The Vast Grand Canyon
The Grand Canyon. Etched and carved from rock by the Colorado River in Arizona, USA. One of those bucket-list destinations, to visit and absorb.
I had no idea just how huge it was, until I did a little research. Not something you can see from one vantage point and move on. The Eiffel Tower and the Sydney Opera House are much simpler propositions in comparison.
I am guessing that the best way to take in the true wonder and majesty of the landscape, is from the air. If I ever get there, that will be my modus operandi.
I have holidayed in America on a number of occasions and really enjoyed my time there. The energy, of both the people I have met and the cities I have visited, leave me with a desire to travel further.
But as yet, the Mighty Canyon, remains a dream
So, what has the Grand Canyon to do with American Politics?
As an alien, of the US. Not the World! Just the good ol’ Stars and Stripes. The political divide in America, is a topic of discussion and wonder, that pops up from time to time.
The Land of the Free
America, the United States.
A Union of States with a Constitution based on Rule of Law, yet fittingly balanced with Freedom.
How did the 2020 Presidential Election, and the fight to the end campaign, affect that Utopian Ideal?
Widening the Political Divide in America?
From the outside, looking in. The political divide within America, has always been a little perplexing. I cannot think of any other, First World Country, where it is so pronounced. Chasm-like. And seemingly, becoming more palpable, in the 21st Century.
To be fair, and honest, I will put my political cards on the table, for all to see. My ideals are very much, the middle of the road.
NO! Not because I can’t make up my mind.
But because, I believe there has to be a balance in all things.
Natures balancing act
Life, as all those with experience and wisdom should know; is a balancing act. An ecosystem is only viable, when all the components, are present and aligned.
So too with humanity. If we go too far left, or too far right, the social system, the society, fails. A far as I can tell, neither fascism nor communism works, out of the laboratory.
I don’t need to go into detail, there have been plenty of examples over the last hundred years or so.
Communism in particular, the most prevalent, has never, in my opinion, produced anything other than tyranny. A system where everyone is equal, but some are more equal than others.
From the Inside
As an outsider, I can’t really comment on the mood inside the US. All I can rely on is the Media. Which may, or may not, reflect the true sentiment of the people. But the press, did not appear to be very supportive of the previous President, Mr Trump.
What was most shocking to a non-resident, was the documented post-election support flowing in from the Republicans, for the now, ex-President. What happened to the will of the people, and the Rule of Law?
It reminded me of classic Arthurian tales, where the Lord of the Manor, raises the drawbridge to wait out, an unlawful siege.
From the Outside
I live and write in the land down-under. In fact, the little island below the mainland, of the land down under. Australia is an ally and friend of America, and our support for the United States will not change. No matter who resides in the White House.
We have no right to dictate, or even influence, the US political system, in any way. At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter which party or person holds the esteemed office of President. We deal through historic political and diplomatic channels that have been established, and working, for many years.
But it didn’t stop us being flabbergasted by the long, drawn-out conclusion to the 2020 Presidential Election. Even the College System itself, is a mystery to us.
World Peace
Regardless of the population, or size of the United States of America, what happens there, has an impact on the entire Globe. So I hope, whatever the outcome of future campaigns and elections, that they proceed lawfully and promptly, to a peaceful conclusion.
A Grand Adventure
One day, if life goes to plan, I will visit the Grand Canyon. And finally, marvel in its splendour and witness the size and awe of nature, at its finest.
When I get there, I just hope that a Canyon in Arizona, doesn't represent the political divide in a land of opportunity and possibility.
The New World
Let's all hope, that the two political camps in The Land of the Free, can somehow, work together, live together and form a true United States.
GOOD LUCK!
👍
Tim StiX Mar 2021
Tim StiX is a Software Engineer with over 20 years’ experience designing, developing and maintaining Web Technologies and is the Developer and Site Administrator of www.101world.net and bok.101world.net.
Tim StiX is The Scrivener on Vocal.
See timstix.com for more information.
About the Creator
Tim StiX
Tim StiX alias Tim Styx. Manic Master of The Internet of Things and The Sober Bard.
www.TimStiX.com
Rivers of Death
Rivers bring water the element essential to all life on Earth but wherever rivers flow they also bring death surprise attacks Savage kills and brutal fights every day is a battle for survival on these rivers of [Applause] death I'm under the African Sun Staying Alive is hot thirsty work and among the ranks of animals jostling to get a drink lurk Killers waiting to strike but while Lions may be fearsome and the huge Nile crocodiles ruthless Predators one of the continent's deadliest River Killers is mostly vegetarian renowned wallowers spending up to 16 hours a day lounging in the water hippos could be mistaken for relaxed creatures and yet the river horse as their name translates from ancient Greek can be a very angry pony indeed with tusks up to a foot and a half long hippos are literally armed to the teeth and a charging bull Hipp can impact with the weight force of a pickup truck what's more hippos May brutally defend their territory an Impala has been chased into a muddy Watering Hole by a lion it's stuck but for fortunately for the stricken analou the lion is reluctant to follow it into the Meer unfortunately it finds itself in the domain of a hippo ill disposed to uninvited guests the hippo's not stealing the watching Lion's meal she's most likely just aggressively defending her calf and the Impala pays the ultimate price for crossing a doting mother hippos are thought to kill more people each year than the rest of Africa's most dangerous animals combined and during mating season their ruthless aggression is directed at other hippos two bulls square up the pod's dominant male and a Challenger at stake the Riverbanks Prime mating territory and a Herm of females the dominant male puts on an aggressive display posturing to show he will not yield but the interloper Demands a fight finally the dominant male is Victorious the Conqueror celebrates with a dung shower marking the border of the territory he has successfully defended while the vanquished suffers more than just the agony of defeat his back is carved open and by Sunset the crocodiles are watching closely they'd be unlikely to take on a bull in rude Health but now they Circle an expectation the hippo breathes his last the price of insurrection is life his Hulk will not go to waste the crocodiles move in swiftly to Feast on the corpse for these voracious Predators it's a considerable meal but one dead hippo is a mere snack compared with the annual Feast provided by a particular African river each year the serengetti vast grass Plains filled to the Horizon with grazing animals taking part in one of Nature's greatest spectacles around 1 and2 million wilder beast join 700,000 other herbivores on the Great Migration around 1 in six of these migrants will die before completing the 500 M circuit many are outrun and taken down down by Africa's formidable array of Savannah carnivores their Journey coming to a Grizzly end but one of the deadliest single obstacles the vast herds must Traverse is the mara River after 3 months on the move the wilderbeast are exhausted and emaciated all that separates them from the Fresh pastures of the msai mara is the width of the river and a whole bunch of huge ravit Nile crocodiles despite the chilling threat posed by these powerful Predators some of the herd are either oblivious to the danger or so thirsty they dare to take a drink anyway for an unlucky few it will be their last and these witless victims merely wet the Croc's appetite the true Feast begins when the first of the herd Braves the river in the crush and Chaos of the crossing the 16t Crocs grabs scores of victims when 1,600 lb of musc futile the marus Crocs survive on meager rations for most of the year so take full advantage of the great migrations time of Plenty they Gorge themselves eating up to half their body weight in one sitting and with so many different species crossing the river the banquet is as varied as it is Bountiful but not all Africa's Crocs have such an easy meal ticket on the banks of this Kenyon River a Croc has got too close to a pack of feeding Lions a move it's about to regret it's a fierce attack but the Crocs skin is covered in bony armor plating eventually the Lion's Uninvited Guest Retreats having taught the Crocs and dinner manners the big cats return to the carcass the Amazon is a giant of a river and and conceal some monstrous Predators which kill with a crush and in a bloody frenzy draining a lowland Basin of close to 3 million square miles around 1/5 of the water that runs off the earth's surface is carried by the Amazon this giant of a river is renowned for its oversized residence both prey and Predator around 4 ft long and and weighing as much as an adult human capibara are the world's largest rodent they're
By cacloaidongvat4 days ago in The Swamp
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