In a week in which current event bloggers have had much material, three stories stood out to me, making me think. Here at the Intramuralist, it\u2019s no secret we like to think.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To be clear, let\u2019s insert an important caveat before we opine. \u201cThink\u201d is not a synonym for \u201cagree.\u201d In fact, if we dismiss a perspective simply because we disagree with it, my guess is we\u2019re pretty stuck in our own stunted learning. Hence\u2026 <\/p>\n\n\n\n
First there was Aaron Rodgers\u2026 Let me say from the start that this semi-humble blogger has sort of a love\/hate relationship with the reigning NFL MVP. He\u2019s incredibly talented; he\u2019s fun to watch play; but sometimes he\u2019s really cocky and not all that kind to his family. For those of you who are not ESPN enthusiasts, Rodgers tested positive for COVID-19 and must now quarantine a minimum of 10 days. His story is also sensed to be somewhat controversial in that he was \u201csecretly\u201d unvaccinated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Making me think, here\u2019s how The Federalist\u2019s<\/em> Kylee Zempel editorialized the situation: \u201c9 Truths from Aaron Rodgers\u2019 Explosive Vaxx Interview You Aren\u2019t Allowed to Say: [I\u2019ll pick 5.] <\/em>\u2018You\u2019re Selfish\u2019 Smear is Media Propaganda\u2026\u2018Pandemic of the Unvaccinated\u2019 Is a Lie\u2026 Health shouldn\u2019t be political\u2026 \u2018Health Is Not a One-Size-Fits-All\u2019\u2026 Science Is Better Than Shaming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2026 Thinking how when politics and shame are inserted into the conversation, how solution can be polluted\u2026<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Then there was Van Jones\u2026 The articulate, liberal CNN political contributor had much to share on Election Day\u2019s evening. As is the Intramuralist practice, when I watch<\/em> the news (which is rare, as I read my news from more balanced\/less biased sites), I will rotate between the three primary cable news networks, CNN, FOX, and MSNBC. I do so in short swift sweeps, seeing what each station prioritizes and how they frame a story. For example, on Tuesday night it was fascinating<\/em> to me that when Virginia Lieutenant Governor-Elect Winsome Sears, the first female and first woman of color in the office in Virginia’s 400-year legislative history, was giving her acceptance speech, neither<\/em> CNN nor MSNBC covered it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Making me think, when sharing his analysis of a disappointing evening for Democrats, Jones offered multiple insights and conclusions. Coming off the 2020 Presidential victory, there\u2019s a sense that Joe Biden\u2019s victory had most to do with the fact that he wasn\u2019t Donald Trump \u2014 not that the country had moved ideologically left and now desired as a majority to embrace some of the more radical policies being pushed. Said Jones, \u201cI think that Democrats are coming across in ways that we don\u2019t recognize \u2014 that are annoying and offensive and seem out of touch, in ways that don\u2019t show up in our feeds, when we\u2019re looking at our kind of echo chamber.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2026 Thinking how sometimes we can become so emboldened in our political convictions that we fail to discern how poorly we may come off to those not as convicted as we\u2026<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n And last there was Rich Bisaccia and Derek Carr\u2026 There was an awful, off-field event in professional football this week. Henry Ruggs, the incredibly talented, 22-year-old, star wide receiver for the Las Vegas Raiders, was driving his car at 156 m.p.h. with a blood alcohol level of .161 when he struck another vehicle, causing it to catch on fire, killing the 23-year-old Tina Tintor and her pet golden retriever. Ruggs was immediately dismissed from the team and now faces multiple felony charges. If convicted on all counts, Ruggs would face up to 46 years in prison.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Rich Bisaccia is the Raiders coach. Derek Carr is the QB who used to throw Ruggs the ball. Making me think, the two addressed the media the next morning. First and foremost, they addressed Tintor\u2019s family. Bisaccia began, \u201cWe want to express our sincere condolences to the victim’s family. A person lost their life yesterday morning, and we think it’s important to keep focus on that as we talk about this tragic event. We’re deeply saddened for everyone affected, especially the victim’s family. <\/p>\n\n\n\n That being said, we love Henry Ruggs. We want him to know that. It’s a terrible lapse in judgment, of the most horrific kind. It’s something he’ll have to live with the rest of his life. The gravity of the situation is not lost on anyone here, and we understand and respect the loss of life.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Added Carr about Ruggs, “I will always be here for him. That won’t change, and I will prove that over the course of time to him. Not to anybody else. But he needs people to love him right now. He’s probably feeling a certain type of way about himself right now, and he needs to be loved.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2026 Thinking of the significance of offering love to the perceived unloveable\u2026 and being on the receiving end of it, when it doesn\u2019t seem deserved\u2026<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Still thinking, friends\u2026 always\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n Respectfully\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n AR<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" In a week in which current event bloggers have had much material, three stories stood out to me, making me think. Here at the Intramuralist, it\u2019s no secret we like to think. To be clear, let\u2019s insert an important caveat before we opine. \u201cThink\u201d is not a synonym for \u201cagree.\u201d In fact, if we dismiss … <\/p>\n