“THE OTHER SIDE OF THE STORY”

If truth be told, many if not most of us often find accepting some of life’s “inescapable realities” exceptionally difficult.   Realities such as: “we are all mortal beings”; “nothing is truly free”; “freedom of speech not only applies to what you and I agree with, but also the views of others we may take exception to”; as well as the at times very unwelcomed annoyance—“there’s always another side of the story.”

And for some reason the realities regarding “free speech” and “other side of the story” kept coming to mind as I read a particular opinion article on page 4 of the Weekend, Saturday-Sunday, March 11-12, 2023 edition of our local newspaper the Parsons Sun. 

One authored by Mr. Rod Haxton of the Scott County Record and titled “Empathy is not one of the 3 ‘Rs’ in the Legislature.”  An in my view politically biased article; apparently triggered by Representative Pat Proctor’s (R-Leavenworth) reportedly expressed views regarding certain activities at a Leavenworth school. 

Views that said article reflects were articulated by Representative Proctor’s following statements: “I find it impossible to believe that an entire grade of third graders and fourth graders, all on their own, decided to draw rainbow flags and talk about LGBTQ and spell those things out on their artwork.” “I find it impossible to believe ... they were not coached to do that by the teacher. That’s just implausible in the extreme.”

Although I seldom if ever find any personal agreement with Mr. Haxton’s published views, I never the less rather routinely lend them my eye and attention as they are included in the Sun.  And in doing so I more often than not find said articles to not only typically include a drawing attention to what Mr. Haxton considers to be the intolerance, lack of empathy, etc., of the Republican Party in whole or in part, but also a demonization of those expressing views counter to his.

For example, the herein referenced opinion article doesn’t just rationally present “another other side of the story” relative to Representative Proctor’s herein reportedly expressed views.  But rather, also sets out to in length demonize Representative Proctor for his reportedly expressed concerns, as well as others of like or similar views. Via a mixed bag of demonization tactics including, but not limited to, expressed or inferred claims of Republican racism, bigotry, hate, fear mongering, intolerance, lack of empathy, close-minded views, etc.

And in reacting in such “intolerant manner” to the expressed views of another, the herein referenced opinion article also demonstrates the human shortfall of “projection,” whereby through ignorance, oversight, or intent one accuses others of being and/or doing that which they the accuser often actually are and/or do.  An often at best very counter-productive behavior it seems we all must personally avoid using and/or guard against being distracted by—as we each in our respective ways seek, and/or strive to share our view of, . . . “the other side of the story.” 

                                  —William James Moore  03/13/2023

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[The above was also included in the Public Mind section on page 3 of the Parsons Sun’s Weekend, Saturday-Sunday, March 18-19, 2023 Edition.]

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"Click" on the below image to view the Rod Haxton article to which above "The Other Side of The Story" is responding to:

“Unprecedented in Modern Times" . . . a follow-up to prior posting.

  
On 02/20/2023 President Biden made a reportedly surprise visit to Ukraine’s capital Kyiv, during which he met with Ukraine’s President Zelenskyy and announced a forthcoming half billion dollars of “additional” U.S. aid. The first such Biden visit since Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine almost a year ago. A visit referred to by some media as being “unprecedented in modern times.”

However, like many things, what is or is not considered “unprecedented” likely rests “in the eye of the respective beholder(s).” And on a personal note—especially in these challenging times— “unprecedented” seems to more aptly apply to a growing list of “other matters.”

Such as, but certainly not limited to: our U.S. National Debt, now exceeding $31 Trillion ($94,000 per citizen; $246,000 per taxpayer); record high inflation; tragedies related to the synthetic opioid “fentanyl”—reportedly now the leading cause of the death of Americans ages 18 to 45; continued invasion of illegal aliens through our country’s unsecured borders; and growing loss of confidence in various aspects of our federal government, election systems, educational institutions, etc.

And then there’s an epitome of—if not “the” epitome of—“unprecedented.” That being our truly unique and most precious U.S. Constitutional Republic! You know, that same republic (not democracy) established some 236 years ago, as the result of “unprecedented” wisdom and sacrifice of “unprecedented” liberty seekers of the times. Yes, that same “individual liberty” enabling republic that (so far) yet stands, despite efforts of countless past and present to—through ignorance and/or intent—destroy it.

Then there’s today’s “unprecedented” America-destructive “inattention” to what made our country “unprecedented” in the first place—its crucial foundation blocks. Such as: our U.S. Constitution, secured borders, common-language English, common-culture founded on Judeo-Christian principles, and a mixed economy constructively weighted with the elements of free market capitalism. Yes, America-destructive “inattention” in many of our homes, businesses, workplaces, government and educational institutions, etc.—fueled by innocent, willful, and/or by-design ignorance, apathy, complacency, denial, greed, and fear—especially the human shortfall “greed.”

And, duly labeled “unprecedented” will be the heartbreaking consequences of our failure to soon wake-up to the fact that—when it comes to our much too often taken for granted and/or abused republic—there really doesn’t exist a “Plan-B.” For, it takes not, so-to-speak, a rocket scientist or a great deal of truly rational pondering to look around this much troubled world—and at the endless numbers craving legal and illegal entrance through our borders—for one to readily grasp that . . . this is it!

Yes, and contrary to the self-serving propaganda spewed by our country’s foreign and domestic enemies, this truly unique and ever-so-precious constitutional republic is indisputably the one and only last best hope for the inalienable (God-given) rights of life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness. A most precious hope founded through “unprecedented” wisdom and sacrifice—a hope that likewise cannot continue to survive in the absence of same. 

                                                     —William James Moore

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[The above was also included in the Public Mind section on page 3 of the Parsons Sun’s Weekend, Saturday-Sunday, March 4-5, 2023 Edition.]

“FUTURE OF WORLD’S MOST FAMOUS SLED DOG RACE AT RISK”

Yes, declining participation, economic woes following a global pandemic, climate changes, and rising inflation, are among the massive challenges for the iconic “Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race.”

One beginning with a ceremonial start Saturday, March 04, 2023, in Anchorage, Alaska, and followed by the competitive start Sunday about 70 miles north in Willow.

But some may ask . . . what the heck is the “Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race”? And to such hopefully of serious interest inquiry would be the following most brief, general, and grossly incomplete answer:

The “Iditarod”—the most prestigious sled dog race in the world—is a race where the “competitors” are “Mushers (Sled Drivers) and their respective Dog Teams.” Not just any dogs, but truly awesome "canine athletes" of between 12 and 14 in number—of which at least 5 must be on the towline at the finish. And Mushers not made up of just any human being, but of persons of typically unthinkable stamina, skill, talent, and determination.

Because, “the Iditarod” is a truly extraordinary challenge that takes the competitors about 10 days to traverse nearly 1000 miles through two mountain ranges, the frozen Yukon River and treacherous Bering Sea ice, often in blizzards or sub-zero temperatures, before ending in the old Gold Rush town of Nome, Alaska. 

Yes, often through blizzards causing whiteout conditions, sub-zero temperatures, and gale-force winds which can cause the wind chill to reach some -100 degrees F (-73 degrees C).

A race first undertaken in 1973, and created "to save the sled dog culture and Alaskan huskies, which were being phased out of existence due to the introduction of snowmobiles in Alaska; and to preserve the historical Iditarod Trail between Seward and Nome."

A race that this year (2023) will likely include only Thirty-three teams; the smallest number in Iditarod history; down from a 2008 high of 96; and behind the 34 who participated in the inaugural 1973 race.

A grossly under-publicized and media/public-slighted event—where the cost of competing (“running the Iditarod”) can now entail Mushers spending some $250,000 at a shot at winning a $50,000 (before taxes) championship. Hence a reason many Mushers supplement their income by offering uniquely Alaska experiences to cruise ship passengers, etc.

Yes, an Iditarod race where each competitor (Musher & Dog Team) is called upon to display an indescribable level and nature of personal strength, stamina, and conviction—under the most unthinkable and unforgivable nature of often truly life-threatening conditions.

All while—as through innocent/willful ignorance and/or media-design—much of America continues to remain oblivious thereof.

AND THEN, THERE’S THE “NFL,” “NBA,” AND “MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL; ETC. - - - Where the often millionaire (or otherwise exceptionally wealthy) competitors are paid big bucks to “play games.” Such as NFL games that have 60 minutes of game clock time, but can take 3 hours to complete, while only delivering some 11 minutes of actual play. 

And NBA games requiring only 48 minutes of play, but often entailing some 2.5 hours to complete. And then there’s Major League Baseball games entailing 9 Innings that can typically stretch a lot of waiting mixed with a bit of activity into more or less 3 hours of time.

Yes, and in the starkest contrast to the Iditarod . . . “games” played in far from life-threatening environmental conditions, with the best of medical attention close at hand, using the latest of high-tech protective gear, and fueled by an abundance of money as well as an extreme level of emotional/irrational attention often at times reaching that of hero worship.

All while everything related to the "game" (past/present/future) is sliced, diced, and otherwise analyzed—through the commentary of an array pre/post/real-time talking heads and other media functions, to the point of what is to some among us, painful nausea at best. 

—William James Moore

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Links:

 https://iditarod.com/

https://faces.iditarod.com/?fbclid=IwAR3BDZXRVXZm9UavUzFWtc2l1skMtxfT_9GG-3KPhX7r-0DbIP8apRFAA40