Our Moral Compass. Military In Our Cities. “Would You Like a Bagel?” RIP, Robert Redford. Ideas for Air Travel. Wonderwall.
- Quote of the Week: “The man who views the world at 50 the same as he did at 20 has wasted 30 years of his life.” – Muhammad Ali
Webster’s defines perspective as “a mental view or outlook, the interrelation of parts as viewed from a particular standpoint, the capacity to view things in their true relative importance, and the art of creating an illusion of depth on a flat surface by depicting how objects appear to the eye.” Everyone can have a different perspective based on their experiences, their education, and with people that influence their thinking. Having a difference of opinion is just that: an individual’s point of view that is shaped by assessing a topic or situation that is okay to disagree with, or even object to.
Regarding last week’s post regarding the assassination of Charlie Kirk and the moral compass of our country, here is one perspective from a friend I have known for a very long time. Note: my friend misinterpreted one of my points. I was not suggesting that you must agree with me or not read my weekly posts. What I was asking: if you have used social media to celebrate the murder of Charlie Kirk, please ask that I take you off the JustMyTake distribution list. I write JustMyTake with the goal of my readers giving all of us their take, but I have drawn a line in the sand with people using social media to celebrate tragic incidents.
“I have struggled with how to respond to your latest post. First let me say, you know me well. I would NEVER advocate for the use of violence to prove a point and certainly NEVER endorse, celebrate, or encourage murder under any circumstance – including the use of the death penalty. I have given and continue to give what happened with Charlie Kirk considerable thought. It was/is very disturbing, maybe more so for what it says about the society we’ve become. But, here are some of my thoughts, kind of randomly tossed out there:
1. The cliche, “freedom is not free” carries a lot of truth. We do enjoy a great deal of freedom, including the freedom of opinion, expression, and speech. With that freedom, however, comes responsibility. Just because you have the freedom to express your ideas and oppositions, it does not mean you don’t have the responsibility to hold your tongue or actions to protect the greater good or be respectful of others and their dignity. Like some people we all know, you have the freedom to say whatever you want, but sometimes it’s just best to shut the f–k up. In my career, I had to make that choice constantly. It’s a fine and difficult line to walk between prophet and pastor.
2. Words and hateful rhetoric are a two-edged sword (sorry for the militant metaphor). The words one might use to EXCITE their “base” or rally a movement can (and will) INCITE those who do not agree. When you denigrate a race of people, a particular gender, a political opponent, you do so knowing full well that those who you oppress or discriminate against will react negatively. One of the worst offenders is the current president. I say “offender” because his hateful rhetoric and revenge tactics offends me. I know it is used as a political strategy. The alarming rise in Christian nationalism can be traced back to the 80’s when right wing political strategists decided they could use deeply held religious sentiment to rally behind a cause that they could use to gain power. Suddenly Ronald Reagan was a staunch Christian and the Moral Majority was born. The issue they could use to sway support was abortion. Watch the documentary entitled “Bad Faith.” All that is to say, words can excite AND incite. Does that justify murder or violence? Hell no!! Never!! But, refer back to the first point.
3. The double standard in our society is disturbing and disgusting. If you are going to call out acts of hate and violence (as we should), recognize that it happens on both sides. Now the terms “liberal” and “leftist” have been demonized. Where were the shouts of anger and people being fired for cheering when those Minnesota politicians were murdered and all the other examples that are being tossed around now, Pelosi’s husband, etc? Why weren’t people fired when they spoke out against the Black Lives Matter movement? I have mix raced grandchildren, I just want them to have a fair chance in this world. Why is the current administration using extortion tactics and threats against individuals, businesses, academic institutions, because they had an opinion or allowed opinions to be expressed that the administration did not like? Again, this is a very difficult line to walk. While at NC State we often struggled with balancing opposing viewpoints on campus. The evangelic Christian groups always complained they were being discriminated against because they had to follow “rules of engagement”, meaning they could not poach other groups or harass or impede students. To me this was common sense, to them it was harassment. Again, refer to point one.
Anyway, if you’ve read this far, while I do not endorse or support celebrating a murder, what happened to Charlie Kirk was wrong, very wrong. I struggle with how to allow opposing viewpoints to peacefully co-exist. How can you silence one side only – reprehensible as it may be. As the title of your blog expresses this is “just my take”. I enjoy reading your blog, even when i don’t agree, because I realize it is just your take. You kind of threw down the gauntlet there….agree with me or go away. You can decide if you think I should be among your subscribers.“
- I am ALWAYS thankful for your responses to JustMyTake which is why I started posting over nine years ago. Here is one response I received after one of my posts discussing military personnel being deployed to cities across the United States. Agree or disagree, I enjoyed reading their take:
Congratulations on your output, perseverance, dedication, and commitment to enlightenment/exposure for us unwashed! My first thought in reading your assessment was that it truly has been a labor of love before I got to the point where you labeled it such. Ah, great minds…….Your questioning the Mayors’ pushback regarding Trump’s offer to help with crime. Gary, come on–Trump says white, the democrats/progressives say black! They are diametrically opposed to anything that comes out of the President’s mouth, I don’t care how much it helps citizens. The dems only platform is attacking Trump and half the country which supports his direction. Stupidity abounds–Obama deported far more than Trump has and nary a cry from the left. President after President has been cowed by Iran. Trump stuck it up their ass overnight and no Americans died and very few, if any, Iranians. I could go on and on ad nauseum. The Mayors have no plans–they just cannot bear Trump getting credit for a damned thing, to the detriment of their citizenry.
Regarding perspective and a difference of opinion:
- Question of the Week: Have you ever talked your way out of a traffic ticket, and if so, what did you tell the police officer? Thank you for your answers:
- “Would you like a bagel?”. After being pulled over for speeding when returning from Panera one Saturday morning. The result: NO ticket.
- In Roswell, I was stopped and on my DL it shows that I was a veteran. The officer acknowledged it by thanking me for my service and letting me slide. No words required😂
- Yes, I tried to explain why I was in a hurry to pick up my husband from the airport. The officer issued me a ticket!
- I never have tried. Maybe three speeding tickets in my life and one U-turn violation right after they put up the sign on Pooler Parkway. Guilty as hell, deserved what I got. Yes sirred the officers to death and provided no protest. I did try the “Beam me up, Jesus” before they got to my window, but my timing and Jesus’ were not in synch……..
The week’s Question of the Week: What would be on a sandwich named after you?
- Robert Redford was born in 1937. The definition of a movie star, Redford also produced and directed award-winning films including Ordinary People and A River Runs Through It. He starred in many movies: The Sting, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, and The Way We Were, showing all of us his depth of talent. For me, I enjoyed Redford playing Roy Hobbs in The Natural, a baseball movie where the most hardened sports fan probably fought off tears by the time the credits were rolling. Robert Redford passed away last week at the age of eighty-nine. We will always remember this at-bat by Roy Hobbs. RIP, Robert Redford.
- We have all read many takes on air travel, especially ideas and tips to make your trip a bit easier. Some of these travel tips are no-brainers, but a few are worth noting. This is from Scott Eddy: https://www.mrscotteddy.com/ Scott, thank you for the travel ideas and tips:
1. Disinfect everything you touch: tray, seatbelt buckle, armrests, touchscreen, even the air vent. Planes are bacteria hotels.
2. Carry a power bank. Dead phone equals no boarding pass, no transport, no hotel confirmation.
3. Keep copies of your passport and ID in multiple places: phone, email draft, and a hard copy.
4. Use luggage trackers. You will know where your bag is before the airline does.
5. Always pack one outfit, meds, and essentials in your carry-on. Bags get delayed every day.
6. Hydrate like your life depends on it. Cabin air will drain you if you don’t. I double my water intake on travel days, and use electrolyte packs for added supplements.
7. Switch your devices to destination time as soon as you board. Train your brain early.
8. Download your airline’s app before flying. Gate changes, rebooking options, baggage updates, even food ordering all happen there faster than at the counter.
9. Eat light before boarding. Heavy meals plus cabin pressure equals fatigue.
10. Study seat maps. Choosing the right seat changes the entire flight.
11. Slip-on shoes only. Security is faster, comfort is higher, and no hassle mid-flight.
12. Carry a pen. Immigration lines move faster when you are not begging for one.
13. Never store valuables in the seat-back pocket. It is a black hole of forgotten items.
14. A roll of duct tape can save your luggage, shoes, or bag strap in seconds. Pack a small roll in your carryon.
15. Pack a travel extension cord or multi-USB hub. Outlets are never where you need them.
16. Peppermint oil or gum relieves ear pressure and refreshes you after long flights.
17. Bring zipper bags. Perfect for leaks, snacks, and last-minute security requests.
18. Book morning flights. Delays stack up later in the day.
19. Photograph your parking spot, boarding pass, and luggage. Saves you time and headaches.
20. Carry a small collapsible tote bag. If your carry-on is overweight or you make last-minute airport purchases, this keeps you from paying extra fees or scrambling at the gate.
One more that is not about packing but about mindset, always be kind to gate agents, check-in staff, flight attendants, and pilots. Travel is stressful for everyone. A little kindness makes your trip smoother and makes their day better.
- Pure Talent. The band Oasis released the song Wonderwall back in 1995. Thirty years ago this song hit number eight on the Billboard Top 100, and continues to be part of streaming and over-the-air playlists. Wonderwall has been covered by hundreds of artists over the years, but I am not sure it has been performed any better than this 2015 acoustic version from Ryan Adams. Ryan Adams is definitely Pure Talent.