SIMULACRUM OF ECSTASY

A MARBLE SCULPTURE OF THE 16TH CENTURY SPANISH, CARMELITE, VISIONARY AND MYSTIC, ST. TERESA OF AVILA, DEPICTS HER ECSTASY. "SO INTENSE WAS THE PAIN," SHE WRITES, " THAT I SCREAMED ALOUD; SO GREAT WAS THE SWEETNESS THAT I NEVER WANTED TO LOSE IT." IS THERE ANY RELEVANCE FOR THIS SAINT’S TRANSFORMATIONAL RELIGIOUS EXPERIENCE TODAY?

AN ART CRITIC OF THIS RAPTUROUS CREATION BY THE SCULPTURER BERNINI, LOCATED IN ROME, FELT THAT THE POSSIBILITY OF RELIGIOUS EXPERIENCE WAS ANOTHER ISSUE, NOT TO BE INCLUDED IN HER LITERARY REVIEW PIECE. BUT ISN'T A RELIGIOUS EXPERIENCE JUST THE POINT? IN THE SCULPTURE, AN ANGEL CARRIES A SPEAR WITH WHICH HE/SHE HAS JUST PIERCED ST. TERESA'S HEART. ST. TERESA'S MESSAGE FOR US IS NOT ONE OF PETRIFIED FEELING. NO, IT RADIATES WARMTH AND PASSION THROUGH THE COLD STONE. THE MESSAGE CAN ONLY BE READ BY AWAKENED SOULS.

THE POET, ALEXANDER POPE, CAPTURES THE MAGIC MOMENT WHEN HE WROTE THAT ONE MAY "DIE OF A ROSE IN AROMATIC PAIN." WHEN WILL THOSE AMERICANS ASLEEP WHEN GOD SPEAKS, WAKE UP TO SMELL THE ROSES?

WISDOM VS. AGE

HAVE CHILDREN BEEN ACTING WISER IN THE LAST 20 YEARS? SOME PSYCHOLOGISTS THINK SO. I DON'T. I WAS RAISED BY A 'JEWISH' MOTHER WHOSE 'WISDOM' ACQUIRED FROM AGE, TOLD ME WHAT TO THINK AND WHAT TO DO, SO ACTING AND THINKING ON MY OWN BEHALF WAS OUTSIDE MY REACH. TODAY, HOWEVER, 3 YR. OLDS ARE HELPING THEIR PARENTS SELECT BETWEEN 'LOW FAT' AND 'NO FAT' CHOICES AT THE GROCERY STORE. COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES TODAY ARE RATED ON THE BASIS OF HOW MUCH MONEY THEIR GRADUATES WILL EARN, NOT ON HOW MUCH KNOWLEDGE THEY HAVE ACQUIRED. GLOBAL LIFE EXPECTANCY IN 1950 WAS 48 YEARS, BUT TODAY IT IS 68. HAS WISDOM COME ABOUT WITH AGE? IF AMERICANS HAVE LEARNED TO PAY THEMSELVES FIRST OUT OF THEIR PAYCHECKS (FOR SAVINGS), PAY CASH FOR THEIR PURCHASES AND AVOID DEBT - I'D ANSWER WITH A RESOUNDING YES! IF AMERICANS HAVE HELD ON TO THE TRADITION THAT PARENTS MAKE THE DECISIONS RATHER THAN THE CHILDREN, I'D ANSWER WITH A NOD! IF AMERICANS STILL BELIEVED THAT WISDOM THAT MUST BE IMPARTED TO THE NEXT GENERATION, I'D AGREE!

LOOK AROUND. PSYCHOLOGISTS HAVE NEGLECTED TO REMOVE THEIR ROSE COLORED GLASSES. WITHOUT PROPER PRIOR PARENTING, TOO MANY THREE YEAR OLDS, TEENAGERS, SINGLES, PARENTS, BABY BOOMERS AND SENIOR CITIZENS TODAY THROW TEMPER TANTRUMS OF DISCONTENT WITHOUT SUFFICIENT CAUSE. SUCH IS A LACK OF WISDOM THAT SHOULD HAVE ACCOMPANIED A SPECIFIC AGE.

UPSIDE DOWN

"TWEENS", THAT IS CHILDREN 8 THROUGH 12, ARE ALLOWED TO 'CHOOSE' OR HAVE CHOSEN FOR THEM, MEDIA PLAYERS ($100), DIGITAL CAMERAS ($80) AND DIGITAL PHOTO ALBUMS ($40). WHAT PERVERSE LOGIC WOULD CATER TO SUCH HEDONISM AND INAPPROPRIATE PARENTING SKILLS? ADULT SUPERVISORS COP OUT.

MARINES ARE NO LONGER ALLOWED TO SPORT TATTOOS BELOW THE ELBOW OR KNEE ( I PRESUME BECAUSE THEY WOULD BE VISIBLE OUTSIDE THE UNIFORM). WHAT UPSIDE-DOWN THINKING WOULD DEPRIVE A WARRIOR OF HIS ABILITY TO ADVERTISE HIS TESTOSTERONE WHEN THE COUNTRY IS COUNTING ON HIM TO USE IT TO DEFEND THEM? THE MILITARY WIMPS OUT.

HOW DO YOU MAKE SENSE OF AN UPSIDE DOWN WORLD? MY QUESTION WOULD BE, "IF YOU THINK THE WORLD IS UPSIDE DOWN WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO RIGHT IT? FREEDOM OF CHOICE HAS BEEN STOOD ON ITS HEAD WHERE BLOOD HAS CONCENTRATED IN THE BRAIN, OVERHEATING IT AND RENDERING IT INCAPABLE OF DISCERNING COMMON SENSE.

HINT: IS FEAR OR POLITICAL CORRECTNESS RESPONSIBLE? EVISCERATION OF PARENTING, EMASCULATION OF COURAGE , ABANDONMENT OF FIXED MORALS: LET'S BEHEAD THE 3-HEADED MONSTER.

GREAT SHAME

THE TITLE OF A BOOK ABOUT IRELAND DEFINES THE BEHAVIOR OF GREAT BRITAIN AS EMPIRE - A GREAT SHAME. IRELAND'S QUEST FOR SELF-RULE HAS BEEN BLOODY AND USELESS. REPRESSION AND PERSECUTION HAVE BEEN ROUTINE. CREDIT GREAT BRITAIN. GERRY ADAMS, SINN FEIN AND THE IRISH REPUBLICAN ARMY, REPRESENTING CATHOLICS, IN PROTESTANT ULSTER JUST CUT A DEAL WITH THE BRITISH UNIONISTS REPRESENTED BY THE PROTESTANT IAN PAISLEY FOR JOINT POWER IN THE NAME OF PEACE. DO NOT CREDIT GREAT BRITAIN’S LACK OF EGO. HER GREAT, SHAMEFUL EGO HAS ACCOMPANIED HER EMPIRE THROUGHOUT HISTORY. THE BIG 'E' FITTINGLY BEGINS BOTH WORDS.

IF EGO ENTERS THE EQUATION OF CONQUEST AND COLONIZATION BEYOND THE HOMELAND, EMPIRE IS SURE TO FOLLOW. SUCH A MENTALITY INSPIRED THE GREAT BRITAIN TO JUSTIFY ITS MANDATE AS A PROTECTORATE AND EDUCATOR OF THE LESS ENLIGHTENED PEOPLES. THINK INDIA. THINK AFRICA. THINK SCOTLAND. THINK IRELAND. DEATH AND REPRESSION BACKED STEADFASTNESS OF PURPOSE.

THINK ABOUT AMERICA'S SHAMEFUL TREATMENT OF THE INDIANS AND BLACKS UNTIL SHAME RECOGNIZED ITSELF IN THE MIRROR AND ACKNOWLEDGED ITS SMUDGES UPON THE SOUL. OUR PUBLIC EDUCATION SYSTEM IS ALSO SHAMEFUL. IT PRIDES ITSELF ON BEING ABLE TO HIRE PROGRAM DIRECTORS WHO ADMINISTER TITLES FROM 1 TO 9 PAID FOR BY THE GOVERNMENT (READ TAXES) BY 'RE-PRIORITIZING' GOALS. YET THE GOVERNMENT'S EGO IS IN DENIAL ABOUT THE DISCONNECT BETWEEN INCREASED FUNDING AND IMPROVED QUALITY IN AMERICA'S SCHOOLS. ANOTHER GREAT SHAME IS THAT OF POLITICAL HYPOCRISY. DEMOCRAT SENATOR WEBB'S EGO DISPLAYS A TYPICAL, LIBERAL POSITION WHEN HE JUSTIFIES OWNING A GUN TO PROTECT HIMSELF AND HIS FAMILY EVEN THOUGH HIS PARTY IS FOR GUN CONTROL FOR ORDINARY CITIZENS. HE, LIKE ANY TRUE, IDEOLOGICALLY, SMUG EGOMANIAC, KNOWS WHAT'S GOOD FOR HIS INFERIORS. A GREAT SHAME.

HINT: EGO = MANDATE X CHARISMA, SHAMED
EMPIRE - MANDATE X CHARISMA, SHAMED
.

IT'S UP TO YOU

INCOME INEQUALITY? THE CONGRESS' NEW FUNDING BILL INCLUDES SUBSIDIES, FOR FARMERS ALREADY MAKING NICE INCOMES, WHICH IN EFFECT, INCREASE THE INCOME GAP BETWEEN RICH AND POOR. YET POLITICIANS - VOTERS OF THE BILL - DECRY THE INCOME INEQUALITY THEY THEMSELVES HELP TO CREATE. A GOVERNMENT IDEALLY SHOULD BE LARGE ENOUGH TO GIVE YOU EVERYTHING YOU WANT, BUT NOT LARGE ENOUGH TO TAKE AWAY EVERYTHING YOU HAVE. STRIKING THE BALANCE REQUIRES TAPPING INTO THE VEIN OF COMMON SENSE.

SO IT'S UP TO YOU, FELLOW AMERICANS. YOU WHO NOW HAVE CHILDREN OUT-OF-WEDLOCK TO THE PERCENTAGES OF 30% FOR WHITES, 45% FOR HISPANIC AND 70% FOR BLACKS. COMMON SENSE BEGS FOR A STUDY OF THE UNPLEASANT CONSEQUENCES OF THESE ACTIONS UPON CHILDREN AND UPON THE FAMILY. YOU FELLOW OHIOANS, NOW HAVE FAILED TO MAKE YOUR HOME MORTGAGE PAYMENTS TO A PERCENTAGE INCREASE OF 24% OVER LAST YEAR. COMMON SENSE CRIES OUT THAT BORROWERS ARE TRYING TO LIVE BEYOND THEIR MEANS.

FURTHERMORE, YOU, AMERICANS, ARE HAVING YOUR RIGHTS STRIPPED AWAY BY LAWS THAT ATTEMPT TO POLICE YOUR PERSONAL HABITS - FROM SMOKING, TO TRANS- FAT CONSUMPTION TO NOISE POLLUTION TO GUN OWNERSHIP. COMMON SENSE SAYS THAT LIBERAL, ELITE, SPOILED, SOCIALIST POLITICIANS, JUDGES AND LAWYERS OUGHT TO 'EARN THEIR KEEP' BY ENCOURAGING SELF-RELIANCE AND PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY RATHER THAN PATRONIZING AN UNACCEPTABLE STATUS QUO.

YOU, AMERICANS, MUST DO YOUR PART. PROHIBITION DIDN'T WORK BECAUSE YOU FOUND NOT ONLY A WAY AROUND IT, BUT ALSO A WAY THROUGH IT TO A SENSIBLE SOLUTION - REPEAL OF THE 18TH AMENDMENT WITH THE 21 AMENDMENT.

HINT: COMMON SENSE CALLS FOR A CHANGE OF COURSE. THE PROMISCUITY RATES, THE FORECLOSURE RATES, THE SUBSIDY RATES, THE DEPENDANCE RATES, THE COMPLAINT RATES AND THE ESTABLISHED PROPORTIONS OF STUPID DECISIONS CAN BE REVERSED. LET'S BEGIN TODAY.

WITHOUT THE INTERNET

MY ONGOING DISASTER HAS BEEN THE 'TRAGEDY OF BOTTOMLESS CONSCIOUSNESS.' I THINK TOO MUCH. WHEN I HEAR THAT ONE THIRD OF AMERICANS DO NOT HAVE ACCESS TO THE INTERNET AND DON'T WANT IT, I AM OVERWHELMED WITH HOPE AND CONFIDENCE IN THE FUTURE OF AMERICA. WITHOUT ACCESS TO THE 24/7 BLATHER VIA THE COMPUTER'S INTERNET ACCESS, MANY AMERICANS WILL NOT BE SUBJECTED TO COMMENTS ABOUT ELIZABETH'S EDWARD'S COURAGE TO CONTINUE WITH HER HUSBAND'S CAMPAIGN FOR THE WHITE HOUSE IN '08 IN SPITE OF THE RETURN OF HER BREAST CANCER. MISPLACED ALLEGIANCES AND DISCONNECTS FROM RELIGION DO NOT NEED MORE EXPOSURE. ALSO, MANY CITIZENS WILL NOT BE SUBJECTED TO THE SLEAZY VOYEURISM OF ANNA NICOLE SMITH'S DEATH AND THE PATERNITY OF HER 6 MO. OLD DAUGHTER. MISPLACED CONCERNS FOR TRIVIAL TRAVAILS THAT MAKE A TRAVESTY OF THE 'NEWS' DO NOT NEED MORE COVERAGE.

MANY AMERICANS -LIKE ME - WITHOUT THE ABILITY TO WASTE TIME ON THE MEDIA’S MESSAGES, HOPEFULLY, WILL TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS LEISURE TO READ A BOOK, THINK CRITICALLY ABOUT POLITICAL STATEMENTS, WORK A PUZZLE OR ENJOY FAMILY, FAITH OR SPRING. COME TO THINK OF IT - I SHOULD REMOVE MY ROSE-COLORED GLASSES.

BOATS

THE HISTORY OF TRAVEL ON WATER PROVIDES US WITH MANY TERMS FOR WATER CRAFTS.
BOAT - SMALL OPEN WATER CRAFT
VESSEL - BOAT LARGER THAN A ROWBOAT
SHIP - BOAT DESIGNED FOR DEEP WATER TRAVEL
BATTLESHIP - HEAVILY ARMED FAST WARSHIP
WARSHIP ARMORED VESSEL FOR NAVAL COMBAT ( 5 EX FOLLOW)
FRIGATE - SAILING WAR VESSEL; MODERN ANTI-SUBMARINE WARSHIP
CORVETTE- SWIFT, ARMED SHIP ; FORMERLY WARSHIP UNDER SAILS
CARRIER - SHIP FOR CARRYING AIRCRAFT
CRUISER - FAST, MANEUVERABLE WARSHIP WITH LONG CRUISING RADIUS
DESTROYER -FAST WARSHIP WITH GUNS, TORPEDOES, BOMBS &
ANTI-AIRCRAFT BATTERIES
SUBMARINE - BOAT DESIGNED FOR UNDERWATER SERVICE
HYDROFOIL - AIRPLANE MOVING ON WATER THROUGH HYDRODYNAMICS
TENDER - TRANSPORT PEOPLE OR SUPPLIES TO AND FROM SHORE TO LARGER SHIPS
TUG- SMALL VESSEL FOR TOWING
BARGE-FLAT BOTTOMED BOAT FOR INLAND WATERS OR HARBORS
BARK-THREE MASTED, SQUARE RIGGED VESSEL
PRIVATEER- PRIVATELY OWNER VESSEL CARRYING LETTERS OF MARQUE
SHARPIE - LONG, SHARP, FLAT-BOTTOMED SAILBOAT
SLOOP-SINGLE MASTED SAILING VESSEL FOR RACING
GALLEON- CLUMSY SIP HIGH AT BOW & STERN
BRIG-TWO MASTED SHIP SQUARE RIGGED ON BOTH MASTS
RAFT-A FLOAT OF LOGS FASTENED TOGETHER
CANOE-SMALL, LONG, NARROW BOAT POINTED AT BOTH ENDS
DUGOUT-CANOE FORMED OF A HOLLOWED LOG
KAYAK-CANOE MADE OF SEALSKINS
ROWBOAT-PROPELLED BY OARS
SAILBOAT-SMALL BOAT PROPELLED BY SAILS
KETCH-FORE AND AFT RIGGED TWO MASTED VESSEL
CORSAIR- PIRATE VESSEL ESP. TURKISH AND SARACEN
SMACK-SMALL DECKED BOAT FOR FISHING
SHALLOP- OPEN BOAT PROPELLED BY OARS OR SAILS
SCHOONER- FORE AND AFT RIGGED VESSEL
PINNACE- A SHIP'S BOAT
YACHT-SMALL, RIGGED VESSEL FOR PLEASURE EXCURSIONS
BRIGANTINE- TWO MASTED SHIP SQUARE RIGGED ON FORE MAST, FORE AND AFT RIGGED ON MAINMAST
GONDOLA- LONG, NARROW FLAT-BOTTOM BOAT, HIGH PEAKED AT EACH END AND POWERED BY ONE OAR
YAWL- FORE & AFT RIGGED 2-MASTED BOAT BUT RIGGED DIFFERENT
FROM KETCH
CLIPPER- SAILING VESSEL BUILT FOR SPEED WITH AFT-RIGGED MASTS
SKIFF-LONG ROWBOAT
JIBS, TOPSAILS, FORESAILS, MAINSAIL, STAY SAILS - MAIN TOPSAILS - ALL ARE CONFUSED, BOAT LINGO TO ME. BUT NOT TO THOSE WITH RESPECT AND INTEREST IN VESSELS THAT CALL WITH THEIR ALLURING CALLS TO SAILORS TO SAIL THE SEAS.

HOW LOW!

I INVOKE AGAIN THE "TRAGEDY OF BOTTOMLESS CONSCIOUSNESS," TO PROVE HOW LOW LIBERALS CAN SINK. THEIR LIES CONSTITUTE A SUPPLY OF INFINITE REPRODUCTIONS. OUR NEW GOVERNOR STRICKLAND SAYS ABSTINENCE PROGRAMS DON'T WORK SO HE WILL DE-FUND THEM. HE ALSO OPPOSES SCHOOL VOUCHERS. HIS POLITICAL CAMPAIGN FOOLED THE PUBLIC INTO A VOTE FOR CHANGE WHICH SOON WAS REVEALED AS A TRUE LIBERAL AGENDA SANS THE FACTS. D.A.R.E. NEVER PREVENTED DRUG USE. MC GRUFF THE CRIME DOG NEVER PREVENTED CRIME. PUBLIC SCHOOLS DON'T WORK. SMOKING BANS WILL LEAD TO UNFORESEEN ALTERNATIVES. INVESTMENT IS A EUPHEMISM FOR TAXES. THESE FACTS, UNFORTUNATELY WON'T SURPRISE A PUBLIC ALREADY DUPED BY GOV.. STRICKLAND. HIS PARTY'S SOCIALISM ERODES INDIVIDUAL FREEDOMS BY LEVELING CLASSES AS IT DICTATES AGENDAS.

THE FACT THAT THE BRAINS AND EMOTIONS OF YOUTH ARE NOT FULLY DEVELOPED AND CANNOT RENDER FULLY RATIONAL DECISIONS IS IGNORED BY LIBERAL POLITICIANS LIKE GOV. STRICKLAND. ANSWERS LIKE ABSTINENCE FROM SEX, ALCOHOL, DRUGS, CRIME AND OCCASIONS OF WRONGDOING, CONFLICT WITH THEIR WORLD VIEWS. THE PUBLIC DOES NOT REALIZE THAT MONEY WITHHELD FROM ONE PROGRAM (ABSTINENCE) WILL BE TRANSFERRED TO AN ACCEPTABLE ALTERNATIVE (POSSIBLY CONDOMS OR SAFE SEX EDUCATION CLASSES), BUT NEVER SAVED. THE DEMOCRATS CAN 'BLACKMAIL' THEIR PRESIDENT INTO 20 BILLION DOLLARS OF 'PORK' SPENDING TO BENEFIT THEMSELVES WHILE AT THE SAME TIME FUNDING A WAR ONLY UNTIL A DATE SET FOR PULLOUT. HOW LOW CAN YOU GET? WHEN SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE NANCY PELOSI SAYS, "DON'T BE FOOLED. WE WILL VOTE TO END THE WAR IN IRAQ," HER LIE ACTUALLY FUNDS THE WAR WITH A 20 BILLION DOLLAR TAG-ON TO BENEFIT HER PARTY.

ST. AUGUSTINE CALLED A LIE THE "DISTANCE BETWEEN PUBLIC UTTERANCE OF ONE'S MOUTH AND THE SECRET, KNOWLEDGE OF ONE'S HEART." DO LIBERALS KNOW IN THEIR HEARTS THAT THE FUNDAMENTALS OF RIGHT AND WRONG MUST BE CLEAR CUT AND FAST? IF THEY DON'T, AND THEIR MODERN NON-VICTORIAN MORALITY OF SUBJECTIVISM AND RELATIVISM IS GENUINE, AMERICA IS IN BIG TROUBLE. IF POLITICAL POWER AND POPULIST, UTILITARIAN MORALITY ARE TRUE TO THEM, THEN THE POSSIBILITIES ARE ENDLESS AT THE BOTTOMS OF THE LIBERAL HEARTS, WHERE THE DEVIL MAKES LIES LOOK TRUE.

WHAT A TRIP

IN 1584, ENGLISHMEN SAILED TO FIND A NORTHWEST PASSAGE TO THE INDIES AND CHINA FOR TRADE PURPOSES, BUT INSTEAD COLONIZED ROANOKE, NO. CAROLINA. THEIR PARTY WAS LOST. IN 1607, THREE SHIPS WITH 104 SEPARATISTS FROM THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND SAILED TO ESCAPE PERSECUTION, COVERT THE HEATHENS AND FIND GOLD OR A ROUTE TO THE EAST. THEY FOUNDED JAMESTOWN, VIRGINIA. IN 1614, TOBACCO SAVED AMERICA WITH ITS CASH CROP. IN 1619, 20 SLAVES WHO ARRIVED FROM AFRICA WOULD, GIVEN CONVENTIONAL WISDOM, IMPROVE ECONOMIC PROGRESS. IN 1620, THE MAYFLOWER, WITH 103 INHABITANTS, ARRIVED AT PLYMOUTH, MASSACHUSETTS TO COLONIZE. THE POPULATION OF AMERICA ROSE FROM A FEW SETTLERS - IN SPITE OF A LARGE MORTALITY RATE - TO 2,500,000 IN 1776 INCLUDING A HALF MILLION SLAVES. ALSO, IN 1776, OUR ECONOMY WAS AT THE SAME LEVEL AS AFRICA'S TODAY, YET WE ESCAPED THE POVERTY TRAP.

FAST FORWARD TO 2007. ADVANCES IN SCIENCE AND MEDICINE HAVE REACHED BEYOND OUR MEANS TO UNDERSTAND THEM. A TRIP TO A DOCTOR - TO THE TUNE OF 1600 A DAY- RESULTS IN AN ABORTION. A TRIP TO A HOSPITAL RESULTS IN TWO MILLION VICTIMS OF ANTIBIOTIC-RESISTANT 'SUPER BUGS.' IN FACT, 200,000 OR 1/10TH OF THESE PATIENTS DIE. OUR STANDARD OF LIVING IS AT ITS ZENITH, BUT A VISIT TO OUR POPULAR CULTURE REVEALS THAT WE CURRENTLY SUPPORT "DEPRAVITY DRESSED UP AS EMPOWERMENT," TO QUOTE A COLUMNIST'S ANALYSIS. A STOP ON THE RADIO FOR A PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT PITCHING REGISTRATION FOR MILITARY SERVICE, HAS A HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT SAY, "THINGS ARE CRAZY IN THIS WORLD NOW." ONLY IF 'CRAZY' IS UNDERSTOOD TO MEAN IRRATIONAL, CAN WE APPLY IT TO AMERICA'S SYSTEM OF GOVERNANCE. A TRIP TO THE CHECK-OUT COUNTER MIGHT TURN UP THE NEW DOLLAR COIN ( THE FIRST WITH THE IMAGE OF GEORGE WASHINGTON), WHICH RELEGATES "IN GOD WE TRUST" AND "E PLURIBUS UNUM" TO ITS OUTER EDGES.

IS THERE A COMMONALITY TO THESE TRIPS OR A DISJOINTEDNESS? YES, WE ARE STAMPING OUT TOBACCO USE. YES, WE HAVE ELIMINATED SLAVERY AND ESTABLISHED RACIAL EQUALITY AND OPPORTUNITY. BUT CURRENTLY WE NEEDLESSLY WHINE IN A LAND OF PLENTY. WE OBFUSCATE THE MESSAGES OF OPTIMISM, COMMON SENSE, HARD WORK, INGENUITY AND FAITH IN GOD THAT SPARKED AND SUPPORTED THE PIONEER SPIRIT. GIRLY MEN WITHOUT GRIT AND MANLY WOMEN WITH GRIND HAVE REPLACED MANLY MEN AND FEMININE WOMEN. HISTORY, AS A COURSE, IS FADING FROM PUBLIC SCHOOLS. ITS LESSONS ARE FAILING THE COURSE TOO.

3 FOR 1

YESTERDAY I ENCOUNTERED 3 DEATHS. ONE SECOND MISJUDGEMENT DECIDED THE FATE OF A RED SQUIRREL TRYING TO CROSS A CITY STREET. DASHING, IT WAS STRUCK DEAD BY THE CAR IN FRONT OF MY VAN, ITS BODY TREMBLING IN EXTREMIS. OH NO! AT CHURCH, THE DESTINATION OF MY TRIP, I LEARNED ABOUT THE END OF A WOMAN 'S STRUGGLE OF MANY YEARS WITH A TERMINAL ILLNESS. OH NO! THE DEATH OF A CHRISTIAN MOTHER FINALLY FREED FROM HER WHEELCHAIR. IN MY DAILY READING, I REVISITED A HELICOPTER'S CREW CHIEF IN VIETNAM, IMMOLATED IN A FEW, HORRIFYING MINUTES. OH NO! A SOLDIER WITNESS WAS HELPLESS TO PUT THE VICTIM OUT OF HIS MISERY HAVING FORGOTTEN TO CARRY HIS GUN.

AT EASTERTIDE - OUR MERCIFUL, LOVING LORD CALLED A SQUIRREL (IN A SECOND), A MOTHER (AFTER MANY YEARS) AND A SOLDIER (IN A FEW MINUTES) HOME.

BUT THE SOLDIER DIED 37 YEARS AGO YOU SAY. OH NO! WITH JESUS, HOMING CALLS KNOW NO CONSTRAINTS OF TIME OR SPACE. SUCH IS THE MYSTERY OF ETERNAL SPRING. LET US BE GLAD AND REJOICE!

INVOLVED

DID YOU EVER WATCH MEN (YOUNG AND OLD) STANDING AROUND A MOTORIZED VEHICLE (WHICH MIGHT EVEN BE DEAD)? THEY RESEMBLE BEES SWARMING AROUND THEIR QUEEN. THEY ARE DEEPLY INVOLVED IN THEIR HONEY'S WELL BEING. A LAWYER INVOLVED IN THE JUVENILE CRIMINAL COURT SYSTEM IN THE UNITED STATES SAID THAT PARENTS SHOULD STAY INVOLVED IN THEIR CHILDREN'S LIVES. UNLIKE 'CAR NUTS', MANY PARENTS CANNOT BE COUNTED ON TO ACT FOR THE GOOD OF THEIR DEPENDENTS. THIS CONCERNED LAWYER ALSO OBSERVED THAT PARENTS PATRONIZE OR DEFEND A CHILD'S DELINQUENT BEHAVIOR, EXHIBIT DISINTEREST IN THE CHILD OR DEMONSTRATE NO PROPER PARENTING. FURTHERMORE, SHE WARNED THAT HOMES, 'BROKEN HOMES,' WITHOUT MARRIED PARENTS ARE STATISTICALLY MORE LIKELY TO ENCOUNTER PROBLEMS WITH CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS.

THERE IS NOTHING SHOCKING ABOUT THESE FACTS ABOUT OUR MORAL CULTURE. CHILDREN DO GO ASTRAY (SOMETIMES IN THE BEST PARENTED HOMES). BUT WHEN CHILDREN WHO HAVE GROWN INTO ADULTHOOD GO 'OFF THE RESERVATION' LIKE ROSIE O'DONNELL, MADONNA, CHARLOTTE CHURCH AND BRITTANY SPEARS, AMERICANS SHOULD ASK, "WHERE WAS THE PROPER, PRIOR PARENTING?" WE TEND TO OBSERVE SUCH LOSERS, PERHAPS DECRY THEM, BUT ULTIMATELY WE LOOK THE OTHER WAY.

HINT: WHAT DO WE EXPECT TO SEE IN FUTURE GENERATIONS OF UNPARENTED CHILDREN IF WE TURN AWAY?

REALITY CHECK

AN INTELLECTUAL COINED THE PHRASE "THE THEORY OF OSTENTATIOUS FAILURE." IT APPLIES MONEY AND VERBIAGE TO UNSUCCESSFUL SITUATIONS WITH ELAN. NO MATTER WHAT THE THINKER WAS REFERRING TO, I SAY IT REFERENCES COMMON SENSE. TOO OFTEN I REALIZE COMMON SENSE IS DEAD. GOVERNMENT, WHETHER REPRESENTED AS THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, PUBLIC EDUCATION OR THE INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE, DEMONSTRATES THE DEMISE OF COMMON SENSE (GRANDMA’S VERSION). POLITICIANS, CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS AND SOMETIMES EVEN CHURCHES HAVE LOST THEIR RATIONAL BEARINGS. THE RESULT? FEAR.

I AM SUPPOSED TO NOT ONLY LIVE IN FEAR OF SOME DREADED, RARE FAILURE BUT ALSO TO FEEL LEFT OUT THAT I HAVE NOT SUCCUMBED TO ONE. FOR LOSERS LIKE ME, EXAMPLES ABOUND. WHAT, NO BREAST CANCER? NO SWIMMING PROFICIENCY? NO ENDANGERMENT TO MY BABY'S HEALTH BY IMBIBING WHEN PREGNANT? NO TOXOPLASMOSIS FROM CAT BOX DUTY? NO SCHOOL DAY EVER CANCELED FOR DINT OF STORM OR GRIEF? NO PREMATURE BABY THOUGH I SHOULD HAVE HAD ONE WITH A 1 IN 8 CHANCE OF A RANDOM HIT? NO EXCLUSION FROM PAYING MY INCOME TAXES ALTHOUGH HALF OF THIS COUNTRY PAY NONE?

I AM COMFORTED, HOWEVER, BY REALITY THAT SHINES A LIGHT ON POLITICAL CORRECTNESS AND PANIC MONGERING HIGHLIGHTING THEIR OSTENTATIOUS FAILURES. PEOPLE WATCHING HAS PROVED THAT OVERWEIGHT, OBLIVIOUS SMOKERS PRODUCE PLUMP, HEALTHY BABIES - AND THEY CAN AND DO IT OVER AND OVER AGAIN. THEY ARE AMERICA'S BEST CHANCE FOR AMERICA’S FUTURE WITH AN ABORTION RIDDEN, SELF-ABSORBED CULTURE.

A SLOW GO

PEOPLE WATCHING LENDS ITSELF TO A PHILOSOPHICAL CONSIDERATION OF THE "TRAGEDY OF BOTTOMLESS CONSCIOUSNESS." I REFLECT NOT ON THE FIGURATIVE SENSE WHICH APPLIES TO INFINITE INTERPRETATIONS AND APPRECIATIONS OF WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE'S PLAYS AND SONNETS, BUT ON THE LITERAL APPLICATION TO LENDERS AND BORROWERS. EXAMPLES OF WASTING MONEY ARE FATHOMLESS AS THE DEPTHS OF HUMAN IMAGINATION. BORROWERS CONSCIOUSLY SHOP IN THE BARGAIN BASEMENT WHEN THEY CHOOSE INTEREST ONLY MORTGAGE LOANS. THEY RATIONALIZE THEIR ACTIONS BECAUSE OF THEIR POOR CREDIT OR UNREALISTIC ASPIRATIONS. THEIR LOANS BUILD NO CREDIT, CASH OR HOME EQUITY. THEY OCCUPY THE GROUND LEVEL IN THE MANSION OF OVEREXTENDED LIVING. THE UPPER FLOORS ARE INHABITED BY CASH ADVANCES, RENT-TO-OWNS, NEW CAR LEASES, CASINOS, LOTTERY TICKETS, ONGOING CREDIT CARD BALANCES AND OVER-INDULGENCE.

CHOOSING A LIFE STYLE WITHOUT THE MEANS TO FINANCE IT REPRESENTS A SELF-INFLICTED, POOR CREDIT RATING. THE SYSTEM IS AS OLD AS GOVERNMENT OR COLONIZATION ITSELF. WHAT IS TO BE DONE? PAY YOURSELF FIRST. PAY CASH. AVOID DEBT. NOT ONLY IS IT A HUMAN COMEDY, BUT IT IS ALSO A HUMAN TRAGEDY THAT TOO FEW AMERICANS JUST CAN'T SAY, "NO," TO WHAT THEY DON’T NEED OR CAN’T AFFORD. CONSEQUENTLY, THEY - LIKE POOR SISYPHUS FROM GREEK MYTHOLOGY - CONTINUOUSLY PUSH A BIG, HEAVY DEBT UPHILL ONLY TO HAVE IT CONTINUOUSLY FALL BACK ON THEM. WHAT A SLOW GO!

#572

TO MAKE A PRAIRIE
IT TAKES A CLOVER AND ONE BEE,
ONE CLOVER, AND A BEE,
AND REVERY.
THE REVERY ALONE WILL DO,
IF BEES ARE FEW.

FROM POET EMILY DICKINSON


3/13/07
TO MAKE A MAPLE SYRUP
IT TAKES A WOODY FIRE ON TAP,
A CONTINUOUS BOILING SAP,
AND DEDICATION.
THE DEDICATION ALONE WON'T DO,
MAGIC IS IN THE BREW.

FROM CAROLYN

CONTRASTING CLIQUES

IN THE EARLY YEARS OF THE LAST CENTURY, MEMBERS OF THE PRESS STREET GANG OF LONDON, A CIRCLE OF NAVAL EXPERTS (MAINLY MEN) BELIEVED THAT "THE THREE MOST BEAUTIFUL THINGS IN THE WORLD WERE A FIGHTING SHIP, A NUBILE WOMAN, AND A FAST RACEHORSE - IN THAT ORDER." THEIR PREFERRED ECSTASY WAS THE SIGHT OF A NEW BATTLESHIP, WITH POWERFUL ORDNANCE, CLEAVING THE SEA. SHE WAS THE HIGHEST EXPRESSION OF HUMAN ACHIEVEMENT.

CONTRAST THESE SENTIMENTS WITH THE THOSE OF THE CLIQUE OF INSANE DEVOTEES OF NCAA IN THESE EARLY YEARS OF THE 21ST CENTURY. IT IS ‘MARCH MADNESS’ TIME AGAIN, BUT NOT MADNESS OF THE UPLIFTING KIND. NO DOUBT EXISTS AS TO WHEREIN THE ECSTASY OF BOUNCE BALL ADDICTS RESIDES. AS A VICTIM OF BOTH SEA-SICKNESS (PUT PERMANENTLY INTO MY PAST) AND SHORTNESS (PERMANENTLY IN MY LIFE'S CONTINUUM), I CANNOT EMPATHIZE WITH EITHER A LOVE OF MARITIME CREATIONS OR AN INTEREST IN TALL MEN DUNKING A BALL. MY CONCERN, NEVERTHELESS, LIES WITH THE SERIOUS IMPLICATIONS THAT THE MARCH MADNESS HAS FOR AMERICA’S SUPERIORITY AT HOME OR ON THE HIGH SEAS. THE INANE, PERSONAL GRATIFICATIONS OF BASKETBALL MANIACS ARE SHALLOW ENOUGH TO RUN AGROUND.

THE PRESS STREET GANG POSSESSED A DEPTH OF APPRECIATION FOR POWER, BEAUTY AND SPEED. OH...NO... PERHAPS THESE SAME THREE ATTRIBUTES - POWER, BEAUTY AND SPEED - ARE SEEN BY BASKETBALL FANS TO APPLY TO THEIR FAVORITE SPORT. HOW SCARY CAN IT GET?

ROBOTIC FOOLISHNESS

ENGINEERS WHO CREATE ROBOTS ATTEMPT TO IMITATE THE 3 THINGS THAT HUMAN BEINGS DO BEST: SEE, NAVIGATE AND IMPROVISE. SCIENTIFIC RESEARCHERS HAVE OBVIOUSLY STUDIED AND VISITED HISTORY. SUCCESS IN HUMAN ENDEAVORS COMES INCREMENTALLY FROM CONFRONTING REALITY, BLUNDERING THROUGH IT AND ACCOMMODATING ACTIONS TO NEW DATA. A SEQUENCE OF EVENTS THAT LED TO VICTORY IN THE CIVIL WAR DID NOT OCCUR UNTIL THE LAST YEAR OF THE BLOODSHED. FIRST FARRAGUT AT MOBILE BAY, NEXT SHERMAN AT ATLANTA, THEN SHERIDAN IN THE SHENANDOAH VALLEY, TERRY AT FORT FISHER, THOMAS AT NASHVILLE, LINCOLN WITH HIS 13TH AMENDMENT OUTLAWING SLAVERY AND FINALLY GRANT AT PETERSBURG AND RICHMOND - EACH VICTORY WAS BOUGHT WITH PATIENCE MASQUERADING AS STUBBORNNESS AGAINST THE FOE.

HOW THEN DO WE EXPLAIN THE ROBOTIC STUPIDITY OF A LOCALLY HELD MERCURY COLLECTION FOR APRIL 3RD? THE DANGER OF MERCURY POISONING HAS OBVIOUSLY BEEN SEEN BY THE GOVERNMENT WHO HAS NAVIGATED THROUGH THE DATA AND MADE THE DECISION TO ASK THE PUBLIC TO TURN IN THERMOMETERS AND ANY OTHER OBJECTS CONTAINING THE POTENTIALLY DEADLY MERCURY INTO THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT. THE COLLECTION TAKES PLACE 'OUTSIDE' IN THE PARKING LOT BECAUSE CONTAMINATION WOULD THEN BE AVOIDED INDOORS. IS THIS OVERBLOWN FOLLY THE CULMINATION OF SCIENTIFIC ENQUIRY AND PROGRESS?

HINT: ROBOTS WITHOUT HOMO SAPIENS' BRAINS AND COMMON SENSE COULD REPLACE POLITICIANS.

DECEPTION

YOU NEED A 'WILLING SUSPENSION OF DISBELIEF' TO ATTEND A MOVIE OR READ A FICTION BOOK. YOU ALSO NEED IT TO FORGET THAT 1.1 BILLION DOLLARS ARE SPENT IN THE UNITED STATED ON DOG TRAINING, BUT NOT A CENT TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC ABOUT OUT-OF-CONTROL, LIBERAL, POLITICAL DECEPTION. LIES PREVAILS, BUT, UNLIKE DOGS WHO CAN NEVER LIE, THE PUBLIC, UNLIKE DOGS, NEVER LEARNS.

PAST PRESIDENT FRANKLIN ROOSEVELT LIED TO AMERICA WHEN HE SAID THAT "OUR BOYS WILL NEVER FIGHT IN A FOREIGN WAR." ENTER WORLD WAR II, CENTER STAGE. "I'LL NEVER LIE," PROMISED PAST PRESIDENT JIMMY CARTER. ENTER HIS USE OF UNTRUTHS AS 'AMBASSADOR TO THE WORLD.' PRESIDENTIAL HOPEFUL HELLARY CLINTON THREATENS TO RECALL TROOPS FROM IRAQ IMMEDIATELY IF ELECTED ON JANUARY, 2009, BUT ALSO SAYS THAT SHE WOULD LEAVE "A FEW GI'S TO DETER IRAN AND IRAQ." PLAYING TRUTH AGAINST CONVENIENCE HAS BEEN MS. HELLARY'S FORTE.

PAST PRESIDENT JOHN ADAMS WROTE THAT, "THERE NEVER WAS, IS NOT, AND NEVER WILL BE MORE THAN ONE BEING IN THE UNIVERSE CAPABLE OF COMPREHENDING IT." SUBSTITUTE THE WORD 'LIBERAL' FOR IT AND YOU WILL BE FORCED TO FACE THE INSIDIOUSNESS OF LIBERALS, AMERICA’S 'USEFUL IDIOTS.' ONLY GOD KNOWS WHY THEIR RAISON D'ETRE IS TO PLAY 'HARD AND FAST' WITH DECEPTION.

100%

IN THE PLAY, 'OUR TOWN', THORNTON WILDER SAYS: "EVERY TIME A CHILD IS BORN INTO THE WORLD IT'S NATURE'S ATTEMPT TO MAKE A PERFECT HUMAN BEING. ... WE ALL KNOW SHE'S (NATURE’S) INTERESTED IN QUANTITY; BUT I THINK SHE'S INTERESTED IN QUALITY, TOO." WITH PEOPLE AND FORCES OF NATURE, THERE IS SOMETHING THAT DOESN'T LIKE A WALL, A BARRIER TO HOPED-FOR PERFECTION.

EXCEPT WITH LIBERALS. LIBERALS DEMONSTRATE NO AFFINITY FOR PERCENTAGES BECAUSE 100% DOES NOT EXIST IN THEIR PLAY BOOK. THEY ARE UNCOMFORTABLE WITH STRIVING FOR ULTIMATE GOALS UNLESS THEY ARE POLITICALLY EXPEDIENT.

NEVER MIND THAT NATURE AND HUMANITY BOTH SETTLE FOR NOTHING LESS THAN THE BEST. A DANDELION IS COMPELLED TO BLOOM 100%. AN AMARYLLIS WITH TWO PERFECT FLOWERS CAN BE COUNTED ON TO CONTINUE TO PROJECT A 2ND PAIR OF PERFECT BLOOMS. A CHILD IS COMPELLED TO BE BORN. MICROBES STRIVE FOR 100% SURVIVAL NEAR A VOLCANO’S THERMAL VENTS IN THE EARTH’S OCEANS. A MIND'S POTENTIAL FOR KNOWLEDGE IS INFINITE. A STORM ALWAYS APPEARS IN ITS PERFECT, DETERMINED FORM.

EXCEPT LIBERALS. THEY CAMPAIGN FOR 100% HEALTH CARE COVERAGE ONLY BECAUSE THE CONCEPT EXCITES, BUT FOR THEM, STUDENTS FUNCTIONING AT 100% OF THEIR GRADE LEVELS IS AN IMPOSSIBLE DREAM. SOME CHILDREN 'SHOULD BE LEFT BEHIND BECAUSE 100% IS UNDOABLE. UNIVERSAL SUFFRAGE PLAYS WELL FOR MEDIA COVERAGE WITH LIBERALS AT ELECTION TIMES, BUT THEIR COMPROMISES ON MORAL ISSUES ARE ROUTINE BECAUSE THERE ARE NO HARD AND FAST RULES. MAN’S WILL IS LESS THAN 100% FREE BECAUSE LIBERALS WANT TO STRIP AWAY OUR FREE CHOICES. WHEN SHAKESPEARE WROTE THAT "STRIVING TO DO BETTER, OFT WE MAR WHAT'S WELL," HE COULD NOT HAVE KNOWN THAT HISTORY WOULD PROVIDE US WITH LIBERALS THAT CHOOSE NOT TO STRIVE FOR PERFECTION AT ALL.

HINT: FOR LIBERALS, 100% IS A MOVEABLE FEAST. IT'S AMAZING TO WATCH WEALTHY, POWERFUL, POLITICAL HYPOCRITES DINE TOGETHER.

KEEP LAUGHING

POST MID-TERM ELECTION 2006 OR PRE- PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION 2008 - LAUGHTER REMAINS THE BEST MEDICINE. RUSH LIMBAUGH, THE CONSERVATIVE TALK SHOW HOST, SAYS "LIBERALS THINK THAT NOBODY REALLY EARNS THEIR MONEY. YOU EITHER INHERIT IT OR CHEAT PEOPLE OUT OF IT." THE JOKE'S ON BUSINESS PEOPLE LIKE ME WHO WORKED EVERY DAY OF THEIR ADULT LIVES TO MAKE A LIVING. RUSH ALSO QUIPS THAT AS A LIBERAL, "YOU HAVE TO TELL YOURSELF YOU'RE SMARTER THAN EVERYBODY ELSE, AND THEREFORE EVERYBODY ELSE NEEDS TO DEPEND ON YOU." HAVING KNOWN THAT I WAS NEVER SMARTER THAN MY CUSTOMERS WHO THE GOVERNMENT COULDN'T OUTSMART, I CHUCKLE AT LIBERALS WHO THINK THEY CAN OUTSMART ANYONE. FOR AMERICANS LIKE ME, CONSERVATISM WORKED WELL ENOUGH TO PROVIDE MY RETIREMENT.

RUSH WOULD ALSO SNICKER EVERY TIME HE HEARS OR READS ABOUT ANOTHER LAWSUIT TO CHALLENGE THE USE OR MISHANDLING OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTIES. THE HUMOR LIES NOT IN THE LEGITIMACY OF THE ISSUE, BUT IN THE MENTAL PICTURE OF JOHN EDWARDS AND HIS CADRE OF LAWYERS SALIVATING AT THE PUBLIC TROUGH WHERE THEY CAN DRAIN THE PUBLIC DRY AS THEY QUENCH THEIR THIRST FOR MONEY.

RUSH WOULD LAUGH TOO AT THE HYPOCRISIES OF MODERN POLITICAL CORRECTNESS ACCOMMODATING ITSELF NICELY INTO RELIGION AS GNOSTICISM. NO LONGER DO NATURAL OR THEOLOGICAL TRUTHS EXIST; TO GNOSTICS, TRUTHS ARE MALLEABLE, CHANGEABLE, AND ACCESSED ONLY BY SUPERIOR WISDOM, AVAILABLE TO THE ENLIGHTENED. FOR THE PUNCH LINE, GUESS WHO THE GNOSTICS MIGHT BE? THE LIBERALS, THE POLITICALLY CORRECT WHO IRONICALLY ARE AGNOSTICS TO THEIR CORES.

THE GNOSTIC AGENDAS - GAY RIGHTS, ENVIRONMENTALISM, GLOBAL WARMING, ABORTION, AND ECONOMIC RE-DISTRIBUTION, GOVERNMENT REGULATION AND PACIFICIST - LEAVE BOTH RUSH AND ME IN STITCHES WHEN WE COMPARE LIBERALS WITH THE AUDACITY OF TRUTH.

HOW FAR

JUST HOW FAR HAS CONTRADICTION AND THE LACK OF COMMON SENSE TRAVELED IN AMERICA TODAY? HALILBURTON CAN DO NOTHING RIGHT ACCORDING TO LIBERALS ON THE LEFT BUT THE LEFT SAYS IT IS WRONG FOR HALLIBURTON TO TAKE ITS BUSINESS OUT OF THIS COUNTRY. A BIG BUSINESS LIKE HALLIBURTON IS BAD ACCORDING TO THE LEFT, BUT IT IS APPARENTLY ALSO GOOD BECAUSE GEORGE SOROS, A LEFTIST, HAS JUST BOUGHT A LARGE CHUNK OF SHARES IN HALLIBURTON. ON THE RIGHT, CONSERVATIVES OPERATE UPON THE PRINCIPLES OF CONSISTENCY AND COMMON SENSE BUT ON THE LEFT, THE LIBERALS REFUSE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THEM.
THE AGE-OLD BATTLE BETWEEN TWO CONTENDING ARMIES, LIKE THE ANCIENT SPARTANS AND PERSIANS, PLAYS ITSELF OUT IN A DIVIDED AMERICA. NO PHALANX OF COMBATANTS WILL GO DOWN TO THE LAST MAN BUT THE DIFFERING MANIFESTATIONS OF RATIONALITY HAVE TURNED THE CONTEST UGLY. TWO CONFLICTING REALITIES ARE ASSURED - AN ABUNDANCE OF POLITICAL EGOTISM FROM SHORE TO SHORE AND A SHORTAGE OF COMMON SENSE.
HINT: WILL THE DOWNFALL OF AMERICA COME FROM WITHIN OR FROM WITHOUT?

IT'S SPRING

SUN LUSCIOUS. AERIAL DANCES
IN TREE TOPS FOR SPARKY BIRDS.
ENJOYMENT INHERENT IN WARMTH
A DOG SPLAYS GROUNDED UNDER RAYS,
BACK PROTECTED FROM THE BREEZE.

A FIRST GOLD CROCUS CLUSTER
STUNG BY BEES. VIOLET JUMP-UPS
NECTAR SWEET. LIGHTNESS OF BEING
DAWNING FOR HUNTRESS CATS
OR ANY APPRECIATIVE FORMS.

FIRE

LAST WORDS: " I STILL THINK IT WOULD HAVE BURNED ITSELF OUT."
FIRST WORDS, "WHY NOT BURN A SMALL SPOT TO PLANT THE CLOVER?"
SUN WAS SHINING, MILD BREEZE BLOWING, TWO SOULS WITH SELF-RELIANCE AND AN INGRAINED AVERSION TO EMBARRASSMENT. TWO SHOVELS READY. THE GRASS WAS LIT . MY, IT WAS DRY. IT WAS THE FIRST NICE SUNNY, SPRING DAY ON WHICH WE THOUGHT OUR SPIRITS COULD FLY. QUICKLY, THE CIRCLE OF FIRE EXPANDED. QUICKER STILL OUR FLAT SHOVEL HEADS POUNDED THE BURNING EDGES. THE TURN WAS EXTINGUISHED AND UNDER CONTROL UNTIL THE FIRST WHIFF OF A SOUTHERN BREEZE FANNED THE EDGES. EXPANSION WAS QUICKER THAN ARMS FLAILING THE GROUND. SILENCE PREVAILED FROM TWO DILIGENT, DESPERATE WORKERS. THE CIRCLE GREW. THE POUNDING TOO. MAYBE I SHOULD CALL 911. "NO, "I THINK IF THE BREEZE DOESN'T COME UP AGAIN, WE'RE O.K." THE CIRCLE OF FIRE GREW. THE POUNDING TOO. IN SPITE OF SWEATING, MOUTH-BREATHING AND ADRENALINE PUMPING THROUGH THE REPETITIVE ACTIONS ON THE IRREGULAR LINE OF HEAT, THE CIRCLE GREW. ANOTHER BREEZE CAME UP WHOOSHING THE EXTREMITIES FARTHER. MINUTES BECAME QUARTER HOURS, AN HOUR AND BEYOND. THE POUNDINGS ON PERIPHERIES CONTINUED. FINALLY, A SECOND, " I THINK I SHOULD CALL 911." FEAR WAS INSPIRED BY THE APPROACHING NEIGHBOR'S FENCE LINE, BY A SECOND FIELD OF FIRE BEING OPENED UP, BY A SECOND NEIGHBOR’S PROPERTY BORDERED BY BROKEN DOWN BRANCHES AND BRAMBLES, BY FEAR IN THE SOUTH WHERE TWIGS, DOWNED TREES AND WEEDY VEGETATION LITERALLY FORMED NOT ONLY A PROPERTY BOUNDARY BUT AN IMPENETRABLE GULLY. FEAR THAT IF CALLED, FIRE CONTROL WOULD NOT GET HERE IN TIME. "TELL THEM IT IS A GRASS FIRE OUT OF CONTROL," HE SAID. CALLING 911 MEANT WALKING WEAK AND WINDED TO THE PHONE ANOTHER FIELD AWAY. FIRE, FEAR AND EMBARRASSMENT PRETTY MUCH PROVIDED THE INSPIRATION TO SEEK HELP AND THE ABILITY TO RETURN TO THE FIRE LINE QUICKLY APPROACHING THE NEIGHBOR'S FENCE LINE. MY, HOW THE FACE GLOWS AND A MAN SWEATS FROM UNRELENTING HEAT.

WONDERS WERE WROUGHT BY A SHINY, RED, 2/4 PUMPER TRUCK THAT 'SAVED THE AFTERNOON.' MY, HOW SWEET THE TASTE OF WATER AND A CUP OF TEA TO EXHAUSTED COMBATANTS. AFTER THE FIRE, CAME THE RAIN. A SOFT DRIZZLE FALLS TODAY ON A BLACKENED FIELD. MY CO-WORKER STILL THINKS "THE FIRE WOULD HAVE BURNED ITSELF OUT." OUR MARRIAGE IS GREATLY ENHANCED BY HIS SENSE OF HUMOR; MY HEALTH BY AN OCCASIONAL, UNEXPECTED CARDIO-VASCULAR WORKOUT.

some times

A MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS VICTIM SUMMED UP HER POSITION SAYING, "YOU DON'T LOOK BACK AT WHAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN. YOU ACCEPT THE CONDITION THAT LIFE HAS PRESENTED AND YOU MAKE THE BEST OF WHAT YOU HAVE."

THERE'S NO POINT DROOLING OVER THE GOOD FORTUNE OF LOTTERY WINNERS. THERE'S NO USE TRYING TO EXPLAIN WHY WAR TIME BRINGS OUT THE WORST IN INDIVIDUALS. THERE'S NO EXPLAINING WHY EXECUTIVES OF NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS ARE COMPENSATED WITH SALARIES OF $275,000. THERE'S NO LOGIC TO POLITICAL CORRECTNESS WHICH REQUIRES OENOPHILES TO CALL A SERVER IN A RESTAURANT A 'WAIT-STAFF.'

GOD IS SOMEWHERE IN THE UNBALANCED EQUATION - SOMEWHERE IN SOME PERSONS (CREATED IN HIS IMAGE), INEXPLICABLY, SOME TIMES.

INTERVENTON

WHEN HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS FAIL THE PROFICIENCY TESTS, INTERVENTION KICKS IN. TEACHERS, WHO FAILED TO TEACH IN THE FIRST PLACE, ARE RE-EMPLOYED TO REPEAT INSTRUCTION AFTER-SCHOOL THE STUDENTS WHO HAVE ALREADY REFUSED TO LEARN. THREE ATTEMPTS TO PASS ARE ALLOWED BEFORE A HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR IS DENIED GRADUATION. INTERVENTION SATISFIES THE POLITICALLY CORRECT METHOD OF AN EDUCATION SYSTEM WHICH REMAINS TOTALLY DISCONNECTED FROM THE COMMON SENSE IDEA THAT ACHIEVEMENT SHOULD RECEIVE REWARD, FAILURE SHOULD NOT.

I CONSIDER ST. AUGUSTINE'S ONTOLOGICAL STATEMENT THAT "WHATSOEVER THINGS ARE, ARE GOOD," BUT THE BASIS OF EVIL IS SPIRITUAL AND THUS PART OF THE HUMAN CONDITION. HUMAN BEINGS ARE CAPABLE OF EVIL, PERPETRATED THROUGH THEIR CULTURE, NOT THEIR CIVILIZATION. AMERICAN CULTURE, IF WE JUDGE BY THE STATE OF POPULAR EDUCATION AND ENTERTAINMENT, IS IN DEEP TROUBLE. ITS SPIRITUAL BASIS IS COMPROMISED. HALF TRUTHS BEING WORSE THAN LIES, I WONDER IF THE ACCEPTABILITY OF HALF MEASURES OF INTELLECTUAL DEVELOPMENT IS WORSE THAN NO EDUCATION WHATSOEVER.

HINT: INTERVENTION IS A EDUCATIONAL JARGON FOR APPROVAL OF FAILURE.

A GENIUS

ADOLPH HITLER POSSESSED NOT ONLY TALENT, FITTING HIMSELF FAVORABLY INTO THE POLITICS OF HIS GERMAN STATE TO GAIN POWER, BUT ALSO GENIUS TRANSFORMING GERMANY AND THE WORLD IN ACCORDANCE WITH HIS NEEDS. SO OBSERVED KONRAD HEIDEN IN HIS BIOGRAPHY OF HITLER IN 1935. HITLER'S TWO HATREDS- OF JEWS AND THE BOURGEOISIE - WERE MORE POWERFUL THAN HIS LOVES (IN PARTICULAR THE FATHERLAND). HE USED HIS HATREDS (AND HIS ANTI-SEMITISM ESPECIALLY) IN HIS SELF-CENTERED WAY TO PROMOTE HIS POPULIST AND NATIONALISTIC MYTHS. USING HIS MIND OVER MATTER AND THE CHARISMATIC FORCE OF HIS PERSONALITY AND SPEECHES, HITLER WON CONTROL OF THE STATE OF GERMANY. CITIZENS FOLLOWED HIM TO A LARGE DEGREE BECAUSE HIS WORDS AND ACTS WERE CONSISTENT WITH HIS DILIGENCE. HE CREATED NOT A TOTALITARIAN, BUT AN AUTHORITARIAN STATE. THE FORMER WAS OPERATED TOP DOWN BY TYRANT WITH CONTROL OVER HIS INHABITANTS. THE LATTER, UNDER HITLER'S CONTROL, WAS BASED ON HIS BELIEF THAT THE STATE WAS AN INSTRUMENT OF THE PEOPLE. THE PEOPLE SUPPORTED HIS GEISTER, HIS SOUL. HIS SOUL, TO THE GERMAN PEOPLE, WAS THEIR SAVIOR, THEIR CHRIST.

BUT AS HISTORY TELLS US, HITLER'S GENIUS GAVE TRUTH TO LIES. WAS HITLER THE FIRST OF THE ANTI-CHRIST FIGURES THAT ST. JOHN OF THE APOCALYPSE DESCRIBED AND PREDICTED? THE ANTI-CHRIST IS NOT 'DIABOLICAL' OR 'SATANIC;' RATHER HE IS SMILING, GENEROUS AND POPULAR, AN IDOL ADORED BY THE MASSES BECAUSE OF HIS SUNNY VISION, A FALSE FATHER. ONLY A MINORITY OF PEOPLE, ST. JOHN SAYS, WILL RECOGNIZE HIS AWFUL PORTENTS.

HITLER, OF COURSE DID NOT BRING THE 2ND COMING OR THE END OF THE WORLD. BUT AFTER HITLER ANOTHER POTENTIAL ANTI-CHRIST HAS LOOMED. LOOK AROUND TO THE MARTYRS FOR THE CAUSE OF ISLAMIC JIHAD. DEATH WITH ALLAH'S APPROVING SMILE PROVIDES JUSTIFICATION TO THE FOLLOWERS OF THE SUICIDAL AND HOMICIDAL CULT TO WIPE OUT THE WESTERN INFIDELS.

HINT: HITLER WAS A GENIUS. MOHAMMED TO MUSLIMS WAS A GENIUS. JESUS WAS A GENIUS. WHAT GENIUS TODAY WILL BE ABLE TO TRANSFORM THE WORLD TO MEET HIS NEEDS?

APPEALING LIES

HEDONISTIC AND SELF-CENTERED AMERICANS ACT AS IF GOD IS ON THEIR SIDE. TOO BAD IT IS NOT TRUE. THEY HAVE FALLEN TO THE DEVIL'S APPEALING LIES. EVERY MAN LIVES FOR HIMSELF, HIS OWN ENDS; THE DEVIL DECEIVES US ALL.

THE ANTI-CHRIST WHISPERS THAT LARGE DOSES OF VITAMINS AND ANTI-OXIDANTS FOSTER GOOD HEALTH. YET TRUTH TELLS US THAT VITALITY CAN BE FOUND IN COMMON SENSE EATING HABITS, NOT IN BOTTLES.

A SEVENTEEN YEAR OLD PREGNANT WITH OUT OF WEDLOCK TWINS CREDITS, "GOD BEING WITH US," FOR THE SURVIVAL OF HER BOYFRIEND WHOSE HEART WAS PIERCED WITH A 3 INCH NAIL.

A BAPTIST PROFESSOR, HUSBAND OF 35 YEARS AND FATHER OF 3, DECIDES TO CHANGE HIS SEXUAL IDENTITY AT THE AGE OF 55. HIS RATIONALE IS THAT "I DON'T AGREE OUR BIOLOGY DETERMINES OUR GENDER."

IS IT GOD WHO NOW WALKS SIDE BY SIDE WITH THE SELF-ABSORBED AND SELFISH WHO CANNOT CONSTRAIN THEMSELVES? WHO ARE FOOLED THAT DRUGS AND SURGERIES CAN SOLVE SELF-INDUCED HEALTH PROBLEMS? WHO PROCREATE AND 'PARTY' WHENEVER THEY HEAR A SEDUCTIVE TUNE? WHO SUBMIT TO SATISFYING A CONFLICTING BIOLOGICAL URGE NOTED FROM CHILDHOOD?

HINT: MY WORDS ARE METAPHORICAL "FRUGAL CHARIOTS' OF
POET EMILY DICKINSON. THEY WILL PROBABLY TRANSPORT NO
ONE TO THE LAND OF TRUTH. THE DEVIL'S LIES ARE TOO
CONVINCING.

THE RIGHT TO BE BAD

AN AMERICAN UNHAPPY WITH GOVERNMENT INTERFERENCE SAID, "I HAVE A RIGHT TO MAKE BAD CHOICES." SUCH A SENTIMENT IS ADMIRABLE UNLESS THIS SAME AMERICAN THINKS THAT SOMEONE OR GOVERNMENT IN SOME FORM SHOULD HELP HIM PAY FOR HIS MISTAKES.

THE FUTURE 'Y' GENERATION IS CHARACTERIZED BY A SHORT ATTENTION SPAN ALONG WITH HIGH-TECH LITERACY AND THE NEED TO BE NOTICED. ALL THREE QUALITIES COULD LEAD TO BAD CHOICES. THEN WHAT? WILL THE INABILITY TO SIT ALONE WITH ONE'S THOUGHTS OR READ SOMEONE'S ELSE'S RESULT IN OUR YOUTH SELECTING THE EASY WAY THROUGH LIFE? WILL HIGH-TECH LITERACY BE VALUABLE AS A SOURCE OF INCOME OR REWARD ON THE ROAD TO INDEPENDENCE? CAN THE NEED FOR ATTENTION POSSIBLY BE USED FOR GOOD PURPOSES?

LOOK AROUND THE COUNTRY NOW TO SEE MANHOOD SHUNNING MORAL MUSCULARITY, FEMININITY RE-DEFINED AND ON VULGAR DISPLAY AND CONSTANT STIMULATION SATISFIED ONLY BY THE OUTSIDE WORLD ALBEIT THROUGH TECHNOLOGY.

HINT: I SALUTE THE RIGHT TO BAD CHOICES AS WELL AS THE RIGHT TO ACCEPT THE CONSEQUENCES. THE POET ROBERT BROWNING PUT IT THIS WAY: "WHITE SHALL NOT NEUTRALIZE THE BLACK, NOR GOOD COMPENSATE BAD IN MAN... LIFE'S BUSINESS BEING JUST THE TERRIBLE CHOICE."

DUELING DIVAS

A PSYCHOLOGIST CLASSIFIED PERSONALITIES INTO 4 GROUPS: POPULAR SANGUINES, POWERFUL CHOLERICS, PERFECT MELANCHOLICS AND PEACEFUL PHLEGMATICS. QUITE OBVIOUSLY, A PERFECTLY SAD SACK OR A NON-AGRESSIVE COUCH POTATO DOES NOT QUALIFY FOR LEADERSHIP. BUT...CHEERFUL, HOPEFUL, PASSIONATE, POPULAR, POWERFUL, ARGUMENTATIVE TYPES OFTEN DO. WHAT IN THIS PSYCHOLOGIST'S VIEW MAKES THE BEST LEADER? THE POWERFUL, CHOLERIC SANGUINE. ALSO, THIS PSYCHOLOGIST OBSERVES THAT IN TODAY'S KU KLUX KLAN, ALL FOUR PERSONALITY TYPES WORK TOGETHER TO FORM A UNITED ORGANIZATION WITH AN APPEALING FRONT. EVEN THOUGH 70 YEARS AGO THE KLAN TOTALED 3 MILLION AND TODAY ONLY A FEW THOUSAND, IT REMAINS CONSCIOUS OF ITS IMAGE BY FORGOING THE USE OF THE 'N' WORD.

IN WHAT ONCE WAS THE 'LAND OF THE KLAN,' THE SOUTH, IN SELMA, ALABAMA, THIS SUNDAY, TWO DIVAS DUEL FOR ATTENTION, DESPERATE FOR DISTINCTION AS A RESULT OF THEIR MESSAGE AND PERSONALITIES. TO WHOM DO I REFER?

HELLARY CLINTON AND BARAK OBAMA - WITHIN A SIREN'S SONG OF EACH OTHER -ATTENDED SEPARATE CHURCHES TO DELIVER SEPARATE BUT EQUALITY POLITICALLY MOTIVATED MESSAGES ABOUT FREEDOM AND THE MARCH FOR CIVIL RIGHTS HELD IN TOWN OVER FORTY YEARS AGO BY DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. WHO EMERGES AS THE BEST LEADER? THE POWERFUL, PASSIONATE HOPE FOR THE 2008 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION.

THE KLAN TREMBLES, HELLARY DISSEMBLES, BUT THE STAGE IS ONLY LARGE ENOUGH TO ACCOMMODATE ONE DOOFUS MASQUERADING AS A DIVA - OR IS IT THE OTHER WAY AROUND?

UNBRANDED

ON THE CHILD-SPENDING SPECTRUM, THE POSSIBILITIES FOR EXCESS RANGE FROM O% TO 100%. O% REPRESENTS A REFUSAL TO SPEND DOLLARS NEEDLESSLY ON ITEMS, IDEAS OR ENTERPRISES THAT REVOLVE AROUND THE RAISING OF YOUR CHILDREN. AT THE OTHER EXTREMITY, PARENTS (MORE THAN LIKELY THE MOTHER ) OVER-INDULGE AND FIXATE ON THE BEST, MOST LUXURIOUS, EXCLUSIVE AND EXPENSIVE CHOICES IN CLOTHING, FOOD, EDUCATION, TRANSPORTATION, HEALTH CARE, ENTERTAINMENT AND HOUSING. PARENTS SET THE PATTERN ON THE CONTINUUM OF O% REPRESENTING FRUGALITY AND COMMON SENSE TO 100% REPRESENTING A MIND-SET THAT NOTHING 'TOO GOOD' SHOULD BE MISSED.

ONLY THOSE IN THE 1% OF SUPER RICH AMERICANS WHO HAVE MORE MONEY THAN THEY WILL EVER BE ABLE TO DISPOSE OF, HAVE THE RIGHT TO CONSIDER 'HAVING IT ALL.' THE BALANCE OF US MUST DISCIPLINE OURSELVES TO FIND A REASONABLE RANGE OF CONSUMPTION. I SUGGEST, FOR A SAFE AND SANE BEGINNING, THE REJECTION OF BRAND NAME PRODUCTS AND PRODUCTIONS. DISREGARD THEM FOR CLOTHING, FOOD, EDUCATIONAL, TRANSPORTATION, HEALTH CARE, ENTERTAINMENT AND HOUSING OPTIONS - AND YOU WILL REAP FINANCIAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL REWARDS.

A FILM AND FOOD CRITIC SAID, "GRATUITOUS PICKINESS IS A SOUL-KILLING TRAP AGAINST WHICH THE CRITIC MUST ALWAYS BE ON GUARD." WORD SUBSTITUTIONS PROVIDE YOU WITH MY SAGE ADVICE. GRATUITOUS SPENDING IS A SAVINGS-KILLING TRAP AGAINST WHICH THE PARENT MUST ALWAYS BE ON GUARD."

HINT: NEVER ALLOW YOURSELF TO BE BRANDED.

DRAMATIC IRONY

LOOK NO FURTHER THAN A LIBERAL TO SAY ONE THING AND DO THE OTHER. LIBERAL POLITICIANS, BARAK OMAMA, HELLARY CLINTON, JOE BIDEN, JOHN KERRY, AL GORE AND JOHN EDWARDS PREACH AGAINST THE VALUE OF OR NEED FOR VOUCHERS THAT REPRESENT SCHOOL CHOICES. YET THEY DISS FAILING PUBLIC EDUCATION BY SENDING OR BY HAVING SENT THEIR CHILDREN TO EXCLUSIVE, PRIVATE SCHOOLS.

LOOK NO FURTHER THAN TO LIBERAL PARENTS WHO COMPLAIN THAT THEIR CHILDREN DISS THEM WITH CONTRADICTORY, PERSONAL CHOICES IN RELIGION AND LIFESTYLES. YET THEY DISPLAY A LACK OF PARENTAL RESPONSIBILITY, CONTROL AND GUIDANCE BY ALLOWING YOUTH, THEIR OWN CHILDREN UNDER 18, TO MAKE ADULT DECISIONS.

LOOK NO FURTHER THAN TO OUR DEMOCRAT CONGRESS, BOTH IN THE HOUSE AND IN THE SENATE, WHO TAKE UP PRECIOUS PUBLIC SERVICE TIME TO DISCUSS AND VOTE ON NON-BINDING RESOLUTIONS BECAUSE THEY DEMONSTRATE DISAPPROVAL OF THE PRESIDENT. YET A REPRESENTATIVE ACTUALLY WANTED TO DISS THE COMMANDER- IN- CHIEF, A DE-FUNDING MEASURE WOULD ACCOMPLISH THE TASK.

HINT: INTEGRITY MEANS THAT THOUGHT, WORD AND ACTION ARE CONGRUENT.

DRAMATIC IRONY

THE CURRENT MINI--MINORITY OF ATHEISTS IN AMERICA CONDEMN RELIGIOUS EVANGELICALS AND FUNDAMENTALISTS BECAUSE OF THEIR RIGIDITY AND CONTEMPT FOR COMPROMISE AND INTELLECTUALITY. IRONICALLY, THE ATHEISTS THEMSELVES PRACTICE CONTEMPT FOR THOSE WHO DISAGREE WITH THEM, RIGIDITY IN THEIR THINKING AND EMOTIONAL RESPONSES TO THEIR OPPONENTS.

THE CURRENT THEOCRACY OF IRAN CONDEMNS THE UNITED STATES FOR CONSTANTLY DEMONIZING THEM. IRONICALLY, THE IRANIAN REGIME HAS FOR DECADES CALLED US THE 'GREAT SATAN.'

THE CURRENT CROP OF AMERICAN LIBERALS AND PROGRESSIVES POLITICIANS DECLARES THAT THE STATE AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS DESTROYED DEMOCRACY IN AMERICA. BUT IRONICALLY THEY FAVOR GOVERNMENT RESTRICTIONS UPON CITIZENS RIGHTS AND BEHAVIOR THEN THEY SUPPORT PUBLIC SERVICE MESSAGES THAT ASSERT THE FREEDOM OF INDIVIDUALS TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR EATING AND LIVING HEALTHY.

HINT: FOR EVERY WORD (OR ACTION) THERE IS AN EQUAL AND OPPOSITE REACTION. TOO BAD THEY COINCIDE.