Facebook Humor

Some days I am annoyed by Facebook. The algorithm 😤 just drops me out of my comfort zone.  But once in a while it groups things together and cracks me up.  Here's today's:

Opinion

Should we protect statues of people who tried to destroy America? Who betrayed America with the intention of defeating America? If so, should we make more? Should we make statues of the people who made the planes crash on Sept 11? Why not? They wanted to overthrow America too. They felt the same way. Took more than 5 years to defeat them though. But they felt the same way as the Confederates and had many of the exact same goals. Should we name military bases to honor the Japanese kamikaze pilots who gave their lives to bomb Pearl Harbor? Same goal as the Confederates.

Should we force the police to do many different jobs without the equipment or training to do them and then do nothing when they fail? Much better than reallocating funds so they can focus on law enforcement and others qualified for the other jobs could do those. 911 could be improved to assist with that so the police are less overwhelmed, or meh, screw them make them multitask! Why should we give them more training and act like they matter? (Admittedly the word "defund" is misleading. We usually only hear it when talking about schools having to do more with less.)

Is the Bible important enough that people should get the first edition? Because there's a version from about a century ago and it made some SERIOUS changes and people have been basing their beliefs on those changes. But people who study ancient languages keep pointing out that the original versions say the opposite. Guttenberg Bibles still exist and are very different from the ones in print now because of a certain publisher. Is that okay? Do those Words matter?  Should we want those Words to be as intended?

No deal.
The Constitution has the First Amendment specifically to protect the rights to fix and improve the world.

We aren't alone. This is a society.

The world isn't a better place for Everyone yet, but some of us are working on it.

America to Adopt Swedish Education Model

American Schools:
"We can't afford to open safely. There's not enough money for the appropriate precautions."

President:
"Fine! Now you have even less money! I want the taxpayers of that district DEAD! I'm trying to get a war on the poor so they can't vote in November. Gahhh."

'Merica:
"Let the children suffer! Down with children! Stupid dependents."

Smart people:
"Okay. How about more birth control so there aren't as many children? And how about if we let some of the LGBTQ + community who can afford kids adopt some? End child marriage. Tougher on rapists. Child support starts in the womb. More access to abortion clinics. Limits on the cost of giving birth and prenatal care. Free daycare."

'Merica leader:
"WHAT??? NO!!! Crank them out so we can kill them!"

America isn't Germany, Denmark, Norway, or Sweden.

https://eacea.ec.europa.eu/national-policies/eurydice/content/funding-education-31_en

In general, education is administered and financed by Germany's 16 federal states, with the national government assuming responsibility for the standardization of requirements for the Abitur, for teacher training, and for vocational education, as well as for financial support of students in higher education.

Equal education. Not better schools based on where students live.

In 2014, Germany's 16 states abolished tuition fees for undergraduate students at all public German universities. This means that currently both domestic and international undergraduates at public universities in Germany can study for free, with just a small fee to cover administration and other costs per semester.

The central government finances the bulk of education in Norway. About 40 percent of compulsory education, 60 percent of upper secondary education, and a full 100 percent of higher education is paid by the central government. Local municipalities cover the remaining expenses.


The Danish school system offers high quality education from the age of 6 to 19. Education is a key priority in Denmark. The Danish public schooling and education system is financed by taxes and therefore free of charge.

Funds are generally provided as part of a block grant. No local or regional authorities are involved in the funding of upper secondary schools and nor is own revenue use for the funding of the schools.
https://eacea.ec.europa.eu/national-policies/eurydice/content/early-childhood-and-school-education-funding-22_en




The Swedish Education Act states that all children and young people are to have equal access to education, regardless of gender, where they live or social or economic factors, making it the, ‘education of the future’ for many people across the world.


https://twitter.com/openletterbot/status/1281024927458422784

National Human Resources

There's a problem where people get hired for their gender, race, creed, looks, etc etc etc; and a more qualified candidate does not. There's a problem where wages are based on those same biases.

What if there was a National Human Resources? Employers would no longer be responsible for hiring or wage division.

Company A submits to the NHR what they're looking for in a candidate. Here's the thing, whatever "qualities" they're looking for, someone was already trained to look for those. It's teachable. It's documentable. It can be quantified. Therefore, it can be outsourced to NHR.

Oh, Company A needs someone that can get along with their group? Well that means that the current HR person at Company A knows what it takes to get along. They know the person should enjoy basketball, should be able to discuss nail polish colors, should have a favorite cookie, etc. Anything that isn't prejudice is something that could be covered in a question. See how that works?

(And if you don't like the person that gets hired, you're gonna need to put your finger on why. Gotta make sure it isn't because they aren't <insert prejudice reason here> enough.)

Also, every position at every job will report the current pay. Company A pays X dollars for this job. The qualifications for a pay increase is Y. NHR will review if employees are eligible upon request once per quarter or year, depending on how often Company A gives raises. If no one "at the bottom" is qualifying for raises, that "bonus money" that top tier usually gets is being put into an employee training improvement program. The people at the top aren't doing a good enough job if the people at the bottom aren't rising.

Anyone unemployed will use NHR to get job offers. Matches in their area and matches with better pay in other areas will also be suggested.

Headhunters are all going to have to work with NHR.

Resumes will be complied in the NHR database. People won't make them anymore. Either you're qualified or you aren't. We won't be using names, addresses, phone numbers, or other such information. No, like social security, everyone gets an NHR number. This will help ensure jobs aren't given based on bias information.

You know who really will dislike this? Colleges and Universities. There goes the notion that a degree from a community college holds better job opportunities than one from Big State U.

This is just the base idea. Obviously, there needs to be computer algorithms and figure out how to hire people for NHR and how to get every company in America onboard.

Other jobs, too. Have you been hired to do politics? Your wage will be based on how often you do your job and how many of your constitutes agree you're doing it well. (People will be asked on a quarterly payday, and will not be paid unless they answer. Answering "no opinion" is allowed.)

Staying at home as a parent, house spouse, or caregiver will also now generate a minimum wage income. NHR will not consider parenting as being "out of the workforce," but rather as gaining experience in other areas. NHR is also going to destroy the discrimination against pregnancy. And while we're at it, maternity and paternity leave are going to exist, be for a real length like other industrialized nations, and are no longer going to hold someone back (or give someone else an advantage) in the job market. Babies will get to be as important as jobs! Population generation will get to matter. And those who don't raise a family will get to retire earlier or get equal time off after a certain age or something. Because that choice is also valid, but it won't be a competitive edge in the career world.

Plan to take your business overseas because you can't find workers here? Prove it to the NHR or face hefty fines. Intend to toss out a bunch of people just before they reach retirement or other benefits? Better be ready to justify that to the NHR, who will likely find the money by cutting the pay of the CFO. That's right -- no one gets laid off while top tier people make over six figures. Let me say that again -- NO ONE gets laid off while anyone at the same company makes more than $99,999 a year (including money from stocks and bonds and stuff, because loopholes are getting tied shut). You want to know a big obstacle to the NHR? Rich people who don't want to pay people well.

I've been thinking about this idea for some time because of the wage gap. But what inspired me to write this today was this video:




So that's my idea. Please don't comment with why it won't work. Be useful, comment with how it COULD work, how you'd fix whatever reason it doesn't work.

It's time to start fixing things. Equal pay for equal work. Hiring based on real qualifications. Raises based on effort. Accountability for vastly overpaid top-level people.

Anyway, this is just a blog post. It's just an idea. Unless someone with authority makes it happen, it's little more than fiction. A plot bunny for a better America.

#WEP #WEPFF Urban Nightmare 1000-word Flash Fiction #PUSHunt

https://writeeditpublishnow.blogspot.com/2020/06/wep-june-challenge-urban-nightmare-sign.html

1000 words on the dot! Full critique accepted.

Sally's Urban Nightmare

The loud crashing sound seemed to shake the apartment. Two more crashes followed a second later, along with crying.

Sally rushed to her daughter’s bedroom. When the door wouldn’t open, she kicked it in. "What was that?"

Rose screamed in agony between sobs.

"Hush. I have to call for help."

This would be it. One too many trips to the doctor. This time with twisted, bloody fingers that were lodged under a door. She pulled the older style phone from her pocket. It took a moment for the screen to light.

"Help’s coming. "

"No, no, no! No more needles!"

Sally huffed as she went to the front door, cracked it open, then returned to Rose.

"What were you thinking? Haven't I told you to be careful?"

Rose clutched her doll in her good hand as her mother moved the fallen fort.

"You climbed up on the dresser to hang the sheet."

Rose whimpered as she rolled to face her injured, trapped hand. "It just fell."

"No. You fell. Because you can't climb. I've told you that. You were supposed to be in here taking a nap." Sally tossed the fallen book stack aside. She grabbed a pair of pants and socks from the dresser.

"You're going to wear pants, socks, and shoes with your nightgown to the hospital. No arguments." Rose wiggled between sobs, dressed just as help arrived.

"She's back here. I can't get her fingers out from under the door."

The paramedics helped Rose as Sally explained to the officer that she'd heard a crash and burst through the door, worried for her daughter. "She was supposed to be napping. I just got her down not five minutes before and taken a moment to use the bathroom."

"How long between the crash and you getting to her this time?"

Sally dug her nails into her hands. No way was she taking the blame for this. "Seconds. I kicked the door in to get to her. That's how her hand got caught."

The officer nodded. Sally excused herself and, Rose's shoes in hand, stormed to the girl's bedroom.

"We have her free." A paramedic said when she got there. Rose was staying still for them. But still clutching her doll.

"You know they don't let you take toys to the hospital." Sally held out her hand.

Rose’s screaming and flailing started again. Sally didn't budge. The officer eventually knelt down and retrieved the doll. He glared at it.

"Jennter," Rose cried as she reached as far as she could, but the paramedics were taking her away.

"She still has this?" The officer shoved the doll at Sally.

"Can we go? I should be with her. Didn't even get her shoes on. But I have them. See? New condition." Sally tossed the doll aside.

"Mmmhmm," the officer motioned for her to lead them out.

Rose returned home three days later. She wobbled to her room as fast as she could. Sally yelled to be careful.

"Jennter? Jennter?" Rose searched under the bed, in the drawers, and in the wash hamper.

"There's a new doll on your bed. Gift from the cop. This one is named Marie. See? All the letters on her box. Unlike the Jennifer doll from that toy drive."

"Where's Jennter?"

Sally picked up the new doll. "Marie. Can you stay still while I use the bathroom? Have you had enough doctors poking you this week to at least not cause another accident?"

Rose took the new doll from the box and asked it to help her find Jennter. Sally walked away. 

She came back to find clothing everywhere and the bed unmade. "I was gone for a blink!"

"I can't find Jennter!"

Sally's face scrunched as if she bit a rotten lemon. "Jennifer is gone. Took off because you couldn't behave. Clean up this mess or Marie will follow."

"No. Jennter wouldn't leave. You sent her away."

"That doll was scrap. You have a new one. Now clean up."

"She wasn't scrap! I'm not scrap. She was healing from her ouchies, like me. Her skin had markings like mine does. Her hair was patchy like mine because some of her brain came out too. And she had arm holes like me. That's why you don't like her. You don't like me! You want Marie as a daughter. Take her!" Rose chucked the doll at her mother.

"Enough. Clean, nap, or play with the doll. But you stay in this room. And no climbing on the furniture or I'll throw it out."

"Like you tossed out Jennter. Like you want to kick me out."

"Stay quiet until dinner." Sally slammed the door. She went to the kitchen and banged a pot onto the stove. Just one day where it isn't so hard, she prayed.

Once the pasta and chicken was on the table, she called Rose, who didn't answer.

"I know you hear me calling," Sally said as she wedged the bedroom door open. Rose wasn't on the bed. Sally dropped to her knees and looked under it, but the girl wasn't there. She checked the dresser and the hamper.

"Rose?"

Sally ran around the apartment, calling her daughter's name, searching every hiding place. Then she felt a cool breeze on her neck.

Rose knew not to go into Sally's room. She knew she wasn't allowed near the bedroom window. She wasn't supposed to climb on the dresser to unlatch it. Or to open it onto the fire escape.

That rusted death trap. The building was nearly condemned over that. The owner had been fined again and again. Yet there it hung, clanging in every storm. Sally ran over and looked out.

Marie sat perched on the rusted fire escape.

Sally dialed her old phone, cursing as it retarded her speed in an emergency. "My daughter is gone!"

The wind whipped through the urban buildings, a new nightmare swirling between the leaves and litter. A cat hissed from the alley far below. Sally looked down and screamed.

---

https://t.co/WsQMpM87ux

PUSH - Prompts Unity Scavenger Hunt #PUSHunt
A game for creative people!
Easy to do. Join us. 🥰

— JamieWriter (@PenMinion) June 17, 2020

Periods

I am not going to attack JK Rowling for her tweet or later responses. But I do wish I understood why she wouldn't want young girls to be allowed to retain the title of girl instead of forcing them to call themselves women, especially in countries that still believe in "old enough to bleed, old enough to breed." There's also a huge trans argument, but plenty of people are covering that topic.

Before I start, here are screenshots:

The article she is referencing:

https://www.devex.com/news/sponsored/opinion-creating-a-more-equal-post-covid-19-world-for-people-who-menstruate-97312

The issue at hand is how difficult it is for some people during this time. Particularly because many poor people lost access to hygiene products. And having others see menstrual blood can cause sexual assaults and forced marriages. (Implied, but not stated directly, in the article.) This is especially dangerous for persons under the age of 18. Persons who might, in certain cases, be better protected by referring to them as GIRLS instead of WOMEN. 

👧👧🏻👧🏼👧🏽👧🏾👧🏿 

Sure, it is sometimes called the journey into womanhood. And sometimes that is the line between girl and woman. But as menstruation is starting at earlier ages, it's becoming more and more important to change that mindset. (Also, it isn't inclusive of gender non-binary persons, the trans community, gender fluid, etc.)

I don't believe that periods make someone an adult. I don't believe that a menarch should automatically end childhood. And I don't believe that those old enough to bleed are actually instantly old enough to breed. Or that anyone should be forced to breed! (Male, female, or other. CONSENT matters. And a shedding uterus shouldn't overrule that.) 

https://twitter.com/PenMinion/status/1271397555155472384

I also don't believe that someone should get to be in the fame spotlight for having abused someone. 

So while I don't understand the language word choice JK took issue with, why she doesn't like the use of girl or gender non-binary persons to describe some people who menstruate, I really don't think that was a reason to track down an abuser and give them a platform.

I can't get all that in a Tweet. Hopefully I'm more clear here.

Nuclear Winter Is Not the Solution to Global Warming

https://twitter.com/openletterbot/status/1270737740062056449

Today I had to actually write my Congress people to ask they not allow our president to fire nuclear weapons at the weather. ⛈🌦🌬🌊☃️

This world is just a little too fictional for me.

---

The conversation I imagine happened:


"What if I press the button?" 🍊🏌️‍♂️

"Sir?" Idiot. "The red button? We all die."

"How do you know? Have we pressed it before?"🍊🏌️‍♂️

"It sets off the nuclear weapons. Global winter."

"WINTER! Well now I bigly gotta press it. Winter will make the demmycrats think I fixed the icecaps they're always whining about. Can't have global warming and winter! Ha."🍊🏌️‍♂️

"Mister President," vomits in mouth a little calling him that, "no. That's really... that's not..."

"I'm gonna press it."🍊🏌️‍♂️

"You need Congress." You need Jesus. And a psychiatrist. And to locked away.

"Damn Congress. They're gonna say no."🍊🏌️‍♂️

One can only hope. "We still have to ask."