WHAT ARE WE DOING HERE?

Had a really crazy one last night. There was this virus. It started out in another land. Some people here, mostly scientists and other elites, started to freak out and warn everyone that this was serious, that the virus was going to spread, and could kill hundreds of thousands of people worldwide. But the people in charge ignored the threat. Tried to minimize it. Said it was nothing to freak out about. And a lot of those people knew better, but downplayed it anyway because they didn't want to make it look like they weren't in total control.  They thought the public would turn on them if they said this virus was the real deal and we needed to make a ton of personal sacrifices. As mad as it seems, the people in charge were more afraid of losing power than of saving lives. So they downplayed the whole thing, got their media friends to go along with them, and the people were divided on what was happening.  The virus started to stretch itself over the world. Italy was hit hard and early. As was Iran.  Still those in charge here said we would be fine. That the virus would just disappear, poof, very soon, and all would be well. Then, just like the scientists warned, the virus showed up here. And people started to get sick, and die. Thousands of them. Right here in the good old USA. And the country had to shut down. For the most part. There were pockets of the country not yet hit that resisted shutting down. They were sure they were fine. That the numbers of the dead were being exaggerated by the scientists for political gain. And the disease spread, all over the world, hitting every continent, every country. Everywhere. Strangely, the first thing the people in charge did was to give trillions of dollars to big corporations and banks. They gave the common people a little over a thousand dollars each. But even so, the people in charge still refused to acknowledge just how bad things were. And the leader of the country, live on national television, said he refused to take any blame whatsoever for what was happening. More and more people began to suspect he was either deranged or evil or both. But some people, who had stuck with him for years, could not bring themselves to think that they had been misled. It was just too horrible to be true. So they made up conspiracy theories, and broke protocols about staying inside. And things continued to get worse. And then, just when it seemed like maybe there was a chance of things working, that listening to the scientists was the best route for everyone, those same people in charge decided it was time to open things up. Even though the scientists warned them not to. That it would be a bad idea. That a virus doesn't listen to political speeches or worry about the polls. And that's just what they did. They declared, to the relief of a some and the terror of others, that the tattoo shops and bowling alleys and beaches would be open to the public once more. Even though they knew it would cost lives.

Oh wait.

Just writing the above feels like an out of body experience. Like a description of a really vivid, but
clearly insane dream. A plot to a movie from 1972 starring Chuck Heston. But no. Actually, the movie I keep thinking of is The Poseidon Adventure, where the cruise ship gets hit by a tidal wave in the middle of the ocean and is flipped upside down. Everyone who survives the initial hit try to figure out a way to get off the ship before it goes down. People start to argue about what is the best thing to do. Most want to just sit tight, and do nothing. A few, led by Gene Hackman, decide to do the logical thing, move upwards and get the hell out of dodge. A bunch of other folks think that involves doing something out of their comfort zone, and stay where they are. And of course get killed when the sea water rushes in. The few folks that follow Hackman make their way up, through various hazards. Some die, including Shelley Winters, who sacrifices herself for the greater good- and I don't mean the economy, but peoples lives. Finally they make it out, but only after Gene Hackman dies too. It's a bit of a downer, but those were strange times, full of social unrest, division, and... oh wait.

Here's a bonus song from the movie, with more blog after. It's The Morning After by Maureen McGovern.

Happy Earth Day. I hope you all go out and marvel at this planet we have. It's gorgeous. Mountains and oceans and plains and forests and deserts. Truly a miracle, this giant orb spinning at high speed, circling the Sun in the middle of the vast nothingness of space. Cherish this earth. Serve the garden you've been given. Listen to the scientists about global warming. I think, in light of recent event, not listening to scientists is like not following Gene Hackman when he says "we need to move or we are going to die". Don't take my word for it. Go outside. Look at the sky. Notice how there is less pollution. Notice the color of the trees and grass and flowers or whatever grows where you are. It all is vibrant and happy for the small break from all the pollutants we've been bombarding them with.

Please, when this is over, if you haven't already, give the planet some love. Listen to the scientists. Do the right thing. Spread the love.

Here's a song. It's What Are We Gonna Do by Dramarama.