EASTER PRELUDE

MY HOUSE IS SMALL. HERS IS LARGE AND WARM, WITH A SOFT BED. MY PERIMETERS WERE ESTABLISHED BY CHAIN LINK IN FIVE MINUTES. HER MEANDERINGS KNOW NO BOUNDS. I ONLY SPEND TIME IN MY HOUSE WHEN IT'S RAINING OR SNOWING OR I NEED TO SLEEP. SHE'S RARELY IN HER HOME TOO, BUT WHEN SHE IS, SHE CHOOSES NOT TO VENTURE OUTDOORS. WHENEVER SHE COMES HOME, I BARK AS SHE DISEMBARKS FROM A VEHICLE AND SCOOTS INDOORS. DAY IN, DAY OUT HER ROUTINE PREVAILS. ALONE, I BARK. LONELINESS ASSAILS ME. THE MEASURE OF MY MISTRESS' HUMANENESS IS IN THE FREQUENCIES OF MY CRIES. WHY HAS SHE FORSAKEN ME AND MY NEEDS AND THE SINGING BIRDS AND RA IN OUR SKY?

UNITED FOR RESPONSIBILITY

ALFRED LORD TENNYSON, THE BRITISH POET, "DIPT INTO THE FUTURE, FAR AS HUMAN EYE COULD SEE/ SAW THE VISION OF THE WORLD, AND ALL THE WONDERS THAT WOULD BE; / SAW THE HEAVENS FILL WITH COMMERCE, ARGOSIES OF MAGIC SAILS, /" SO I ASK MYSELF WHAT IN AMERICA'S FUTURE SHOULD PREVAIL?

I HAVE NO ILLUSIONS, DON'T BROOK DREAMS AND AM NOT ENTHRALLED BY UNREALISTIC BELIEFS, HOPES OR LOVES. AMERICA'S FIGHT AGAINST TERRORISM IS TERRIBLE AND ONGOING. AMERICA'S DECLINE INTO CULTURAL DECADENCE MUST BE SLOWED. NEVERTHELESS, I WISH THAT AMERICANS WOULD UNITE FOR SOMETHING THAT SUGGESTS ONE LAST STAND. UNITE FOR WHAT? STAND BEHIND WHAT? MY SUGGESTION WOULD BE PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY. AMERICANS EXERCISE THEIR FREE WILL LOUDLY AND OFTEN. A SMALL COMMUNITY TALKS ABOUT REALISTICALLY RAISING $50,000 IN A LOCAL FUNDRAISING EVENT. A STATE LIKE NORTH CAROLINA EASILY PROJECTS $400 MILLION A YEAR FROM THE LOTTERY. PEOPLE DO VOTE WITH THEIR POCKET BOOKS. WHEREAS PHILANTHROPHY BESPEAKS AN ELEMENT OF PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY, GAMBLING ON A LOSING PROPOSITION DOES NOT. BOTH EXAMPLES, HOWEVER, MAKE THE CASE FOR ELIMINATING MOST VARIETIES OF WELFARE.

AMERICANS HAVE PLENTY INCOME TO SPREAD AROUND. IF AMERICANS SAVED MORE AND SPENT LESS THEY COULD REJECT HELP FROM OTHERS. A UNITED FRONT FOR PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY WOULD REJECT GOVERNMENT'S SOCIAL AND WELFARE PROGRAMS FUNDED BY TAXES - THOSE EXCESSIVE CONTRIBUTIONS THAT MOST PEOPLE WOULD PREFER TO RETAIN THEMSELVES RATHER THAN HAVE THE GOVERNMENT GIVE THEM TO OTHERS. THE GOVERNMENT DEFINES THIS RE-DISTRIBUTION OF WEALTH AS 'INVESTMENTS' IN LIFE, LIBERTY AND THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS. A SOCIALIST WOULDN'T PROTEST, BUT AMERICANS SHOULD STAND UNITED IN PROTEST. BECAUSE THEIR PERSONAL INDULGENCES CLAIM A LARGE CHUNK OF EXPENDITURES, AMERICANS COULD CUT CORNERS OR TAKE SHORT-CUTS WHEN IT COMES TO SPENDING WHETHER ON CHARITIES, ON EXTRAVAGANCES OR ON SINS. SIMPLY PUT, AMERICANS NEED TO INJECT SAVINGS INTO THEIR RATIONALE OF LIVING, TO STAND UNITED FOR PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY. AS BENJAMIN FRANKLIN REMINDS US, "WASTE NOT, WANT NOT," IS GOOD ADVICE FOR INVESTING IN YOUR OWN FUTURE.

UP UP AND AWAY

ALFRED LORD TENNYSON, THE BRITISH POET, "DIPT INTO THE FUTURE, FAR AS HUMAN EYE COULD SEE/ SAW THE VISION OF THE WORLD, AND ALL THE WONDERS THAT WOULD BE; / SAW THE HEAVENS FILL WITH COMMERCE, ARGOSIES OF MAGIC SAILS, /" SO I ASK MYSELF WHAT IN AMERICA'S FUTURE SHOULD PREVAIL?

I HAVE NO ILLUSIONS, DON'T BROOK DREAMS AND AM NOT ENTHRALLED BY UNREALISTIC BELIEFS, HOPES OR LOVES. AMERICA'S FIGHT AGAINST TERRORISM IS TERRIBLE AND ONGOING. AMERICA'S DECLINE INTO CULTURAL DECADENCE MUST BE SLOWED. NEVERTHELESS, I WISH THAT AMERICANS WOULD UNITE FOR SOMETHING THAT REPRESENTS A LASTING STAND. UNITE FOR WHAT? MY SUGGESTION WOULD BE PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY. ACCOUNTABILITY IS WANTING IN MANY AMERICANS WHO WANT TO 'LIVE THE DREAM' TODAY BUT DENY THE NIGHTMARE THAT MAY HAUNT THEIR FUTURE IF THEY DON'T LIVE RESPONSIBLY AND SAVE. TAKE THE EXAMPLE OF THE 'SPOILED' GENERAL MOTORS' EMPLOYEES WHO EXPECTED THEIR BIG DADDY TO PROVIDE THEM WITH A LUXURIOUS SALARY AND BENEFIT PACKAGE FOREVER. HAVE THESE WORKERS ASSUMED THEIR PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY BY SAVING REGULARLY AND INVESTING FOR THEIR FUTURES? CONTRAST THEM WITH THE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS FROM MEXICO WHO EKE OUT A PLACE FOR THEMSELVES IN THE LAND OF OPPORTUNITY YET STILL MANAGE TO SEND BILLIONS OF HARD-EARNED DOLLARS BACK HOME TO FAMILIAS EACH YEAR. YES, THESE 'NECESSARY' LABORERS ARE ILLEGAL, BUT THOSE NOW UNEMPLOYED BY GM OR THOSE IN THE GENERAL POPULACE 'WILLING TO WORK', ARE FREE TO COMPETE FOR JOBS WITH THE SOUTHERN MIGRANTS ANYTIME. NOT ONLY DO THE ILLEGALS REMIT CASH TO THEIR MOTHER COUNTRY, BUT THEY ALSO PUMP BILLIONS OF DOLLARS INTO OUR AMERICAN ECONOMY. GM WORKERS RE-DISTRIBUTE THEIR WEALTH TOO, BUT MANY HAVE 'BLOWN' THEIR BUCKS AND NOW SHAMELESSLY COMPLAIN THAT THEY CANNOT MAINTAIN THEIR LIFESTYLES IF BANKRUPT GM LETS THEM GO. EXPENDITURES RISE TO MEET INCOME IS A LEGITIMATE OBSERVATION OF FLAWED, HUMAN BEHAVIOR.

CHINESE, INDIANS, EUROPEANS, EAST EUROPEANS, AFRICANS AND MULTI-ETHNIC ISLANDERS AND NOW MEXICANS, AS REFUGEES OR IMMIGRANT WAVES, HAVE REPEATEDLY PULLED THEMSELVES UP FROM POVERTY AFTER LANDING ON OUR NEW SHORES. QUITE OFTEN, THE NEW POVERTY WAS APPRECIATED BECAUSE IT WAS ABOVE THE LEVEL OF THE OLD POVERTY LEFT BEHIND. THEY WORKED, HABITUALLY SAVED AND OFTEN SENT SUPPORT MONIES HOME, NO MATTER WHAT PITTANCE THEY WERE PAID. THEY MOVED 'ON UP' - LIKE THE JEFFERSONS ON THE T.V. SHOW - IN THE SOCIAL STRATA. HOW DID THEY DO THAT? HOW DO THEY DO IT STILL? ASK THE 23 MILLION ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS HERE TODAY?

YES, THEY ARE ILLEGAL, BUT WE CAN'T THROW THEM AWAY. HOWEVER, IF THEY DRAIN THE POCKETBOOKS OF AMERICAN CITIZENS BY THEIR IRRESPONSIBLE USE OF THE HEALTH CARE, EDUCATIONAL OR WELFARE SYSTEM OR BY THEIR CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES, THEY ARE NO DIFFERENT FROM THEIR LEGAL AMERICAN COUNTERPARTS. WHAT A SHAME! LAZY, SPOILED AND SPENDTHRIFT AMERICANS SHOULD BE ASHAMED THAT THEY SET NO SHINING EXAMPLE TO THE ADMIRING, IMMIGRANT POPULATION. SHAME ON AMERICANS' CONSUMERISM, HEDONISM AND ABSENCE OF SAVINGS.

NO FREE RIDE

ALFRED LORD TENNYSON, THE BRITISH POET, "DIPT INTO THE FUTURE, FAR AS HUMAN EYE COULD SEE/ SAW THE VISION OF THE WORLD, AND ALL THE WONDERS THAT WOULD BE; / SAW THE HEAVENS FILL WITH COMMERCE, ARGOSIES OF MAGIC SAILS, /" SO I ASK MYSELF WHAT IN AMERICA'S FUTURE SHOULD PREVAIL?

I HAVE NO ILLUSIONS, DON'T BROOK DREAMS AND AM NOT ENTHRALLED BY UNREALISTIC BELIEFS, HOPES OR LOVES. AMERICA'S FIGHT AGAINST TERRORISM IS TERRIBLE AND ONGOING. AMERICA'S DECLINE INTO CULTURAL DECADENCE MUST BE SLOWED. NEVERTHELESS, I WISH THAT AMERICANS WOULD UNITE FOR SOMETHING THAT REPRESENTS A LASTING STAND. UNITE FOR WHAT? MY SUGGESTION WOULD BE PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY. ACCOUNTABILITY IS WANTING WHEN SOME AMERICANS SUBSIDIZE OTHER AMERICAN OMNIVORES WITH FOOD STAMPS. WE ALL KNOW THAT RECIPIENTS SIMPLY TRANSFER THEIR FREED-UP DOLLARS TO PURCHASES ELSEWHERE OR MAKE UNWISE AND UNECONOMICAL MENU SELECTONS WITH THEIR FREE CARDS. IN PAST YEARS, COMMODITIES DISTRIBUTED WERE OFTEN 'SOLD' AS UNDESIRABLE. SUCH A GOVERNMENT FUNDED PROGRAM PROMOTES THE INABILITY TO FUNCTION WITHOUT EXTERNAL ASSISTANCE. IRRESPONSIBILITY. I'LL CITE ANOTHER EXAMPLE, A TRANSPORTATION 'PROGRAM', 'PROJECT', 'UNIQUE PARTNERSHIP' OR 'SERVICE' AS IT WAS VARIOUSLY DESCRIBED BY A FEW INDIVIDUALS EMPLOYED BY IT. IT IS PRIMARILY FUNDED BY ODOT, JOBS AND FAMILY SERVICES AND MEDICAID DOLLARS. THOSE EVALUATED AND ELIGIBLE FOR IT ARE USUALLY 'ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED,' A POPULAR, EUPHEMISTIC TERM, WHICH IF TRANSLATED INTO BEHAVORIAL TERMS, REFERS TO ANYONE WHO CAN 'GAME THE SYSTEM' OF SUBSIDIES OR WHO CAN PROVE THAT MONEY IS TIGHT WHILE NOT REVEALING THAT IT HAS BEEN SQUANDERED. THIS PROGRAM PROVIDES RIDES NOT ONLY TO THE CITY FOR SHOPPING, BUT ALSO TO A LOCAL PUMPKIN SHOW. TALK CIRCULATED AMONG ITS DIRECTORS ABOUT INCLUDING RIDES TO OUT-OF-TOWN BASEBALL GAMES. IS THIS A GREAT COUNTRY OR WHAT? INDIVIDUALS EMPLOYED BY OR INVOLVED WITH THIS PUBLICALLY FUNDED ENTITY RAVE ABOUT 'ECONOMIC SELF-INTEREST' AND THEIR IMPACT UPON THE 'QUALITY OF LIFE ISSUE.' LORD, FORGIVE THEM, FOR THEY KNOW NOT WHAT THEY DO! THEY DO A DISSERVICE TO THE MEANING OF PUBLIC SERVICE BECAUSE PROPER SERVICE CAN ONLY BE RENDERED BY CITIZENS TO THEMSELVES. EVER SINCE PRESIDENT LYNDON JOHNSON ENVISIONED HIS "GREAT SOCIETY" THROUGH EXPANDED WELFARE PROGRAMS IN THE 1960'S, THE GREATNESS OF AMERICA HAS BEEN MEASURED BY THE VASTNESS OF ITS GRATUITIES (DOLES). THE NEED FOR INDIVIDUAL RESPONSIBILITY HAS BEEN REPLACED BY AN ACCEPTABLE PATTERN IN SOCIETY IN WHICH INDIVIDUALS SPEND EVERY CENT OF THEIR INCOMES - AND BEYOND - UNTIL THE GOAL OF BEING ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED HAS BEEN REACHED. AT THIS POINT, THE ROAD TO WELFARE NIRVANA BEGINS. I GRANT THAT MOST AMERICANS SPEND BEYOND THEIR WAYS AND MEANS, BUT AT SPENDING THE EARNINGS OF ONE'S NEIGHBOR, I DRAW THE LINE. RELYING ON ONE'S NEIGHBOR FOR SUPPORT IN PUBERTY, ADULTHOOD OR RETIREMENT IS BEYOND THE MORAL PALE.

AMERICANS DESERVE A BETTER APPRAISAL OF THEIR WORTH. VOTERS HAVE BEEN BETRAYED BY THEIR POLITICIANS WHO FAIL TO USE THEIR MANDATES TO FURTHER THE PUBLIC GOOD WHEN THE GOAL OF WELFARE DOES NOT EQUATE WITH THE GOOD OF PERSONAL ACCOUNTABILITY. OUR POLITICIANS AND LEADERS - BY WORD AND EXAMPLE - SHOULD ENCOURAGE ACROSS THE BOARD INDIVIDUAL ACCOUNTABILITY WHICH DISCOURAGES OVER-SPENDING AND IRRESPONSIBLE DEBT. THEY SHOULD ENCOURAGE SOME LEVEL OF SAVINGS NOW AND A HABIT OF SAVING INTO THE FUTURE. THEY SHOULD ENCOURAGE THE DISTRIBUTION OF FREE STUFF ONLY IF IT IS OFFERED BY PRIVATE CHARITY. THEY SHOULD ENCOURAGE HEALTHY SELF- INTEREST THAT PROMOTES A FOCUS ON DUTIES AS WELL AS THEIR COUNTERBALANCES, RIGHTS. IF ONE TAXPAYER DISCOURAGED ANOTHER TAXPAYER OR NON-TAXPAYER FROM TAKING A FREE RIDE AT THE EXPENSE OF A TAXPAYER, ONE TAXPAYER AND ONE RIDER AT A TIME, THIS INITIATIVE WOULD GO A LONG WAY TO RESTORING PRIDE TO THE TAXPAYER AND NON-TAXPAYER ALIKE BECAUSE EACH INDIVIDUAL WOULD TRANSPORT HIMSELF.

DOWN WITH DARE

ALFRED LORD TENNYSON, THE BRITISH POET, "DIPT INTO THE FUTURE, FAR AS HUMAN EYE COULD SEE/ SAW THE VISION OF THE WORLD, AND ALL THE WONDERS THAT WOULD BE; / SAW THE HEAVENS FILL WITH COMMERCE, ARGOSIES OF MAGIC SAILS, /" SO I ASK MYSELF WHAT IN AMERICA'S FUTURE SHOULD PREVAIL?

I HAVE NO ILLUSIONS, DON'T BROOK DREAMS AND AM NOT ENTHRALLED BY UNREALISTIC BELIEFS, HOPES OR LOVES. AMERICA'S FIGHT AGAINST TERRORISM IS TERRIBLE AND ONGOING. AMERICA'S DECLINE INTO CULTURAL DECADENCE MUST BE SLOWED. NEVERTHELESS, AMERICANS MUST UNITE FOR SOMETHING THAT CAN REPRESENT A LASTING STAND. UNITE FOR WHAT? MY SUGGESTION WOULD BE PARENTAL RESPONSIBILITY, ALSO UNDERSTOOD AS INTEGRITY. IF PARENTS PRACTICED RESPONSIBILITY, THERE WOULD BE NO NEED FOR THE USELESS, WASTEFUL, NATIONAL PROGRAM CALLED D.A.R.E. IF ADULTS CANNOT SAY NO TO DRUGS, ALCOHOL AND TOBACCO, HOW CAN THE CHILDREN BE EXPECTED TO DO THE SAME? A LOCAL D.A.R.E. PROGRAM RECEIVES $18,000 IN FEDERAL FUNDING FROM THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, STATE MONIES AND LOCAL CONTRIBUTIONS. POLICE OFFICERS 'PAL AROUND' WITH GRAMMAR SCHOOL PUPILS AT LUNCHTIME, SPONSER A PROGRAM TO STIMULATE INTOXICATION FOR PROSPECTIVE TEENAGE DRIVERS WITH THE GOAL OF DISCOURAGING DRINKING, AND CONDUCT SURPRISE RAIDS AT SCHOOLS WITH A DRUG-SNIFFING DOG. YET WE ALL KNOW HOW DRUG, ALCOHOL AND TOBACCO USE HAS FAILED TO DECREASE IN AN INVERSE PROPORTION TO THE AMOUNT OF MONEY SPENT ON THIS NONSENSE. YOUTH STILL KILL THEMSELVES ON THE HIGHWAYS, OVERDOSE ON ALCOHOL AND SELECT ILLEGAL DRUGS. ANY POLICE OFFICER, ASKED AT RANDOM WHERE THE SOURCE OF THE TROUBLE LIES OR QUIZZED WHO OUR YOUNG PEOPLE IMITATE, VOLUNTEERS THE ANSWER - THE PARENTS AND THE PEERS. DUH! DARN THAT D.A.R.E. "GOOD-HEARTED" CITIZENS DONATE BUNCHES OF MONEY TO PREVENTIVE PROGRAMS TO FEEL GOOD ABOUT CURTAILING AT RISK BEHAVIOUR IN OUR YOUTH. BUT AMERICANS ARE MISLED. MISLED. MISLED. D.A.R.E. IS JUST ANOTHER WELFARE PROJECT FUNDED BY THE MISLED. RESPONSIBILITY BEGINS WITH PROPERLY PRESENTED MORALS TO MATURING MINDS. I DARE PARENTS TO SAY: "I SMOKE, BUT YOU NEVER SHOULD. IF YOU DO YOU MUST ASSUME THE RISKS. I ENJOY A DRINK, BUT IF YOU ABUSE ALCOHOL, YOU MUST PAY THE CONSEQUENCES. I CHOOSE TO ENJOY ... (DRUG), BUT IF YOU DO AND COMMIT A CRIME YOU MUST NOT DENY THE CONSEQUENCES. YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO PURSUE YOUR HAPPINESS, BUT YOU HAVE THE DUTY TO PURSUE IT RESPONSIBLY."

I DARE PARENTS TO SET EXAMPLES THAT THEIR CHILDREN CAN FOLLOW.

RESPONSIBILITY

ALFRED LORD TENNYSON, THE BRITISH POET, "DIPT INTO THE FUTURE, FAR AS HUMAN EYE COULD SEE/ SAW THE VISION OF THE WORLD, AND ALL THE WONDERS THAT WOULD BE; / SAW THE HEAVENS FILL WITH COMMERCE, ARGOSIES OF MAGIC SAILS... /" SO WHAT, I ASK MYSELF, DOES THE FUTURE GREATNESS OF AMERICA ENTAIL?

I HAVE NO ILLUSIONS, DON'T BROOK DREAMS AND AM NOT ENTHRALLED BY UNREALISTIC BELIEFS, HOPES OR LOVES. AMERICA'S FIGHT AGAINST TERRORISM IS A TERRIBLE AND ONGOING. AMERICA'S DECLINE INTO CULTURAL DECADENCE MUST BE SLOWED. NEVERTHELESS, AMERICANS MUST UNITE FOR SOMETHING, IT SEEMS TO ME, THAT REPRESENT'S MORALITY'S LAST STAND. UNITE FOR WHAT? MY SUGGESTION WOULD BE PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY, ALSO UNDERSTOOD AS INTEGRITY. A MINISTER'S WIFE , WHO RECENTLY SHOT HER HUSBAND IN THE BACK, ADMITTED TO THE KILLING. BELIEVE IT OR NOT. SHE REJECTED A POSITION OF DENIAL. SHE ADMITTED THAT SHE EXERCISED HER FREE WILL BY THE KILLING AND THEN SHE DID HER DUTY BY ACKNOWLEDGING RESPONSIBILITY FOR HIS DEATH. THE MEDIA KEEPS REMINDING US THAT NO 'MOTIVE' HAS YET BEEN REVEALED. WHO CARES ABOUT HER 'MOTIVE'? I WOULD LIKE AMERICANS' PUBLIC APPROVAL OF THIS WOMAN ASSUMING RESPONSIBILITY FOR HER ACTION. I WOULD REJECT CALLS TO FIND EXCUSES OR RATIONALIZATIONS TO JUSTIFY HER DEED. A SIN IS NOT A MISTAKE. WHAT TRANSPIRES IN HER FUTURE FOR PUNISHMENT IS BETWEEN HER AND GOD. IF AMERICANS AS HUMAN BEINGS COULD SYNCHRONIZE THEIR CONVICTIONS OF WHAT IS RIGHT AND WRONG, AMERICA'S FUTURE WOULD NOT ONLY LOOK BRIGHTER, BUT IT ALSO WOULD BE SIMPLIER. SIMPLE AS ASSUMING RESPONSIBLILITY.

MECHANIZED MAN

WE THREE - IT WAS NICE OF THEM TO KEEP US TOGETHER THOUGH I DO NOT KNOW WHY OR WHEREIN OUR IMPORTANCE LAY - WERE LOADED ONTO THE FLATBED OF A TRAILER (HOOKED BEHIND A TRUCK) BY A BOBCAT. THAT'S A MECHANIZED MOVER WITH A BUCKET ON THE FRONT. THE MAN WHO DROVE A NOISY PICKUP TRUCK HAD A FELLOW TRAVELER, A BLACK DOG, WHO SAT ON THE PASSENGER'S SEAT. WE - SILENT - RODE ALONG COUNTRY ROADS UNTIL WE STOPPED AT A DRIVEWAY BESIDE A HOUSE. WAS IT HERE THAT A MODERN AMERICAN FAMILY WOULD NEWLY RESIDE? WHY WERE WE MOVED? AS OUR TRIP ENDED, A SECOND VEHICLE, WHICH HAD APPARENTLY FOLLOWED US, ARRIVED. A YOUNG MAN, A YOUNG GIRL AND I GUESSED, THE MOTHER ALIGHTED FROM ANOTHER GAS-GUZZLING MACHINE AND CARRIED A FAST FOOD LUNCH INTO THE HOUSE. THE FATHER ( OBVIOUS NOW) WAS ABANDONED TO HIS MANLY DUTIES. FIRST HE UNLOADED THE FAMILY DOG, HIS DOG PEN AND DOGHOUSE. THEY SIGNALED THAT THESE PEOPLE WOULD NOT MAINTAIN A LIFESTYLE OF IN-HOME LIVING FOR LONG ENOUGH PERIODS TO CARE FOR AN INDOOR PET. POOR POOCH, FOREVER, LIKE US, EXPOSED TO THE ELEMENTS (THOUGH POOCH HAD A BOX). BUT I STRAY. AFTER REVVING IT UP, THE BOBCAT WAS UNLOADED FROM THE TRUCKBED BY THE MAN. HE THEN TURNED THE MACHINE AROUND AND DROVE IT UP ONTO THE TRUCKBED, SHOVEL FIRST. WE THREE GOT SCOOPED UP - FAT, HEAVY STONES THAT WE ARE. OUR ONLY AIRBORNE EXPERIENCE THEN TRANSPIRED. WE WERE TRANSPORTED A FEW FEET TO A SPOT ON THE GROUND AND DUMPED. JUST DUMPED! THEN THE BOBCAT, HAVING DONE ITS ONLY JOB, WAS RE-LOADED ONTO THE TRUCKBED BY THE MAN. NEXT, THE MAN RETREATED INDOORS TO JOIN THE OTHERS. I PRESUME ALL FOUR, AROUND SOME CIVILIZED CONSTRUCTION OF A TABLE - OR NOT - THEN CONSUMED THEIR BAGGED UP, TAKE-OUT LUNCHES. WERE THEY THINKING THAT THEY WERE REWARDING THEMSELVES AFTER A HARD JOB WELL DONE? THE SMALLEST OF US, WHISPERING, ASKED ME, THE LARGEST ROCK, "WHY DIDN'T SOMEONE JUST CARRY US ONTO THE TRUCK AND UNLOAD US THE SAME WAY? WE'RE NOT HUMONGOUS, YOU KNOW. ARE WE CONSIDERED DANGEROUS OR ALIEN? THAT ELDERLY COUPLE DOWN THE LANE WOULD HAVE JUST PICKED US UP OR WHEELED US ALONG IN A WHEELBARROW TO THE SELECTED SPOT" "BEATS ME," I SAID, AND ASKED MEDIUM SIZED ROCK IF HE THOUGHT THOSE TWO OLD, ODD, UNMODERNIZED BIRDBRAINS DOWN THE LANE WOULD EVER HAVE WASTED THEIR HARD-EARNED MONEY ON FAST FOOD MEALS. BABY ROCK INTERJECTED THE ANSWER, "HELL NO.! AND A BACKHOE, HO! HO! HO! TO MOVE US FRO AND TO!" WE THREE JOINED IN LAUGHTER, CHIMING TOGETHER, "WHO ARE THE ROCKHEADS? WHO ARE THE ROCKHEADS?"

ELITE RULE

WINSTON CHURCHILL, PRIME MINISTER OF ENGLAND DURING WORLD WAR II WHEN THE BEASTS- HITLER AND STALIN- ROAMED EUROPE, SAID: "DICTATORS RIDE TO AND FRO UPON TIGERS WHICH THEY DARE NOT DISMOUNT. AND THE TIGERS ARE GETTING HUNGRY," HIS STATEMENT EXPRESSES MY THOUGHT ABOUT TODAY'S ELITE. DON'T I WISH THE ELITE WOULD BE THROWN FROM THEIR 'PAPER TIGERS' AND CUT DOWN TO SIZE. THEY ARE BULLIES. IN THE WALL STREET JOURNAL ( A NEWSPAPER WITH A HIGHLY SELECTIVE READERSHIP), AN ON-LINE OPINION POLL REVEALED THAT 78% OF APPROXIMATELY 5000 RESPONDENTS, SUPPORTED A SMOKING BAN IN RESTAURANTS AND BARS. SUCH A SENTIMENT SHOWS THAT THE DICTATORSHIP OF THE ELITE RIDES ON. I CANNOT CONDONE A 'BIG BROTHER KNOWS BEST' WORLD VIEW OUT-OF TOUCH WITH REALITY, FRAMED BY ATTITUDES OF SUPERIORITY, SOPHISTICATION AND ENLIGHTMENT AND FILLED WITH A PROGRESSIVE, NARRATIVE AND A SELF-SELECTIVE MORALITY. I, A NON-SMOKER, CONDEMN THE ELITE FOR THEIR OUTRIGHT HYPOCRISY. THEY CONTINUOUSLY CHAMPION THE RIGHT TO THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS AND TO FREE SPEECH AS GUARANTEED IN THE 1ST AMENDMENT. YET THEY CLAIM THE RIGHT TO DEFINE WHAT SUCH RIGHTS ARE. THEIR PURPORT IS A LEVEL PLAYING FIELD BUT ONLY WHEN ITS ENDS SUIT THEIR GOALS. THEY DICTATE WHAT RIGHTS ARE GUARANTEED TO THEIR INFERIORS. MAY I REMIND MY BETTERS THAT THERE ARE MANY MORE HUNGRY COMMONERS ROAMING THE LANDSCAPE THAN HIGH AND MIGHTY ELITE

KILL THEM OR CREATE THEM

IT'S A FETUS IF IT IS TO BE ABORTED. IT'S AN EMBRYO OF A BABY IF IT IS TO BE IMPLANTED IN-VITRO. MILLIONS OF ABORTIONS A YEAR RID WOMEN OF UNWANTED FETUSES - OR CHILDREN- DEPENDING UPON THE CHOICE OF SEMANTICS. 120,000 IN-VITRO FERTILIZATIONS FROM EGGS WERE PERFORMED BY THE CHOICES OF WOMEN 'DESPERATE TO HAVE CHILDREN. THE WORLD HAS BEEN MADE "SAFE FOR HYPOCRISY" TO QUOTE THE AMERICAN WRITER THOMAS WOLFE. IT IS IRONIC THAT THE GREEK ETYMOLOGY OF THE WORD HYPOCRISY MEANS ACTING A PART, FEIGNING, BECAUSE WOMEN FACILITATE BOTH OF THESE PROCEDURES BY PRETENDING TO BE FOR FREE CHOICE WHEN THEY ACTUALLY CHOOSE TO PLAY GOD. THEIR RIGHT TO CHOOSE JUSTIFIES THESE UNNATURAL PRACTICES; NO NOTICE IS GIVEN TO AN ANCILLARY DUTY TO HONOR THE NATURAL LAW. ENLIGHTMENT, INDUSTRIALIZATION AND SCIENCE APPARENTLY JUSTIFY THESE MODERN ADVANCEMENTS, BUT NO ENLIGHTMENT, INDUSTRIALIZATION OR SCIENCE CAN PRODUCE HAPPINESS BASED UPON THESE HYPOCRITICAL PREMISES. THE WOMEN WHO CHOOSE THESE UNNATURAL PROCEDURES ABROGATE THE IMPRINTED REPRODUCTIVE LAW OF THEIR NATURES, WHICH ARE, AFTER ALL, NATURES IN THE HANDS OF NATURE'S GOD. THEIR CHOICES, HOWEVER, USURP THE ROLE OF GOD.

TIME IS RUNNING OUT

"TIME IS RUNNING OUT," A LOCAL PUBLIC SCHOOL OFFICIAL AGAIN DRONED. ANOTHER LEVY IS NEEDED TO SAVE THE SYSTEM.BECAUSE OF OUR TOUGH ECONOMIC TIMES. OH PLEASE! IF SERVICES PROVIDED TO ONE PARTY (STUDENTS) ARE PAID FOR BY ANOTHER PARTY (TAXPAYERS) AND GIVEN TO A THIRD PARTY (SCHOOLS WHO MUST STAY IN BUSINESS FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE STUDENTS), THERE IS NO INCENTIVE FOR THE SCHOOLS TO REDUCE COSTS OR UPGRADE THE QUALITY OF THE PRODUCT IN THE MARKETPLACE. SUCH IS THE CASE WITH PUBLIC EDUCATION, A SYSTEM THAT IS BANKRUPT AND DESERVING OF PERMANENT REPLACEMENT BY ENTREPRENUREAL INNOVATION.

DO SOMETHING; DO ANYTHING I SAY. REPORTS OF CONSENSUAL SEX BETWEEN TEACHERS AND STUDENTS AND THEIR SUBSEQUENT LEGAL DIFFICULTIES, POCKMARK OUR CULTURE. OH PLEASE! SUCH 'AMORAL' BEHAVIOR HAS BEEN SPONSORED BY THE ATMOSPHERE AND THE PROGRAMS IN THESE INSTITUTIONS OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION FOR YEARS.

YESTERDAY WAS A SNOW DAY; WE HAD NO SNOW. TODAY WAS A 2 HR. DELAY DAY; WE HAD NO ICE. YESTERDAY AND TODAY I STIFLED MY SCREAM - "WIMPS!" YESTERDAY, TODAY AND TOMORROW, I REJECT THE PERPETUAL PROLIXITY OF EDUCATORS ON BUDGETARY SHORTFALLS. OH PLEASE!

SAVE OUR CHILDREN

GOOD THING IT WAS FREE AND A MISTAKE - THAT ERRANT COPY OF THE NEW YORK TIMES THAT ARRIVED ON MY LAWN. IT WAS PITCHED WITH GOOD FAITH (BUT WAS NOT MY REGULAR SUBSCRIPTION). ITS SLANTED AND MISREPRESENTED REPORTING WAS EQUALLED, IF NOT SURPASSED, BY ITS MISGUIDED AND OUTRAGEOUS FEATURE ARTICLE RUN MONDAY, MARCH 20TH, CALLED, "MODERN LOVE."

8 JUVENILE PRISONS IN OHIO HOUSE OFFENDERS (SOME SEXUAL) UNTIL THE AGE OF 18. PARENTS OF THESE YOUTHFUL CRIMINALS APPARENTLY HAVE HAD NO CLUE HOW TO BRING UP THEIR CHILDREN. DITTO FOR THE PARENTS OF THE NEW YORK WOMAN WHO WROTE ABOUT HER "MODERN LOVE." WHO HAS RAISED THE LARGE NUMBERS OF 'LOSERS' TODAY?

IF LIBERAL DEMOCRATS SEEK "SOMETHING TO STAND FOR" I SUGGEST THEY CAMPAIGN ON A PLATFORM "TO SAVE OUR CHILDREN." BY SAVING THEM, THERE COULD BE FEWER 'LOSER' ADULTS. LIBERAL DEMOCRATS COULD FOSTER PROPER PRINCIPLES AND PROPER CHOICES. WITH THEIR INNATE BELIEF IN GOVERNMENT REGULATION TO RESCUE OUR COUNTRY, THEY COULD LEGISLATE CRADLE TO GRAVE MORAL CONTROL OF CHILDREN. PROSPECTIVE PARENTS AND PARENTS - SINGLE, DOUBLE OR GAY- COULD FACE MANDATED COUNSELING. THE GOAL WOULD BE TO EMPTY JAILS AND FREE UP TAXPAYERS' MONIES FOR THIS RE-EDUCATION SYSTEM IN WHICH THE LITTLE PUPILS WILL BE TAUGHT TO - AS ARISTOTLE SAID - "LIKE AND DISLIKE WHAT THEY OUGHT." LIBERAL DEMOCRATS COULD EMPLOY THE TEN COMMANDMENTS WITH OR WITHOUT: GOD, THE TRADITIONAL FAMILY, THE DEATH PENALTY, ABORTION, SOCIALISM, EQUAL RIGHTS, POLITICAL CORRECTNESS OR SIN. THE HYPOCRISY INHERENT IN THEIR PROGRESSIVE (LIBERAL DEMOCRAT) THINKING COULD REMAIN INTACT. COULD THEIR PLATFORM FOR SWEEPING, MORAL CHANGE APPEAL TO MAINSTREAM AMERICANS

A SPRING SONG

I SPIED A VIVID RED CARDINAL A-SINGING
ATOP BUDDING, BURNISHED MAPLE LIMBS.
HIS BUOYANT, FLASHY SONG - PROFUSE,
LOUDER THAN THE SPRING BREEZE.
COMPLEMENTARY, TO THE CLEAR BLUE SKY.
GIFTED - HE CANNOT LIE, HE'S NOT MAD,
HE CALLS OUT THE TRUTH OF HIS MALENESS,
UNAWARE OF THE SORROWFUL ICE-STORM
A-COMING TOMORROW.

2 for the road

I AM SADDENED TO REPORT THAT I WISH TWO OF AMERICA'S NATIONALLY KNOWN CITIZENS WOULD 'HIT THE ROAD' OUT OF THIS COUNTRY. EMBARRASSMENT IS TOO ACCOMODATING A WORD, OUTRAGE A MORE ACCURATE ONE, BUT WONDER MOST APPROPRIATELY DEFINES MY TAKE ON THEM.

HOW CAN I EXPLAIN RAMSEY CLARK HAVING - IN THE PAST - ACHIEVED THE HIGH OFFICE OF U.S. ATTORNEY GENERAL WHEN HE IS (AND HAS BEEN) A SUPPORTER OF SERBIA'S PAST PRESIDENT, SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC, AND A MEMBER OF SADDAM HUSSEIN'S DEFENSE TEAM? HOW? HOW CAN HE STATE THAT "HISTORY WILL PROVE THAT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC WAS RIGHT"? WHAT DOES HE MEAN BY THIS? THIS SENTIMENT IS AS ANTI-AMERICAN AS ONE CAN GET, IS ALIEN TO MR. CLARK'S OWN ANTI-WAR STANCE REGARDING IRAQ AND IS AS MISGUIDED (AND AS A RESULT MURDEROUS) AS MILOSEVIC AND SADDAM THEMSELVES? HOW CAN HE TRIUMPH DICTATORSHIPS?

HOW CAN I UNDERSTAND OHIO REPRESENTATIVE, DENNIS KUCINICH, MAKING A STATEMENT THAT "AFTER THREE YEARS OF ARROGANCE AND INCOMPETENCE, CONTEMPT AND LIES, DEATH AND DESTRUCTION, CONGRESS SHOULD SAY ENOUGH IS ENOUGH AND PROVIDE NOT ONE MORE DIME FOR THIS ADMINISTRATION'S ILL-CONCEIVED, ILL-ADVISED, MISGUIDED AND FAILED IRAQ POLICY... AND WORK TO BRING ALL OUR TROOPS HOME." HOW CAN SUCH AN ATTITUDE OF BETRAYAL OF OUR SOLDIERS, A CONGRESS WHO SUPPORTED THE WAR AND OF A LIBERATED COUNTRY'S CITIZENS FIND ITS WAY INTO A CHRISTIAN'S BRAIN? ONE CLUES SUGGESTS ITSELF TO ME - HIS MISGUIDED VEGETARIANISM. JESUS WAS CRUCIFIED ON THE DELUSION OF THE JEWS THAT HE WAS AN INSURRECTIONIST, BUT BELIEVERS DISCERNED HIS TRUTH. MR. KUCINICH'S BLIND HATRED FOR BUSH AND AMERICA OBVIATES ANY ATTEMPT ON HIS PART TO DISCERN REALITIES.

HOW CAN I ACCEPT SUCH VITRIOLIC, REVOLUTIONARY RHETORIC? I DON'T. HOW CAN I EXPLAIN IT? I CAN. ONLY PROGRESSIVE ( LIBERAL) DEMOCRATS SPEAK THIS GARBAGE. ONLY THEY, IN THEIR SELF-RIGHTEOUS NEGATIVITY, ATTEMPT TO SPREAD THEIR MISERABLE MUSINGS ABROAD THIS LAND. NO THANKS. I SAY TO THESE TWO, "TAKE THE ROAD OUT OF AMERICA AND OUT OF YOUR MISERY." THE PHILOSOPHER, FRIEDRICH NIETZSCHE'S OPINION APPLIES HERE TOO: "NO ONE IS SUCH A LIAR AS THE INDIGNANT MAN."

3 CONTRADICTIONS

THREE CASES FIT PRECISELY INTO THE CONTRADICTORY PUZZLE OF OUR TIMES. AT ISSUE IN THE GOOGLE CASE IS THE RIGHT OF THE U.S. TO PROTECT CHILDREN FROM PORNOGRAPHY ON THE INTERNET, WHILE SAFEGUARDING THE RIGHT TO PRIVACY. ON THE FLIP SIDE OF THIS ISSUE OF PROTECTION, HOWEVER, IS THE TOTAL LACK OF PROTECTION PARENTS AND CHILDREN HAVE FROM PUBLIC SCHOOLS, THE MEDIA, MTV AND THE GENERAL CULTURE WHICH DAILY AND UNABASHEDLY PROMOTE PORNOGRAPHY AND PROMISCUITY.

NEXT IS THE CASE OF FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT, REGARDED AS AN ARCHITECTURAL GENIUS OF STONE AND NATURE. DISREGARDING THE SHODDINESS OF HIS 'BRILLIANT' CREATIONS, MR. WRIGHT IRONICALLY, WOULD NEVER HAVE GARNISHED NOTORIETY HAD IT NOT BEEN FOR THE BENEFICENCE OF MOTHER NATURE TO PROVIDE HIM WITH AWESOME SETTINGS FOR HIS WORKS. FURTHERMORE, ANY NOVICE OBSERVER ( I COUNT MYSELF HERE ) OF WRIGHT'S STRUCTURES CAN READILY CONCEDE THAT THE USE OF STONE SLABS, PLATFORMS AND LINEAR FORMS HAVE BEEN MOST ELEGANTLY AND DRAMATICALLY EMPLOYED FOR CENTURIES BY BRIDGE BUILDERS. THEY WERE THE GENIUSES AT RE-CREATING NATURE.

THIRD IS THE CASE OF ARIEL SHARON OF ISRAEL, NOW ON LIFE SUPPORT IN A COMA AND - MIGHT I SAY- A PERMANENT VEGETATIVE STATE. HE HAS BEEN MOVED TO A LONG-TERM CARE FACILITY. NO TALK, NO EFFORT HAS BEEN MADE TO FACILITATE HIS PASSING. WHY? IN CONTRAST, TERRY SCHIAVO'S DISMISSAL WAS DECIDED BECAUSE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT SHE SPOKE FROM BEYOND HER UNRESPONSIVE 'GRAVE' OF HER AVERSION TO A USELESS LIFE. SHARON LIVES; SHE WAS TERMINATED.

JEFF GORDON'S VOICE

I HAVE PROOF OF AMERICA'S VALEDICTION TO RIDICULE. IT OCCURRED WHEN I HAD MY EARLY MORNING'S TEDDY ROOSEVELT MOMENT. IT WAS APROPOS ON ST. PATRICK'S DAY WHICH CONJURES UP MEMORIES OF RIDICULE AND DISCRIMINATION AGAINST IRISH IMMIGRANTS YEARS AGO BECAUSE THEY LOOKED, SPOKE AND ACTED DIFFERENT FROM NATIVE CITIZENS. THE IRISH, IN 1863, THEN IN TURN IMPOSED THEIR RIDICULE, DISCRIMINATION AND RACISM ONTO A NEWER, STRANGER IMMIGRANT CLASS, THE FREED BLACK VOLUNTEERS OF THE UNION ARMY DURING THE CIVIL WAR. PICKING ON SOMEONE WHO LOOKS OR SOUNDS DIFFERENT IS OBVIOUSLY AN OLD SYNDROME. BUT THIS MORNING I REALIZED THAT UNWARRANTED TUNNEL VISION IS - THANKFULLY - DEAD. I HEARD JEFF GORDON, A NASCAR LUMINARY, SPEAK. BUT IT WAS NOT WHAT HE SAID, BUT HOW HE SOUNDED, THAT TRIGGERED MY MEMORY OF ANOTHER FAMOUS AMERICAN, TEDDY ROOSEVELT, WHOSE PERSONA AND VOICE WERE ALSO A DISCONNECT. MR. GORDON'S PROFESSIONAL PERSONA OF HORSEPOWER AND DANGER CONTRASTED WITH HIS LIGHT, EFFEMINATE VOCAL TONES, JUST AS THE MANLINESS AND STRENGTH OF MR. ROOSEVELT WAS AT ODDS WITH HIS TIMBRE.

THE IRRESPRESSIBLE URGE IN HUMAN BEINGS TO POSSESS HEROES ENABLES MANKIND TO OVERLOOK AND LOOK PAST A PHYSICAL ANOMALY TO THE HERO BEYOND. RIDICULE CANNOT EXIST IF INDIVIDUALS ARE JUDGED ON INTRINSIC QUALITIES SUCH AS CHARACTER OR PERFORMANCE, NOT SUPERFICIAL ATTRIBUTES OF FACE, FORM OR VOICE. REV UP! RACE ON JEFF, WE ONLY HEAR THE ROAR OF YOUR ENGINES.

FREE BREAKFAST

A FREE BREAKFAST PROGRAM FOR GRAMMAR SCHOOL CHILDREN IN A NEARBY DISTRICT, SERVES "BREAKFAST PIZZAS, BREAKFAST BURITTOS, BREAKFAST TACOS, SAUSAGE AND BISCUITS AND SOMETIMES CEREAL." THE PRINCIPAL OF THIS SCHOOL TWICE STATED THAT THESE ARE NUTRITIOUS BREAKFASTS. WHAT ELSE COULD THEY BE IF SANCTIONED BY A PUBLIC INSTITUTION THAT SPENDS TAXPAYER DOLLARS ON FOOD THAT SHOULD BE PROVIDED BY PARENTS OR GUARDIANS IF THEY DIDN'T EJECT THEIR LITTLE CHARGES ONTO BUSES EARLY ENOUGH EACH MORNING TO ALLOW THEM TO BREAKFAST GRATIS AT 7:45 A.M.?

WHY DO I NEED TO HEAR THIS NONSENSE? HENRY ADAMS, IN HIS AUTOBIOGRAPHY, PENNED THAT "PRACTICAL POLITICS CONSISTS IN IGNORING FACTS." IF OBESITY IS THE EPIDEMIC OF THE DAY AND NUTRITIONISTS AND POLITICIANS DECRY "JUNK" FOODS AND UNHEALTHY EATING PATTERNS, WHY ARE SCHOOLS SERVING THEM? THE DETAILS IN WHICH THE DEVIL USUALLY HIDES TELL THE FAIRY TALE BEST. GIVE THE CHILDREN WHAT THEY WANT, NOT WHAT THEY SHOULD HAVE. REALITY IN NO WAY CORRESPONDS TO THE MAKE-BELIEVE RHETORIC REGARDING NUTRITION.

IF THERE ARE FEW LEAN AND HUNGRY BODIES NOWADAYS, IT'S BECAUSE CHILDREN HAVE NOT BEEN TAUGHT TO CHOOSE WHAT'S RIGHT. MORE DISTURBING, HOWEVER, IS THE FACT THAT THERE ARE FEW MINDS STARVED FOR KNOWLEDGE. CHILDREN ARE PLUMPED UP WITH FOODSTUFFS WHICH MERIT NO SUPPORT, BUT WHICH GOBBLE UP FEDERAL FUNDING.

ANIMAL FARM REVISITED

I SPIED MY TWO CATS FIGHTING. I WONDERED IF FOUR LEGS REALLY ARE BETTER THAN TWO AS THE WORKERS IN ANIMAL FARM CHANTED. SOMEHOW EIGHT CLAWS CLAWING SEEM MORE INTELLIGENT IN THEIR CONTENTION FOR TERRITORY THAN OUR REPRESENTATIVES IN WASHINGTON JOCKEYING FOR POWERFUL POSITIONS. WHEN I PEER THROUGH THE WINDOW OF TODAY'S POLITICS, I SEE THE TWO-LEGGED SPECIES ACTING FAR MORE LIKE SWINE THAN THE PORK AT THE TABLE ON THE MANOR FARM OF GEORGE ORWELL. BI-PED DICTATORS STILL ATTEMPT TO MANIPULATE THE FATES OF AMERICA'S 'LESSER ANIMALS.'
A SCENARIO OF REVERSED ROLES IS PATHETIC AND TRAGIC, BUT IT IS TYPICAL OF DAILY LABOURS IN WASHINGTON. LARD IS AN INGREDIENT OF MANY MEALS ON CONGRESSIONAL PLATES. THE IRRATIONAL GOVERNS PARTY POLITICS WITH REGARD TO THE DUBAI CONTRACT TO MANAGE PORT TERMINALS. THE KILLER INSTINCT OF ANTI-BUSH LIBERALS (PROGRESSIVES) AND SOME DEMOCRATS, RENDERS THESE BEASTS INCAPABLE OF DOMESTICATED BEHAVIOR. ANIMAL FARM IS BACK WITH A VENGEANCE AT A PLACE THAT ONCE WAS KNOWN AS CAPITOL HILL.

ST. ANTHONY

I SPIED A BIO OF CHRISTIAN, ST. ANTHONY.
AN EGYPTIAN ASCETIC, THE FIRST MEDIEVAL MONK.
A MAN WITH A MISSION OF MARTYRDOM - THAT FAILED.
A MAN WITH A HERMIT'S VISION WHO ENGAGED DEMONS.
A MAN WHO FOUGHT TEMPTATIONS, ALWAYS DISGUISED.
A MAN WHO FASTED AND FLOURISHED IN POVERTY.
A MAN WITH AN EMPYREAN DREAM IN A BRUTISH WORLD.
A MAN NOW GONE. WHAT MEN TODAY CARRY ON?

DAFFODILS

I SPIED OUT OF MY KITCHEN WINDOW A HOST OF BLOOMING DAFFODILS, TWO WEEKS EARLIER THAN LAST YEAR. BUT THE WEATHER FORECAST FOLLOWING THEIR OPENING VOLLEY, IS TRADITIONALLY THE SAME. TEMPERATURES WILL PLUNGE 30 DEGREES OVERNIGHT, A SNOW SHOWER DESCEND, WINDS WHIP UP AND SPRING'S WELCOME BE COLD. WHY DOES NATURE FOSTER ( OR TOLERATE ) SUCH PERVERSIONS? THIS YEARLY OCCURENCE AND CONFLICT REMINDS ME OF THE CHILLING ONE THAT PLAYED OUT IN DECEMBER OF 1950 IN NORTH KOREA'S CHOSIN RESERVOIR. THE USELESS, HEROIC AND UNAVOIDABLE ACTION RESULTED IN A BLOOMING VICTORY, EMINENTLY SWEET.

IF I SPY A FOOD BARGAIN I'M A GONER. I HEAD STRAIGHT TO THE: CLEARANCE SIGNS. HALF OFF'S. CLOSEOUT ITEMS. REDUCED NOTICES. BUY ONE, GET ONE FREE STUFF. PRICES SLASHED. WAS... NOW TAGS. FOR ME, NOTHING LESS THAN 50% OFF WILL DO EVEN AT A 'GOING OUT OF BUSINESS.'

KNOWING HOW MANY MEALS I CAN GARNER FOR MY $1.00 HELPS ME DETERMINE MY PURCHASES. ALSO, I SET MY LIMITS FOR AN AMOUNT TO PAY PER POUND. I SHOP, AS GLENN CAMPBELL SANG SO WELL, "KNOWING THAT MY DOOR IS ALWAYS OPEN," TO A GREAT FIND. WHAT ARE SOME EXAMPLES OVER THE COURSE OF A YEAR?

POST-CHRISTMAS CLOSEOUTS SUCH AS A 2 LB. STOLLEN, THAT I'VE SEEN SELL IN CATALOGS FOR $20.00, REDUCED TO $.69. HOW MANY CAN I FREEZE?
DARK CHOCOLATE BARS DUMPED FOR $.99 FOR 8 OUNCES. HOW MANY CAN I STASH?
4 OZ. OF GRUYERE CHEESE FOR $1.00. SPARE WHEELS CAN BE FROZEN.
A BUY ONE GET ONE FREE FOR ANY VARIETY OF VEGETABLE. I CAN PREPARE EXTRAS FOR FUTURE MEALS.
ONE LB.OF GROUND TURKEY FOR $.59. IT CAN PROVIDE A MEATLOAF OF 4 SERVINGS.
ONE LB. OF SLICED BEEF LIVER FOR ONLY $1.00. IT CAN BE SPLIT INTO 3 MEALS (FOR 2).
ONE 3 LB. BONELESS, FULLY COOKED SMOKED HAM FOR $5.00 - I PURCHASE EXTRAS FOR FAMILY MEMBERS.
ONE CAN OF $.39 TUNA CAN BE MIXED WITH INGREDIENTS FOR 2 SANDWICHES.
ONE LB. OF CHICKEN LIVERS FOR $1.00 CAN BE SORTED INTO 4 MEALS FOR 2 ADULTS.
ONE 1 LB.BOX OF $.59 MACARONI LAST FOREVER.
ONE 1 LB. BOX OF $.39 SALTINES LASTS FOREVER.
ONE BIG BOX OF $.99 OATMEAL LAST FOREVER.
TEN LARGE FLOUR TORTILLAS FOR $.69 LAST FOREVER.
ONE BAG OF $.79 PUFFED RICE CEREAL LASTS FOREVER.
ONE $.39 LOAF OF WHITE BREAD BEATS WONDER BREAD ANY DAY.
ONE 1 LB. LOAF OF FRENCH BREAD REDUCED TO $.80.
ONE BOX OF 100 TEABAGS FOR $1.99 CREATES 200 CUPS OF TEA.
ONE DOZEN EGGS FOR $.69 IS A ROUTINE BARGAIN TO CLUCK ABOUT. A SINGLE EGG OMELETTE SERVES 2.

AND THE BARGAINS ARE ONGOING. ONE NEVER KNOWS WHAT WILL BE DUMPED TOMORROW?

A GREAT PICKLE

THERE WAS A TIME WHEN I SPIED A KLAUSSEN JAR OF PICKLES IN A GROCERY STORE COOLER AND THOUGHT, "THE ONLY GOOD PICKLE IS A KLAUSSEN PICKLE." NO MORE. NO WAY. HOW COULD I HAVE BEEN SUCH A YOUNG, NAIVE FOOL? I ALREADY HAD LEARNED - BY TRIAL AND ERROR- THAT NO PICKLE IN A JAR WAS GOOD ENOUGH FOR MY DISCRIMINATING PALATE. BUT OVER THE YEARS, THE KLAUSSEN PASSION WANED BECAUSE: 1. THEY BECAME TOO EXPENSIVE, AND 2. THEY JUST WERE NOT SUFFICIENTLY CRUNCHY OR FLAVORFUL. WHAT HAD I NEWLY WROUGHT? I DISCOVERED MRS. WAGES.

HAVING GROWN SOME GARDEN CUCUMBERS, I NEEDED TO FIND A WAY TO PICKLE THEM. I DISCOVERED A PACKET AT A LOCAL SUPERMARKET WITH WHICH I COULD MAKE MY OWN GHERKINS - FAST AND EASY. FAST AND EASY WAYS ARE MY PREFERRED WAYS. MRS. WAGES KOSHER DILL QUICK PROCESS PICKLE MIX, READY IN 24 HOURS. I FIGURED IT WAS WORTH $1.99. IT ONLY CALLED FOR WHITE VINEGAR AND WATER. MY TWO DOLLARS COULD PROCESS ABOUT 5 JARS (16 OZ. TACO SAUCE EMPTIES WORK WELL).

MRS. WAGES WORKED WONDERFULLY. ONE GARDEN SEASON PROVIDED ME WITH ABOUT 12 JARS OF PICKLES SIMULTANEOUSLY COOLING IN MY REFRIGERATOR. MY TASTE IS SLAKED OFF SEASON BY PURCHASING $.29 CUCUMBERS AT MY LOCAL ALDI'S. THESE GREEN WONDERS ARE ALMOST A FOOT LONG. I AM CAREFUL TO CHOOSE THINNER RATHER THAN PLUMPER TUBES BECAUSE THE LARGER CUCUMBERS HAVE THICKER SKINS AND MORE SEEDS, BOTH OF WHICH DETRACT FROM THE QUALITY OF THE PICKLE. I HAVE EVEN UTILIZED PEELED CUCUMBERS IN MY JARS.

ANYWAY, HERE'S THE FORMULA: BOIL UP 1 CUP OF VINEGAR WITH 2 CUPS OF WATER AND 1/4 CUP OF MIX FOR ABOUT 30 SECONDS.

AFTER PACKING THE PICKLE SLICES OR WEDGES INTO THE JARS I POUR IN THE LIQUID. (AT 2 WATER TO 1 VINEGAR, I MIGHT NEED TO TOP OFF THE JAR). THE COOLED JARS ARE REFRIGERATED FOR 24 HOURS.

FORGET THE RETAIL PICKLE CONCESSION. CONSUME NOT.

SALMON SALAD

LAST NIGHT, WHEN I SPIED MY PREPARED SALMON SALAD AWAITING MY NOONDAY PALATE, I APPRECIATED THE MEANING OF ANTICIPATION. WHETHER ON MY FRIEND'S 12 GRAIN TOAST OR ON MY PLAIN $.39 WHITE, IT WAS DELICIOUS TODAY. WITH THE 1/3 OF A CAN OF $.99 SALMON PREPPED (SEE BLOG 3-09), I HAD CREATED THE FOLLOWING SALAD FROM THESE INGREDIENTS FOR 2 SANDWICHES.

CHOPPED CELERY
CHOPPED ONION
PLAIN NON-FAT YOGURT
MAYONNAISE
SALT AND PEPPER TO TASTE (PERHAPS LEMON PEPPER?)
ROUND DILL PICKLE SLICES FOR GARNISH (MORE ABOUT THESE TOMORROW)
MIX THE FIRST 4 TOGETHER. THE SECRET IS TO BLEND ABOUT 2 TIMES THE YOGURT TO THE AMOUNT OF THE MAYO, ABOUT 1 TBSP MAYO AND 2 TBSP YOGURT.

RECENTLY I ACQUIRED A TASTE FOR A HITHERTO UNTESTED FOOD - PLAIN NON-FAT YOGURT. IT IS A HEATHFUL, TASTY ADDITION TO NUMEROUS DISHES. IT LIGHTENS UP AS WELL AS ADDS TANG TO SALADS, SUCH AS POTATO, TUNA, ERSATZ CRABMEAT, EGG OR NOODLE, TO CASSEROLES AND TO CREAM SOUPS. TRY IT. YESTERDAY'S SPLIT PEA SOUP WITH HAM AND CARROTS HAD THAT EXTRA SOMETHING WHEN YOGURT THINNED AND FLAVORED IT (JUST A TBSP OR 2). I DO NOT LIKE THE YOGURT, HOWEVER, AS A DESSERT WITH SAY, FRUIT OR JELLY. BUT I'M SURE OTHER PEOPLE MIGHT.

SALMON PATTIES

WHEN I DIDN'T SPY MY $.39 CAN OF TUNA IN WATER ON A RECENT SHOPPING TRIP, I OPTED FOR THE $.99 CAN OF SALMON ADJACENT TO THE MISSING ITEM. "I COULD MAKE PATTIES," WAS MY CONSOLING AND ALTERNATIVE THOUGHT. HOW MANY SERVINGS WOULD A DOLLAR OF FISH PROVIDE? ACTUALLY 6. DISREGARDING THE SALMON SALAD I CREATED TO ADORN TOAST FOR A LIGHT LUNCH ( TO BE ADDRESSED IN TOMORROW'S BLOG), I WILL DESCRIBE PROCESS TO PRODUCE A YUMMY PATTY.

MY 1ST RULE FOR FISH IS TO RID MYSELF ANY EVIDENCE OF A FISH OIL TASTE. YUCK! SO AFTER DRAINING THE JUICE FROM THE CAN, I DUMP THE SALMON FROM THE CAN ONTO A PLATE (WHICH IMMEDIATELY CALLS 2 CATS AND 1 DOG TO ATTENTION, EYES UP, ANTICIPATING A 'MANDATORY' TREAT), I SCRAPE AWAY THE SKIN AND SLIME FROM THE FILLETS AND PULL THE TINY BONES OUT. GUESS WHO GETS THE REJECTS? THEN I SORT OUT 1/3 OF THE FISH FOR A SALAD. WITH THE REMAINING 2/3, I LET MY CREATIVE CULINARY MIND RUN WILD. FIRST I PITCH IN A BIT OF CORN FLAKES CRUMBS. THEN A BIT OF BREAD CRUMBS. I NEVER USE AN EGG BECAUSE IT JUST ADDS FAT AND IS UNNECESSARY. FLAVORING IS NEXT. WHAT IS IN THE LARDER WILL DO. I ADD A BIT OF TACO SAUCE, KETCHUP AND CHOPPED ONION. THIS BATCH I KEEP SIMPLE, BUT I MIGHT OPT FOR INGREDIENTS RANGING FROM POUPON MUSTARD, PLAIN YOGURT, SOY SAUCE, STEAK SAUCE, PICKLE JUICE AND CHOPPED GREEN PEPPERS, CARROTS, MUSHROOM OR CELERY TO SPICES SUCH AS GARLIC, DILL, BASIL , SAGE, OREGANO, CUMIN OR CRUSHED RED PEPPERS. A COOK'S JOB IS TO CUSTOMIZE TO HIS OR HER TASTE. MIXING MY SALMON CONCOCTION MIGHT REQUIRE A BIT OF WATER TO FORM PATTIES. AFTER 'GREASING" THE PAN WITH NON-STICK SPRAY, I FORM AND SLOW COOK 4 PATTIES - 2 FOR NOW, 2 TO FREEZE FOR A LATER MEAL. A PATTY ON A BUN IS A LUNCH TO ANTICIPATE

CUSTARD

I HAVE SPIED MANY COOKBOOKS OVER THE YEARS. A HIGH SCHOOL ELECTIVE COURSE ON COOKING PROVIDED SOME INSPIRATION. WATCHING MY MOTHER AND OTHER HOUSEWIVES PREPARING MEALS ENCOURAGED MY CURIOSITY TOO. BUT NECESSITY WAS THE MOTHER OF MY INVENTIONS. I, LIKE MOST PEOPLE MAKING DECISIONS, DIDN'T CARE ABOUT COOKING, UNTIL IT AFFECTED ME PERSONALLY. MY CAUSE CELEBRE WAS GOOD FOOD, PREPARED QUICKLY AND EASILY. CUSTARD IS A FAVORITE DESSERT.

THE PRINCIPLE OF THIS ITEM - AND SOUFFLE - IS STEAMING THE DISH IN A CONTAINER OF WATER. BAKED VANILLA CUSTARD BECAME MY SIGNATURE WHEN I ACQUIRED A CHEAP PRESSURE COOKER FROM WAL-MART. I COULD HAVE WAITED FOR A GOODWILL INDUSTRIES TO OPEN UP LOCALLY AND FIND A USED COOKER, BUT C'EST LE GUERRE. PRIOR TO USING THE COOKER I HAD PREPARED THE CUSTARD IN THE OVEN WHICH TOOK A LONG TIME. IT PALED IN COMPARISON WITH MY NEW METHOD, THE COOKER, WHICH TAKES ONLY 5 MINUTES. WOW!

HERE'S TO HEALTH, TASTE AND SIMPLICITY. ONE CUP OF MILK FOR A SERVING FOR 2. (FAKE OF COURSE, CONSISTING OF LIQUIFIED POWDERED CREAM). ONE EGG. DASH OF VANILLA ( REAL OF COURSE). ADD ABOUT A QUARTER TSP. OF FAKE (GENERIC ASPARTAME ) SUGAR TO SWEETEN THIS CUSTARD. WHISK WITH A FORK UNTIL THE EGG IS EVENLY MIXED WITH THE MILK. DO NOT WHIP WITH A HAND MIXER. POUR INTO 2 SMALL BAKING DISHES WHICH HOLD, OBVIOUSLY ABOUT 1/2 CUP EACH. SPRINKLE A BIT OF NUTMEG ON THE SURFACE OF EACH. SEAL EACH DISH WITH A COVERING OF ALUMINUM FOIL. NOW I JUST FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS FOR THE CUSTARD PUDDING IN THE PRESSURE COOKER RECIPE BOOK. I PLACE THE 2 DISHES ONTO THE TRAY IN 1 1/2 CUPS OF WATER. I COOK 5 MINUTES WITH THE REGULATOR ROCKING. I COOL IMMEDIATELY BY PUTTING THE COOKER IN ABOUT AN INCH OF COLD WATER IN THE SINK. WHEN THE AIR VENT COVER LOCK FALLS, I OPEN THE COOKER AND LET THE CUSTARD COOL. I SERVE IT COLD, HAVING PUT IT INTO THE REFRIGERATOR AFTER IT COOLED DOWN.

THIS IS A MELT IN YOUR MOUTH, CREAMY, NOT-TOO-SWEET VANILLA FLAVORED, LITE DESSERT WORTHY OF AN EMBELLISHED SIGNATURE, SCROLL.

CREPES

I SPIED A BOOK ON CREPES AT MY LOCAL VOLUNTEERS OF AMERICA. I FAST-FORWARDED TO THE BASIC RECIPE FOR CREPES. SATISFIED THAT THE STANDARD FORMULA WAS MY CONTENTION TOO, I PUT THE BOOK BACK IN ITS PLACE ON A DISORGANIZED SHELF.

I COOK MOST MEALS AND BREAKFAST ON THE DAY OF MY RECIPE CHECK ABOVE, WAS - CREPES. MY ONE BAD HABIT IS TO SKIP THE FANCY, UNREALISTIC FORMS OF COOKING AND PREPARE FOODS THE WAY I LIKE. I MAKE CREPES AHEAD OF TIME AND REFRIGERATE THEM BETWEEN PIECES OF WAX PAPER.

I PUT ABOUT 3 OR 4 TBSP. OF FLOUR IN A BOWL FOR A RECIPE FOR 2 PEOPLE. I ADD SOME ORANGE JUICE ( THE GENERIC RECONSTITUTED FROZEN VARIETY), ABOUT A QUARTER OF A CUP, TO MUSH IT UP AND LIQUIFY IT. I ADD 1 EGG IF I WISH CHOLESTEROL AND FAT IN THE DISH. I HAVE MADE CREPES SANS EGG OFTEN. THEN I ADD A LITTLE MILK. OF COURSE, MY CONCOCTION IS NOT MILK BUT LIQUIFIED POWDERED CREAM WHICH TASTES YUMMY AND WORKS JUST AS WELL WITHOUT THE FAT OF MILK AND WITH A RICH FLAVOR THAT 2% MILK IS MISSING. TO GET THE BATTER THE RIGHT CONSISTENCY I ADD TINY BURSTS OF WATER UNTIL THE BATTER IS RUNNY, CREAMY, THIN LIQUID. WHEN IN DOUBT ADD A LITTLE MORE ORANGE JUICE WHICH GIVES THE CREPES THEIR TANG.

THE PAN NEEDS TO BE HOT BUT KEEP THE HEAT SOURCE ON LOW. TEFLON IS BEST. I HAVE THROWN CAUTION TO THE WIND ABOUT ITS DANGEROUS EFFUSIONS. I SPRAY IT WITH VEGETABLE SPRAY - THE CHEAPEST GENERIC BRAND - AND POUR THE LIQUID INTO THE MIDDLE OF THE PAN TO MAKE A PUDDLE. THEN I ARTFULLY SHAKE THE PUDDLE AROUND TO FORM A LARGER CIRCLE. YOU CAN USE BUTTER OR MARGARINE BUT AGAIN THAT'S IF YOU WANT MORE FAT IN YOUR TUMMY. I WAIT UNTIL THE CREPE BECOMES SET AND SLIGHTLY BROWN AROUND THE EDGES. WHAT TO DO NOW? TURN THE CIRCLE OVER? FOLD THE EDGE OVER TO FORM A HALF? OR ROLL TWICE TO FORM A THIRD? SINCE I ONLY EAT THEM FOR BREAKFAST, I PREFER MY CREPES FOLDED AND STACKED. BE PATIENT, UNLIKE ME, AS YOU COOK. CREPES. FOR BREAKFAST WITH SAUSAGE ARE GOOD. WITH GENUINE MAPLE SYRUP THEY ARE BETTER. WITH A SLICED FRUIT LIKE BANANA (HEATED WITH THE CREPE FOR LESS THAN A MINUTE IN THE MICROWAVE), THEY ARE BEST. STRONG COFFEE IS THE ACCOMPANYING BEVERAGE OF CHOICE,

HOLLYWOOD HAMMER

IT'S A BURDEN THAT MY BRAIN TRAVELS INADVERTENTLY WITH ME AT ALL TIMES. MY UNHAMPERED MEMORY RECALLS THAT DRINKING, DRUGGING AND SMOKING WERE THE "IN" THINGS OF THE 60'S AND 70'S. AT THE 2006 ACADEMY AWARDS, A CELEBRITY REMINDED AMERICANS THAT THE ARTS ARE A HAMMER FORMING THE SOCIETY. DURING THOSE 60'S AND 70'S, HOLLYWOOD HAMMERED SOCIETY INTO BELIEVING THAT TO BE A HIPPIE, TO BE BEAUTIFUL, A STAR, AN ELITE, IN THE VANGUARD OF ENLIGHTMENT OR INTO INFORMED ACTION, A PERSON DRANK, DRUGGED AND SMOKED. MEN AND WOMEN ALSO WERE SUPPOSED TO PROTEST AND DROP OUT OF MAINSTREAM CULTURE. THE CORRECTNESS OF SUCH IMPROPER BEHAVIOR WAS HAMMERED HOME TO COMMONERS LIKE ME, BUT WE REJECTED IT. BUT MANY SCHLEMIELS FELL INTO LINE AS LIBERALS LED.

FAST FORWARD TO 2006. THE OLDER AND WISER SYNAPSES IN MY GREY MATTER OBSERVE A REVERSAL OF FORTUNES. NOW ALCOHOL OBLITERATES THE MORALS OF OUR YOUTH, ENHANCES VIOLENCE AND DEATH ON THE HIGHWAYS, AND INHIBITS EDUCATIONAL AND FINANCIAL SUCCESS. NOW THE USE OF DRUGS (THOUGH SOME LIBERALS STILL WANT THEM LEGAL), CAUSES CRIMES, MURDERS AND OVERCROWDED PRISONS. NOW, NOT ONLY IS SMOKING VERBOTEN, BUT ALSO INHALING ITS PUTRID FUMES, BECAUSE TOBACCO IS A KNOWN KILLER. WHAT WAS ONCE A TRIDENT CARRIED PROUDLY BY THE HAPPY-GO-LUCKY KING OF EVERY LIBERAL MARTI GRAS ORGY, HAS NOW BECOME A CERBERES IN A FORBIDDEN WORLD.

NEVERTHELESS, SOME THINGS NEVER CHANGE. THE LIBERALS, THE EXTREME LEFTISTS AND HOLLYWOOD WITH ITS SOCIETAL HAMMER, ALWAYS OUT OF TOUCH WITH POPULAR LIVING, CONTRADICT THEMSELVES AT WILL. THEY THINK AMERICA SHOULD DO WHAT THEY DO AND DO WHAT THEY SAY NO MATTER IF THEIR ORDERS ARE 'NUTS'.

NIMBY

"NOT IN MY BACK YARD," IS A PERPLEXING SENTIMENT. IT FLOWS, APPARENTLY, DEEP AND INGRAINED THROUGH HUMAN NATURE. COUNTRY AND CITY FOLK ALIKE EXHIBIT THIS VEIN OF RESENTMENT TO INTERFERENCE FROM THE OUTSIDE WORLD WITH ESTABLISHED REGIMENS. I'LL CITE TWO EXAMPLES. FIRST IS THE PROPOSED (RURAL OF COURSE) HOG OR CHICKEN FACTORY FARM WHICH INVARIABLY ENGENDERS A NEGATIVE RESPONSE. ALL OBJECTIONS, UNREASONABLE AND UNREASONED, DON'T HOLD WATER, BUT THEY SPILL OUT LIKE A FLOOD ANYWAY. THE URBAN HOME CONVERTED INTO ANY TYPE OF "BUSINESS" IS ANOTHER. CHANGE IS REBUFFED WITHOUT THE COURTESY OF COMMON SENSE. ATTACKS FROM EITHER DEMOGRAPHIC AREA ALWAYS EMPLOY EITHER THE EXCUSE THAT 'IT' PUTS CHILDREN AT RISK OR IT RUINS THE LIFESTYLE TO WHICH NEIGHBORS HAVE BECOME ACCUSTOMED. WHY DO HOMO SAPIENS INSTINCTIVELY RESIST CHANGE, ESPECIALLY WHEN INNOVATION TRADITIONALLY REPRESENTS A GOOD? DOES THIS PHENOMENA PUT TRUTH TO THE POWER OF ORDINARY PEOPLE BY JUSTIFYING THE PHILOSOPHY THAT MAN IS INNNATELY FLAWED? SURE LOOKS LIKE IT TO ME. .

CRESCENT MOON

MY ORANGE CRESCENT MOON,
HUNG IN THE EAST'S BLACK NIGHT,
SHOULD CRUSH THEIR DOUBTING EYES,
PEEL THEIR SOULS WITH ITS RARE LIGHT,
ITS BRAVE FRONT TO MORNING'S DEATH.
BUT DAWN UNVEILS THEIR MEANNESS,
THEIR LEANEST LEARNING, A SCREED,
IT BREAKS MY HEART, OH FATHER,
WHY MUST I ALWAYS BLEED?

DUTY

THOUGH I HAVE BEEN ACCUSED OF BEING TOO CYNICAL, I CHOOSE TO STAND UNCORRECTED. CYNICISM IS THE ONLY EFFECTIVE PRISM WITH WHICH TO PROPERLY VIEW THE SUBJECT OF RIGHTS. I CONSTANTLY HEAR ABOUT PEOPLE'S RIGHTS. CRIME VICTIMS HAVE RIGHTS. A DISCUSSION GROUPS DISCUSSES RIGHTS. CITIZENS HAVE RIGHTS. PROJECTS, PROGRAMS AND GRANTS USING TAXPAYERS' MONEY (UNBEKNOWNST TO THEM NO DOUBT) FOCUS ON PEOPLE'S RIGHTS. MOST CRIMES ARE PERPETRATED BY A FAMILY MEMBER OR ACQUAINTENCE WHO HAS OBVIOUSLY DEPRIVED SOMEONE OF HIS OR HER RIGHTS AND DISPLAY A FAILURE IN HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS. LITIGANTS IN CIVIL AND CRIMINAL COURTS RARELY FEEL THEIR TRESPASSED RIGHTS HAVE BEEN REDRESSED. IN SPITE OF SUCH RIP OFFS, IT'S NO REVELATION THAT THE SALVE OF HEALING IS TIME.

BUT RARELY ADDRESSED ARE THE DUTIES CORRESPONDING TO RIGHTS. LIKE A PROVERBIAL "EQUAL AND OPPOSITE REACTION," EACH RIGHT IMPLIES A COMPLEMENTARY DUTY. I NEVER HEAR THE WORD DUTY - DUTY TO FAMILY, DUTY TO THE LAW, DUTY TO COUNTRY, DUTY TO DECENCY AND DIGNITY, DUTY TO HUMAN LIFE, DUTY TO SOCIETY, DUTY TO ONE'S SELF. WHY? DUTY ( OR RESPONSIBILITY ) IMPLIES COMMITMENT AND HARD WORK. THAT'S WHY. RIGHTS ARE SO MUCH EASIER TO CHAMPION.

SO THERE YOU HAVE IT. IS THIS CYNICISM BECAUSE I DEPLORE THE EASY WAY OUT, THE FUNDED SOLUTION TO PROBLEMS, THE PERSPECTIVE OF VICTIMHOOD? I ALSO CHOOSE TO STAND UNCORRECTED BECAUSE I CONCUR WITH THE OTHER CYNICS, THE ANCIENT GREEKS, WHO REGARDED VIRTUE AS THE SUPREME GOOD AND BELIEVED THAT MAN'S CONDUCT SHOULD BE BASED ON SELF-INTEREST. THEIR PHILOSOPHY FITS MINE NICELY. IF PEOPLE PRACTICED MORE SELF-INTEREST IN THEIR DUTIES TO EACH OTHER AND TO SOCIETY, BASED ON A COMMON SENSE SYSTEM OF MORALITY, THERE WOULD BE LITTLE NEED FOR FOOT-STOMPING ABOUT MY RIGHTS, MY RIGHTS, MY RIGHTS.

I ONCE VOLUNTEERED TO TALK ON A CRISIS HOT-LINE. I WAS FIRED! BEATS ME WHY.

PROPAGANDA IN SCHOOLS

"FREEDOM IS NEVER MORE THAN ONE GENERATION AWAY FROM EXTINCTION," RONALD REAGAN SAID. BUT WHAT IF FREEDOM OF SPEECH REPRESENTED BY A PRESENT GENERATION THREATENS OUR EXISTENCE AND PROPAGANDA FROM IT THREATENS A FUTURE ONE? I AM OUTRAGED ABOUT THE HIGH SCHOOL GEOGRAPHY TEACHER FROM DENVER, COLORADO WHO WAS TAPED BY A STUDENT IN HIS CLASS AS HE LECTURED WITH LIES, INNUENDOS, MISREPRESENTATIONS, IRRATIONAL AND EXTREME HATRED FOR AMERICA AND HOPE FOR ITS DESTRUCTION.

MAY I MERELY DRUDGE UP COMMON SENSE OBSERVATIONS FROM MY ACADEMIC YESTERYEARS? GEOGRAPHY THEN WAS AN ENJOYABLE GRAMMAR SCHOOL SUBJECT, NOT A HIGH SCHOOL ENDEAVOR. A TEACHER'S JOB WAS TO TEACH A SUBJECT, NOT PREACH . IT WAS A NO-NO FOR AN INSTRUCTOR TO PRESENT A PERSONAL AND POLITICAL TAUTOLOGY IN CLASS. IT WAS ASSUMED THE 'LEADER' WAS QUALIFIED TO HANDLE THE MATERIAL. A TEXTBOOK, HOMEWORK AND DISCUSSIONS OF FACTS PRECEDED ANY (RARE) SOLICITATIONS OF STUDENTS' OPINIONS. NOTE-TAKING - AND TAPE RECORDING OF INFORMATION IF IT WERE TECHNICALLY POSSIBLE, WOULD HAVE BEEN ENCOURAGED - NOT QUESTIONED.

WELL, THE PUBLIC EDUCATIONAL TABLE HAS TURNED. THE RANT AND PONTIFICATION OF THIS TEACHER AND THE WALKOUT IN SOLIDARITY WITH HIM BY THE STUDENTS (THOUGH I SEE THE MARCH AS AN EXCUSE TO GET OUT OF SCHOOL FOR THE REST OF THE DAY), PROVE IT THE THINKING TABLE NOW FACES THE WRONG WAY; IT LOOKS INTO A DARK, TROUBLING FUTURE.

WHY QUOTE SOME OF THIS MAN'S IRRATIONAL HATE SPEECH SINCE IT TYPIFIES THE ENEMY WHO HAILS FROM WITHIN OUR HALLS OF EDUCATION? UNFORTUNATELLY, HIS CLASSROOM DOES NOT REPRESENT FREEDOM OF LEARNING; RATHER IT IS A CENTER OF 'RE-EDUCATION' THAT IS, BRAINWASHING. SOME EXAMPLES: THIS TEACHER COMPARED THE "TONE" OF PRESIDENT BUSH TO THAT OF HITLER. HE SAID AMERICA LIKES TO WAR AND COULD EVEN "GO TO WAR WITH MEXICO." HE PRESENTED THE RATIONALE THAT THE 9/11 TERRORISTS SAW US A LEGITIMATE TARGET FOR DESTRUCTION BECAUSE THE CIA WAS IN THE TWIN TOWERS, THE PENTAGON HOUSED THE MILITARY AND THE WHITE HOUSE WAS THE SEAT OF OUR GOVERNMENT. HE ASSERTED THAT AMERICANS KILL, RAPE AND DESTROY PEOPLES JUST BECAUSE "WE CAN." TO HIM, THE INTOLERANCE OF HITLER, JESUS AND PRESIDENT BUSH WERE "ALOT ALIKE". HE PREACHED THAT "CAPITALISM IS AT ODDS WITH HUMAN RIGHTS" BECAUSE PROFIT IS THE "BOTTOM MOTIVE." MANY MINUTES FROM A PARANOID, EXTREME, LEFT-LEANING NARRATIVE THAT PERVERTED FACTS AND HISTORY, WERE CAUGHT ON TAPE BY THIS STUDENT. IRONICALLY, THE VERY CAPITALISTIC SYSTEM HE DECRIES, PAYS FOR THIS MAN'S SALARY, BENEFITS, LIFESTYLE AND - TO BOOT - HIS RIGHT TO SPEAK. CAPITALISM PAYS FOR THIS PUBLIC 'EDUCATOR' TO SPEECHIFY DAY BY DAY, CLASS BY CLASS, AD NAUSEAM.

THERE IS NO WAY RATIONAL AMERICANS SHOULD ACCEPT THIS OUTRAGEOUS, ILLEGITIMATE AND TREASONOUS TEACHING. THE FIRST REMEDIAL ACTION IS TO PRAY. PRAY TO ANY HIGHER POWER THAT THIS MAN OBVIOUSLY NEGATES. PRAY THAT THE EXTINCTION OF A FREE AMERICA THAT HE WISHES FOR AND THE IDEOLOGY THAT HE ATTEMPTS TO IMPOSE ON YOUNG PEOPLE, NEVER COME TO PASS. AND OH YES, WE WHO LIVE IN THE REAL WORLD, MUST FIGHT LIKE HELLIONS AGAINST SUCH A HELLION, TO DISSEMINATE THE TRUTH. ONLY THE TRUTH MAKES A PERSON FREE IN ANY GENERATION.

FOLLOW RUSSIA!

I CAN'T BELIEVE THE TABLES HAVE TURNED AND AMERICA SHOULD FOLLOW RUSSIA'S LEAD. IT'S TRUE! IF THE EASTERN BEAR CAN PROJECT BUILDING 2 NUCLEAR PLANTS A YEAR UNTIL 2030 TO PROVIDE RUSSIA WITH 25% OF ITS ENERGY, WHY CAN'T WE? THE ANSWER IS SIMPLE - THE LIBERAL DEMOCRATS. THEIR OBJECTIVE IN THE WAR AGAINST PRESIDENT BUSH AND REPUBLICANS IS TO PROTEST AND/OR BLOCK EACH AND EVERY ACTION. TO ADOPT A PHRASE FROM A BUSINESS COLUMNIST, LIBERAL DEMOCRATS KEEP THE "BONFIRE OF ABSURDITIES" PERPETUALLY BURNING. A TIMELY, BLATANT EXAMPLE IS THEIR OBJECTION TO THE PORTS' DEAL. LIBERAL DEMOCRATS PROFESS ALMOST PATHOLOGICAL POSITIONS ON POLITICAL CORRECTNESS, TOLERANCE, CIVIL RIGHTS PROTECTON, MULTILATERAL DECISION MAKING AND ANTI- RACISM. YET THEIR OBJECTION TO THE PROPOSED SALE, BY A BRITISH COMPANY, OF CONTAINER MANAGEMENT AT 6 TERMINALS AT AMERICAN PORTS TO THE UAE, THE UNITED ARAB EMIRITES, ILLUMINATES THEIR ABSURDLY HYPOCRITICAL VIEWS. BY DISSING THE DEAL, LIBERAL DEMOCRATS SHOW THEIR OBSTRUCTIONISM AS POLITICAL INCORRECTNESS, THEIR INTOLERANCE OF A WORTHY ECONOMIC PARTNER, THEIR MISREPRESENTATION OF THE SALE AS IF IT HAD SOMETHING TO DO WITH PORT SECURITY, LOST LIBERTIES OR TERRORIST THREATS, THEIR UNILATERALISM IN DISMISSING SOMETHING RELATED TO THIS PRESIDENCY SANS THE FACTS AND THEIR OBVIOUS AND OUTRIGHT RACISM AGAINST MUSLIMS WHO THEY ASSUME ARE UNWORTHY OF PARTICIPATION IN OUR DEMOCRATIC PROCESS. LIBERAL DEMOCRATS, SMALL-MINDED AND NEGATIVE AS WHITE HEAT, HAVE HAD ANOTHER KNEE-JERK HISSY FIT.

NO COMMON SENSE SOLUTION LIKE NUCLEAR ENERGY HAS A CHANCE WHEN PROGRESSIVES (AN ALTERNATIVE NAME FOR LIBERAL DEMOCRATS) REJECT IT, OUT OF HAND, BECAUSE IT IS FROM OUR PRESIDENT BUSH AND THE REPUBLICANS.