Is it just me?

[AngryOldDem]

I checked the online edition of my local paper this morning and saw that my state’s AG plans to join others in filing suit to stop President Biden’s mask mandate.

My only reaction was, I just don’t care anymore. I’m tired.

I’m tired of doing the right things — masking, social distancing, getting vaccinated — only to have a group of selfish, arrogant assholes undercut every effort at getting this plague under control. I’m tired of the brute ignorance that poses as informed political commentary. I’m tired of this society thinking that if we all just go back to normal, like nothing ever happened, we can bend this virus to our collective will. I’m tired of seeing people’s deathbed confessions after months of mocking COVID. Those are the ones who I am sick and tired of the most, because they are the main reasons why we are in this endless nightmare in the first place.

We have it totally within our ability to get on top of this. We may not ever fully eradicate it, but the deep, nonsensical political and societal divide has guaranteed that we may never get “back to normal.” Whatever that is.

So, I don’t care anymore about the suits. I don’t care anymore about people not giving a damn about themselves, or their kids, their elderly relatives, or anybody else. The government and science have given them an answer and they are willfully rejecting it. There is no such thing anymore as acting for the greater good. This pandemic has made that crystal clear.

I used to get angry and frustrated, but now I’m just tired. Let the forces of nature sort this out now, as they most certainly will. When you reject all the options and advantages offered to you, like the man who cursed God for not saving him from a flood, you are on your own and you own all the consequences — including your own mortality.

[OLDMDDEM]

1. It's not just you

I feel this way also. Today is my 74th birthday. We will have Red Lobster at our home, not in the restaurant. I look at this as a way for my wife and I to stay inside and not have to openly communicate with those outside our house. If they wish to not get vaccinated and/or not wear a mask, that is their choice. Their life span will be shorter than mine, but that is up to them. I've had it and will not respect their opinion on anything that has to do with anything. They have chosen their path for the rest of their shortened life. So be it. I do not care.

I also understand your saying you are tired. What does it take for someone (anti-masker, anti-vaccine) to grow up and think not only of themselves and their rights to freedom. Remember the seatbelt law? What about all the shots required to go to school? How about a drivers license and car insurance.

We comply in every way. Those who don't will risk not being here tomorrow.

[madaboutharry]

3. Happy Birthday, OLDMDDEM

I hope you a have nice day and that you enjoy your birthday meal.

[OLDMDDEM]

5. Thank you

I appreciate that. We will enjoy it.

[SallyHemmings]

7. Happy Birthday!

[OLDMDDEM]

10. Thank you

[AngryOldDem]

9. Happy birthday!

Sorry thet my best wishes are attached to my downer post.

Have a good one!

[OLDMDDEM]

22. Thank you

[MLAA]

19. 🎂 Happy Birthday!🎉🎁🎈🎂🎊

[OLDMDDEM]

25. Thank you

It's been a great one so far with several responses.

[Evolve Dammit]

31. Happy Birthday! Enjoy the seafood Mmmm

[OLDMDDEM]

32. Thank you

We will.

[mgardener]

34. Happy Birthday!

[OLDMDDEM]

38. Thank you

We will.

[calimary]

39. I know how you feel, OLDMDDEM.

The selfishness just burns.

My dad used to have a word for that selfishness, that total myopia, disregard for anybody or anything beyond the tip of one’s own nose. He called it “IGMFU”. Always said it with a chuckle, too. “IGMFU” stood for “I Got Mine, F-U.” And dammit, it’s EVERYWHERE! A different kind of pandemic, if you will. Just me-me-me-me-me-me-me and more me. Nobody else figures in, nobody else matters. There’s never any room for anyone else. Just what’s-in-it-for-me. No sense of shared anything. No sense of community. No we’re-all-in-this-together.

The selfishness just burns.

Ironically, today (and all through this weekend), we’re all awash in 9/11 remembrances. And the talking heads in the interviews are all talking about the loss and the sacrifice and the selfishness sense of duty and responsibility of the firefighters and other first responders. Firefighters - 343 of whom gave their lives that day, trying to race up all those stairs to reach and rescue stranded people in the top floors -people they didn’t even know - and who died as both the towers gave way.

This will be a hiccup. Today it’s all about the memorials and remembrances and so forth. Andy Card is on there now, talking about how “it’s important that we all reflect on what happened 20 years ago.” How nice. Yeah. We’ll all have a collective hiccup together, comfort ourselves about how comforting we all are, and then later on, being first to cut somebody off in the next lane of traffic for the sake of getting to the offramp ahead of everybody else. Or put the homeless on ignore as you walk or drive past, uncaring and uninvolved, telling ourselves those unfortunates are in that predicament because they’re lazy.

Just trying to think of some word other than “discouragement”. Or “disappointment” in so many of us and our dismal our behavior toward others has become by now. The “dismissive ness.” Maybe “dismaying” is what I’m looking for. “Dis-something” for sure.

I don’t know if we’ve learned ANYTHING in these past 20 years.

[calimary]

40. And happy birthday, OLDMDDEM.

My apologies for being a downer in that previous post.

You deserve to have a pleasant day today.

[OLDMDDEM]

41. No problem

I appreciate all the responses I am getting and well wishes for a super birthday.

[rambler_american]

51. Happy Birthday!

You share a birthday with my wife. We will celebrate this evening (Sunday) with our children and grandson. We waited until today because the weather will be more conducive to eating outdoors. We chose to eat outdoors because the entire football team at grandson's high school was sent home due to covid and one of our daughters is immunocompromised. (Grandson is not on the team and is fully vaccinated, but we cannot afford to take chances.) I no longer have a rat's ass to give for the anti maskers and anti vaxxers. Let Darwin sort things out.

[olegramps]

53. Unfortunately, there are far too many who are easily exploited. Trump knew this and used them.

The Republican Party has been exploiting wedge issues for over forty years. They appeal to racists, evangelicals and the brain dead to win elections. The religious right wing is a powerful block that vote on wedge issues such a abortion, while racists hear the dog whistle and respond like Pavlog's dogs. They have been assured that they are the real patriots and only they can save America from the immoral progressive liberals who are intent on corruption of society and especially liberal teachers who are a threat to their children moral development. They are especially concerned about sexual issues and see immorality in the crotch of every tree. It is a total waste of time to attempt to enlighten them to the facts. The best defense is to totally ignore them and refuse to converse with them. Any discussion with them is an exhausting experience without any hope for any significant affect. It only serves to increase their false sense of their importance. The most disappointing thing about the Trump saga was the amount of media coverage that he was given and only served to make him more assured of his own disillusions. He thrived on the attention and would have been destroyed if he had been totally ignored.

[madaboutharry]

2. I wonder what the history books will have to say about this pandemic.

There really are two stories to tell. There is the story of 2020 when the world population was vulnerable to a wave of disease. Then there is the story of 2021. Science gave us what we needed to fight back and the worst among us allowed politics, disinformation, and stupidity to control the narrative.

I’m tired too.

[OLDMDDEM]

6. I agree with you

I used to say it is so sad that people won't listen, all in the name of politics and misguided views. Not anymore. I'm beyond that and have little tolerance for those who choose to take a path that will eventually destroy their life. The only sad part anymore, is for the ones left behind.

[Bettie]

4. I get it

I'm at the point where if they want to die, then the should just do it.

They don't even care when kids get sick or die, so fuck them, I feel sorry for the children who will feel the consequences of their parents' stupidity. For the parents?

Honestly, it feels like they don't even love their kids. I do everything I can to keep my children healthy and well. I can't imagine knowingly pushing them into dangerous behavior. But, that's me, I guess.

[Rebl2]

18. I don't

want anti vaxers going to the hospital and taking beds away from folks who have heart attacks, strokes, and other serious emergencies. I too don’t understand why they want to take a chance with their children! It borders on child neglect.

[Timewas]

8. Another one here

I absolutely get this... I too am tired of all their BS ... Let em get sick, and hope I don't need a hospital til they are all done

[Otto_Harper]

11. On the other hand, when an Anti-Vaxxer finally "gets It", it is a wonder to behold

Here is the written evidence that a few (a very few) anti-vaxxers can be turned around.....

https://www.sorryantivaxxer.com/post/this-is-jim-sells-an-ex-anti-vaxxer-he-lived-through-covid-now-he-says-get-vaccinated

[lark]

12. In FL and still pissed as hell at all the rw murderous governors who are killing us off for profit.

Regeneron doesn't just rx itself, it needs people sick with Covid and since the major funder of both Abbott & Death Sentence is the guy that owns Regenerson (plus drumpf owns a piece) and his treatments are very expensive. So they want people sick so they can explain their huge purchase of this drug and so they can collect their "bonuses" for delivering millions/trillions of dollars to the right wing destroyers of our nations ideals.

[AllaN01Bear]

13. these law suits , by the state ag, do they solve the budget? pave roads?

or just waste my tax dollars .

[AngryOldDem]

15. Like every other red state legal challenge

be it this, or abortion, you name it — these suits always end up being a massive time and money suck. All for the satisfaction of the idiocracy that they “serve”.

[Joinfortmill]

14. Totally agree. Stay safe.

[Trueblue Texan]

16. COVID fatigue is a real thing and...

...you and I are both being swallowed whole by it. I am at home instead of at work today and have been since Wednesday. Why? Because I was exposed to COVID (yes, I am fully vaccinated) and woke up with a runny nose and cough. My company would not allow me to work (health care) and I don't blame them. How much money is being lost not only by companies like mine, but also by the employees like me. How much time is being wasted, how many services are withheld because of COVID fears? But we have to take every precaution until we get it under control.

Republican idiots want to say people don't want to work, masks don't work, vaccines don't work but none of that is true. We want to work but we don't want to infect others. We want this mess to be over with and not drag it out further by spreading the infection. Jesus, why is it so hard for these people to get it? I am so angry and fed up and yes, TIRED, EXHAUSTED from it!

I HEAR YOU! Turn it off and rest a while. We all need that.

[AngryOldDem]

26. Best wishes to you...hope things turn out OK.

[Trueblue Texan]

42. Thanks, and BTW, Happy Birthday!nt

[barbtries]

17. i struggle to not succumb to the inertia

that has replaced the righteous anger and heart felt pain at so much unnecessary death. I am taking a sabbatical from politics this year. On the other hand, I figure it's a war of attrition and "they" want me to give up from exhaustion. So I resist doing that. Mask and vaccine mandates have wide support. That we are cursed with millions of selfish people and a media that insists on giving their fringe bullshit equal time and pretending it's valid makes moving toward the good a tortuously long and discouraging process, but at the end of the day it's worthwhile to stay engaged.

Having said that I do find that when I find out another covidiot has died with regrets I find my reserve of compassion and empathy is empty in that case. Too many actual victims to care about those that self destruct I guess.

[rurallib]

20. Not just tired, but also can't keep it all straight

The Covid shenanigans are acting as a veil to hide a lot of other really bad stuff going on behind the scenes such as the voter purges and the abortion crap.

It is almost like a Nazi blitzkrieg of horrendous government. I can't keep it straight and I am also very tired.

[summer_in_TX]

47. "Not just tired, but also can't keep it all straight"

I've been puzzling over the folks screaming at school board meetings and flipping out on air plains. It's exhausting. I'm starting to hear people say how much they just want to tune it out.

But I can't shake the suspicion that is exactly the plan of Steve Bannon and his fellow extremists. The firehose of shockingly corrupt or hateful speech and actions of the administration of TFG for four years follows a playbook to overwhelm and bewilder and keep activists from effective mobilization because there's always another outrage.

We all gritted our teeth to keep going and not give up in working to register and turn out voters and organize protests.

Then Biden won, huge relief and normality began to take hold. But now the kind of craziness that baffles and reminds us all of the Tea Party protests of the ACA is taking hold. We are all tired. But that craziness swept the Rs back into the majority that next year. We thought their craziness would turn folks off so maybe we didn't take those rabid folks on just as directly and forcefully as maybe we should. Personally, I wasn't as forceful as I should have been in standing up. I used great persuasive arguments, but it looks like the fell on deaf ears.

All of us need rest, but maybe we rest in shifts?

[AndyS]

21. Heres another 'ME TOO'

Completely out of fucks to give. I'm down to just dick and bubble gum.

Just checked and I'm out of bubble gum.

[AngryOldDem]

23. I think the Ivermectin bullshit was my tipping point.

When people glom on to pig and horse dewormer as a treatment because of the say-so of Fox News and a host of medical quacks, over established science and scientists like Anthony Fauci, then these fools deserve whatever fate awaits. Can’t fight stupid, and I’m done trying.

[sarchasm]

24. I can't help thinking ...

... that these Talivangelicals, subconsciously or not, believe Covid & Climate is Jesus calling them to heaven before all hell breaks loose, and their pea-brains are manifesting all that delusion into expediting said apocalypse to the fullest.

[brush]

27. A righteous rant. Agreed. The evilness of the republican pols and...

winger media outlets appalls me as I never expected they would stoop as low as not caring whether their own voters/listeners/viewers would die of the virus as long as the Biden admin failed in curbing the covid pandemic and thus, them getting back in power.

There is no low they won't stoop to.

[MissMillie]

28. Well, I'm still angry and frustrated

While I know that we can't go back in time and change things, I also know that if this thing had been handled properly from the outset, it'd be over by now.

Standard protocol for airborne infectious diseases: test, trace, isolate. And no, I don't have a college degree, but one need not have one to understand that this is how you handle it.

And not only were these things not done, but the seriousness of the disease was down-played by a demagogue to his cult followers--enough of them to exacerbate the situation.

And I am angry, frustrated, tired and completely confused by people who call themselves "Christians" who fail to promote practices (vaccine, masks, social distancing, etc) that will keep the public safe. (Oh, hell, it's not even that they fail to promote mitigation, THEY ACTIVELY FIGHT AGAINST IT!!!. They berate others who are doing the right thing.)

[llmart]

29. I'm absolutely with you on that.

If I had my way, I'd make it a federal law that you cannot talk about politics or religion with anyone anywhere. Then maybe we could go back to actually being civil with one another and not politicizing everything.

Growing up in the 50's and 60's there was a societal norm that most people were aware of that you didn't talk about politics or religion in, what was then called "mixed company". In other words, if you didn't know a person's political leanings or religion/lack thereof, you didn't start a conversation about either. I think most of our societal norms have flown out the window, especially after that abhorrent thing stole the White House in 2016. There was never anyone lower than he and his porn star wife who together showed us the worst side of humanity. (That includes his ugly family members also.)

[Evolve Dammit]

30. It ain't just you, as others are stating. We've all got battle fatigue and we know who to blame.

Unfortunately, the virus doesn't care and will be around (in one form or another) a looooong time. Your "forces of nature" comment is where we are. On a brighter note, I got my booster today and a flu shot "senior bonus" vaccine. Not sure what's in it other than a dead viral melange. Seems like I should get a balloon or something?
Take care AOD,
ED

[hibbing]

33. I feel this post n/t

[marieo1]

35. We are all worn out!!

Boy...........you spoke my feelings completely. I am sick and tired of all of this, too.........we try to do the right thing to protect ourselves and others and 'they' do just the opposite (oh, but I get sick from shots!!!). I want a normal life again as much as anybody but I also want to be safe. I want to go shopping for groceries, household items, clothing, go to restaurants but when I go anywhere, no one or very few are wearing masks, I just give up and go home. We just CAN'T TAKE CHANCES!! {Think about what a different world this would be today, if EVERYONE had gotten their shots when they were first available}

[Traildogbob]

36. My thoughts and prayers

Hurry up and die assholes, and have your kids buried in the same hole. Don’t waste any more space of our precious earth as your miserable existence already has. And have morticians make sure the open casket displays that smug shit eating grin as you last on view. Buh Bye now. We’re gonna have one hell of a party after you all die.

[Ferrets are Cool]

37. Not tired, just angry and frustrated

I'm way past the sympathy stage. If they want to kill themselves, fine with me, but don't take others with you.

[Skittles]

43. there are people like that right here on DU

fuck the pandemic, I'm gonna have FUN!

[applegrove]

44. With ICUs full in much of the south innocent people are dying of other treatable

illnesses for lack of an icu beds. Businesses will go under because there is a 4th wave. Kids with compromised immune systems and adults will die because there is not 90% herd immunity and they can't take the vaccine.

[Moebym]

45. I'm with you.

My patience with these people has worn down to nothing.

As far as I'm concerned, COVID-19 was a test, and we have failed it as a nation.

[TalenaGor]

46. fuck it- let em die

You can lead a horse to water...

[moondust]

48. I fear long-term effects.

The deranged, hateful sociopaths are crippling health care systems particularly in red states with irresponsible GQP "governors." Those systems may not recover anytime soon if many more providers get burned out and quit. Plus young people can see what the dedicated professionals have been going through for 18 months and they may decide against going into a health care field where they, too, may get burned out taking care of selfish fools and assholes who are crippling the systems and don't deserve the care.

[Sympthsical]

49. We've spent decades doing jack about the environment

I don't get why people are surprised humans can be pretty short-sighted and won't make much effort unless there's a direct, tangible benefit.

Hell, the Green New Deal gets slammed here on a regular basis. Meanwhile, "Hey, it's kind of smoky in California. Is it smoky to you guys? Seems smoky. At least we're not getting slammed by hurricanes all the time though!"

Humans aren't going to change absent an existential threat. Covid is pretty bad, but it's not an existential threat. It's a 1% death rate. And much of that came before vaccination. To many, Covid is that thing happening to people over there. Why should my life have to change?!

Name any issue at all, and you get that from large percentages of people.

Which brings me back to, I don't know why people are so surprised.

[Aussie105]

50. I'm not tired.

Just very, very angry.

But one needs to look after oneself. And those nearest and dearest to him.
So me smart, be canny.
Give the unvaccinated, non-mask wearers a wide birth, but don't challenge them.
That's not your job.

Happy birthday to everyone. Even if it isn't, pretend it is. Spoil yourselves, but do it safely, you deserve it.

[The Jungle 1]

52. Insurance companies need to charge thousands of dollars monthly for people with no vaccine.