What normal people are thinking

 I blame the extremes on both sides for the divisive rhetoric that characterizes public discourse today.  

From the far left we are lectured and hectored by self-righteous, politically correct, tree-hugging wussy progressives  who want us all to feel guilty for all the wrongs of the world.  They want to make things right by reparations, redistributing wealth, saving the planet (and all it creatures.) They want the outliers of society to be treated as if they were normal.    

From the far right we are treated to incredible conspiracies, distrust of government,  threats of violence, distorted truths and the willingness to overthrow an election based on debunked claims of fraud.  

 Most liberals are not progressive.  moderate liberals are willing to accept gradual change, but we don't agree with "In your face" attempts to enforce change.  I, for one, am still a long way from accepting  Drag Queen Story Hour as a good way to influence children. 

You scolds, wallowing in your self righteousness,  may frown and remind us that not everyone was as lucky as we were - that some folks are poor and starving and oppressed, or worse.  Yes, I get that.  I can empathize with others' pain.  

But,  I do not like being told how I ought to think.  

Happy Columbus Day

Sorry folks, I am old school when it comes to October 14th.  It's been Columbus Day all of my life and I don't really see any reason to stop observing it as such.   Not that I spend much time celebrating.  For me it is just another holiday -- a reason to have an early beer and maybe a grilled hot dog or burger.  

The progressive liberals among us want to call it Indigenous Peoples Day, as a rebuke to the reported excesses of Columbus and his crew of marauders against the natives.   That's a bit too woke for me.  I liked it better when Columbus was the hero who put America on the map.   But no,  Lefty know-it-alls are determined to explode the  myths that have been part of my education since I was able to read.  The other day I read that according to recent research,  Abe Lincoln was probably gay.   Who needs this kind of  "truth"?   Does it make us happier, more secure, wealthier?  I say no.