Things That are No More…

We live in new times.

Not a 'New Normal” time, but a “New Abnormal' time.

That is to say, things that were, no longer exist.

Take for example some of these goldie oldies: How about personal service?

Okay, I'll just ask it straight out: Where did they go?

You know what I mean, don't you?

You have a billing snafu, or your phone isn't working, the electricity goes out-like lately. And what are you reduced to?

Calling an 800 number and waiting on line…like forever.

And when the line is picked up, it's Pat.

You know? Like Pat on Saturday Night Live. Only, you have to guess not only who or what they are, but where they are located, because Pat is speaking with an Indian-sounding voice, or Spanish inflection, or worse…like you recognize only half of what they are saying at all?

And that's what passes for service these days.

Or you try to get hold of your doctor.

And get an answering service, or are hung up on.

Like to update your insurance information, or your new phone number, or make an appointment that won't be a month in the future?

And you've been a patient for decades.

Don't EVEN try to straighten out your pharmacy needs, or get anything re-upped without paying for superfluous appointments for a condition you've had since…basically birth.

Like that's going to change overnight.

But, then if you listen to the doctor's staff, maybe it will if you throw down more money for another appointment…which will take a month…if you're lucky.

Yeah, you're the lucky one!

Continued on Page 5

‘Wordaholic’

By Robert L. Hall ROBERT HALL (cont.)

And with all the snow out there, I was recently reminded of the next one: The post office.

Remember the so-called 'Postman's Pledge?'

' Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds'

which was long been associated with the American postal worker.

Now, seems like that is just an 'informal motto.' they will tell you.

Yeah.

I haven't seen our postal carrier for a week!

Lastly, our government.

For so long, we thought that politicians would act in our interest, or at least-not work actively to the detriment of society.

And although I am currently cutting back on politics lately, I did run across these lines-from Victor Davis Hanson, distinguished fellow of the Center for American Greatness and the Martin and Illie Anderson Senior Fellow at Stanford University's Hoover Institution.

His words encapsulate so well what happened to our government with this: “Those alleging “white privilege” are usually themselves quite wealthy, liberal-and white. These elites count on their incestuous networking, silverspoon upbringings, and their tony degrees to leverage status, influence and money-in a way undreamed of by the white working class.

“…The most elite in America are the most likely to damn the privilege of those who lack it. Perhaps this illogic squares the psychological circle of feeling guilty about what they never have any intention of giving up.

“If blaming those without advantages does not satisfy the unhappy liberal elite, then there is always warring against the mute dead: changing their eponymous names, destroying their statues, slandering their memories, and denying their achievements.

“The common denominator with all these absurdities?

An ungracious and neurotic elite whose judgment is bankrupt and whose privilege is paid for by those who don't have it.”

So that now, it seems, even our own politicians are working against us?

And they wonder why they call the past, 'The Good 'Ol Days?'

Robert L. Hall is a resident of Marion and has a Bachelor’s Degree in music from the University of Memphis and a Master’s Degree from Florida State University. He is the pianist for Avondale Baptist Church and a writer of fiction on Amazon eBooks.