| There's a growing public 'push back' against heavy-handed attempts to usurp special powers during this flu season. The added new & novel Covid19 influenza strain has much of the world terrified and demanding that others behave in ways that abate the frantic anxieties of those who watch too much cable news. Some are angry that schools are closed. Others are angry that shops are still open. The common factor seems to be that people are willing to applaud the forced actions upon 'those other people'.
| editorial by David Van Risseghem  The folks who insist that you hear their opinion, are the ones whose opinion you tend to value the least. |
The Rise of Wise Judgment - Without the Shaming Some of the largest sources of social spread of viruses are the big box stores. Yet we all seem to feel a need for them, so they are not touched by politicians. Sure common public facilities where people handle things and put food in their mouths are a good place to avoid. But rural cannot be judged as vulnerable as urban & international centers. The cautions and preventions that a New Yorker might need to adopt, are a wholly separate set of discretions than for Lake Wobegon, MN. The impossible task of running everyone else's lives. What emerges from this power struggle is a reality check. No one can protect your health better than you can. No one will set better disciplines upon your conduct than what your best judgments will produce. You are responsible for you. Quit trying to control everyone else and start focusing on your boundaries, set by you. Don't make the problem worse for others, but don't try to be their mother, their tyrant, or their god. It's time we grant ourselves and our government a relief of the responsibilities to make decisions for us. You may see folks doing things you would not advise, but perhaps you can wait until your opinion is asked for, before you start shaming others. The marketsWhile this social response is creating a high amount of upheaval of societal behavior, several aspects of the marketplace are thriving. Grociers, telecommunications, advertising, delivery services, outdoor sports, auto travel, and many other sectors will see gains. But we'll only hear about the losses, because that sells news ratings better than the successes. | I like the old March Madness better. I miss the regular order. The basketball tournaments are a big part of my March routine. But this reset is a time to start appreciating things I took for granted. Yesterday I reached out to Oklahoma's Lt. Gov. Matt Pinnell. He loved the piece I published on Oklahoma road trips and other ways to spend the spring break. He mentioned that Oklahoma has a measurable amount of international tourism, but that global influx of tourism cash is dried up. He loves the idea of encouraging Oklahomans to rediscover the treasures which this state has in abundance. Plus, it's a very healthy activity in the wide open spaces and fresh spring air. Ignorance is not a license for more control. In 2015, Mary Fallin ordered a prohibition of the use of personal vaporizers on state properties. She justified it with these words; " ..because we don't yet know enough about it." Yeah, she really said that. It reveals a god-complex and world view which tasks the govt with the decision of what's good for you. And the medical community applauded her, because such dispositions set them up for even more power 'to do good'. Yet they are the same ignorant lemmings who said that cannabis is too harmful to be treated like casually consumed liquor. |
