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Part of being a writer is being observant. The stories that come out of us are basically our take on things we have experienced, observed or heard about. Being a writer is a nice way of fooling ourselves into believing we are some king of expert on something. Making money being a writer is our way of fooling someone with a checkbook into thinking we're an expert on something.
Here's my observation on some recent news issues. I had to sound off on these things, so enjoy my insanity the way you have so far. As always, there is a lesson to be learned.
We're about six weeks into the California grocery workers union strike. I sympathize with people who are getting screwed by a power greater than themselves. These people who are just trying to make a living are nothing more than pawns in a power struggle between corporate leaders and union bosses. I don't feel sorry for either of those factions. I see this as the supermarkets battling the monster they created, and the union getting kicked in the teeth for abusing its power.
Our lesson for this round, kiddies, is you should learn from history. Learn from your mistakes, and feel free to learn from the mistakes you see others make. If you see other companies abusing their employees until the employees unionize, then treat your employees fair and maybe they'll be so happy that they'll work hard for you and like it. If you run a union, take a cue from all the other unions who abused their power until their entire industry packed up and shipped all the jobs out to cheaper markets. It happened to the auto industry, it happened to the garment industry, it's happening to the film industry, and now it happened to the grocery industry.
By now, you've all heard about Michael Jackson getting arrested. I'll spare you the commentaries on his actions. That's just too easy. What concerned me almost as much was the scene at Neverland Ranch.
I love watching COPS (the TV show_. Nothing's more entertaining to me than watching drug addicts try to lie to trained police officers. Nothing's more disheartening than watching bureaucracy in action.
COPS comes in three parts per episode:
Part 1 - A lone officer drives the city's streets. He explains that citizens from this neighborhood call the police often, complaining of criminal activity during the night - mostly drug deals and gang shootings. Tonight, he's on patrol, trying to make a dent in the crime world.
One cop.
Part 2 - An officer speeds through traffic, explaining to the camera that we are en route to a bar that is known for its alcohol abuse and subsequent stupid activity. Tonight, there is a report of a stabbing, and the suspect now has two officers at bay with the weapon. He is highly intoxicated, armed and out of control.
Three cops.
Part 3 - Stop. Hooker Time.
Apparently, men like sex so much they're willing to do it with just about any woman they see walking down the street (who knew?). Some of them are even willing to pay for it. We're not talking about paying a bartender or a waiter or a divorce attorney - we're talking about actually giving money directly to the woman. Can you believe that? WE MUST PUT A STOP TO THIS!!
I can't be the only one who feels this way, because EIGHT COPS are in this segment, putting their lives on the line to make some headway into this overwhelming problem before it causes any more needless deaths.
It seems clear to me where our priorities lie. A horny guy is three times as dangerous to society as a drunk swinging a bloody knife. What's ten times more dangerous? Michael Jackson, evident by the thirty police officers who show up at his door. I know what he is accused of is an abomination, but do we really need 30 cops to contain Jacko?
Of course we do.
Our last story in the news this week concerns the decision by the Massachusetts Supreme Court declaring it unconstitutional to ban gay marriages.
One of the opponents of this measure spoke out and said... Well, I don't remember exactly what he said. I don't care. Just the mere fact that someone is speaking out against something that won't hurt him - won't hurt anybody, really - and might make some people happy is an exercise in mental retardation.
I realized something recently about change. In my struggles, I have wished for change many times. Why, oh why, can't the Hollywood elite see that their way doesn't work and my way is so much better?
Well, it's because their way works for them. Whether you're a bigot, a Bible-banger, a gay-basher, "old-fashioned" or just plain stupid, you're usually set in your ways because they are YOURS. Actually, they're not yours - they're somebody else's, or maybe where you live they're everyone else's. The bottom line is that life has been simplified for you, and it allows you to get through each day with the confidence that comes with knowing that you will make no mistakes because every move you make is planned and proven. If someone threatens to change that, you're freaked out because you haven't developed the necessary skills to adapt. You're screwed. It's Pleasantville all over again.
Nobody is 100% happy with all they see, hear and experience. There's something we all wish we could change, and it doesn't have to be as noble as ending slavery or proving the world is round. Sometimes it's as simple as losing weight or quitting smoking or getting a stop sign put up by the neighborhood park. Change is good, but change should only come from necessity, not from simply exercising some power you might have to effect change.
It is said that change comes from within. It doesn't. Change comes from without. If you want something to change, going to the person in charge is a waste of time and energy. This is the principal America was founded on. Peasants went to monarchs and said "Stop taking all our stuff. Don't you see that you're just stockpiling wealth and causing the rest of us to go hungry? Then, we won't be able to work and you won't have anything to tax us on." Didn't want to see - didn't care to see. So, what did the people do? They left for a new land where you could reap what you sow. Change was brought about because a few did something different and it worked, prompting others to follow their lead. The leaders are always the last the change. Some of them never do.
Personally, I never want to get married. Does that mean I want to stop others from marrying? I wish I could, but I can't, so I don't care because it doesn't effect my life. Plus, if someone does something that makes them happy, I'm not going to try to convince them that they shouldn't do it or that they're not really happy - just like I wouldn't want them doing that to me. Let me live my life and you live yours, and if you want me to live like you, lead by example. Demanding is not the same as teaching. Show me, don't tell me.
And the world isn't flat any more.
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