Saturday 9: The Best

Saturday 9: The Best (1991)

In memory of Tina Turner, who died on May 24, 2023.

Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.

 

1) In this song, Tina Turner sings that she can think of no better place to be than her lover's arms. Since we're entering summer vacation season, let's switch it to: What's the best place you've ever traveled to?

A. We have had lovely vacations in Charleston, SC, Williamsburg, VA, and Myrtle Beach, SC. However, the trip I took to Madrid and Paris when I was a junior in high school is hard to beat, even if it was so long ago, I barely remember much of it now. I loved Paris. I could live there, if I had to move to a city.

2) Songwriters Holly Knight and Desmond Child originally offered this song to English pop singer Paul Young. He declined it. Can you think of a time when you said "no" when "yes" might have been a better answer?

A. One of the stupidest things I ever did was leave a law firm in 1984. I'd only been there a little over a year and had been promised a raise in March. When it didn't come, I went looking for another job. I should have stayed where I was and not worried about the raise (which likely would have come eventually). I should have not said, "No, you're not going back on your word," and left (which is what I did). I have a thing about people breaking promises. Once someone says they're going to do something and then they don't do it, I lose all trust in them. It's a terrible way to go through life and I've tried hard to overcome that, but it still rears its ugly head as a niggle when someone says they will do something and then they do not. I try not to let it ruin relationships or cause me to do things rashly now, though. I learned that lesson.

3) Tina Turner was born in Nutbush, TN. In 1973 she recorded a song about it called "Nutbush City Limits." Is there a song about your hometown?

A. Not that I am aware of. However, Fincastle is the location of the first bluegrass festival ever. It took place in 1965. 

4) It was at Nutbush's Spring Hill Baptist Church that very young Tina began singing with the choir. She credited those early performances with giving her confidence in front of a crowd. Are you comfortable with public speaking? 

A. I am not.

5) When she was a teen, her mom relocated the family to St. Louis. It was here that Tina played on the high school basketball team. Can you make a free throw?

A. Maybe. I haven't tried in at least 45 years. I'd probably have to do it granny style.

 

6) Tina met her second husband, Erwin Bach, at the airport. A record exec, Erwin went to Heathrow to meet her flight and help her prepare for her London appearances. The last time you were at the airport, were you a traveler or were you meeting or dropping someone off?

A. I would have been picking up someone.

 

7) In 1991, the year this record was released, Queen lead singer Freddie Mercury died. What's your favorite Queen song?

A. Crazy Little Thing Called Love.

 

8) Also in 1991, Disney's Beauty and the Beast became the first animated movie to be nominated for a Best Picture Oscar. What's your favorite Disney movie?

A. I don't really have one, but I'll go with either the animated version of Aladdin or Finding Nemo.

9) Random question: What's your perfect day, weatherwise?

A. Sunny, with blue skies, temperature about 72 degrees with a very mild breeze occasionally. And no pollen.

__________

I encourage you to visit other participants in Sunday Stealing posts and leave a comment. Cheers to all us thieves who love memes, however we come by them.

He's My Number One

Many happy returns to my beloved, who today celebrates his birthday.

We are celebrating by having fertilizer put on the hayfields this afternoon.

Tomorrow night we will celebrate more with hamburgers and apple pie (his request).

I gave him tools this morning for a present, along with a card.

So happy birthday to my fellow, one of the good ones, and he's all mine!

Bing Image. Tractor Birthday Cake.

An Outing

The evening took us away from our house and to an event hall filled with people, many of whom we knew.

The occasion was the celebration of a friend's 25th year in business. She is a massage therapist (with emphasis on the therapist), and now about 64 years old. I saw her for many years, and sent my husband to see her, and gave gift certificates to friends and family to enjoy her services (though I suspect most of those went unused, stuffed in some drawer).

It is unusual for a massage therapist to last so long; they generally wear out, from what I understand. Bing says the average career of a massage therapist is 5 to 8 years. The fact that Karen has worked for long - and kept herself in shape so that she was able to do it - was indeed something to celebrate. Giving a massage is hard work.

Despite the fact that we have 33,000 people in our county, it's really a small community. The event was held at the Kyle House, once known as Bolton's Store, in the county seat. The building is an events venue, and there were easily 50 plus people there when we arrived.

Since the most public places I have been since 2019 are grocery stores, this was a bit much for me; the sweet, cloying scent of perfumes, powders, and colognes, so many people in a smaller space than a massive market.

But I had accepted the invitation knowing that I am trying to claw my way back to civilization, having become almost - but not quite - agoraphobic during the pandemic, seldom leaving the house, only venturing out to purchase food. As for other items, let's just say the UPS man and I are on a first-name basis.

So, this was a personal test, which I passed. I am grateful that I went, happy to have seen so many familiar faces after so many years of seeing only scowls in the supermarket. These people were happy, caring on pleasant conversations, and enjoying themselves.

The people I knew included my physical therapist, whom I hadn't seen since 2019. She suffocated me in an embracing and long hug the moment I walked in the door. I stiffened at first, having determined previously that I didn't want physical contact, but she was so sincere, and I like her so much that it was only a moment of light panic, and then I hugged her back with similar intensity. 

I also saw a former county supervisor, whom I'd really enjoyed working with and was sorry to see retire many years ago, a cousin who said she wants to meet for coffee, my dear friend Leslie (another hug) and her brother, who informed us he had retired as a surveyor that very day, (I also called him by another brother's name, oops), and an ex-husband of another dear friend. I also greeted a former employer and his wife, a contractor and his wife, both of whom have known my husband most of his life, a former high school pal, a former firefighter's wife, and of course Karen, who was throwing herself this bash.

I had a couple of chicken salad sandwiches and a cookie, along with water. A pile of articles about Karen sat on the end of one table, and I only had to flip over a page before I saw my byline, again and again. I've written so much about this county and its people over the last 30 years. Of course I'd written about Karen. In fact, I wrote the first article about Karen's business, I think.

My former employer (a lawyer then, retired now) saw one of the articles and then chased me down to show me. "Here's your name," he said, thrusting the story at me. He pointed it out to someone I didn't know. "She wrote this."

Yes, I wrote that. It was nice to know it meant something to someone, or several someones, even though it was years old.

No one had on masks, including me. Everyone is over that, although I still wear one when I go pick up drugs at the drug counter. If there are going to be germs anywhere, it's in there. I had a mask in my pocket, but I didn't put it on (I admit it was tempting).

Almost everyone was dressed up, in nice work clothes or church clothes, including us (although I had on my sneakers because I can't get my orthotic in any other shoe). I enjoyed myself. My husband enjoyed it. We left after an hour, with things still going full swing, when I finally felt the perfumes and smells seeping into my lungs and felt an asthmatic wheeze coming on.

I guess I'm coming out into the world again.

Thursday Thirteen #810*

Thirteen Reasons to raise the national debt ceiling:

1. Economic Stability: Raising the debt ceiling ensures that the government can continue paying its bills and obligations, thus maintaining economic stability. Failure to raise the debt ceiling could result in a government shutdown, default on debt payments, and a severe financial crisis.

Bing generated.

2. Avoid a Government Shutdown: Raising the debt ceiling prevents a potential government shutdown, which can have detrimental effects on essential services, government operations, and public trust in the functioning of the government. Government services include things like keeping up the federal highways, social assistance programs (SNAP, etc.), the federal court system, environmental protections, all of the workers who make up the government to keep things running (air traffic controllers, for example), federal recreational services such as the National Parks, the Smithsonian, etc., and research for new technologies, such as funding for research for various diseases as well as NASA, which has brought many technological advances to humanity.

3. Preserving Creditworthiness: By raising the debt ceiling, the government maintains its ability to borrow money and meet its financial obligations. This helps preserve the country's creditworthiness and prevents a downgrade in its credit rating, which would increase borrowing costs for the government and potentially the entire world economy.

4. Supporting Social Programs: Raising the debt ceiling ensures that critical social programs, such as Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid, continue to receive funding. These programs provide vital support to vulnerable populations, including the elderly, disabled, and low-income individuals.

Bing Image

5. Investing in Infrastructure: Raising the debt ceiling can enable the government to fund infrastructure projects that create jobs, improve transportation systems, enhance public facilities, and stimulate economic growth. Investing in infrastructure is crucial for long-term economic competitiveness and development.

6. Emergency Funding: Raising the debt ceiling allows the government to respond effectively to unexpected emergencies, such as natural disasters, public health crises, or security threats. It ensures that necessary resources are available to mitigate the impact of these crises and protect citizens.

7. National Defense: The debt ceiling increase can ensure adequate funding for national defense, including the military, intelligence agencies, and veterans' programs. Maintaining a strong defense is essential for safeguarding national security interests and protecting the country from external threats.

8. Debt Refinancing: Raising the debt ceiling provides the opportunity to refinance existing debt at favorable interest rates. This can lead to cost savings for the government, freeing up resources for other critical priorities or reducing the overall burden of interest payments.

9. Economic Stimulus: Raising the debt ceiling allows the government to implement fiscal stimulus measures during economic downturns. Increased spending on public projects, tax cuts, or targeted subsidies can boost economic activity, create jobs, and help accelerate economic recovery.

10. Maintaining Government Operations: Raising the debt ceiling ensures that government agencies and departments can continue their operations without disruption. It enables the hiring and payment of federal employees, maintenance of public facilities, and delivery of essential services to the public.

Bing Image

11. Research and Innovation: Increased debt ceiling capacity can support investments in scientific research, technological innovation, and development of new industries. These investments lay the groundwork for future economic growth, job creation, and competitiveness in the global market.

12. Education and Workforce Development: Raising the debt ceiling allows for investments in education and workforce development programs. These initiatives can enhance the skills of the workforce, improve access to quality education, and ensure that the country remains globally competitive.

13. Social Safety Nets: Raising the debt ceiling enables the government to continue providing social safety net programs, such as unemployment benefits and food assistance, to those in need. These programs help mitigate the impacts of economic hardships and provide a basic level of support for individuals and families facing financial difficulties.

ChatGPT assisted with this list.

Bing AI created the images.

*I thought last week was #810 but the blogger counter says it was 809. I have no idea, I just go by what the blog label counter says. Maybe I misread it last week.

__________________

Thursday Thirteen is played by lots of people; there is a list here if you want to read other Thursday Thirteens and/or play along. I've been playing for a while, and this is my 810th time to do a list of 13 on a Thursday. Or so sayth the Blogger counter, anyway.

I Want Pockets

Why do they make women's pants without pockets?

I bet there isn't a pair of men's dress pants anywhere that doesn't have pockets, yet I have trouble finding pants with pockets. Especially at my size.

Women need pockets too. It's a place to put a tissue. Or your car keys. Or your hand.

No pocket in my pants means I have to carry to some kind of purse or pocketbook. I generally do anyway, but I carry a much larger one than I would have to if my pants all had pockets.

My pocketbook has things in it like my inhaler, tissues, ink pens, Tylenol, Dramamine, and the other usual things one must have, like a driver's license and a credit card. I know wallets are lifted from men's pockets, but it seems safer to carry a wallet in a pocket than it does throw a big honkin' purse over your shoulder.

Not only that, but the dress pants I have on today have FAKE pockets. If they're going to all the trouble to sew in a line that looks like a pocket, why not make an actual pocket? What's the point of a fake pocket?

Give me pockets in my pants!

Roy G Biv

"How will the kids learn their colors?" That was my husband's reaction as we watched a local news story about a parent who objected to a rainbow motif in a classroom.

He, like me, remembers learning our colors via the rainbow and the familiar acronym of Roy G Biv. That's red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet, for the uninitiated.

 Bing generated image.

Fascism has come to the Roanoke Valley dressed up as "concern for the children," as book banners and school patrols go after what they consider items and persons who "groom" or "indoctrinate" children, ostensibly trying to "turn" young people into homosexuals or transgenders or whomever it is these folks are afraid of.

Ban one book, and where does it end? Is the next one to go some beloved story like Little Women, which is, after all, about strong young girls (and we can't have that). Remove one rainbow, and the next thing to go will be unicorns and leprechauns, I suppose. And why do these people - some of whom do not even have children - get to say what can and can't be happening in a library, a classroom, or any other place? And if they're so hellbent on protecting children, where were they when some were murdered this weekend by gunfire in Florida? Are they protesting for gun control? No. They seem pretty content with letting a child bleed out in the street.

We watched the first two hours of FDR on the History channel last night, and I highly recommend it. We are taping the remainder of the series and will watch it before the week runs out, I expect.

It really brings home the issue of fascism, which I consider any effort to ban a book to be, so I will end with this rather long quote that I am borrowing from Heather Cox Richardson, who borrowed it from an Army pamphlet from 1945. I looked up the original but it's easier to copy and paste. Yes, I can be lazy.

Keep this in mind and then determine who is really a Democrat, a Republican, and a Fascist. I know what I think. I think the people who keep calling Republicans Rinos are really the fascists. Real Republicans know better and are trying to keep our Republic strong. Anyway, this is worth the read:

Fascism, the U.S. government document explained, “is government by the few and for the few. The objective is seizure and control of the economic, political, social, and cultural life of the state.” “The people run democratic governments, but fascist governments run the people.”

“The basic principles of democracy stand in the way of their desires; hence—democracy must go! Anyone who is not a member of their inner gang has to do what he’s told. They permit no civil liberties, no equality before the law.” “Fascism treats women as mere breeders. ‘Children, kitchen, and the church,’ was the Nazi slogan for women,” the pamphlet said.

Fascists “make their own rules and change them when they choose…. They maintain themselves in power by use of force combined with propaganda based on primitive ideas of ‘blood’ and ‘race,’ by skillful manipulation of fear and hate, and by false promise of security. The propaganda glorifies war and insists it is smart and ‘realistic’ to be pitiless and violent.”

Fascists understood that “the fundamental principle of democracy—faith in the common sense of the common people—was the direct opposite of the fascist principle of rule by the elite few,” it explained, “[s]o they fought democracy…. They played political, religious, social, and economic groups against each other and seized power while these groups struggled.”

Americans should not be fooled into thinking that fascism could not come to America, the pamphlet warned; after all, “[w]e once laughed Hitler off as a harmless little clown with a funny mustache.” And indeed, the U.S. had experienced “sorry instances of mob sadism, lynchings, vigilantism, terror, and suppression of civil liberties. We have had our hooded gangs, Black Legions, Silver Shirts, and racial and religious bigots. All of them, in the name of Americanism, have used undemocratic methods and doctrines which…can be properly identified as ‘fascist.’”

The War Department thought it was important for Americans to understand the tactics fascists would use to take power in the United States. They would try to gain power “under the guise of ‘super-patriotism’ and ‘super-Americanism.’” And they would use three techniques:

First, they would pit religious, racial, and economic groups against one another to break down national unity. Part of that effort to divide and conquer would be a “well-planned ‘hate campaign’ against minority races, religions, and other groups.”

Second, they would deny any need for international cooperation, because that would fly in the face of their insistence that their supporters were better than everyone else. “In place of international cooperation, the fascists seek to substitute a perverted sort of ultra-nationalism which tells their people that they are the only people in the world who count. With this goes hatred and suspicion toward the people of all other nations.”

Third, fascists would insist that “the world has but two choices—either fascism or communism, and they label as ‘communists’ everyone who refuses to support them.” (Emphasis mine)

It is “vitally important” to learn to spot native fascists, the government said, “even though they adopt names and slogans with popular appeal, drape themselves with the American flag, and attempt to carry out their program in the name of the democracy they are trying to destroy.”

The only way to stop the rise of fascism in the United States, the document said, “is by making our democracy work and by actively cooperating to preserve world peace and security.” In the midst of the insecurity of the modern world, the hatred at the root of fascism “fulfills a triple mission.” By dividing people, it weakens democracy. “By getting men to hate rather than to think,” it prevents them “from seeking the real cause and a democratic solution to the problem.” By falsely promising prosperity, it lures people to embrace its security.        -- Heather Cox Richardson

Which do you want to be? The book burner or the book saver? The person who admires rainbows or the one who denigrates them because of their own personal insecurities and hang-ups? Just who do the children need to be saved from? 

I really have to wonder.

 

Sunday Stealing

Sunday Stealing

1. Do you go in at a fast-food place or just hit the drive through?

A. We generally use the drive through, especially since the pandemic.

2. Have you ever lost anything down a toilet? 

A. Not that I recall. If I did, it must not have been important.

3. Do you have a dog?

A. Not anymore. I had a dog for 17 years, but she died in 2001, and I was so heartbroken that I did not get another. Besides, I am highly allergic to animals, and she had to stay outside unless it was really cold, at which point I brought her in the garage (fortunately she was half Eskimo Spitz and loved the cold). I didn't think it would be fair to an animal to bring it to live with me.

4. Ever go camping?

A. Not as an adult. My father took us camping when I was quite young. I barely remember it. Mostly I remember that my mother hated it.

5. Have you met anyone famous?

A. I have met a lot of politicians who could be considered famous. This was due to my work. I met all of Virginia's governors from Douglas Wilder through Bob McDonnell. I am on a first-name basis with my state House of Delegates representative. I know many local news reporters who would be considered "famous" around here. I have also met famous writers like Lee Smith, Sharon Olds, Beth Macy (I went to school with her), Jill McCorkle, and others. But no actors.

6. Any plans today?

A. It is supposed to rain all day, so maybe I will simply have a lazy day. I have a few letters I need to write, and I should do bookkeeping for the farm, but we'll see how it goes.

7. Are you happy?

A. I think "happy" is overrated.

8. Where are you right now?

A. In my office in my house in a county in the state of Virginia, USA, on the continent of North America.

9. Biggest annoyance in your life right now?

A. My hair. I have been seeing the same person for several years now, and while I like her, she cannot cut my hair. This last cut was a final straw. It's the shortest it's ever been and needs to grow out quite a bit, at which point I will return to seeing if I can find someone who listens and doesn't scalp me.

10. Last song listened to?

A. Carry On My Wayward Son, by Kansas.

11. Last movie you saw?

A. We watched part of Star Trek: Into the Darkness on Friday night but did not watch the entire movie. I have never seen it in its entirety even though I like Star Trek.

12. Are you allergic to anything?

A. Pollen of all types, animal dander, dust, hay, various medicines, black pepper, milk, strawberries, etc. Some of the foods I can tolerate in moderation.

13. Favorite pair of shoes you wear all the time?

A. A pair of Apex sneakers (white) which are quite expensive, but few shoes can accommodate the special orthotic insert I have to wear in my right shoe.

14. What do you think of when you think of Australia?

A. Kangaroos.

15. Do you use smiley faces on the computer a lot?

A. No, I don't think I do. I'm not an emoji fan.

__________

I encourage you to visit other participants in Sunday Stealing posts and leave a comment. Cheers to all us thieves who love memes, however we come by them.

Saturday 9: Some Gave All

Saturday 9: Some Gave All (1992)

Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.

Memorial Day is the federal holiday designated to honor American service people who died in battle.

1) Here at Saturday 9, we regard everyone who served -- veterans and active military -- as heroes. Have you, or has anyone in your family, worn the uniform of our armed forces? We want to hear about them.

A. Many members of my family have served. My father and his brothers, and several of my mother's brothers, would be my closest family members. My grandfather on my father's side served in World War II. The only story I remember my father telling about his time in the service (he was in Korea, after the fighting but during the mop-up and occupation, I think), was one day he was serving potatoes in the chow line, and he looked down and saw his brother coming through. So, he pulled down his hat, and when his brother got to him, he only gave him a spoonful of potatoes. When Uncle Jerry said, "Hey, I want more!" my father looked up and said, "Go to hell" or something like that, and Uncle Jerry sprang over the chow line to hug my dad. Obviously, they were serving at the same time.

2) Memorial Day has its own flag etiquette. In the morning, the American flag should be flown at half staff in memory of those we have lost. Then, at noon, it should be raised briskly to full staff, in honor of all who have served. Where is the nearest flag flying from where you sit right now?

A. Probably in downtown Fincastle, at the county courthouse, although there may be neighbors who have flags up that I cannot see. So many houses around here sit far back from the road and if you're driving it's hard to take note of little details like that.

3) Since 1988, motorcycle riders have participated in Rolling Thunder. In events all over the country, including Washington DC, bikers "Roll Together" to draw attention to service members still missing and raise awareness of mental health issues our veterans cope with each day. When have you most recently ridden a motorcycle? A scooter? A bicycle?

A. It's been a very long time for any of those. Thirty years, at least, unless you want to count the recumbent bike I used for exercise prior to 2013.

4) This week's song is the title track of Billy Ray Cyrus' best-selling album. Named for this patriotic song, the album also included Billy Ray's signature song, "Achy Breaky Heart." "Achy Breaky Heart" is a popular choice on karaoke nights. Do you know it well enough to sing along?

A. No. 

5) Sandy Kane, the hero of "Some Gave All," is based on a real Vietnam vet Billy Ray Cyrus met and spoke to about his sacrifice for his country. Can you think of another song based on a real person?

A. No. But I'll go with Ode to Billy Jo or Harper Valley PTA. I don't know if they were real people, though.

6) Memorial Day is the traditional kick off of the summer season. Have you packed away your winter clothes yet?

A. I don't pack my clothes away. They are all mixed together and that's the way they stay.

7) As you answer these questions, is there a fan or an air conditioner cooling your room?

A. Not in the room. The air conditioner for the entire house (heat pump) is on, but not running. It's not hot enough outside yet for it to turn on.

8) Memorial Day is also a holiday for retailers. Ads promise great prices on everything from grills to lawn decorations to high tech gear and gadgets. Will you be shopping any sales this weekend?

A. I don't think so.

9) Random question: When is the last time you felt like a kid?

A. When I was a kid. Now, if you mean when was the last time you were in the presence of a parent, and he gave you the stink eye like you'd done something wrong even when you hadn't, like he's always done, then that was Wednesday.

__________

I encourage you to visit other participants in Sunday Stealing posts and leave a comment. Cheers to all us thieves who love memes, however we come by them.

I Stand With Libraries

As of this posting, my county library has received formal reconsideration requests (requests to remove) to review 13 titles. Here are some stats:

# titles challenged that Botetourt County Library does not own: 48
# titles challenged that Botetourt County Library owns: 13
# citizens challenging titles: 3
1 citizen requested a review of 12 titles
2 citizens requested a review of 1 title
# challenged titles any of the requestors said they read/viewed: 1
# times 13 challenged titles have been checked out without complaint: 278
Total purchase cost of all Botetourt-owned copies of all 13 challenged titles: $289
Estimated time/labor cost to review these 13 titles: $11,409
# years the 13 challenged titles have been on library shelves: range from 6 months to 13 years
% 13 challenged titles added to the collection before 2020: 75%

https://www.botetourtva.gov/817/BOCO-Facts-4-U

So, we're going to spend $11,500 in taxpayer dollars to review $300 worth of books because 3 people object to different lifestyles. I hope they're proud of themselves.

Thursday Thirteen #810

In a few weeks, I am turning 60 years old. Here are 13 pieces of advice for someone turning 60 years old:

1. Embrace your age: Turning 60 is a milestone, so embrace it and appreciate the wisdom and experiences that come with it.

2. Take care of your health: Prioritize your physical and mental well-being. Regular exercise, a balanced diet, and regular health check-ups can go a long way in maintaining good health.

3. Stay socially connected: Cultivate meaningful relationships with family, friends, and the community. Social connections contribute to overall happiness and well-being.

4. Pursue your passions: Explore new hobbies, interests, or activities that bring you joy. Use this time to indulge in activities that you may not have had time for earlier in life.

5. Plan for retirement: Evaluate your financial situation and consider retirement planning. Ensure you have a solid plan in place for a comfortable and secure retirement.

6. Travel and explore: Take the opportunity to travel and explore new places. Experiencing different cultures and landscapes can be enriching and fulfilling.

7. Maintain a positive mindset: Cultivate a positive attitude towards life. Focus on gratitude, mindfulness, and finding joy in the present moment.

8. Volunteer and give back: Consider volunteering for a cause that resonates with you. Giving back to society can be immensely rewarding and provide a sense of purpose.

9. Continuously learn: Never stop learning. Engage in lifelong learning through reading, taking courses, or acquiring new skills. It keeps your mind sharp and opens up new possibilities.

10. Reflect and set goals: Take time to reflect on your past achievements and experiences. Set new goals and aspirations for the future. Having a sense of purpose can provide motivation and fulfillment.

11. Take time for self-care: Prioritize self-care and relaxation. Engage in activities that help you unwind and recharge, such as meditation, yoga, or enjoying hobbies.

12. Spend quality time with loved ones: Cherish your time with family and friends. Create meaningful memories and strengthen your relationships by spending quality time together.

13. Embrace change: Life is ever-changing, and being open to new experiences and adapting to change is important. Embrace the opportunities that come your way and remain flexible in your outlook.

*ChatGPT assisted with this list.

Artwork from free photos from Dreamstime

__________________

Thursday Thirteen is played by lots of people; there is a list here if you want to read other Thursday Thirteens and/or play along. I've been playing for a while, and this is my 810th time to do a list of 13 on a Thursday. Or so sayth the Blogger counter, anyway.

Flowers

 

Why News Media Should Unite for the Greater Good

Way back when in the old days of journalism, the local media fed off of one another. I could see when the local TV station, for example, had read the weekly paper I wrote for, because they'd pick up a story I wrote and make it their own.

While I enjoyed the thrill of breaking a story and "beating the competition," I never enjoyed or endorsed the competitive nature of the media beyond that point. Once I had the "scoop," I was happy to share.

However, other reporters for the "big paper" seldom talked to me, and the TV outlets were even worse. Generally, they acted as if I was not there. Occasionally, a reporter would be friendly, and I never hesitated to offer up background or whatever another writer needed for a story if asked.

But I was seldom asked. I know journalists are supposed to work the room themselves, find their own resources, and do their own follow-up, but I have found that it never hurts to talk to a colleague to get another perspective or to have background information I may not otherwise find. Nothing says I have to use their information. It's like reading Wikipedia - a good place to start but then you go on to do the rest of the research.

Journalists generally attended multiple meetings and saw a project or whatever from various angles, more so than the average person. I appreciated their point of view and their knowledge. I wasn't trying to steal from them, or them from me. But I did want accurate and complete information to pass on to my readers. It helped to know how a project went from point A to point B.

This has never been a thing, having media work together. With democracy on the line, I would argue that now is the time for that to happen. It is time for a national narrative that ignores the dollar bills and instead promotes the will of the majority and the good of the people.

Otherwise, we're going to end up with fascism and the destruction of the Constitution, and the end of our republic and the demise of democracy.

With newspaper readership declining and opinionated "entertainment news" all over the TV, perhaps it is time for a paradigm shift, emphasizing the numerous benefits of collaboration among newspapers, TV stations, and other news media outlets. This, hopefully, would enhance journalistic integrity, accuracy, and the overall impact of news reporting.

Collaboration does not imply compromising individual identities or perspectives but rather harnessing the collective strength of the news industry to fulfill its critical role in society. It's not called The Fourth Estate for nothing.

Collaboration would foster an environment that promotes journalistic integrity. By working together on a story, news media outlets could pool resources, share information, and conduct comprehensive investigations. Such cooperation could reduce the risk of biased or incomplete reporting and enhances fact-checking processes. Moreover, by collaborating, journalists would hold one another accountable and maintain higher ethical standards. Collective scrutiny would ensure that journalists strive for accuracy and objectivity, safeguarding the public's trust in the media. If news media outlets prioritized collaboration, they would send a powerful message about their commitment to the truth and the fundamental principles of journalism. This is especially important now, when so many news outlets are underfunded and understaffed.

Multiple media sources

Coordinated efforts among news media outlets would have the potential to amplify the impact of important stories and increase public awareness. By sharing research, sources, and perspectives, media organizations would be able to construct a more comprehensive narrative, bringing greater attention to crucial issues. This is essentially what the TV media, and some print media, did to ensure the election of #45 and the loss of Hillary Clinton in 2016. He received way more attention (for ratings) and free press than she did.

Collaborative reporting would allow for a deeper exploration of complex topics, reaching a broader audience and inspiring meaningful conversations. Additionally, when multiple news media outlets present a unified front on critical matters, public trust would be reinforced, further emphasizing the significance of the reported stories. By working together, news media could create a collective voice that is louder, more influential, and capable of effecting positive change in society. There would always be dissenters who would see such collaboration as some kind of conspiracy.

In an era where misinformation and disinformation run rampant, collaboration among news media outlets should be indispensable. By sharing resources, cross-referencing facts, and aligning narratives, media organizations could more effectively counter the spread of false information. Collaborative fact-checking initiatives might help distinguish reliable sources from unreliable ones, empowering the public to make informed decisions. Furthermore, joint efforts could expose disinformation campaigns and highlight their deceptive tactics. By presenting a united front against misinformation, news media outlets could collectively protect the integrity of the information ecosystem, fortify public trust, and prevent the erosion of democracy.

Collaboration allows news media outlets to overcome resource limitations, particularly in an era of shrinking newsrooms and financial constraints. By pooling together their expertise, skills, and equipment, media organizations could undertake ambitious investigations and in-depth reporting that might otherwise be unfeasible. Shared resources enable the efficient allocation of limited budgets and personnel, ensuring the coverage of essential stories that may not receive adequate attention otherwise. Collaboration could also facilitate knowledge exchange, fostering professional growth, and expanding the collective capacity of the news industry.

By prioritizing collaboration, news media could enhance journalistic integrity, amplify the impact of stories, combat misinformation, and overcome resource limitations. Collective efforts would send a powerful message about the commitment to truth, while fostering public awareness and trust in most arenas.  Ultimately, by working together, news media outlets could inspire positive change, promote informed citizenship, and uphold the fundamental values of journalism.

It's a shame I fear we're too far gone for this to even be considered by other media.

*ChatGPT assisted with this essay.*

Sunday Stealing

Sunday Stealing

1. When you tell a story, do you often exaggerate?

A. Not often. I'm sure I have on occasion, but it is not a conscious decision. 

2. If a friend were almost always late, would you resent it or simply allow for it?

A. I allow for it. Lots of people do things I may not like, but I can't change them. I can only change my reaction to what they do.

3. Can you be counted on to be on time?

A. Unless I have car trouble or something unforeseen happens, yes.

4. When did you last yell at someone?  Why?

A. I imagine it was my husband and probably over something silly. 

5. If you could have free, unlimited service for five years from an extremely good cook, chauffeur, housekeeper, masseuse, or personal secretary, which would you choose?

A. I can't have someone who does them all? If I must choose, I'd chose the cook.

6. Would you be willing to go to a slaughterhouse and kill a cow?  Do you eat meat?

A. Yes, and yes.

7. Do you feel ill at ease going alone to either diner or a movie?  What about going on a vacation by yourself?

A. I feel more ill at ease these days than I used to. Being old, I am generally invisible now, though. I have never gone on vacation by myself.

8. Would you like to be famous?  In what way?

A. No, I would not like to be famous. I've already experienced that on a low level by writing for the local paper, and it's not pleasant. People are quick to criticize and seldom applaud.

9. Would you rather play a game with someone more or less talented than you?

A. More talented, so they can teach me something.

10. Is there something you've dreamed of doing for a long time?  Why haven't you done it?

A. Yes, and because I am afraid.

11. If you were at a friend's house for Thanksgiving dinner and found a dead cockroach in your salad, what would you do?

A. Well, I wouldn't eat the salad. Or anything else, probably. I might feign a stomachache and go home.

12. Would you accept $10,000 to shave your head and continue your normal activities sans hat or wig without explaining the reason for your haircut?

A. Sure. Hair grows back.

13. If you were able to wake up tomorrow in the body of someone else, would you do so?  Whom would you pick?

A. Does the other person wake up in my body? If so, the answer is no as I wouldn't wish that on someone else. If the other person just sort of goes away for a while, then I suppose some young person would be nice. Less aches and pains.

14. If you could change anything about the way you were raised, what would it be?

A. I really don't want to go there today, sorry.

15. What, if anything, is too serious to be joked about?

A. Some of this is timing. You wouldn't joke about death right after someone died, say, but maybe later. However, the more horrific terrorist events we've been experiencing with guns should never be joked about - Virginia Tech, Sandy Hook, Uvalde, Charleston, etc. Only sick people would joke about kids being killed. 

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I encourage you to visit other participants in Sunday Stealing posts and leave a comment. Cheers to all us thieves who love memes, however we come by them.

Saturday 9: Mirrors

Saturday 9: Mirrors (2013)

Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.

1) Is there a mirror in the room you're in now?

A. Yes. I hung one because I read some stuff about feng shui a long time ago and it said to fix the fact that my back is to the door when I'm working, I should hang a mirror. Or something like that.

 

2) In this song, Justin Timberlake tells his lover he just can't wait till they're together. What are you eagerly looking forward to today?

A. Not much.

 

3) Justin Timberlake is known as a sharp dresser who is always on trend. What item have you recently added to your wardrobe?

A. I bought two pair of pants earlier in the week.

4) Justin was an accomplished child performer who appeared on the entertainment competition show Star Search when he was just 11. When Crazy Sam was 11, her only job was loading and unloading the dishwasher, for which she received an allowance from her dad. Did you have chores when you were a kid?

A. I washed the dishes (or loaded and unloaded the dishwasher once we got one, which wasn't until I was 10), made my bed, vacuumed the floor, dusted, fed the chickens and other birds, gathered eggs, got in firewood, fixed the fire, sometimes made dinner, helped plant the garden, weeded the garden, brought in the vegetables, helped kill chickens, occasionally fed cattle, and looked after my brother. I didn't get an allowance and had to make straight As in school. And that was long before I was 11. I was washing dishes when I was 4 years old. I stood on the phone books piled on a chair so I could reach the sink. You were a slacker, Sam!

 

5) He says he tries never to miss breakfast, even on the road, and his favorite is peanut butter banana pancakes. Given the choice, do you prefer pancakes, french toast, or waffles?

A. Pancakes.

6) When they were still in their teens, Justin Timberlake and Britney Spears were sweethearts. Obviously it's been easy for him to keep up with her successes and problems over the years. Do you wonder what one of your exes is up to?

A. My exes would have been from my teenage years, and I seldom think about them.

 

7) In 2013, when this song was popular, Pope Benedict resigned. Thinking of your working life, have you felt greater stress on your first day at a job, or your last?

A. I felt stress throughout the entire time. I'm not sure either day was a picnic.

8) Also in 2013, the NHL owners reached an agreement with the players union and avoided a strike. Have you ever belonged to a union?

A. I have. I belonged to the National Writer's Union for a while, and my husband is a member of the International Association of Firefighters.

9) Random question: When was one of the first times when you felt like an adult?

A. I have always felt like an adult, really, but I suppose after I married I truly felt like one. 

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I encourage you to visit the posts of other participants in Saturday 9 and leave a comment. Because there are no rules, it is your choice. Saturday 9 players hate rules. We love memes, however.  

Thursday Thirteen

1. I object to the fact that one of the grocery chains (Kroger) is doing away with the inserts in the newspaper. Yes, I still read a hard copy of the newspaper, but they're not even going to have the ads in the digital version.

2. The grocery chain is forcing shoppers to download their app in order to (a) see what's on sale and (b) receive more for their money using "digital coupons." I consider this extremely unfair and classist. It forces older people, who may not be as tech savvy, to pay more for items because they don't know how to use the app. It also forces people to interact with the app constantly in order to get the "digital" coupon.

3. This is time consuming. My solution has been to (mostly) stop shopping at this store. The first time I picked up something to purchase and missed the small print *with digital coupon* on a price and had to pay more for it, was the last time. I am shopping elsewhere now, as much as I can. Unfortunately, in a rural area, my options are slim, and this store sometimes is the only place I can purchase specific products.

4. My husband has a flip phone and not a smart phone, so he can't use the app and its stupid digital coupons, either. He's not the only person with a flip phone, I'm sure. The last time he was in the store, he called me so I could look up the digital coupons and put them on our card from my desktop.

5. My phone is a smart phone, but it is also at least 6 years old. It has trouble with QR codes. So, if I know I must go to Kroger, then I have to sit at my desktop, log into my account, and browse through the stupid digital coupons in order to get the price. (Actually, when it does pick up the QR code, you still have to flip through and "clip" the coupon to add to your account, they don't just automatically add themselves. Why is that? Why must I spend my time scrolling through this crap?)

6. If a store can afford to sell grapes at $1.99 a pound with a digital coupon, then why don't they just sell them for $1.99 in the first place, instead of robbing other people who aren't tech savvy and forcing them to pay $2.29 or whatever the "regular" price is.

7. I find coupons to be disingenuous. As I state in #6, if the product can be sold for the lower price, then sell it for that. This corporate greed has gotten way out of hand.

8. I also dislike self-check outs. Food Lion uses real people and produces jobs (so now I go there to shop more and more). Kroger has cut people yet doesn't pay me a dime to check out my own groceries. They've turned shoppers into workers and people simply accept that this is the way it is. Walmart has done the same thing. If you're going to force me to do all the work, then at least give me 10% off of my purchase or something. Robbers. Some corporations are just robbers.

9. It reminds me of how my mother complained when she had to start pumping her own gas. I am old enough to remember when she'd pull into the gas station and a fellow would come out, tip his hat to her, put gas in the car, and wash the windshield, with no extra cost for the $0.25 gallon of gas. Then somebody figured out people could pump their own gas, and that was the end of that.

10. People wonder where the jobs have gone. This is where a lot of jobs have gone - the companies figured out how to make you do something for free that they were paying staff to do.

11. This goes for other things like sending out paper statements and bills from the electric company or the credit card company. Somebody had to stuff the envelopes and take the payments. Who does that now if it's all online? Nobody even sees it, it goes through its little computer dance and poof! Maybe there are still people who reconcile accounts behind the scenes, but most of this is done with fewer people and more technology.

12. Which is to say, it's not the immigrants who are taking jobs. It's the people who have all the money who are finding ways to make even more who are stealing jobs. The less they need people, the less they have to pay out. Who needs a janitor when you can run an iBot over the floor?

13. I don't see this changing. If technology is going to continue to take jobs away, then somebody (and in this case I suspect it falls to the government) needs to find a way to create other types of work or we're going to end up with a world full of sick and unhappy people, with just a few at the top living molly-coddled lives while the rest suffer. People need jobs, they need purpose, they need to have basic needs filled. The times may be changing, but those basics haven't. 

Frankly, I'd rather pay the $2.29 for the grapes, not have to worry about a stupid coupon, and be checked out by a real person. 

__________________

Thursday Thirteen is played by lots of people; there is a list here if you want to read other Thursday Thirteens and/or play along. I've been playing for a while, and this is my 809th time to do a list of 13 on a Thursday. Or so sayth the Blogger counter, anyway.