Civil Rights, Not Special Rights

 Civil Rights are Human Rights. They are not dependent upon the color of one's skin, the plumbing they were issued at birth and whether or not they deem that to be a factory defect, who they choose to be intimate with or how they choose to express that intimacy - as long as all parties involved are freely consenting adults.

At the same time, I reject the currently popular notion that due to the color of my skin - colloquially referred to as "white" - and genitals issued at birth - a penis - I am somehow guilty of offenses that occurred long before my birth and perpetrated upon victims dead long before my birth, and therefore liable for compensatory reparations in matters I was not a participant either directly or indirectly.

Since I reject the premise of the conviction, it is not incumbent upon me to mount a defense against what is no more than preposterous nonsense.

Socials, It's Time To Let the World Grow Up

 

It is not surprising, but thoroughly disappointing, that Facebook felt compelled to censor this post remembering the 9-11 terrorist attacks on the United States of America, planned by Osama bin Laden and executed by fanatic followers of his organization that is premised upon a perversion of the Islamic faith, al-Qaeda.

Yes, the images chosen may well be deemed "sensitive content". The content is unquestionably violent and graphic. It is also historical fact, not a shameful event to be shunned or avoided simply because it may make one uncomfortable to encounter.

This impulse to "protect" everyone from anything that is not wholly pure white light and fuzzy bunnies is brought to you by the same crowd who insists that President Trump should have been shrieking in panic over COVID-19, and that they could have handled the "truth". What truth exactly is that though? Even the Greatest One Himself, Saint Anthony of Fauci, proclaimed in multiple interviews that Trump stated publicly and accurately all the concerns discussed in private and executed or advocated for all the steps that needed to be taken at every point in time. This group wants more panic and despair over what might be, but can't handle images of what was?

This is the same crowd who feels our children should be taught there is nothing more terrifying for a child to do than walk outside the home without being firmly tethered to a trusted adult. That those same children should be raised in an environment that shields them from the existence of alcohol, drugs, sexuality, the word "no", and any outcome that is other than the one desired - then are shocked when their poor little babies are thrust into the real world at 18, or 21, or 36, and suddenly can't manage to get out of bed without counseling and medication.

We only learn to win through the disappointment of losing. We only learn to overcome challenges by being challenged. We only learn to make good and responsible choices by being exposed to choice and discovering what the results of making a poor one can be.

No good purpose is served by "protecting" us from the horror that was September 11, 2001. Remember and honor the victims of circumstance in New York City, Shanksville, PA, and at the Pentagon. Remember and honor also those who were victims by choice, who were confronted with an impossible situation and chose to go in anyway and try to help those who were unable to help themselves.

Placing a veil over reality does not mean 9-11 did not happen, and softening the blow will only hasten the day that the unthinkable is faced once again.