12 GROUNDCOVER NEWS THINK ABOUT IT There is a good reason why it is said the first thing we learn to do as human beings is lie. There’s a certain convenience to it that we come to recognize well before we develop any sense of right and wrong. Sadly for the majority of us, we continue its practice when we do understand it to be wrong. Perhaps it is because through deception we often achieve the desired outcome, which can be easily viewed as rewarding for the act itself. So as we are growing/developing, it’s very likely that whatever repercussions a person experiences for being dishonest are probably a very light slap on the hand, if anything at all. Therefore, despite being told and knowing the act of lying is wrong, a person’s view of lying becomes increasingly trivial. Now, take into account, this assessment is being made in the developing years of childhood where they have yet to interact with society at large, which also says dishonesty is supposed to be a negative trait. Yet its actions can only underscore its hypocrisy and corruption which, like the individual’s experience, is often more rewarding than anything else. I’ve always rather enjoyed studying the subject of philosophy. Unfortunately that’s all it is, just various theories and viewpoints of the principles on which this world and society at large operate. It’s not science or mathematics that has definitive laws that can’t be protested or challenged no matter how arrogant a person is. However, the nature of relationships between people, so far as I’ve observed, has no such laws and involves countless gray areas, justifications and Groundcover Vendor Code While Groundcover is a non-profit, and paper vendors are self-employed contractors, we still have expectations of how vendors should conduct themselves while selling and representing the paper. The following is our Vendor Code of Conduct, which every vendor reads and signs before receiving a badge and papers. We request that if you discover a vendor violating any tenets of the Code, please contact us and provide as many details as possible. Our paper and our vendors should be positively impacting our County. • Groundcover will be distributed without saying our experiences and fortunes in life are going to shape our outlook of the world and the need to understand the why of it. Unfortunately, the whole notion of FEBRUARY 20, 2026 When people opt to take the easy road in an ugly society “vanity is king” JAMES MANNING Groundcover vendor No. 16 conditions. Humanity’s track record for conflicts, wars and atrocities committed shows a recurring trend for negative perceptions or, at least, outcomes. I find myself struggling to find any definitive explanation for such behavior, all while understanding this to be a fool’s errand to a certain point. Hence all the various theories and interpretations; one, for example, being the social phenomenon known as Monkey See, Monkey Do. Basically large groups and up to whole societies will adopt whatever behaviors, beliefs and so on that they observe in others, as if it’s a popular trend. This occurs so long as the behavior isn’t universally accepted to be wrong, as some social taboo. In that case I think it would be closer to the similar yet slightly different case called mass hysteria. However this is all just my own personal observations and I don’t claim to have a masters in human Psychology. Everybody is naturally gonna try their level best to make sense of our far-from-perfect world with its often disconcerting elements that conflict with our personal ideologies. It goes for a voluntary donation. I agree not to ask for more than the cover price or solicit donations by any other means. • When selling Groundcover, I will always have the current biweekly issue of Groundcover available for customer purchase. • I agree not to sell additional goods or products when selling the paper or to panhandle, including panhandling with only one paper or selling an issue more than 4 weeks old. • I will wear and display my badge when selling papers and refrain from wearing it or other Groundcover gear when engaged in other activities. • I will only purchase the paper from Groundcover Staff and will not making sense of the world or rather humanity at large is of course a deeply personal one. That obvious fact makes this particular topic rather difficult to explain because by its nature it will completely go over the heads of some people, while being relatable for others. However, it’s a viewpoint I have repeatedly attempted to share because my personal experiences unfortunately make acceptance of harsh, biased criticism absolutely not an option for me because I have the self-respect to refuse to give up on myself as well as life — regardless of how backwards it seems to function. As previously stated, I have my reasons for arriving at the conclusion that this world is plagued with corruption that never has or will sit right with me, and I refuse to take it lying down. In summary, my endeavors to find any sense of Peace and Contentment through understanding why people seek material gain and power and attempt to subjugate others is simply an exercise in futility. Humanity’s most basic instincts for self-preservation will ironically and inevitably destroy us. Those instincts show on the surface as arrogance masking fear, born of ignorance, making hatred commonplace. Despite the desire to believe our civilization is one of order that pursues a benevolent evolution, make no mistake our darkest fears and instincts for survival are fully exploited and used to keep us suspicious and ultimately threatened by one another. A sell to or buy papers from other Groundcover vendors, especially vendors who have been suspended or terminated. • I agree to treat all customers, staff, and other vendors respectfully. I will not “hard sell,” threaten, harass or pressure customers, staff, or other vendors verbally or physically. • I will not sell Groundcover under the influence of drugs or alcohol. • I understand that I am not a legal employee of Groundcover but a contracted worker responsible for my own well-being and income. • I understand that my badge is property of Groundcover and will not deface it. I will present my badge when purchasing the papers. • I agree to stay off private property when selling Groundcover. • I understand to refrain from selling on public buses, federal property or stores unless there is permission from the owner. • I agree to stay at least one block away from another vendor in downtown areas. I will also abide by the Vendor Corner Policy. • I understand that Groundcover strives to be a paper that covers topics of homelessness and poverty while providing sources of income for the homeless. I will try to help in this effort and spread the word. If you would like to report a violation of the Vendor Code or leave positive review of a Vendor experience please email contact@ groundcovernews.com or fill out the contact form on our website. distraction so genius and foolproof the majority of us are not even aware of it. And those who are are terrified of the consequences of any protest, especially if you have anything to lose. Those who want to resist often have nothing at all of power or influence and you would only achieve being labeled a terrorist. When you think about it, isn’t that a label for anyone who would challenge the status quo? I’ve arrived to the point I no longer care about consequences since I’ve been subjected to endless labels and stereotypes leaving the only “job” society at large would tolerate seeing me employed in is likely a human test subject for viral and chemical agents, a trafficking victim or perhaps just simply keeping privatized prisons a lucrative industry. I know this all must sound incredibly pessimistic and negative, but I have my reasons, found in an incredibly messed-up world. Also this isn’t some dramatic self-serving manipulation either; almost laughably, I hate the idea of getting sympathy precisely because I hate the judgments made of me and their implied characteristics. I do desire the opportunity, the right to earn a better life for myself so, OK, perhaps the whole point I’m getting at is a little self-serving, but hey, I’m human despite popular belief. But much more importantly I’d like to see us, the masses, stand up for ourselves rather than kill each other over grievances brought onto us by a bunch of elitist dicks. And perhaps the most crucial fact about this world I shouldn’t need to leave you with … we outnumber them literally billions to one.
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