Billy Rose
Stories (18/0)
Unpopular Opinions
Let me be clear about something, I have opinions. Let's break that down a little bit because I feel like that word is lost on a lot of people these days. If you believe something, for instance that abortion is wrong or right, those are opinions. Now I know I'm going to get attacked by the Christian community here, but if someone doesn't believe in the Christian religion then how are they supposed to feel when you use that as an argument against abortion. Imagine moving to the middle east for example and their religion says you have to cover yourself if you're a woman. So if that's the primary religion of their country would you be ok with that? Honestly women in the middle east are treated much worse than that. I used this mild example just as a point of reference to show how religion does play a part in society. Here's the thing though, America has freedom of religion, for now at least, so we are a huge mix of different religions and agnostics. If we make a law that bans abortions it would open the door for religions like Islam to cover and subjugate women. If you don't believe me look up Sharia Law. Now I'm not saying I advocate for or condone abortion. I think it's quite barbaric and honestly I've met very few women, even that believe in abortion although the number is rising. Here's the thing though, it's my opinion. We've created a culture now that allows opinions to define realities. I know people who argue against my opinion and I listen and they do have valid points. One such point is the total failure that is America's foster care system. I can't lie I've legitimately never had much of a positive experience with kids in foster care or adults who grew up in foster care. This is not to say there aren't any, but it's just been my experience that these people are troubled and foster care doesn't really do much to help. Especially if you're fostering 12 kids or 10 kids theres no way you're giving 10 troubled children the individual care they deserve. Again though this is my opinion. Almost everything we want to hold on to as facts are opinions. Opinions drive politics, politicians know that publicly displaying contrasting opinions will, ultimately prevent any organized or unified opposition to government. We like to believe we are a free people in the United States but the definition of government is control. Govern means to rule. Theres a line that always makes me think in the 2000 film The Patriot Mel Gibsons character Benjamin Martin at a meeting in Charleston says to them "Why should I trade one tyrant 3000 miles away for 3000 tyrants one mile away?" This is literally what has happened. We are more heavily taxed and regulated now than under King George. Okay maybe that's a stretch, but it is my opinion. Think about this for a second, what if politicians on both sides have never cared about climate change? Or healthcare? Or immigration? Or the rights of black people? You get the idea. The reason I believe this is because my dad and grandma always had the news on growing up and the issues we arguing over today are the same ones we were arguing about when I was 5 years old. Nobody's solved any of it they've talked alot, they've made tons of empty promises but little to no action. Or even worse taking action that does more harm than good. We are actively being lied to every election and every day in between. I'm honestly having trouble differentiating between our news and communist propaganda. Now we are looking into whether or not the Covid 19 virus was natural or laboratory made. It may be my imagination but it seems like news media are all too quick to suggest that the lab theory is a "Conspiracy Theory". Now just based off of the fact that it's a virus optimized for human transmission traced back to within 1 mile of the of The Wuhan Institute of Virology is enough proof for me. Here's the thing though, it has not yet been proven, so for now it's just my opinion. Now let's talk climate change. This is a big one I remember first hearing about early in childhood. Now here is my perspective, or opinion, if you will. I believe the earth cycles, and we are in a super warming phase. If climate activists would say "Save us humans" it would be more accurate. I always hear "Save the planet!" but I believe the planet will be here long after mankind is erased. Or perhaps we will evolve? Nobody actually knows for sure. Humans are much more likely to die from something man made than from global warming. Now I know what you're thinking "But global warming is man made" that's partially true. The planet would be warming by some degree without humans. The argument in science is how much more do humans contribute? In all for reducing emissions but I don't think we should gamble the whole country's prosperity on it. Just a reminder these are my personal opinions, not attacks on others who disagree. These are opinions not facts. We must stop demonizing opposing opinions and debate them in a healthy manner instead. Thank you for listening to my opinion on opinions.
By Billy Rose3 years ago in The Swamp
Freeing Azria
7 years ago the world broke out into the biggest, most violent, war the world had ever known. Several nuclear weapons were launched and weaponized contagions were released. Pockets of survivors scattered the land but most of the population was dead or dying. Those left alive had to raid and pillage. Grocery stores and gas stations and restaurants were favorite targets. Some survivors resorted to raiding other groups.
By Billy Rose3 years ago in Fiction
Specter In The Woods
It was a dark and stormy night and Jack was driving down a winding two lane highway. It was raining lightly just as it had been for days. The windshield wipers made a barely audible squeak with each stroke across the windshield of Jack's old Chevy pickup truck. Jack's emotions were running high as he reflected on the heated argument he had just had with his wife that prompted him to leave. Jack had a couple drinks about an hour beforehand and was starting to feel it. The irony is that the main reason for the argument was Jack's drinking problem. Jack was following the rules of the road but his heightened emotion and slight inebriation made this a dangerous ride for Jack. Jack had his phone charging through the trucks old 12 volt cigarette lighter and sitting in the middle of the bench seat. Suddenly Jack's phone chimed and without thinking Jack took one hand off the wheel and picked up the phone. It was a message from his wife Lisa. It started with "I'm sorry..." Jack didn't even get to finish reading the message before he felt something familiar and terrifying. Jack immediately recognized the feeling of loss of control and knew he was hydroplaning. Jack was seized with fear and was desperately wrestling with the steering wheel trying to regain control of the truck. Suddenly the truck came off its wheels on one side and flipped. Jack didn't know what was happening but he did know he was being thrown around the cab of the truck. Jack was sure bones were being broken and he could see alot of blood. The truck had rolled onto it's roof and slid across the pavement and through an old guardrail. The truck rolled a couple of times down the steep embankment before coming to rest upside down in the now roaring creek. Jack knew he was hurt bad but if he didn't escape the truck he would surely drown within minutes. Jack knew he couldn't push the door open the water pressure would be too great. Jack decided to roll down his window. Water rushed in like a waterfall nearly washing Jack to the other side of the cab. Jack used anything he could grip, including, first the steering wheel, and then the window frame, to brace against and pushed himself out. Jack scrambled to shore where he collapsed barely able to breathe and quickly losing blood. Jack knew he was in trouble and he needed to stem the flow of blood. There was too much to know exactly where it was coming from, but he knew it was his left arm and forehead. Jack fought through the pain and reached into his pocket. Jack pulled out a pocket knife and with excruciating pain cut a long strip from his soaked t-shirt. Jack found a stick and rigged up a tourniquet as best he could near the top of his left arm. The exertion from making the tourniquet caused Jack to pass out in his weakened state. Jack regained consciousness some time later. Jack knew it hadn't been too long because it was still very dark. Suddenly he noticed something...or rather someone. A dark silhouette of a woman was standing at his feet. Her outline was clear she was a slim woman with dark hair. Jack was paralyzed with fear, his eyes wide with astonishment. Jack used his shirt to wipe the blood from his brow that was partially obstructing his view. Jack told himself silently that this figure must be a hallucination due to blood loss. Suddenly a rush of wind that seemed to come from everywhere hit Jack and he was struck with a pungent odor he immediately recognized as decaying flesh.
By Billy Rose3 years ago in Horror
An Addicts Plea
I woke up today mind fuzzy, blurred sight, Feeling guilty and ashamed that I relapsed last night, I take out and aspirin and a small glass of water, Sweat beads on my brow now temp couldn't be any hotter, I turn the ac on and lie beneath my fan, Still have more to sleep off but don't know if I can, I hate myself and don't understand, why I cant put down the bottle and just be a man, Am I really lesser than who I was before? I can't even tell you what I consider fun anymore, In fact I don't remember who I was before the liquor consumed, I used to wake up at 9 am not 2 in the afternoon, I hate that I have to write to get my feelings out, but when I try talking about it the words just wont come out, I hate to worry others about my addiction, I know people get tired of listenin' I'm sure they wish I'd just shut up and fix it, I wish that was all that it was, That I could just decide one day I've had enough, Addiction doesn't work that way, Whether it's a week or 30 years you'll be fighting every day, I'm not too proud to admit my mistakes, I just hope I don't make too many before it's too late, People only see when I mess up they don't see the days I try, They only see the beer you had not the three you denied, They see you loaded and laughing but not the tears that you've cried, The guilt and shame alone are enough to drive you to drink, I hear people say just quit but it's way harder than they think, If you were addicted you know what I mean, Life doesn't get easier just because you got clean, Its a new battle with every coming breath, But there's people who've won the fight every day til' their death, So I know quitting is possible, and with the right support possibly probable, I'm just saying don't judge an addict by one slip or misstep, The shame you cast on him might make him use til' he's dead, Just give them your love and support, Love them even when they're coming up short, I'm sorry I've put this burden on you my family, I hope that's someday soon I'll remember what it's like to be happy
By Billy Rose3 years ago in Poets
Fight Til’ I’m Dead
Sometimes I get a feel of nostalgia looking back to when I was young, I was free I had my health everything was fun, I didnt have a job that barely paid the bills, I didn't have all of these battles that I'm fighting uphill, I enjoyed it better when I didn't know how adulthood would feel, I didn't know I'd be fighting depression, crying in a pit instead of catching a blessing, I was dumb as a kid and I'll freely confess it, I still miss the friends that I messed with, Growing up really is a trap, that much is true, school cannot prepare you for all you will go through, I was unprepared when those I loved started dying, I couldn't stand to see my family crying, I'm an empath and I absorbed their pain deep inside, and I'll carry that burden for the rest of my life, I had never had to face death, and facing so much made me a wreck, I got distracted, numb, and depressed, People needed who I was, but nothing was left, The trauma changed me and who I was is gone, My heart and mind stayed behind while my body moved on, Now I'm just a shell of the man that I was, I'm not even sure how to experience love, I wish I could believe what they say when they tell me "It'll be okay" I fight through the pain every minute of the day, The pain stays strong it doesn't fade away, Then I take sip and it's like taking a hit, my heart rate drops my anxiety lifts, I know I'll pay for it with my life, but nothing else gets me through the night, Its a catch 22 I need it to escape my feelings but escaping the feelings is what will eventually kill me, I will fight this with every breath, I will beat it or fight til' I'm dead
By Billy Rose3 years ago in Poets
How To Cope
Terrible things happen in our lives, it is inevitable. It can seem daunting, overwhelming, and even make you feel suicidal. It's important to know the healthy ways to cope because the seemingly easiest ways to cope are the most dangerous. Trust me I have spent over a year trying to undo the damage. When I first got depressed I started saying screw it I'll just get drunk and party and then I wont have time to feel the pain. Before I even knew what was happening I was heavily addicted to alcohol and although I'm making some progress I remain an addict to this day. My advice is don't be arrogant, I thought before that addiction was an excuse people used to keep using. I am now more educated and I understand that addiction is a chemical change in the brain. I have beaten the addiction of nicotine, but now the addiction to alcohol consumes me. Addiction can take less obvious forms as well such as eating disorders or engaging in unnecessarily risky behavior. Like someone who may have been safe and careful and now they're hanging with people who use drugs or drink and drive regularly. I've seen so many people become collaterally damaged in this way. I am no stranger to the heaviness of pain. I lost my 23 month daughter to a violent car wreck and then 11 months later my father-in-law died of a massive heart attack. These deaths were hard to handle but just 6 years later my mother-in-law was also killed in a violent car crash. I am an extreme empath so naturally I also took on the weight of my wife's sadness. I wanted to be strong though. That's what men are right? We're supposed to be strong and never cry right? These are dangerous ways of thinking for men, and is thought to be one of the many reasons men commit suicide far more than women. Now I wish I had learned ways of coping earlier in life, butthe secret is there is no one right way to cope. I'm sorry to disappoint but there is no one particular formula that everyone can use to cope. Learning to cope is subjective, meaning that each person will cope differently. Therapy and counseling can be very good methods of coping if you are social and not really afraid to speak to others. I myself am an introvert with extreme social anxiety so just the thought of counseling and therapy terrifies me. Not all hope is lost for folks like us though, my suggestion would be to find something you love to do and focus on that. I love to fish, I love to write, and I love listening to music. So these are my coping mechanisms. Well they would be if I hadn't gotten trapped in my addiction. Never let yourself become addicted. Addiction is a deathtrap that leads only to prison or death. Believe me you dont want to have to explain to your kids that you're too depressed or hungover to play with them. Imagine being a kid and hearing that, you'd be crushed. This is why finding healthy ways to cope is imperative. Now it could be anything, theres not really any rules to coping. You could pick up more shifts if keeping busy helps. You could workout or beat a punching bag to release pent up frustration. You could go for a walk or hike through nature and just try to take in nature in all its beauty. It could be as simple as talking out how you feel with an old friend. What you absolutely do not want to do though is use substances, sexual promiscuity, or hanging with criminals to try to alleviate the pain. Sex and drugs both bring you a temporary dose of happiness but can leave you with much, much, more damage than you started with. My personal advice would be not to start any sexual or romantic relationships until you've learned your coping skills and how to use them effectively. I'm not trying to preach or speak down on folks my mission here is to hopefully give you some tools for a happier healthier life. I may not know you but here on earth we are all neighbors and I want you to have the best chance possible. I say these things so that you will not fall into the same destructive trap that me and many others have fallen into. If you haven't found your way to cope keep looking I love you and believe in you neighbor.
By Billy Rose3 years ago in Motivation
Grandpa
I didn't think your passing would affect me this much, I guess somehow I knew, I had a hunch, because last time I saw you I told you I loved you and I gave you a hug, maybe somehow I knew it'd be our last one, I remember when I was young, you had a love for your animals your cars and your guns, I remember you herding and feeding the cattle and working in the barn til' the suns down, I also remember you'd run off to the bar and drink until last round, I know some people will only remember your addiction, but people become addicted because they're hurting or something is missing, I didn't know you before you succumbed to your demons, But I know if you could talk right now you'd tell me to get out of my feelings, Stand up straight and be man that's what you'd say, if you saw the tears on my face today, Flannel shirts and cowboy boots, Whenever I see them I'll think of you, I'm glad the pain is over for you, until we meet again I will miss you, I hope you'll miss me too.
By Billy Rose3 years ago in Poets
Who Is Tom Macdonald?
Tom Macdonald is a fully independent artist whose main genre is rap. Tom Macdonald was born in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada in September, 1988. Tom has often stated that his first hip hop influence was a CD by Tupac Shakur called All Eyes On Me. Tom picked up the CD when his dad gave him some money to pick something out and he was hooked. Tom admits though that the biggest musical influence on him growing up was Eminem. A kid on the bus had stolen his brother's Eminem record and let Tom listen. Tom was surprised to see a blonde haired blue eyed white guy just like himself dominating the hip hop genre. Tom also had a love for Classic Rock but as he grew older he discovered he didn't have the voice for singing Rock songs but his poetic writing talents began to flourish. Tom's first career move was actually professional wrestling, but music was where his heart was. Tom by his own admission had a terrible mental break down after partying non-stop for over a year. His heavy alcohol and drug use over the course of about 18 months finally came to a head when he woke up one day and couldn't keep his balance. Frightened by this experience Tom descended into depression and anxiety and by his own admission thought often of suicide. The dark times were not to last though, thanks to the persistence and love of his now girlfriend Nova Pahloek better known as Nova Rockefeller. They finally met up and decided to make music together. At this point they were living in South Central Los Angeles and were so broke they often had to choose rent over utilities. They had to keep their food cold by running an extension cord from their fridge to an outlet in their neighbors garage. Tom's big break came when he decided to write a song that didn't fit the hip hop status quo. As a matter of fact his first widely successful single "Dear Rappers", which he wrote while smoking the last half of his last cigarette, actually calls out hip hop for its negative cultural influence. Tom had to borrow money from his parents and friends to get the song produced but in the end it paid off. Tom has been writing producing and recording hits ever since. Occasionally Tom's fully independent art even knocks mainstream artists out of their spots on iTunes charts. Tom Macdonald quickly gained a loyal fanbase by rapping about things America's new heavy politically correct culture doesn't want people to talk about. His most well known controversial single is "Fake Woke" which was actually featured in a segment on Fox News. It wouldn't be fair though to give Tom all the credit as Nova, an insanely talented videographer, directs shoots and edits all his music videos. Tom's loyal fanbase has been dubbed Hangover Gang and they are fiercely loyal. Not everyone likes Tom though, sometimes the truth about race and politics is a hard pill to swallow and a lot of people get offended instead of creating a conversation around the topics. Tom's writing and beat producing skills are becoming harder for the music industry to ignore and Tom has no intention of letting them forget he's there. In Spring of 2021 Tom won a beat produced by Eminem at auction for $100,000. Just weeks later Tom dropped the track "Dear Slim" which pays homage to his childhood idol and also points out all the parallels in their careers. Tom points out that they both got their start in controversy and both overcame addictions and had counter culture followings in addition to being the epitome of white men in America with their blue eyes and blonde hair. One of Tom's biggest achievements are his albums which are CD format only and up until recently were signed personally by Tom himself. Haters can say what they want but there is something to be said about someone who can sell thousands of copies of a record on a format that is considered obsolete. Tom doesn't just write controversial music though, some of his non controversial hits include "Castles" "I Can't Sleep" "I Wish" and "I Don't Drink". It's my admittedly biased opinion that Tom Macdonald is one of the most influential artists of our time. I hope after reading this you're encouraged to check out his music you can find his songs with music videos on YouTube or without the video on most major streaming platforms including iTunes and Spotify.
By Billy Rose3 years ago in Beat