Late June, 2018.
Dangers lurk in the swift-moving Niagara, in the law (or lawlessness) of the land, in the power of corporations and government to squash the little man, in the politics of hatred, grievances and blame sweeping the globe.
Still waters don’t run very deep.Β Just under the surface are currents of evil, currents of greed, currents of power.Β If we aren’t vigilant, they will rise to the surface, suck us under.Β They will drown us all.
The Whirlpool at Niagara Falls
On June 25, police in Niagara Falls warned of dangerous waters after two brothers, one of whom made furniture out of driftwood, drowned in the Niagara River while trying to salvage a piece of driftwood.
“Although something is sitting on top the water and it looks nice and calm, it is not calm water,” said Police Capt. Jeff Rinaldo, in an interview with the The Buffalo News.
No, nothing is calm, not even on the surface, and certainly not under the surface.
On June 26, a 78-year-old Canadian woman’s purse was stolen while she pumped gas at the Seneca One Stop in Niagara Falls.Β She had left her purse on the driver’s seat and lost her car keys, credit cards, personal effects, $500 in U.S. currency and $200 in Canadian. A tall black man was seen on the surveillance video in the store before the theft.Β In these sad days, everyday routines are interrupted by thefts and mass shootings.Β Incidents such as these are becoming so routine that we almost shrug them off as just another tragedy in a line of many.
Justice Anthony Kennedy, 81, announced he would retire, meaning Trump could appoint a justice loyal to him.Β The bully wants loyalists at all costs.Β Shall we all wear MAGA hats and bow down to the wanna-be king? Shall we start doing the Nazi salute, like the brainwashed Germans before World War II?
The Supreme Court voted 5-4 to uphold Trump’s Travel Ban. Muslims continue to be battered, as if they are 2nd class citizens. A dear friend of mine, an American citizen, who converted to Islam years ago, has decided America is no longer for her; luckily she married someone from Canada and is now transitioning to becoming a Canadian citizen. Why are we turning our back on people of different faiths? Why are we turning our backs on our rich culture of diversity?
The Supreme Court ruled public unions could no longer collect fees from nonmembers – this has major implications for the future of organized labor.Β Unions brace for the loss of members and fees in the wake of this ruling. Working class people had better prepare themselves for a deterioration in their working conditions and their pay.Β Who will advocate for them?
Meanwhile, the Niagara River rushes headlong over cliffs, thundering and churning, carrying anything, and anyone, caught up in its currents. Will we all be pulled eventually into the maelstrom of hatred and nationalism and white supremacy that is sure to be our downfall?Β Or will we pull ourselves out of the political current, dry ourselves off, shake our heads in shame, and get to work loving our fellow man regardless of race, faith, sexual orientation, or political leanings?Β Will we have sympathy for the poor, people who are struggling with drug and alcohol addiction, people who seek asylum, those who seek everyday lives free of violence?
*June 25-29, 2018*
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βPROSEβ INVITATION: I invite you to write up to a post on your own blog about a recently visited particular destination (not journeys in general). Concentrate on any intention you set for your prose.Β Β In this case, one of my intentions for my trip to Niagara Falls was to pick out a newspaper headline each morning and freewrite about how the idea of it relates to any part of my journey.
It doesnβt matter whether you write fiction or non-fiction for this invitation.Β You can either set your own writing intentions, or use one of the prompts Iβve listed on this page: writing prompts: prose & poetry.Β (This page is a work in process.) You can also include photos, of course.
Include the link in the comments below by Monday, December 10 at 1:00 p.m. EST.Β When I write my post in response to this invitation on Tuesday, December 11, Iβll include your links in that post.
This will be an ongoing invitation. Feel free to jump in at any time. π
I hope youβll join in our community. I look forward to reading your posts!
~ wander.essence ~ 
Troubling times, indeed π§ππ
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Agreed, Sue. Very troubling.
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Interesting analogy – I hope the latter option happens, for all our sakes.
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I hope so too, Anabel.
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Really hard to to see how things can ever change. We do seem to be getting sucked under in the turbulence around the world. But on an individual level there are so many friendly people doing good deeds that are largely ignored by the media. Pity we canβt purge out all those selfish, greedy politicians and find some other way of running the system. Getting rid of guns would be a start maybe.
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I don’t know how things will change, Pauline, unless people with a moral compass continue to behave with kindness to their fellow man. Slow and steady acts of kindness. I do agree that on an individual level many people are doing good deeds, but the media ignores them, and they get drowned out by the ever-maddening crowds. I wish we could get rid of the greedy politicians, but more importantly, educate and change the hearts and minds of those who support these manipulators. Getting rid of guns would certainly be ideal, but I don’t see that ever happening.
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Bhutan with its happiness policy seem able to do it. If only other countries could follow their lead
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I’m not familiar with that, Pauline. I’ll have to read about it somewhere. π
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I’ve followed a couple of bloggers that have been there. An amazing country I think you will put it on your “to visit” list when you research it. Here is one of the blogs https://lagottocattleya.wordpress.com/2018/05/10/thursday-thoughts-taktshang-goemba-or-tigers-nest/
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Thanks for sharing this link, Pauline. I already have Bhutan on my travel list, and I’ve seen pictures of the Tiger’s Nest before. I really do hope to visit there one day. π
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I would love to go there
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I love the analogy you have used, and the fact that you are not afraid to hang your feelings out for all to see, Cathy. Well done! π π
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Thanks, Jo. I can’t help but put my feelings out there, as my outrage over the state of the world grows every day. If we don’t speak up, it means the powers that be, and their brainwashed supporters, are winning. xx
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Water features are prime insight generators. By their nature, they reflect images of our world and ourselves. Thanks for sharing yours.
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I agree about the water features inspiring insights. Thanks so much for reading and commenting. π
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Food for thought in this essay and I like how you relate the maelstrom in current affairs to Niagra Falls. But the USA is not the only country suffering from a reversal of liberties which we’d all taken for granted for years. The loss of Union rights, civic rights, interference with the judiciary, and control passing from citizens to those with totalitarian ideas is happening in Europe and Latin American countries on a regular basis. I remember when I felt we could do anything (when I was young enough to go on marches and wave banners) but now I despair of people’s apathy in the face of such loss.
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Thanks, Mari. I know so well how the USA is not the only country suffering in the reversal of liberties. I see these things occurring, like you say, in countries across Europe, Asia and Latin America, and it’s frightening. Not only am I afraid of apathy in the face of these political storms, but I also fear the cultish and mindless behavior of those caught up in the currents of hatred and blame. I have never been one to march in the streets, but in March of last year, for the first time ever in my life, I participated in the March for Our Lives against gun violence. Depending on the cause, I may be out marching again. I fear having Trump in office in the US has emboldened hate groups the world over.
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[…] ~ current ~ events in niagara falls […]
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A powerful post, and a great extended metaphor.
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Thanks so much, Meg. π
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