A GRAY WORLD

When I was a kid things for me were pretty black and white.   Growing up in a tiny town and going through a school system that was sub-standard at best, my world was quite small.  In my world, there were absolute rights and absolute wrongs.

Now, I am not saying that I still don't have strong views or opinions on issues.  Anyone who knows me at all can tell you that.  But the older I get the less I see the world in black and white terms.  While many things have been revealed to me in living color, I see some of those black and white issue in more of a shade of gray.

The society I live in is "forcing" me to think and consider issues, that frankly, I had never truly considered before.  I am not so sure I enjoy being put in that position.  I am not sure when it started or who exactly should be blamed for it, but there is rarely an issue today that doesn't polarize us.

The latest is over transgender use of public restrooms. Is this really something that we needs laws about?  Is this something that states or corporations have to take a public stand on?  North Carolina has passed legislation prohibiting transgenders from using the potty of their choice and Target has been at the center of this controversy since announcing that transgender customers at its stores are welcome to use the bathroom that matches their gender identity.  COME ON!

It seems there is no middle ground or common sense anymore.  When using arguments for EITHER side the most extreme scenarios are usually presented.  "We are giving rapist and predators permission to enter into women's bathrooms."  "I feel like a woman, I see myself as a woman, I dress like a woman.  I should be able to use the woman's restroom."

Since when do corporations like Target or Chick-fil-a represent a moral conscience.  These are businesses, made up of people, but a corporation in and of itself does not have a heart, a soul or a conscience.  Not everyone who works where I do has the same set of morals, values and/or opinions.

I understand if a company supports or engages in activities that your personal values don't agree with or support it is within your rights as a consumer to take your business elsewhere.  That is the great thing about the good USA; we still do have some choices.

My issue is not that progressives advocate boycotting North Carolina and Mississippi because of policy that is being seen as anti-inclusive or that conservatives want to boycott Target for being inclusive.  My issue is with the logic or lack there of that seems to evade those speaking up the loudest.

Let's look at the progressive side first.  Can they not see that, yes, this causes real, legitimate concerns?  Men using women's restrooms IS a dicey issue.  Mothers and fathers are concerned about their daughters.  There is nothing wrong with that.  Women are more than a little weirded out about it for their own comfort and safety.  Why is that so hard for progressive/liberals to see.  This is not some crazy conspiracy where the "right wing" gangs up on the LGBTQ community.  Take a deep breath.

On the conservative side, the logic of their arguments are almost as knee-jerk.While the Right continues to cry out for smaller government they condone a law governing where someone can pee!

 I just read where a conservative spokesmen's argument against gun-control laws was "more laws are not going to stop people from using guns.".  Using that same logic, laws telling transgenders that they can't use the bathroom of their choice is not going to keep them from doing so.  And, it's true. But ask yourself this: Why are conservatives so concerned about where someone pees that we need laws to dictate it, but, at the same time oppose gun laws (they claim won't work) that could save lives?  Could it be because there are no "Potty Lobbyists"?

Transgenders have been using their bathroom of choice for decades and most of us didn't even notice. Are our women and children at more risk now than before?   Just as gun laws and locks won't stop bad people from doing bad thing neither will these laws.  There is evil in this world and there are those that will prey on children and women regardless of laws!

Another thing. Who sends their 4-year old into a public restroom by themselves ?  I can't tell you how many times I have been in a public men's room when a father has brought his young daughter in to go to the bathroom.  Not all that long ago if a father was out in public with his young children he had little choice. I doubt if any children were harmed or scarred for life from that experience. How about giving Target and other businesses credit for providing Family Restroom options now?

When my daughters were young and I had them with me there were plenty of times that I had to accompany them to the men's room.  Or they had to accompany me!  I would not permit them to go into a public women's room unescorted and they certainly weren't going to be left waiting for me outside!

"Stand here and face the wall."  "Stand outside the stall where I can see your feet." were common instructions all my children heard when it was just them and me in public.  As they got old enough to go by themselves I would wait patiently outside and if it seemed like things were taking too long I would ask a woman coming out of the restroom if she would mind checking on them.

I write all of this to say that I think this is another area of gray in my life.  I don't see this issue as so black and white that I will never shop at Target or visit the state of North Carolina again.  Tolerance is a interesting concept.  The people who cry for tolerance are often most intolerant of those with opposing thought.  As a people, as a country we cannot grow with that type of thinking.

Sometimes gray isn't such a bad color.

THAT'S WHY THEY PLAY THE GAME!

It's early. I know that. The Cubs come to St. Louis tonight for the beginning of a three-game series. This may not dictate what will happen in October but bear in mind that the games in April count. 

That being said, it is interesting that many of the "experts" were ready to crown the Cubs the 2016 World Series winners when they made the playoffs and beat St. Louis last year.  One would have thought they were the defending World Series Champs judging by the slobbering over this team this past off-season and spring training.  But wait a minute.  Didn't the Mets play in the World Series? Didn't the Royals win it all?  

I get it.  Joe Madden has the Midas touch.  He is great with the media and his players love to play for him.   I understand the Cubs "arrived" sooner then expected last year. This is a good team with loads of talent but look at how well the experts have done picking the last few years.

After a ton of trades a couple of years ago the Blue Jays were picked to win it all. For the past three years many have been picking the Nationals to go all the way. Last season, the media darlings were the Padres. The White Sox made some big moves a couple of off seasons ago and many jumped on the band wagon.

It all comes down to what I always say: "That's why they play the games." None of those teams won the World Series or the pennant. Some didn't even make the playoffs!

This is not the first time the Cubs have had talent. Some could argue that they had more talent in the 60's than the Cardinals. In the infamous 1969 season Chicago had FOUR Hall of Famers: Ernie Banks Ferguson Jenkins, Billy Williams and Ron Santo.

They also had a HOF manager in Leo Durocher. 

While the Cardinals were winning the pennant in 1964 (thanks to the trade of Lou Brock to the Cardinals from Chicago) and in 1967 and 1968, the Cubs were finishing 8th, 3rd and 3rd those same seasons. St. Louis also won the WS in '64 & '67.

The Cardinals did have some Hall of Famers too. The aforementioned Brock, Bob Gibson, Orlando Cepeda and Steve Carlton.  It just goes to show you that in the words of Joaquin Andujar, "You never know." 

Regardless if the Cubs or the Cardinals sweep this series...it counts. It means something! It counts in the standings and it counts for bragging rights for every fan of both teams. BUT...there will still be lots of baseball to be played. 

As for me, I am not ready to crown any team champion yet. Let's just play the games!

Thanks for reading!

Jeff