Anarchy !!

[Foxfold]

I'm usually an optimistic sort of person but at the minute I'm finding it hard to see a good future for my grandkids. 

The world seems to be descending into total anarchy with dire consequences. It's seems that people are just more violent, they take what they want from whoever they want, say what they want regardless of the hurt they cause, destroy just for the fun of it regardless of what damage they cause to innocent people.

I don't see what ''We want our Freedom'' has to do with destroying peoples livelihoods or lives.  I don't see how setting fire to property, killing innocent, hard working people and destroying lives has to do with 'Freedom'.

My parents and grandparents lived through two world wars, my husband and brothers served their country  without complaint  in the name of 'Freedom'  and had a life far less than perfect so that those that came after could live in peace and freedom,  

 I'm not sure that this is the sort of 'freedom' they dreamed of when the  generation they fought and died for cannot even  to pull together to defeat a pandemic without violence and vitriolic rhetoric,  

Just having a bad day and sharing my thoughts.

 

Edited March 23, 2021 by Foxfold

[dansnow]

I hear you and agree. Never in my dang near 70 years have I been as afraid for our country as I am now. I remember 12-15 years ago being amazed at how fast we were going from "illegal aliens bad" to acceptance and now, protecting them over our own Citizens. I remember saying after the '08 elections, "well, he's got the opportunity to do amazing things for this country, let's see what happens." We know how that turned out.

While it seems there is no compromise available right now, I still think it is a minority of folks making all the noise, doing everything they can to destroy this country. Because they have had the media backing them every step of the way, they are using fear and lies to control folks. They were told starting about 13 years ago that they weren't responsible for their actions, it was always someone else's fault.

What I can't get a handle on is why. Why destroy the very place where you live? Why embrace criminality and hatred of peace, prosperity and common sense? Hatred and hypocrisy have replaced rational thinking and debate. I have a small plaque on the back of my truck that says "God Bless America". I had a woman in a parking lot see it and start screaming slanderous vulgarities, accusing me of everything from burning slaves to slaughtering elephants, seals and rhinos. I was obviously a President Trump supporter, making me a vile conservative that had to be destroyed at any cost.

I think a lot of the current hatred for America started in our schools and homes. Homes aren't teaching respect for life, property or even self much anymore, and educational institutes started pushing "if you're white your racist, which makes America racist, an evil place that must be destroyed. Capitalism and working hard to get ahead are bad. Personal freedoms are bad, big government is good."  They want everything free, they don't want to have to work, or even think for themselves, and if you dare disagree you must be destroyed, terminated, eliminated.

 

Sorry for the length, you happened to hit my hot button.  I think I'll go make a margarita, though I might be cancelled for cultural mis-appropriation. 

[new2woodwrk]

Oh don't get me started on this

But the short form. It's a disgrace what is happening, not only in the U.S. but around the world to people!

Ok, I'm out before I say how I really feel and get people mad at me!

[Foxfold]

40 minutes ago, dansnow said:

Sorry for the length, you happened to hit my hot button.  I think I'll go make a margarita, though I might be cancelled for cultural mis-appropriation. 

Dan.   I must admit to knowing nothing of American politics and this wasn't a 'political' statement.'

I was more berating the kind of people that do this stuff.  As far as I am aware I'm responsible for my actions not my government or any other institution. Whether or not I'm a kind considerate person relies not one jot on who is in our Parliament running the country, more on my own morals, which seem world wide to have gone to the dogs. !!!

[WayneMahler]

I have had quite a few conversations with friends associates and family members with all this. I also remember when I was raising our children my Dad always stated " I'm glad I'm not raising children today. I feel for you ! " and I fully understand that statement now. My children are raising their children in a world that may be best described  as way off course with out much meaning or true purpose. This is not the same country I served for and defended. Prayer seems to be the best we can do.

[Charlie E]

5 hours ago, Foxfold said:

I'm usually an optimistic sort of person but at the minute I'm finding it hard to see a good future for my grandkids. 

The world seems to be descending into total anarchy with dire consequences. It's seems that people are just more violent, they take what they want from whoever they want, say what they want regardless of the hurt they cause, destroy just for the fun of it regardless of what damage they cause to innocent people.

I don't see what ''We want our Freedom'' has to do with destroying peoples livelihoods or lives.  I don't see how setting fire to property, killing innocent, hard working people and destroying lives has to do with 'Freedom'.

My parents and grandparents lived through two world wars, my husband and brothers served their country  without complaint  in the name of 'Freedom'  and had a life far less than perfect so that those that came after could live in peace and freedom,  

 I'm not sure that this is the sort of 'freedom' they dreamed of when the  generation they fought and died for cannot even  to pull together to defeat a pandemic without violence and vitriolic rhetoric,  

Just having a bad day and sharing my thoughts.

 

Hi Brenda. I didn't take your post as political, more of a morality/human decency kind of thing. And they certainly aren't one and the same no matter which side of a political isle you stand on. It weighs heavy on my heart as well, especially when thinking of my grandchildren. What helps me though is thinking how while there's not much I can do to change the direction of society as a whole, I can do a great deal in our little family/community sphere. It also helps that, in my case anyway, the anarchy going on in the world rarely touching life inside our little circle of humanity. Not wanting to be an ostrich with my head in the sand, but for sanity's sake it helps me to keep my focus compartmentalized. This exert from Dicken's A Christmas Carol somehow helps me when thinking about this sort of thing... "that any Christian spirit working kindly in its little sphere, whatever it may be, will find its mortal life too short for its vast means of usefulness!" As a simple minded man it helps me to keep some words of wiser men handy.  

[Bill WIlson]

I feel your frustration Brenda and have many of the same thoughts, concerns & questions as you.  Unfortunately, these days, everything gets viewed through the prism of politics, eventually.  It's almost unavoidable when discussing a topic like this.  I'll make another bold claim, at the risk of upsetting some folks.  Religion is also a big part of the equation when discussing the state of our world.  I'm going to leave it there, as I don't want to drive this thread into a ditch.  I do think it's worthwhile, even therapeutic to talk openly about our concerns, but it's going to be difficult to keep politics and/or religion out of it.  

One thing I will say is that regardless of how we remember times past, I suspect that every generation has believed whole heartedly that the next generation was leading us into oblivion.  And in some sense, that is true.  Our shared culture has undergone a slow, methodical deterioration of it's traditional values for longer than I've been alive (61 years).  It certainly seems like the pace has accelerated in the past few years.  Maybe that's just a perspective from someone who is is more & more resistant to changes as I get older.  Some things I see as harbingers of doom are regarded as progress by folks younger than me.  My Dad thought the same thing and I'm sure his Dad did before him.  I'm not saying it isn't real, just that we aren't the first generation to feel this way.  For whatever that's worth.  I like Charlie's philosophy about keeping a narrow focus.  I tend to do that myself, as it's almost overwhelming to consider the big picture, especially in light of what has happened over the past year. 

I often marvel at those who came before us and the hardships of oppression, war, economic depression, etc they had to endure.  Hopefully we are more resilient than we think we are.  

[Jim McDonald]

Politics or not, the behavior of some is making life for the rest of us challenging at times.

People assaulting fast food workers over the most minor issues; a man stabbing a child while the kid was waiting on food; burning businesses "because they're there"; road rage turning into shootings and the list goes on.

I wish I had SOME idea of how to make positive changes, but I am really tired of swiveling my head all the time.

 

[Charlie E]

4 hours ago, Bill WIlson said:

  I'll make another bold claim, at the risk of upsetting some folks.  Religion is also a big part of the equation when discussing the state of our world.  I'm going to leave it there, as I don't want to drive this thread into a ditch.  I do think it's worthwhile, even therapeutic to talk openly about our concerns, but it's going to be difficult to keep politics and/or religion out of it.  

 

Hi Bill. Please know I don't feel targeted by your statement in any way and agree with everything you said. Just wanted to clarify that by my Dicken's quote I wasn't trying to steer the post towards religion.   "that any Christian spirit working kindly in its little sphere, whatever it may be, will find its mortal life too short for its vast means of usefulness!" This quote just struck me the first time I read it and I believe it rings so true as it is, or with "Christian spirit" replaced with "individual." How different would the world be if we took it to heart. Again, I didn't feel you were referring to me, just don't want to be part of the problem. Peace!

[Rockytime]

I saw my cardiologist today. He sent his girls to a Catholic school to actually get an education. Then they went to the University of Colorado. They no longer respect their parents but only their university faculty. He said he escaped communism in Czechoslovakia and now he needs to escape communism in the US but there is no longer anyplace to go. Sums it up! God help my children and grandchildren.

[John B]

Brenda,
the world sure is going to hell in a hand basket.
I honestly can't be bothered listening to the news much any-more, as it just gets more and more depressing and I get angrier and angrier.
Things have changed so bloody fast and in my opinion, not in a good way. You can no longer speak your mind, with out being accused of something or the other just because some don't agree with you.
My Great-grandfather fought in WW1, My Uncles in WW2, Dad did his time in the Nashos and I did a couple of years in the reserves and 20 years in the Police force.
I would not be having kids today as I honestly don't see a good decent future for them.
If people can't pull together to conquer a pandemic, I don't like what's around the corner.
I feel so sad for my Grandson.
Take care

[Bill WIlson]

13 hours ago, Charlie E said:

Hi Bill. Please know I don't feel targeted by your statement in any way and agree with everything you said. Just wanted to clarify that by my Dicken's quote I wasn't trying to steer the post towards religion.   "that any Christian spirit working kindly in its little sphere, whatever it may be, will find its mortal life too short for its vast means of usefulness!" This quote just struck me the first time I read it and I believe it rings so true as it is, or with "Christian spirit" replaced with "individual." How different would the world be if we took it to heart. Again, I didn't feel you were referring to me, just don't want to be part of the problem. Peace!

I understand completely, Charlie and appreciate the reply.  I will admit that I hadn't even read your post when I started my reply, so the religion comment was really unrelated to anything you wrote.  I have my own beliefs regarding faith and religion and their place in our culture.  I know that not everyone shares them, so I try & refrain from getting too deep into it and violating forum rules.  But I did want to make the point, that just like politics, our respective belief systems, or lack thereof, have a large roll to play in how our society functions.  Kind of hard to talk about one without getting into the other, at some point.

[amazingkevin]

.

[spirithorse]

Hi, Brenda,
I also feel the same way you do about the direction our world is headed.
I just try my best to share a smile where-evr I am and maybe for just a little while
it will lift someone else's spirits.
More importantly than that is my interactions with my wife, daughter, and grand-son.
We did our best raising my daughter and we want to instill decent morals and values in my
grand-son.
God Bless1 Spirithorse

[Roberta Moreton]

The problem around the world is people have forgotten the basics, Be Kind, Be Responsible, Be Respectful.

If you don’t have something nice to say, don’t say anything at all. 

[flarud]

It's all about respect, very few people have it any more.  Hope your day got better Brenda!