Category Archives: The Intrawebs

Don’t Be A Dumbass

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After reading more than a few friends’ Facebook status updates today, I’m about ready to reinstate WTF Wednesday (at least for today)

While it’s very cute, trendy and edgy to post about 420 day it might not be in your best interest to do so.

I realize that some people are in the position to campaign for and promote drug law reform; that’s not what I’m talking about.

I’m talking about folks that for some reason, have never stopped to think that posting about recreational illegal drug use might come back to bite them in the ass (pun intended).

The fact is that if you are in the middle of a child custody case or are looking for work your cute drug reference can be held against you. (hey, what’s “right and just” is not necessarily what is legal)

Do I believe that it’s silly to criminalize it and that laws should be changed? Yes.

But would I risk a job or custody of my child over something of that nature, especially when used recreationally? Oh Hell NO!

Even in states such as ours which have medical marijuana laws (which I whole heartedly support) and in which one can get a prescription, the federal and state laws don’t play nice with each other.

Employment laws have not adjusted to this either. If you test positive for THC, you can be denied employment or fired. I’m not saying it’s right, I’m saying that’s how the current laws work. Sadly, I’ve known people who have had to make a choice against what is a more safe and natural treatment for the pain and nausea of cancer treatment for dangerous addictive chemicals so that they can get/keep a job.

I can’t imagine why anyone involved in a child custody battle would post a recreational drug related status message; that’s the kind of stuff vindictive exes live for. There is NO privacy on the internet, just ask those who have had their Facebook posts brought to work or court.

While, it’s not my place to judge the choices you make in your life, I sure don’t want to hear about one of my friends losing custody of their child or losing/not getting a job (especially in this economy) because they didn’t stop to think before they made that cute little post…

Come on folks, don’t be a…

~L

Mood: WTF?

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Thoughts on Social Media

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It has been said numerous times that social media has changed the way people interact with each other.

That is perhaps the most gross understatement I’ve seen in a long time.

We now have the ability to share information instantaneously. From weather reports of snow, ice, tornadoes moving into an area, to watching a peaceful mass protest change a government and the course of a county, social media gives us instant access to information.

We also have the ability to piss people off in a split second because it’s really easy to hit that send or enter key in the heat of the moment without thinking it through first.

As I was growing up in the 60′s and 70′s, it was understood that people in “polite society” did not speak of politics or religion or how much money they made in public as it tended to lead to heated debates and hard feelings.

Social media has changed all that; I now know what just about all of my friends and acquaintances think at any given moment.

In some cases, this has lead to deeper friendships. It helps from a common bond and/or has given me the opportunity to look at a situation from a completely different perspective and fosters tolerance and understanding from each side.

I’m all about sharing thoughts and ideas. I cherish my friendships with those of different backgrounds and beliefs. If we surround ourselves only with those who think and believe exactly as we do, we stagnate, which can lead to intolerance, fear and hate.

It is however, a double edged sword. When I see nothing but political posts, especially supporting people/ideals that I honestly find offensive on my Facebook wall, it gets old. It gets old fast. With that said, I’m certain that George Bush Sarah Palin and the “women are nothing but brood mares who should be forced to bear their rapists incest bred spawn” supporters find my thoughts offensive as well.

When I see a daily barrage of religious postings, particularly those which seem to indicate no belief in free will or personal responsibility, I roll my eyes. In some cases it makes me think less of the person’s intelligence. Don’t get me wrong, I fully support the right of everyone to believe/worship (or not) as they choose without the fear of ridicule, harassment or discrimination, but for gosh sakes, put on your big kid pants and deal with your life.

The same goes for perpetual whiners and victims. Yes, we all have bad things happen to us in this life and have the right to complain, whine, bitch, kvetch and feel sorry for ourselves every now and then. But once you hook up with someone on social media and discover that they whine and complain constantly, all the while refusing to make the changes they need to improve their situation it’s pretty difficult not to lose respect for them.

I’ve come to the conclusion that there are some people I’d rather not see on my Facebook wall every day.

I like to keep in touch, to connect and to foster understanding.

But there are some people I like just a bit better in a real life social setting where I don’t know every little thing they are thinking.

~L

Mood: Contemplative

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