By NANCY WEST, InDepthNH.org
That Whistleblower is getting a lot of attention. And, today, I muse joyfully
that I, too, can be a whistleblower. I like the sound of it; will find a
fashionable whistle to hang around my neck and simply blow it when I see
something that needs to be addressed. Come with me, Joyful Musers. Let’s
have some fun.
I will blow my whistle when I go today to Dollar Day at Wonderland Thrift Shop in Stratham. I’ll blow it in a good way at the chaos, the fun, the silliness, the lines. I’ll blow my whistle more like a DJ than an alerter most of the time, but when I spot something fabulous for a buck, well, be prepared to stop, look and listen.
I will blow my whistle when I see plastic water bottles being sold at any event. What happened to hoses, to water jugs and people re-filling their own water containers? Those bottles drive me nuts; we’ve got enough plastic. I’ll be blowing my whistle long and hard.
I will blow my whistle when I see the Christmas trees currently on display in Home Depot and Lowes. My whistle will be heard from the rafters to the lumber aisle. When did it become Merry Back to School and Feliz Halloween? We’ve not even made it to Thanksgiving yet. I may even have to make a placard for this one; my whistle may not be enough.
I will blow my whistle when someone says “No problemo” instead of “No problema.” If you are going to attempt to insert Spanish into your conversation, use it correctly. Problema. Problemo is akin to saying, “I could care less.” It’s “I could not care less.” If you could care less, well, obviously, you would. And no problema on the bonus correction.
I will blow my whistle when someone does not put a new roll of toilet paper in the bathroom when the old one has run out. Perhaps I’ll keep a whistle in there just for that purpose. Undoubtedly no one will hear but the simple act of alerting the universe may bring some relief.
I will blow my whistle when I hear someone remark about teachers, “But they get so much vacation and summers off.” I may need one of those stadium horns for this one. Talk with any teacher right now being mindful that it is “only” September. Undoubtedly you will meet a dedicated professional already working countless hours, performing heroic tasks in classrooms, dealing with the most vulnerable of citizens.
And most teachers are currently working second jobs, summers off simply mean alternative employment. Yes, a bullhorn might be more apropos for this one, that whistle might not be loud enough.
Finally, I will blow my whistle when I learn someone is not registered to vote. I will blow my whistle when someone remarks, “It really doesn’t make any difference.”
I will be Titanic’s Rose floating on the ice on this one, will blow as fiercely as if my life depended on it because, well, it does. Register to vote, please. And then do vote. In every and all elections.
Obviously I will make a grand whistleblower. I muse joyfully, you will, too.
Susan Dromey Heeter is a writer from Dover who recently let her hair go au natural white. Writing has been her passion since her English majoring days at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst. Dromey Heeter has lived in The Netherlands, Alaska and currently basks in all things New England, including the frigid winters. An avid swimmer, Dromey Heeter’s great passion is to bring back body surfing as most children have no idea how to ride waves without ridiculous boogie boards.
The opinions expressed are those of the writer. InDepthNH.org takes no position on politics, but welcomes diverse opinions.