I Yam What I Yam – But I Yam NOT Phobic

The well-known philosopher Popeye understood who he was.  So do some of the rest of us. The problem is when other people attempt to define anyone with whom they happen to disagree. Phobic is thrown around like confetti. When they say I am ______Phobic only means I disagree with them.

Phobia is a medical condition.  It means an extreme or irrational of or aversion to something.  Like Popeye, I am what I am and I am not phobic.

I am not irrationally afraid of anything. I have no phobias. I know many people who are afraid of snakes, even little bitty harmless ones. That is a phobia. I know people with all kinds of phobias.

It is not phobic to have reasonable fears of dangerous situations. That is just a survival issue.  We are born with several fears, fear of falling, fear of loud noises and we soon learn to fear things that hurt us or make us uncomfortable.

I have a reasonable fear of close encounters with bears. I am not afraid of itty bitty bears, I am not afraid of seeing a bear or touching one. I simply understand that a large bear is stronger than I, has large claws and teeth and has the capacity to hurt me.

I have a reasonable fear of people pointing guns at me. I have many reasonable fears which is one reason I am still alive.

People with no fear usually have bad accidents and can die.

On a side note, if you aren’t afraid, you aren’t brave, you are just stupid. Bravery is doing something is spite of fear.

Phobic is irrational fear. When people call me phobic I usually tell them the only irrational fear I have – is having irrational fears.

I promise you I am not phobic about your lifestyle decisions. I may disagree with them, I may find them uncomfortable, I may find them disgusting, I may not understand them but I am not afraid of your choices or you. Your choices do not affect me in any way. Your attempts to make them my business is rude. When you do that then I have the right to object.

My biggest fear is for the future. I am not afraid of what will happen to me. I am afraid of what the irrational people are doing to our country and I am afraid our grandchildren won’t have the same opportunities for success that have always been part of American life. 

Finding a Crime

Former President Trump has finally been charged with a crime. It only took six years and multiple tries to fabricate a charge to fit Trump. Some people are delighted. Referring to the previous editorial, they have Trump-phobia.

If you are old enough you remember Al Capone, a career criminal. Although everyone knew he was a criminal, he was on the FBI’s “most wanted” list, but there wasn’t enough evidence for a charge or conviction or he avoided prosecution with bribes and threats.  

Capone was finally convicted of tax evasion.  Interestingly, there is a line on our tax returns for “illegal” income. Had Capone reported his illegal income he would not have been convicted.

Trump, contrary to media reports, is not being charged with is charged with retaining classified documents. He is charged under the Espionage Act for failure to hand over national defense information.

Apparently Trump did keep some classified documents. But, so did Obama, Clinton, Biden and apparently everyone who had access to them. If Trump is guilty of that, charge him with that AND charge all of the rest of them also.

The High Cost of Not Dying

A few months ago my Doctor prescribed a new medication for me. When I went to pick it up I was told my insurance didn’t cover it. I said, “Fine, I’ll pay for it, I guess I’m worth it.” The pharmacist informed me the cost for a one month supply was $1587.00. I said “No thanks, I’m not worth that much.”

Then she looked up one of the online discounts and reduced the price to $542.00. Still more than I think I’m worth. I then went on line and found another online discount and reduced the price to $55.00.

This medication really improves my quality of life and I don’t want to do without it.

Now, keep in mind that all I had to do was print out a coupon and take it in. It didn’t cost me anything. I don’t know how the online company makes any money and really don’t care but it all seems odd to me.

Finally, I was relating the story to a friend who said he was on the same medication and it only cost him $13.00 using the same online coupon at a different pharmacy.

My next refill only cost me $15.00 at his pharmacy.

What the heck? How can a medication that costs $1587.00 be reduced to fifteen dollars?

Mussolini

I just watched a so-called reporter refer to Presidential candidate Ron DeSantis as Mussolini. What is it with comparing a candidate to one of the world’s worst dictators? What happened to Hitler references? Did they wear Hitler out on Trump? What homicidal maniac are they going to use for the next candidate they don’t like?