History...it matters

I've made many mistakes and bad decisions in my life, too many to count. Many of them I regret and wish that I could erase but that's impossible. They are as much a part of my history as the good decisions that I have made. It's my history, ALL of it shaped who I am today good or bad and even if I wanted to change it - I can't. I can learn from it, and to be honest I wouldn't want it to change.

In American history we have committed horrible, despicable acts as well as many remarkable acts that changed the world. We have a dark, grisly past that the majority of Americans would likely desire to forget. Yet, we cannot erase it. It is part of our past and it cannot be forgotten, only forgiven. We can use it improve our relationships with others. We can learn from our mistakes if allowed to do so.

In the wake of the sickening crime in South Carolina many are calling for the ban of the Confederate flag in all forms (including the General Lee from the Dukes of Hazzard, Civil War video games, movies, books and probably more that I haven't heard of yet.) For many Americans the flag represents racism and injustice. I recognize that the flag in whatever form is seditious and I agree that it should be removed from government buildings because it sends the message that the government endorses the various interpretations assigned to the flag. However, I believe that the rapid response to expunge it permanently is wrong. Again, it's part of our history and as such it can never be entirely forgotten.

I have read of many related incidents happening, the call to rename a school named after Robert E. Lee (so far, I've only heard of one but I'm sure many will follow.)  Changing the name of the school won't change the fact that Robert E. Lee was a Confederate General in the Civil War. Trying to erase Robert E. Lee, Jefferson Davis, Stonewall Jackson and others would make for a very lopsided history of the United States. In order to accomplish this we would have to erase the entire Civil War. The Civil War is a monumental factor in the history of the United States and cannot possibly be forgotten. It is nonsensical to even attempt.

Gone With the Wind? Classic book and movie. Get your copy now while it's still available. It has been suggested that it should "go the way of the Confederate flag" and be consigned to museums. Hattie McDaniel (Mammy) was the first African American to win an Academny Award. If she were alive today would she want GWTW relegated to a museum?

Racism is vile. Defacing statues, banning video games, movies, changing school names, altering history books will not in any way 'revise' our past. Removing the 'symbols' of racism will not eradicate it.

Yes, black lives do matter. All lives matter. History matters. Leave it alone and let us learn from it.

Light bulbs and more...

Light bulbs. Pretty simple right? Yeah, you would think so but...not so much. Do you have ANY idea how many options there are for light bulbs? I bought 2 lamps today. Took me about 15 minutes to find the lamps that I wanted and then it took me 35 MINUTES to find the light bulbs. There are regular (incandescent) bulbs (I think they might be illegal now except for Texas where we don't put up with bullshit regulations for light bulbs), CFL's, and LED's. I won't go into the description for these - you can look that crazy business up and I don't understand it anyway but let me just say that the top of the line light bulb costs WAY more than the plain old light bulb. Want bright light, soft light,warm light, Bud lite, daylight? I finally gave in and bought one LED and one CFL (even though they apparently have boron, mercury, krypton, are radioactive and a fire hazard,and can cause electromagnetic interference I live on the edge.) The LED says it should last 22.8 years. You know what, I'm keeping my receipt.

The light bulb aisle

Q: How many Methodists does it take to change a light bulb? 

A: We choose not to make a statement of either in favour of or against the need for a light bulb however, if in your own journey you have found that a light bulb works for you, that is fine. You are invited to write a poem or compose a modern dance about your personal relationship to your light bulb and present it next month at our annual light bulb Sunday service, in which we will explore a number of light bulb traditions, including incandescent, fluorescent, three-way,long-lived, and tinted; all of which are equally valid paths to luminescence through Jesus Christ.

Today I went through the drive thru at the bank. Typically choosing the drive thru indicates that you don't have time or don't want to enter the branch. It might mean that you are in a bit of a hurry. Today, I was in a bit of a hurry and needed some cash. My debit card expired so I knew the ATM wouldn't work thus the drive thru option. I sent the tube with my DL and expired card. I explain about the card expiring, she verifies my bona fides and then the following conversation ensues:

T: Would you like to come in and get a new card?
Me: No, I don't have time right now.
T: It only takes about 10 minutes.
Me: Sorry, maybe later.
T: Do you want to make an appointment?
Me: No.
T: Sometimes it gets busy and you have to wait.
Me: OK, but I don't have time right now, maybe later.
T: Do you live in a home?
Me: Excuse me?
T: A house, do you live in a house?
Me: Yes. (in my head I'm thinking WTH?)
T: Do you want to refinance your house?
Me: No.
T: How about remodeling? Do you want to come in and see about getting a home improvement loan?
Me: No. (in my head - well, I won't even tell you - I'm sure you can guess)
T: Our rates are very competitive.
Me: I'm sure they are. I just really only have time to get cash today (barely.)

I understand the art of the upsell but this wasn't a "do you want fries with that" kind of upsell. I was in the drive thru just wanting cash. Why in the hell are you asking me these ridiculous questions. I know it's not her fault. Some paper pusher in corporate thought this would be a great way to get people to refinance their homes and came up with a script that everyone had to go through before money could be dispensed. The ATM probably has extra prompts on it now asking the same questions. Sometimes stuff just doesn't make any sense at all. It does however explain why it takes so long to get through the drive thru these days!