About Dogs and Cats and their Buddies. And other quick jokes.

Previously posted on my Facebook Page.

UNLIKE dogs that express their remorse and guilt, cats are wired to live in the moment. This means that they react to things happening to them in real-time. Cats simply don't have the ability to show remorse or guilt for shameful actions they've done in the past. Cats be Republican or Democrat, Left of Right. Conservative or liberal. Even progressive and radical (obvious?) I don’t know. 😺🙀😼

THERE is no significant evidence to suggest that we only use 10 percent of our brains. On the contrary, all existing data shows that we use 100 percent of our brains. Really?!? Yet some ask, “What is your name?” They’d google it. When they want to know today’s date, they’d google it. How many siblings do you have? They’d google it. Their brain is Google. That is why if that cellphone gets lost, they are a done deal. 🥹📱📲

CATS love catnip because it makes them feel good. As your cat licks and rubs on the herb, the release of nepetalactone sets off a euphoric reaction. Scientists aren't sure exactly why this happens, but many believe cats are responding to the nepetalactone as though it is a pheromone. The majick words: nepetalactone and pheromone. You may google those for exact definitions. Or simply ask your cat what nepetalactone and pheromone meant. 🐈🎋🐈

HERDING breeds of dogs were developed to gather, herd, and protect livestock such as sheep or cattle. That shared heritage means they all have the instinctive skill and drive to control the movement of other animals. To a herding dog, however, “other animals” means the humans in the house, too. In fact, Arrow herds me and Fizz and Ching to bed on naptime and sleeptime, and me at morning bathroom time, 1:15 PM sniff-sniff time, and 3:15 PM walk time. 🐏🐑🐕

WHAT tricks can we teach a cat? <>Come When Called. <>Shake Hands. <>High Five. <>Jump Through a Hoop. More. In return they can teach us ninja expertise such as “tai jutsu” or unarmed combat, “kenjutsu” or sword techniques, “bojutsu” or staff fighting, espionage, eavesdropping, interrogation dynamical systems approach to backrub spins + academics like optic flow, thermodynamics, quantum mechanics, objectivist epistemology, control theory, cybernetics etcetera. 🐈🤹🐈

WHEN should kids stop getting bedtime stories? According to experts, there's no age you should stop reading together either! Keep bedtime stories going even once they start to read on their own, and your support can help develop a love of reading that will carry on into adulthood. Uh huh. Many parents still read bedtime stories to their 30+ year old kids. That is why when these “kids” turn 45, they still believe in Santa Claus, Dracula, and Super Jo Koy. 🥱📖😴

BORDER Collie, the smartest dog? Their intelligence, enthusiasm and willingness to work has seen them awarded the top spot in canine psychologist Stanley Coren's intelligence rankings. Smartest dog breeds. Oh well. “Fake news!” exclaims Fizz The Wiz, and says Stanley Coren is actually a border collie disguised as a hooman. And Fizz adds, based on her thorough research, hounds like Arrow The Good Doog are the smartest dogs ever with an IQ average of 130 to 145. 🐕🥸🐕

DOGS do think and can experience a wide variety of thoughts and emotions. Although it's not known exactly how dogs think—after all, they can't think in words like humans can—evidence suggests dogs can learn, understand, and even be creative. But don’t ever think about creating A.I. version of dogs (or cats or any other animal personage). Ever imagine a Friday The 13th Jumanji? 🐕🤔🐕

WHEN did we start saying “like” so much? The term gained popularity within beatnik culture of the '50s and then diffused into culture at large. The term was lampooned in the 1982 novelty hit "Valley Girl" by Frank Zappa. This led to a popularization of the Valley Girl stereotype in movies and TV. Similarly, these days, when you hear young girls “Meow!” saying they identify as cats. That’d be because of Taylor Swift’s million-dollar cat Olivia Benson. You know, like meow? 😏😒🤨

WHY do dogs and cats ruin couches? They're likely to target prominent areas: Carpets or sofas, or your favorite armchair. This is because scratching these areas will make them feel more secure and relieve stress by putting their scent on things, making them feel more like their home. So the more they smell unfamiliar scent on your leather couch, the more they’d scratch and chew it, mess it up. Weird? Well, they are dogs and cats. But hoomans do the same, too, in so many ways. 🐕🛋🐈

Compilation of my short MORNING THOUGHTS.

Previously posted on my Facebook Page.

Manifestations of natural ignorance or passive racism is when people categorically label people this and that simply because they emanated from a “third world” country, they speak with thick accent, their English is incorrect, they go to Church, their shrimp is breaded, they listen to Lynyrd Skynyrd, they dig Clint Eastwood movies, they watch “Naked and Afraid,” they eat too much white rice, or they walk straight instead of veering Left or Right. Forgivable. It’s okay. 👈👀👉

Why so much hate borne of political difference/s? Why unfriend longtime friends or close kin because they espouse contrary opinions? I was raised (Catholic) conservative: Sunday mass, no harsh words, family rules. But I evolved as a radical Leftist in my youth to adulthood. Yet I never had arguments with family about my politics or ideology; I still went to Church. No unfriending friends. But I was reminded that if a time comes that I’d seek help, they’d be around. 🗣👀✍️

Australian basketball star Liz Cambage is a talented athlete. But her career may have ended following a mutual split with Los Angeles Sparks. Burnout, non-renewal of contract, or injury contribute to retirement? Nope. Not anymore. Liz was a victim” of her passion that gets awfully translated to her mouth. Outspoken bombast. You don’t speak that much, especially vs the New Moralism. Unforgiven, banished, shamed. Ms Cambage was taken out by the Politics of Purity. ?⛹️‍♀️🏀

For a change, what about a “My Face Day” on Facebook? You I Me Mine the entire day! You see, I am so tired of Trump! Trump! Trump! all day. I want to know people who talk about people as well. Let people talk about them, themselves. Trump was 2016 to 2020. Or 15 seasons of “The Apprentice.” Done. Talk about Brandon! Or Brenda, if that is your name. Karen? I wanna know about you. My name is Pasckie. And meet Arrow, Ching and Fizz—the other people in my bedroom. 😒🦸‍♂️😲

Why do we facebook (verb). Reasons go beyond fishing for validation, declaration of political angst, and beautiful-me trip. Don’t judge, okay? LOL! Me: Mainly, facebooking is writing as a release. Exhale. Decompress. Especially in these days of my life, after I quit my relentless journey of nonstop activities. Second, Facebook is me telling my family oceans away that I am still alive and this is what I had for dinner. And my way of (re)connecting with longtime friends. 🗣👀✍️

The economic crisis in Dar es Salaam isn't the economic crisis in Seattle. Lisbon’s $5,35 gasoline isn’t $4.99 gasoline in Manila. A jobless single mom of 5 in Cerritos, California—ranting about politics on Facebook isn’t a single mom of 5 kids in Madras, India—laboring on 3 jobs, no time to rant. So when we issue our smart insight, bladed criticisms, and political trajectories on social media, consider that we don’t tread the same truths and toil around the same facts. 😒🦸‍♂️😲

Most favorite Left side meme: “Jail Trump!” January 6 and Mar-a-Lago come next. Left/Right caterwaul and legislative/bipartisan infighting light up TV network marquee, read profit. Beyond America? Leaderships got other stuff in mind: MBS is on fist-bump royale as Riyadh/OPEC+ regains mojo; Xi’s smile is as wide as Beijing’s BRI (Nancy in Taiwan went pfft); Putin devises another chess move per Brittney as he counts oil profit from “what sanction?” war. Oh well. 🗽👀🗽

I feel awkward and uncomfortable when I, a Filipino, is lumped in a geographical collective stereotype called Asian. Suddenly, I am Chinese. LOL! Although China has huge cultural influence all over the East, the continent could be the most diverse in the world. Filipinos are mixed Austronesian with a wide array of European bloodlines. Our culture is a universe of individual truths. To know people beyond the skin lessens ignorance. Less ignorance, less racism. 🧑‍🦰👲👳

The News “Pete Davidson Has Been in Trauma Therapy Due to Kanye West's Online Harassment” was meant as a snide per Hollywood drama. However, “trauma therapy” isn't a light jab to many. Serious stuff. The pandemic has pushed up the sale of antidepressants by 23 percent in 1 year. Zoloft is #1. Mental health is as imperative a concern as is physical health. But the manner how the media pitches the ailment heightens the pill over primal cure sans $ and chemicals. 💊💉💊

Dismiss me as a conspiracy theorist. No brainer, LOL! Why Christianity is demonized big time these days? A long time ago, in what I call Old Left years, “people power” emanate/d from convergences and collectives—or focused activism vs corporate status quo or erring leaderships. People talked face to face. Due to computer technology "disconnect," the Force has largely dwindled. So what sector mass as a voting bloc, voice of dissent, and uh huh populist strength? Churchgoers. ?✝️👊

About Dogs and Cats and their Buddies. And other quick jokes.

Previously posted on my Facebook Page.

I ASKED Fizz The Wiz: “Should I always lock the front door when I leave the house or sleep at night?” Fizz: “Forgetting to lock the door is an oversight humans make, but the majority of Americans make sure to turn the key when they leave. And it's a good thing they do–locked doors and a doorbell camera can deter a burglar looking for an easy-to-access home.” That’s according to Her Excellency The Koolcat Shinobi Royale in the house, Fizz The Wiz. Not according to Google. 😺🚪😼

SNAILS are slow because they carry their heavy shells on their backs and move using a single muscular foot. They also need to conserve energy and find shelter during hot days. Now you know. Stop worrying about it. It’s not about politics. 🐌🚦🐌

DO cats really need to be rescued from trees? Most cats might come down on their own, if given some time. Cats are very tough and hardy animals. If a cat had to spend the night in a tree it should be fine. Some cats may come down during the night after people calm down, cool out, and rest those cellphones. They are simply up there to spy on a new neighbor’s cat or dog. Or take a selfie on a different spot. That’s all. 🐈🌴🐈‍⬛

THERE are many kinds of coffee drinks. Latte. Espresso. Red Eye. Black Eye. Long Black. Macchiato. Cortado. Mocha. Americano. Cappuccino. Flat White. Cafe au Lait. Republicano. Democrato. Independiento. Greenero. Libertariano. Trumpero. Bideno. Filipino. Barako. Etc etcetera. And the Premium+Plus versions of those, of course. ☕🫖☕

SCRATCHING is a normal, instinctive cat behavior. Cats have a need to scratch. They do it to express emotions, like excitement or stress, to mark objects with their scent (they have scent glands in their paws), to remove the dead part of their nails and, often, just to get a good stretch. But if you provide your cat with enjoyable distractions like an iPhone, laptop, and their own TV screen with a remote, of course, they will stop scratching your expensive furniture. 🐈🐾🐈

CATS and dogs have a range of interactions. The natural instincts of each species lead towards antagonistic interactions, though individual animals can have non-aggressive relationships with each other. Fact is, the narrative that infers cats and dogs don’t get along is fake news. Such negativity came from partisans who use these animals as anchors for their Left vs Right or Liberal vs Conservative street fight. Uh huh. 🐈🥰🐕

AROUND the world, a child goes online for the first time every half second! This has created unprecedented opportunities for children and young people to communicate, learn, socialize, and play, exposing them to new ideas and more diverse sources of information. Major reason why the young today are a lot dumber than the young then, before there was internet or social media. 👧🧒📲

DOGS love their toys, but even so they manage to destroy them. But the behavior is perfectly natural, since your dogs don't really see toys as toys. For your pup, a brand new, perfectly intact toy is nothing other than a vessel for their primal instincts! Arrow The Good Doog is also a surgeon. So when I go out, I pass by Goodwill Outlet to get her stuffed toys to operate on–while Fizz takes notes and Ching video-documents the proceedings. 🐕🧸🐕

THE majority of cats can happily coexist with a dog if they are given time to comfortably get to know each other. If a puppy and kitten are raised together, they generally will learn right away to tolerate each other, and some cats and dogs grow to be real friends, even playing and napping together. Arrow gets along breezily with Ching and Fizz. They sleep side by side, they play Uno, they google stuff together, and they nicely discuss political stuff. 🐈☺️🐕

DO most people use Google Maps? Google Maps is used by 67 percent of all smartphone users. The other 33 percent simply figure directions out on sheer common sense. Or they seek the help of their cat for really accurate directions, and the fastest route. 🚗😒🚕

Compilation of my short MORNING THOUGHTS.

Previously posted on my Facebook Page.

News: “Liz Cheney Is Prepared to Lose Power, and It Shows.” The article adds: “The meaning, and cost, of going against Donald Trump.” Corporate America isn't pleased with how Donald handled foreign affairs. Point at the advent of China and Russia. The tag #1 rule. Geopolitical narcissism via economics. Fact: The world evolved, whoever Potus leads. But Liz Cheney is a device to slam the door on Trump. Done. Would that mean China and Russia “quiet down” as well? 🗽🏦🗽

Condolences to the family of basketball great Bill Russell. My childhood was cheered big time by Mr Russell. Talkin’ about NBA, I am with Laker legend Jerry West when he castigated recently retired JJ Redick for commenting that Bob Cousy got famous at a time when pro ball was played by “plumbers and firemen.” Disrespectful, indeed. In conversations on the subject of “then and now” with BFFs Cindyrella and Marta Nicer, we got lots to say. If you are our age, you too? Uh huh. ?⛹️🏀

Many in America don’t favor hyphenated ethnicity. Japanese-American, German-American etcetera. Not me. I favor hyphens in reference to an ethnicity and national/cultural origin of a person—especially those who were U.S. naturalized or raised in mom/dad’s native household. Or how we grew up, adapted, and evolved in society. To understand people, we need to zoom in on their background as a people, regardless of citizenship. It lessens racism. 😏😒🙂

Former Laker Slava Medvedenko auctions his championship rings to support Ukraine in its war against Russia. Admirable but not magnanimous. My thoughts point to: Would the proceeds go to military heft or to Slava’s fellow Ukrainians who are hit by war? Who knows, that’d be Volo and Olena or Kyiv’s leadership’s ball game. So far, Russia is winning, on and off the battlefield. If I were Slava and I’d have resources to help, I’d forward `em different ways. But I digress.⛹️‍♂️☮️⛹️‍♂️

A Facebook post is not News per se. Majority are (re)formulated numbers/thoughts that feed particular (economic, political) intents. Mostly, the Page “owner’s” thingy. My words unless I credit specific sources or quote lines per sentence. What I post could be fact or fake (that is if I type LOL!) Though I try not to share BS about serious stuff. Yet veracity of posts on FB depends on how we are reading, not really about the posts per se that are tossed at us, 24/7. 📱👇📲

Emotional support animals help their owners cope with the challenges associated with depression and anxiety. Admittedly, I never believed in “support animals,” never being attached to a pet until 2009 when I started living with 2 dogs and a cat—as I stayed more indoors from my long, relentlessly active “outside” life. I tell you now, I’d cave in without a pet dog and pet cat beside me, 24/7. Weird, right? No girlfriend, no wife—no prob. But no dog, no cat? Nope. LOL! 🐕💓🐈

Slowly sliding back to my Facebook “regular programming.” But I’d probably cut 1 hour or so online to resume painting. Will paint a larger canvas of Cyd (misses her so much!)—and Hershe, Chloe, and Georgia. We adopted two tiny cats yesterday (photos here) from Brother Wolf, where we got Arrow a year ago. Ching The Zing and Fuzz The Wiz, less than a year old sisters. The Majick Sisters. Ching is the nickname of my mother (from Conching, a popular Filipina nickname). 💞🐈💞

First morning in 14 years of my life without Elle Cyd The Koolcat. No meows that woke me up today; no stare that ushered me to start a day. Please bear with my pet cat drama… Slowly, I’d slide back to my “regular programming.” All night, all I did was scroll up and down Cyd’s photos. A new “furry friend” will join me and Arrow in our bedroom but it’ll take time to calm my quiet grief down. Cyd’s spirit stays within the rooms of my heart that she helped keep alive for years. 💞🐈💞

News: “At least 7 injured after shooting at Los Angeles park.” Again?!? Macabre. I was a police reporter as a young man; covered coup d’etats, narcos hits, and countryside wars. I had answers on why. But the (mass) shootings in America are confounding. The United States professes as The Model of/for anything sociopolitical good. But what’s happening? The carnage goes beyond guns, politics, and (social) media coax. I point at the hate divide. Yet wickedly puzzling. ☮️💝☯️

A voracious (streaming) TV series watcher as I am? Notice that quite a number these days are so dark? Literally dark as in lighting dark. WTH?!? I looked it up. Rationale: "To make it truly impactful..." Uh huh. For example, last night we started “The Terminal List.” PTSD is dark, I get it. Yet dark while brushing teeth? Come on! Same as my whine in the last season of “Goliath.” Hey, quit this nonsense! LOL! Give us entertainment. Not your self-serving “artistic masturbation.” 📺🥸📺

About Dogs and Cats and their Buddies.

Previously posted on my Facebook Page.

WHILE the radiant heat emitted by our laptops creates an irresistible snuggle zone for cats, their behavior goes beyond seeking warmth. When cats sit on your laptop, it's usually due to them being curious, wanting attention, wanting to mark their territory, and because it provides comfort. So in case you want to formally complain, write a letter to your senator or launch a million-signature campaign to stop this cat behavior. 🐈💻🐈‍⬛

THERE could be several reasons why your dog is suddenly afraid of things. This can be due to medical issues, developmental issues (in the case of puppy fear periods), or because the problem is brewing inside, and they've become sensitized through repeated exposure. Or you, hooman mom or dad, worry too much so they worry. Be confident that the cat will figure the problem out soon. 🐕🥹🐕

AUTOCORRECT, a software function that automatically makes or suggests corrections for mistakes in spelling or grammar made while typing. Of course you know the shenanigans that “autocorrect” does. So triple-check a message or word that you are about to text before sending them. “Learn how to do math,” and not “Learn how to do meth.” Or “...that’s a good deal though,” and not “...that’s a good dildo.” These “autocorrect” thingies happened to me. Got me in trouble. 📱📲🥹

IF your dog is standing near the door or alternating their gaze between you and the door, your dog is most likely telling you they feel tense because they desperately want to go outside. With Arrow? Easy. She trained me to get up and take her out for bathroom breaks, sniff-sniff moments, and walk etcetera at specific time/s of the day. I oblige like a true, bonafide servant royale. 👈👈🐕

IT takes most cats eight to 12 months to develop a friendship with a new cat. Although some cats certainly become close friends, others never do. Many cats who don't become buddies learn to avoid each other, but some cats fight when introduced. To avoid these troubles, before you adopt a new cat, make sure to ask the newbie’s political affiliation. Republican or Democrat. They need to be followers of the same party. You know what I mean? 👈😼👉

MATH scores among American students — which had been stagnant for more than a decade, according to the National Science Foundation — are now getting worse. Also, some kids struggle with math because of a learning difference called dyscalculia. Yes, that’s it. Dyscalculia. Dyscalculia. Remember that word. 👧🧮🧒

WHY do cats and dogs take so much space in bed? Firstly, it could be a natural behavior influenced by their instincts to find a comfortable and secure sleeping position. Additionally, dogs often seek warmth and comfort, and sprawling out sideways may help them regulate their body temperature and feel more relaxed. Until they own the entire bed, then the bedroom. So you just take heed and oblige. 🐕🛌🐈

IT is possible for a formerly feral cat to adapt and get along with other cats within a home, but it may require patience and careful introduction. Feral cats are typically unsocialized to humans and other animals, so they may initially exhibit fear or aggression towards other cats. Feral cats usually go to a FA or Feral Anonymous meeting before they join a house setting with other cats. Some domestic cats are FA sponsors or FA lecturers. 🐈😇🐈‍⬛

DOGS tilt their head to show that they are engaged much the way humans would nod during a conversation to indicate that they are listening. Social dogs that enjoy human interaction usually tilt their heads more often to encourage the continuation of the conversation and prolong human contact. Otherwise, if they forgot to ask more questions or weren't able to inquire for further elaboration, they’d text their hooman with a sticker of a dog on tilted head. 🐕🐩🐕‍🦺

ACCORDING to animal behaviorists, domestic cats are thought to be incapable of recognizing their own reflection. However, this doesn't mean that they can't learn or respond to mirrors. Many cats are interested in the movement and visual stimuli in the mirror, possibly thinking that they are encountering another cat. Wouldn’t you? Many humans, when in front of the mirror, exclaim “OMG! That is not me! OMG!!!” 🐱🪞🐱

Compilation of my short MORNING THOUGHTS.

Previously posted on my Facebook Page.

Old or old school writers are good. I just write and write and write. Read me or you don't. I don't need to argue with people about whatever I wrote. Or be concerned that only a handful or 4 friends read me. I evolved as a writer/journalist at a time when we simply wrote and submitted the copy, done. We didn’t discuss a report or article with 55 people all at the same time, LOL! Arguments to defend stuff are for lawyers. They get paid for those. Writers get paid for writing, that’s all. 🗣👀✍️

Seldom do we hear songs with poetic depth anymore. I grew up enjoying rock/folk music as I intently listened to the words. Pored over the lyrics and learned life. Many songs by Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, and Paul Simon were written even before they were 20. These days most lyrics are bankrupt of creativity. Google how many “F--- Y—” hit songs are sung by kids. There’s even a song about “f------ a dog.” And grownups with 12 year old brains think these songs are cool. 🎹🎸🎼

As we remember the sublime wisdom and endearing glory of the past, we also remember the wicked acts and visual horror. We smell the cadaver stench of memory; we hear the cries of pain in the dead of a quiet night. They persist. Yet we are still here, alive. Without thoughts of the ugliness of yesterday, hard to appreciate the beauty of today. So we cling to intermittent rays of hope and enjoy the little blessings as they come. Life is what it is. We live it. ☮️💝☯️

Reading through my Homepage, it continually annoys me that other peoples on earth beyond white, white west are viewed as illiterate, clueless, and dumb. Either you are automatically dismissed as “Shut up!” or told “…You don’t know anything about America” or unceremoniously ignored (sic) outright. Not referring to Left or Right, Liberal et al or Conservative. People per se. Don’t geniuses know that this is the 21st century? BTS isn't a Bacon Taco Sandwich. Google it! LOL! 😒🤨🤪

We are contradictions. All a matter of how the world out there responds to our “insanity.” Good or bad. Good, I hope. I love people but I don’t “like” people. I anchored my “rock journeys and sublime madnesses” with meeting diverse personages as a journalist, founded organizations, and organized events for communities. But I prefer to watch from backstage or be alone after the show. Very low tolerance when strangers poke at me. Leave me alone, okay? LOL! ?☮️👉

Business. Streaming TV? Amazon Freevee? The tech giant always got smart sales trickery. Hulu and AppleTV have theirs as well. Not so much on Netflix. Yet that is Business 101. Market economics per consumer demographic. Trade’s deduction is an exponential spike in profit. A company that doesn’t up the revenue scale is “losing.” Abortion tempest? News: “Abortion Pills Take the Spotlight as States Impose Abortion Bans.” Drug titans will never be left behind. Yup. 🗣👀✍️

As a boy, I was a huge fan of “Combat!” and cowboys and Indians movies. Yet I evolved as a virulent anti-war activist. I may discuss other issues with parallel intensity but when it comes to war, it is unconditional thumbs-down. Hence, leaderships that pull troops out of war and governments that nix NATO and don’t allot military budget over gut needs like health, housing, and food? My respect. I don’t care about cool or uncool Potuses. No war? You are awesome!☯️💝☮️

The current U.S. tempest? No opinion. I was born and evolved in a galaxy so far away at a time when the islands were hell to America’s heaven. Economic dump, countryside war, EJKs, killer typhoons. Yet we found moments of community coolness amidst gargantuan gloom. Still the same, I am. I savor the blessings of North Carolina. But my howls of dissent are loudest on gut issues such as end of wars, mass shootings, and 8.6 percent inflation. All the rest are just stuff.☯️💝☮️

Sad that major political issues, national or international, are discoursed as per partisanship fire or Left vs Right, Democrat vs Republican. Not as Issues per se. Yet the truth is party principles and ideological paradigms—and their propagators and politicians—change the playbook and alter the strategy all the time. They jump ship, jump out, jump wherever per power-base convenience. Yes, Abraham Lincoln was Republican; Andrew Jackson was Democrat. Etcetera. 

       Abe Lincoln ended slavery and created the possibility of civil and social freedom for African-Americans. But he was also criticized for his “…aggressive handling of the Civil War, his assaults on civil liberties and his aggrandizing of the federal government.” Democratic Party founder Andrew Jackson was the only Potus who led with no national debt and supported individual liberty. But he also instituted policies that resulted in the forced migration of Native Americans. 👈🗽👉

Religious extremism ignited wars. Yet armed hostilities subsided when compromises ensued for peaceful coexistence. King Cnut was King of the North Sea Empire (England, Denmark, Norway) from 1016 to his death in 1035. Till all 3 kingdoms evolved as individual nations. These days, extremism is mostly political. Partisans are now The Zealots. Fanatics. Yet both political extremes are ruled by 1 power. Left vs Right begets “Divide and Rule.” Profit gods win.☯️💝☮️

Compilation of my short MORNING THOUGHTS.

Previously posted on my Facebook Page.

The ability to listen is lost. Not gadget dependency. But due to a New Moralism that promotes self-righteousness. I was the quiet kid, listening. The reason why I evolved as a writer. I had to write what I heard. Journalists then asked and listened more than they talked and talked. I was barely in my 20s when I was part of a city mayor’s advising team; later with a think-tank for a presidential candidate back home. I learned a lot listening to older strategists. 

       Funny that when I was younger, during family/kinship gatherings, while everybody talked and talked and talked—I’d simply sat and listened. The following week, whatever they talked about would be in my week’s newspaper (or magazine) column. Of course, I never mentioned a name. That’d coaxed my family to read me each time a new issue of the paper came out. 🗣👂✍️

Old. Although I still read politics as ever, now it’s all leisure time thingy. I don't give so much damn anymore about benevolent assimilation, partisanship pedagogy (!) critical race theory, Objectivist Epistemology. I just want to end wars, feed the hungry, be with dogs and cats, watch sports TV or a good series with less spoonfed politics. Better be, my day’s struggles are now confined with wishing the backyard veggies grow faster. I beat inflation with good ole ramens.☯️💝☮️

When you present a certain insight that (usually) delves from the popular/partisan thinking, with historical backgrounders and cornucopia of data, more often than not—you’d be dismissed as a “conspiracy theorist.” Because you read/reread stuff past and present, connect dots, figure some analysis out, then formulate your opinion out of those. You’d get this annoying emoji 😂 as response, mostly from people who “craft” their own smart takes of/from life via this source: 😂

Life is smothered by gargantuan contradictions. Such as this: The United States and Europe are so high and hot on climate change yet higher and hotter on wars. Frustrating. Wars: Tanks flatten vegetation, bombs scar landscapes, explosives ignite fires. Weapons spew toxic gases and particulates into the air and leak heavy metals into soil and water. In massive amounts. Billions of dollars blown away; lives wasted. Then we say: “Love the environment, love life!”☯️💝☮️

A popular meme: Blame oil titans for the cost of gasoline, not Joe. Here: ExxonMobil is a multinational corp. run by a CEO. The oil/gas giant 2021 revenue: $270+ billion. Corporate profit exponentially increases annually. If it fails, CEOs are fired. The government runs a country’s economy, not a corporation’s operations. Ergo: The U.S. economy is not run by Darren Woods. President Biden runs the world’s #1 economy, which is now sunk in a murk of 8.6 percent inflation.

       Maybe you are wondering. Venezuela’s inflation rate last year was 600+ percent. These days? 4.4 percent. The U.S. is #1 producer of oil. Venezuela was a top 10 oil producer but these days, coming from an economy that grossly tanked, it is only at #25, globally. Cost of gasoline per gallon in Venezuela? Less than a dollar. Same cost average in (also) oil-rich Middle East. ⛽️💰⛽️

We protest the (war) draft. Yet I notice that dogs sent to war aren't so big a deal. Then we worry about our dogs getting’ stressed' with fireworks or thunderstorms. Why don’t military tech R&D invent and develop gadgets that can do what dogs do in war? I am fine with dogs used in law enforcement. They can sniff 13 substances: Cocaine, bath salts, meth, opioids etcetera. Arrow can sniff-sniff 26 or more. But nope! I don’t want Arrow The Brat Doog to go to war. 🐕👃🐕

Freedom of Speech? I learned it first from my family. Dad, on the dinner table: “If you have nothing important to say, don’t. Eat!!” Mom: “If you have important things to say, say it—in complete sentences.” Speak your mind. But speaking/talking didn't include cussing and cursing. The time that we’d be hushed—no matter how important or urgent our message. I am still the same. Quiet. Yet when I talk/write, it’d be via complete sentences. Not with that silly emoji. 🗣👀✍️

Years ago, as a journalist back home, I covered the surrender of a top rebel leader. His mother was present along with the media. Mom’s first words to son: “Are you hungry?” Sublime Love of a Mother. I posted last night that Draymond Green had a better game because his mom hollered at him to lose the drama and play! I was raised by a mother who disciplined me when I misbehaved and didn’t do my house chore. When I did good, she rewarded me with a fine dinner! Mom. 👩‍🦳💓👵

New York Times: “Blowout losses by Democrats send signal to Biden.” And adds: “Biden has leaned left since becoming president. But big ideas pushed by party progressives are radically disconnected from everyday life, which spells political peril.” I was drawn to the Left most of my life due to its direct connection to/from everyday life. The people. The gut-level ideology is gone. The New Left promotes via media narrative a New Moralism that I couldn’t grasp. 👤🗣🫂