Friends, thanks so much for the feedback about - and as always, for reading - this week's rant about the cancel culture coming for "Gone With the Wind."
Well, the cancel circle has expanded.
You likely are unaware of "Paw Patrol," a cartoon about a pack of precocious puppies who take on a slew of jobs from construction worker to fireman to handle emergencies.
Well, social media came calling last week, responding to the show's official Twitter account that called for "Black voices to be heard." As you might expect, an avalanche of hatred rolled on.
Some of the tweets: "Euthanize the police dog." "Defund the paw patrol." "All dogs go to heaven, except the class traitors in the Paw Patrol."
Were they jokes? Maybe. But the mounting backlash against police is undeniable and pointed in all directions.
Actors and producers of police-oriented TV shows from "Monk" to "Blue Bloods" are apologizing for portraying cops in a positive manner. Seriously.
Heck, LEGO has halted marketing on its block-built police stations and highway arrest sets.
And that's no laughing matter.
Can I just get a cup of Joe?
The social media morality mob has saved your trip to Starbucks. #AllHailTweeter
You can now swing by and get a Venti triple shot of caffeine with a clean conscience.
After actually and offensively abiding by their published corporate rules of company employees only wearing Starbucks-issued attire, the backlash against not allowing employees (whom they call partners, which is great in title but not as great in terms of paycheck) to wear their own Black Lives Matter attire has been swift.
And effective. As Starbucks feverishly worked to create a quarter-of-a-million BLM T-shirts, the leadership of the original craft coffee klatch-trap has quickly relented.
Here's a company-issued statement: "Black lives matter, and Starbucks is committed to doing our part in ending system racism. We respect all of our partners' opinions and beliefs, and encourage them to bring their whole selves to work while adhering to our dress code policy with a commitment to create a safe and welcoming Third Place environment for all."
Man, that's great news that Starbucks has ended racism.
Obit observation
We've all heard the adage "Finish what you started." Well, that came to mind when looking through the papers for this week's obit homage.
Last week, Earl Pickering died. He was 93.
And while he never questioned the timing of a task, he lived his life of fulfillment by fulfilling those tasks.
How about this path? Earl was a football star at the old Central High in Chattanooga but left after his junior year to fight in World War II. He returned after the war and got his high school diploma.
After enrolling at the University of Chattanooga and playing football for the legendary Scrappy Moore, he left school again during his junior year to serve his country as a fighter pilot in Korea.
(Side question: I wish I could ask Earl about NFL flag protests.)
Undaunted, Earl returned to UC in 1956, the same year he married his lifelong love, Patsy.
Feels like Earl's path delivers an opportune lesson amid all we're dealing with around us.
May we all have the courage and commitment to finish the things we start.
Contact Jay Greeson at jgreeson@timesfreepress.com.
Jay Greeson