My take on Taking a Knee

/ MacGyverDXS

As someone who served my country (USAF), I have absolutely no problem whatsoever with anyone peacefully protesting. The argument that “it’s disrespectful to the men and women who fought to defend that flag” is so much bullshit. The men and women who fought and died for this country were not fighting for a flag, or an anthem…they were fighting for freedom.

Flags and anthems are just symbols, they are pale shadows of the freedom we enjoy. Real patriotism is standing for what is right even when it’s not popular.

If if offends you when people peacefully protest, you really need to examine your value system.

Tolerance vs. Respect

/ MacGyverDXS

So recently I was chatting with a coworker who gave me a lot to ponder. I involves (as you might guess from my title) tolerance vs. respect. His point was that he dislikes the term tolerance. He said, “Anyone can tolerate another person for a short while in a social setting, being tolerant of someone is as good as lying to them. Instead of tolerating a person’s race, religion, sexual orientation, etc., you should respect them. Respect their differences even if you may not agree with them.”

In this day and age where it seems that the “US vs THEM” message is stuffed down our throats by our politicians, religious institutions, and media, respect is a rare thing. There are a lot of groups that I don’t like or agree with, but I respect the right of most of them to exist (I draw the line at racists, hate groups, and those who want to hurt others). Just because you’re different than me or have different beliefs doesn’t mean we can’t sit down and have an intelligent and thoughtful conversation. 

I will not tolerate you, I’ll respect you and I hope that you can do the same.

I’m No Security Expert, But…

/ MacGyverDXS

When will it sink into Trump’s thick skull that he can’t continue to use an unsecured smartphone? When will he quit discussing state matters in full view of the public? When will his staff quit using unsecured email servers run by the RNC?

And this is the guy that made such a big deal about HRC having her own private email server.

A break in the clouds…

/ MacGyverDXS

So it looks like the house here in San Antonio is going to sell. We’re back on track for a Feb 24th departure to make the trek to Salem, OR. I’ve put in my two weeks notice and Randy and I are packing the house up at a good pace.

The Power of No

/ MacGyverDXS

My superpower? I’m glad you asked. My superpower is being a total human doormat. Apparently I’m incapable of saying “NO” and meaning it. I might say no, but I rarely have the ability to follow through with it.

Example:

Person: I need you to do (insert imposition here) for me.

Me: I can’t right now.

Person: Come on, just this once (this is actually the 30th or 40th time I’ve done this for this person)?

Me: Ok…I guess if I rearrange my (insert life, finances, time, procedures) I could.

That’s my curse, I’m competent and reliable…and a pushover. Family, friends, and coworkers all know they can abuse my good nature and I’m not going to say a thing.

Standing up for myself has never been an easy thing for me to do. At 44 years old I’m realizing that I need to be more willing to say no and actually stick to it. It’s really true that nice guys finish last…because we’re always doing our work and everyone else’s too.

From now on, NO isn’t a word that means maybe in my vocabulary. It means that after careful consideration, I feel that the cost/benefit ratio of the proposal is too far in the cost column on my ledger and I will require a more balanced proposal before I agree.

 

 

Going Through Hell

/ MacGyverDXS

Winston Churchill said, “If you’re going through hell, keep going.”. What if that place is worse?

Every time I think the worst is behind me, another larger obstacle seems to crop up and impede my path. I constantly feel like a man stuck in the desert chasing mirages.

Stop Telling Celebrities to Shut Up

/ MacGyverDXS

Recently, I’ve seen a lot of tweets and facebook posts from folks on the Republican side telling celebrities to “Shut up, nobody wants to hear your political opinions. You’re just an actor, do your job and keep your political opinions to yourself!”. First of all, you need to realize that actors, celebrities, recording artists, and authors are full fledged human beings…they have every right to their political opinions, just like you have the right to yours. If you don’t want to hear their opinions then don’t listen.

The audacity to think that because someone is a celebrity, that they somehow matter less or that they are somehow less of a person because of their job is ludicrous.

We all must be afforded the opportunity to speak our minds. It doesn’t matter if you are rich, poor, Republican, Democrat, Independent, immigrant, gay, straight, black, white, Hispanic, Asian…whatever, we all deserve to have our voices heard. That’s one of the great things about America, you have the freedom to speak.

 

Because I Can’t Even…

/ MacGyverDXS

Today is Inauguration Day. I’m filled with such anger, worry, and sadness that I refuse to even think about Twittler today and so instead today I’m only posting positive things. Rest assured that tomorrow I’ll resume my posting about his many downfalls, but today I can’t even.

So here’s some things that make me smile:

The Overwatch community continues to surprise and delight me. This tribute to a fallen player is both moving and a terrific way to pay tribute to their lost friend.

Overwatch Players Honor Fallen Friend With 12-Gun Salute

Via-Kotaku by Nathan Grayson

Our first close up of Saturn’s little moon Daphnis

Cassini Just Gave us A Rare Look at Saturn’s ‘Wavemaker’ Moon

Via-Gizmodo by Rae Paoletta