WHAT JUSTIFICATION?

After my last article, “Deliver Me” several readers asked, “Did your complaints about late newspaper delivery bring any results.” One reader e-mailed, “You think you’ve got it bad, my mail arrived at 7:30 p.m.” Obviously, it’s a conspiracy!

Yes, I did get results.  Today the newspapers arrived almost on time, but I didn’t get one, because they were 4 papers short. I did try one more call to the Philippines Complaint Department, and was told that the delivery person has two routes and no help. So, I responded, “Then the solution would be that all of the people in my building should cancel their subscriptions. That would certainly make her job easier.” Sorry, no more wiggle room.

Nowadays, it seems as if we are surrounded by excuses. When visiting with a friend, I said, “I don’t know what this world is coming to.” A voice behind me shouted, “Can I help you?” I jumped and yelled, “What the Hell!” Turning around I saw Alexa who said, “I can’t find a song called, “What The Hell.” So, a robot tried to put on a good face even though it doesn’t have one.

Another case in point: I understand the excuse that prices have gone up, because as the pandemic waned the demand for goods is  bigger than the supplies produced. However, I never hear the justification that some goods have gone up because of an over-supply of greed.

It’s a given that excuses aren’t necessary when the truth is told. It’s ironic that most people can accept, “Sorry, I already have plans,” rather than, “I’m coming down with something,” which will turn into a bad case of the guilt when you are caught out and about— healthy as a horse, and you have to explain your miracle recovery. The unvarnished truth is unquestionable. It is just the truth. However, there are excuses everywhere.

Jonathon Swift said, “An excuse is more terrible than a lie because an excuse is a lie guarded.” Back in the 15th Century, in order to consolidate power, Vlad the Impaler invited hundreds of guests to a banquet. Knowing that his authority would be challenged, he had his guests stabbed and impaled. By the time this brutal fellow was done he had killed 80,000 people.

Now in 2022 we are experiencing a cruel Vlad the Invader who wants to travel back in time and get his empire back. Because his reasons are cloaked in lies, his excuses for invasion are not believed by the whole world, and he is trying to keep the truth from the Russian population.
So, Vlad, stop mucking about with your cock and bull stories.  Just tell us that you are hungry, and you want to put  another country into your lunch box, because being good for your word is what shows people who you truly are.

Fortunately, or unfortunately, like Steven Wright, I am afraid that “I am a peripheral visionary. I can see the future, but only way off to the side.” and, “Whenever I think of the past, it brings back so many memories.”

Esther  Blumenfeld