A world of whiners
When did whining like a spoiled brat become socially acceptable? When did it become OK for the president of the United States to whine for more love and respect, a petulant child demanding a parade in his honour? When did it become OK for the prime minister of Canada to wallow in self-pity after the ethics commissioner found him guilty of multiple violations of the Conflict of Interest Act?
When did it become OK to accommodate the endless complaining of climate change deniers, anti-fluoride wackos, anti-vaccine nutjobs, firearm fanatics and conspiracy theory lunatics who somehow know more than people who actually have an education and expertise?
When did it become OK for people to sit at home after calling their boss to say they couldn’t make it to work because of a huge snowfall and then go online and complain about how bad the City of Prince George is at snow removal?
I want my street cleared now!
I don’t want fluoride!
I don’t want to be vaccinated!
You have to listen to me, no matter how stupid I am!
I can’t be guilty of ethical lapses because I’m the prime minister!
I can attack anybody I want but nobody can say anything bad about me because I’m the president!
Somehow, two whiners got elected to the highest offices in the land.
Somehow, when whiners hear that people who were actually hard done by, because of poverty, racism, sexism or homophobia, are being heard, the whiners think their petty grievances should be heard, too.
Somehow, whining makes you a victim, someone who needs to be coddled, someone who deserves an apology and restitution, regardless of the severity of the suffering or whether it even exists outside of the mind of the whiner.
At some point, it became wrong to say “stop your whining and appreciate what you have.”
At some point, it became wrong to ask “what are you doing to help others, with greater needs than your own?”
At some point, it became wrong to say “the world doesn’t owe you a favour or a hug or a participation ribbon, just for showing up.”
No matter how loud they whine, the whiners can’t overshadow the real patriots, who don uniforms and are willing to sacrifice their safety and even their lives for the safety of their fellow citizens.
No matter how much they whine, the whiners can’t overshadow the thinkers, the artists, the scientists, the writers, the teachers, the doctors, the lawyers, the students, the people who try to make sense of the world the way it is and who want to make it better for everyone.
The whiners have nothing of value to say but want everyone to listen to them.
The whiners have nothing of value to contribute but want everything handed to them.
The whiners say others have less value than they do but their words prove otherwise.
The whiners say they’re smart and special and see what’s really going on and stand up for what’s right but their actions show otherwise.
There are so many wrongs in the world, so much suffering from sickness and persecution, so many people hurting from war and violence and addiction.
Whiners only see when their yogurt isn’t on the store shelves, when their street isn’t cleared of snow, when somebody might be getting something they think they should get.
There is so much good in the world, so many people who have overcome genuine obstacles to accomplish true feats, so many who show real courage and loyalty and dedication and sacrifice every day.
Whiners only see cheaters, people who got ahead because of luck or favour or because they whined louder to get special recognition.
Decent people know there is so much we can do for one another with small deeds and kind words, regardless of our identity. Decent people think everyone deserves this basic level of respect, regardless of our beliefs. Whiners think there is a list of deserving people and they’ll shamelessly tell you that they are on that list but so many others shouldn’t be and here’s why.
Decent people defend those in need, seek the full truth, credit others for their success, take responsibility for their failures and lead by example. Whiners defend their needs, seek only the truths that suit them, take credit for their wins, blame everyone else for their losses and lead by bullying.
Whiners never stop whining, never stop complaining, never admit they might be wrong, never admit someone else might be right, might be smarter, work harder or be more deserving.
Whiners and their whining have to be stopped, so we can hear the voices of those who need help, of those with knowledge and understanding, of those who make us better.
What can we do about bad weather and bad politicians?
The serenity to accept the weather, the courage to fix government and the wisdom to know the difference, Reinhold Niebuhr would say.
There is no mention of whining in the Serenity Prayer.
— Editor-in-chief Neil Godbout