Op/Ed

Today a Senate committee discussed an amendment by Senator Kennedy opposing verbal racist attacks against Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas and requesting existing federal laws regarding attacks against and intimidation of justices be enforced.  For some reason this required discussion.

For some reason, some Senators wanted a generic amendment that included justices who haven’t been the subject of racist attacks. Other Senators wanted the resolution encouraging enforcing the laws, which were passed by the senate, to be removed.

Other than politics, can anyone think of any reason to oppose condemning racist attacks and enforcing laws?

A federal judge just delayed the laws that several states have passed requiring students to play sports with their gender assigned at birth.   

Two prepubescent transgenders are represented in the suit, including a 15-year-old who wants to play on the school girls’ volleyball team and another who is 11 years old and wants to compete in the girls’ competitions for soccer, basketball, and cross-country.

According to the lawsuit, playing on the school boys’ teams is not an acceptable option for either of the transgender-identifying youth.

“It would be painful and humiliating for (the plaintiff) to be forced to play on boys’ teams,” the lawsuit states, adding that it would contradict medical treatment that the minors have been receiving.

That statement in the suit is correct. It would be painful and humiliating for (the plaintiff) to be forced to play on boys’ teams. No one can argue with that. The question is who is forcing these children to play on boys’ teams? Absolutely nobody.

Every child has the freedom to play sports. In my experience it is usually parents who “force” children to play.

However, according to the logic of this judge, it is apparently reasonable to “force” girls to allow biological boys to play on their teams.

So, the real question is who is forcing whom?

Poison Ivy

It has recently come to my attention that many people don’t know what poison ivy looks like. In the past month almost ten people have warned me to avoid “the poison ivy” when in fact it was another plant, often Virginia creeper.

I think the confusion occurs because poison ivy and Virginia creeper often grow in the same areas and Virginia creeper can also cause a rash but nothing as severe as the oil in poison ivy (urushiol) causes.

As a side note, urushiol can be transmitted directly from the plant and indirectly from tools, clothing, gloves and anything that is contaminated with urushiol.

The old saying “leaves of three let it be” is good advice.

There are other plants in Virginia that can cause a skin rash, including poison sumac and giant hogweed.

Hemlock, pokeweed, jimson weed and many ornamental plants can be dangerous and even fatal if eaten.

Try That in a Small Town

Jason Aldean released a song titled “Try That in a Small Town.” This month it was blocked by the Country Music Association for opposing Black Lives Matters. The video does show various criminal acts, some that were committed under the name of BLM but doesn’t specifically target BLM.

The solution to offensive songs is simple. Don’t listen to them and don’t buy them. That’s all it takes. Every day we vote with our dollars.

Many of you like The Messenger. If you don’t, just don’t buy a copy and don’t support us. Vote with your dollars.

My mother hated much of the popular music from my teen years. When lyrics she found offensive came on she sang over them. One song I remember was called, “Love the One You’re With.” Mrs. J over-sang with “Wait for the one you love” every time it came on the radio.  If you knew my mother you understand. She always stood up for what she believed but didn’t demand anything.

That is the answer to many things. 

The pendulum is finally swinging towards the middle. Consumers are simply not buying products with offensive messages or advertising.

This is not a boycott. Boycotts are organized. This is not censorship. Censorship is when the Government or Stooges for the Government block free speech.

This is called censure-ship. Offensive speech is censured.

If I don’t like what you write, say or sing, I won’t support it with my dollars. That is my right and you can’t force me to buy. The fact that you cannot survive without support means you should be careful not to offend your supporters.

Trump Eats at Subway

CNN recently aired a news story that former President Donald Trump ate at a Subway and apparently didn’t speak to anyone.

How did that get to be news?

News Flash:  Keysville, Virginia – Last Thursday Southside Messenger editor Averett Jones and his friend William ate at Subway. They had a to-go order of a foot long tuna sub on herb bread, which they split. Both Jones and William agreed it was “tasty.”

Watch this space for more breaking important news.

More Breaking News:  A. Jones had a bowl of Raisin Bran with milk for supper.

Hijacking Words

People keep hijacking words to the point that the original definition is lost.  Somehow, the Alphabet folks now own the rainbow. I resent that. It is NOT their rainbow. I don’t care what they enjoy or do but I have always enjoyed rainbows.  They can’t “own” it and neither can I.  Rainbows belong to all of us.

Suppose I write “this newspaper is not Bi.” What would people think?  Would they think it was not Bi-weekly or Bi-monthly or something else?

We have a Bicameral Judicial System meaning two part.  My home is Bi-pet meaning we like both dogs and cats. Bi means two and should not be used to exclusively refer to someone’s personal decisions that should remain private.

I had a beagle once that was Bi-colored and another that was Tri-colored. You might even say without my shirt I am Bi-colored with my “farmers tan.” Does that make me Bi?

In Jungle Book, Kipling wrote about “the bi-colored python rock snake.”

I am currently in transition from late middle age to old age. I am getting near transitioning from working to retirement. Does this make me Trans?

If a parent decides to “transition” do they become Trans-parent?  Will you be able to see through them?  If I trans-late something is it now on time?

Is someone who leaves after being propositioned Bye-sexual?

This is all too confusing. Quit hijacking words.