I have lost patience with the vaccine hesitant and the combatative anti maskers. I listened in wonder as a women in Florida explained why she did not want her personal freedom violated or that of her child. No mask -really? What about the good of the human race? We do not tell you not to drink, we do insist and punish you if you drink and drive. Seat belts and helmets are required to be worn in most places – if you ignore that rule you hopefully only put yourself at risk. Vaccines are required and science based for many previously dangerous childhood ailments. My frustration with those who are now the victims of the Delta variant because they are not vaccinated is heightened. I guess I am ok with them being sick but they are also spreaders and put their friends, family, community and especially health care workers at risk. The Governors of Texas, Florida, and other similiar States should be held accountable for those who listen to their non-sense, avoiding masking and vaccinations. The costs are beyond calculation when people needlessly lose their lives and put so many Americans at risk.
I had to revisit the award winning l976 movie Network to refresh my memory on the iconic quote from news anchor Howard Beale, “I am mad as Hell and I am not going to take it anymore.” Beale was being fired after a distinguished 40 year career. He threatened to take his own life on air. Instead, he went on a rant. “We know things are bad-worse than bad. They’re crazy. It’s like everything everywhere is going crazy.” The world was getting smaller and Beale’s logo was highly effective because the audience was able to identify with the problems he cited and the issues these problems presented when we compared them with the idealized version of the world we often hold. Beale encouraged everyone to open their windows and scream the phrase for everyone to hear. This is exactly how I feel about the current Covid resurgence in our great country – those of us who are fed up need to sharpen our resolve with the Beale rally cry! Seriously-we are not going to take it anymore.
A reference in my research led me to a Charlie Chaplin video, famous for his silent movie performances, he delivers a memorable speech from the 1940 talking movie “The Great Dictator”. Chaplain wrote, directed and produced this timeless American satirical comedy-drama. The film advanced a stirring condemnation of Adolf Hitler, Benito Mussolini, fascism, anti Semitism, and the Nazis. The monologue is historically significant and called by many “the most poignant recorded speech of the 20th century. Chaplin mimics Hilter very effectively including the silly little mustache. But the message still resonates today, “Let us fight to free the world! To do away with the national barriers! To do away with greed, with hate and intolerance! Let us fight for a world of reason, a world where science and progress will lead to all men’s happiness.”
The speech is amazing and worth watching. It is very troubling that the progress toward a world of reason is very slow in coming. I hope we figure this out before our greed and environmental excesses threaten the very planet we inhabit.
Please stay respectfully but emphatically pro vaccination, masking as required, and working toward an inclusive democracy.
Enjoy your week end. Mike