Yes, We Have No Bananas

Root canal. Hurricane. They were both scheduled for this Thursday. Frankly, it was a toss-up as to which I found most unappealing. The hurricane won....

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Leave And Take Your Whining With You

It was another column in The Daily Beast from a whiny individual—someone I’ve never heard of who claims to have multifaceted talents as an actor, comedian, and writer. In other words, a so-called “famous” individual who thinks we care about what he has to say. In this case, his column was about leaving the country even if Trump doesn’t win the election in the fall because it’s such an awful place.

My response to anyone who utters those words is: “Don’t let the door hit your backside on the way out.”

I can think of several places that he might want to move. My man’s sister lives in South Africa. Beautiful country. Amazing animals. Intriguing cultures. Of course, she only has electricity half of the day, and I don’t think that includes the evening hours. We sent her some money so she could buy a generator-like device to keep the refrigerator and a TV on. At 83, she shouldn’t have to worry about such things.

Luckily, she lives in a gated community because the threat of crime in this beautiful country is omnipresent. When you are as poor as some communities are in Africa—despite their vast and oft-exploited minerals—you have nothing to lose by taking from others.

Before we start off on how the colonists ruined Africa back in the day, let’s talk about how the current demand for materials for batteries and the push for electric vehicles are exploiting the country far beyond anything in the past, except, of course, for slavery.

While you are driving through the Congo in your new EV perhaps you can use your battery-powered cell phone to take videos of the poor people working for the Kamoto Copper Company there. You complained about health care costs in the U. S., student debt, a lack of daycare for working mothers, a failing education system. The mine worker in the Congo isn’t burdened with those issues. He’s wondering where his next drink of water is coming from.

Oh, and there’s the 60 percent unemployment rate in South Africa. You may have to line up for bread.

Perhaps you would prefer China. They get things done there at a rapid pace. Well, maybe because the alternatives aren’t so great. And, also, because they have the enslaved Uyghurs at their command. Russia? You speak out, you die it seems. South America? Ay caramba. If it is so great, why are all those millions of folks walking thousands of miles and giving their life savings to Cartel members to get into the U. S.?

So back to this author’s premise in which he decries the famous remarks by President John F. Kennedy: “Ask not what your country can do for you. Ask what you can do for your country?”

The whiny columnist writes: “Above all, I’m asking this: What can my country do for me?”

I have an answer and it’s a good one. I suggest mister multitalented actor/writer with three names that your country can update your passport and visas and send you on your merry way. If you don’t want to be part of the solutions to this country’s problems and don’t feel you can be bothered to work to make this a better place for everyone (without handouts), then leave, definitely leave. Tomorrow would be fine.

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