroes of a forgotten war
And the young people ask me, “what are they Marching for?”
And I ask myself the same question”
Invisible Man Elvis Costello
“My head is spinning round faster and faster, Here I stand on the edge of disaster,
Crowds surround loudspeakers, hanging from the lampposts,
Listening to the murder mystery,
Meanwhile someone’s hiding in the classroom, Forging books of history,
Never mind there’s a good film showing tonight, Where they hang everyone who can read and write,
Oh, that could never happen here, but then again it might”
Power and the Passion Midnight Oil
“You take what you get and get what you please, It’s better to die on your feet than to live on your knees
Oh the power and the passion, Oh the temper of the time
Oh the power and the passion, Sometimes you’ve got to take the hardest line”