I don't think anyone would disagree the world is a lot different these days. The only difference from last year is the calendar changed. We still have the bad guys and some good guys around. We still spend too much time on social media, our phones (not talking), and watching TV. I am guilty of that myself. But my TV watching is mostly football of golf. Since we got rid of our landline, my phone is with me all the time. As far as social media, well, here I am.
In the 80s when I started getting into computers and the beginning of the internet, it was fascinating and frustrating at the same time. Now it is as easy as talking to your Dick Tracy wrist watch, or "Hey Siri", or Google. We are so connected to everything around us. You can turn the TV on with a simple button, and we never get up to change the channel. Start you car, set the temperature in you home, play music from the door of your refrigerator, see a package delivered to the front door while you're in another state or country. It's crazy! I have a watch that tell me when to get up and move, tells me my blood pressure and pulse, I can even answer my phone and text just by talking to it.
And now we are threatened by foreign powers tapping into our lives and having the knowledge to influence our lives through our utilities, personal information, social media and our government's strategies. That is REALLY scary.
Back in the 50s, 60s and maybe the 70s, we feared of War with Russia. Then the communist country broke down the wall and we all hoped that period was over, but it just went into hiding to reappear in the 90s and early 2000. And now it is not just Russia but China, Iran and maybe Saudi Arabia. It all sounds like a James Bond movie and spies, but it's true. Our own fragmented nation has caused these countries to see the once super power get weak and unorganized.
If we want to regain our respect and place among the our allies in the world, we need to come together and unite, no matter what color, religion sex or political believes are... become Americans again. Lay all that stuff aside, take pride in the flag, singing the National Anthem and Pledge of Allegiance. Take pride in your community, State, City or Town. Take part in your government issues, if nothing more that voting. When volunteers are asked for, be the first to raise your hand. (Sometimes that has gotten me into trouble, but I did it anyway.) These are the things that grows and cultivates strength within our country. Leave the heavy lifting to the politicians you've elected legally. They are not always right either.
As you are fully aware, we are in the midst of a pandemic and the government has been slow to react. But now we are slowly rolling forward, we ALL have to do our part to help beat this thing. Mask up, social distancing, don't go to rallies or concerts and large groups and wash your hands often. The experts have told us that many, many times, we just have to do it.
This all sounds so doom and gloom-ish. But as the British say, "Pull yourself by the boot straps and carry-on." Unite together and together we WILL get through all of this as AMERICANS, and as the great country we still are.
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