Random Thought No. 1. How about those rainbow bracelets!!? That dust-up was a bit of embarrassing fun, wasn’t it?
My eldest daughter, mother of four, upon reading the day’s news of the event at our kitchen table on a recent visit, put down the paper and said, “Oh my gosh! How embarrassing. Are you serious?”
That about sums it up for me and mine. One thing that has likely never been said by a prospective employer or a new family looking to move to a nice town, “Hey! How about that town down there that seems intolerant. That’s the one I want.”
Random Thought No. 2. My three sons and I enjoyed watching, discussing, and betting amongst ourselves on the recent NBA playoffs, even though we live far apart. The talent level of the players is off the charts. I got my comeuppance from my eldest when I complained one too many times about players traveling. I said something like, “Euro step, my hind end! (Forgive the euphemism). That was a travel.” I was met with, “Dad. You sound like an old man. The game has changed. Get over it.”
Message received. I muted future comments and pouted in my recliner.
I tell you that to say, in a rather circuitous fashion, I have heard and read a good deal of moaning about how the federal government is pushing for conversion to electric vehicles for both economic and environmental reasons. “Government overreach!” they sing in an angry collective chorus. “Climate change? What does that even mean? Is there evidence?”
Come on guys. You sound like old men. The game has changed. Get over it.
In an earlier generation the naysayers said, “What are we going to do with all these horses? Manure in the streets? That is not a real problem. What will the blacksmiths do?” As I see it, what many are missing is how quickly technology is changing to meet future challenges.
Random Thought No. 3. Speaking of technology, artificial intelligence (AI) seems to be the rage. Ubiquitous newspaper and internet articles tell us “The future is at hand.” Better invest in it. Better get in line. It’s a freight train hurtling down the tracks. Better watch out as AI will soon deliver us from complicated tasks and menial ones as well. There will be nothing left for us to do. Do I understand it? Nope. However, as I type, my Microsoft Word program makes suggested edits as I go. That is AI for sure. My computer knows my fingerprint. That’s AI (I think).
However, I am here to speak to another technology with far greater appeal. This technology was revealed to me two weeks ago when I bought a new pair of shoes. Slip In Technology (SI) has changed my life. I can now spot my shoes across the room, approach them dispassionately and slip them on while standing. All the while never missing a beat as I explain world events to my wife (Donna), or an unfortunate friend trapped in my sphere of one-sided conversation. Skechers.
The innovation is a piece of space-age, moon-shot material in the heel that is neither soft nor hard but conforming. It invites the heel of the foot in and snaps back to the top without scrunching. Beautiful.
I have discovered that with age my feet have grown more distant from my hands. Challenges were such that I had to continually find my shoes, locate an appropriate sitting place, not too high nor low, tie my shoes (retie multiple times per day), stand up, allow dizziness to pass from standing too quickly, then try to remember why I put them on in the first place. Now I can just keep on talking. What a time-saver SI has been.
Donna is so pleased with my new-found efficiency. She has not actually stated it yet, but I can surely tell from her crooked smile.
Random Thought No. 4. Did you hear that it is Pride month? No matter your stance or persuasion, Pride Month and celebrations have been with us for decades. Not a recent phenomenon.
I look at it this way: In some parts of the world LGBTQ people are put to death, some are murdered with impunity. In some parts of the world LGBTQ people are jailed. In some parts of the world members of the LGBTQ community are ostracized and demonized through discrimination. And in some parts of the world, they designate a month to celebrate and demonstrate LGBTQ individuals’ right to exist and experience protection of the law. A celebration to say, “You are safe here.”
I ask you, in which of these cultures of the world would you choose to live? Where would you hope your children would live? Where would you hope their LGBTQ friends and relatives live?
As John Mellencamp sings, “Ain’t that America…”
Here’s The Thing: It is distressing to me that so much of our turmoil comes from fellow Christians’ efforts to control the social order. The quickest way to roil me is to try to instruct me through one’s narrow interpretation of Biblical scripture. I can read and interpret for myself. I’ll let you know if I need help.
ken.ballinger@yahoo.com
———
Editor’s Note: This is one of a series of articles written by a group of retired and current teachers — LaNae Abnet, Ken Ballinger, Billy Kreigh, Kathy Schwartz, and Anna Spalding. Their intent is to spur discussions at the dinner table and elsewhere. You may also voice your thoughts and reactions via The News-Banner’s letters to editor.
