Over two weeks ago, I had a minor procedure done after which I received two prescriptions: one for clindamycin and the other for vicodin. The very same day, I went to a grocery chain pharmacy (I would disclose which one, but I prefer not to give away my location at the moment) because the prices were better than the usual pharmacy I go to, and handed over my prescription to get it filled. The pharmacist, through a thin crack between two plexiglass shields and a mask, asked me whether I was a new or returning customer, to which I replied I was new, and she looked at the prescriptions and just asked me for my phone number. At check out, in addition to some Good Rx coupon they tacked on, I paid a fraction of the cost for both the clindamycin and vicodin. Never once was I asked for my identification, never once was I questioned about any of my medication. Absolutely nothing. Prior to my trip to the pharmacy, I was ready to argue that I didn't need an ID since people of color and other non-white ethnicities are unable to get an ID, and since I identified as both, I was exempt from their requirements. Guess I did not need to use this excuse.

Fast forward to just a few days later, I had a small package of water filters for my refrigerator come in, but it was dropped off at a UPS Store because I previously forgot to remove a hold off my address. When I went to pick it up, of course I was asked for a picture ID. I briefly argued with the guy at the counter and who I think is the manager of the location because it seemed ridiculous that I would need to present a photo ID to pick up a package where just a few days ago I literally got a prescribed narcotic filled and picked up from a pharmacy without any required identification. I laughed and told them the shear stupidity and irony of the situation and I almost refused to pick my package up for that reason. Not to mention, the UPS store had no plexiglass at the counter and the people working inside were barely wearing their masks. They agreed, but never explained their policy and why it was stupid. I asked them what if a person just didn't have an ID to begin with. Their response - anyone can get an ID these days and it should be a requirement.

I don't think there's really a point to my experiences other than the fact that there is clearly no standard in place when it comes to who or what type of entity asks for identification. I am a "caucasian", "white", whatever either truly means, but I have been exploring the idea of pushing these boundaries to see how far I can take them. If one side of this political and, in my opinion, quite stupid thought process (or lack thereof) exists, to whom and where does it truly apply? All I can gather is that everything is convoluted. There is no rhyme or reason and everyone is just as confused about what's really going on and/or what's expected.

I have been pondering this for over a decade after watching videos from people visiting and explaining what they saw from within, defectors' interviews, and North Korean propaganda. While I do not have concrete information to prove my claims, I have been thinking about how over the last half century the rest of the world has done literally nothing to actually help liberate the people in North Korea from mass brainwashing and imprisonment. And I'm not talking about leaders of the free world going over there for peace talks or celebrities chatting with the dictator, etc. I mean physical help to get rid of an entire political party and actually put someone compassionate to run the country, bring life back into the barren soil, and create a viable economy. Instead, piss poor sanctions, some goofy trade deals, and charity that you know only goes to the reigning political party is all we hear about. No real help to overthrow a dictator so hell bent on control every aspect of every family's life.

What if this was a test run to see how much control a government can gain? What if North Korea is the very picture we have been staring at - all the human experimentation, work camps, people disappearing, generational murders, lack of a viable economy, spying and government listening into your daily life, constant brainwashing, etc.- is what we will be facing once the rest of the world gains full control of our daily lives? Slowly we have been seeing our freedoms chip away and most of us are okay with it because we have been conditioned not to notice these changes. All those slogans out there are to accept these changes as a "new normal"?

What if N. Korea has been deemed a successful run and we are on the verge of turning into a global N. Korea? Their eldest generation, who still may remember some semblance of what a normal world once was, is almost entirely gone if not already dead due to poor health conditions, malnutrition, and a short life expectancy. N. Korea went head on into this strong dictatorship, not holding back, murdering millions who tried to escape, whereas here in the rest of the world we have been slowly fed false information over the last few decades in hopes of gaining control through the use of disinformation so that we, ourselves, can do the dirty work. Since it wasn't happening the way they wanted to, bam! "Pandemic!"

What do you think?