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Irrational makes me irritable.
Thus, I have been irritable for quite some time.
Most days, I’d rather talk with a brick wall than engage with humans who are irrational. Mostly because their inability to be rational makes them stupid.
Some days my irritability gets to me and I can’t do anything but throw my hands in the air and shake my head. The irrational are winning and it’s disheartening.
Maybe tomorrow will be better.
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It’s interesting how those who don’t like something are always trying to redefine it. If it doesn’t fit your agenda, redefine it so it will by turning the meaning around so it fits your message.
Here is current examples I’ve seen recently:
Looting
The definition we all understand and have used in the past is NOT a tough one to remember. It is basically stealing or taking something that isn’t yours by force. If you need a reminder of what the definition is you can look at Dictionary.com (here) and Mirriam-Webster.com (here).
My guess is that you really don’t need a reminder.
Bernie Sanders and his Socialist friends are trying to create a class war (this is a Communist tactic) by specifically trying to redefine the word during the present crisis. Maybe you have seen some of this flying around social media.
The looting of America has been going on for over 40 years – and the culprits are the ultra-rich. ~ Bernie Sanders
American billionaires got $434 billion richer during pandemic. (widely reported by news media)
So, people who spent their lives building a business and positioning themselves in a place to prosper are going to be faulted for consumers going to their place of business to buy supplies?
Example: Amazon (I mean, because it is so obvious). It was literally set up so that you could order anything, any time, from anywhere, and have it delivered to your doorstep. It was set up to make it as convenient for you as possible. And you love it.
So consumers were forced, or they willingly complied, to stay home and order things online. This is exactly why the business was created or has adapted to the changing retail landscape. They didn’t do anything wrong and is perfectly acceptable for them to do. That would make them pioneers and visionaries in retail, right? As such, it’s perfect for those who have had the foresight to establish, or adjust, a business that has this capability.
Why then would you fault Jeff Bezos or any other person for making money during the pandemic? This is what a business is for. To make money. By ordering online. As far as I can tell, he wasn’t price gauging people for the goods he was selling. Prices didn’t suddenly and ridiculously increase because of the situation. He wasn’t taking advantage of the situation. He literally continued to do what he set up his business to do.
Sure, there were probably some 3rd party sellers who may have taken advantage of the platform and increased prices. Sure, that will always happen. That isn’t new to any crisis. But was it a systemic, company wide policy/effort to defraud the population? No. Amazon and others worked to correct the issue as it was discovered and reported.
Look, I think it is clear that the work of a political party is trying engender bitterness, anger, and dissatisfaction with people who make money in legitimate ways. They are trying to pit the poor, and even the middle class, against those who are rich. For them, they can’t gain ground politically any other way so redefining words and making the word to encompass a broader meaning means that they stimulate mistrust and hatred.
This word being redefined is nonsensical. Let’s keep it a crime and not turn it into something it isn’t.
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Big banks suck!
I already knew this, you already know this, but didn’t have a say in the matter upon initial purchase of the house. We have been through three refi’s with Chase Bank over the last 7 years and none of them were this bad. There was, of course, some jumping through hoops but nothing too out of the ordinary. In the past they have been relatively painless to work with, until now.
My last update on the refi I spoke of the communication issues and bumbling of the person I was working with. It continued. It didn’t get better and the more I complained about it the less communicative they got.
Anyway, I submitted all the docs the required from the start. Things are moving along. They get communication issues and then want to have me submit more docs that were never asked for the previous three times we refi’d. Um, what? Oh, and then the also wanted signed statements about things from the past they never asked about previously too. Um, no. Not gonna do it since they were not relevant then and they aren’t relevant now.
When they said the refi couldn’t go forward until the documents were submitted I protested. Nothing has changed in the last two years (that was the last refi) and really all they needed to do was get some updated financial statements. Nothing else they wanted pertained to the situation. But, they said they needed these because of “law changes.”
Um, what law changes? Neither person I spoke to could say specifically. They just kept repeating it – because that’s how society works these days…if you repeat it enough, it become “true.”
**Note, I had begun the process with a different bank at this point and they haven’t asked the questions Chase Bank was asking, so “law changes” my ass…**
So, I told them to cancel the application since it wasn’t going to move forward. That’s when their disclosure about the “good faith” deposit stole my $500. Because I didn’t submit documents they were requesting and because I cancelled the application, not because they declined me, they had the right to keep my money.
Essentially, that means the bank could literally ask you for anything and if you don’t comply they keep your money. I see how it is, Chase. You got me. My bad.
So, in essence, the bank contacted me about a refi to lower my rates. I jumped through the immediate hoops thinking it would be simple since I am already a current customer, and then they jacked the process to make it unreasonably difficult.
Looks like the bank robbers ride again!
I would advise not doing business with Chase Bank. Ever.
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Again.
The goal posts keep moving. The “red line” keeps moving. The rules are changing without notification. You don’t know what you’re actually required to do until you’ve been told you can’t do it they way they told you to do it previously.
We all knew this was going to happen.
My county has been denied, for a third time in three weeks, the ability to move forward into Phase 2.
In each case, the rules changed after the application was submitted and according to the Secretary of Health (and by extension the governor), the county can’t move forward base on the criterion it applied under but only when the new criterion is met.
Talk about an agenda. Clear demonstration of such is now not even a question.
It’s time for the county to tell the state, “Thanks, but no thanks.” We have met the requirements that were initially established and we are ready to roll moving forward. Not gonna play your game any longer.
Local government is the only government that can address the true needs of the people. The people need to say “Enough is enough” when it comes to government over-reach and control.
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Going backwards? Strange concept in the times we live, but it I think it bears asking since we have set ourselves up for it…
Given the situation with Covid-19, is the public (general population) going to accept going backwards when it comes to a “disinfected” shopping experience? Or are employees going to be OK with going back to the way it was before? Are government services going to be restored and go back to business as usual? Because germs and disease existed before this whole thing and they will continue to exist after as well.
So, some questions?
Is everyone OK with the removal of the plexi-glass cages cashiers are now in? They protect the public and the cashier, so are they going to stay?
Is everyone OK with discontinuing the disinfecting of each and every shopping cart? Again, it gives the perception that the business cares about it’s shoppers. Is that not important after the threat of Covid-19 has dissipated? What about the flu and other infectious bacteria/viruses?
Is everyone OK with going back to full capacity seating in restaurants? More people packed into a small space is good, right?
Is everyone OK with door handles, counter-tops, and self-serve check out stands not being cleaned after each use?
Is everyone OK with standing inside of six feet of other customers, shoppers, employees, co-workers, supervisors, non-family members, etc?
I am being the devil’s advocate here because, of course, we are going to go right back to the way it was right after this whole things is over and everyone has moved through the proper “phases of reopening.” Right? Back to “normal.”
But in doing so, we basically are going to say it is OK to go back to a society that allows for thousands of deaths each year from the flu. Or, we are going back to a society that expects less of the places we frequent because, well, it isn’t practical or cost effective to keep it up.
So, dirty and contagious it is. Kinda makes you think, doesn’t it? If it was possible now, why not then. If it was possible now, why not continue it? It’s a lose-lose battle for consumers and businesses.
Happy back to normal! Eventually.
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Politicians being politicians.
Of course, this isn’t a surprise and should be a surprise to anyone, really. But it is infuriating nonetheless.
So, the governor of Washington, Jay Inslee, has decided that he won’t extend the “Stay home, stay healthy” order that expired last night. But, we are still to follow the “phased opening” he and the WA Deparment of Health mapped out previously last month. As such, a full opening of the state and it’s economy isn’t likely to happen until at least mid to late August, provided everything goes perfectly.
Here’s the problem. He has done the politician thing and he is trying to wiggle off the hook for making decisions or taking responsibility for bad decisions going forward. He has put the Secretary of Health in charge of making the decisions from here on out. Essentially, he puts someone else on the hook and if they make a bad decision (like having the ability to decide which counties live or die economically or open up and then have a major outbreak again), he can fire them. Thus, it’s not his responsibility. At least he would like to think that is the case.
Now, I don’t know about you, but to me this smacks of shadiness.
Again, this isn’t much of a surprise considering its Jay Inslee. But, it also concerns the heck outta me! He has put an unelected official, but one he appointed, in charge of making some pretty important decisions. You read that right – unelected. The only individual this person has to report to is the governor himself.
Now, if that doesn’t raise some hackles you might want to check your pulse.
The governor put in charge someone that only answers to the governor and the people have no recourse against. The governor is trying to hid behind the decisions of another person while trying to demonstrate that he is “leading.” And, if things don’t go well from here, well, he can just fire the guy.
Shady, and I don’t mean like a tree.
Just plain shady.
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Anyone else tired of hearing this?
Sorry, but I am getting the idea that the “new normal” is going to stick in one way or another. Some of what we are seeing isn’t going to go away, and I don’t like the trends I am seeing.
Face Masks
So, it was first recommended that we not wear them in public. Then it was recommended and even “required.” Now, we are seeing businesses implementing policies, and even counties strongly suggesting that face masks be worn in public.
Are we going to do this all the time now? Flu season? Wear a mask. Allergies? Wear a mask. Cold? Wear a mask.
Who’s to say that cough is any different than the other cough? When or how are we going to know? Who makes the determination for when we should or should? Why not just wear them all the time so we make sure we’re safe under all circumstances?
Perhaps we should just make hazmat suits more fashionable and then we wouldn’t have to worry about anything when we leave home.
The future doesn’t look bright, folks…
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Anyone else wanna just throw up your hands, shrug, and say “Screw it!”?
Can’t keep up with the ever changing guidelines and requirements related to your lockdown? Frustrated that you can’t get a straight answer on what you can and can’t do? Irritated by contradictions and uneven applications? Just frustrated by the whole state of affairs?
“Wave your hands in the air like you don’t care…” (thanks Cameo…) and go about life like you normally would, well, at least as much as you can.
I know that some businesses have put their own limitations on customers (you know, to appear they are doing something effective), but you have the freedom to choose where and where you won’t shop too. Consumer choice still rules when it comes to who wins and who looses in the marketplace.
Take precautions, as necessary, because you are a reasonable and rational adult (assumptions…) but don’t let the government and hysterical people dictate to you their fear.
You get to control that too. Something I think a lot of people have forgotten. You can, and should, control your fear. We all assume risk every day of our lives. If we live in fear, which so many people are doing these days, then you won’t get to live. Plain and simple.
Go, live and be free.
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Can’t Piss and Moan today.
I mean, I could, but I won’t.
Today we pause and reflect on those that gave their lives so that we might be free, and hopefully continue to be free. That’s why they died. And for that we honor them today.
Thanks, to then men and women who have given their lives in the name of freedom.
Piss and Moan 