I had a coach once, who would say, “come on people keep each other covered”. Because lacrosse was about “positioning to protect a play”. Protecting one another still sounds like good advice.
As wildfires burned near our home in Dolores Colorado, San Juan Forest east and Canyon of the Ancients west. Outdoor enthusiasts on the river laid low away from smoke at our high elevation. Not by design, I left when the Stoner Mesa fire doubled in size. Skies were hazy and breathing impaired.
I prayed for my neighbors, wildlife and for rain. Then, thanked God for USFS Fire Fighters regularly passing my front ranch gate. They have been managing wildland fires for over 100 years. This summer’s fire season came early and is burning with more extreme behavior. Yet USFS is bracing for job cuts.
The financial slashing was to reduce spending. Not going unnoticed is increasing tax dollars for bunker buster bombs on Iran, $116.55 billion in aid to Ukraine, once a cyber security risk, and $22 billion given to Isreal, just since October 7th who engages in Palestinian genocide. This kind of sociopathic thinking has ignited wildfires of its own on a worldwide social scale.
Contemptible behaviors excuse pejorative repercussions. Alex Karp, CEO of Palantir, hypocritically flashed the peace sign after landing a $10 billion Army contract. He may have thought he was cool, but killing is not! Billionaires rarely have our greater good at heart. Exercising your autonomy to resist agendas that treat masses like sheep, empowers us against the many bad actors.
Essential human connection is failing. Due either to collective apathy, or hyper-focused personal agendas drowning out the true meaning of inclusion. Bigoted labels, from old white guys to militant lesbians, isolate and debase. Yet for all the liberating dialogs, partnership sex is declining. Sex should be easy! Ban anyone not directly involved in yours—listen only to heart and body.
Small groups with big agendas unduly influence. Work is rarely proceeded by the adverb hard, as entitlements overshadow personal responsibility. The public sector is not a place to hide. A professor instilled tenure as shelter in public radio, missing a shift from legacy models to organic strategies. When federal funding was cut, he was caught with his pants down. Privilege must be earned through hardwork.
The world will never be a safe place. Witness the history of human cruelty. Earth too is a constant threat of natural disasters. In both cases the corrupt will take advantage. Therefore, people with differences must work together to evolve. A community that does will manifest best impacts.
My coach was right. Achievement requires cooperation not alienation. Teams have dissimilar players for a reason. Bring out best benefits, by working shoulder to shoulder with others.
Kevin j Palmer
#Rebel #Writer #Producer #Poet