In 1967, the Alternative Rock Group, R.E.M. released on its album, Document, the song with the same name as the title above, and after the latest thing I read about one of the latest protests of a popular Breakfast Chain, it makes me wonder if it really is the beginning of the end of the world as we do know it.

In a recent blurb I read, there are a number of people who are protesting Cracker Barrel’s decision to add, and include to its menu, Vegan Sausage as one of its breakfast choices.

Now, I’ve tasted tofu before, and will admit it isn’t for me. I did not care for the taste of it and haven’t ever ordered it since. I also love Cracker Barrel’s Country Breakfasts and one of the choices I like to order is a bowl or cup of grits, depending on if I want the choice to be the main breakfast, or a side in my start of the day’s meal. Many make faces when I mention grits. That being said, I would not lead a protest, nor participate in one, where tofu was on a menu just because I didn’t like it, and hope those who don’t like grits, wouldn’t do so either. If there’s something on a menu we don’t like, we don’t have to order it. If somebody does like it, they have the right to order it if they wish. If there’s a color or style of clothing we don’t like, we don’t have to buy it, but if someone does like it, they have the right to buy it. It’s not Rocket Science. It’s not even something that needs discussion.

Growing up Catholic, and abstaining from meat on Fridays for most of my growing up years, my mom sometimes made Spaghetti and Tuna Fish as an occasional Friday meal. I often retell that story and many people cringe when they hear spaghetti and tuna fish. I was once in Butler, PA, and went into an Italian Restaurant, and lo and behold, on the menu was Spaghetti and Tuna Fish. I was in heaven, and of course ordered it, and it literally was just like mama made. The group of coaches with whom I was eating, cringed a little, but none of them led a walk-out because of something on the menu that didn’t sound good to them. And, I won’t elaborate on the faces and sounds made when I occasionally order a Liverwurst, Onion, and Mustard Sandwich (on Rye, of course) at the Cheers of Jamestown (The Pub) where everybody knows my name.

We have serious problems in this country, and if we’re worried about what’s on a menu at a restaurant, and not realizing that we don’t have to like it, or order it, then maybe it’s the start of the end of the world as we know it.

When we watch TV news these days, we quite often see a division within our country’s government, not just with regard to its political parties, but within those individual political parties themselves, as well. It seems we just can’t figure out how to work/play nicely together. Maybe that’s a sign of the beginning of the end of the world as we know it.

We have people judging people for how they look, what they believe, what their life’s preferences are, what their political affiliations are. We have people senselessly killing others, many of them children, for reasons we may never, ever fathom. We don’t seem to be able to get along nicely with or respect each other. Maybe it’s a sign that it’s the end of the world as we know it.

We live in a world where the laws and enforcement, or the imposing of consequences and/or punishments, are very inconsistent, and in many cases, are as lopsided as a feather and a brick sitting on opposite sides of the scales of justice, a symbol we’re asked to believe in and live by during our lives.

Many say they love America, but it’s evident that a significant number of those who profess that sentiment live their lives clearly like they can’t stand Americans. This regards to politics, respect, tolerance, acceptance, compassion, sympathy, etc.

I don’t think our forefathers had any of this in mind when they voted to break away from England and rule by one, and create this federal republic where people have the rights to, in effect, be themselves, and not be like everyone else.

As we look at all that’s happening in this country now, and how, we’ve traveled so far away from what was originally established by our forefathers, and what we seem to want to protest, and bandy, as much as is done today, we can’t keep looking for more things to argue about, which stretch and weaken the fibers of our nation, and lives.

If we continue the course on which we seem to be traveling, we may find ourselves, like it or not, standing in front of a mirror and with conviction, singing aloud the chorus of R.E.M.’s song title, “It’s the end of the world as we know it.”