TWO AMERICAS

I SEE A MAN SITTING ON A BUCKET - CLEANING MOTOR PARTS. CONTENT.
I SEE A WOMAN READING A BOOK ON THE CIVIL WAR. CONTENT.
I KNOW A MAN WHO SENDS AND RECEIVES FAXES VIA HIS E-MAIL. CONTENT.
I KNOW A WOMAN WHO ROTO-TILLS, HOES AND THEN PLANTS A GARDEN. CONTENT. I HEAR ABOUT A GOVERNOR RUSHING TO A MEETING AT 90 MILES AN HOUR WITHOUT A SEATBELT, ENDANGERING NOT ONLY HIMSELF BUT THE TROOPER WHO DROVE HIM. CONTENT
I HEAR ABOUT A WOMAN WHO STAYS AT HOME TO CARE FOR AND EDUCATE HER SEVEN CHILDREN. CONTENT.
I AM TOLD BY MY SENATOR THAT IRAQ IS A CIVIL WAR AND THAT "PARTISAN POLITICS AND INDIVIDUAL ATTACKS" ARE SIDETRACKS. CONTENT.
I AM TOLD BY OUR SERVICEMEN AND WOMEN WHO VOLUNTEER TO FIGHT AGAINST TERRORISM, THAT THE WAR IN IRAQ IS NOT SIDETRACK OR A CIVIL WAR.

YES, THERE ARE TWO AMERICAS AS SURE AS THERE ARE TWO HELLARIES, HILLARY RODHAM AND HILLARY CLINTON. WITHIN OUR CULTURE AND SOCIETY, INDIVIDUALS SERVE OPPOSING MASTERS. THE MAN WHO SMOKES SITTING ON A BUCKET CANNOT UNDERSTAND THE WOMAN WHO READS. THE MAN WHO IS WED TO TECHNOLOGY AND GIMMICKS CANNOT TOLERATE THE LUDDITE WHO SHUNS THEM. THE MAN WHO IS RECKLESS AND SELF-CENTERED WILL NEVER APPRECIATE THE WOMAN WHO IS NOT. THE MAN WHO PRACTICES PARTISANSHIP AND INDIVIDUAL ATTACKS (THE VERY ACTIONS HE CONDEMNS) WILL NEVER FATHOM THE MOTIVATIONS OF PATRIOTS.

YES, THERE ARE TWO AMERICAS AS SURE AS THERE ARE CONFLICTING REALMS OF DELIGHT. HELLARY RODHAM CLINTON THINKS THAT SHE CAN INHABIT BOTH AND THE SAME TIME. LET'S HOPE AND PRAY THAT AMERICANS NEVER DO.

HEAVE TO

SAILING ALONG ON A SUNNY SPRING
'NOON, JOINING IN ABANDON
WITH THE BIRDS UNDER A HAPPY
BLUE SKY, HEADS UP, HEAVE TO -
ON THE GROUND IN FULL BLOOM
A WHITE, WILD VIOLET SWELLS,
A PERFECT PIRACY FOR A LUCKY DAY.

APOSTASY

IT HAS COME TO THIS - A NEW APOSTASY IN MY FAITH, THE BELIEF IN GLOBAL WARMING AS A THREAT TO OUR PLANET. A CATHOLIC COMMITTEE CONDUCTED A CONFERENCE ON THE 'MORAL IMPLICATIONS OF GLOBAL WARMING' AND WHAT SHOULD BE OUR 'FAITH RESPONSE.' WHERE ARE STS. AUGUSTINE, JEROME, GREGORY THE GREAT, ANSELM OR GOD'S MINION, THOMAS AQUINAS, WHEN YOU NEED THEM? THE COMMITTEE REFERENCED OUR LATE POPE JOHN PAUL II'S STATEMENT THAT THE ECOLOGICAL CRISIS IS A MORAL ISSUE. THEY FORGET THAT OPINION IS NOT DOGMA.
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THE VATICAN'S U.N. NUNCIO BELIEVES THAT EVERY CATHOLIC CAN DO SOMETHING ABOUT CLIMATE CHANGE BY "ADOPTING A LIFE OF VOLUNTARY SIMPLICITY." FAT CHANCE OF THAT HAPPENING IN OUR HEDONISTIC SOCIETY. THE NUNCIO THINKS THAT I SHOULD BE "WORKING LESS, WANTING LESS, SPENDING LESS, " THUS REDUCING MY IMPACT ON THE ENVIRONMENT. WORKING LESS? WANTING AND SPENDING LESS I'VE BEEN DOING 'FOREVER.' THE ARCHBISHOP FROM THE VATICAN AGREED THAT NOT ALL SCIENTISTS CONCUR ON CLIMATE CHANGE, BUT THIS DID NOT STOP HIM FROM PUSHING HIS LIBERAL, LEFTIST PROPAGANDA ABOUT OTHER IRRELEVANT, ENVIRONMENTAL THREATS OF "INDISCRIMINATE DEFORESTATION, WATER POLLUTION, DEPLETION OF FISH STOCKS, THE LACK OF POTABLE WATER. SINCE ENVIRONMENTALISM IS A RELIGION, I WONDER TO WHAT RELIGION, CATHOLICISM OR ENVIRONMENTALISM ADVOCATES OF GLOBAL WARMING SUBSCRIBE? ONE CANNOT SERVE TWO MASTERS. THIS NUNCIO ALSO DISTORTED THE BIBLE SAYING GOD INSTRUCTED MAN NOT ONLY TO TAME NATURE ( HE FORGOT INCREASE AND MULTIPLY), BUT TO "KEEP, OR PRESERVE, IT AS WELL."

AS I SAID, GOOD THING MY FAITH IS ROOTED IN TRUTHS WHOLLY DISTINCT FROM A MATERIAL WORLD. THE GULLIBLE, SATAN'S BEST FRIENDS, ARE ALL AROUND US. LEFT-LEANING VATICANISTI, BISHOPS AND SOCIALLY CONSCIOUS, NON-DOCTRINAL CATHOLICS DO NOT REPRESENT THE RATIONAL AND INTELLECTUALLY HONEST TRADITION OF MY CHURCH. A CATHOLIC WRITER, GEORGE WEIGEL, SAYS THAT "TROUBLE IS AFOOT IN THE WEST'S LOSS OF FAITH IN REASON, WHICH ERODES OUR CAPACITY TO DEFEND THE UNIVERSALITY OF HUMAN RIGHTS AND THE SUPERIORITY OF THE RULE OF LAW OVER THE RULE OF COERCION." ENVIRONMENTAL WACKOS SIMPLY ATTEMPT TO COERCE CATHOLICS - OR ANYONE ELSE EMOTIONALLY DRIVEN - INTO THEIR FOLD. IT'S NOT THE FOLD OF MY JESUS, MY SHEPHERD, OF MY CATHOLIC FLOCK.

"I"M BORED"

CONTRADICTION IS INHERENT IN THE AMERICAN PSYCHE. FOR EXAMPLE, MOST AMERICANS OPPOSE PARTIAL BIRTH ABORTION BUT SUPPORT A WOMEN'S RIGHT TO CHOOSE. WHAT ELSE BUT DENIAL OF REALITY COULD EXPLAIN CHILDREN SAYING, "I'M BORED?" THEY HAVE MORE CHOICES THAN EVER BEFORE IN HISTORY FOR MENTAL AND PHYSICAL STIMULATION.

HAVING SAID TO MYSELF, "WHAT CAN I DO?" TO THE QUESTION OF WHAT ACTION I SHOULD TAKE TO ABANDON MY BOREDOM, I ALWAYS CAME UP WITH AN ANSWER. MY ANSWER WAS MORE PSYCHOLOGICALLY AND EMOTIONALLY CORRECT THAN THE ACTIONS OF TODAY'S YOUTH. I DISCOVERED THE SATISFYING ACTIVITY OF READING. THIS WAS IN ADDITION TO BOTCHING AROUND - AND SEQUENTIALLY DISCARDING -EVERY PHYSICAL ACTIVITY IMAGINED BY AND AVAILABLE TO A GROWING CHILD. NO, I WAS NEVER BORED. APPARENTLY READING INSPIRES ADDICTION BECAUSE CONTRARY TO PURSUITS THAT FLEE, IT CANNOT BE OVERCOME WITH AGE. USING THE PHRASING OF A MOVIE CRITIC, MY NEEDS FOR ACTIVITY AND MENTAL ENGAGEMENT WERE "DRAWN TOGETHER BY EMOTIONAL LOGIC," THAT IS CALL READING. MY SALVATION JUST POINTS OUT THE VOID IN THE LIVES OF BOTH CHILDREN AND ADULTS TODAY.

TWO CONSENTING ADULT COLUMNISTS WROTE THEIR READERS THAT THEY "TRY TO TAKE A CRUISE ONCE A YEAR." THEY ASSUMED THAT "BY NOW YOU'VE PROBABLY MADE PLANS FOR YOUR SUMMER VACATION." YEP, I HAVE. WITH A GOOD BOOK I CAN TRAVEL THE WORLD; SANS A GOOD BOOK AFTER A GREAT MEAL, WHO WOULDN'T BE BORED?

OUR CULTURE ELEVATES A $4,000,000 HOME ON THE OCEAN FRONT ON .6 ACRE AS A DESIRABLE, STATUS SYMBOL. WITH A GOOD BOOK I CAN FEEL RICH IN A SMALL, COMFORTABLE CHAIR; SANS BATS, TREES OR A GARDEN PLOT WHO WOULDN'T BE BORED?

HINT: HEAR ME, HEAR ME, PARENTS, CARE GIVERS, GUARDIANS, TEACHERS. ONLY A TEMPORARY STATE OF ENNUI, DOWN TIME THAT IS FOR YOUNG AND OLD, PROVIDES THE OPPORTUNITY TO CHOOSE READING AND NEVER TO BE BORED. JUST ANOTHER AMERICAN CONTRADICTION.

TEFT

TAXATION ONCE WAS REGARDED AS A CITIZEN'S GIFT TO THE GOVERNMENT TO PROTECT HIM FROM FOREIGN INVADERS AND PERHAPS BUILD ROADS TO SOMEWHERE. TO TIFT - A NEOLOGISM FOR TAX AND GIFT COMBINED - ALMOST MADE ONE FEEL WARM AND FUZZY DOING THE RIGHT THING. TIMES HAVE CHANGED THE VOWEL FROM I TO E; TODAY TEFT - FOR TAX AND THEFT - SHOULD MAKE AMERICANS' BLOOD BOIL.

TAXATION IS LEGALIZED THEFT THAT PENALIZES AND SUBSIDIZES BUT NEVER RATIONALIZES EXPENDITURES. WE ARE NOT GETTING OUR MONEY'S WORTH IN PUBLIC EDUCATION, YET I HEARD ANOTHER EDUCATOR, AD NAUSEAM, PANT FOR GOVERNMENT FUNDING AND GRANTS TO HELP PAY FOR MORE STUDENTS. ENROLLMENT WAS DOWN IN HIS DISTRICT, SO IF MORE STUDENTS COULD NOT BE FOUND, MORE MONEY WOULD NOT BE FORTHCOMING. HIS WAS A GIMME CRISIS. ANOTHER GIVEAWAY PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED WHEN THE GOVERNMENT ENCOURAGED CREDIT FOR 'POOR' CUSTOMERS WHO CAN'T PAY, BUT NOW ENCOURAGES CUTTING OFF THEIR FUNDING BECAUSE THEY CAN'T PAY. I THOUGH ANYONE WHO DEFAULTS SHOULD BE BARRED FROM FURTHER FUNDING? A REALISTIC PERSPECTIVE ALSO ABSENTS ITSELF FROM TRAGEDIES. THE BODY COUNT FROM ONE TORNADO AND ONE AUTO PILEUP, 16, EQUALS HALF THE TOTAL OF THE VICTIMS OF VIRGINIA TECH MASSACRE, 32, BUT THE NEWS MEDIA DRIVES PAST THIS STATISTIC LIKE, UH, JUST A STATISTIC. THE ONLY MEMORIALS WILL PROBABLY BE LITTLE WREATHS STAKED INTO THE GROUND IN CEMETERIES OR ALONG SELECTED PATCHES ON THE BERM OF HIGHWAYS.

COMMON SENSE IS STILL UNNOTICED ROAD-KILL UNWORTHY OF TABULATION ACROSS AMERICA.

ADMINISTRATIVE PROFESSIONALS DAY

IS IT TRUE OR FALSE WHAT PRESIDENT HARRY S. TRUMAN BELIEVED IN 1954? "THE PRESIDENT WHO DIDN'T HAVE A FIGHT WITH THE CONGRESS WASN'T ANY GOOD ANYHOW." TRUE OR FALSE? " PEOPLE LOOK TO THE PRESIDENT TO SAY A FIRM 'NO' TO THOSE WHO WISH TO DESTROY OTHERS THROUGH FEAR AND INNUENDO." IF TRUE, ON BOTH ACCOUNTS, GEORGE W. BUSH IS THE BEST LEADER WE'VE HAD IN A LONG WHILE. IF FALSE, AND OUR CHIEF EXECUTIVE CAPITULATES TO HIS CONGRESS HOLDING A MAJORITY OF OPPOSITION VOTES, EVIL TRIUMPHS. IF FALSE AND OUR PRESIDENT CAVES IN TO THE DEMOCRATS' LIBERAL AGENDA OF PANIC-MONGERING AND MICRO MANAGEMENT, COMMON SENSE WILL CONTINUE TO LIE DEAD ON THE SENATE AND HOUSE FLOORS.

TODAY, ON ADMINISTRATIVE PROFESSIONALS DAY, I.E. THE POLITICALLY CORRECTLY RE-NAMED SECRETARIES DAY, WE ARE ASKED TO SHOW APPRECIATION FOR THE EFFICIENCY OF OFFICE EXPERTS. PROFESSIONAL POLITICIANS IN WASHINGTON, AS I HAVE INTIMATED, SHOULD ALL BE FIRED. TAKE THREE EXAMPLES OF HOW THEY ARE OVER-PLAYING THEIR LIBERAL, ADMINISTRATIVE GAME. THEY SUGGEST: 1. ELIMINATION OF INCANDESCENT LIGHT BULBS IN THE PENTAGON, REPLACING THEM WITH FLUORESCENT. 2. ELIMINATION OF A COAL-FIRED FURNACE WHICH HEATS AND COOLS THE WATER SUPPLY. 3. IMPEACHMENT OF THE VICE-PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, DICK CHENEY.

WHAT KIND OF OFFICE PARTY WOULD CELEBRATE THESE INEFFICIENT AND NONSENSICAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF 'SECRETARIES' I.E. ADMINISTRATIVE PROFESSIONALS? ENVISION A ROOM LIT WITH UNFLATTERING CURLY-CUES, A TOAST TO MORE TAXPAYER MONIES WASTED ON TOKEN EFFORTS TO BE ENVIRONMENTALLY CORRECT, A HIP, HIP, HURRAY TO INSANITY.

THE INSANE PARTY IN WASHINGTON SHOULD BE OVER.

MENTAL FITNESS

I USUALLY TRY TO LISTEN TO THE ‘NEWS’ WITH THE HOPE THAT THE FACTS ARE RIGHT, BUT I USUALLY COME AWAY WITH THE SUSPICION THAT SOME DETAIL IN THE PRESENTATION IS WRONG. WHY DO MEN DIE BEFORE WOMEN? WORDS AD INFINITUM BELABOR AN ISSUE OF BIOLOGY, WHEN THE ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF A REALITY WOULD DO. WHY DO LIBERALS ALWAYS SAYS SOMETHING LIKE A LOCAL MAYOR SAID, THAT A PERSON GOES INTO BUSINESS TO MAKE MONEY, BUT "NOT A KILLING." AGAIN, A FACT FINDING MENTALITY WOULD SEE THAT HUMAN NATURE NATURALLY WISHES TO 'STRIKE IT RICH.' WHY IS THE OBVIOUS NOT OBVIOUS? ONE, BECAUSE IT IS NOT SEXY - AND SEX SELLS - AND TWO BECAUSE IT REQUIRES A SUBMISSION TO COMMON SENSE - BUT THE EGO DIES HARD.

LIKE A WHIRLING DERVISH I CANNOT TURN IN ANY DIRECTION WITHOUT BEING BOMBARDED BY DISCUSSIONS ABOUT WEIGHT AND APPEARANCE, A NEVER-ENDING BOW TO THE PHYSICAL. WHEN WILL AMERICANS RISE ABOVE THE LIMITATIONS OF GENETICS TO RECOGNIZE THEIR PRETERNATURAL POSSIBILITIES? IMPROVING OUR MINDS IS ALL THAT MATTERS. CONTINUOUS EDUCATION MAKES US TRULY HUMAN. THE PHYSICAL IS IRRELEVANT. WILL AMERICANS EVER LEARN?

THE CENTER LANE

WHY DOES AMERICA PERSIST IN FINDING "THE SENSIBLE CENTER LANE ELUSIVE?" JONATHAN KELLERMAN, AUTHOR OF THE NOVEL, 'OBSESSION,' PUT IT WELL.

I ANSWER WITH A CONTRAST BETWEEN POLITICAL CORRECTNESS AND ACCEPTANCE OF NATURAL, HUMAN DIFFERENCES. THE EXTREME DICTATORSHIP OF LIBERALISM EMBODIES HYPOCRISY. IT FORBIDS ANY PERSON'S RIGHTS TO BE THWARTED YET THE RIGHTS OF INDIVIDUALS ARE CONTINUALLY STRIPPED AWAY BY THE LIBERAL REGULATIONS. MEANWHILE THE INSANE AND MANIACAL INHABIT OUR MIDST BECAUSE THEY CANNOT BE DISSED. COMMON SENSE, ON THE OTHER HAND, PERCEIVES THE INFINITE POSSIBILITIES OF CONSCIOUSNESS AND THE LACK THEREOF IN SOCIETY, AND DEALS WITH THESE PHENOMENA IN A RATIONAL MANNER. WHEN THE INSANE AND MANIACAL REVEAL THEMSELVES IN OUR MIDST, THEY ARE NOT DISMISSED, BUT REMOVED FROM OUR MIDST. FURTHERMORE, THEY WON'T BE MISSED.

DRIVING DOWN THE SENSIBLE CENTER LANE SEEMS SUCH AN EASY RULE OF THE ROAD. BUT AMERICA JUST KEEPS CRUISING ALONG ON THE RADICAL, DANGEROUS BERM.

TRIPLE PLAY

THE SUNSET ON THE 21ST -
A PERFECT, BLUSHING BALL -
AVATAR, A STUDY IN AWE -
ON THE SUNNY 22ND -
THE SWALLOWS RETURNED-
CHIPPING ON THE WING -
SWOOPING IN TWILIGHT -
APRIL 23RD WAS THE DAY
THE ZEUS OF LANGUAGE
WAS BORN, SHAKESPEARE -
I PONDER - A TRINITY
OF WONDERS AS
SPRING PINKS BLOOM

1972 TODAY

"NOTHING COULD BE SO BAD AS FAILURE, AND ANY SACRIFICE WOULD BE CHEAP AS THE PRICE OF SUCCESS IN SUCH A CONTEST." GUESS WHO?

"HISTORY AUTHORIZES A BELIEF THAT THE PAST ACTION AND INFLUENCES OF THE UNITED STATES WERE GENERALLY ... BENEFICENT TOWARDS MANKIND." GUESS WHO?
-
IN 1972 AMERICA LOST TWO CONTESTS OF WILLS AND OUR ACTION AND INFLUENCES CAUSED MILLIONS OF DEATHS HERE AND AROUND THE WORLD. WHO MIGHT BE THE CATALYSTS?

IN 1972, LIBERAL, DEMOCRAT JUDGES WON THE BATTLE AGAINST THE CONSCIENCES OF MORAL CONSERVATIVES AND DECLARED ABORTION LEGAL. SUBSEQUENTLY, MILLIONS OF INNOCENTS HAVE BEEN SACRIFICED TO A CAUSE. IN 1972, DDT WAS BANNED AS A RESULT OF A BELIEF THAT RACHEL CARSON'S BOOK, 'THE SILENT SPRING', PUBLISHED IN 1964, WAS TRUE. CONSEQUENTLY DEATHS FROM MALARIA AND OTHER MOSQUITO-BORNE DISEASES HAVE TAKEN ON EPIDEMIC PROPORTIONS.
TWO LIES PERPETRATED AND PRESERVED SINCE 1972; ONE HAPPY DEVIL DANCING BECAUSE A COURT RULING AND A BAN, MADE POSSIBLE CONTINUOUS, DELIBERATE DEATH MARCHES.

JEFFERSON DAVIS WAS PRESIDENT OF THE CONFEDERACY, IN FEB. OF 1862 AND ABRAHAM LINCOLN, PRESIDENT OF THE UNION, IN 1863, DURING THE TIME OF ANOTHER DANCE TO THE DEVIL CALLED THE CIVIL WAR. BOTH WOULD CONCUR THAT NOTHING COULD BE SO BAD AS FAILURE (DAVIS) TO CHAMPION LIFE OR TO BE A BENEFICENT INFLUENCE IN THE WORLD (LINCOLN).

NO HALF MEASURES

IN WHAT YEAR COULD IT BE SAID THAT ALL IT TAKES TO BE HAPPY IN AMERICA IS TO BE 1. WELL-FED, 2. FULL OF A FEELING OF SUPERIORITY TO THE MASSES, AND 3. UNCEASINGLY AMUSED ACCORDING TO ONE'S TASTE?

IN WHAT YEAR COULD IT BE WRITTEN THAT IF AN AMERICAN CANNOT BE HAPPY HERE HE IS EITHER INSANE OR A LIAR, BECAUSE HERE IN AMERICA GETTING A LIVING IS ENORMOUSLY EASIER THAN IN ANY OTHER LAND.

THESE TWO QUESTIONS ARE ANSWERED IN THE WRITINGS OF A MAN WHO ALSO WROTE THAT HERE IN AMERICA THE GENERAL INTELLIGENCE IS SO LOW THAT ANY MAN STANDS OUT. IN HIS AMERICA, THE "DAILY PANORAMA ... OF PRIVATE AND COMMUNAL FOLLY - THE ... PROCESSION OF GOVERNMENTAL EXTORTIONS AND CHICANERIES, OF COMMERCIAL BRIGANDAGES AND THROAT-SLITTING, OF THEOLOGICAL BUFFOONERIES, OF AESTHETIC RIBALDRIES, OF LEGAL SWINDLES AND HARLOTRIES, OF MISCELLANEOUS ROGUERIES, VILLAINIES, IMBECILITIES, GROTESQUERIES, AND EXTRAVAGANCES - IS SO INORDINATELY GROSS AND PREPOSTEROUS, SO PERFECTLY BROUGHT UP TO THE HIGHEST AMPERAGE, THAT ... NO ONE CAN FAIL TO LAUGH HIMSELF TO SLEEP EVERY NIGHT."

H.L. MENCKEN'S HYPERBOLE IS 'RIGHT ON.' WHATEVER WAS AT FULL "AMPERAGE" IN 1922 WHEN H.L. MENCKEN RANTED AGAINST AMERICA WITH HIS INIMITABLE, SHAMEFUL, SERIOUS, SATIRE WAS MIMICKED TODAY, APRIL 20TH, 2007, AS THE SPOTLIGHT SHONE ON VIRGINIA TECH'S MEMORIAL SERVICE AND MOMENT OF SILENCE TO COMMEMORATE THE 32 STUDENTS KILLED BY A MAD GUNMAN. THE VICTIMS' NAMES WERE READ ALOUD. THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNIVERSITY STATED THAT AS LONG AS HE WAS THE PRESIDENT, THE INFAMOUS DAY WILL NEVER BE A SCHOOL DAY. IS THERE ANY DOUBT THAT HERE IN AMERICA THERE ARE NO HALF MEASURES?

1/700

IN THE VALLEY OF DEATH STOOD THE ONE. LET'S REMEMBER ONE HERO, NOT 701 COWARDS. SINCE 2003, 700 SUICIDE BOMBERS HAVE DETONATED THEMSELVES IN IRAQ KILLING HUNDREDS, PERHAPS THOUSANDS. HERE IN AMERICA, ONE MANIACAL MURDERER LOOSED HIMSELF ON STUDENTS AT VIRGINIA TECH UNIVERSITY. LET US NOT FORGET THE DAVID WHO WITHSTOOD HIM.

ONE JEW, ONE OCTOGENARIAN, ONE HOLOCAUST SURVIVOR, IRONICALLY, GAVE HIS LIFE FOR NON-JEWS IN A CAMPUS CLASSROOM THAT FATAL MORNING ON HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL DAY. GUNS NOT GAS MADE HIM A HERO AS HE FOUGHT BACK AGAINST THE AGGRESSOR, FACILITATING STUDENTS' ESCAPES.

DO TRAGIC IRONIES PROVE THAT GOD IS DEAD OR ALIVE? DO THEY PROVE THAT GOD EXISTS AFTER ALL? "ALL TRAGEDIES ARE FINISHED BY A DEATH, ALL COMEDIES ARE ENDED BY A MARRIAGE," THE POET LORD BYRON REMINDS US. PERHAPS THE PROFESSOR'S DEATH ENDED - BUT ALSO BEGINS IN THE IMAGINATIONS OF WE WHO CHOOSE TO REMEMBER - A TRAGI-COMEDY WITH THE MARRIAGE OF HIS COURAGE ON EARTH TO THE CERTAINTY OF HIS HEAVENLY REWARD,

OBSERVATIONS

WHAT SHOULD GOVERNMENTS AND INDUSTRIES DO TO PROTECT KIDS IF PARENTS ALLOW THEM TO ENGAGE IN HAZARDOUS PLAY? NOTHING. NOTHING CAN SOLVE THE SILLINESS OF HUMAN NATURE. A GOOD IS THE PATTERNED BEHAVIOR OF ANIMALS. TAKE SOME EXAMPLES OF SILLINESS, INSANITY, HYPOCRISY, STUPIDITY - YOU NAME IT - FROM THE NEWS.

IN JAPAN A MAN IS SHOT TO DEATH BY A DISGRUNTLED PERSON OVER DAMAGE TO HIS CAR FROM A POTHOLE.
IN AMERICA, A LIBERAL GOVERNOR, CORZINE, SPEEDS AT 91 MPH IN A POLITICALLY INCORRECT SUV, WITHOUT WEARING HIS SEATBELT.

IN AMERICA, THE 'BAD CONSERVATIVE' VICE PRESIDENT DICK CHENEY IN 2005 GAVE 78% OF HIS INCOME TO CHARITY. IN CONTRAST, IN 1997, THE LIBERAL AL GORE, PAST VICE-PRESIDENT, GAVE ONLY 0.18% OF HIS INCOME.

IN AMERICA, WHO GIVES BLOOD DURING A RED CROSS DRIVE? HIGH-CLASS, SOCIALLY CONSCIOUS, UPWARDLY MOBILE CITIZENS? NO, THE ELDERLY, OBESE, REDNECKS AND THE PERCEIVED 'LOSERS' OF SMALL TOWN LIVING.

WHAT CAUSES GLOBAL WARMING? UNDERGROUND COAL FIRES AND VOLCANIC ACTIVITY, NOT HUMAN ACTIVITY. SO FORGET THE PANIC OVER CARBON DIOXIDE EMISSIONS FROM CARS OR ANYTHING ELSE.

IN AMERICA, DUE TO THE RESTRICTIONS OF POLITICAL CORRECTNESS, A SPORTS TEAM MUST PLAY WITH THE MONIKER, THE TRENCHERS.

A BOMB THREAT AT VIRGINIA TECH, IMMEDIATELY AFTER THEIR STUDENT MASSACRE, IS ACTUALLY TAKEN SERIOUSLY.

EVEN OUR PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH CANNOT RESIST BOWING TO POPULIST LANGUAGE REFERRING TO THE KILLINGS AT VIRGINIA TECH AS A "VIOLATION OF CLASSROOM SANCTUARY."

LAST BUT NOT LEAST IS A LOCAL REPARTEE BETWEEN A MAINTENANCE MAN FOR A LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICT (A PAST POLE VAULT CHAMPION IT WAS NOTED) AND HIS INTERVIEWER. ADMIRATION WAS EXCHANGED FOR A NEWLY ERECTED SCHOOL FACILITY WITH STATE-OF-THE-ART HEATING AND COOLING SYSTEMS (WITH A BACKUP SYSTEM FOR EMERGENCIES) MANAGED BY A COMPUTERIZED CONTROL SCREEN. THE QUESTIONER RECALLED HIS DAYS AS A STUDENT WHEN PAPERS STUCK TO HIS SWEATY HANDS. SUCH CONDITIONS "DIDN'T HELP STUDENTS LEARN OR THINK." ATTENTION WAS ALSO DIRECTED TO THE EXTREME, CONSTANT CLEANLINESS OF THE DISTRICT'S SCHOOLS, WHICH REMOVES GERMS AND BACTERIA SO "DANGEROUS TO THE STUDENTS' WELL BEING." MODERN EDUCATION HAS OBVIOUSLY OBVIATED THE NEED FOR ANTIBODIES. THE TECHNICIAN ALSO DISCUSSED HIS 'LEARNING CURVE" ON THE ONE GALLON URINALS, WHICH WERE EXPENSIVE BUT WORTH IT. THE DUAL CONCLUSION - OF QUESTIONER AND QUESTIONED - WAS THAT THE NEW, MODERN FACILITY WAS DEFINITELY NEEDED TO "IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF EDUCATION."

WHEN THE ERUCTATIONS OF SILLINESS REACH EXPONENTIAL PROPORTIONS YOU KNOW YOU HAVE ENTERED ZONE OF PUBLIC EDUCATION.

WHEN SCHOOLS THREW OUT THE ABILITY TO THROW OPEN A WINDOW FOR FRESH AIR OR TO GATHER AROUND A RADIATOR FOR WARMTH, (THINK BACK TO A TIME OF RIGID, ACADEMIC EXPECTATIONS ) THEY ALSO THREW OUT THE STUDENT BABY WITH THE BATHWATER OF COMMON SENSE. FURTHERMORE, SELF-EDUCATION HAS BEEN FLUSHED DOWN THE TOILET.

WHY?

IF THE WORLD DIDN'T PREVENT THE HOLOCAUST, HOW COULD VIRGINIA TECH HAVE PREVENTED ONE MANIAC FROM GOING ON HIS RAMPAGE? WHEN A UNIVERSITY COMMUNITY OF 26,000 PEOPLE EQUALS THE SIZE OF A SMALL COUNTY, THE NUMBER OF DEAD, 32, IS SMALL IN PROPORTION TO THE WHOLE. NEVERTHELESS, THE DEVIL PLAYED YESTERDAY. I APPROACH THIS MASSACRE FROM A WHOLLY DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE THAN LAW ENFORCEMENT, MEDIA, REGULATIONS AND IMPLICIT GRIEF. I SEE IT IN TERMS OF OUR DEMOCRACY AND CULTURE. WHAT INSPIRED THIS INDIVIDUAL'S TRAGEDY OF INFINITE CONSCIOUSNESS? HOW DID HE LEARN TO HATE AMERICA? HOW SHOULD OUR DEMOCRACY REACT? WHAT DO WE LEARN?

WE WASTE TIME AND ENERGY FOCUSING ON TECHNICALITIES, BLAME, GUN LAWS, POLITICALLY CORRECT COMMEMORATIVE SERVICES, DENIAL AND 2ND GUESSING. RATHER WE SHOULD PROFIT BY REFLECTING ON THE LACK OF A PERSONAL, PROPER PARENTING OR MENTORING FOR THIS INDIVIDUAL POSSESSED BY EVIL. YES, WHY DID HE DO IT?

LET US NOT LOSE THE PERSISTENT VISION OF POSSIBILITIES IN AMERICAN LIFE THAT THE FRENCHMAN ALEXIS DE TOCQUEVILLE ADMIRED WHEN HE VISITED AMERICA IN 1831. LET US NOT FORGET WHAT JAMES FENIMORE COOPER, AN AMERICAN WRITER, SAID ABOUT US IN 1838, THAT "OUR DEMOCRACY IS BLESSED WITH A GENERAL ELEVATION IN THE CHARACTER OF THE PEOPLE." COOPER ALSO WARNED ABOUT THE DRAWBACKS OF A DEMOCRACY. A FEW EXAMPLES : A TENDENCY TO MEDIOCRITY, A WANT OF NATIONAL MANLINESS AND CONTROL BY PUBLIC OPINION AND POPULAR IMPULSES. FURTHERMORE, COOPER WARNED THAT WE MUST NOT LET "THE FRAUDULENT AND AMBITIOUS" ... "FIND A MOTIVE TO MISLEAD, AND EVEN TO CORRUPT THE COMMON SENTIMENT, TO ATTAIN THEIR ENDS." UNFORTUNATELY POLITICIANS AND THE MEDIA ON DISPLAY YESTERDAY AND TODAY DEMONSTRATE THAT THEY HAVE THIS TACTIC DOWN TO AN ART FORM.
AMERICA'S NATIONAL CONSCIOUSNESS DOES NOT EMBODY ACQUIESCENCE. WE WILL CONTINUE TO LEARN ABOUT GRIEF, WHICH IN TURN WILL HELP US TO IMPROVE THE MORALITY OF OUR DEMOCRACY, OUR PARENTING AND CULTURE. THE DEVIL WILL ALWAYS BE WITH US BUT WE MUST BE EVER READY TO MAKE HIS JOB HARDER BY UNDERSTANDING HOW AND WHY HE DISGUISES A LIE AS A GOOD.

FREEBIES

THE POET JAMES RUSSELL LOWELL SAID " 'TIS HEAVEN ALONE THAT IS GIVEN AWAY; 'TIS ONLY GOD MAY BE HAD FOR THE ASKING." I BEG TO ADD THAT OUT-OF-DATE CANNED GOODS CAN BE ADDITIONAL GIFTS. SUCH WINDFALLS MAKE A HEART AND PSYCHE BURDENED WITH CHEAPNESS, FEEL WELL UPLIFTED WHEN SOUP IS FREE. WITH FREE FOOD, ONE DRAWBACK IS THE TENDENCY TO DRIBBLE A BIT OF NOODLE INTO A DOG'S DISH BECAUSE WHAT'S NOT EARNED IS NOT TREATED AS DEAR. ALSO, I DO NOT SCRAPE THE CAN AS CLEAN AS I WOULD HAVE, HAD THE PRICE BEEN ABOVE ZERO. FURTHERMORE, I TEND TO IGNORE THE EXTRAORDINARILY HIGH SALT CONTENT SO THAT IT DOES NOT WEIGH ON MY CONSCIENCE. I KNOW THAT SIX OR SEVEN CANS WITH EXPIRATION DATES OVER ONE YEAR OBTAINED FROM A LIQUIDATED STORAGE LOCKER ARE JUST AN INTERLUDE TO SELF-PREPARED MEALS - A GIFT FROM A THOUGHTFUL SOUL ATTUNED TO MY TRADITIONAL CHEAPNESS. NOT JUST HEAVEN BUT ALSO FAITH MAY BE HAD FOR THE ASKING SINCE I TRUST IN EXAGGERATED AND OVERLY CAUTIOUS GOVERNMENT REGULATIONS TO ALLAY ANY FEARS I POSSESS ABOUT THE SHELF LIFE OF FOODS. "YUMMY," SAYS MY TUMMY, AND IN THE PAST, THE TUMMIES OF OUR CHILDREN AFTER MY HUSBAND AND I PURCHASED AUCTIONED FOODSTUFFS FROM GROCERY STORES DURING OUR FRUGAL YEARS. HOWEVER, I FEAR THAT OUR PARENTAL BEHAVIOR HAS CREATED NO TRADITION. BIG LOTS REJECTS AND DISCOUNTED GROCERIES WILL NOT LAST PAST OUR GENERATION.

WE REMEMBER

TO QUOTE H.H. ISENBART FROM HIS WONDERFUL BOOK, THE KINGDOM OF THE HORSE': "LIKE LIFE ITSELF, A STRUGGLE FOR EXISTENCE THAT IS THE RACE. IMPLICIT IN THE BREATHLESS HEADLONG RUSH LIES FEAR. AS IF IN FLIGHT FROM DEATH THE HORSES SCURRY; ABOVE THEM CROUCHED BEHIND THE MANE, THEIR RIDERS. ONLY THE FITTEST OF THEM ALL SURVIVE. ONLY THE BEST AND SPEEDIEST ATTAIN THE PRIZE. THE RACE-COURSE CLAIMS, AS NATURE DOES, ITS VICTIMS. AS IN LIFE, THERE ARE THOSE IN THE RACE WHO NEVER REACH THE FINISH."

ON THIS HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL DAY, APRIL 15TH, WE REMEMBER. WE REMEMBER THE TRAGIC CONSEQUENCES OF REAL LIFE EQUESTRIAN FALLS. AT AACHEN A BEAUTIFUL WHITE MARE, BARONESS. IN 1966, BARBEROUSSE. IN 2007, BARBERO HERE IN THE UNITED STATES. FROU FROU'S DEATH IN FICTION'S ANNA KARENINA BY LEO TOLSTOY AFFECTED A CHARACTER VRONSKY AS "THE MOST GRIEVOUS AND AGONIZING MEMORY OF HIS LIFE."

TO QUOTE MR. ISENBART AGAIN: "THOSE WHO HAVE LOOKED INTO THE EYES OF AN INCURABLY INJURED HORSE WILL NOT HAVE FOUND STARK, DESPERATE AGONY THERE, BUT A STRANGE CALM, IN WHICH MAN SEES THE KNOWING RESIGNATION TO AN APPROACHING FATE. HOWEVER, IT IS NOT KNOWLEDGE, BUT THE MERCIFUL INSTINCT OF NATURE WHICH EXTINGUISHES THE IMPULSE OF THE WILL TO LIVE AT THE VERY MOMENT IN WHICH THE STRUGGLE FOR LIFE IS LOST."

WORDS TO PONDER. MAN'S NOBLE SERVANT, THE HORSE LIVES OUT LIFE AND DIES, IN HIS FAITHFULNESS TO A NATURAL INSTINCT. WE, HUMANS, FORMED IN THE LOGOS OF GOD, HAVE THE HIGHER POWER OF CONSCIOUS CHOICE. LET US NOT FORGET THE DEATHS OF VICTIMS STRUCK DOWN IN THE RACE FOR LIFE IN NEW YORK AND PENNSYLVANIA ON 9/11/01. LET US NOT FORGET THE MILLIONS OF VICTIMS OF HITLER'S HOLOCAUST AND THE MILLIONS OF OTHER VICTIMS OF GENOCIDES OVER TIME AROUND THE WORLD.

PROVIDENCE DID NOT FORGET TO GIVE US THE KINGDOM OF THE HORSE. PRAY TODAY FOR GOD'S MERCY AND REMEMBER THE MANY WHO HAVE ENTERED HIS KINGDOM BEFORE FINISHING THE RACE.

OE, NOT OERSTED(LOOK IT UP) BUT OBESITY EPIDEMIC

ON THIS NATIONAL DAY OF ACTION ON GLOBAL WARMING, POP MACHINES AND VENDING MACHINES REMAIN IN MANY SCHOOLS. THERE ARE CLASSROOM PARTIES, FOOD EVENTS, STUDENTS EATING PROVIDED LUNCHES, PRE-SCHOOL AND HEAD START PROGRAMS, AFTER-SCHOOL SNACKS, SUMMER LUNCH PROGRAMS, BOUNCING ON BIG BALLS, BUT NO RUNNING AMOK FOR PE BECAUSE PE CLASSES HAVE BEEN ELIMINATED. THERE ARE OVERWEIGHT PETS, OVERWEIGHT PARENTS AS THE NEWS REVEALS THE SCANDAL OF HUNGRY CHILDREN WHO CAN'T CONCENTRATE OR LEARN. YET GOVERNMENT SPONSORS FOOD PROGRAMS. EDUCATORS PUSH FOR MONETARY BONUSES TO STUDENTS AND PARENTS WHO ATTEND WELLNESS CLASSES, UNLIMITED SALADS, FRUITS AND VEGETABLES EVEN IF TOPPED WITH CALORIE LADEN DRESSINGS AND MANDATE BMI (BODY MASS INDEX) REPORTS AND WEIGHT CHECKS. YET SOME PARENTS THINK CHILDREN SHOULD NEVER GO HUNGRY. DO WE HAVE AN OBESITY EPIDEMIC OR AN OBESITY DILEMMA? AMERICA CANNOT EMPHASIZE HUNGER AND FEED ITSELF INTO AN OBESITY EPIDEMIC AT THE SAME TIME. APPROPRIATE ARE WORDS FROM CULTURAL OBSERVER MARK TWAIN, OUR 20TH CENTURY HUMORIST, NOTING A "COEFFICIENT OF EXAGGERATION." HOW MANY MORE TIMES MUST IT BE SHOWN THAT COMMON SENSE IS DEAD?

'’DON'T SNACK ON THAT, YOU'LL SPOIL YOUR DINNER,’ WAS HEARD WHEN ONLY BREAKFAST, LUNCH AND DINNER AND PERHAPS AN OCCASIONAL ICE CREAM, CANDY TREAT OR LATE NIGHT COCOA WERE AVAILABLE. COMMON SENSE MADE PEOPLE AWARE THAT FAT RESULTS FROM EATING TOO MUCH, YET GOOD FOOD SHOULD BE ENJOYED. APPROPRIATE IS ANOTHER CULTURAL OBSERVATION FROM A SCIENTIST, WILLIAM GILBERT IN 1600. HIS "LETTER CLOWNS, GRAMMATISTS, SOPHISTS, SPOUTERS AND THE WRONG-HEADED RABBLE," ARE STILL AROUND TODAY AS EDUCATORS AND POLITICIANS AND DO-GOOD ENGINEERS ATTEMPTING TO STEM THE OBESITY EPIDEMIC.

OUR HEDONISTIC LAND OF PLENTY, LIBERAL, POLITICAL CORRECTNESS AND UNEDUCATED PARENTING ENCOURAGES A FEEDING FRENZY ON SELF-ESTEEM. A TWO-WAY MIRROR COULD GO A LONG WAY TO SOLVE THE DILEMMA OF OUR OBESITY EPIDEMIC, OUR NATIONAL PREDICAMENT. BOTH ADULTS AND CHILDREN MUST FACE CONFLICTING UNDESIRABLES : A FUTURE OF OBESE INDIVIDUALS OR CHANGES IN EATING PATTERNS. IMPALED ON THE HORNS OF THIS DILEMMA, BY LOOKING INTO THE MIRROR, BOTH CHILDREN AND ADULTS SHOULD BE INSPIRED TO BETTER CHOICES. TO RETRIEVE PROPER PRIOR PARENTING BASED UPON COMMON SENSE, STUPIDITY MUST DIE MULTITUDINOUS, SLOW DEATHS.

KNOCKED UP

'KNOCKED UP' IS THE TITLE OF A FILM OPENING IN THE U.S. JUNE 1ST. THE RAUNCHY COMEDY FROM LIBERAL HOLLYWOOD - AND WE KNOW WHAT LURKS BEHIND THAT TITLE - IS PROTECTED BY THE RIGHTS OF FREE SPEECH AND ARTISTIC EXPRESSION. WHY THEN HAS SHOCK JOCK DON IMUS BEEN FIRED AS A RESULT OF A STORM OF PROTEST OVER A FEW DISPARAGING WORDS DESIGNED TO MAKE LISTENERS CHUCKLE AS THEY CRINGE? SOME GURU OF SOCIAL MORES SHOULD KNOCK AMERICA ON THE SIDE OF ITS HEAD FOR THE HYPOCRITICAL DOUBLE STANDARD IT TOLERATES IN THE NAME OF LIBERAL POLITICAL CORRECTNESS. A MOVIE INTENDED TO MAKE US LAUGH OVER BOORISH AND IMMORAL BEHAVIOR SAILS INTO PUBLIC VIEW BUT DON, THE DISGUSTING, IS FORCED TO SAIL OUT OF THE PUBLIC EYE. TO INVOKE A SPEAKER'S WORDS IN A RECENT TALK ABOUT CHINA, THE LIBERAL LEFT'S SELF-CONTRADICTION IS "EMPHATICALLY NON-DETERABLE."


LIBERAL HYPOCRISY AND DOUBLE-STANDARDIZING IS A STAND-UP COMEDY ACT THAT TAKES THE LENNY BRUCE APPROACH TO DECENCY TO A NEW, LOWER LEVEL. RATHER THAN BLAST DON IMUS, THE SCAPEGOAT, WHOSE UNCOUTH ANTICS HAVE ALREADY BEEN IGNORED FOR FORTY YEARS, OUTRAGED EGOS AND SENSIBILITIES SHOULD TARGET OUR POPULAR CULTURE. RAP MUSIC AND TELEVISION, FOR EXAMPLE, TOLERATE “HOING”, BED HOPPING, CHURCH FOREGOING AND THOUGHT DISPARAGEMENT THAT IS BRINGING OUR GREAT COUNTRY TO ITS KNEES.

HINT: AND WE KNOW WHAT MANY YOUTH GENUFLECT TO NOWADAYS.

INCONSISTENCY

THE CONSISTENT BEHAVIORS OF THREE MEN, DON, AL, AND BILL, DEMONSTRATE THE HYPOCRISY OF THE LIBERAL LEFT. LIBERAL, MR. IMUS HAS UNCIVILLY DISSED INDIVIDUALS, POLITICIANS AND THE CULTURE MERELY FOR THE SHOCK VALUE FOR YEARS. LIBERAL, MR. SHARPTON SHOULD HAVE DISSED INDIVIDUALS, POLITICIANS OR THE CULTURE FOR THEIR SHOCKING AND IMMORAL ANTICS OVER THE YEARS. CONSERVATIVE, MR. COSBY HAS CONSISTENTLY DISSED INDIVIDUALS, POLITICIANS AND OUR CULTURE FOR THEIR UNACCEPTABLE, LIBERAL LEANINGS. TWO STRIKES ARE AGAINST LIBERALS’S CONSISTENT BEHAVIOR; ONE HOME RUN FOR A CONSERVATIVE’S. NOW WHERE IS LIBERAL HYPOCRISY TAKING US? INTO THE HYPOCRITICAL FIRING OF DON IMUS FOR THE SAKE OF POLITICAL CORRECTNESS. THE LIBERALS' MENTAL STORAGE FACILITY FOR COMMON SENSE IS EMPTY. THE LIBERALS ARE BANKRUPT OF CONSISTENT THINKING.

I AM THE 'NO ONE' TO WHOM GARY ROSEN (EDITOR OF A MAGAZINE) REFERRED WHEN HE SAID THAT, "NO ONE ON THE RIGHT IS AGITATING TO ABOLISH THE INCOME TAX OR THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, TO REPEAL THE CIVIL RIGHTS LAWS, OR TO WITHDRAW THE U.S. FROM N.A.T.O. AND THE U.N. (WELL, MAYBE THE U.N.)." I AM THE ONE. FIRST, A TAX TO SUPPORT THE MINIMUM FUNCTIONS OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, SUCH AS THE DEFENSE OF THE HOMELAND AND THE GUARANTEE OF THE FREE EXCHANGE OF GOODS AND IDEAS, COULD BE LEVELED EQUALLY ON CONSUMPTION REGARDLESS OF INCOME. SECOND, ANY GOVERNMENTAL DEPARTMENT SUCH AS HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES THAT DISCOURAGES SELF-SUFFICIENCY AND PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY AND PRACTICES BUREAUCRATIC WASTE, MUST GO. THIRD, ALL MEN ARE CREATED EQUAL AND SHOULD HAVE ACCESS TO EQUAL OPPORTUNITY, SO A CIVIL RIGHTS LAW IS REDUNDANT. FOURTH, N.A.T.O HAS OUTLIVED ITS USEFULNESS. FIFTH, AND I AM UNANIMOUS IN THIS, THE U.N. AS AN EFFECTIVE AGENCY, IS A JOKE.

BEING ON THE RIGHT OR IN THE RIGHT FIRST AND FOREMOST CALLS FOR CONSISTENCY. RALPH WALDO EMERSON, AN ADMIRED POET AND PHILOSOPHER WHO APPEALS TO THE LIBERALS SAID, "A GREAT MIND IN CONSISTENCY HAS NOTHING TO DO." EMERSON HIMSELF PRACTICED INCONSISTENCY IN HIS ACTIONS. NOR WAS HE ALWAYS RIGHT. THE LEFT REVELS IN A HODGE-PODGE APPROACH TO RATIONALISM, A DETRIMENT TO THE WELL-BEING OF AMERICA.

CHOOSE SIDES

IN THE WAR OF WORDS BETWEEN TRADITIONAL AND MODERATE EVANGELICALS HOW DOES COMMON SENSE OR MORALITY SEE THROUGH THE FOG? HERE ARE SOME WORDS, REPRESENTING ISSUES ON WHICH THE TWO SIDES OPPOSE EACH OTHER. THEY WERE USED IN A RECENT ARTICLE ON THE GREAT 'DIVIDE' IN EVANGELICAL CHURCHES.

MODERATES FORM THEIR RANKS AROUND: DEBT RELIEF FOR POOR COUNTRIES, FAIR-TRADE COFFEE, GLOBAL WARMING, IMMIGRATION, MINIMUM WAGE, ACCUSATIONS OF EXTREMISM, INFREQUENT CHURCH ATTENDANCE, GAY MARRIAGE, ABORTION, MEGA CHURCHES.

TRADITIONALISTS RALLY ABOUT: LEGITIMACY OF THE BIBLE, A PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH JESUS, PROSELYTIZING, CONSERVATISM, PRIVATE CHARITY.

HOW AM I TO CHOOSE THE WINNING SIDE? EASY. THE ARTICLE WAS WRITTEN BY WOMAN WITH A HYPHENATED NAME AND QUOTED A MS. FOR AUTHORITY. TWO STRIKES AGAINST THE OPPOSITION BECAUSE OF THEIR 'LIBERATED' PERSUASION. NOW TO PICK OUT THE DAMNING PHRASE. THE THIRD STRIKE WHICH PUTS 'MODERATES' OUT OF CONTENTION WAS THE ADMISSION OF "INFREQUENT CHURCH ATTENDANCE."

WHAT WOULD YOU RATHER HAVE? A DEVOUT WORSHIPER AND BELIEVER IN THE POWER OF GOD WITH A GUN TO THE HEAD OF YOUR ENEMY OR A MODERATE, THAT IS, LIBERAL, WHO JUST WANTS TO 'DIALOGUE WITH YOUR ADVERSARY?
CASE CLOSED.

A FINE MESS

ONE DOESN'T NEED A LOUPE TO SEE THAT THINGS ARE AMISS. HERE IN AMERICA, FOR EXAMPLE, THE PENTAGON PLANS TO REGULATE PAYDAY LOANS TO MILITARY FAMILIES BECAUSE THEY 'RESORT' TO THEM. RE-DEFINE ‘RESORT’ AS CHOOSE AND YOU REALIZE THAT THESE INDIVIDUALS CHOSE THEIR MESSES. ALLSTATE IS BEING SUED BECAUSE IT DID NOT COVER FLOOD DAMAGE FROM HURRICANE KATRINA. IF THEY READ THE FINE PRINT, CUSTOMERS KNEW THEY WERE NOT COVERED IN CASE OF A STORM MESS. NEW YORK'S GOVERNOR SPITZER HAS MOVED HIS STATE'S PRIMARY ELECTION TO FEB. 5TH 2008. INTERPRET THIS ACTION AS A POLITICAL PLOY TO BENEFIT DEMOCRATS AND MESS UP REPUBLICAN CHANCES. ON THE WORLD STAGE, THINGS ARE NO SANER. UNDER THE REGIME OF DICTATOR MUGABE, ZIMBABWE HAS BEEN TOTALLY CORRUPTED. READ THIS TO MEAN THAT THE PUBLIC COULD REVOLT AGAINST THIS MESS. IN PALESTINE, HAMAS IS PRACTICING BLACKMAIL IN AN EXCHANGE OF ITS ISRAELI PRISONER. WHAT MUST BE UNDERSTOOD IS THAT CRIMINALS AND TERRORISTS WILL BE SET FREE IF THE MESSY TRADE TAKES PLACE.

COMMON SENSE AND SANITY HAVE GONE AWRY BOTH HERE IN AMERICA AND ACROSS THE GLOBE. WHERE SHOULD WE CONCENTRATE OUR ATTENTION? WHERE SHOULD WE FOCUS OUR LOUPE TO FIND THE GREATEST NEED? I SUGGEST WE CLEAN UP OUR CULTURAL MESS. A CULTURAL 'SCUMBAGS' LIKE DON IMUS IS NOT WORTH OUR TIME, BUT THE STATE OF THE FAMILY IS. A LOCAL RADIO STATION SPONSORED A PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT, PLEADING FOR FOSTER FAMILIES. THE MESSAGE MENTIONED THREE FAMILIES THAT MANY CHILDREN NOW HAVE. THE BIRTH FAMILY, THE CARING FAMILY AND THE FOREVER FAMILY. THEY ARE BORN INTO A 1ST FAMILY, PLACED BY CHILDRENS' SERVICES INTO A 2ND FAMILY AND THEN RE-LOCATED INTO A 3RD, FOREVER FAMILY. WHAT IN HELL IS A 'FOREVER FAMILY’?

HINT: WE ARE IN A HELL OF A MESS WHEN AMERICA NOW HAS NOT ONE, BUT MULTIPLE FAMILIES. ASCENT TO RATIONALITY ROOTED IN MORALITY CAN GET US OUT OF THE DEPTHS OF THIS DEPRAVED,
FINE MESS.

LETTER TO LOYOLA UNIVERSITY

DEAR MICHAEL J. GARANZINI, S.J. PRESIDENT;
IS LOYOLA "KEEPING THE FAITH?" NOT IN WORD OR DEED! I RECENTLY HEARD THAT MY HUSBAND'S ALMA MATER, LOYOLA, ('61) AND MY NOW INCORPORATED ALMA MATER, MUNDELEN COLLEGE ('62) HOSTED A CONSERVATIVE SPEAKER, ANN COULTER, BACK IN MARCH ‘06 TO ADDRESS THE STUDENTS. SHE WAS TREATED UNCIVILLY AND FRANKLY TOLD THAT SHE WAS NOT WELCOME. SHE WAS DRIVEN OFF THE STAGE WITH A TORRENT OF VITUPERATION AND BOMBAST. WHO DEFENDED THE TYPICAL COUNTER-CULTURAL AND 'RABBLE-ROUSING' LIBERAL CAMPUS ATTENDEES EXPRESSING THEIR DISPLEASURE? I HEARD THAT IT WAS A SPOKESMAN FOR THE JESUITS THEMSELVES. THE MOTTO OF LOYOLA UNIVERSITY WAS HISTORICALLY LIVED OUT AND TAUGHT BY ITS JESUITS, AS "ALL FOR THE GREATER GLORY OF GOD." NOT ANY MORE. THE SPOKESMAN FOR THE JESUITS SAID THAT CONSERVATIVES SUCH AS ANN COULTER AND HER 'AGENDA' DID NOT REPRESENT JESUIT TRADITION AND THINKING; THEREFORE, CONSERVATIVES AT THE UNIVERSITY MADE A MISTAKE TO INVITE HER IN THE FIRST PLACE. IS THIS HOW A UNIVERSITY PREPARES "PEOPLE TO LEAD EXTRAORDINARY LIVES?" IF MS. COULTER HAD BEEN AN ANOINTED ONE, SPOUTING HATE SPEECH AGAINST ACCEPTABLE SHIBBOLETHS OF THE LEFT, SHE WOULD HAVE BEEN TREATED DIFFERENTLY, WELCOMED WITH OPEN ARMS. I AM SHOCKED TO REALIZE THAT I AND MY HUSBAND RE-LOCATED FROM CHICAGO - WHERE WE WERE BOTH BORN AND RAISED AS STRICT, TRADITIONAL CATHOLICS - JUST IN TIME.

OBVIOUSLY THE JESUITS HAVE ABANDONED THEIR WONDERFUL TRADITION OF INQUIRY INTO BOTH REASON AND FAITH. THEY PAY LITTLE ATTENTION TO THE SCHOLARSHIP AND WISDOM OF OUR PRESENT POPE BENEDICT XVI. WHERE OH WHERE HAS ST. IGNATIUS GONE? WHERE OR WHEN WILL HIS FOLLOWERS ATTEMPT AGAIN TO COUNTER OUR PRESENT, CLOSE-MINDED REFORMATION ON UNIVERSITY CAMPUSES? LOYOLA HAS GONE THE WAY OF DICTATORIAL LIBERALISM.. THE JESUITS HAVE PERVERTED AND INVERTED ACADEMIC FREEDOM FOR LIBERAL BIAS AND LEFTIST POLITICAL CORRECTNESS AND THE BOORISHNESS THAT ACCOMPANIES THEM. WHAT FOR ME WAS PRIDE IN MY CATHOLIC HERITAGE, NOW FEELS TOO MUCH LIKE REGRET IN RETROSPECT. IN MY UNDERGRADUATE YEARS, I WAS NOT - TO QUOTE ANOTHER CHICAGOAN, JOE EPSTEIN, "DIVERTED BY CULTURE OR LIBERTINAGE." THIS EASTER I DID NOT LET YOUR DEPRESSING STATE OF AFFAIRS HIGHJACK THE TRUTH OF OUR REDEMPTION.

I RECENTLY RECEIVED MY UNSOLICITED SPRING 2007 MAGAZINE OF LOYOLA UNIVERSITY CHICAGO. LUCKILY, I HAVE NEVER CHOSEN TO DONATE A CENT TO MY ALMA MATER. NOR HAVE I EVER LOOKED BACK WITH ANYTHING BUT ADMIRATION AND APPRECIATION FOR THE SERIOUS EDUCATION THAT I RECEIVED THERE. IF YOU WERE TO KNOW HOW MY HUSBAND 'TURNED OUT, A SHAME APPROPRIATELY ATTACHED TO THE MODERN STRIDES YOUR UNIVERSITY HAS TAKEN, SHOULD BE YOURS.

INSIDE THE BACK COVER OF THE ISSUE WAS A PICTURE OF A DOCTORAL STUDENT IN HIGHER EDUCATION. LOYOLA MAGAZINE WROTE WITH PRIDE OF THIS MOTHER OF TWO YOUNG CHILDREN, BUT NEGLECTED TO OBSERVE THAT SHE APPARENTLY PUT THEM SECOND TO HER CAREER. THE IDEA, INHERENT IN CATHOLIC TEACHING, OF PARENTS BEING PRIMARY CARE-GIVERS AND GUIDES TO THEIR CHILDREN, HAS BECOME A MODERN, SIDEBAR ISSUE. THIS YOUNG 'ACADEMIC' MOM WHO WROTE ABOUT ACHIEVING "THE SUCCESS YOU DESERVE," IS OBVIOUSLY FOLLOWING THE PROGRESSIVE LINE OF CHURCH DOCTRINE TODAY, FILLED WITH RELEVANCY AND FEEL-GOOD IRRELEVANCE.

THE COVER OF THE LOYOLA MAGAZINE PICTURES THE BASKETBALL TEAM DISPLAYING SHIRTS WITH A WOLF LOGO. THE CAPTION ON THE PICTURE READ, "KEEPING THE FAITH." NOT REALLY, LOYOLA, NOT IN WORD OR DEED. TO ME, BASKETBALL OR ANY HIGH SCHOOL, COLLEGE OR PROFESSIONAL SPORT IS INTELLECTUALLY USELESS AND EDUCATIONALLY DETRIMENTAL. BUT THE WOLF'S IMAGE, MADE ME THINK. MY DEPARTURE FROM CHICAGO INTO THE COUNTRY, HAS ALLOWED ME TO HEAR A COYOTE PACK HOWL, ECHOING WIDELY ON A CLEAR, COLD NIGHT. NO MAJESTIC WOLF CALL TO UNCENSORED FREEDOM WILL EVERY RESONATE FROM MY ALMA MATER AGAIN.

CIVIL WAR

CONSERVATIVES DOMINATE MAINSTREAM AMERICA, BUT LIBERALS INHABIT THE ENCLAVES OF TEACHING, POLITICS AND THE MEDIA. SHOULD WE BE CONCERNED? AS ABRAHAM LINCOLN PREACHED, 'UNITED WE STAND, DIVIDED WE FALL.' WE CANNOT AFFORD TO LET ANOTHER CIVIL WAR DIVIDE AMERICA. NOT ONLY A PHILOSOPHICAL RIFT BETWEEN LIBERALS AND CONSERVATIVES, BUT ALSO A CHASM OF CIVILITY. LIBERALS ON ONE SIDE REPRESENT IMPOLITE, RUDE AND INDECENT DISCOURSE. CONSERVATIVES ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE FACE THE THANKLESS TASK OF TRYING TO MAINTAIN CIVILITY IN SPITE OF OVERWHELMING FORCES.

WE CANNOT AFFORD TO LET THE BATTLE LINES OF A CIVIL WAR FORM.
WHEN BLACKS SEE CONSERVATIVES AS THE ENEMY - WHEN IN FACT THEY HAVE BEEN THEIR FRIENDS ALL ALONG - THERE IS A LARGE SEPARATION BETWEEN REALITY AND PERCEPTION. WHEN THE PUBLIC CAN BE DUPED INTO FEAR AND LOATHING FROM THE LIBERAL NEWS CHANNELS, PROFESSORS AND CIVIC LEADERS - THERE IS SURE TO BE A DISCONNECT FROM SELF-RELIANCE AND COMMON SENSE. TALK OF A CIVIL WAR IN IRAQ IS LUDICROUS BECAUSE IT HAS ALREADY ERUPTED BETWEEN TWO OPPOSING FORCES HERE AT HOME.

EASTER MESSAGE

I HEARD AN INTELLECTUAL FREELY EXPRESS HIS HATRED FOR THE CATHOLIC CHURCH. WOULD THAT HE HELD A CORRESPONDING HATRED FOR ITS ATHEIST ENEMIES, FOR EXAMPLE, MAO, LENIN OR KIM IL SUNG. THE DEADLY TRIO ESPOUSED NO BELIEF IN INDIVIDUAL FREEDOM WHETHER OF RELIGION OR PURSUIT OF FINANCIAL HAPPINESS. INDEPENDENT, AFRICAN MOZAMBIQUE EXEMPLIFIES ONE ASPECT OF THIS CONTRAST BETWEEN GOOD AND EVIL. ITS LEADERSHIP HAS OPENED UP THE COUNTRY'S MARKETS TO THE WORLD AND DROPPED A SYSTEM OF CENTRALIZED ECONOMY WHEREIN THE GOVERNMENT OWNS CERTAIN BUSINESSES, CONTROLS SUPPLY AND DEMAND AND INHIBITS ENTREPRENEURSHIP. MOZAMBIQUE HAS REALIZED THAT WHEN ELITE POLITICIANS IMPOSE THEIR WILLS UPON THE CITIZENS, ENSLAVEMENT IS SURE TO FOLLOW.

I PITY THIS AMERICAN MAN WITH HIS HATRED FOR THE CATHOLIC CHURCH. EDUCATED, ELITIST, ICONOCLASTIC, COUNTER-CULTURAL, LEFTIST - HOWEVER HE SEES HIMSELF - HE SHOULD FIRST REMEMBER TO SEE HIMSELF AS FREE. TOO BAD HIS HATRED HAS BLINDED HIM TO THE HISTORY OF HIS FREEDOM, WROUGHT FIRST FOR HIM BY A REDEEMER, WHO BOUGHT FREEDOM FROM SIN AND FREEDOM OF FREE WILL FOR HIM BY HIS FREELY CHOSEN DEATH ON A CROSS.

EGG HUNT

A NEW LAW TO FIX A LAW - YEP! THE OHIO LAW THAT ALLOWED TEENS UNDER 18 TO DRIVE IS NOW AMENDED BECAUSE 16 AND 17 YR. OLDS BEHIND THE WHEEL, CHATTER, CHILL OUT, CRASH AND DIE ON THE HIGHWAYS. NO SURPRISE! A LAW THAT NEVER SHOULD HAVE PERMITTED THE 'IMMATURE' TO GET BEHIND A WHEEL IN THE FIRST PLACE, IS AMENDED TO FORBID MORE THAN ONE NON-RELATIVE IN THE CAR - THIS TO DISCOURAGE FRATERNIZATION AND FOOLING AROUND. SEATBELTS WHICH WERE THE LAW ARE NOW A LAW RE-ITERATED. DRIVING AFTER MIDNIGHT WITHOUT A WORK PERMIT IS FORBIDDEN TOO. WHERE DOES THIS NEW LAW GO RIGHT?

NO WHERE. WE NEED TO DRIVE BACKWARDS TO THE FACT THAT TEENS ARE UNFIT TO MAKE ADULT DECISIONS; THEY NEVER SHOULD HAVE BEEN ALLOWED TO DRIVE AT 16 IN THE FIRST PLACE. USING SEAT BELTS, SAFETY FEATURES, IS JUST COMMON SENSE. TEENS WHO ARE OUT OR TRAVELING TO OR FROM WORK AFTER MIDNIGHT DEMONSTRATE NO COMMON SENSE. A NEW LAW TO FIX A LAW THAT NEVER SHOULD HAVE BEEN A LAW JUST ATTEMPTS TO REGULATE AND LEGISLATE AGAINST INHERENT IMMATURITY AND STUPIDITY. DUH ! BUT WE MUST GO BACK FURTHER TO FIND THE MAJOR PREMISE. ANOTHER 'LAW' STATES THAT TEENS UNDER EIGHTEEN ARE THE PARENTS' RESPONSIBILITIES. WHERE IS THE PROPER, PRIOR PARENTING THAT BEGINS WITH COMMON SENSE?

COMMON SENSE ALSO SAYS THAT THERE IS NO GLOBAL WARMING CATASTROPHE DUE TO MAN WHICH WILL DESTROY THE WORLD. COMMON SENSE SAYS THAT EVEN IF THERE WERE, WE COULD DO NOTHING TO PREVENT IT. COMMON SENSE SAYS THAT EVEN IF WE, AMERICA, TOOK SOME MEASURES TO FORESTALL IT, CHINA, RUSSIA, AFRICA AND THIRD WORLD COUNTRIES WOULD IGNORE IT.

WHEN JESUS DIED FOR OUR SINS, HIS REDEMPTION INCLUDED SINS AGAINST COMMON SENSE FROM IMPULSIVE DRIVEN ADOLESCENTS, FROM ADULTS ABDICATING THEIR PARENTAL RESPONSIBILITIES, FROM FOLLOWERS OF THE RELIGION OF GLOBAL WARMING.

HINT: WISHING YOU, AMERICA, A SUCCESSFUL EASTER EGG HUNT FOR THAT GOLDEN YOLK OF COMMON SENSE.

THIS EASTER

SURPRISED BY A GASP OF WINTER.
DEPRESSED BY UNWELCOME FLURRIES.
SADDENED FROM A MIDWEST FREEZE.
BOWED BUT NOT BROKEN, A TULIP
ENCASED IN ICE, AWAITS A THAW.
PRESSED DOWN BY HIS WEIGHT.
BURDENED ON HIS CROSS BY MINE.
LIGHTENED ALL- BY THE DEATH OF A SON.

A HIGHWAY DEATH

CARL SCHURZ SAID OF ABRAHAM LINCOLN IN 1864, "HE POSSESSES TO A REMARKABLE DEGREE THE CHARACTERISTIC, GOD-GIVEN TRAIT OF THIS PEOPLE, SOUND COMMON SENSE." ONE HUNDRED FORTY THREE YEARS REPRESENTS A LONG, LINGERING DEATH. COMMON SENSE USED TO SAY THAT WHAT IS LEGAL SHOULD PROBABLY BE EXPRESSED WITH CIVILITY, BUT PUBLIC DISCOURSE TODAY CONTRADICTS THIS. COMMON SENSE USED TO SAY THAT HOME-MADE PASTA ENTREES ARE FAR CHEAPER TO PREPARE THAN FROZEN ONES, BUT PUBLIC PATRONAGE OF A 150 MILLION DOLLAR INDUSTRY (FOR ONE COMPANY) CONTRADICTS THIS. COMMON SENSE USED TO NOTE THAT THE FREE EXCHANGE OF IDEAS AND GOODS IMPROVES LIFE AT ALL ECONOMIC LEVELS, BUT ACCEPTED MEDIA PROPAGANDA AGAINST 'OFF-SHORING', 'OUTSOURCING', 'UNFAIR TRADE POLICIES' AND 'FOREIGN IMPORTS' CONTRADICT THIS. COMMON SENSE USED TO SAY THAT MARKETING ONE'S CHILDREN'S SEXUAL FAVORS CONTRADICTS THE ASSUMPTION OF PROPER PRIOR PARENTING, BUT DEBASED REALITIES CONTRADICT THIS.

MR. SCHURZ ATTRIBUTED TO HIS 19TH CENTURY FELLOW AMERICANS COMMON SENSE, ALSO CALLING IT A GOD-GIVEN TRAIT. WHAT A DOUBLE WHAMMY THAT BOTH FACTS ARE CONTRADICTED BY BELIEFS AND BEHAVIORS TODAY.

EACH CRIME AGAINST COMMON SENSE AND EACH LAW AND REGULATION LEGISLATED ANEW, PROVES THAT COMMON SENSE DIED SOMEWHERE ALONG THE GREAT AMERICAN HIGHWAY. THE STENCH OF THE ROAD KILL IS EVERYWHERE. HAS GOD FORSAKEN US THIS EASTER?

HINT: WE WHO SLURP OUTDATED, DONATED CANS OF SOUP STILL SALUTE YOU, COMMON SENSE. WE WHO RECYCLE OUR CANS, REUSE OUR HANDKERCHIEFS, REMEMBER OUR HARD-WORKING FOR-BEARERS AND REFUSE TO JOIN THE RANKS OF THE RE-USABLE DENIERS - SALUTE YOU, COMMON SENSE.

EASTER

PASSOVER HAS BEGUN. THE JEWS DIDN'T GET IT. THERE I SAID IT - AGAIN. UNFORTUNATELY THE JEWS DID NOT SEE THAT THEIR COVENANT WITH YAHWEH WAS FULFILLED WHEN THEY LOOKED INTO JESUS' EYES. THE DIDN'T SEE THAT THE SAVIOR OFFERED HIS BLOOD TO WASH THEIR SINS CLEAN, NOR DID HIS PRESENCE MAKE MANIFEST TO THEM THEIR DESTINY. FOR OTHERS, HOWEVER, OF PURE BLOOD, THE "ASIL", TRUTH WAS TOLD. "ALL THE TREASURES OF THIS EARTH LIE BETWEEN THINE EYES," THE KORAN STATES REFERRING TO THE HORSE. ACCORDING TO A STORY, FIVE SPECIAL MARES IN MOHAMMED'S HERD FOUNDED THE ARABIAN BREED. THE HORSE AS SAVIOR FACILITATED THE MUSLIMS' CONQUEST OF THE WORLD.

SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT THIS EASTER. HISTORY'S PAGES TURN UPON RESPECT AND WORSHIP FOR GOD, FOR THE HORSE, FOR A SAVIOR, BUT NOT JESUS AS 'EARTH'S TREASURE' FOR THE CHOSEN PEOPLE, THE JEWS.

KNOW-NOTHINGS

THE KNOW-NOTHING PARTY IS BACK. ORIGINALLY FROM THE PRE CIVIL WAR 1850'S, THE KNOW-NOTHINGS AIMED TO PRESERVE SLAVERY AND PUT DOWN CATHOLICS AND IMMIGRANTS. BUT WHEN I HEAR THE LIBERALS ASK FOR "SERIOUS DISCUSSION " I KNOW THAT THEY, WHO KNOW NOTHING, ARE NOT INTERESTED IN TRUTH. EACH POLITICAL POSITION THEY TAKE, ULTIMATELY HAS ITS EQUAL AND OPPOSITE STANCE. FOR EXAMPLE, HYPOCRITICALLY THEY ASK COMMON CITIZENS TO REDUCE THEIR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT WHEN IN FACT MOST LIBERALS ARE WEALTHY ELITISTS, INTERESTED ONLY IN IMPOSING THEIR RESTRICTIONS UPON OTHERS, BUT NEVER UPON THEMSELVES. THEY SEEK TO PRESERVE THE ENSLAVEMENT OF OTHERS TO THEIR IDEOLOGIES, TO BASH FUNDAMENTALIST RELIGION AND TO PLAY THE IMMIGRANT CARD (DEPENDING UPON ITS LEGALITY OR ILLEGALITY) FOR THEIR OWN POLITICAL GAIN. WITH A 60'S SET PIECE AS THEIR WORLD VIEW, LIBERALS KNOW NOTHING OF REALITY - OR AT LEAST WHAT IS HOPEFUL OR POSITIVE ABOUT IT.

FOR PROOF, I POINT OUT THEIR ULTRA, LEFT-WING SPOKESPERSON, ROSIE O'DONNELL. NOT ONLY DOES SHE LITERALLY POSITION HER BODY UPSIDE DOWN EACH DAY, BUT SHE ALSO SPOUTS DELUSIONAL VIEWS TANTAMOUNT TO HATE SPEECH THAT LITERALLY REPRESENT A WORLD UPSIDE DOWN.

HINT: THE KNOW-NOTHINGS ARE BACK, RAISING MONEY FOR POLITICAL CAMPAIGNS, RAISING AWARENESS OF THEIR VIEW OF AMERICA WHICH IS UPSIDE DOWN.

TRUANCY

"TRUANCY WILL NOT BE TOLERATED." THE MESSAGE IS 'OUT' TO LOCAL SCHOOL STUDENTS. THE MESSAGE IS ALSO 'OUT' TO GREAT BRITAIN WHOSE SAILORS WERE ABDUCTED BY A FOREIGN POWER. BUT WILL EITHER DO THEIR DUTY? ABSENTEE STUDENTS BY THEIR VERY ABSENCES ABANDON THEIR DUTY TO BE EDUCATED. GREAT BRITAIN BY ITS ABSENCE OF ACTION RETREATS FROM ITS DUTY TO ITS CITIZENS WHO ARE HOSTAGES IN IRAN.

WORDS PRECEDING FOOT-STOMPING FOLLOWED BY WHAT I BELIEVE WILL BE APOLOGIES FOR POOR CONDUCT, PRETTY MUCH SUMS UP THE STATUS QUO OF BOTH PUBLIC EDUCATION AND BRITISH STATESMANSHIP. TODAY'S PUPILS ARE SUFFERING FROM THE CONSEQUENCES OF THE LACK OF PROPER PRIOR PARENTING. GREAT BRITAIN'S BACKBONE, LIKE THE MAINMAST FROM ONE OF ITS IMPRESSIVE SAILING SHIPS WHEN BRITTANNIA RULED THE WAVES, HAS BROKEN AND COLLAPSED IN THE GALE OF