Friday JohnKu – AKA – TGIF

~ John W. Howell

 

“Where you going Little One?”
“Gonna find someone who will ruckus with me. It’s Friday.”
“I will.”
“You have to move to ruckus.”
“Good point.”

 

It is Friday, and what a difference in the neighborhood.  Now that the power is back and the temperatures have gone from below freezing into the high 70s, I have to say I’m a happy camper.

The investigations into the cause of so many homes without power are underway. Six board members of the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, or ERCOT, the industry nonprofit that operates the grid that supplies power to 90 percent of the state, have resigned. The governor has stated that those resignations do not represent the end of the issue. He has asked the Stare legislature to conduct a full investigation of the root cause of the problem and develop solutions to prevent it from occurring again. He has also called upon the Travis County District Attorney to investigate any basis for criminal charges. This situation needs to be rectified, and it will.

Those most unsympathetic bloggers have used the unfortunate situation to rant about how Texas people should now be sorry they didn’t vote out elected officials and vote in their candidates last November. This is the most insulting shoulda, woulda, coulda imaginable. It’s like telling a flood victim that they should have known better than to live in a flood plain. Such comments directed at the Texas voting population are a disgusting example of political blindness and a total lack of knowledge of the true facts.

One needs to remind these know-it-alls (the most vicious live outside of Texas) that the deregulation of Texas energy in 2002 was supported by Texas’s citizens. They should also know that before this unprecedented weather, Texas’s energy system had been functioning very well under the stress of the extremely high temperatures so common here for most of the year. Although deregulation has not reduced the cost of energy, it has ensured its availability.

Texas tends to take care of its own, and as big a deal non-Texans want to make of Texas’s flaws, we will overcome this current problem. Also, for all those who continue to harp on Ted Cruz’s lack of judgment, let me say he is our problem, and we thank you for sharing your opinions. His future looks bleak and we will have to ride out his term in the Senate.

Today’s JohnKu is a reminder to be careful about criticism.  I hope you have a super weekend.

Criticism by John W. Howell © 2021

It is so easy,

To criticize someone else . . .

Look at yourself first.

113 thoughts on “Friday JohnKu – AKA – TGIF”

  1. Wise words, John. I’m so sad to hear of the criticism and ‘You should’ve known better’ attitudes.
    Love the Haiku, which is so on point.
    Delighted the power is back on and you came through that unprecedented weather event safely, my friend.
    Have a wonderful weekend, John and everyone 🙂

    Liked by 3 people

    1. Thank you, Harmony. I wish everyone in Texas had been as safe as we were, but that didn’t happen. I saw the same kind of vitrol when Hurrican Harvey destroyed so much of South Texas. Haters gotta hate I guess. Have a great weekend. 😁 Thank you for the lovely words.

      Liked by 2 people

  4. This JohnKu is one of your best, John. I agree about the rants from people who have no idea what they are talking about. Much like the Hollywood and music industry, I could care less about their political beliefs, I feel the same when it comes to bloggers. I visit WordPress to connect with friends not to read hateful talking points. I was surprised you didn’t end your post with DON’T MESS WITH TEXAS. 🙂 Enjoy the toasty weather.

    Liked by 5 people

    1. I would have ended my post with DON’T MESS WITH TEXAS if it had not been for one of the worst hate-filled posts I ever read taking that title and mocking those words. I didn’t want the SEO in any way to give any attention to that blogger. They have 250 followers so my 5000 could have been a benefit to them. I also wanted to call out that post so everyone could see how really small some people are, but decided not to for the same reason. Thanks, Jill. Have a beautiful weekend. 😁

      Like

  8. How much better things would be if our first response to events like this would “how can I help?”

    I’m glad your temperature is back to normal. I do hope the changes are made. I don’t think this is the last time you’ll see the mercury drop like that. It might be years, but I think we’re all in for some weird weather.

    Have a good weekend. Ruckus a little 🙂

    Liked by 4 people

  9. I love the pup dialogue, John. And as for Texas, through the trauma and horror of a massive storm, Texans emerged stronger and more determined. What an example for us all! 💗

    Liked by 3 people

  11. Think that’s just human nature at this point. Whenever things go wrong in New York, we hear from people about how we deserve it for our politicians. Get that a lot during the winter from southern states. I’d be more surprised if it didn’t happen these days.

    Liked by 2 people

  13. You are right, of course. It is so easy to point fingers when so far from inside the situation.
    You are wise, Boss, very wise.
    Perfect JohnKu this Friday. And I wish a wonderful one for you!

    Liked by 2 people

  16. But that’s what social media does, doesn’t it? It’s the gift that keeps on grating, giving an armchair to those quarterbacks who probably can’t even balance a checkbook. Let’s face it, criticism is one of the easiest avenues of discourse. Answers? Much more involved.

    Liked by 1 person

  19. Excellent Johnku! I couldn’t agree more. There’s nothing more annoying than people talking smack without knowing any of the facts. I’m happy you’re finally having some pleasant weather. Enjoy the day and weekend, my friend. ❤

    Liked by 1 person

  20. Outstanding, John! My dad always used to remind me, When you point one finger at somebody else, there are three pointing back at you. I can’t believe how some folks get off on criticizing others, especially when they don’t have a car in the race. Hang in there, Texas — my money’s on your good residents to take care of these issues and come out the stronger!

    Liked by 1 person

  21. It’s easy to criticize what you don’t understand, John. A human failing. I am just glad things are getting back to normal, energy-wise. Perhaps installing the de-icers they have for the wind turbines in New York might be a solution, albeit an expensive one. People in glass houses, and all that….

    Liked by 1 person

  22. Pleased to hear that the weather has returned to normal, John. That front was unprecedented, and the fallout evidently isn’t over yet.

    Liked by 1 person

  27. Glad you are enjoying nice sunny days again John. Your words hit home with me, I much felt the same way during our wildfires and power shut offs. It wasn’t necessary or helpful. Here’s to coming up with solutions 🙂

    Liked by 2 people

  28. I know you folks living in Texas know much more than the outsiders. I also know how easy it is to second guess just about anything one wants to view through whatever political lens he/she wants.

    Liked by 1 person

  30. You can’t plan for every eventuality and those temperatures where a freak of nature. No system is designed to cope with a massive surge in need for power.. made worse because so many are now working from home and not in school.. there is no phasing just one mighty switch on.. There will always be those who say ‘I told you so’ but usually they need to get a life… hugsxx

    Liked by 1 person

  32. I have no doubt TX will figure it out, and hopefully, the next time y’all get a “snowmaggedon” you’ll be prepared, and fewer if any place will lose power.

    I sure hope Twiggy got some of that “ruckus” energy out of her system and had some fun. 🤣😍

    Liked by 1 person

  34. I think you’ll find this Houston Chronicle article about Griddy interesting, to say the least. The wholesale power company — the one that hit the news because of those exhorbitant power bills charged its customers — is a start-up from California that arrived in Texas three years ago, intent on shaking up the energy market. Well, mission accomplished, I’d say: although not exactly in the way they intended!

    Liked by 1 person

  36. Pingback: Smorgasbord Blogger Daily – Tuesday March 2nd 2021 – #Interview Liz Gauffreau, #Texaspower John Howell, #CreativeSpark D.L. Finn | Smorgasbord Blog Magazine

  37. I missed this post John, but as a fellow Texan, I’m in agreement with you. We survived this and have survived worse. It’s not every year (or century for that matter) that the entire state had temperatures like we did two weeks ago.

    Yep, I’d like to tell others who “think” they know better to butt out!

    Liked by 1 person

  38. There often seems be an inherent need for people to lay blame for every situation. Sometimes things just happen. Nicely summed up in your poem. I’m glad you are all safe and ice free.

    Liked by 1 person

  39. I live near Portland, OR, John, and it is interesting to hear the opinions of people who don’t live here and have no idea what’s going on. Everyone needs to take a deep breath and enjoy the coming beautiful weather.

    Liked by 2 people

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