This is a non-political post

Hey Karen,

  I love your photo, AND your post ;)   Of all the unpredictable and crazy happenings of 2020, the Saddest realization for me has been recognizing the undeniable fact that so many Americans have such different VALUES from myself.  Sad and Scary.  Opinions and Values are NOT the same thing but that reality seems to have gotten lost in people's rush to ensure their "rights".  I wish a Happy and Healthy 2021 to everyone no matter what their opinion. But to those whose VALUES allow them to defend claiming their right to a choice about such a SIMPLE, SMALL SACRIFICE as wearing a mask when people are dying, I say BAH HUMBUG.  GROW UP. if you want to be a part of a society then learn what that really means and get over yourself!.  I find it so hard to believe that if I face to face asked someone without a mask if they would rather I die than they put on a mask, I refuse to believe that they would say, "sorry, but it's my right to NOT wear a mask, so yeah, TS but I'm not gonna wear one". Unfortunately the behavior that has been exhibited has shaken my faith.  I believe that folks have already PROVEN themselves incapable of being responsible, so MANDATE THE MASKS, DAMMIT!  It's a HEALTH issue.  My husband has now been exposed by a few customers and 2 fellow employees for the Fifth time in as many months.  His boss emails him to inform him after a customer informs them or a fellow employee tests positive. Lucky for him his immune system seems to be working well as he keeps testing negative and has no symptoms.  BUT I can tell you he's damned tired of having sticks stuck up his nose !!!! And it's pretty stressful at home, too.

I'm holding out for a better 2021, and hopefully a change in the atmosphere, attitude and actions of mankind.  We're proving ourselves pretty undeserving lately.

PEACE

Nancy

THIS IS A NON-POLITICAL RESPONSE.  I salute your positivity, strained tho' it may be under the circumstances.  I wish I could muster a little of that hope.  The stupidity, gullibility, selfishness and dishonesty of a significant percentage of the population stuns me.  It's going to get worse. 

Hey Karen,

  I love your photo, AND your post ;)   Of all the unpredictable and crazy happenings of 2020, the Saddest realization for me has been recognizing the undeniable fact that so many Americans have such different VALUES from myself.  Sad and Scary.  Opinions and Values are NOT the same thing but that reality seems to have gotten lost in people's rush to ensure their "rights".  I wish a Happy and Healthy 2021 to everyone no matter what their opinion. But to those whose VALUES allow them to defend claiming their right to a choice about such a SIMPLE, SMALL SACRIFICE as wearing a mask when people are dying, I say BAH HUMBUG.  GROW UP. if you want to be a part of a society then learn what that really means and get over yourself!.  I find it so hard to believe that if I face to face asked someone without a mask if they would rather I die than they put on a mask, I refuse to believe that they would say, "sorry, but it's my right to NOT wear a mask, so yeah, TS but I'm not gonna wear one". Unfortunately the behavior that has been exhibited has shaken my faith.  I believe that folks have already PROVEN themselves incapable of being responsible, so MANDATE THE MASKS, DAMMIT!  It's a HEALTH issue.  My husband has now been exposed by a few customers and 2 fellow employees for the Fifth time in as many months.  His boss emails him to inform him after a customer informs them or a fellow employee tests positive. Lucky for him his immune system seems to be working well as he keeps testing negative and has no symptoms.  BUT I can tell you he's damned tired of having sticks stuck up his nose !!!! And it's pretty stressful at home, too.

I'm holding out for a better 2021, and hopefully a change in the atmosphere, attitude and actions of mankind.  We're proving ourselves pretty undeserving lately.

PEACE

Nancy

Hi Nancy, We here in Canada have a small "lunatic fringe" as I think of them, the anti-maskers, the conspiracy theorists (Covid isn't real), but for the most part people are using their common sense and doing what is asked or required of them, physical distancing, wearing masks, washing hands, not gathering in groups etc. Depending on where you are in the country, the restrictions differ, but the vast majority are abiding by the health authorities suggestions and mandates.
When I see what is happening across the border, first of all it shocks me, but then I have to wonder "why?". After all Canadians and Americans are so alike, right? We are both wealthy countries with educated populations, both democracies. Culturally we seem to be the same, at least on the surface, but dig a little deeper and you will find differences. I have a theory, feel free to reject it, but I'll just throw it out there. I have many friends and family in the U.S. and have spent a fair amount of time there. One thing I have observed is that "freedom" is a concept that has been drilled into the citizenry from a young age. The U.S. is known as the "land of the free", and its citizens are advised to be proud to be from a country that values freedom, that is "personal freedom", that you as an individual can make a choice to do what you want, that you have "rights" that cannot be challenged or taken away from you. That is all well and good, but the reality is that Canadians as individuals have just as much personal freedom as Americans, it's just not a concept that has been drilled into us. I think as individuals Canadians are far more likely to accept that there are instances when public safety trumps personal freedom, and that common sense needs to be the driver when people's lives are at stake. I am just as much of a skeptic as the next person when it comes to believing that my government has my best interests at heart. But the current situation is not a political one, as much as some try to make it one. The current situation requires that we all do what is best for the population at large, not just what is best for us as individuals.

I hope we all see better days in the year ahead, but we've got a long way to go. With the vaccine already here and being dispensed, I fear too many are already thinking it's time to relax. It's not!

Respectfully,

Terry

Hi Nancy, We here in Canada have a small "lunatic fringe" as I think of them, the anti-maskers, the conspiracy theorists (Covid isn't real), but for the most part people are using their common sense and doing what is asked or required of them, physical distancing, wearing masks, washing hands, not gathering in groups etc. Depending on where you are in the country, the restrictions differ, but the vast majority are abiding by the health authorities suggestions and mandates.
When I see what is happening across the border, first of all it shocks me, but then I have to wonder "why?". After all Canadians and Americans are so alike, right? We are both wealthy countries with educated populations, both democracies. Culturally we seem to be the same, at least on the surface, but dig a little deeper and you will find differences. I have a theory, feel free to reject it, but I'll just throw it out there. I have many friends and family in the U.S. and have spent a fair amount of time there. One thing I have observed is that "freedom" is a concept that has been drilled into the citizenry from a young age. The U.S. is known as the "land of the free", and its citizens are advised to be proud to be from a country that values freedom, that is "personal freedom", that you as an individual can make a choice to do what you want, that you have "rights" that cannot be challenged or taken away from you. That is all well and good, but the reality is that Canadians as individuals have just as much personal freedom as Americans, it's just not a concept that has been drilled into us. I think as individuals Canadians are far more likely to accept that there are instances when public safety trumps personal freedom, and that common sense needs to be the driver when people's lives are at stake. I am just as much of a skeptic as the next person when it comes to believing that my government has my best interests at heart. But the current situation is not a political one, as much as some try to make it one. The current situation requires that we all do what is best for the population at large, not just what is best for us as individuals.

I hope we all see better days in the year ahead, but we've got a long way to go. With the vaccine already here and being dispensed, I fear too many are already thinking it's time to relax. It's not!

Respectfully,

Terry

Hi Nancy, We here in Canada have a small "lunatic fringe" as I think of them, the anti-maskers, the conspiracy theorists (Covid isn't real), but for the most part people are using their common sense and doing what is asked or required of them, physical distancing, wearing masks, washing hands, not gathering in groups etc. Depending on where you are in the country, the restrictions differ, but the vast majority are abiding by the health authorities suggestions and mandates.
When I see what is happening across the border, first of all it shocks me, but then I have to wonder "why?". After all Canadians and Americans are so alike, right? We are both wealthy countries with educated populations, both democracies. Culturally we seem to be the same, at least on the surface, but dig a little deeper and you will find differences. I have a theory, feel free to reject it, but I'll just throw it out there. I have many friends and family in the U.S. and have spent a fair amount of time there. One thing I have observed is that "freedom" is a concept that has been drilled into the citizenry from a young age. The U.S. is known as the "land of the free", and its citizens are advised to be proud to be from a country that values freedom, that is "personal freedom", that you as an individual can make a choice to do what you want, that you have "rights" that cannot be challenged or taken away from you. That is all well and good, but the reality is that Canadians as individuals have just as much personal freedom as Americans, it's just not a concept that has been drilled into us. I think as individuals Canadians are far more likely to accept that there are instances when public safety trumps personal freedom, and that common sense needs to be the driver when people's lives are at stake. I am just as much of a skeptic as the next person when it comes to believing that my government has my best interests at heart. But the current situation is not a political one, as much as some try to make it one. The current situation requires that we all do what is best for the population at large, not just what is best for us as individuals.

I hope we all see better days in the year ahead, but we've got a long way to go. With the vaccine already here and being dispensed, I fear too many are already thinking it's time to relax. It's not!

Respectfully,

Terry

Hi Nancy, We here in Canada have a small "lunatic fringe" as I think of them, the anti-maskers, the conspiracy theorists (Covid isn't real), but for the most part people are using their common sense and doing what is asked or required of them, physical distancing, wearing masks, washing hands, not gathering in groups etc. Depending on where you are in the country, the restrictions differ, but the vast majority are abiding by the health authorities suggestions and mandates.
When I see what is happening across the border, first of all it shocks me, but then I have to wonder "why?". After all Canadians and Americans are so alike, right? We are both wealthy countries with educated populations, both democracies. Culturally we seem to be the same, at least on the surface, but dig a little deeper and you will find differences. I have a theory, feel free to reject it, but I'll just throw it out there. I have many friends and family in the U.S. and have spent a fair amount of time there. One thing I have observed is that "freedom" is a concept that has been drilled into the citizenry from a young age. The U.S. is known as the "land of the free", and its citizens are advised to be proud to be from a country that values freedom, that is "personal freedom", that you as an individual can make a choice to do what you want, that you have "rights" that cannot be challenged or taken away from you. That is all well and good, but the reality is that Canadians as individuals have just as much personal freedom as Americans, it's just not a concept that has been drilled into us. I think as individuals Canadians are far more likely to accept that there are instances when public safety trumps personal freedom, and that common sense needs to be the driver when people's lives are at stake. I am just as much of a skeptic as the next person when it comes to believing that my government has my best interests at heart. But the current situation is not a political one, as much as some try to make it one. The current situation requires that we all do what is best for the population at large, not just what is best for us as individuals.

I hope we all see better days in the year ahead, but we've got a long way to go. With the vaccine already here and being dispensed, I fear too many are already thinking it's time to relax. It's not!

Respectfully,

Terry

Hey

Hey Terry,

Many Americans have amazed me over the past five years about things that I would never have imagined.  From questionable situations to blatant lies, a large segment of Americans appear to have a different set of values than I.  They surprised me with their willingness to accept an admitted sexual predator into the White House. They surprised me with their willingness to believe a world of conspiracy fanatics about ridiculous theories like PIZZAGATE, instead of being willing to do some verifiable research.  They surprised me when they refused to accept data from AMERICAN Intelligence Agencies.  They surprised me how willing they were to be cruel and heartless as if saving money is more important than saving human beings.  Saving lives is not a political move.  Feeding and housing the homeless and the hungry is NOT socialism.  Affordable healthcare is a RIGHT.  Humanity NEEDS to have a social conscience.  That's something many Americans appear to be lacking right now.  The MOST STUNNING attitude witnessed to date IMHO, is a claim to a "right" to NOT wear a mask, no matter who it kills.  SAD

I look forward to 2021.  But I fear change will come too slowly and the toll is too high.  I fear the battle of what are actually "rights" as opposed to what are "responsibilities" will not be resolved.  Too many have bought into the belief that THEIR "rights" are more important than any human life.  Too many have bought into the attitude of having no responsibility to anyone other than themselves.  SCARY.

I DO look forward to 2021. But I would never tempt fate and say it couldn't get any worse.  When trump took office I said he had a "nazi" mentality.  I was taunted for the comparison.  Tonight I DO NOT find it satisfying to realize that trump's legacy will be one of malfeasance, misfeasance and nonfeasance, and by exposing so many at his rallies and advocating against mitigation, he willingly allowed HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS of Americans to die. Was YOUR increased net value WORTH THAT ?   SAD & SCARY.

PEACE

Nancy

Hey

Hey Terry,

Many Americans have amazed me over the past five years about things that I would never have imagined.  From questionable situations to blatant lies, a large segment of Americans appear to have a different set of values than I.  They surprised me with their willingness to accept an admitted sexual predator into the White House. They surprised me with their willingness to believe a world of conspiracy fanatics about ridiculous theories like PIZZAGATE, instead of being willing to do some verifiable research.  They surprised me when they refused to accept data from AMERICAN Intelligence Agencies.  They surprised me how willing they were to be cruel and heartless as if saving money is more important than saving human beings.  Saving lives is not a political move.  Feeding and housing the homeless and the hungry is NOT socialism.  Affordable healthcare is a RIGHT.  Humanity NEEDS to have a social conscience.  That's something many Americans appear to be lacking right now.  The MOST STUNNING attitude witnessed to date IMHO, is a claim to a "right" to NOT wear a mask, no matter who it kills.  SAD

I look forward to 2021.  But I fear change will come too slowly and the toll is too high.  I fear the battle of what are actually "rights" as opposed to what are "responsibilities" will not be resolved.  Too many have bought into the belief that THEIR "rights" are more important than any human life.  Too many have bought into the attitude of having no responsibility to anyone other than themselves.  SCARY.

I DO look forward to 2021. But I would never tempt fate and say it couldn't get any worse.  When trump took office I said he had a "nazi" mentality.  I was taunted for the comparison.  Tonight I DO NOT find it satisfying to realize that trump's legacy will be one of malfeasance, misfeasance and nonfeasance, and by exposing so many at his rallies and advocating against mitigation, he willingly allowed HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS of Americans to die. Was YOUR increased net value WORTH THAT ?   SAD & SCARY.

PEACE

Nancy

Hi Nancy,  I've always had a hard time understanding why Americans don't want universal healthcare.  I, like you, have always believed that healthcare should be a human right in a civilized society.  A sad irony to me is that amongst those least likely to be in favour of universal healthcare are members of the "religious right".  Doesn't seem very "Christian" to me ...just sayin.

Terry

This photo says more than I can ... Just, K.

For me it boils down to this. Until an American applies for Canadian residency and gets a provincial health care card and actually uses it and sees how it works, - like a close friend of mine - nobody knows and I mean nobody stateside knows what they are talking about. It is like talking to a wall - not worth the effort anymore. Enough said. The states can keep their system and I will continue to treasure and fight for mine. I really don't think health issues should be political - right??!!??

This photo says more than I can ... Just, K.

Hi I'm one of those people whom you seem to hate.  I don't wear masks.  Don't believe in them and have yet to see the medical science that definitely proves that a tiny virus can't penetrate a cheap mask made in China which is what most people can afford.  You are not Hitler's minions and stop acting like it.  Just because the "State" tells you the sky is falling does not mean that it is.  I am not trying to kill you or your mother, just live my life as a free American Citizen under the Constitution.  This is not political.

Good morning Fred,

I can't seem to recall hating anyone but there are some THINGS I hate (hate is a harsh, angry word that is often associated with conflict so I will use dislike) - one being porridge. Can't seem to swallow the stuff.

I love my kids to the moon and back but there are certain days or times that I do not like, nor understand, what they are doing. I prefer to separate the person from the action as I believe truly that people are born into this world with good intentions. Behaviour is learned and reinforced over time whether it be negative or positive. It can be as simple as that. So - we can agree to disagree and still call ourselves ostomates. Just, K

Hi I'm one of those people whom you seem to hate.  I don't wear masks.  Don't believe in them and have yet to see the medical science that definitely proves that a tiny virus can't penetrate a cheap mask made in China which is what most people can afford.  You are not Hitler's minions and stop acting like it.  Just because the "State" tells you the sky is falling does not mean that it is.  I am not trying to kill you or your mother, just live my life as a free American Citizen under the Constitution.  This is not political.

Good morning Fred,

I can't seem to recall hating anyone but there are some THINGS I hate (hate is a harsh, angry word that is often associated with conflict so I will use dislike) - one being porridge. Can't seem to swallow the stuff.

I love my kids to the moon and back but there are certain days or times that I do not like, nor understand, what they are doing. I prefer to separate the person from the action as I believe truly that people are born into this world with good intentions. Behaviour is learned and reinforced over time whether it be negative or positive. It can be as simple as that. So - we can agree to disagree and still call ourselves ostomates. Just, K