The Dangers of Apathy

Preface: Not my best writing, but bear with me.



Well.......this is awkward, to say the least.

And yet, despite the obvious cruelty occurring in these farms, here in Michigan, the "Right to Farm" was just taken from us last month by the Commission of Agriculture and Rural Development, probably at the behest of big corporations wanting to keep control of the market.

Isn't that awful?  We could be taking a stand against those corporations and their practices by raising our own dairy, meat, etc., but the government's stepped in and said that's not ok.

But see, it's even bigger than just this issue.  These kinds of regulatory acts happen all the time, and most people are completely unaware, similarly to what's talked about at the end of the video.  Except this type of willful ignorance is almost worse, because it's not even that you all know, but don't want to; you're not even trying to know.  The kind of apathy with regards to politics is SO damaging, but I see it everywhere.  You say, "politics doesn't affect me."  But it does, don't you see?

Part of why this issue is such a good example is that you're going to sit there after watching that video, and feel bad about it, and want to do something about it.  Now, you could boycott the big companies and only buy free range/organic/whatever, that's a valid option.  But money's tight, sometimes, and those tend to be more expensive.  So maybe you could raise your own food, as mentioned above, but oh wait, you can't.  Government says no.

But there's the crux of the issue: if you'd been paying attention to what your government was doing in the first place, maybe you could've stopped this before it even took hold.

Now, you're going to have to kill the weed after it's grown, rather than having kept the seed from even being planted.

Now, not only will it be harder for you to help yourself, it'll be harder for you to help the animals, too.

Pay attention, people.  As Pericles said, "Just because you do not take an interest in politics doesn't mean politics won't take an interest in you."

Put some clothes on, woman!

So, I posted this as a comment in reply to this article yesterday, and I was pretty proud of it, so I thought I'd put it here, too:

I'm just gonna throw this out there: personally, I think that no matter what size you are, if I would be able to have sex with you if you simply leaned forward, what you're wearing is too short. I realize that this is my opinion, and I'm not saying that people shouldn't be able to wear what they like, or should be held responsible for someone else's actions, thoughts, whatever. However, have some self-respect. You can be perfectly confident in what you wear and how you look without pushing the envelope of modesty.

Confidence: belief in oneself and one's powers or abilities
Respect: esteem for or a sense of the worth or excellence of a person, a personal quality or ability

When you wear short skirts/dresses like that, whether you like it or not, you are drawing eyes to that region, and many people will think how easy it would be to do something about it. Yes, it's twisted, but we're creatures of instinct at our roots. So, with that in mind, why would you want that to be someone's first (even involuntary) thought when they see you?

Yes, you can wear it; yes, you look great. But we're always saying "Eyes up here." Let's not just talk like that's what we want; let's dress that way, too.

Uncle Reyn, Pt. 2

Part 1

It's been almost five months since I found out my uncle was dead.

I still have the funeral pamphlet on my mirror, and I cry about his death at least once a week.

I've tried to take the pamphlet down, but that somehow feels disrespectful.  I feel like I should be healed by now, but then I remember that grieving is a personal process.  It may never be over.

I think the worst part is that nagging feeling that I should've done something.  I mean, technically, we're still not sure (or maybe we just don't want to be sure) that it was actually suicide, but let's just assume it was.  Because, frankly, the signs were all there, and this is what I want to talk about.

"Hindsight is 20/20."  This means that, when looking back at something, it all suddenly seems so clear.  And we think to ourselves, If I had only picked up on that one thing, I could've fixed everything.  Perhaps, but what good does that do, to beat ourselves up for not seeing something at the time?  It does no good, none.

But that's what I've been doing.  I've been chewing myself out, imaging scenario after scenario of me stepping in at that crucial moment, making sure my uncle got the help he needed, or convincing him not to do it, or telling the family so they could help, too...and saving his life.  Except that I didn't.  I don't know whether I really didn't see, or I didn't want to see, but looking back, the signs were there.  I remember being worried about him, that he was downing those glasses of wine pretty quickly, losing weight too much too fast, going grayer than seemed right, wringing his hands almost constantly, saying things like, "I have no purpose."

That sentence still echoes in my head whenever I think about Christmas 2013, when he said it, the last time we saw him alive.  I can see every single sign so clearly, and could then, but something in me thought he'd never go that far, never really follow through.

My point is this: DO NOT ignore those signs.  If you see someone acting strangely, depressed, distraught, etc., do not assume that they won't do anything.  I've been there, too, and I can tell you the feelings of hopelessness, uselessness, and loneliness can get so overwhelming sometimes...it's difficult to keep my head above water.  Even when I think of the ones I love, and the ones who love me, death just sounds like such a peaceful thing.  I'm fortunate enough to have people to talk to and to know that I should talk to them, but not everyone will reach out.

However, they will often give hints.  I think that's a subconscious thing, their mind trying to save them indirectly, but whatever it is, you have to pay attention.  Don't assume that just because "they don't seem that depressed," they aren't dying inside.  It's better to make the effort, and be wrong, then to not reach out, and be too late.

Be aware.  Take action.  Save a life.