Entry #10 -- What Should I Say

So for my tenth and final blog, I want to discuss free speech. Every blog post, whether or not it should, always is chosen to make the most minor ripples possible. Will what I say come back to haunt me and destroy my career twenty years from now? Should I aim my discussions at a level that someone most likely to take offense will not be bothered to keep the peace? Voltaire's famous quote says, "I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it." I love this quote so much. There are stupid people out there with stupid opinions. No matter how absurd that opinion is, it is my duty, especially in uniform, to defend that person's right to be able to be as stupid as they want. 

Does this mean people can say whatever they want without consequences? Absolutely not. However, they do have a right to say what they want. For example, an outspoken member of the KKK should not be allowed to head a diversity committee, while a mass shooter should not be able to decide gun legislation. 

Instead of coming from the mindset of shutting down speech that upsets us, we should engage in debate. Take the mask debate during Covid, for example. There were medical experts on both sides debating the efficacy of wearing masks to stop the spread. The dissenter's opinions were pulled from almost all platforms and viewed as dangerous. People who questioned wearing masks were called murderers. In 1846, a doctor named Ignaz Semmelweis proposed hand washing to save babies' lives during childbirth. He was excoriated by the medical community. The point of all these examples is to encourage the free flow of communication. Change the mindset of people with facts and evidence.

Take, for instance, raising a child. When that child asks "why," the parent replies, "Because I said so." Does that child now have a more thorough understanding of the task they have been given, or are they resentful that they have to do something where they don't see the value of its purpose? Along the same line, protesting an event to an extreme where a speaker cannot be heard has almost the same effect. Everyone should have a voice and means to express their thoughts.

If the government were to establish a committee to control misinformation, which is ultimately in charge of heading the committee? The party in power? Elected groups? Politicians who may be corrupt from lobby money? It's a slippery slope handing over the right of an individual to say what they want to a government composed of inherently flawed people.

Just food for thought as I finish out this semester. What are yours?

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Entry #9 - I Eat What I Want

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America is the biggest melting pot in the world. No other country has a more diverse set of ethnicities, cultures, and diverse backgrounds. Yet, with that said, sometimes I wonder how we have become a society where discernment for what is healthy and appropriate is no longer valued. 

I cannot stop watching this video. However, I do not know the creator's intentions and how they want viewers to interpret its meaning. There are two ways I approach its purpose. 

The first is trying to show people what processed and junk foods do to the body. The cartoon figure chooses to be surrounded by foods that harm the body. Its body type would be considered at high risk of many medical conditions by maintaining a diet of these foods. While the figure may be enjoying the momentary enjoyment of eating toxic foods, most people know that the consequences of this behavior will have more prolonged side effects.

The second will be the more popular, modern American approach. This is my body, my choice, and you cannot criticize my behavior. While I agree a person is entitled carte blanche over their body, this does not preclude them from receiving negative feedback. We need to stop celebrating the actions of people causing apparent self-harm. These actions affect the individual and significantly impact the medical system. The CDC reports that obesity costs the US healthcare system 173 billion annually! People do not have to have the lifestyle and body type of those pictured on the covers of fitness magazines.  Our society must promote a healthier lifestyle with a positive, inclusive attitude to benefit us all.

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Entry #8- Who's the Best?

I watch and read a lot of news all day, every day. My job requires it at work, and I like knowing what's happening around me. The news can be as diverse as international diplomacy to who the Kardashians are currently dating. I love the information, and it doesn't matter which political slant the publication leans. I watch CNN, Fox News, Reuters, NPR, BBC, Vox, etc. If you don't try to understand where an opposing viewpoint comes from, how can you defend your beliefs? A previous blog led me to the writing about the "China Balloon" based on current headlines, and today it's about participation trophies and trying to create equal outcomes for all.

 

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 As a Nation, we seem to be lowering or eliminating standards with justifications such as Covid or equity to make more people qualify for whatever they are going for. In New York, the criteria for English and Math were lowered; in Memphis, the bar for becoming a police officer was reduced, and in Alaska, it's becoming even easier to become a lawyer. In my recent experience, the Air Force lowered the physical fitness standards, and to my understanding, all the services are making it easier for people to qualify for enlistment.

Does it really broaden the field for a more significant number of people that should be qualified to qualify, or are we gravitating towards a society based upon its weakest link? Do we want to trust that our doctors know a lot because they studied well in school and achieved good grades? Do we want expert engineers building the planes we fly in?

There's a great short story called Harrison Bergeron, written by Kurt Vonnegut, that I was assigned to read in junior high. The story's plot was that the government placed items on people that handicapped them to the point where they were no better than anyone else at an activity. Is this the direction we are headed? Some people were blessed with an aptitude in certain areas more than others. We should appreciate their talents and figure out where our own unique talents lie. 

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Entry #7: You Are What You Eat

 In my English 101 class, I have entered our course's persuasive essay writing section. I had the assignment to watch a film called Fresh. This film aimed to persuade viewers about the negative aspects of industrialized farming vs. the healthier benefits of sustainable, organic farming techniques.

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The film effectively demonstrates why consumers should purchase their food from smaller, organic farms vs. mass-production farms that use chemicals and antibiotics on their food and animals. Why would I want to get my food from companies that, due to their cost-cutting, mass-producing goals, lead to diseases and less-nutritional products? It seems like a no-brainer to buy organic. It had me doing a Google search for farmer's markets in my local area.

This film made me feel guilty about what I feed my children daily. One of the farmers, Joel Salatin, is shown on a swing with his grandson, talking about all the nutritious vegetables he likes to eat, and then they sit down for a family meal containing lots of fresh farm food. I am guilty of Poptarts or sugary cereals for breakfast and fast-food meals in the evenings on my busy days. I know this is unhealthy, and while I try to cook home-cooked meals 5-6 nights a week, I often fall short and throw those chicken nuggets in the air fryer. Even with the prepared meals, getting my children to eat a sizable amount of their vegetables is quite the challenge. I often wish they had never been introduced to processed foods, to begin with.

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Another obstacle to eating farm-to-table for me and many others is the cost. Free-range eggs are often double, if not triple, the price of mass-produced eggs. Organic vegetables and meat also cost more. Add inflation to the cost of organic foods, and I have to take out a second mortgage just to put food on the table. If I could shop at farmer's markets more, those foods would be gentler on the wallet.

The last challenge for me to switch to the foods the video supports is shelf life. I cannot even begin to calculate the cost of the foods I have thrown away because I plan to cook them, but they go bad before I get the chance. Becoming more dedicated to meal prep could be a solution to this issue.

The issue of what I feed my family has been on my mind for a while, and the timing of this film assignment was uncanny. If I tackle each issue in small steps, I can reach the goals of supporting small farms and raising kids with a healthy diet.

Entry #6- Blast from the Past

Our past molded and built the person we are today. Without yesterday, we would have never evolved or grown into who we are today. With that said, sometimes, when I think about specific points in my life, I try my hardest to disassociate and forget more embarrassing times. As a result, I will dwell on poor behavior and decisions much longer than I should. But, sometimes, these past moments can't be avoided. 

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Recently one of my close friends in high school sent me a friend request on Facebook. I already have other high school friends there, but my current friends are more acquaintances. This friend was part of my inner circle. We always got along well, in there was never a rift. However, time and career movement separated us over the years.

I was immediately excited to hear from this person, but after accepting started thinking about my high school days. I was loud and obnoxious, and my home life was questionable. My desire to fit in made me act out more than try to blend in. I realized I had not tried to remain in contact with those friends because I did not want to reminisce on those days. If we could stick to a path of moving forward without looking back, I would feel better about rekindling this friendship.

We have been talking for a few weeks, and it's going well. Unfortunately, we talk more about our high school days than I'm comfortable with, even though sometimes I initiate this subject. I wish I could look fondly at most of my upbringing. However, they are very few moments I cherish. 

I know I must find a way to make peace with my past. I am a better person now with a stable home and work life. But ultimately, I must own up to history visiting me if I choose to remain on social media. And with that, I will close out because social media is another ball of wax to be discussed on another day.

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Entry #5- Here Kitty Kitty

https://youtu.be/dHXL8A1dowo

 I'm fond of the Mayhem Allstate commercials. The situations are always feasible events in which people must have insurance protection. The actor who plays Mayhem always cleverly plays various character roles well, and the bandages on his face indicate he will get into some form of trouble. Today, I chose the cat commercial. The cat commercial fully encapsulates the attitude perceived by a house cat and the mischief it causes and demonstrates why Allstate should be providing coverage to protect the cat owners.

Like in the opening scene, people tend to get cats thinking they will be docile and primarily lay in laps seeking affection. It's a typical suburban home, and the cat Mayhem is on the couch playing with the toy the woman holds for him. Mayhem then proceeds to do all the actions that a cat owner might encounter that are not the ideal behavior traits. He was "plotting to destroy you" from the beginning. He proves this statement by slapping the hand when first coming to his new home, dropping a mouse on the owner's face while sleeping, turning on the sink, sizing people up by looking through the hold on the cat stand, eating a bird, etc. The owners seem oblivious to the trouble he is causing by acting unconcerned while on the couch and videoing him riding on the Roomba. The panic moment arrived when the ceiling fell through from the water Mayhem had left on in the bathroom upstairs. His statement, "if you've got the wrong home insurance…" implies that not all companies will pay for these damages, but Allstate will. Another way the commercial shows that Allstate will care for you in times of need is with the company motto: "Are you in good hands?"

The commercial is constructed with Mayhem in various scenes causing trouble. He narrates his thoughts and actions. All the different settings are reminders about mischievous cat behaviors. The colors used are the trendy neutrals people are decorating with right now. The tone is a matter of fact, stating that all this will happen.

The advertisement is geared toward adults with a property they need to insure in case an event happens, like the one shown in the ad, and costs for repair/replacement will be high. Therefore, it injects humor to make the commercial more appealing while selling the viewer the need for its product. This humor is two-fold. One, with the actor playing the role of the cat, and two, the habitual annoyances cats are known for doing. The tone, method of delivery, and repetitive use of the actor playing various Mayhem roles are effective marketing for Allstate. Companies that use a particular actor/actress create a bond with their product that customers expect to see in advertisements. The commercial also uses the jingle heard in all Allstate commercials. 

Whether we want it or not, insurance has been developed and is necessary to protect high-value items and people. The creators did a good job establishing relationships with viewers with this and other ads to influence people to buy their product.

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Entry #4- Stay In Your Lane

It was challenging to decide on a blog post with a subject of my choosing for the second time. The last blog subject that I selected was the Chinese weather balloon. This time, I have no desire to discuss a controversial topic, even though it’s easier to write about a subject with a vested interest. Then I had an epiphany, what is the one facet of daily life that people are opinionated of but generally does not cause conflict but agreement?

That, ladies and gentlemen, is the topic of Phoenix traffic. I spend an excessive amount of time on the streets of Phoenix. I live in the West Valley and work close to Sky Harbor Airport. Eighty miles roundtrip is my lovely commute each day. I also Ubered part-time for 3 years. I purchased my Ford Fusion brand new in 2015 and now have 215,000 miles on it. I have three particular driving habits that are more irritating in fellow motorists than any other.

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The first is maintaining the speed limit or five to ten miles above the speed limit on the highways and interstate fast lanes. I have read in community forum posts from drivers who chose to stay in this lane because they “are going the speed limit” and “trying to prevent people from excessively speeding.” Well, Mr. or Mrs. Road Boss, you are causing a more significant driving risk and breaking the law yourself. According to Arizona Title 28-721, if the roadway is divided into three lanes, a vehicle should only utilize the innermost lane under normal conditions when overtaking and passing another vehicle. Mr. and Mrs. Road Boss, you are creating a hazard when Curtis prefers to set her cruise to a comfortable 85, and you like to stay in this lane at a slower speed causing her and other like-minded motorists to figure out how to pass you on the right. You are impeding the flow of traffic. A debate is there concerning my speeding, but you’re also making the roads more dangerous. Two wrongs don’t make a right, so let me be the only one in the wrong to keep us all safer. 

 

The second is those high achievers that move into a lane that later merges super early and then prevent others from entering at the actual merging point. Good on you for being proactive and seizing the opportunity to wait longer to contemplate all your life goals! All this additional waiting time allowed you to think of new items to add to your vision board. According to howstuffworks.com, the thought process is inefficient because it “minimizes the amount of usable road.” Think of everyone coming together and letting that zipper merge happen.

 

The final annoyance I will discuss today is when motorists fail to operate signal lights. I’m not sure why countless people move around in traffic without signaling to others their intentions. Maybe their life has been full of surprises, and they’re now passing surprises on? Whatever the reason, if I can accelerate and block you from trying to move into my lane without a signal, I will 100% make this my goal every time. Learn your manners.

 

That is all, folks. I could preach all day about everyday road annoyances. Instead, everyone should attend a defensive driving class at some point, preferably with an engaging instructor that will not put them to sleep. In my class, I learned a driver cannot always drive within the laws of the road while simultaneously avoiding all dangers and accident situations. Use common sense and courtesy, and we will all travel harmoniously down this road of life.

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