Karen and Ken

All these Karens and even a few Kens (or Kevins) who are being the lead in so many viral videos because of their public outbursts of not having to wear a mask while inside stores are just getting to be old and so 2020. Yes we can safely say that we are officially done with 2020.

Apologies

But my apologies to people who their parents unfortunately named them Karen or Ken but who in anyway do not act like how these now meme names suggest them to be.

I would go on to advise that they pick a nickname, or any other name for people to refer to them. But please also do not choose names such as Becky, Patty, Chad or other similarly memed names.

Not Exclusive

Also Ķens and Karens are not all exclusively White and Middle-aged. These obnoxious people can be anyone of us privileged, entitled, attention seeking, "let me speak to the manager" types or the "take it upon myself to do something about the situation" type of guy -- regardless of color, creed, age, orientation, shape, size or form.

Bless Your Heart

But if you are a Karen or a Ken. Bless your heart. You need it.

Actually, you might not have one and actually only have half a brain. That's one too many things to be missing.

Sorry didn't realize that early enough, that is probably why you need so much attention in the first place. Poor you.

But Point One

First off though, to be absolutely clear to all you openly or even hidden Karens, businesses do have the right to deny or refuse service to any customer for just cause and with certain exceptions of course.

Making a scene, not following posted rules, terrorizing, harassing or making other customers feel threatened or fearful of their safety and being obnoxious, rude and loud, are certainly on the top of that "refusal to do business with" list.

Go out and stay out!

Keep in mind, you entered a private property of your own decision and the owners and managers of this property have rules. If you enter, it is presumed you are agreeing to those terms, if you do not agree then you are free to bring your business else where and you need to leave those who do, in peace.

Second Point

And of course you can ask to speak to a manager in a cordial way and engage in a civilized conversation, just like how normal people would normally do so.

Third And Last Point

Also as we have discussed earlier, there are exceptions, especially those as prescribed by law.

If you are sick or otherwise have a condition that is preventing you from complying with the property's posted rules such as "no mask, no entry". Then you have the right to request for a reasonable accommodation.

Reasonable Accommodation

This includes among other things, having the option to do curb side service. So instead of exerting all that effort and oxygen, you could instead ask they have open air service or if you could stay in your car and have a store employee take care of the shopping for you and take it out to you while waiting outside the store or even have it delivered to your house. Yes, who would have thought?

There are also other ways to do this, you can shop online, call in your order over the phone, fax it, text it, tweet it, have someone else do the shopping for you, call a friend, ask the audience, there are just so many other lifelines that are available to you.

Yes not just wanting to do it your own way, making a scene, getting your 15 minutes of infamy or harassing a store employee who is just trying to make it through a workday by doing the job he is paid to do.

Okay Karen? Ken?

Or yes, of course, you can wear a faceshield.


15 Minutes of Fame

SMH

THIS IS WHY WHEN THE WORLD LOOKS AT US IT SHAKES ITS HEAD


Social Media

Just browsing through social media and scanning some of the comments, you would think common sense is priceless and common sensibility is out of style.

Yes, I see you are reading this and you are shaking your head.

Do you agree or not?

Are you one of those on the extreme side who swore they will never wear a mask?

Or are you on that group who believe all this rona thing is just a conspiracy?

Do you talk endlessly about how the common flu is far worse than this novel virus? And a pandemic novel virus at that. Note: pandemic means it is worldwide. And novel viruses go pandemic very rarely, only about once every 100 years. I know you weren't born yet the last time there was a pandemic, none of us were (ok, except for a few more survivors still out there).

Or are you in that select group of people who say that they are not responsible for other people and that they are only responsible for their own health?

I get it, you are healthy, if you get it, you get it, you will not die even if you do, if you spread it to someone who is vulnerable and that person dies then tough luck. YOLO. They should have stayed home.

Nothing We Can Do

I mean, I know nothing we can do anyway. I constantly see people arguing their side on social media, it's ridiculous. It's like they have to convince everyone why they are acting the way they are acting.

Common sense is not common. It's either you got it or you don't. You can't fake it, unless you keep your mouth shut. And sadly, the ones who keep blabbering are the ones who think they have it.

Common sensibilities? Okay let us call it human sensibilities. Because it is even less common than common sense or the common cold. Or maybe we can take out the word human, as more and more people seem to be inhumane.

Ok, I take it back, they do care, some of these people will take a stand to save a crawling insect, a small fish or a small furry mammal than some old human being, even one who is living with them in their own house.

Political

Plus everything is political anyway. And to make matters worse, it is an election year and the union is split in half (half idiots and half covidiots).

Most Americans are partisan and it will not move them otherwise if you tell them anything that is contrary to their partisan leaning.

They Made Up Their Minds

They have already made up their minds and cannot be swayed from what they believe in. Yes believe that, it will help keep your sanity.

And the funny thing about it is that either party they admire is led by people who lack common sense and common sensibilities anyway.

Both are only concerned with their own hidden agenda and their ulterior motives, and how to stay in power or how to take over. It has always been like that.  DUH.

So What Do We Need To Do?

Nothing we can do really.

We just need to ride it out like the last pandemic back in 1918. Everyone is doing exactly the same thing today as what was done back then. People are people.

Darwin is watching, congratulating himself and clapping at the sidelines. Nothing has changed. No, I take that back, it is worse now for there was a time when there were still people who cared for other people.


Note: We are not talking about race, ethnicity, creed, sexual orientation or anything else. These have nothing to do with the subject matter discussed.


Even though it may look like it, Karen and Ken aren't exclusive to one race or protected class.

The Flip Side of the Amber From San Diego Story

So this Meet Amber Story did not go away like it should have by now.

Update

Instead of the mere 15 minutes of fame she was looking for and which she got, this lady named Amber is going all out, full monty here, as she is now targeting and suing the person who made a gofundme donation page for Lenen (sic).

Didn't Go As Planned

Now, we must remember that Amber was the one who took a photo of Lenin (his real name) and she was the one who posted his photo on her facebook page (without his permission of course).

I guess she did this in the hope of shaming him or getting sympathy or getting something else out of it.

But instead, what happened is that she was the one who was in receiving end of the jokes.

And it was Lenin, the person she was hoping to shame, is the one benefitting from her somewhat dubious plan.

And as it should as he was only being a good employee who was merely doing his job. And being as courteous as he could at it.

Lenin's Side of the Story

To be fair for everyone involved, here is Lenin's side as posted on his facebook page.

All the best kid.

And here is Amber's side, with a link to her facebook page and post.

The Meet Amber Story

15 Minutes of Fame

Meet Amber

Okay, I know we live in the land of the free and the home of the brave.

But everyday, I feel more and more like we are living in a nation of entitled people or where a bunch of people are just so desperate for attention.

15 Minutes of Fame

Here might be is another one of these folks that people call Karen.

Meet Amber, she posted this on her FB page.

Post by Amber of San Diego

So she wrote "Meet Lenen from Starbucks who refused to serve me cause I’m not wearing a mask. Next time I will wait for cops and bring a medical exemption."

Face Mask

I know there are exemptions and reasonable accommodations, regarding the wearing of face masks all over the State of California.

But we also should be aware that businesses have the right to refuse service.

And we also are aware that during this pandemic time, business can also refuse entry to anyone with no face covering by law and by their corporate guidelines.

So, common sense, courtesy, respect and decency should prevail less we get labeled as Karen.

I Will Not Wear A Mask


The Amber Story Part 2 (Lenin's Side)

Still The Ugly Truth That No One Wants To Talk About

LAPD Police Chief Michel Moore's Gaffe

LAPD Chief has apologized several times over his recent blooper on live TV after he said:

“His (George Floyd's) death is on their (looters') hands, as much as it is those officers".

Moore made this statement (a slip / a faux pas) during a press conference with the LA City Mayor, Mayor Garcetti.

Apology

Moore said he misspoke.

He then tried to explain that when he said that Mr. Floyd's blood is on the looter's hands, he said he shouldn't have compared the loss of goods with the loss of life. No comparison.

But my question is... was that what he really meant? Was he really comparing looters and murderers?

For that reason alone, he should have resigned his position.

Another Meaning

But somebody has to correct me here and I'm sure I will get a lot of flak for this from people who aren't honest with themselves or those who have not walked the streets at night being a peace officer.

And we all really have to be honest about something here.

Because his explanation does not really make a lot of sense, especially for a Chief of Police.

Now what he said would have made sense if he admitted that he didn't really misspoke.

And if he didn't, then the only other reason would have been that he unintentionally verbalized what was really on his mind. If that is the case, then the only possible explanation for what he said was this...

People of color gets a bad rap because given the chance, they steal, they rob, they destroy other people's property and they hurt innocent people and police officers.

Granted, the looters and the thugs doing the arson, the vandalism, robbery, theft, and the mayhem are not all POC. But there were a good number who are. And the victims were mostly of European and Asian ethnicity.

Now that's speaking like a lifelong career police officer (non-Black) who has known fear of Black people and just really being honest about it.

For the most part, humans are herd animals, we mingle with those who are similar with us and conversely we are wary of those who aren't. This is a generalization of course, but nonetheless true.

People of the same ethnicity, same education, same background, same traditions, same creed, same orientation, and same language flock together.

Those who are different are not considered one of them. Hence the occasional call by some, to go back home or go back to where you came from.

Now if we can't talk about this ugly truth, then there's no openness. If there is no openness, then there is no understanding. If there is no understanding, then it will be hard to bridge the big divide that no one wants to talk about.

One Nation Indivisible

We know the words...

"I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of Americas and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."

But are we really?

Indivisible?

Real Justice

No, but every single one of us is looking for justice, and justice for all.

It's not black versus white. It ain't the haves versus the have-nots. It shouldn't be Democrats versus Republicans. It shouldn't be millenials or the boomers. It shouldn't be theists versus atheists. It shouldn't be one faith vis-a-vis another.

No One is Perfect

There are bad people in every agency, social status, color, creed, age group and political affiliation. And we shouldn't be pointing fingers, if we are then let as look in the mirror and point it at the person looking back at us.

Crossroads

Today we are not indivisible.

And as we are in a very important crossroad of American history. We should be very careful what we do next.

Future generations and the entire world will judge us for our actions as well as our intentions.

We are fighting for social justice. We are fighting for racism. We are fighting for police abuse of power.

But the end will not ever justify the means. We are fighting a cause that has had no solution for hundreds of years.

Because one thing is always missing.

Unity

We should all come together regardless of color, creed, age and affiliation.

We should strip away our personal agenda and our prejudices.

And more importantly we should not tolerate opportunistic and malicious people stealing the focus of what is happening in our midst.

We should be appalled at people shooting at police officers.

It should not be alright to allow thugs to beat up small store owners who may be trying to defend their means of livelihood and the business which they've worked hard for.

We should be against those who are breaking into establishments, looting and setting them on fire.

We should stop people from destroying mass transit vehicles and public buildings.

One Purpose

We should be Americans of one mind, one spirit and one purpose.

Prominent people should be very vocal against the crimes against innocent people by criminals who are taking advantage of the chaos. They should be leading the peaceful protests and not sitting in their mansions, tweeting they will pay for bail money of rioters.

Peace-loving people should be standing shoulder-to-shoulder protecting their communities from the malicious opportunists slipping through the cracks and being paid by unknown personalities.

Media and politicians should focus on the peaceful rallies and the call for social justice.

They should be very careful not to pull people apart and inflame the hearts and minds of people, pitting one group against another, playing everyone, grandstanding and panning for votes.

This is so much bigger than theirs and our own personal agenda, and November.

We should all do the right thing. Right now.


America Divided

Who Are Putting Up Money For Small Business Owners?

Who has his back?

Bail Money

Prominent personalities, celebrities, athletes and even politicians are grandstanding and saying they will fund the bail of protestors...

But who will pay for the losses being suffered by innocent small business owners who are being victimized?

And where the heck are the National Guard?

Mayors, Governors, Police Chiefs and Sheriffs say that they will protect their constituents but it has been 4 days now and counting that small business owners, many are immigrants and people of color, have been on their own.

Will they now take up arms and protect themselves?