Sunday, March 8, 2009

Whiny, Whiny, Whiny, Blah, Blah, Blah

Last night I was actually awake for the eleven o'clock news. That was a feat of great endurance for me. I am not a night owl. In fact, I want my rear in bed by 9 p.m. so I can read until I fall asleep. That's the perfect ending to any day. Ok, get off the sleep tangent and focus.

There was a report about the Baltimore Police Commissioner and his efforts to reach out to neighborhoods with the highest crime. He and a slew of officers set out on foot. They walked up and down the streets, knocking on doors and asking people to join them. The purpose was to bring people together, to have a presence of law-abiding, hard-working citizens and police officers united. Could you please answer this question: Is it just some strange law of nature that there has to be at least one punk, at least one whiny jackass in every crowd? Tell me, seriously, did I miss that rule somewhere?

Most of the people were thrilled with the efforts being made on their behalf. Some said they felt "uplifted" by the fact that the Commissioner and his officers were out walking through the neighborhoods, showing their concern and support. The officers went door to door, asking people to join them in their walk. They ended with a large crowd and the evening was considered a success.

But I have to tell you the part that absolutely baffled me. The Commissioner approached a group of 4-5 people, I would say somewhere in their late 20s to mid 30s. He asked the group to join them. Their response was one of whiny, whiny, whiny, blah, blah, blah. One man said that he wouldn't waste his time "walkin' nowhere with nobody" because it wouldn't change anything. The others piped in with the same opinions, and I'm not going to lie, I quit listening. These people want to blame all their problems on lack of opportunity, poor education, and capitalism. Granted, there are desperately needed changes in our society. But, one of those is change of self! If someone offers a chance to make improvements, even if they are only slight improvements, why wouldn't you want to take action?

It's crystal clear what some people want, or should I say demand. They demand change that is handed to them on a golden Obama platter. They want to fuss and whine about how mistreated they are. Complain about how everything is stacked against them. When it comes right down to it, they are not willing to take that walk to improve anything. They won't put forth one ounce of effort to better themselves or their neighborhoods. They feel entitled. Somebody else is to blame for everything, and that somebody else needs to fix it all. More jobs, more money, more education...those things will not fix what ails this group. Because, they have no desire to do anything. People like those who refused the walk simply prefer everyone else do the work. They expect others to work and contribute to "the system", thus improving their lives for them. All the while they moan and groan about how unfair life is, and how nobody does enough to help them.
They speak of Dr. King and Rosa Parks, but they don't know who those two people really were. They don't appreciate or consider that Dr. King and Rosa Parks were more than happy to take the walks, never expecting somebody else to walk for them.

Thankfully, because many more chose to join the walk than chose to sit back and bellyache, the night was a success. There were smiles, laughter, and feelings of unity. Those who joined the walk, they are the ones who will make things better. They understand the effort it takes to improve things, just as Dr. King and Rosa Parks understood. I can only hope the whiny, whiny, whiny, blah, blah, blahers don't ruin things for everyone else.

And now for a little link love. My wonderful blogging friend, Little Jill, wrote a fantastic post about the economy. She doesn't really care much for whiners either. I like this girl...so happy to have found her! Go check out what she wrote, you'll enjoy it!

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

All about choices....does someone want to be part of the problem or part of the solution.....if not the latter, keep your "whiny, whiny, whiny, blah, blah, blah" to yourself. The rest of us are working here!

THEY are THE problem!!!!!

Snarky B...I only wish you had the pleasure of watching the 10:00 news down here...let's see...2 weeks ago, a near riot in the hometown theater (the youngest was 10, the oldest about 14) b/c the manager asked the group to:
a) actually go in the movie
b) while in there, sit down, stay off the cell phones, and stop "making out."
-Hit the manager in the face, all units of the city police were called, along with the County Sheriff's Dept., and for a minute there, the SWAT team was in route.

-Week later...police summoned, AGAIN...same theater....two 14 year olds having sex on the floor down in the front of the theater...it was a "family" movie..not exactly the entertainment most people were looking for.

Actually, I am pretty happy that you DON'T have the pleasure of watching the news here at home, anymore.....

Wish I could say I was surprised by your blog...Oh, how I wish I could say I was surprised....

Looks like "CHANGE" has come to town, at least this town!

jen said...

What has happened to the American spirit? Drive? Motivation? Desire?

We've been Obamaized, and it makes me sick. No one can change your circumstances.

I retract that. He's changing mine by raising my taxes.

On second thought, I need to stage a walk on Congress.
Who's with me?

I am LoW said...

It's easier to be the victim, and if you aren't the victim anymore, you have no more excuses.

Snarky Belle said...

Mom, ewww!! That is just disgusting.

Jen, I've got my walking shoes ready! When can you be here??

LoW, all I can say is AMEN!

Anonymous said...

You think???? Can you imagine if you had been in there with your family, which is EXACTLY what happened!!

Seriously....I sound like Granny and Auntie sitting on their porches, shelling butterbeans and wondering "what is this world coming to?" (and that was in the 50's &60's....Elvis, then the Beatles and women burning their bras)....I can only imagine what today's world would do to people like them?!?!?!?

My poor grandchildren...I am so thankful they are such valiant spirits....they will need that to survive humanity!

Susan Anderson said...

It's a sad, sad situation, that's for sure. I alternate between anger and anxiety these days. In fact, I find myself avoiding the news altogether. And when I do have to check in, I prefer reading it to hearing it now. Somehow it's easier to take without the faces and inflections.

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Unknown said...

People sure can talk the talk...just not walk the walk.
Don't worry, I'll keep paying for the whiners.

Shauna said...

All I know is I can not STAND whinners!!!

karen said...

This past weekend my husband and I decided to stop bemoaning the state of affairs in California, and actually try to DO something about it. We attended our first-ever political rally/tax revolt! I won't bore you here, but I blogged about it. It was invigorating and hopeful all at the same time. Actively participating in solving problems is our only way out.