Who You Calling Stupid!?

 I've largely avoided getting sucked into the "Pro-vax" vs "Anti-vax" debate, as I did with the "Pro-mask" vs "Anti-mask" debate. I was (and am) anti-mask and only did one post on that and generally avoided getting into public discourse regarding same. It truly was a bridge to nowhere. A similar dynamic has unfolded with the vaccine. I am unashamedly anti-vax and wasn't intending to write anything until I heard some moron recently on our local college public radio station. 

This man was on with one of the on-air personalities I had heard before. It's basically a format where the two guys banter back and forth about current events, giving light comment and opinion. The one guy whose name I don't remember was involved somehow with the college science department and apparently a referee of local school athletics. Anyway, this dude at some point decided to make it clear that not only was he a pro-vaxer, anyone who wasn't was an idiot (I think his exact word was stupid). He continued his rant by stating that hospital emergency departments were being overrun by this "idiots" as they were constituting the bulk of new Covid cases. He even insinuated that people were dying as they couldn't access treatment because of this situation. Well, the more he talked, the more he cemented his moronic position as as he was spewing both regurgitated progressive views and total ignorance of actual activities as it relates to health care. His most repugnant point (and the straw for this camel's back) was when he suggested that the unvaccinated should not be treated due to their "stupid" decision to not get vaccinated. Essentially: they've made their own beds and should now sleep in them.

To say that it's a shame that this institution of higher learning (ahem), would let this guy spout off is an understatement. Although most colleges are pretty left-leaning (especially in the liberal town I live close to) this babbling fool should have had his mic cut off. It's not so much that he feels this way (I'm sure he's not alone) it's that he besmirched the organization that allowed him the forum. And I'm not interested in rebutting the "science" behind pro/anti vaccines. It doesn't matter because either side can find "experts" on both sides of the debate. Forget about the politics and conspiracy theories too. What I want to speak to are two realities that can't be debated: hypocrisy and long-term effects.

Let me take the second point first as it is cut and dry: Nobody, whether it's Dr. Oz, Dr. Doolittle, Einstein (work with me here), or Oprah knows the long-term effects of these shots. They just don't. And don't think just because the FDA approves them, they're ok; not necessarily. It's easy to research approved drugs that were later taken off the market due to dangerous side effects. And those medications weren't rushed like the Covid ones were.

The hypocrisy requires a bit more explanation and interpretation, but I feel is just as undeniable as the point made in the previous paragraph. Those that feel that unvaccinated people should somehow be relegated to second class citizen status as it relates to their need for emergency care due to Covid are drinking the same Kool-Aid as those who believed the government was acting in our own best interests when Draconian lock-down measures were implemented. That was not the motivation then, and it isn't now; it's all about control. Anyone who equates "stupid" choices to access to health care would have to turn away most of those who show up at emergency rooms. I know, as I work in a hospital emergency room on a regular basis. I don't know how anyone can say making a sober, informed decision to not receive a vaccine that is (here I will borrow a comment I saw on a video chat thread) "...so safe that you have to be threatened to take it - for a disease so deadly you have to be tested to know you have it." is stupid. But I'll play your game and ask what would you call those who present at emergency because:

• they got drunk and had an accident
• hurt because they weren't wearing protective gear
• hurt because they weren't using caution
• they smoke cigarettes
• they use illegal drugs or legal like cannabis 
• too reckless (think ice fisherman, skiers, weekend warriors)
• their obesity results in a myriad of health issues

I could give many more examples of what I would consider "stupid" people, using your parameters. Another factor is those who show up with non-emergent complaints. In my experience, I would guess that 50% at best show up with clear emergent situations (i.e. trauma, serious illness/health conditions etc.). The rest use emergency as an urgent care, and even many of those are things like the sniffles, sore muscles, banged a shin on a stool (I am not making that up). In short the ER's are clogged up with snowflakes and those who don't care about living a healthy lifestyle. They want sympathy and drugs rather than some self-discipline when it comes to healthy choices. So yeah, if you go to a hospital with a sprained ankle (as you suggested you might), you may have to wait awhile if they do any intelligent triage.

So, therein lies your hypocrisy. I would wager that very few (if any) who believe non-vaxers are stupid, reckless, insensitive types putting everyone else in danger would put any of the afore mentioned in the bullet points in the same category. But those mentioned above endanger the lives of others constantly. Whether it's first responders risking themselves in a rescue, families subjected to drunk drivers, second hand smoke, victims of alcohol/drug induced crimes, or just lazy people driving up the cost of healthcare; let's call a spade a spade.

As followers of Jesus, we are called to treasure the lives and physical bodies we have been given, so those that purposely conduct themselves to contradict this need to do some reflection. Until then, if their silly (let's say sinful, as we all tend to be) behavior lands them in the ER, they should be seen. This certainly applies to someone choosing not to get a needle stuck in their arm so they can be injected with a relatively unknown substance. If going forward people start developing serious health issues related to these vaccines are you going to refer to them as stupid? Well, I guess that would be the height of hypocrisy if you took the poke.

It's All About Me

 

As I have never been shy about spouting off on issues of the day (especially emotional ones) it's somewhat of a modern miracle that I haven't become caught up in the quagmire of social media. Probably more evidence of how God watches over His sheep, as this sheep (in a positive sense of those following the Good Shepard; not those drinking the progressive Kool-Aid) would be constantly entwined in the brambles of social discordant discourse. Technically I guess blogging is social media, but it is to Twitter, Snapchat, TikTok, etc; what snail mail is to email. You have more time to compose and edit your thoughts before you blast them off into cyber-space, where they essentially orbit the world of opinion forever. 

 

Back in the day you could (I certainly did; and do) say something you wished you hadn’t, but it was just between you and the offended parties. It may have been quickly forgotten, or never given much attention, but it was gone as quickly as the mist of James 4:14. Granted, someone could have paid special attention, maybe even writing it down, but that would certainly not be the norm. Today however, forget it! It's not only written down, but it's available for ANYONE to peruse, and weigh in on. Essentially, assume nothing is said in confidence these days.

 

All of this as a lengthy segue to the application of James (one of my personal favorite books of the Bible) 1:19-20, which basically says to listen carefully and get a grip before you respond, as swift, angry responses are not what ambassadors of Christ should demonstrate. All of the afore-mentioned instant response social media platforms are the exact antithesis of James. The instant gratification, look at me, 15 minutes of fame, combative nature of them is so appealing to our culture (the World). As Believers, we need to consider how much we want to have to do with these things. I think James makes it clear; less is more. Less involvement with such non-sense is more better (righteous). And I haven't even touched on the Bible exhorting to us to be humble and the Beatitudes that clearly are not represented on these platforms. 

 

Of course, this sinful bent in the human race (by the way, the only race; but I'm not going down that Rabbit trail) is nothing new. What is new is our capability (ergo temptation) to allow these "little foxes" to ruin the vineyard of righteousness. From the Garden going forward we have always been totally sinful. People are no better or worse than 2000 years ago; society in terms of 1. (if not acceptance) of behavior that was once considered abhorrent (if not sinful) has definitely worsened. My feeling is a lot of this can be explained by the accessibility for the masses to sin via all the electronic options. This sin inherent in social media was not available in the not-too-distant past. But I'm sure Screwtape and Wormwood (you don't know who they are, and you call yourself a Christian!) are falling off their chairs laughing over the followers of the Enemy making fools of themselves and damaging their witness on social media. 

 

I would like to close with a couple considerations: 

1. Is it a sin to be on these sites; of course not. But they certainly can be portals to sinful behavior.

2. Does anyone really care about your opinion; probably not. Let's be honest; opinions are like noses; everyone has one and they can only vary so much. Me too. I know my opinion doesn't matter much to anyone but myself (sad but true), but it's still fun to share it (for me). So here we are getting to the nut of the matter: the sharing of an opinion is more for the satisfaction of the sharer than the sharee (did I just invent a word?). So, I suppose we can add selfishness to the list of negative aspects of dabbling in social media. 

So, I will avoid the "instant gratification" social medias and stick to my "Boomer blog". It has a cathartic effect for me and helps to keep my mind engaged and hopefully my writing skills (of which I have precious few) honed. But enough about me, what do you think about me?

 

Thanks for Caring

Hey, here's an original idea! Why don't I spout off about the Rona? As they say: "another country heard from". I wasn't going to until I could come up with some angle that no one else had used (or at least, I hadn't read/heard it). So, although I'm using information from other sources, they will be incorporated in my unique perspective.

 Firstly, let's stipulate to some points:

       Covid-19 is real

        I don't want to make anyone sick

         I don't want anyone to make me sick

         your chances of getting sick from it are slim

         your chances of dying from it are even slimmer

       just living is dangerous

         we're all going to die

Now that we've got these lofty concepts out in the open, let me say that in spite of these, there has to be a limit on idiocy as it relates to these concepts. Simply put (for you Democrats out there; ha ha just kidding; not really) when the cure becomes worse than the disease; you better find another way. The cure became worse than the disease early on, and has only worsened with time (which is another bizarre aspect to this whole farce, as typically with time and perspective, you figure things out; but not with the Chinese Flu). 

 

Wearing masks has progressed (or maybe regressed is more accurate) from an option for people to exercise to public shame and government mandates. Social distancing, hygiene measures, reduced capacities, and other extraordinary measures to combat the "deadly" pandemic morphed into forced closures of businesses and unemployment. All in light of hard data demonstrating that Covid was not nearly as deadly as originally feared and that the severe measures have been largely ineffective in diminishing outbreaks but are causing immeasurable personal and economic tragedy. Not to mention the trampling of our civil liberties and the cowering of a significant portion of the population who are comfortable as sheep. 

If I hear one more official (hypocritical of course, as they are getting busted for violating rules for all others faster than I can keep up) or anyone else, say that it's about concern for yourself and others, I may elbow them to the temple (figuratively of course). There is no one more concerned for others, than a follower of Jesus Christ. We're also quite competent at taking care of ourselves. But even taking Christ out of the equation (which of course is an even bigger problem, but I digress) even heathens deserve to live their own lives and not be under the thumb of tyrannical leaders. 

So our civic leaders are concerned for our health? Okay, thanks to statistics provided by    Way of Life Literature; riddle me this. In a typical state tens of thousands of people will die every year from the following causes: cancer, heart disease, accidents, stroke, 

diabetes, drug overdose, flu (yes, regular old flu), kidney disease, firearms, suicide, homicide. I'm not sure where motor vehicle deaths fit into the above, but especially as it relates to drunk driving, it has its own special impact. Now we could argue till the cows come home (not sure exactly how long that is, but it's a long time) about causation being biological versus environmental (lifestyle), but clearly lifestyle choices have a major effect on most of these conditions. Point being, why don't the great protectors of our health and safety (you know, the ones behind ruining people’s lives and our way of life through draconian measures) take aim at the culprits contributing to these conditions?

 Cancer: Ban cigarettes. The link between smoking and lung cancer has been known for decades. Eliminate any known or suspected carcinogen as any ingredient or from any product.

 

Heart disease: Smoking again. Intensely regulate the amount of cholesterol and all fats by limiting or outlawing Big Macs.

 

Diabetes: Candy (did somebody say: chocolate) only on Halloween, Valentines Day, and birthdays (with documentation of recipient's date of birth). Pop (sodas for y'all south of the Mason/Dixon line) regulated by states. Probably more lenient in the south where the battle against obesity has mostly been lost, along with most of the population's teeth. 

 

Drugs: Make them illegal (oh yeah, they already are). Actually enforce the laws and promote a national campaign that drug addicts are dangerous to society and need to seek help for their problems and remove the victim label.

 

Flu: refer to Covid precautions as they are spread in similar fashion and can both cause death.

 

Kidney Disease: might want to eliminate drugs and alcohol.

 

Firearms: Guns don't kill people, people do. You're stupid! Take away guns and whiteout the 2nd Amendment.

 

Homicide/Suicide: See above plus lets close bars and actually categorize most alcohol as an illegal dangerous drug (I actually think this is a good idea, but want to stay on topic here).

 

Accidents: Well, this is a large and sticky wicket. So let's outlaw high powered motor vehicles where people can crash into each other at high rates of speed. Outlaw other such dangerous activities such as: boating, downhill skiing, hunting, living in Florida (hurricanes, gators, sharks, zombies, and tourists, just to name a few), living in Chicago, motorcycling and so on and so forth. Whatever the Illuminati or Gretchen Whitmer deem as potentially leading to death (pretty much anything after getting out of bed in the morning, but let them make the call).

 

Okay, I can hear you all saying I'm just being nonsensical. Well, yes and no. Either our great benevolent protectors are concerned for our health or they're not. If that concern leads you to tell me to wear a stupid mask that interferes with my perfectly healthy respiratory system, that I can't go to school or work and interact with people as a social creature, to avoid visiting loved ones who are lonely (aren't we all) because I possibly could transmit this virus to them that might make them sick and that they could then  face a .0005 chance of dying from said virus; then why doesn't that concern transmit to the more dangerous aforementioned activities? You got nothin'; I thought so.

The reason we are allowed to do so much of what we darn well are pleased to do is because of liberty, freedom, rights; whatever word you want to apply, it's all the same. Men and women died for our right to make choices; even stupid ones. But we make them (as we should be allowed to do; right or wrong), and it's a dark day in our country when authorities are trying to take these choices away. The popular phrase these days is: "follow the science".

I am and it doesn't lead to where these buffoons have taken us. This thing is arguably no more serious than the flu or other illnesses (swine flu, zika virus, HIV) and none of these devastating lockdown measures were implemented. It is certainly much less dangerous than many of the lifestyles people are free to pursue. 

If the government truly cared for us, the  last thing they would do is close down

 churches. Nothing is more essential than a relationship with Jesus Christ. Not only for our emotional maladies, but for our collective eternities, because at the end of the day it doesn't matter what takes us out of this world; we're all leaving. The next stop is Heaven or Hell. If people directed some of their fear of Covid into fear of God , that final destination would be more reassuring.