BUGS--GERMS -- SOCIAL NETWORKS -- BASEBALL

BUGS …. Germs ….. of some unknown variety,  do play havoc with our lives sometimes.  Who knows where they come from, or even what they are.   They just do their nasty little thing disrupting daily life for however long -- sometimes causing us to wonder if they’re serious enough to call 911 for emergency transport to the hospital, or if this is one more situation we can just tough out.  

Well, clearly I’m here, so guess I made the right decision remaining at home.   Only a couple or so of those days had instances of my pondering where it was best for me to be.    I did always keep my phone with me, just in case.    I managed to stay on my feet long enough to get around for needed nourishment, to take care of business, to drink plenty of water, and sleep as I could.   The microwave and prepared soups I try to keep on hand were real convenient.  

I have to confess to not being as dedicated during this time I’ve not posted as others who write.  I just laid around in bed some of those days this past week, didn’t always dress, sometimes lounged in the recliner with eyes closed while allowing the TV to babble on, and at least daily texted my children as they had long ago requested I do in any such circumstance.   Then, I tested my endurance for a few days with increasingly longer trips out on errands. 

I could have resumed writing here sooner, but I just couldn’t enthusiastically center my thoughts on any one of a never-ending number of topics continuing to emerge in our unsettled U.S. and world news – much less explore in writing some of life’s other fascinations.    However, there are some matters which have caught my attention that are worth following in future news as they could portend troublesome influences in the quality and truthfulness of our news dissemination -- what is true and what is fake. 

SOCIAL NETWORKS

The digital social networks are finally being revealed to be of concern as we’re officially learning in Congressional Committee testimony given from Facebook, Twitter and Google corporate representatives.   Users of those free services are the product being sold, in case anyone doesn’t recognize that fact.  And purchasing their attention is what was done....by Russian bots…..who gifted them with content designed to create division, foment violence with controversy and lies, spread fake news -- the intent being to influence their readers, our elections and undermine the integrity of our system of government.  

Questions every citizen should ask:

--  why has our current President been so willing to accept a foreign nation’s interference in our election – that nation being Russia, recognized by national security forces as an adversary at best?

--   why has our current President been so reticent, even resistant, to investigating Russia’s interference in our election  – he certainly hasn’t pressed that matter?  

--  why doesn’t our current President regard interference in our election process a threat to our nation’s security – this fundamental basis for our form of government?

--  why doesn’t our current President who wants to build a wall, restrict entry into our country by select peoples, and increase our military might for protection not care enough to protect our form of government from this “invasion”?

--   why did our current President swear allegiance to the U.S. Constitution if he isn’t dedicated to protecting the validity of our voting system?

The  Presidential oath to which our current President swore includes these words: 

“…will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.”

BASEBALL

The 2017 World Series of Baseball final game will be played later tonight.  

This has been an exciting series -- lots of action -- bases stolen -- base runners thrown out -- the most home runs in a World Series -- some great pitching and some less so -- an instance of bad behavior -- some players with hair to spare (think redhead) -- and what would baseball be without lots of chewing and spitting!  (at least they've given up tobacco and snuff)

Emotional cords are pulling on fans heart strings for both the Houston Astros and the Los Angeles Dodgers. 

I can't be unhappy whoever wins, but will root for our California team.

Don't tell anyone, but I've been stuck with a soft spot in my heart for the Cleveland Indians ever since they last won a pennant in 1948.