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Short essays and thoughts on items of popular interest such as politics, economics, current events,sports, and just about anything else that catches our attention.
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Sunday, August 05, 2007
Obituary of the Mr. Common Sense (From John, our correspondent in Narrowsburg.) Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense, who has been with us for many years. No one knows for sure how old he was, since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape. He will be remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons as: 1. Knowing when to come in out of the rain 2. Why the early bird gets the worm 3. Life isn't always fair and 4. Maybe it was my fault. Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don't spend more than you can earn) and reliable strategies (adults, not children, are in charge). His health began to deteriorate rapidly when well-intentioned but overbearing regulations were set in place. Reports of a 6 -year-old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate; teenagers suspended from school for using mouthwash after lunch; and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student, only worsened his condition. Common Sense lost ground when parents attacked teachers for doing the job that they themselves had failed to do in disciplining their unruly children. It declined even further when schools were required to get parental consent to administer Calpol, sun lotion or a band-aid to a student; but could not inform parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion. Common Sense lost the will to live as the Ten Commandments became contraband; churches became businesses; and criminals received better treatment than their victims. Common Sense took a beating when you couldn't defend yourself from a burglar in your own home and the burglar could sue you for assault. Common Sense finally gave up the will to live, after a woman failed to realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot. She spilled a little in her lap, and was promptly awarded with a huge settlement. Common Sense was preceded in death by his parents, Truth and Trust; his wife, Discretion; his daughter, Responsibility; and his son, Reason. He is survived by his 3 step-brothers; I Know My Rights, Someone Else Is To Blame, and I'm A Victim. Not many attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone. If you still remember him, you may like to pass this on. If not, join the majority and do nothing. . Refdesk Thoughts of the Day: "To live is so startling ..." "To live is so startling it leaves little time for anything else." -Emily Dickinson ----- "I am convinced that the best service..." "I am convinced that the best service a retired general can perform is to turn in his tongue along with his suit, and to mothball his opinions." -Omar Bradley ----- "Don’t tell me that man doesn’t belong out there..." "Don’t tell me that man doesn’t belong out there. Man belongs wherever he wants to go - and he’ll do plenty well when he gets there." -Wernher Von Braun ----- "When the history of guilt is written..." "When the history of guilt is written, parents who refuse their children money will be right up there in the Top Ten." -Erma Brombeck ----- "In the United States, it is now possible for a person eighteen years of age..." "In the United States, it is now possible for a person eighteen years of age, female as well as male, to graduate from high school, college, or university without ever having cared for, or even held, a baby; without ever having comforted or assisted another human being who really needed help. . . . No society can long sustain itself unless its members have learned the sensitivities, motivations, and skills involved in assisting and caring for other human beings." -Urie Bronfenbrenner ----- The Refdesk Sites of the Day are: GasBuddy.com GasBuddy.com can help you find cheap gas prices in your city. It is comprised of 170 gas price information web sites that help consumers find low gasoline prices. All web sites are operated by GasBuddy. GasBuddy has the most comprehensive listings of gas prices anywhere by far. Related site: A Primer on Gasoline Prices. ----- Weight-control Information Network The Weight-control Information Network provides the general public, health professionals, the media, and Congress with up-to-date, science-based information on weight control, obesity, physical activity, and related nutritional issues. ----- Body Mass Index BMI stands for Body Mass Index. It is a number that shows body weight adjusted for height. BMI can be calculated with simple math using inches and pounds, or meters and kilograms. For adults aged 20 years or older, BMI falls into one of these categories: underweight, normal, overweight, or obese. ----- TVs Decision Guide Not sure where to start? A lot has changed in the past few years, and you have more choices than ever. This step-by-step guide by Consumer Reports contains the essential information you need to find the TV that best suits your preferences and your budget. ----- Encyclopedia Smithsonian Encyclopedia Smithsonian helps answer frequently asked questions about the Smithsonian Institution with links to resources on subjects from Art to Zoology. ----- Yahoo! Audio Search Find audio files from across the Web including music, podcasts, interviews and more. ----- BOOKS ON-LINE National Australasian Convention Debates -- * Science Fiction * Puppet Master -- John Dalmas * Science Fiction * Service of the Sword -- David Weber - Eric Flint - Jane M. Lindskold - John Ringo - Timothy Zahn - Victor Mitchell , |