The Contagion of Civil Disobedience And Unrest.

Rage that has no outlet.. becomes dangerous for furniture. 

Today, I am filled with rage!  Why?   Funny how anger sometimes wells up in you slowly.   Like the straw that breaks the camels back,  I have found something that simply irritates me to no end.

No gatherings, no church. 

With the Virus house arrest spreading across the nation,  I live in Iowa, where the draconian orders for self imprisonment have been mostly absent.   We can still go for walks in parks and along trails... as long as we do not cluster together.  And there is no "fine" or misdemeanor arrest warrants out for people who slightly violate the suggestions. ( So far....)

Hot water is easy to react to.

But I see our freedoms eroding away... slowly.  Like a Boiled Frog.   Put a frog in a pot of hot water and he will jump out.  So you put him in a pot of room temperature water and slowly apply heat.   By the time he realizes he is in "hot water", it is too late.

Cheryl at the Trueblood trail today.

 So what triggered this rant and anger towards the all knowing, all caring, overly-protective Government?    The True Blood Trail.

signs telling you which direction
to walk. 

Yesterday, we saw them putting signs up on our way out of the park.  The Terry Trueblood Trail is a natural paved trail around a small lake and through the woods.  It links up with the River trail that runs along the Iowa River. The Bathrooms have been closed for months now... because of the virus.   Then they close the Pavilion and picnic areas, along with the kids toys.   Now..  they have posted "ONE WAY" signs along the trail.  And in Spanish!  Let me begin to unpack things.

Spanish.  The new American Official
Language.

First,  there is a VERY LARGE group of residents that are non-native speakers.   Many Vietnamese, Korean, Chinese and Indian people live here. (Heck!  That is America, Baby!)   Why are their languages not present?   Are they expected to get a pass because they could not understand either of these languages?  Why do Spanish speakers ( and readers...) get their language on the sign?  Just askin'.

And English... so no English
Speaker has any excuse for
not following the new rules. 

Scientific Proof that their
suggestion is not scientific...

But mostly... what is the logic behind everyone walking the same direction?  Where is the study and scientific research? Cheryl noted that when we run behind people,  we either have to scare the crap out of them as we call out and pass them.  Or we hang out behind them as they cough and sneeze in front of us.... and then the wind blows it into our face!   If people are running towards us,  we pass them easily, are not exposed to their coughs or sneezing, and they quickly pass by, leaving us to run in solitude.

Telling People which way to
walk must make bureaucrats
very happy. 

So why now?   Why does the City government "SUDDENLY" want to tell us what direction to walk on NATURE TRAILS?  Are they THAT bored?  Are there  a number of people locked in a room trying to think of ways to make us "SAFER?" They do not even plow the trail in Winter!  So maintenance is not really a concern here.   and what if you want to come back?  How do you return from a one way trail?( which we do... that is our standard route.)   Cheryl noted that at least they have not closed the trail entirely... YET!   What else could they possibly do  after this?  Yesterday, the trails were just fine... but today, it is illegal to run/bike in the opposite direction.

Understanding the Human Condition. 

As a comparison..  Coralville is a city right next to Iowa City.   Here is their "COVID WARNING".  I appreciate that they warn us of the dangers  BUT..  Ultimately leave the decision and risk taking up to us... The PEOPLE!  We are adults, after all.   We know the risk,  we know the dangers.   It ultimately is up to us for our safety... not Big Brother Government.  Iowa City is an example of the seductive nature of Power and Control.   You would think that Politicians that choose to serve The People would understand the boundaries that the Constitution and Bill of Rights have for situations like this.

Beware of how Tyrants "help" you. 

Not really essential. 

The Michigan Governor is an easy example of "ABUSE OF POWER".  She reasons that her constituents are too dumb to know the risks and she must, therefore, protect them from the virus AND themselves.   But I believe that Americans are adults and can understand the risk, precautions, and rewards associated with making  a choice, when given "proper" information.   It was and IS about MORE than just getting back to work to provide for their families.   It is about FREEDOM and choice.   Two of the Greatest Gifts  that were given to us by GOD... Not from some Despotic Governor.

 If the choice is between freedom or death...  Many millions of Americans in the past chose freedom to give us this great land.  Facing the Unknown as the Pioneers crossed and settled the country,  Storming the Beaches of Normandy to end a Tyrannical regime,  And fighting the most powerful army in the known world, to gain our independence all came with the knowledge that failure meant death to many of them.  Fighting a Virus is no different.



So the Virus has shown us how some humans handle things.   And They ARE only human, after all.   They are as fallible as any one of us.  They are not Super-human because they somehow won an election.  A little Humility and admission that you do not have all the answers will resonate with people.  We were willing to understand for a little while... We self isolated and masked up to help slow the spread.   But as the curve  flattens,  the dictators seem to see the source of their power surge evaporating.  They appear to be looking for any reason to extend the curfew or restrict the movements of the citizens even more. I wonder what their ultimate aims are?

Come November...  they will have to answer for their tactics and handling of this.   It is the Voters ( So far..anyway) that will hand down the verdict if the politicians  did things that were understandable...or extreme.    They are our leaders...but they SERVE US.   And should take those things into account before they  treat us like children.  I was technically a pretty good kid.   I obeyed and did no rebel during those teenage years..  But now I'm older,  I hope a little Wiser, and I really do not like people telling me what to do.  And as the rules become more oppressive,  confusing, and contradictory, I feel like something has to break somewhere.   I just hope it is not me.

The Revolution I believe in.

Sorry for the rant.   If you did not read the entire thing.... I fully understand.  Personally, I do like reading other peoples blogs because I know I 'm not alone.   The accumulation of "little things" is beginning to take its toll.   I don't want a revolution... But I would settle for a revolt.   Thanks for stopping in and being my therapist.