It could be an Olympic sport: jumping head-first into the world news each morning, leaping from one disaster to another, fighting to maintain your focus. You have to prepare for it, train your mind and your body to anticipate the shocks to your system, and develop your best cool-down methods. And then you must accept the fact that your body will only be able to tolerate this punishment for a finite number of years before the inevitable collapse.

You want examples? No problem. These are just a few samples from yesterday’s (July 30, 2024) headlines:

Croatia: Six killed after gunman opens fire in care home, local media reports.

– Dreadful! Harmless, helpless old folks . . .

*. *. *

A third girl has died in the UK after one of the worst attacks on children in decades.

– Omigod! Children!

*. *. *

Children and teens among 12 dead in Golan Heights attack that Israel blames on Hezbollah, raising fears of major escalation.

– More innocent children! I feel sick.

*. *. *

Israeli attacks kill at least 19 Palestinians, including children, across Gaza.

– Stop! I can’t take any more!

*. *. *

Wait . . . this just in: Hamas Political Leader Ismail Haniyeh Killed in Iran.

– Didn’t I just say I couldn’t take any more? Weren’t you listening?!!

*. *. *

And I haven’t even touched on the day’s political updates from Russia, China, North Korea, Ukraine, Hungary, Belarus, or the U.S. presidential election.

So please excuse me while I take the rest of the day off. My mind just shut down.

Brendochka
7/31/24