©2018 by Raymond Alexander Kukkee
Town Hall Blather
Happy 2018! Happy New Year
Well, before we get to discuss the contagion of Town Hall Blather, we must offer Happy New Year and all that jazz. Belated, all of it; parties, fireworks, champagne, fizz. The little winter sabbatical was enjoyable. The best of 2018 to all, joyous celebrations, best wishes to all. It happens every year. To you and yours, from us and ours, the very best, happiness, health, good fortune, peace and safety... There! It seems that, too, is over for another year.What is Town Hall Blather?
Just as the calendar flips predictably, so magically appear town hall meetings. Federal and provincial. New town hall blather for the new year. Supposedly. Right on time, like clockwork, especially if elections are imminent. Political bombshells inspire, otherwise mute politicians become chatty and wise. The marbles in the photo apparently have more common sense. Oh, yes, ideally, 'discussions' right upfront, one on one. Politicians explain their feelings. God help us, political crocodile tears. The fake kind like Justin the Actor insists upon offering. Oh, my... The closest we'll ever get to personal meetings with those in power. So-called 'consultations' with the electorate. Warm and fuzzy. Do those meetings infer 2018 and the future will be better, different, reasonable, logical, inspiring, common-sense wonderful or offer the tiniest bit of hopeful respite? No. We don't think so. In fact, we can almost bet on it. We're skeptical. Just listen to the actual content of any town hall blather. Compare questions and answers. Red herring answers. Think. Let us ask again, 'what is town hall blather'?'Town Hall Blather' is an Indicator of Political Trouble
Political 'persons' inevitably recognize when the gig is up. When trouble is on the horizon. Their polls and popularity down, sagging, dripping with backlash, and fury dredging up the mud of public opinion. Those endangered inevitably call for "town hall meetings' to remind us how hard they have been working for the benefit of all. Why sure. A 'comforter' for unhappy electorate. The usual. Canned questions allowed, scripted, previously approved, answered only with personalized lip service. Hello? Your question was—Oh, I see, number 17 has "an approved question for the approved script for this approved momentous town hall occasion, and..er...yes, we do have an approved scripted answer for that." The list. The unsaid. The approved answer is always on the list. Imagine that. The follow-up script for cagey lies fabricated for the election must be on this approved list, um, let's see... somewhere. Not there? .....next........ That's not all.Got a Bracelet? Well that's a New One...
That's the latest insult from the Ontario Liberals and the despised, ever-incompetent Kathleen Wynne. Want to attend her 'town hall meeting' and listen to her political blather? Got a bracelet? A white bracelet or a green one? Like being admitted to hospital. Or a psych ward. Vetted. Screened. Approved clapping seals, smiling like fools. Official fools lined up behind the 'candidate' handing out taxpayer dollars a.k.a. gratuitous spending, bribing the masses, stumping for the provincial election that's four months away. Feigned interest in 'the north'. Insincerity. She's going to lose. The real agenda, the real problems, inevitably remain ignored. Hopefully. An audible sigh of relief from the 'candidate and the clapping seals. "...uh...um... Shall we take some ga-ga selfies instead? " Did she learn that from Justin in Ottawa? We think so. Why don't we save a great stack of taxpayer dollars and just mail out ga-ga selfies from Ottawa and Queen's Park instead? **Clop-clop-clop --the sound of arrogant leaders being gob-smacked.** We're Canadian. We've got it figured out. Town hall meetings are town hall blather with script. Lies. Unbelievably expensive photo ops. Nothing more. Never were.#
Is that Incoming I hear? 
Like it or Not, Life keeps Rolling On
Christmas 2017 photo ©2012 by r.a.kukkee
In Retrospect, Like it or Not, Life keeps rolling on
Christmas again. Concerned? Edgy? Anxious? It matters not. Surprise! Life keeps rolling on, regardless what our personal aspirations may be. What our personal posture may be. Even during celebrations like Christmas. It may be unsettling to recognize it matters not what we perceive or feel. (It matters not either, what others think, feel or say, isn't that delightful?) Although such details may seem important. In time, in retrospect, absolutely insignificant. Be advised, be surprised. Get ready. Get out the gift wrap and unroll ribbons. All the way to infinity, life rolls on, you get the idea.Life Keeps Rolling On in Spite of...Us
So, Christmas comes along, like it or not, and life keeps rolling on, in spite of ...well, mostly us. With or without hallowed big presents, thoughtful opinions, tears, inventions, fears, gaffes, genius, great writing, work ethic or professional schmoozing. Tied with ribbons, life happens. Without our tendency to butt in, procrastinate, advise, or willingness to put out the lights. Acquiesce, agree, or butt out entirely. The expenditure of effort, Herculean or Lilliputian input and output. Lights blinking, elves singing merrily. Songs without meaning. You have heard of people living but never having lived? Perhaps fretful lives, teeter, balanced, chained equally to an idealistic, modern win-win, but in reality, a boring, bland existence. Life is what happens while you're planning decorations, making naughty and nice lists, and all that.
Subscribing to Reality
You and you alone subscribe to reality, you set the parameters for joy and success, twists and turns with inexplicable luck, happiness, tolerance of intolerance, love, peace or angst. Whether one simply, merrily defaults to sublime apathy, twitched to the next level of tongue-biting, beautiful, sparkly gift-wrap or not. Or without gift wrap. Schmooze peacefully in the silence of winter fog, choosing the same old —same old, with the razor-sharp urge to willfully disregard inspiration, instinct, values, tradition, feelings.
Yes, since we are each ultimately alone (and dispensable, ready or not, just as life itself ) we get to choose, although we may naturally waver in cold December winds. We may wish to shirk our sworn duty to turn on the lights, decorate the halls, get out the ribbons, step up as members of humanity. No. Unacceptable. Our ideals and schemes are vanity, but...
Our duty is to contribute to society, to life itself, give brightness, lights and happiness to those we love and to others less fortunate. Share. Sing Christmas carols.
** We can do this. After all, life keeps rolling on all year, not just at Christmas.
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NEW BOOK REVIEW!
A new 5-STAR review for Mordigoo's Christmas Carol: The Bells of Blister.
Note: A moment ago we said "We can do this! "
Imagine that, no sooner said than done, and like a Christmas miracle, another 5-star review rolled in, posted for "Morgidoo's Christmas Carol: The Bells of Blister "
On Amazon!
See the new review and check out Morgidoo's Christmas Carol: The Bells of Blister on Amazon! Available in Kindle and print editions.
A unique and timeless Christmas classic for all ages that can be read every year...will the beautiful sound of bells ever be heard again? Join Morgidoo Morgan in his search for the Great Silver Bell ...and the truth of a timeless legend...
Morgidoo's Christmas Carol 3rd edition Cover Artwork by Whitewood Forge Publishing
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