Opinion: Voting and Veterans Day
Halloween has come and gone. Next up is the very important, Election Day. What is referred to as the mid-terms occur two years after the presidential election. It doesn’t usually get the turn-out that the presidential election draws but for California it is a very important election.
The offices of the governor, assembly, local races and a slew of measures make this election very important for California.
But, I already know who’s going to win the Gubernatorial race… the fastest Goover of course! Sorry, but I love corny jokes…
People in many foreign countries are denied the right to vote. Some countries that hold elections are so crooked, their elections are decided before the citizenry ever go to the polls.
Later in the week, we celebrate Veterans’ Day. A time to honor all those women and men, the nation’s daughters and sons, who put their lives on hold to serve their country. They endured rigorous training and were sent on the adventure of a lifetime. All the while knowing they may not come home in one piece. According to the website statisa.com, in 2020, there were 1.33 million members of the United States Armed Forces.
November 11 was chosen because in 1918, at the 11th hour, on the 11th day of the 11th month the armistice was signed that ended World War l. Once known as the war to end all wars. Considering how history played out, how naive was that notion?
Next Friday the federal holiday will create the most beloved type of American observation, the “three-day weekend.” It might also serve as a time for that last barbecue of the season, weather permitting. Enjoy the party but for Heaven’s sake, be smart about it.
With the relaxed laws concerning cannabis consumption and all the alcohol flowing don’t imbibe and drive. Spending $10,000 or more and a whole different type of life interruption will make one’s existence miserable.
In the social sciences, the concept of unintended consequences are outcomes that are not the ones foreseen and intended by a purposeful action. The term was popularized in the 20th century by American sociologist Robert K. Merton.
No one ever intends to get busted for driving under the influence. It is foolish to think you can drink or consume as much cannabis as you like and then get behind the wheel of a car. If the person committing the DUI was the only one that got hurt or killed it would just be Karma catching up with the drunk. But other innocent parties don’t deserve to be involved in another’s bad judgment.
I love this country but it is time to quit making things worse while correcting an injustice. Child abuse is a tragedy but to combat that calamity we have created a culture where parents are never allowed to inflict any pain on their children. Corporal punishment used sparingly gets a misbehaving kid’s attention a lot quicker than a calm soothing tone and an enforced time-out.
Too many of those kids will grow up not really understanding the consequences of their actions.
Dr. Benjamin Spock is credited as one of the earliest proponents of the need for protecting a child’s psyche by using words rather than, say a wooden spoon to the bum!
Our parents didn’t care if they hurt our “feelings,” when they punished us. They weren’t concerned we would no longer be their “friend.”
While many times your parents are your best friends, that didn’t matter when we misbehaved.
Children running wild in public while their parents are oblivious to their actions makes me avoid many public venues.
Protecting kids from bullies has been highlighted in recent years. Because young people live not only in the real world but also in cyberspace, bullies have a much larger arena than when we were young. I learned quite early that my most effective way to handle a bully is to not back down.
Here’s an important secret, most bullies are really cowards. They use size or attitude to bend others to their will.
The old adage “Sticks and stones may break my bones but words can never hurt me,” isn’t nearly as effective as it should be.
I can only hope that parents are supervising the time kids spend online. Additionally, children need to be taught how easy it is for predators to target them.
Professor Dumbledore told Harry Potter that words are our most inexhaustible source of magic. That is good advice. The ability to talk through a conflict is optimum. But, sometimes, the other person has no desire for a peaceful resolution.
Long days and pleasant nights. Have a blessed weekend.
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Readers may contact Tami Jo Nix by emailing tamijonix@gmail.com or following @TamiJoNix on Twitter.
