Peace on Earth

But only if the unrepentant sinners and non-believers are executed.

This morning I went to get gas for the truck and coffee from Earthblend here in Tierrasanta. I overheard part of a conversation among two middle-aged couples in their Sunday go to meeting clothes.

"He just didn't do it fast enough," said Man One.
"Yeah. We should have just nuked Afghanistan. And Iraq then Iran. They're all terrorists." said Man Two.
"He's been too slow and two soft at home, too." said Woman One.
"He should have just thrown every raghead out after 9/11!" said Man One.
"And the Mexicans, niggers and queers." said Woman Two laughing.
"Or just shoot 'em" said Man Two.
All four laughed, then scowled at me as I stood listening next to my open truck door.

Yep. Tierrasanta. Home of 13 churches.

Speaking of "sinner"-bashing, a town in Italy has made international news. Seems the deputy mayor gave a speech in which 'faggots should go somewhere that wants them or be exterminated. They are not welcome here." His town is filling up in protest with gay people demanding his resignation. The central government is investigating the incident to see if it qualifies as a infraction of the newish law forbidding hate speech against gays. I feel like raising funds to help pay to keep the town full of "bad people" until the hate-filled asshole either resigns or is found guilty of breaking the hate law. I think I'll check in at the ILGA website.

Yes, boys and girls. Hate and violence. It's not just for breakfast anymore.

Anything you want

When I was just a wee lad I remember wanting things. Sometimes the things were material, sometimes they were emotional. I also remember thinking someone should just give me the things I wanted. I remember thinking it was not fair that I did not have something I thought someone else had.

"They" had a pet, so I should have one. They had a Daniel Boone Coonskin cap, so I should have one. They went to Disneyland so I should get to go, too.

A few years later, I had slightly different stories going on. He has a girlfriend, but nobody wants me. She gets to be part of xxx, but nobody would let me.

I guess it is part of the maturing process. Early stages of development includes a sense of entitlement. Adolescence is the short or long shift from that "do it for me" mode of thinking to "I'll do it for myself." For many young people, it seems a difficult transition. It certainly was for me.

I was a slow learner, though. It took me a long time to get that you can have anything you want, but not by just wanting it.

The household seems to be filled to the brim with teens who have not figured out that "just wanting it" isn't doing anything for them. In addition, they don't seem to have the concept "just not wanting it" will not prevent an unpleasantness.

Life is hard for them. They are suffering. They also cannot hear any conversation that will shift that point of view. It is frustrating at its worse and sad at its best.