Friday John Ku – AKA- TGIF

~ John W. Howell
Lucy and Twiggy
“Hold on Little One. I think it is here somewhere.”
“What is it?”
“Friday.”

 

Well, it is Friday and a nice milestone in the week’s travails. As I write this, I still don’t know who has won the election at the presidential level. Before I make any comment,let me be clear. Whoever wins should receive the support of our entire country.

I have been appalled by some of the vicious personal attacks written by fellow bloggers. There is one blogger out there who calls those who vote for other than her candidate A-holes. Unfortunately, the followers of that blog provided supporting words for that outrageous statement. Why is it outrageous? Anytime Americans are denigrated for voting for their choice, one more piece of freedom is threatened. Instead of A-hole, what if this person called those choosing the other candidate ‘traitors?’

We need to think about how we handle disagreement in this country. Do we continue to shout it down or listen and respond? Anyone out there who has written a slanderous statement about either candidate or their supporters should be ashamed of themselves. It is now time to knock it off and get back to being a decent society again.

Today’s John Ku talks about the freedom to choose. I hope you all have a great weekend.

My choice by John W. Howell © 2020

My right to choose those,

To represent my interests . . .

Is part of freedom.

 

78 thoughts on “Friday John Ku – AKA- TGIF”

  1. It’s a pity some folks have forgotten that men and women have given up their lives to ensure everyone in the USA (UK and other Free Nations) have the opportunity and right to choose and vote for their preferred leaders.

    Liked by 6 people

    1. I think you will find the most egregious of the hatefilled groups are those who benefit from that sacrifice without being called upon (or volunteering) to make themselves. Thanks for the comment, Chris.

      Liked by 2 people

  3. You are so right John. While one might not like the options available to choose from, it remains a part of democracy to be able to choose in the first place. There has to be respect between people to agree to disagree without resorting to vitriol.
    Excellent JohnKu and happy Friday to you.

    Liked by 7 people

      1. Thank you for the excellent post. And lookit you! Mind you, so are we… Well, if you’re a Montrealer, it’s still shorts weather. You would probably find it too cold 😁😉

        Liked by 1 person

  6. Couldn’t agree more, John. The behavior I have seen exhibited by so many is deeply disturbing. The rancor is unconscionable and stymies any efforts to collaborate or compromise. And as a result, we all suffer.

    Liked by 4 people

    1. So well said, Lori. I am dunfounded why folks take the nasty route when logic is so much more effective in a discussion. We do all suffer and for no real reason Thanks for your comment. Have a super weekend. 😊

      Liked by 1 person

  7. I completely agree. In recent months, the levels of personal nastiness have become extraordinarily disturbing, and the so-called ‘cancel culture’ has developed into something like a cross between the Salem witch trials and the worst of Soviet show trials. All of us have a right to our preferences and our political views; to deny that is to degrate others, and the country itself.

    Liked by 4 people

    2. I am very concerned about this rise in vitriol, Linda. There are several house representatives who engage in this menthod of discourse and are setting a bad example for their followers and others. I have never seen such bad manners as I have witnessed on several blogs. I also wonder about those overseas comments that are hate-filled as well. America is not their country and it would be nice if they would butt out. There are too many American graves offshore which should speak louder than the detractors. Thanks for your comments. I hope you have a super weekend. 😊

      Liked by 2 people

  8. I totally agree with the sentiment, John, but as an outsider (i’m in the UK), I’ve followed this presidency from day one, and it seems to me like the division being fostered in your country is coming from the top. It has very much sounded like ‘us and them’ from the word go.

    Liked by 5 people

    2. That may be, Steve. I agree the dialog has been less than optimal from the White House. I also think the House of Representitives must share blame in fostering division. In either case, it does not give anyone the right to denigrate citizens who still chose to follow a person or persons who may or may not have the best demeanor, intentions or whose objectives are not in line with one’s own. I agree that criticizing the source is fair game and should be done with facts not demeaning rhetoric. Hate speech is hate speech and should be condemned and not met with more hate. It becomes a vicious cycle where people polarize and stop looking at the merits of the individual. Both candidates have significant flaws but those are not discussed in the haze of accusations. Thank you for the comment. It is comments such as yours that form a foundation for discussion. 😊

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  9. Thank you, John. These last weeks, indeed months, have been painful. I have ached and cried, not for one candidate or another, but for humanity stripped of its heart. I fear it will be a while before thoughtfulness, understanding, generosity — hope is restored. 💙

    Liked by 4 people

  10. Well stated, John. This environment needs to change as today’s tribalism is worse than ever. Then again, much is stoked by those in elected positions and by the talking heads. Sadly, I still sense the direction of a civil war.

    Liked by 1 person

  13. All that’s happening has been sad. And it seems the country is equally divided. Can’t help but think what Khrushchev (I beleive it was him) said many years ago. “We’ll take the US without firing one shot.”

    Very applicable Haiku for what’s been happening.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. The full quoteby Khrushchev is, “We will take America without firing a shot. We do not have to invade the United States. We will bury you from within” I think it is happening right before our eyes, Joan. Thanks for the reminder on the quote and let’s hope people can stop yelling at each other in time to prevent a disaster.

      Liked by 2 people

  15. Very well said, John, those sorts of comments undermine the entire spirit of democracy. We’ve had a lot of issues with our government representatives here in South Africa, but I never make disparaging comments about other peoples rights to chose or the positions in government. We have to respect the positions and the system even when we disagree with certain things.

    Liked by 1 person

  17. TGIF John. The virus yet to be subdued is going to deal with a new situation. Science not twitter will prevail in the task of beating the virus. Three fingers and block out the noise. Stay safe.

    Liked by 1 person

  18. Well-said, John. I have no idea who that blogger is, and apparently not one I follow. But one I would unfollow. You are so right and these words of wisdom need to be heeded. Happy Friday!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you, Dan. If each of us vowed to follow the idea of, “If you have nothing nice to say keep quiet.” life certainly. would be more pleasant. Maybe then the voices of reason could be heard.

      Liked by 1 person

  20. Beautifully said, John! Since when did it become okay to be disagreeable when disagreeing? Isn’t debate an opportunity for two sides to express their opinions without fear of retribution? Opinions are views — and we’re all entitled to ours — but it’s never okay to call others names when they don’t share your beliefs. I thought that’s what campaigns were for — to give us voters a chance to see and hear the candidates, evaluate their platforms, and so forth. Sadly, we seem split right down the middle, with neither side willing to give an inch.

    Liked by 1 person

  21. Well said, John. I’m watching the news less because it’s truly overwhelming. We all have our own opinions and freedom of choice that should be respected. Our country has changed and it’s very sad, especially when I think of my children’s future, not to mention, younger generations. I’m even off of FB, too, because it is just too much. I think in some ways social media is part of the problem. But it goes deeper than that as well. Sigh. Try a little kindness and agree to disagree if that’s the case. Great Ku and Happy weekend.

    Liked by 1 person

  22. Valid points, John. Everyone is free to make their own choice. America seems to be a very divided place at the moment. Your vote counting system seems incredibly complicated, but there’s no doubt good reason why it was designed like that.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. One of the founding principles is ‘States rights’ which is where the voting procedures are developed. The concept of electoral college is a Constitutional provision that was put in place to thwart attempts at contests of popularity, fraud or intimidation.

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  24. Wild Friday Freedom at the Twiggy Resort. 😉I always wonder the online folks who try to persuade you in something that troubles them… Happy Friday of Freedom! Hey-hey-hey! Each squirrel must have its nuts! Each deer must have his Santa & Christmas! 🎉❤

    Liked by 1 person

  25. Wow, look at everybody being nice at your place. If everyone would just do that beyond your borders it would be wonderful. It’s hard for Americans not to devolve into all the negativity when the elected officials act this way. Hopefully, a healer will show up soon and start bringing us back together.

    Liked by 2 people

  27. AMEN to this and Hallelujah while I’m at it.

    What happened to civility? Was it always a fantasy or was there a time when we could disagree on a candidate or a party and still co-exist? And I say it rhetorically because yes, I do remember a time, personally. I had friends who were the opposite of me, politically. I married a girl who was as well. And somehow, we didn’t hate each other. To the contrary, we had epic conversations and debates and in the, we agreed to disagree. No fisticuffs. No name calling. None of this shit that is pervading every corner of the map and the great big middle.

    Good for you in posting this. I hope my candidate wins, but either way . . we have to move on and be better than this.

    Liked by 1 person

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