In the word’s of War, why can’t we be friends? Now I’m sure that song has some deeper meaning that I have never cared to research because it came out well before I was born. For me though that is the song that is the soundtrack to all the conflict in my life.

When people are arguing it always seem to creep into my head and as I watch it plays like I am in some sort of a motion picture. I’ve always had a way of disconnecting from my surroundings and often picturing myself in a music video. I know, probably things to talk to my therapist about should I ever seek the guidance of one.

I am an overly empathetic person. Your win is my win, but your loss is also my loss. Your happiness is my happiness, but your sadness is also my sadness. I think maybe it is my way of putting up a guard. Instead of diving in deep, I watch things play out as a music video or scene from a movie.

There has been plenty of conflict lately that I have had that front row seat for and some of it I allowed myself to get emotionally invested in. I don’t want to dive too deep here, but recently a local student faced an activities ban and my honest opinion is that I didn’t feel the “crime” fit the punishment following examples of the past. I made a comment to a post sharing that view, but was very vague in my response so that I didn’t say anything I would later regret.

I have problems with later regrets and I am still replaying a driving incident in my head from months ago. I thought an Ag Services pickup was pulling over at an apartment building, but in reality they were pulling over to let a car pass. I shot the gap and cut them both off. Still feel horrible about it.

The facts of the matter are that it was an absolute no win situation brought forth by the actions of people in our own community. People seen something on social media and their instant reaction was to contact the school administration in regards to a situation that had nothing to do with the school. Bloodthirsty and looking for carnage these people targeted a student that I have had nothing but positive interactions with. A student that I have respect for regardless of any thoughts I may have in regards to his family. Not saying I have any issues in that regard either.

That is frustrating to me because I have lived that life. I have been at the center of the community gossip due to actions outside of my control. I did so in the past two years and can’t imagine doing so in high school. At the same time these people put our school officials in a very tough position. When they have bloodthirsty people busting down their doors then they no longer can take a common sense approach to the situation. They are bound to the nuclear reaction. I am frustrated by the situation and rather disappointed by members of our community, even though I do not know and will not try to know who they were. I just hope my children can get be judged on their own and not by my actions.

We have had heated discussions around every corner in the past couple months. I bring some on myself in my life, but others come from covering the news. Anyone remember that MTV show Celebrity Death Match? If we made a Central City version of that show poor Jan Placke might have to fight in multiple bouts. This month has brought excitement at City Council meetings and County Board meetings.

I don’t always agree with Jan, but I still don’t want to fight her. Mainly out of fear. This next month lets just all try to love one another, yes I will even love you Jan. As always, thank you for reading.