As I have grown older, I have become increasingly disenfranchised with the world's news media. My parents grew up in different areas of the United States; they received weekly newspapers regarding the big events, and they listened to the radio each evening for current world, national, and local news. I was born in 1956, and we sat down to eat supper at 6 p.m. each weekday - and while we were eating, the television was on, showing 30 minutes of local news, followed by 30 minutes of national and world news. I ate my supper and watched the news about the war in Viet Nam and the unrest in the Middle East. The family discussed the news over the dinner table, and later, after the dishes were washed and dried.
My heroes, at the time, were cowboys and actors who portrayed cowboys. If I had to name a hero today, I'd have to say Richard Engle, a news journalist, and the astronauts aboard the International Space Station. When I read today's headlines (online), I almost ruined my monitor and keyboard with a mouthful of orange juice. The first two news headlines were in regard to the terrorist attacks in Paris, but the third headline was that an actor had announced he is HIV positive on a morning national news show. Why is this man's medical history news?
I have never regarded "star" or celebrity status of someone as news. It's plain old gossip. I had my own, private news page set up to give me the "news stories" regarding several people whom I know personally. Some are considered celebrities - but they're just friends to me, because I've known them all of my (or their) life. I ended up removing them because there was so much awful, stupid gossip that appeared under the banner of news. Is so-and-so dating so-and-so? What does so-and-so eat during a day? What does so-and-so's wife think about this? What does so-and-so's family think about that? So-and-so said this; and a quote taken out of context follows; what does it mean?
I am extremely un-trendy. I have a few favorite actors, a lot of favorite authors and books, and a few favorite television shows. Watching certain actors can make my toes curl up. I love the way they look, the way they move, and the sound of their voices. But I do not want to know every salacious detail of their lives. They have kids? Good for them. They have a horrible illness and are fighting it - such as cancer, Parkinson's, or Alzheimer's? I'm sorry for them and I will support them to the utmost of my ability. My own family members suffer from cancer, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, heart disease and diabetes. I support them. I support celebrities who create awareness of diseases that can strike all of humanity - many excellent actors and actresses have succumbed to any and all of the diseases I named.
But it seems to me that the actor who announced that he is HIV positive today did so merely for his own personal good. Look at me - I can't believe that I am HIV positive! This man is a foul-mouthed person that curses and screams at other people for no reason - he delights in being "out of control" whether through abuse of alcohol or drugs, or both. He is a danger to society at large when he is under the influence of any type of drug - legal or otherwise. And he suddenly wants my sympathy? He has crashed and burned too many times in public for me to give him anything... I wouldn't urinate on him if he was on fire standing next to me - I'd just run as fast as I could to get away from his presence.
Maybe I'm a bad person for feeling this way. But I am sick to death from hearing about "celebrities" who are pretty much self-created. Who the heck are the Kardashians? I've seen the name everywhere, but why are they in the spotlight? Did one of them create a new food source to feed the poor? Did they discover a new medicine to help kill a disease? Why should I care what they do, who they date, marry, or have babies with? It's none of my business. And I wish the "news media" would learn to accept that.
Showing posts with label heroes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label heroes. Show all posts
Tuesday, November 17, 2015
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
Heroes...
This photo was taken two days after the Battle of Antietam, on September 19, 1862 by Alexander Gardner. There were over 22,000 casualties in this one single battle in our American Civil War. Shown is a member of the US Army looking at the grave of a comrade-in-arms, while a Confederate soldier is left unburied, and, apparently, unmourned. We Americans said, "We can't let this happen again."
The remains of the Gibralter Bunker, near Ponzieres, France (on the Somme) in 1916. After the end of World War I, we Americans said, "We can't let this happen again."
Survivors of the Buchenwald Concentration Camp, were freed by American troops on 11 April 1945. The Camp had been constructed in 1937, near Weimar, Germany - it is estimated that 56,545 people died at Buchenwald. If you count seven heads, or six faces, from the left, in the second row, you will see Elie Wiesel, next to the support post. We Americans said, "We can't let this happen again."
Eleven years ago today, we Americans watched in horror as the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center were struck by highjacked American passenger planes. After the explosions, the Towers fell. And we Americans said, "We can't let this happen again."
We are a proud people in a proud nation. Our national flag, whether you call her "Old Glory," "the Stars and Stripes," or just "my flag," is representative of freedom - freedom of religion, freedom of speech, freedom to be who you are, as long as you cause no harm to others. God bless America.
September 11, 2012
Eleven years ago, America learned that it was not immune to international terrorism. It was a truly awful day in the history of our nation. All of those who died that day, or due to injuries from that day, or from incurable illnesses that resulted from the attack, or happened because the person was one of those heroic first responders, should be praised, prayed for, and thanked from the bottoms of our hearts.
America came about because the first settlers wanted religious freedom - it is extremely sad to think that religion was the cause of the attack on this date. America has lost many citizens in wars and in terrorist attacks. I salute all of you. You have all given me the life that I am able to freely live today. Thank you.
America came about because the first settlers wanted religious freedom - it is extremely sad to think that religion was the cause of the attack on this date. America has lost many citizens in wars and in terrorist attacks. I salute all of you. You have all given me the life that I am able to freely live today. Thank you.
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Critters, Of Course...
Rabbit jumping has become a big sport in Europe - this is a competitor at a meeting in Switzerland this past weekend.
This baby leopard is one of three rescued in the flooding in Cambodia this weekend - unfortunately, only one of her sisters survives.
My hat is off to Volunteer Fireman Peter Quinones, who rescued Lucky the cat from a burning building in Middleburg, Virginia this past week. Since he is a volunteer, in my eyes, he is twice a hero.
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Heroes
It's raining softly here this morning; and it sprinkled most of yesterday evening and last night, too. At least we aren't getting the inundations that folks have had to put up with from Irene and Lee! Remy and Rosie positively hate walking in the rain and are very hard to dry off, so today's walk is cancelled. We can definitely use this light rain, but I also wish it would fall over the 85+ wildfires that are burning in Texas! - They need it much worse than we do.
I'm in a "preaching" mood this morning, so I thought I 'd just let it all spill out.....
We are, of course, nearing the eleventh of September, and terrible things happened in our country that day. We, and other countries, lost innocent lives ten years ago to Islamic terrorists who were identified as being followers of Osama bin Laden, the leader of a group called al-Qaeda. Very few people who were politically aware, or who were caught up in the events of that day will ever forget it. It was horrifying. My husband and I were attending a court proceeding that day in Manassas, Virginia; so I was lucky not to be at work in downtown Washington, D.C. People wandering in and out of the court room were the ones who brought the news of the World Trade Center towers. Those of us in the courtroom couldn't believe it. Once we had testified, and were excused from court, my husband and I went to the car and immediately turned on the radio. Our favorite classical station had been taken over by their sister-station, an all-news, all the time, station on the outskirts of Washington. At that time, we heard of the collapse of both towers, the other two missing planes, and, it was being reported, that the Washington Mall had been bombed and was on fire. We went home and sat down in front of CNN on the TV. I did not personally know anyone who died on September 11 - but I know a lot of people who lost friends and family who were on board the planes, or were in buildings that were struck or damaged. It was an appalling loss of life. And it made a lot of people very angry, while it made others extremely sad. I grieve for all of the people whose lives were lost during September 11th, or from their wounds and hurts that were incurred trying to save others on that day. There were 2,996 deaths that occurred on 9/11, and more than 900 related deaths (fire fighters, police, and medical workers) have followed. Again, I am grieved for this loss of life, and I feel for those who lost loved ones.
On September 17, 1862, two armies met near a town named Sharpsburg, Maryland, which was near Antietam Creek. The Union Army was led by George B. McClelland, while the Confederate Army was led by Robert E. Lee. It was a devastating day for both the North and the South. Americans were fighting Americans, cousins and brothers were shooting at each other. After the fighting had ended at Sharpsburg, there were 3,654 dead. There were 17,292 wounded casualties. Reported missing, and presumed captured, were 1,771 men. Some members of my family, and members of my husband's family, died that day. I grieve for them, also.
Whether we are remembering every-day people who lost their lives without prior knowledge of a "war" being declared, or whether we are praising those who actually signed up for war duties, we should always remember them, and salute them, with thanks, blessings and grief. Whether they died ten years ago, on September 11th, or whether they died 149 years ago at Sharpsburg/Antietam, or at the Battle of Bunker Hill on June 17, 1775, these people gave their lives for us to be free Americans. I am very grateful. I am humbled by their sacrifice.
Both of those days were tremendously awful days. I understand that "9/11" occurred only ten years ago. I know that people know exactly where they were when they heard the news of the planes hitting the Twin Towers. I know that America has felt itself to be invincible, and that attacking our country, in our country, was what made September 11th so horrifying. - I am not going to turn my television set on until it's time for football this Sunday. Why? Because I do not wish to see all the regurgitated news about that sad day. I saw enough of the news to last a lifetime during that first week, and on each anniversary since. - What about the numbers of soldiers who died in all the preceding wars? What about the human experiments conducted on the Jewish people by the Nazis? Why do we not have National Days of Remembrance for all of the atrocities that have occurred since the world began? Why? - Because then we would be remembering the dead every single day of the year.
Humans are animals. They are much worse than normal, wild animals, since they can "think." Those who have fallen are, in my books, heroes... and I thank them and grieve for them each and every day. - Not just on September 11.
I'm in a "preaching" mood this morning, so I thought I 'd just let it all spill out.....
We are, of course, nearing the eleventh of September, and terrible things happened in our country that day. We, and other countries, lost innocent lives ten years ago to Islamic terrorists who were identified as being followers of Osama bin Laden, the leader of a group called al-Qaeda. Very few people who were politically aware, or who were caught up in the events of that day will ever forget it. It was horrifying. My husband and I were attending a court proceeding that day in Manassas, Virginia; so I was lucky not to be at work in downtown Washington, D.C. People wandering in and out of the court room were the ones who brought the news of the World Trade Center towers. Those of us in the courtroom couldn't believe it. Once we had testified, and were excused from court, my husband and I went to the car and immediately turned on the radio. Our favorite classical station had been taken over by their sister-station, an all-news, all the time, station on the outskirts of Washington. At that time, we heard of the collapse of both towers, the other two missing planes, and, it was being reported, that the Washington Mall had been bombed and was on fire. We went home and sat down in front of CNN on the TV. I did not personally know anyone who died on September 11 - but I know a lot of people who lost friends and family who were on board the planes, or were in buildings that were struck or damaged. It was an appalling loss of life. And it made a lot of people very angry, while it made others extremely sad. I grieve for all of the people whose lives were lost during September 11th, or from their wounds and hurts that were incurred trying to save others on that day. There were 2,996 deaths that occurred on 9/11, and more than 900 related deaths (fire fighters, police, and medical workers) have followed. Again, I am grieved for this loss of life, and I feel for those who lost loved ones.
On September 17, 1862, two armies met near a town named Sharpsburg, Maryland, which was near Antietam Creek. The Union Army was led by George B. McClelland, while the Confederate Army was led by Robert E. Lee. It was a devastating day for both the North and the South. Americans were fighting Americans, cousins and brothers were shooting at each other. After the fighting had ended at Sharpsburg, there were 3,654 dead. There were 17,292 wounded casualties. Reported missing, and presumed captured, were 1,771 men. Some members of my family, and members of my husband's family, died that day. I grieve for them, also.
Whether we are remembering every-day people who lost their lives without prior knowledge of a "war" being declared, or whether we are praising those who actually signed up for war duties, we should always remember them, and salute them, with thanks, blessings and grief. Whether they died ten years ago, on September 11th, or whether they died 149 years ago at Sharpsburg/Antietam, or at the Battle of Bunker Hill on June 17, 1775, these people gave their lives for us to be free Americans. I am very grateful. I am humbled by their sacrifice.
Both of those days were tremendously awful days. I understand that "9/11" occurred only ten years ago. I know that people know exactly where they were when they heard the news of the planes hitting the Twin Towers. I know that America has felt itself to be invincible, and that attacking our country, in our country, was what made September 11th so horrifying. - I am not going to turn my television set on until it's time for football this Sunday. Why? Because I do not wish to see all the regurgitated news about that sad day. I saw enough of the news to last a lifetime during that first week, and on each anniversary since. - What about the numbers of soldiers who died in all the preceding wars? What about the human experiments conducted on the Jewish people by the Nazis? Why do we not have National Days of Remembrance for all of the atrocities that have occurred since the world began? Why? - Because then we would be remembering the dead every single day of the year.
Humans are animals. They are much worse than normal, wild animals, since they can "think." Those who have fallen are, in my books, heroes... and I thank them and grieve for them each and every day. - Not just on September 11.
Friday, June 3, 2011
Adios to a Legend
James Arness passed away in his sleep this morning at the age of 88. He will always be Marshall Matt Dillon to me - a tall man (6 foot 6 inches), who was always on the side of right and justice, but who would meet action with action, if need be. For me, he was another John Wayne. Of course, when the iconic series Gunsmoke was first envisioned, the folks wanted John Wayne to take the roll of the Marshall. Wayne turned them down, but recommended his friend James Arness. Arness didn't want to get typecast, but agreed to take the role. He portrayed Matt Dillon from 1955 to 1975 - and then went on to make The Macahans, How the West was Won, and several Matt Dillon TV-movies. His brother, Peter Graves, passed away in March of 2010. In the opening credits for Gunsmoke, one sees the back of Marshall Dillon going out into the street to face down a gunslinger - it is not James Arness. The real Arness was wounded in the leg at Anzio, and had a distinct limp. The shows producers decided to have Mr. Arness' stunt double stand in for the star in the intro. They were flabbergasted when they saw the film run at the end of the day - the stunt double had limped, just like Arness! They had to re-film and told the double to "walk naturally, not like Jim." I shall miss James Arness. (And now I have to find out just who, of my old favorite western actors, are still with us.)
I spoke without thinking yesterday, and now Nedi and Lovey and I shall have a new roommate for 2 weeks. Her name is Mocha, and she is a spayed Himalayan. Coffeepot, a friend of mine, has been evicted (after 47 years of renting the same property), as the property was sold to new owners, and they are going to re-develop it. As soon as Coffeepot finds a place for himself, he'll take Mocha back to live with him. - And since we have a confirmed case of bubonic plague in a pet cat here in Boulder, my kits are now grounded. I hope that Mocha, "the Zen cat", and my kits get along! .... Brandi's folks will return late tomorrow evening, but I'll spend the night with Ooch and then return home. Ooch's mom will return Sunday afternoon. Rosie and Remy were very well-behaved once we got out of the house this morning, but as soon as I arrived, Remy started barking and wouldn't be quiet until we went out the door.
Next week, the filly counterpart of the Belmont Stakes, the Acorn, will be run on the same day as the Belmont. It looks as though Animal Kingdom, Shackleford, Mucho Macho Man, Nehro and about 6 other colts will be in the field for the third leg of the Triple Crown. .... And the veterinarians for Uncle Mo, last year's 2-year-old star who scratched the day before the Derby (as the betting favorite, no less), have finally decided what's wrong with the colt. He has been diagnosed with cholangiohepatitis, which, according to the Merck Veterinary Manual, is a “severe inflammation of the bile passages and adjacent liver, which sporadically causes hepatic failure in horses." This was the final conclusion after a liver and lymph node biopsy had been performed. The owners hope that the colt will return to training in the fall. .... And the cause of death for Michael Baze has been released from the Kentucky Coroner's Office today - an "accidental overdose of cocaine and oxymorphone." When will people learn that recreational drugs can, and will, kill?
I spoke without thinking yesterday, and now Nedi and Lovey and I shall have a new roommate for 2 weeks. Her name is Mocha, and she is a spayed Himalayan. Coffeepot, a friend of mine, has been evicted (after 47 years of renting the same property), as the property was sold to new owners, and they are going to re-develop it. As soon as Coffeepot finds a place for himself, he'll take Mocha back to live with him. - And since we have a confirmed case of bubonic plague in a pet cat here in Boulder, my kits are now grounded. I hope that Mocha, "the Zen cat", and my kits get along! .... Brandi's folks will return late tomorrow evening, but I'll spend the night with Ooch and then return home. Ooch's mom will return Sunday afternoon. Rosie and Remy were very well-behaved once we got out of the house this morning, but as soon as I arrived, Remy started barking and wouldn't be quiet until we went out the door.
Next week, the filly counterpart of the Belmont Stakes, the Acorn, will be run on the same day as the Belmont. It looks as though Animal Kingdom, Shackleford, Mucho Macho Man, Nehro and about 6 other colts will be in the field for the third leg of the Triple Crown. .... And the veterinarians for Uncle Mo, last year's 2-year-old star who scratched the day before the Derby (as the betting favorite, no less), have finally decided what's wrong with the colt. He has been diagnosed with cholangiohepatitis, which, according to the Merck Veterinary Manual, is a “severe inflammation of the bile passages and adjacent liver, which sporadically causes hepatic failure in horses." This was the final conclusion after a liver and lymph node biopsy had been performed. The owners hope that the colt will return to training in the fall. .... And the cause of death for Michael Baze has been released from the Kentucky Coroner's Office today - an "accidental overdose of cocaine and oxymorphone." When will people learn that recreational drugs can, and will, kill?
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