It Is What It Is

By Doug “Uncola” Lynn via TheBurningPlatform.com

I was in a gathering of folks when a dispute escalated between a husband and wife over what has now become the title of this article.  During our discussion someone recited those words and the wife divulged how much she hated that statement.  After quietly listening to the exchange for a few moments, the husband spoke up and said:  “Well that must be more proof of how opposites attract, because I LOVE that phrase and I say it all the time!

Which may have been part of the reason why the wife disliked the expression, but I wasn’t about to go there.

Instead, I mentioned how that particular shibboleth of sorts was surely defined in the minds of the beholders.  On the one hand, its utterance could be an excuse – even a fatalistic expression derived from laziness or defeatism.  Or, like the purveyor of produce in Ayn Rand’s epic tome, “Atlas Shrugged” – when Dagny Taggart asked the grocery vendor why she didn’t move her product from out of the sun and into the shade and her reply was:  “Because it’s always been that way”.

Oh, the world sucks?  Of course it does.  Why bother.

It is what is.

On the other hand, this aphorism could be construed as serene acceptance in the face of circumstances beyond our control.   Obviously, that specific utilization requires a fair amount of humility and common sense.  Which is another way of saying discernment is required to understand the things we can change and the things we can’t.  Otherwise, we are forever naively tilting at windmills, wasting our energy and our time.  To be sure, trying to control unmanageable events and circumstances is a foolhardy endeavor and definitely demands a measure of nonsensical arrogance as we try.

This blogger once viewed “acceptance” as losing, or surrender, or waving the white flag. I’ve since learned it simply means being a realist.  An honest person sees a situation and knows what can be done and what can’t be done.  Realists do what they can while acknowledging the outcome is beyond their control.  Having the right scale of ourselves helps us to understand where we end and where the universe begins.

It’s been said “faith is the evidence of things unseen” and that “faith without works is dead”.  Indeed, our faith is defined by what we do and this explains why heroes try with all their might even when knowing they are ultimately doomed.

“Hey!  Let’s just do our best and keep our fingers crossed. Okay?”

It is what is.

The hours of our lives are divided by a digital matrix and daylight, between electric flashes of neon and blue light under moonbeams and starlight, annoying ads and rain, the Cloud and clouds; and by those in the blogosphere as opposed to our families, friends, and acquaintances here in the flesh.

Watching the news and the coverage of the Democratic candidates is even more nauseating than the primary debates, if that were possible; the frothy emotional appeals and virtue signaling as the clown show blatantly panders to dimwitted dunces.   The fools have disingenuously weaponized The Children in their open borders and gun control narratives and it is a national disgrace how they simultaneously advocate for lawlessness and diminished freedoms in the name of democracy.

It is what is.

Stepping outside into the lushly emerald summer: Mowing lawn in the afternoon, then heading over to an absent neighbor’s place to gather mail, water plants, and clean out his pond filters before sunset.  Amidst the hushed whispers of water roiling onto rock, it was quite fun peering into another’s little world, admiring their quirkiness and humor, even while furtively snapping a few photos for this article.

And every year, it seems, the men in their magic flying machines return from beyond the horizon.

The modus operandi of the dark powers is to prosecute their opponents for crimes they, the black hats themselves, have previously committed. It’s what they did with Russiagate, for example.  But now, the Borg is using the infamous pedophile Billionaire Jeffrey Epstein as a way to tarnish Trump – or, at least, as another circus-like reality TV distraction.

This latest rendition of the Epstein affair is somewhat reminiscent of when Robert Mueller was first appointed special prosecutor. People were speculating at that time: “Hey, this could be a good thing. It might even end up helping Trump when all is said and done.”

But, now, every time the Corporate Media mentions Epstein, they conflate the captain of the Lolita Express with POTUS. Even as the perverted pedophile is prosecuted by Trump’s arch enemies in the Southern District New York (SDNY) and, especially, with James Comey’s daughter on the team – history repeats.  Unsurprisingly, just after the Deep State’s All-Stars were scrubbed from Epstein’s Wikipedia page, Trump’s Labor Secretary Alex Acosta resigned amid pressure from Epstein’s sex trafficking case – while the ever untouchable Hillary Clinton danced the night away at an Earth, Wind & Fire concert.

Honestly, could the bullshit be any more in your face?

Fortunately, however, the nation’s Attorney General, Bob Barr, has recused himself from the Epstein prosecution.  Yes.  Another attorney general’s recusal.  Again.

It all seems so familiar, no?

It is what is.

Driving on the Fourth of July and seeing a lady standing on a highway overpass waving an American flag. Her arms were held up high over her head as she gripped the bottom of the flagpole; and the wind was rippling Old Glory perfectly. Speeding under the overpass, I honked my horn and waved.  She was defiant but with a smile on her face.  It was a moment to remember.

That same day my pond-possessing neighbor showed me a video of him burning his Nike footwear.  It was his act of protest as the Betsy Ross flag was assailed by corporate cowards and a football has-been.

But even on the day these words were typed, I drove by a children’s swim meet at a local aquatic center and noticed someone had staked an American flag on the facility’s tallest slide.  Why?  Wasn’t the Fourth of July more than a week ago?

It is what is.

Ancient aliens, man-caused global warming, election hacking, identity politics, Wall Street, et al, etcetera, etcetera, etcetera – ad nauseam.  Virtually everything we see, or read, is a lie of Orwellian proportions.  Today, we are plugged into the grid via routers, control boxes, and “smartphones” and just as schools now indoctrinate instead of educate, our devices tell us what to believe.  The wickedly warped global power elite desires a fractured America; if only because divided we fall. And what better way to tear asunder a nation’s identity and culture than by electronic programming? The manufactured stink rises to repeatedly illuminate our screens:

As the nation celebrated the national holiday that symbolizes all men being created equal, a small minority of mistreated Americans cranked up the Caucasian outrage machine to address an egregious injustice that threatened the happiness and well-being of people everywhere. But this time, the righteous indignation was not about Nikes, coffeemakers or even reality. This time, conservatives were concerned about a fictional fish-girl

Oh yes, the whites are at it again…

Source

Just as television subscription services like Netflix and Hulu terrorize minorities and frighten women over sadistic white privilege and Caucasian religious patriarchies with shows like “Get Out” and “The Handmaid’s Tale” – so do they now villainize evil Anglo-Saxon American patriotism; while promoting preposterously progressive views on immigration and feminism:

TRAILER:  “Into the Dark: Culture Shock”

It is what is.

Of course, in the real world, we all have our troubles.  Sick loved ones and lives interrupted. Brain tumors and blood clots. Complications.  Tracheotomies, induced comas, tears, and fears.  Learning to talk again and knowing things won’t be the same.  Will we be the same? How could we?

Another kid, another summer internship and the moving van. Awkwardly transporting furniture from here to there and up and down flights of stairs.  Humidity and sweat, tempers flare.  Cold pizza for breakfast and pretzels in the car. Hugs and goodbyes then texting from afar.

Spygate and FISA abuse and daily political eruptions.  Flooded grounds and earthquake shakes.  The earth groaning in labor like the pains of stillbirth before worldly irrelevance and oblivion.

Whether Trump wins another term or a convenient stock market crash installs a socialist president and secures a blue wave in 2020, the current administration will have served the bleeding of the nation’s brake lines before the Big Stop. And, undoubtedly, this blogger and those reading these words have defiantly distinct digital footprints.  So when the final votes are counted on the inevitable day, the new sheriffs will be in town.  They’re coming for us all and all we thought we ever had.

Like a flower, a nation was planted onto the fertile ground. It grew and blossomed under the midday sun but now wilts and dies. The seasons come and go. The sun rises and sets. We are born, we flourish and fade.  Everything turns.

It is what is.

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Author: Uncola

I am one who has found the road less traveled while remaining a whiskered, whispering witness to the world. I hope what you just considered was worth the price and time spent. www.TheTollOnline.com

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Aodh Macraynall
Aodh Macraynall

Stoicism, the philosophy of dying empires. Resignation, my catholic practice when faced with overwhelming fear. Acceptance, the first step of the recovering alcoholic. These are inner states to achieve and use at times, but life goes on. What do you do after you have achieved resignation? What do you do when you have learned acceptance? To be ever living with these as the world moves on is to be an abused child, ever remaining at the age of trauma. I am not interested in what I cannot change; I am interested in what I can. I am not interested in what I cannot get away with; I am interested in what I can. I am not interested in what I cannot do; I am interested in what I can.

Anonymous
Anonymous

Wow, isn’t mankind wonderful?
Doesn’t reality really suck sometimes or often more than just sometimes?

Why do you think I cling to God’s word and the blessed hope of Jesus glorious return so fervently?

It’s truly mindblowing how patient and gracious and loving He is to us in spite of our own shotcomings, our wickedness our sin, but one day that will end.

Our days of reckoning will come to all who have rejected His grace and mercy.

Forgive us our sin and come quickly Lord Jesus!

grace country pastor

Awesome comment! He has… that’s the beauty of God’s grace offered in this present day.

Colossians 2:13 KJB… “And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;

Each day He tarries is an opportunity to tell someone else all about it ?

Lars Emilsson
Lars Emilsson

“…being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh…”

There is no justification, moral or hygenic, for infant male genital mutilation, and linking it with “being dead in your sins” is itself a vile trespass.

Steve C
Steve C

Doug – A very nice, yet melancholy reflection on life.

I suppose that nations like people go through their own seasons of existence. Our own is now moving into its winter season. The fourth season, the fourth turning.

America has lived its good life, now fades, and will die as all things do. It is the way of things.

It made me go back and re-read a sentence from my own “The Changing of the Guard II” article,

As each season passes to another, the controlling oligarchs have now exhausted all of our wealth and resources leaving us bankrupt morally and financially and like a swarm of locusts that have devoured everything in their path is simply moving on to their next field of plenty.

Perhaps more of a, “and so it goes” rather than an, “It is what it is” kind of thing…

Mary Christine

It is what it is. I hate that phrase, too. And yet, I say it all the time. Acceptance is how you deal with things when you realize that you are not solving the problem at hand using current methods. It allows you to change your direction to overcome the problem. One way or the other. Does that make sense? Maybe I have spent too much time in the heat weeding the lavender. Speaking of which, back out to the field for me, before it gets too hot. I’m taking tomorrow off. Now I understand the commandment to take one day off. It makes more sense when you do manual labor.

Hardscrabble Farmer
Hardscrabble Farmer

It sure does.

One day per week -chores exempted because everyone has to eat and drink, even the animals- of rest to restore the mind and body.

I’m taking the kids out on the boat tomorrow to ski and fish and that’s not work.

Uncola

Acceptance is how you deal with things when you realize that you are not solving the problem at hand using current methods. It allows you to change your direction to overcome the problem.

Really liked that, MC. Thank you

Ghost

My lavendar almost died while I was away. I had to move it and start over. Too much bunny poo, I think.

I had hoped to return last Saturday and, of course, that was impossible. I have not made an Oklahoma City run for years, but remembered it as being a simple journey. I discovered the miles have gotten longer.

The city is greatly congested from what I remember. I filmed a great deal of the trip with my camera mounted on my dash, some. I am working on a big project, which is going swimmingly (if you consider swimming in turbulent waters as an option, that is).

The funniest thing in my entire military career happened when I tried to go onto the Air Force base where I worked my entire career (military then contractor then retired hillbilly land baroness). Since my dependant ID expired and I haven’t updated it, I showed the guy my Veterans Administration ID (chipped and gets me into Fort Leonardwood Army Base, where I shop in Missouri at time) and the old USAF ID and told him I had an appointment at Pass and ID to get my new card.

He assumed a defensive posture, asked me turn my engine off and remove the keys from the ignition and place them on the dash.

I wish I’d had my camera on, but I didn’t. It was one of the new “Rent-a-Cop” Security guards and so he was following the new anti-terrorist rules to the letter.

Mary? I actually CLOSED down Tinker AFB, OK MAIN Entry Gate for almost TEN MINUTES Monday at 11:45 a.m.

They had to send actual Air Force uniformed personnel to escort me in a freaking U-Turn around the newly blocked entry and exit (they brought out temporary land blocks to stop traffic. If it had not been so very hilarious, I would have been enraged. If I had been one of the half mile or MORE of cars backing up along 29th street outside the military base (either direction!) and up Air Depot for probably a MILE with everyone returning from lunch, I would have been enraged too.

But, I am the silly wife of a retired USAF guy who thought having an appointment on base to get my military ID updated (my husband made the appointment before I left, so the appropriate forms had been filed online.) And, they literally closed the front gate because I asked a “rent-a-cop” security guard where Pass and ID was located.

Thank God I’d left my gun at my friend’s house.

I just sent you an email, but saw that Doug had posted this at his blog… jumped to it then jumped here.

I am swamped with gardening duties, as are you. One day soon, perhaps, we shall meet. Harvest time? Or on the shores of Jordan.

By the way? The seepwater issue in the flatlands of Misery are rising. Really rising.

Has anyone ever really thought through where all that water involved in FRACKING goes? Do you know how much fracking is ongoing in the hills around here? NONE where I live, but that is only because I hired a Geologist to tell me what is under my home, before I built it.

I’m kind of anal like that.

While I was in Oklahoma, I visited the old “Superfund” Cleanup site from all that chemical dumping during and after World War II. Big Cheesy Grin.

New Housing Developments! And a School! Yippee! Who knew all that toxic waste was THAT easily removed?

I’m sure that FRACKING water is easily absorbed, as well.

The seepwater isn’t clean water, by the way. It is toxic from the river and other chemicals in the soils of the farmlands.

Every crop will be contaminated. Yummy.

ordo ab chao
ordo ab chao

You’re a sharp shooter, Uncola !

I was looking forward to a write up from you about the 7-6 get together, then I saw where you posted regrets for missing ….”it is what it is”……

annuit coeptis novus ordo seclorum- added to the dollar in ’35; BrettonWoodds signed in ’45; and the birth of the petro dollar in about ’70

What it is !

Hardscrabble Farmer
Hardscrabble Farmer

I dislike the phrase not because of it’s nihilistic appearance, but because of its occult sub-meaning- “I don’t want to discuss this”.

It’s a brush off, not an acceptance of how things are. It almost always comes from someone who doesn’t have the chops to reason their way through a rational discussion.

Great piece, I really admire the way you have developed your voice over the last year. One word follows another like the flow of a stream until you’ve found your way to the end and there is that succinct little callback that nails it, like a well written joke.

whiskey
whiskey

I’ve come to the realization of another saying and how they go hand in hand:
God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can,
and the wisdom to know the difference.
It is what it is is the acceptance of certain things that I cannot change. Even though this body is slowing down, the race being long and having been very hard, I now accept that I am doing everything I can but cannot do it all… it is what it is.
Always being open minded enough to hear a dissenting view point and knowing that I cannot change said view point… it is what it is.
I keep fighting, knowing that if I can get through to one person and make a difference, while the dark rages against the light, maybe that proves wisdom,maybe stubbornness… it is what it is.
I think that to say its “occult sub-meaning or a brush off” is doing a disservice to the saying. Then again, it is what it is…

aka.attrition
aka.attrition

@Whiskey

Agree with you and is how I also use this phrase. Well said. I get HSF’s point too though – I guess it all depends on how an individual chooses to use phrases like this.

Epic Cinema (EC)
Epic Cinema (EC)

Come on. Now you are telling me that sayings have feelings? How does the saying Shit Happens feel when it is misapplied? Are you drinking this early?

It is what it is does not mean you have been granted the serenity to accept the things you cannot change. It is typically said by another who doesn’t want to respond to a complaint. Suppose your neighbor’s dog shits on your beautifully manicured lawn and you have a turd and a yellow spot on your grass. You complain and the neighbor says, it is what it is. Do you think he is serene enough to accept that his dog is untrainable?

Uncola

@ HSF,

I hear ya. But, at the same time, there is truth to the phrase. It really IS what it is, ya know?

Thanks for your great perspectives. Very thought-provoking, as always

Lars Emilsson
Lars Emilsson

Agree. Though the expression is tautological, as a former military guy I always took it to mean that, for a maximally effective response to a given threat or problem, it is best to look at it clearly, objectively, and rationally – suspending emotion and bias for a time – before deciding what to do or not to do and then acting or refraining therefrom.

We need first to know exactly what whatever it is is.

James the Wanderer

I would go with this interpretation, as a rejoinder of TRUTH.
“It is what it is” can also mean –
NO, it’s not trivial misbehavior. YOU FAILED TO PROTECT CLASSIFIED INFORMATION, NOT TO MENTION OBTAINING CLASSIFIED INFORMATION YOU WERE NOT CLEARED FOR. IT IS A FELONY, THAT IS WHAT IT IS!
YOU WERE WORKING AGAINST AN ELECTED PRESIDENT, CONSPIRING WITH A FOREIGN NATION AS WELL, AND THAT IS TREASON. THAT IS WHAT IT IS!
YOU RAPED UNDERAGE KIDS; IT IS ABHORRENT VICTIMIZATION OF CHILDREN FOR IMMORAL SEXUAL GRATIFICATION, NOT A “PREFERENCE”. IT IS SEXUAL ABUSE OF CHILDREN, THAT IS WHAT IT IS!
What it is, indeed; it is a cancer of society and needs cauterization by rope, firing squad and electric chair. We will not be able to recover and restore faith in anything until it is done.

Epic Cinema (EC)
Epic Cinema (EC)

To which I can add, That’s neither here nor there, meaning, you aren’t making sense. It’s a refusal to see your side of the story, they’re doing just fine with their version of the situation.

Uncola

RE: “it is what it is…”

EC presumes the statement to be a universal rejoinder to honest inquiry and others assume any circumstance(s) to which the statement addresses is worth discussing.

It’s possible, for some, it’s meant more as a synonym to FUBAR – which could also be understood as: “It’s not meant for me to reason why, but rather for me to DO or DIE“.

Just typing out loud

ILuvCO2
ILuvCO2

I think the context matters. I never try to use it as an I don’t wanna talk about it meaning, but as acceptance for what I cannot change . Case in point last Friday morning smoking hams etc at your place, we were discussing the weather forecast of strong thunderstorms and torrential rain for the next day. I believe we both said it is what it is at about the same time. That’s the right context. Thanks Uncola for a thought provoking piece on the use of that phrase. Carry on, I’m headed down to the boat with my GSD to go do some fishing. If I catch fish or not, it is what it is.

Hardscrabble Farmer
Hardscrabble Farmer

I said that, huh? My fallback line on accepting the way things are has been the old Chinese Farmer line- “It is neither good, nor bad”- the absence of moral judgement where it comes to the normal course of unfolding events. So many folks in the days leading up to the event focused on a specific weather phenomenon, rain, as being negative. And when it came it was refreshing, the air cooled, people briefly clustered under the tent and the world continued in its alleged spin through the Universe.

My experience with that line- it is what it is- has been heavily slanted towards that even darker nihilistic retort of the young, “whatever”.

And so it goes.

None Ya Biz
None Ya Biz

And “Whatever” to me is just “It is whatever it is” shortened for effect. I use to let “Whatever” bother me, now I no longer do. I too look for context. “Whatever” can mean whatever you say as well. One should look for the intent of the speaker in my opinion.

subwo
subwo

The “whatever” of gen Y and later has seemed to me as the conversation ender of screw you or words to that meaning. Reading the article I reflected on phrases I have heard such as “you’ll have this” and “keep on keepin’ on.

ILuvCO2
ILuvCO2

And so it is. Well , that depends on what the definition of “is” is.

Coalclinker
Coalclinker

The Imperial Collapse has been well underway for the last 50 years. As we approach the End, we see more fractures in society mainly due to a deeply flawed monetary system where people can’t make a living due to the greed of powerful people who know how to game this system. Mr. Trump has put the brakes on these events for awhile, but when half the population openly supports communism and disdain our Constitution, there has been no change in direction. The only glue that has kept it together has been where at least half of the population is getting some sort of welfare from the Government. Eventually by 2035 every cent of taxes will be devoted to paying interest on the National Debt, and well before then the inflation rates will skyrocket due to printing press money. Hyperinflation will lead to a social explosion and no amount of Government power will be able to control the parts of the country who own most of the 400+ millions of firearms and trillions of rounds of ammunition. There will be a revolution or civil war. By the time America is celebrating the 100th anniversary of the end of World War II, don’t be surprised if our population is half of what is is right now. The half that won’t be there will include those who died during the conflict, those who died during the purges that followed their loss, and those who leave and never come back.

pyrrhus
pyrrhus

Half the population is no longer “us”–that’s the problem…

Coalclinker
Coalclinker

Consider who has the 400+ million guns with trillions of rounds of ammunition. It is “us”. Those who I consider “them” will try and probably succeed upon the election of a communist government many confiscatory gun control laws, and that will be one of the sparks that ignites the chaos bomb.

MathMan
MathMan

I’ve always said my Rubicon is gun registration.

By The Way
By The Way

That’s good math, man.

Kpow

While you were sleeping, circa 2013, the marxist, muslim, mulatto, sodomite armed alphabet organizations with enough ammo to shoot every American 50 times. So no, 400 million, (not the US population) do not have trillions of ammunition.

Dave
Dave

It is easier to change oneself than it is to change the world. If, however, you can change yourself you will change the world.

Iska Waran
Iska Waran

That’s good. Maybe i can help some of these broads lose weight.

old white guy
old white guy

There are many things to which the statement “it is what it is” applies. there are far more where, it is what we made it, apply.

Montefrio

Well said, sir!

grace country pastor

old white guy said the same to me a few weeks back. I get that! Sometimes however, it is what it is and there ain’t a dang thing we can do about it… ?

old white guy
old white guy

as I said, there are some things to which it does apply.

grace country pastor

I appreciated the way you turned the saying back around on me… ?

Have a nice Sunday, owg!

Not Sure

Nice post, it is good to step back from all the confusion out there and allow the heart rate to drop a little and breathe a little easier.

It is what it is

Acceptance

Just a word of caution, coming to terms with reality and resigning to the fates, or my view God’s will, has a place in our way of life, but it can also be a deadly thing, if one gives up on considering other possible solutions. It is what it is occurs when we come to realize we are in the box, but it is just at that moment when thinking outside the box may save your life. Many examples come to mind, but I’ll use the main character from the movie “Dunkirk” to show my point of how the soldier constantly did not succumb to cognitive dissonance, but relentlessly pursued making choices to place himself in the best position for survival; he didn’t win any medals, but that he survived was an accomplishment unto itself.

Another example is how being aware of the facts can cause one to rethink ones ones position, where if complacency ruled, new facts would never have been sought out. I mention this as I understand Barr has un recused (is that even a word?) Himself in the Epstein investigation. I’m not saying it will make a difference (it probably won’t), but at least there is a possibility the tables may be turned on the ones who are orchestrating this latest dog and pony show.

Anyway, thanks for your efforts in putting together another thought provoking article and I’ll start a new line:

See you next year in New Hampshire!

Uncola

NS says:

…relentlessly pursued making choices to place himself in the best position for survival…

An interesting notion that also reminds me of the 2010 film “Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps” where Gordon Gekko (Michael Douglas) ascends from relative impoverishment to realizing his billionaire status restored by shrewdly leveraging each trade sequentially into another, better, trade.

In that scenario then, it is what it is could be like: “Work with what we have, people. Bring me solutions, not problems.”

NDAlphaMale
Uncola

@ NDAlpha,

Good to know. But I went with the info I had at the time (which was hyperlinked into the piece). Perhaps my next article will be entitled, “We Shall See”.

It could be for the best. Or not. Either way, it is what it is. ?

aka.attrition
aka.attrition

@Uncola

Really enjoyed this. It says what I, and I guess many here, feel. Thanks for writing and sharing it.

I like the phrase “it is what it is” but only because I only use it in a stoic fashion, to accept what is, man-up and deal with it.

TC
TC

The elites have figured out that there’s no threat from pesky little movements, be they Occupy Wall Street, Yellow Vests or Tea Party Patriots. They hold all the power and control the narrative, so they just have to wait out the nuisance until the people get distracted, tired or bored.

James
James

“so they just have to wait out the nuisance until the people get distracted, tired or bored.”

Or,perhaps opposition becomes multi generational,folks not bored but have reached the “Fuck it” point,nothing to lose/everything to gain/4th generation and all that entails.

Coalclinker
Coalclinker

They may control the narrative, but they also know how many guns are out there and that they don’t control them.

KeyserSusie
KeyserSusie

In a former intimate relationship with a female, “whatever” was her trigger word. She hated it as it signaled I was not going to engage with her manipulations.

Great food for thought, as usual Doug.

lynnkje

“Watching the news and the coverage of the Democratic candidates is even more nauseating than the primary debates, if that were possible; the frothy emotional appeals and virtue signaling as the clown show blatantly panders to dimwitted dunces. The fools have disingenuously weaponized The Children in their open borders and gun control narratives and it is a national disgrace how they simultaneously advocate for lawlessness and diminished freedoms in the name of democracy.” BRILLIANT

Chubby Bubbles
Chubby Bubbles

The phrase can sound like a cop-out, but I think that’s just our poverty of language and poverty of imagination coming to the fore.

IIWII is akin to the Eastern notion of “suchness”, or “thusness”.
https://www.learnreligions.com/tathata-or-suchness-450014

If things could be different, they would be, but they aren’t so they won’t.

This saves a lot of time and grief fighting against the tide.

It’s pointless to expect people to be something other than they were born to be, just like it’s pointless to expect a cat to act like a dog.

People will resist this “philosophical” (in the attitudinal sense) notion because it does not support their Ego. It does not flatter their -false- sense of Human Agency.

Epic Cinema (EC)
Epic Cinema (EC)

Things could be different if you changed your point of view. But that point of view is implanted by the spin doctors and the mass media that can create a situation out of the blue. Our opinions are not our own and if they are, they will quickly be suppressed by peer pressure for conformity.

Uncola

Thanks Chubby B. I’ve never heard the term “tathata” before but did read Kerouac’s “Dharma Bums”. Perhaps “suchness” occurs between emptiness and motion and is, in fact, the sound of one hand clapping.

cz
cz

I agree, Chubby B. As I grow older it seems the words I use have lost their punch. I’m running out of words. Many times I intend the same old words to mean much more, but… In this case, as an inexperienced writer, it is truly a poverty of language.
In my former job as a prototype engineer helping to develop retail displays for shoe roll-outs and such, with constant, crushing deadlines and obvious budget limitations, desired materials and engineering complexities versus manufacturing and cost realities led to presentations of the protos often ending with utterances of the dreaded phrase. Acrylic, LED lit, and powder-coated metal pedestals were hoped for. Printed or vinyl wrapped corrugated/folded up boxes were what they got.

Steve C
Steve C

Been there. Done that.

”…They didn’t want it good, they wanted it Wednesday…” — Robert A. Heinlein

Chubby Bubbles
Chubby Bubbles

It’s not anybody’s fault about the poverty of language.. all words are lies. They are approximations at best and deceptions at worst.

I hear you about the displays.. I used to be a graphic designer, rolling out logos and pamphlets and trade-show booths for shit that I’d never personally want to buy. I did work for one client who had an “eco-“themed product long before that was common. It was fun to design an origami-style cardboard box (though the company did not last, a victim of its own do-gooder-ness). Got tired of people calling me wanting stuff from 7am to 7pm and everything having to be Fed-Exed.

Anonymous
Anonymous

Uncola,

Bravo! Fantastic observations and thoughts.

“It is what it is” is something i have found myself saying more often as I get older.

I think your ruminations on your observations of the couple and the use of the phrase to be poignant and perhaps relevant to the times we are living through. The more things change the more they remain the same. The attrition associated with Looking into the abyss, living a vigilant life and coming to an understanding and realization of our existential plight can be overwhelming and too much for some to STAY WOKE or carry your cross, whatever or however you might perceive the acts and choices we make.

Epic Cinema (EC)
Epic Cinema (EC)

I hope this does not signal a turn for TBP from shit is fucked up to it is what it is. Next up: so it goes.

Hollywood Rob

I have struggled with where to place this comment. It could be in support of HSF, as it is similar, but in the end I have decided to put it at the bottom, where it likely belongs.

My wife uses this phrase quite a bit, and I have taken to using this standard rejoinder. “It is what you chose to allow it to be.”

It is we who allow these things which Doug mentions to exist. We chose to do this because we chose to not take a stand against them. Those who oppose you chose to oppose you, and you can either chose to stand in opposition to them and their ideals, or you can just let it be. It is what it is. No, it is not.

Uncola

EC & HR,

Maybe, then, it’s not about the statement, but, rather, what we do next?

Like that time EC said…

Here’s the thing, Wipper. No matter how much you might hold against an ex-wife, in the end she is more important to you than anybody else because she takes with her your past, she is a witness to the most intimate parts of your life. It is a great loss. The same occurs here when a monkey leaves. Got that?

It is what it is. What now?

Again, just typing out loud.

Steve C
Steve C

EC was right.

For all of the fun that I make of it, when my ex left she left a hole in my heart that only she could fill.

It is what it is…

Chubby Bubbles
Chubby Bubbles

comment image

Uncola

I sure appreciate all of the great comments on this one. Thanks to all of the players.

Anonymous
Anonymous

Uncola,

(Anon from earlier was me, Plato)
Again, KUDOS! Amazing observations and thoughts!

Great comments that summarize my thoughts and feeling a about the phrase itself. Context and intent are huge.

It is what it is…

The more things change the more things remain the same.

It is what it is…

God,

“Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.”

It is what it is.

Plato

Lars Emilsson
Lars Emilsson

“Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.”

Perhaps there also things we have the ability and bravery to change, but for good reasons ought not to change.

splurge
splurge

As in “Just because you can doesn’t mean you should” ?

Epic Cinema (EC)
Epic Cinema (EC)
Robert Gore

“It is what it is” is a tautology, pure and simple, because “it” cannot be what it is not. That it has become a popular expression for a variety of sentiments doesn’t make it not a tautology. A good article despite the back and forth about this meaningless phrase and I’ll post it tomorrow night.

By the way, HSF and everyone who attended the party, I’m sorry I missed it. I had signed up and sent my check but I had to travel that day to a conference in Madison Wisconsin that began the next day. I’ll try to make it next year.

Steve C
Steve C

Robert – It’s good to hear from you. Nice to know that you’re still vertical.

I understand that you are busy with your new venture, but we miss your keen insights here.

Don’t be a stranger…

Chubby Bubbles
Chubby Bubbles

I read that a tautology is defined as a “needless repetition”. It’s not needless or, as Robert would have it, “meaningless”—if no one understands its essence or is able to take it to heart.

Chubby Bubbles
Chubby Bubbles

Oh, and btw, a certain work of fiction beloved by a subset of TBPers has an important character proclaim “I am that I am”. Clearly meaningless..

Uncola

Interesting, Chubby. Although I always took the statement “I am that I am” to mean something like:

“I exist because existence is me”

Which kinda sorta might tie into the Eastern conceptions of “suchness” and “thusness”?

Also, please refer to my reply to Robert below

Uncola

Thank you, Robert.

Semantically speaking, you are accurate of course.

However, in my humble opinion (and as Chubby B mentioned above), there is an interpretive understanding at play with the phrase that would be at variance from the tautological redundancy of… say…. “male boy”.

Perhaps it’s the Clintonian parsing of the word “is” that makes the difference, but, as delineated in my above article (as well as in the commentary of this thread) the phrase “is what it is” can be processed as either an excuse or acceptance; and in ways not applicable to other tautologies (such as “male boy” or “we’re all finished, so we’re done ).

In any event, as I commented to EC & HR in my comment above, maybe it’s whatever we do next (regardless of our interpretation of the phrase) is what matters.

As always, I appreciate your perspectives and you’re posting my stuff on your blog.

Hardscrabble Farmer
Hardscrabble Farmer

Robert, I was especially looking forward to meeting you, next year just come if you can, you already contributed far more than you could imagine and I feel I owe you more than a meal.

Hope your Madison event went well, great city with a weird population in the dead center of the Heartland.

22winmag - Yankee by birth - Southerner by choice
22winmag - Yankee by birth - Southerner by choice

Like I said, with 100 million unemployed, many of them are going to start to dig.

FOXHOLES

Blaine
Blaine

“The seasons come and go. The sun rises and sets. We are born, we flourish and fade. Everything turns.”
Mother nature, growing older and societal turnings are akin to tsunamis, demographics, and train derailments. These things are not for fighting but for working with , around and sometimes just getting out of the way.
I enjoyed this humble offering, thanks for writing it.

4th Turner

Another great article Doug —although this one is kinda depressing…

“it is what it is”

Tell ya what, how ’bout an entertaining 3 minute comedy break?

Uncola

@ 4th Turner,

An amazing “bit” (of truth) there by Carlin and methinks the word comedy should be in quotes as well when referencing those 3+ minutes.

Regarding my article above, you said:

…although this one is kinda depressing…

Believe it or not, when I started typing this one, my goals were two-fold: First, utilizing the 1976 film “Network” as a frame of reference and, secondly, weaving in Americas ills today by means of an exposition on the notion of implied consent.

Instead, however, my keyboard released the above more personal, and ecclesiastically cathartic, dissertation on the perspectives behind its title.

Now, as has happened here so many times before, the threads of the next piece have already been partially sewn together by the current commentary from this one.

I’m still heading down the path towards “implied consent” and may, or may not, retain an option on “Network”. In fact, I may, instead, weave in a story from the Bible’s book of “Acts” – if you could believe it; unless I can tie it all in together somehow.

Again, just typing out loud – digital notes to myself…

SeeBee
SeeBee

Somewhat akin to the written running commentary…a movie clip (circa 1981). This Fire has been burning for quite some time….If anyone wants to plan a meet-up somewhere in the tri-state area, before the S(really)HTF….I’m game.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=68JLWyPxt7g

Uncola

@ SeeBee,

I will tell you, I’ve never heard of that film until now. So I just did some research and realize it’s likely because I wasn’t quite legal yet when it was released.

Regardless, the monologue in that video-clip you posted above pretty much blew my hair back on this Sunday afternoon – and now, one way or another, I will see the film soon.

Thanks

SeeBee
SeeBee

I’m thrilled you found it moving. Thank you for the feed back.

Uncola

Yeah. I may actually include that clip in my next piece – of which I’ve just completed the outline and have written the opening paragraphs; as well as a few other fragments like this one:

It’s fascinating to know that, as a nation, we’ve known this type of fuckery has been occurring for decades and, yet, we’ve been powerless to prevent its progression.

Why?

Is it because we didn’t care? Because we thought someone else would step up in our place? Or because we were sleeping.

Not sure how it’s going to turn out, or when it will go to post. Sometimes I put them on the back burner to simmer a little longer. Not sure.

In any case, I had some down time this afternoon and we’ll see how the rest of the week goes.

In the meantime, I’m going to see if I can find that movie online as it might provide some more inspiration.

Thanks again.

4th Turner

Fantastic clip from none other than that pure dialog movie SeeBee! You’ve found a new red-pill / black-pill piece that I’ve already started sharing.

The above George Carlin -the big club 3 minute clip has been a fairly effective red-pill / black-pill clip that I’ve whipped out for folks under the guise of “entertaining comedy” that is just so on-target.

Carlin’s “truth-bombs” can be used as kind of a Rosetta Stone IMHO. What do the owners of this country want?

They want more for themselves and less for everybody else.

Explains why they’re becoming the “breakaway civilization” while we get stuck in the ever more Orwellian surveillance state. They want more freedom, power & mobility for themselves and less for us.

Doug here’s some digital notes for you in video-clip form. I really like your idea of something from the iconic & time tested movie from 43 years ago called Network. Here’s an original outtake that’s 5 minutes long:

My fave üTuber did a remix of above w/other elements:
https://youtu.be/w9byLPPGy5E

If the immediately above had too much conspiracy-kookiness to it, try this remix w/a Rasta/Ska beat:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IyU4cHCTaiQ

impermanence
impermanence

The human intellect is what it is, a extremely basic processor designed to aid in the performance of simple tasks, nothing more. Leave the analysis to others forms of life that appear to have it a bit more together.

Ghost

My father used to annoy me greatly by saying “Oh well, that is just TOO bad, isn’t it?”

That shortened to “Too Bad” when I was in my thirties and a bit wiser and, finally, to “Tsk, tsk” by the time I had a teenager of my own.

Now?

I discovered Galations 5:23.

Turns out I memorized 5:22 for the Sunday School remembering scripture prize. But, the one about Self-control is in the freaking NEXT verse.

I only discovered that a couple weeks ago when I bought a painting that had the verse(s) on it.

Learning Gentleness and Self-Control at the advanced age of 58 is not easy.

Galatians 5:23 New International Version (NIV)

23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

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