UNIVERSAL FEAR OF MASK WEARING IS A WEAPON. OH YEAH?

Universal fear is what the other guy feels when they face the same things as the rest of us.

Like wearing a mask.

Over here in America, see, we have rights. We have choices here in the land of the free, home of the brave.

One choice is to embrace universal fear and hold it close while screaming about fearlessness and buying loads of guns.

“You afraid, bro? You look afraid.”

The other choice is wearing a mask.

What’s wrong with being afraid?

Asking others to do the right thing isn’t fear mongering, showing weakness, or giving up.

Not if you ask the right way.

For instance, what would an anti-masker say to WWII General Dwight D. Eisenhower, Allied Supreme Commander Europe, the night before D-Day, 1944?

Imagine what Eisenhower told the paratroopers on the D-Day go-line.

What he didn’t say:

“This is all a hoax, fake news, this will all magically disappear.”

What the soldier with the Screaming Eagle patch didn’t say:

“Don’t tell me what to do, man.”

Eisenhower heard the estimated death rate for the jumpers and still sent them. Did the guys know, too?

In contrast, America knows the daily death rate of the covid19 pandemic and it’s just another number on a scoreboard for some.

That will change with context and perspective.

Universal fear boat ride

If these guys were ordered to wear a mask, they’d wear a mask.

After all, they had orders to cross the English Channel in big boats, get on little boats, and run up the French beach while getting sprayed by machine guns.

And they did it.

Wearing a mask would be no problem for the Greatest Generation, or the Silent Generation that followed.

Those are the generations of human beings sliding away in the mist of history, the aged, the dying, the already gone like my dad, my step-dad, and father-in-law.

That’s two Marines and an Air Force man for those keeping score.

Don’t their surviving brothers in arms deserve better? From AARP?

This blogger comes from a particular place being a sixty five year old vet from the Gerald Ford army of 1974-76.

Something happens when older men with vast experience motivating young men get their chance. Whether it’s a parent, football coach, wrestling coach, Drill Sergeant, captain, boss, minister, priest, or President of the United States, it needs to be the same message.

“I’m asking you to do hard things because it will lead to better times for everyone. I’m asking you because I know you can do it. This is your chance. DO IT!”

Volume varies.

Get Off The Chopper

Vietnam soldiers flew into the field and jumped out of helicopters instead of wading in from the ocean.

Everyone above E-6 in 1974 boot camp had been to Vietnam at least once; the platoon captain had been a few times, first enlisted, then as an officer.

Ancient American history from the 60’s tells that not everyone got behind the war effort. War protests on college campuses were the news.

Young baby boomers burned draft cards, moved to Canada, and did their best to appear unfit for duty in the war machine. They lived their convictions.

Who needs motivation to wear a mask so we can all continue living our personal convictions? Better to ask who is listening.

The Highway of Covid Death

The image shows the Highway Of Death, the road out of Kuwait after the first Iraq War, proving that one country invading another doesn’t get a free pass to leave with all of their gear.

From all reports it was a horror show of explosions, screaming, then the silence of the dead laying exposed to bloat up in the desert heat.

President Bush saw images and said enough, no more plowing that road. It would have looked inhumane to blast any more rockets at the fleeing force.

He didn’t want to overdue it; wouldn’t be prudent, not a balanced use of force.

As witness to mass death, the one who could allow it to continue, but who also carried the Big Stick to end it, the President of the United States had seen enough.

A PRESIDENT who has seen enough changes things and moves toward making a better future for America. A short sighted president with no interest in the future of the American Dream sees a different picture.

Tragically, the covid19 image is one of continuing carnage. Is carnage too harsh for so many deaths?

Checking with the Department of Veterans Affairs here.

Cancel Universal Fear Of Masks

Because of my goal to help create and reach sharper citizens with history, hope and humor, I’m including military context here for easy reference.

Every conversation doesn’t have to be a confrontation of “Yeah, but,” or “Sure, what about.”

You haver fears, I have fears, we all got fears. Some are universal fears.

Psychology Today shows only five entries for universal fear.

The short list is:

EXTINCTION

MUTILATION

LOSS OF AUTONOMY

SEPARATION

EGO-DEATH

What’s not on the short or long list? Wearing a mask.

Yesterday was a mask wearing poem so sweet my wife even commented on my blog for the first time ever after thousands and thousands of posts. Sooo:

Your good health is your neighbor’s chance to dodge extinction today

The mask isn’t facial mutilation or a white flag or a big price to pay

Keeping their personal autonomy out of an ICU isn’t on you you say

Where they’d be separated from loved ones at their last breath

And another lonely traveler loses more than ego-death

Go ahead and wear a mask. If you’ve been a vocal anti-mask activist, change your mind and use your platform.

If you have followers, fans, friends, tweeple, bore them with wearing a mask requests.

You might save a life. Ask me about saving a life.

Dave knows, and so do I. You too?