SMALL SHOT FOR WO-MAN GIANT LEAP FOR ALL-KIND

 

After succeeding in the real-life game of "appointment-roulette" for covid vaccine, the appointed day and hour arrived. Giddy with anticipation or angst, take your pick, we headed to the appointed place 30 minutes early. Well I said I was giddy. Already gloomy in the mall with the onset of January's concession to early darkness and closed down stores it was a perfect setting for a...dum dum DAA "stabbing".  The mall-y walkways were puncuated with masked strangers strolling, getting their steps in, in a perfectly climate controlled setting. Rather romantic actually. Or were they waiting to be called to the scene of the crime? They were suspiciously close to the registration table.

Accustomed to lines for anything of value I suspiciously eyed the determined walkers to ascertain age or visible signs of a pre-existing conditions. However, upon strolling up to the table we were immediately greeted and names checked off on "the list"-- we're in! Guided by a roped aisleway similar to those employed at popular and desirable night spots we met the second gate-keeper. Routine covid - seeking questions and a temperature check. Though I believe they might want to spring for the more expensive thermometer - I registered a robust 95 degees and the OH hit 94. This was followed by the question "did you have a temp of 104 or higher yesterday?" Huh? Well I probably would not be standing there today if I had or I would lie about it. "Are you together?" For about 50 years.  Polite chuckle, gate-keepers have heard them all. 

Then we were ushered along the roped aisles, apparently they are not into ramdom wanderers, to our seats where we were greeted by the Military! Veteran stabbers apparently though some did not look old enough. "Sarge" explained the paperwork, the upcoming experience and how to schedule for our 2nd appointment. I love optimism. The second soldier introduced himself after I asked if he was the stabber and I introduced myself as the "stabbee" finally coaxing a smile from Mr. Serious. The shot itself was anti-climatic. Chief Stabber said those shots shown on television are rather over-inflated (showing 6 inches of needle). It was just a small prick and three days of muscle soreness. He apologized for drawing a little blood (I must have flinched) and finished off with a cheery Daffy Duck bandage. The OH got Bugs Bunny. My theory is the Health Department vaccinates a lot of children and Loony Tunes are the cover of choice.

Another month or so and a second stab, though I have heard there may be a booster developed for all the mutant covids that keep popping up. Then another two to four weeks - IMMUNITY, maybe. I am grateful to be in the loop and hopeful that we can reach that magic 80% vaccination rate this year.

ABOUT DAMN TIME

 

January, 2021 and we are about to install (inaugurate) the first female Vice President of the United States. 20 freakin' 21 before the US is ready to formalize what should have been routine a long time ago. We believe we are so progressive, but  some still fear women in positions of power. A heartbeat from the Presidency - ooh. If we did not believe it before, except for females who have faced the backlash of the insecure, the insurrection of January 6 featuring an preponderance of white men certainly illustrated a certain faction that craves such a society, either openly or covertly. 

 I don't negate the horrific fact that a woman was shot and killed due to her actions and there were some women in the crowd; but basically the crowd was the old status quo of jacked-up dudes. One of whom gave himself a heart attack by repeatedly tasing himself in the crotch. No further comment needed.

I also shudder at the image of the "Christian" flags present that were later used to beat people. Religion is another area where men are dominant especially in the Catholic world. Women are the housekeepers, servants to the men and "runners of bake sales". I find it interesting that some of the countries doing the best under pandemic conditions like Germany, New Zealand, Denmark, Taiwan and Finland are headed by women. They reacted and locked down sooner than others, including our much-maligned Michigan governor. Ah well. What doesn't kill us makes us stronger as they say.

However, I do not believe those yahoos speak for most men who are not intimidated by the "skirt" being in charge. (No doubt due to the company that I keep) The most competent should lead be they black, white, male, female, straight or something else. The attacks on a woman when certain people feel threatened are usually personal critiquing appearance or demeanor. We don't usually call out McConnell as "toad-like" (appearance) but for his intractability. We don't fault ambition and insistence on being noticed as unbecoming and aggressive when discussing a male's actions. Shrill or passionate or not good under stress are the labels women receive when we are making a difference in the dynamic.  Good feedback so can't complain.

I did not realize how back"ass"wards our thinking was when I was growing up as Mother always treated the boys and girls the same. I have rediscovered the original Star Trek series recently which I looked forward to every week back in the 60's. Loved my Captain Kirk and Mr. Spock, but I also liked the way there was always a moral in each story. Yes, I know the backgrounds were primitive and the acting was "over the top", but I noticed something else with my 2021 enlightened eyes.  Why in the hell were the women dressed in mini-skirts and go-go boots? They're supposed to "kick ass" when the circumstances warrant which revealed little shorts underneath. What self-respecting female member of the military would be caught on duty with a skirt barely covering her derriere. 

There is also an underlying "judgement" of the women by the "guys"/fellow officers who rate their looks and marital prospects. Totally did not see that as a 16-year old high school student watching the show! Outside of Uhura, the communications officer, who could snap orders and dominate, the women onboard basically showed up with clip boards for the men to sign or were used as romantic foils.  Even when the protagonists were women, they were always impeccably dressed and used feminine wiles to cause their chaos. Anyway it gives me a whole new perspective on the show. 

Of course part of it was a sign of the times. Mini-skirts and go-go boots were the fashion mode. I myself sported the same. However in the days before panty hose were easily and ecnomically available, there was a "whole lot of tuggin' going on" to keep things reasonably covered. Coupled with the fact that the school dress code did not allow the ladies to wear slacks until 1970 a year after I graduated! 

The lack of power and the perception of never being able to achieve the highest levels keeps people enmeshed in hopelessness that their dreams may not be worth pursuing. A highly capable former Prosecutor,State Attorney General, Senator and now Vice President-elect is about to assume the second highest position in the country who also happens to be is black, asian and female. That may indicate we are not quite so hopeless and change can happen.

Congratulations Vice President Kamala Harris. Long may you wave.

NEVER ENOUGH

Well Congress' shining hour did not last too long. Already scrambling, dissembling, and covering up is occurring. Each day brings more revelations both of heroics and traitorous behavior. Some Repubs did have the decency to condemn the President and his actions with several even voting to impeach. I am especially galled by the cabinet members and other "appointed" cronies who are rapidly jumping ship as the scandal extends. An American President exhorted his followers to attack the Capitol and the "R's" want to claim the Democrats are sowing "Division"! Really.  Well if you want to show unity how about voting to get this dangerous loser out of the presidential office before he blows up chunks (literally, he has the codes) as he is cut off from his bully pulpits of choice -social media. However it is refreshing not to hear the rantings on a daily/hourly basis.

The majority of Repubs are still defending Bozo yet banks, businesses, big donors and the PGA (of all insults) are deserting him quicker than ants on an anthill threatened by an anteater. Not to mention a large portion of the population.  If everyone but you can see the emporer has no clothes you may find yourself a little chilled yourself; and not in a good way. 

DIGRESS: There has always been a cabal that believes only certain "enlightened" people should control our lives where education and freedom of choice are not to be trusted to the masses. As long as you are the one in control - through religion, guilt, money, power, etc. that's just fine. Unfortunately these people keep getting elected (through religion,guilt, money, power, etc) and moving closer to putting their plans in place. White supremecy is also in play as evidenced by the pale horse's asses who trashed the Capitol.

Interesting note. The current White House occupant has followed the advice of the incoming President about distributing all of the vaccine available and trusting the manufacturers to keep up with demand. What a novel idea. However the circus of getting the vaccine continues.  With no federal plan in place, there is no model to work from. Older people already at high risk are camping out all night for a "first come, first serve" scenerio in Florida. But hey those folks will probably never equate that loyally  voting Repub has awarded them second class citizenry.

Our own contest for the shot was a little "hairy" but ultimately successful. Quietly resenting those who were able to snag the golden ticket was a surprising emotion to attribute to myself. Though part of me thinks the younger people should not have to wait so long while we "old farts" get stuck first. Anyway in vaccine roulette, one bets on their ability to slam information into a tiny screen in the 7 and a half minutes that appointment times show up.

 I literally had my smart phone glued to my hand through eating, drinking, sleeping and "other" activities, which can be done one-handed if you get my drift. When the heralded notice appeared I shrieked and with shaking hands/fingers was able to put in mountains of info into the tiny screen and nail down appointments. Do I feel slightly guilty when I run into an 81 year old friend who claims they are "befuddled" by their smart phone and are stymied on how to nail down an appointment. Yes and No to be honest. 

Anyway, what will the next week bring. We already have National Guards sleeping in the Capitol dome and typically, Repubs complaining they have to go through metal detectors now. Hello, many of us have been dealing with metal detectors in our workplace for years. Pesky things are there because they're trying to keep you ALIVE since allegedly  part of the rioting was an "inside job".

I hope to get back to more light-hearted missives soon. I did take the edge off by writing to my Congress person though.  God Bless America!

DIVIDED MIRROR

Scambling for cover as musket fire announces from all directions; the horrendous crackle and snap from massive all-encompassing fires moving closer; choking on the rancid air and frantic to decide what to save... besides your life. This was the scene on August 24, 1814 as the British invaded and burned down Washington D.C.  No army available, President Madison called on the local militia and 100's of citizen soldiers answered the call.

Dolly Madison is credited with saving George Washington's picture, well actually her enslaved servant Pennington performed the task at her direction secreting it at a farmhouse away from the Capital. A city mostly demolished saved only by a freak tornado and thunderstorm that finally mastered the flames.  But the historic Capitol and Senate wing were virtually destroyed along with the President's mansion and most federal buildings. Undeterred, the Senate met at the local hotel in September and held their next scheduled legislative session without interruption. 

September 11, 2001. Screaming jets destroying the twin towers of New York along with 3,000 Americans; another slamming into the Pentagon and a third attempting mayhem in Pennsylvania barely thwarted by brave Americans sacrificing their lives to stop the attack. We cleaned up the mess and rebuilt.

January 6, 2021. For only the second time in United States history the Capitol was attacked bringing the legislators and the people of the country to their knees. No foreign power attempting to win a war. Not a nest of foreign terrorists attempting to bring down the country. But a "jacked-up" crowd of  white American "patriots" (losers) irate because their guy had lost an election and then lied about it being rigged. A candidate who used his bully pulpit to stir a pot that was already simmering until his adherents collectively lost their minds already filled with extremist grudges and conspiracy theories.

Standing on a stage reminiscent of a Dr. Goodies elixer wagon selling "snake oil", he screams "Show no weakness! March on the Capitol. Stop the steal. I will march with you." Not. Fortunately he is a coward who never directly confronts, just exhorts, others to do his selfish narcissist bidding. His ego smarting from his well-deserved loss required 1000s of protesters to attack the Capitol and the legislators therein. Not just any man (and I use the term loosely) but the President of these United States! Four people dead, several police officers injured, untold damages to an irreplaceable 1800s building and an attack on the very soul of our democracy were all sacrificed on the altar of Trump.

At one point our representatives and senators believed they would have to fight their way out as the rioters smashed windows and crashed the doors to the legislative chambers. They were escorted to safety in the tunnels and rooms underneath the dome. Meanwhile upon obtaining their "victory" the rioters proceeded to: take phone selfies, sit giggling in the presiding officer's chair, played with the gas masks left behind, ransacked offices, took souvenirs and destroyed personal momentos and pictures. Brave little rebels: Profiles in Cowardice.

One can only conjecture: why there were so few police available when they knew 1000s of people were recruited to cause mayhem; why did they allow the barriers to be removed so easily; why were none stopped or arrested from the beginning; why was the National Guard not on standby until the Vice President finally made it happen, not the President. Why did America's Mayor, Rudy Giuliani, who of all people would remember the horror of 911 back this fool even crying "Trial by Combat" at the Dr. Goodie show? Why would the President not condemn the actions of his little rebels? "I love you, keep up the fight" he calls from behind his secure bunker. 

But a funny thing happened on the way to Trumpie's coup. Legislators talked to each other, protected each other and found consensus. Aides and assistants bravely went back to rescue and secure the wooden boxes containing the electoral votes. All were shaken by what they had witnessed and most realized the farce had gone too far. They returned to the floor and picked up their scattered belongings. They did the work they had started before they were so rudely and crudely interrupted until they verified that the "little King" was completely and thoroughly finished. The next two weeks will be interesting.

How long this new-found understanding of how fragile our democracy is will last I cannot say.  Democracy may have tottered, but for one shining hour they made sure it did not fall. 

 

SCRAMBLING FOR CRUMBS

 Egregious abuses of power have become the "norm" in Trump world. Apparently we have become so jaded by the excesses and the assaults on acceptable behavior that nothing is shocking anymore. However in my opinion, we are not that lost; we are outraged. But not enough people with a public platform have the courage to point out the disgusting and destructive acts. That includes the religious leaders who continue to support prejudicial behavior and vilification of the poor, under-privileged and people of color. 

 But I just have to mark the "jumping the shark" occasion when the President was actually recorded coercing and threatening an elected official, of his own party, to falsify an election and give him the win. He normally acts through his "people" to carry and toss the dirty water. Funny coincidence, he was literally impeached for these tactics by witholding funds to a foreign country unless they gave in to blackmail. He also spent two or three years squashing (through his lackies) a report that revealed cooperation with a dangerous foreign power and at least ten instances of obstructing justice and silencing witnesses. We knew he was a snake when we took him in...

The abuses not revealed boggle the mind but I am sure we will hear of them eventually. Watergate was a walk in the park compared to this actor. However, the brilliant tactic of making the media the "enemy of the people" and the media mindlessly falling for the con, has rendered them toothless and untrustworthy leaving lazy people to rely on social media or Trumpisms for their understanding of the world. 

My question is, will history show the truth of what happened here or will the watered down historical commissions appointed by this loser merely "whitewash " the story. Not requiring Government or Civics classes for high school seniors and the dumbing down of history courses in public schools has been occurring for awhile. There is a reason those in power oppose decent public schools and higher education. The educated masses do not play nice.

Especially apalling is the dozen Senators and 100+ Representatives who plan on protesting the electoral college votes as well as failing to condemn these, or any, of this President's actions. Meanwhile he drags them down as he fights reality and builds his personal war chest (talk about suckers).  All for an election that was judged by the nation's Attorney General and head of cyber security; dozens of judges and 1,000's of election officials of both parties verifying and certifying what was described  as "the most secure election in history". They would rather grovel and perform for the supporters of a reality TV star and failed businessman over the fate of the country. Choosing ambition, or fear, over the possible demise of the "great democratic experiment". Well the majority of us voted the other way and we have long memories. Not one republican has won the popular vote in ages. 

As far as his musings that he could probably shoot someone on 5th Avenue and still be popular we now know the reality. Basically if he shot your Mother, his buddies in Congress would label her a socialist terrorist to justify the murder.

HAPPY NEW BEER, WINE, WHISKEY...AULD LANG SYNE

 What is it about the turning of the calendar from December to January that promotes a feeling of new beginnings, new chances, resolutions to do better. It is just one winter day bleeding into another; no particular reason except we do love clear starts and finishes, metaphorically or otherwise.  It is the ultimate "DO OVER". If there was never a chance to restart, reform, redo or begin again I think we would be a sadder species. 

Waxing philosophical usually follows my perusal of the obits for the day and recognizing someone. That is becoming more frequent unfortunately, partly due to the wretchedness of "my corona" (sung to the melody of My Sharona). Also it is an indicator that either I am getting older or I was just a "pup" when I knew these people. I vote for column B! The latest was a gentleman with whom I shared an imtimately scary moment when his co-worker was electrocuted on the worksite. 

DIGRESS: It irritates me when it is reported that someone is electrocuted rather than shocked and injured. When one is electrocuted, you basically have left this earthly coil as your heart stops, finito, cue the music. 

 Fortunately due to the fast actions of the other hero employee and prompt arrival of the paramedics with heart stimulation equipment he was revived; broken but alive. I mentioned this in an earlier blog where I described slogging through the mud, blood and beer in heels to render assistance and represent the company at the hospital. 

The moment of terror occurred the next day when the hero employee and myself went back to the accident site to recreate the incident and complete the report. During explanation, my hand, on its own volition mind you, started raising towards the live energized culprit of the day before. A stinging slap and slam shut of the electrical box door followed that foolhardiness. With a swear he said "---- I can't go through that again!".  Learned to keep my hands in my pockets on any inspection after that. However it did provide a vivid understanding for my report and recommendations. 

Working in safety reminds me of a saying I heard once of "long periods of boredom punctuated by moments of sheer terror". It is those moments that we remember and dwell on for what we did or what we failed to do. As a safety director one lives in the world of "what could happen" and the aftermath when the "could" becomes reality. I did learn in times of extreme stress and unimaginably painful circumstances that humans tend to lash out and lay blame as a coping mechanism. Intellecutally one knows it isn't personal but I have never met a safety person who did not take it that way. But there is also no greater reward when you know you actually won one and made a difference.

This time of reflection concurrent with the waning light and preceding the hopeful beginnings of longer brighter days ahead is not an accident. Though the daylight increments are frustratingly tiny they are similar to that little sliver of light that slips under a closed door of a darkened room promising that brightness is just on the other side. If that is not reason to hope, what is?

Happy New Year and be sure to grab that french and german wine before that pesky 25% tariff hits...