MENTAL ILLNESS

READ A WAR BOOK; THEN WEEP. THE CONTRAST BETWEEN THE REAL WORLD OF WAR AND TODAY'S POLITICALLY CORRECT, ALTERNATIVE LALALAND IS STARK. AND SAD. AT A NEARBY VA (VETERANS ADMINISTRATION) OFFICE, A FEMALE DIRECTOR OF A NEWLY CREATED PROGRAM BY OUR GOVERNMENT SPOKE ABOUT HER JOB. HER FACILITY AND HER NEWLY MINTED POSITION BOTH CONCENTRATE ON THE MENTAL HEALTH OF WAR VETERANS. WORDS LIKE STIGMA, STRESS, BI-POLAR, DEPRESSION AND SCHIZOPHRENIA WERE INTERMINGLED WITH GOBBLEDYGOOK ABOUT SCREENING, PROCESS, HELP, RECOVERY AND CERTIFICATES OF ACHIEVEMENT. THE CAPSTONE TO HER UNINTELLIGIBLE EXPOSITION WAS THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE 1ST ANNUAL MENTAL AWARENESS WEEK. HOW DO YOU CATCH THIS DISEASE? IT MUST BE EASY BECAUSE ALL CURRENT VETERANS HAVE IT AND PAST VETERANS HAVE INCURRED IT BECAUSE THEY HAVE SUPPRESSED MEMORIES. WE SHOULD ELIMINATE THIS JOBHOLDER AND HER BOONDOGGLE. AS I LIKE TO SAY, A MIND IS A TERRIBLE THING TO WASTE SO WHY INJECT INTO IT A POLITICALLY CORRECT CANCER THAT DESTROYS ITS INNATE ABILITY TO MAINTAIN MANHOOD, MATURITY AND EQUILIBRIUM IN SPITE OF IMMERSION IN WAR? I CALL THIS MADNESS. BESIDES, FEW SOLDIERS ACTUALLY ARE WARRIORS ON THE FRONT LINES.

GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS PER SE ARE BRED FROM A BELIEF IN VICTIMHOOD AND ANY PROCESS THEY FAVOR RESULTS IN METAPHORICAL EMASCULATION OF ITS AMERICAN PATIENTS.
GO

STATES OF MIND

TRYING TO RECONCILE THE FACTS THAT MISSISSIPPI HAS THE HIGHEST POVERTY RATE AND THE LOWEST INCOME EVEN THOUGH ITS POPULATION IS THE FATTEST? IS FOOD TODAY MAKING A STATEMENT THAT ITS ABUNDANCE PRODUCES CONTENTMENT? NEVERTHELESS, OVER-CONSUMPTION IS ACCOMPANIED BY COMPLAINTS. SEEMS TO ME AN ENCOUNTER WITH CONTENTMENT REQUIRES A TRIP BACKWARDS IN TIME. A 1960 BOOK CALLED THE GOOD OLD DAYS, REMINISCES ABOUT RURAL LIVING AT THE TURN OF THE 20TH CENTURY. JOHN GOODWIN IN HIS ESSAY CALLED "SWEET MUSIC," REFERRING TO BRASS BANDS, SAID, "THE YEAST OF DEMOCRACY NEVER BUBBLES HARDER THAN WHEN TWO DOZEN BARBERS AND GROCERY CLERKS AND FARMERS TEAR INTO 'DIXIE' OR 'COLUMBIA, THE GEM OF THE OCEAN.' IS GREAT SOUND ALL THAT IT TOOK FOR AMERICANS TO BE CONTENT BACK WHEN WAR OR WANT OF VICISSITUDES OF NATURE OFTEN INTERVENED WITH DAILY LIVING? MR. GOODWIN WAXES POETIC WHEN HE CONTENDS THAT "IF A MAN PLAYED A SILVER CORNET SOLO HE NEED NEVER FEEL THAT HIS LIFE HAS BEEN LIVED IN VAIN."

TO RETURN TO MISSISSIPPI, A MIRROR OF AMERICA. WHAT DOES IT TAKE FOR PEOPLE TO BE CONTENT? HOW EFFECTIVE ARE COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE REALITIES OF BEING POOR AND OF WORKING HARD? POVERTY AND BEING SUCCESSFUL ARE STATES OF MIND. LIKE CONTENTMENT.

WHAT'S WRONG

WHAT'S WRONG WITH AMERICA?

300 MILLION DOLLARS IS UP FOR GRABS IN A LOTTERY IN WHICH A DOZEN STATES PARTICIPATE. GAMBLING IS LEGAL, SQUANDERERS ARE MANY, SAVERS ARE FEW.

A KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI WOMAN TRIES TO FLUSH HER NEWBORN DOWN THE TOILET, EX POST FACTO, ADMITTING THAT SHE DIDN'T EVEN KNOW SHE WAS PREGNANT. SOME MINDS ARE WASTED.

A LOCAL SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT SAID, "I'M NOT SURE WHAT REASON WE'RE HERE." WHEN REFERENCING MAN'S PURPOSE ON EARTH, DO WE WANT AGNOSTICS EDUCATING YOUTH?

WHAT'S WRONG WITH AMERICA? POLITICIANS WHO PLAY POLITICS WITH ECONOMICS AND MORALITY. PARENTS WHO HAVE ABANDONED RAISING OFFSPRING INTELLIGENTLY. PUBLIC EDUCATORS WHO HAVE NO CLUE WHERE WE MORTALS ARE HEADING. THREE STRIKES WE'RE OUT OF THE GAME BECAUSE THE UNEXAMINED LIFE IS NOT WORTH LIVING.

TRUTH

"BE NOT AFRAID," OFTEN REPEATED BY THE LATE POPE JOHN PAUL II, WERE WORDS CALLING FOR THE PURSUIT OF TRUTH. THE MAN WHO REPRESENTED GOD'S CHURCH ON EARTH KNEW THAT ONLY THE TRUTH CAN SET YOU FREE. BUT WHAT IS TRUE?

"TRUE FREEDOM IMPLIES WE ARE CAPABLE OF CHOOSING A GOOD WITHOUT CONSTRAINT." 1987

"THE CREATURE DOES NOT HAVE LIFE OF ITSELF BUT FROM GOD." 1993

"IF FREEDOM DOES NOT OBEY THE TRUTH IT CAN CRUSH YOU." 1997

"GOD HAS PLACED IN THE HUMAN HEART A DESIRE TO KNOW THE TRUTH." 1998

"TO KNOW A UNIVERSALLY VALID TRUTH IS IN NO WAY TO ENCOURAGE INTOLERANCE." 1998

I SAY TRUTH IS GOODNESS; LOOK FOR THE 'GOOD' ANSWER IN A PROBLEM.

THE ANSWER IS IN THE PROBLEM

OCCASIONALLY, A BRILLIANT INTROSPECTION COME OUT OF A MOTOR-MOUTH TALK SHOW HOST. REGARDING A PROBLEM, GLENN BECK SAID, "THE ANSWER IS IN THE PROBLEM." I REMEMBERED THIS PRINCIPLE AS I HEARD A LOCAL SHERIFF DISCUSS THE RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR OBTAINING A HAND GUN OR CONCEALED WEAPON PERMIT. THE PROBLEM, OF COURSE, IS CRIME AND HOW TO STOP CRIMINALS FROM USING GUNS. DUH! THE SHERIFF OFFHANDEDLY SAID THAT GUNS DON'T KILL PEOPLE, PEOPLE KILL PEOPLE, BUT HE FOLLOWED THIS FACT WITH NUMEROUS EXCUSES FOR KEEPING GUNS OUT OF THE HANDS OF LAW-ABIDING CITIZENS. HE DID NOT SEE THAT THE "ANSWER IS IN THE PROBLEM." SOME AMERICANS ARE NOT LAW-ABIDING AND CONSEQUENTLY DANGEROUS. SEXUAL PREDATORS AND PERSONS GUILTY OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE - TODAY'S BUGABOOS LURKING EVERYWHERE - ARE CITED AS EXAMPLES OF INDIVIDUALS WHO SHOULD NOT POSSESS GUNS. BUT THE "ANSWER IS IN THE PROBLEM," MEANING THAT WHEN A CRIME IS IN PROGRESS, IT MATTERS NOT THAT THE CITIZEN WITH A GUN PROTECTING OTHER CITIZENS BY ELIMINATING OR APPREHENDING A CRIMINAL IS A SEX OFFENDER OR A POLICE OFFICER. IT MATTERS THAT HE IS DOING THE RIGHT THING. FIRST IN THE HEARTS OF MY COUNTRYMEN AND WOMEN IS SAFETY AT HOME. EVEN AS FAR BACK AS 125 B.C., CICERO KNEW THAT "CRIMES ARE NOT TO BE MEASURED BY THE ISSUE OF EVENTS, BUT FROM THE BAD INTENTIONS OF MEN." WHENEVER OR HOWEVER, GOOD SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO TRIUMPH OVER EVIL AS THE ANSWER TO THE PROBLEM OF CRIME. GUNS CAN'T CHOOSE TO COMMIT CRIMES, PEOPLE CAN.

MARANATHA

AFTER THE SCANDAL GIVEN BY MEMBERS OF THE CATHOLIC CLERGY A FEW YEARS AGO, BEFORE THE SIXTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ATTACK ON THE TWIN TOWERS IN NEW YORK ON 9/11, AS REPORTS OF MURDERS RUN APACE AND NATURAL DISASTERS BEFALL US - WE SHOULD BE MINDFUL OF THE WORDS OF THE LATE POPE JOHN PAUL II, "AMERICA NEEDS MUCH PRAYER LEST IT LOSE ITS SOUL." JOHN PAUL II ALSO SAID INTROSPECTIVELY, " PRAYER MAKES US AWARE THAT EVERYTHING - EVEN EVIL - FINDS ITS PRINCIPAL AND DEFINITIVE REFERENCE POINT IN GOD."

SO PRAY. PRAYER IS "THE REVELATION OF THAT ABYSS WHICH IS THE HEART OF MAN: A DEPTH WHICH COMES FROM GOD AND WHICH ONLY GOD CAN FILL." JOHN PAUL KNEW WHERE TO LOOK FOR GUIDANCE. 90% OF AMERICANS OVER 50 BELIEVE IN GOD. 80% IN HEAVEN. 70% IN HELL. WHY NOT FACE THE FUTURE WITH HOPE? DESPAIR IS A DOWNER. WHAT DO YOU HAVE TO LOSE WHEN THERE IS SO MUCH TO BE FOUND? A BETTER LIFE IS ABORNING. MARANATHA, O LORD COME!

LUSTRATION

2007 MARKS THE 200TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE BIRTH OF U.S. POET, HENRY WADSWORTH LONGFELLOW. NOW IS A FITTING TIME TO LET THE BEAUTY OF HIS POETRY LUSTRATE OUR SOULS. TO LET HIS WORDS, HIS RHYTHMS, HIS RHYMES, HIS THOUGHTS, LIKE A PALINGENESIS, TRANSPORT THE READER INTO AIR THAT'S BETTER, PURER, HIGHER. FOR LONGFELLOW, NATURE CAN HELP ELEVATE US - AND GOD.

FRIENDS:
FRIENDS MY SOUL WITH JOY REMEMBERS!
HOW LIKE QUIVERING FLAMES THEY START,
WHEN I FAN THE LIVING EMBERS
ON THE HEARTH-STONE OF MY HEART!

MORNING:
THINK, EVERY MORNING WHEN THE SUN PEEPS THROUGH
THE DIM, LEAF-LATTICED WINDOWS OF THE GROVE,
HOW JUBILANT THE HAPPY BIRDS RENEW
THEIR OLD, MELODIOUS MADRIGALS OF LOVE!

SNOW:
OUT OF THE BOSOM OF THE AIR,
OUT OF THE CLOUD-FOLDS OF HER GARMENTS SHAKEN,
OVER THE WOODLANDS BROWN AND BARE,
OVER THE HARVEST-FIELDS FORSAKEN,
SILENT, AND SOFT, AND SLOW
DESCENTS THE SNOW.

THE SEA:
THE SEA AWOKE AT MIDNIGHT FROM ITS SLEEP,
AND ROUND THE PEBBLY BEECHES FAR AND WIDE
I HEARD THE FIRST WAVE OF THE RISING TIDE
RUSH ONWARD WITH UNINTERRUPTED SWEEP;

THE SEA:
THE TIDE RISES, THE TIDE FALLS,
THE TWILIGHT DARKENS, THE CURLEW CALLS;

YOUTH:
THERE ARE THINGS OF WHICH I MAY NOT SPEAK;
THERE ARE DREAMS THAT CANNOT DIE;
THERE ARE THOUGHTS THAT MAKE THE STRONG HEART WEAK,
AND BRING A PALLOR INTO THE CHEEK,
AND A MIST BEFORE THE EYE.

YOUTH:
A BOY'S WILL IS THE WIND'S WILL,
AND THE THOUGHTS OF YOUTH ARE LONG, LONG THOUGHTS.

YOUTH:
ENJOY THE SPRING OF LOVE AND YOUTH,
TO SOME GOOD ANGEL LEAVE THE REST;
FOR TIME WILL TEACH THEE SOON THE TRUTH,
THERE ARE NO BIRDS IN LAST YEAR'S NET!

NIGHT:
THE DAY IS DONE, AND THE DARKNESS
FALLS FROM THE WINGS OF NIGHT,
AS A FEATHER IS WAFTED DOWNWARD
FROM AN EAGLE IN HIS FLIGHT.

AND THE NIGHT SHALL BE FILLED WITH MUSIC,
AND THE CARES, THAT INFEST THE DAY,
SHALL FOLD THEIR TENTS, LIKE THE ARABS,
AND AS SILENTLY STEAL AWAY.

FOREST:
THIS IS THE FOREST PRIMEVAL. THE MURMURING PINES AND THE HEMLOCKS,
BEARDED WITH MOSS, AND IN GARMENTS GREEN, INDISTINCT IN THE TWILIGHT,

THE MOON:
AS A PALE PHANTOM WITH A LAMP
ASCENDS SOME RUIN'S HAUNTED STAIR,
SO GLIDES THE MOON ALONG THE DAMP
MYSTERIOUS CHAMBERS OF THE AIR:

NIGHT: FINALLY, A SPECIAL LONGFELLOW POEM, ONE OF HIS SONNETS, 14 LINES OF RHYMING, IAMBIC PENTAMETER INSPIRATION.

THE GALAXY

TORRENT OF LIGHT AND RIVER OF THE AIR,
ALONG WHOSE BED THE GLIMMERING STARS ARE SEEN
LIKE GOLD AND SILVER SANDS IN SOME RAVINE
WHERE MOUNTAIN STREAMS HAVE LEFT THEIR CHANNELS BARE!
THE SPANIARD SEES IN THEE THE PATHWAY, WHERE
HIS PATRON SAINT DESCENDED IN THE SHEEN
OF HIS CELESTIAL ARMOR, ON SERENE
AND QUIET NIGHTS, WHEN ALL THE HEAVENS WERE FAIR.
NOT THIS I SEE, NOR YET THE ANCIENT FABLE
OF PHAETON'S WILD COURSE, THAT SCORCHED THE SKIES
WHERE'ER THE HOOFS OF HIS HOT COURSERS TROD;
BUT THE WHITE DRIFT OF WORLDS O'ER CHASMS OF SABLE,
THE STAR-DUST THAT IS WHIRLED ALOFT AND FLIES
FROM THE INVISIBLE CHARIOT-WHEELS OF GOD.

BREATHE DEEP AND REFRESH IN THE WELL-SPRING OF WORDSWORTH’S WORDS.





NIGHT

KILL ALL THE LAWYERS

EVERY LAWSUIT LAWYERS FILE IS A BATTLE AGAINST A PERCEIVED EVIL OR FOR AN INALIENABLE RIGHT OF THEIR DEFINITION. SUITS ARE STILL BEING FILED, POST KATRINA AGAINST NEW ORLEANS AND INSURERS. THEY ARE FILED AGAINST EMPLOYERS FOR "HUMILIATING, THREATENING OR INTIMIDATING BEHAVIOR" OR "GRATUITOUS SABOTAGE" OF WORK PERFORMANCE TO EMPLOYEES. OBVIOUSLY, MANAGERS CAN FIRE VIRTUALLY NO ONE AFTER LAWYERS STRIP THEM OF THEIR RIGHTS. AT A $1,000 AN HOUR FEE, SOME LAWYERS ARE JUST CHARGING FOR THEIR OWN SHAMEFUL GREED. PROFIT, NOT PROTECTION OR JUSTICE FOR THE CLIENT MOTIVATES THEM.

LAWYERS WILL NO DOUBT BE INVOLVED IN A LOCAL BATTLE. BECAUSE "MORE SKILL THAN CHANCE" IS INVOLVED, MY STATE’S POLITICIANS SAY THEY FACE A "BATTLE" AGAINST A GAMING AND GAMBLING BUSINESS. YET THE 200 MILLION UP FOR GRABS IN THE LOTTERY, IS PROMOTED BECAUSE THE REVENUE FROM IT SUPPORTS THEIR PET PROJECTS.

A CITIZEN EQUIVOCATING OVER GRATED VS. SHREDDED CHEESE CAN FLIP UP HIS AT&T WIRELESS PHONE WITH RADIO AND MUSIC PLAYER TO CALL FOR SPOUSAL CLARIFICATION. EITHER NOKIA OR SAMSUNG WILL PROVIDE THIS NECESSITY FOR $9.99 (AFTER REBATE) WITH A 2 YR. SERVICE AGREEMENT. LAWYERS CLAIM THEY SUPPORT THE RIGHT TO CHOOSE HEDONISM ( INHERENT IN SELECTING THE LATEST TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCES), BUT YOU CAN BET LITIGATION TO PREVENT MONOPOLY OR SOMETHING BY SUPPLIERS OF WIRELESS, WILL BE FILED.

TODAY MY STATE REPRESENTATIVE CLAIMED THAT MOST PEOPLE ARE PLEASED WITH THE NEW SMOKING BAN FOR BUSINESSES. REALLY? BINGO AT THE VFW (VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS) HAS BEEN DISCONTINUED BECAUSE SENIOR CITIZENS WERE NOT ALLOWED TO SMOKE. WHAT HAS HAPPENED IN A COUNTRY THAT FORBIDS ITS CITIZENS AN OPTIONAL PLEASURE, AT THE TIME CRYING FOR UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE AND MORE MONEY TO HELP THE ELDERLY?

QUI VIVE? WHO DO WE NEED TO LOOK OUT FOR? STATISTICALLY, BLACKS ARE MOST IN DANGER OF BEING VICTIMS OF CRIME COMMITTED BY OTHER BLACKS. MORALLY, WE CITIZENS ARE MOST IN PERIL OF LOSING OUR PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS BECAUSE THE LAWYERS AND POLITICIANS CONTINUE TO CHIP AWAY AT OUR RIGHT TO LIBERTY. CAN OUR RIGHT TO LIFE BE FAR BEHIND?

EQUATIONS

IT’S TIME FOR SOME EQUATIONS, EXPRESSIONS OF THE EQUALITY OF TWO ENTITIES.

HELP FOR A CHILD WHEN LOST = WOMEN ONLY
HUMAN ACTIVITY = CLIMATE CHANGE
PUBLIC POLICY = A MORASS
ANYTHING GOES WRONG = DO SOMETHING

WHAT THESE EQUIVALENCIES ADD UP TO ARE LACK OF COMMON SENSE DATA TO SUPPORT THEM. PANIC AND FALSE DATA (NOT FACTS) HAVE INSTILLED IN CHILDREN THE FEAR THAT ALL MEN ARE DANGEROUS. PANIC AND FALSE DATA HAVE RESULTED IN 84% OF AMERICANS BELIEVING THAT ACTION IS CALLED FOR TO PREVENT DAMAGE TO OUR ENVIRONMENT. PANIC AND FALSE DATA HAVE BEEN THE ENABLERS OF LEGALISM AND PROCEDURALISM THAT STRANGLE PROGRESS IN THIS COUNTRY WITH RULES AND REGULATIONS. LASTLY, PANIC AND FALSE DATA DICTATE THAT WHATEVER TRAGEDY OCCURS, SOME LAW OR ACTION MUST BE TAKEN AFTER THE HORSE HAS ESCAPED FROM THE BARN. WHO CREATE PANIC AND ENCOURAGE FALSE DATA? THE MEDIA, GOVERNMENT, LAWYERS AND POLITICIANS. THOSE WHO REPRESENT US AND SHOULD 'KNOW BETTER' AND ACT MORE RESPONSIBLY. SIX YEARS AFTER 9/11, A LOUSY, USELESS DEUTSCHE BANK BUILDING HAD STILL NOT COME DOWN WHEN FIRE ERUPTED RECENTLY AND 3 FIREFIGHTERS WERE KILLED. THE EQUATION THAT NEEDS ATTENTION IS: PUBLIC ENEMY NUMBER ONE = US.

IN THREES

APPLE BRANDY 130 PROOF
HOME-BREWED -
HEALTHY GRANDCHILD, GRACE ERIN
LIFE RENEWED -
PINK FLOWERY STALK OF DRAGONFLOWER
LIBERATED -
MAGICAL MAGI GIFTS OF A PERFECT VISIT
CELEBRATED.

ACCOMMODATION

'USED TO BE' EDUCATION COMMENCED WITH THE APPEARANCE OF A B.V.M, A TEACHING NUN FROM THE ORDER OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, AT THE FRONT OF HER CLASSROOM, READY AND WILLING TO ENABLE HER 30 CHARGES. SHE WAS LIKE A SCARY ZOOMORPHISM, A BLACK, VEILED MONSTER (B.V.M.). SHE REPRESENTED A RESPECTED THREAT WITHOUT A TENDENCY TO ACCOMMODATION. SHE WIELDED A RUBBER-TIPPED YARD-LONG, BLACKBOARD POINTER AND HEAVEN HELP THE STUDENT WHOSE DESERVED PUNISHMENT BROKE ITS TIP. PROPER SCHOOLING WITH THE B.V.M.'S WAS NOT A COLLECTION OF 'PROGRAMS' THAT EDUCATORS BRAG ABOUT TODAY. RATHER IT WAS A START ON THE PATH TO A SELF-IMPOSED EDUCATION MARKED BY ACCOMPLISHMENTS, RESULTING IN ENHANCED SELF-ESTEEM. ISN’T IT TIME TO BRING BACK THE 'ENABLER' TO THE CLASSROOM?

WHO SHOULD ACCOMMODATE - THE STUDENT OR THE SCHOOL? A PUBLIC SCHOOL, SPECIAL EDUCATION STUDENT WAS PASSED ALONG YEAR AFTER YEAR BECAUSE THE SCHOOL ACCOMMODATED FOR HIS ACADEMIC FAILURES. HE MOVED ON INTO A COMMUNITY COLLEGE WHICH ACCOMMODATED ENTRANTS BY NOT REQUIRING A HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA. WITH GRADES OF D+ AND F, HE WAS AGAIN ACCOMMODATED WITH CONTINUED ENROLLMENT. IF A PUPIL CANNOT ACCOMMODATE HIMSELF OR HERSELF( LITERALLY, MEASURE WITH) TO AN EDUCATION, WHY SHOULD HE (SHE) CONTINUE TO WASTE TIME AND MONEY? THIS YOUNG ADULT COULD HAVE ENTERED THE WORK FORCE INSTEAD OF WASTING HIS POTENTIAL IN SCHOOL. WHEN HE DID OBTAIN A PART-TIME JOB MOWING LAWNS AND PICKING UP TRASH, WHY WAS THIS ACADEMIC LOSER PAID $9.00 AN HOUR AND NOT THE MINIMUM WAGE? WAS SOME EMPLOYER ACCOMMODATING HIM TOO? MANY SENIOR CITIZENS ARE MOWING LAWNS AND PICKING UP TRASH, GRATIS, AS REQUIRED BY THEIR LIFESTYLES. BECAUSE ALL EDUCATION IS SELF-EDUCATION, THE LEARNER MUST ACCOMMODATE HIMSELF OR HERSELF TO THE SITUATION, NOT THE OTHER WAY AROUND. SOME 'RETARDED,' INAPPROPRIATE OR UNCOOPERATIVE STUDENTS, EARLY ON, JUST NEED TO LEAVE SCHOOL.

TAKE YOUR PICK

A. "MONOTONY OF A QUIET LIFE STIMULATES THE CREATIVE MIND." (ALBERT EINSTEIN).
B. EXCITEMENT OF A BUSY LIFE STIMULATES THE CREATIVE MIND.
C. MONOTONY OF A QUIET LIFE STUPEFIES A CREATIVE MIND.
D. EXCITEMENT OF A BUSY LIFE STUPEFIES A CREATIVE MIND.

ACTUALLY ALL OF THE ABOVE ARE CORRECT OBSERVATIONS. DIFFERING, SEDENTARY OR FRENETIC ATMOSPHERES PROVIDE THE KEY TO UNLOCKING DIFFERING MINDS DISPLAYING DIFFERING LEVELS OF CREATIVITY. ALBERT EINSTEIN, THE FAMOUS PHYSICIST, POSSESSED RARE INSIGHTS THAT LUCKILY COUNTERBALANCED SOME OF HIS CONTRADICTORY STATEMENTS AND ACTIONS. HE BELIEVED THAT THE RATIONAL NATURE OF REALITY AND MAN'S ABILITY IN SOME DEGREE TO ACCESS IT, WAS A "MIRACLE," AN "ETERNAL MYSTERY."

I CONCUR. A MIND IS A TERRIBLE THING TO WASTE.

DO SOME LEARNING

"ANYTHING TRULY NOVEL IS INVENTED ONLY DURING ONE'S YOUTH."
"MOST OF THE IMPORTANT THINGS THAT A HUMAN BEING OUGHT TO KNOW CANNOT BE COMPREHENDED IN YOUTH."

HOW DO WE RECONCILE WHAT ALBERT EINSTEIN, THE GERMAN NOBEL PRIZE WINNING PHYSICIST, BELIEVED WITH WHAT ROBERT HUTCHINS, PRESIDENT OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO, BELIEVED? A SIMPLE COMPROMISE WOULD BE A LIFELONG JOURNEY OF DISCOVERY! YOUTH IS A TIME TO BE WILD, EXPERIMENTAL, REBELLIOUS, FREE, DARING, IDEALISTIC, CREATIVE, TO TEST ONE’S WINGS OF INDEPENDENCE. APPROPRIATELY, THE HUMAN BRAIN IS NOT FULLY DEVELOPED UNTIL THE MID-TWENTIES. MATURITY IS REACHED MUCH LATER AFTER A MELDING OF EXPERIENCES, EXPLORATIONS, ENQUIRIES AND REFLECTION.

NATURE IS PLEASED WITH SIMPLICITY," SAID ISAAC NEWTON, THE ENGLISH PHILOSOPHER, MATHEMATICIAN AND PHYSICIST. ITS WONDERS HAVE BEEN EXPLORED AND UNLOCKED BY BOTH THE YOUNG AND THE MATURE. HUMANITY, HOWEVER, IS FILLED WITH COMPLEXITY. THE CONTINUUM FROM BIRTH TO DEATH IS NEVER SIMPLE. SOME PEOPLE SADLY, PERPETUATE THEIR YOUTH; OTHER PEOPLE SADDER STILL, NEVER MATURE. BUT EACH INDIVIDUAL CAN MAKE HIS OR HER TIME ON EARTH WORTHWHILE WITH A SIMPLE COMPROMISE TO NEVER STOP LEARNING EITHER AS A YOUTH OR AS A GROWN-UP.

WORKING MOTHERS

HOW MANY GREAT THINGS HAVE BEEN ACCOMPLISHED BY WORKING MOTHERS? AS JONATHAN SWIFT, THE WRITER, OBSERVED, WHEN A PERSON HAS NOT REASONED HIMSELF INTO AN ARGUMENT, THERE IS NO WAY TO REASON HIM OUT OF IT. REASON HAS TRADITIONALLY ASSUMED MEN WORKED OUT OF NECESSITY, ACCOMPLISHMENT AND VIRTUE. BUT WOMEN HAVE LET EMOTIONS 'RATIONALIZE' THEIR WAY INTO THE WORKPLACE. WILL THEIR MINDS EVER 'FEEL' A WAY OUT?

WORKING MOTHERS USUALLY PURSUE TRIVIAL JOBS, RARELY 'CAREERS' FOR UNNECESSARY PAYCHECKS, SELF-SERVING ONLY THEIR DESIRE FOR PERSONAL BANK ACCOUNTS. IT CATERS TO THE NARCISSISM OF TODAY'S LIFESTYLES. BOTH PARENTS (ONE OR TWO) AND SCHOOLS ARE FAILING TO PRODUCE THINKING ADULTS, SELF-SUFFICIENT VIA COMMON SENSE AND DECENT VIA PROPER MORALS. HOW MANY GREAT THINGS ARE BEING ACCOMPLISHED BY WORKING MOTHERS?

EVEN IN OUR PUBLIC EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM, EMOTIONS TRUMP REASON
AMERICA SPENDS 8 BILLION DOLLARS ON MENTALLY RETARDED CHILDREN BUT ONLY 800 MILLION ON THE GIFTED, HIGH ACHIEVERS. WHY? BECAUSE THE REASONABLE, COMMON SENSE DEFINITION OF SELF-EDUCATION HAS BEEN OVER-RIDDEN BY THE FEELING THAT THE SLOW, RELUCTANT OR LIMITED LEARNERS SHOULD BE CATERED TO. A MIND IS A TERRIBLE THING TO WASTE. WHO MORE BENEFIT THEMSELVES AND SOCIETY - THE GIFTED OR THE RETARDED? THE WORKING FATHER OR THE WORKING MOTHER?

HE, he WANTS ME.

He WANTS ME TO REPENT FOR WHAT BEFELL,
He WANTS ME TO RING MY LOVE LIKE A BELL,
He WANTS ME TO RETREAT TO HIS WELCOME DELL.
He WANTS ME TO GROW AND EXCEL,
He WANTS ME TO PICK UP PIECES THAT FELL,
He WANTS ME TO SHARE HIS HEAVEN, NOT HELL.
He WANTS ME TO FEEL MY PERSONALITY JELL,
He WANTS ME TO SOUND MY EGO'S KNELL,
He WANTS ME, MY GRUMBLING TO QUELL.
He WANTS ME, MY MEANNESS TO SELL,
He WANTS ME TO RISE WITH JOY'S SWELL,
He WANTS ME, MY SECRETS TO HIM TELL.
He WANTS ME TO BE MENTALLY WELL,
He WANTS ME WITH HOPEFUL VOICE TO YELL,
He WANTS ME, he WANTS ME, MY RONDELLE!

PROPER PRIOR PARENTING

P.- PUBLIC SCHOOL PLAYGROUNDS ELIMINATE MERRY-GO-ROUNDS AND SWINGS UNDER 'GERARD'S LAW,' FOR THE CHILD WHO DIED AFTER A LUNCHROOM TABLE FELL ON HIM. 'USED TO BE', PARENTS (MOM OR DAD OR BOTH) WATCHED OUT FOR THE SAFETY OF THEIR CHILDREN.

P. PUBLIC SCHOOL BUSES MUST SHUT OFF THEIR ENGINES WHEN STOPPED TO REDUCE THE FUMES FROM DIESEL FUEL. 'USED TO BE', THE GAS FROM EQUINE TRANSPORTATION UNITS WERE ACCEPTED BY PARENTS AND STUDENTS ALIKE AS OCCUPATIONAL HAZARDS, NOT A CAUSE TO PANIC.

P. - 14% OF PUBLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS ARE IN SPECIAL EDUCATION WHICH COSTS THE TAXPAYERS 50% MORE PER STUDENT THEN 'REGULAR' EDUCATION. 'USED TO BE', SLOW LEARNING DISABILITIES WERE ACKNOWLEDGED TO BE NON-EXISTENT BECAUSE PARENTS KNEW THAT SOME 'JOHNNY’S’ (INSPIRED BY MASCULINE GENES WHICH ARE TODAY DENIED THEM BY POLITICAL CORRECTNESS) AND JOANNE’S, SIMPLY WOULDN'T DO THEIR SCHOOLWORK.

P. THE GOVERNMENT WANTS TO MANDATE THAT CARS HAVE SENSING DEVICES TO DETECT OBJECTS OR CHILDREN BEHIND THEM WHEN THEY ARE PUT INTO REVERSE GEAR. THIS, BECAUSE THE NUMBER OF BACKUP DEATHS HAS ALMOST QUADRUPLED FROM 1997 TO 2006, FROM 138 TO 474. 474 PUTS INTO PERSPECTIVE MY CONCEPT OF WHAT ‘USED TO BE’ PROPER PRIOR PARENTING. P.P.P. WAS ABSENT IN EACH CASE OF A CHILD'S NEEDLESS DEATH.

NEITHER SCHOOLS NOR GOVERNMENT RELENTLESSLY INTRUDING UPON THE RIGHTS AND CHOICES OF PARENTS CAN TEACH P.P.P. AS IN THE CASE OF REGULATING THE VOLUNTARY FACTOR OUT OF CIGARETTES, EFFORTS ARE DESTINED TO GO UP IN SMOKE.

P..S. THIRTY YEARS AFTER ELVIS' DEATH, 8/16/07, LET'S REMEMBER ELVIS MIGHT HAVE BEEN A SYMBOLICAL KING OF ROCK AND ROLL, "A VERY, GREAT PERFORMER," BUT MORE TRIBUTE IS NEEDED TO THE KING OF KINGS IN ORDER FOR HIM TO DELIVER THIS WONDERFUL COUNTRY OF AMERICA FROM THE PLAGUE OF IMPROPER PRIOR PARENTING.

MOST TROUBLESOME

AT THE TURN OF THE LAST CENTURY, TWO MEN MADE TWO WISE OBSERVATIONS. "TO MOST PEOPLE NOTHING IS MORE TROUBLESOME THAN THE EFFORT OF THINKING," SAID JAMES BRYCE. "BLIND RESPECT FOR AUTHORITY IS THE GREATEST ENEMY OF TRUTH," SAID ALBERT EINSTEIN. THE GREATER THINKER ALSO SAID, "LONG LIVE IMPUDENCE! IT IS MY GUARDIAN ANGEL IN THIS WORLD." WERE IT NOT FOR EINSTEIN'S CONSTANT QUESTIONING OF ACCEPTED TRUTHS, FOR HIS THINKING 'OUTSIDE THE BOX', WHERE WOULD MATH, SCIENCE, PHYSICS AND PHILOSOPHY BE TODAY? IF IT WERE NOT FOR THE METTLESOME WEIGHTLIFTING OF GREAT MINDS HOW FAR WOULD CIVILIZATION HAVE ADVANCED? IF IT WERE NOT FOR THE GRANT DESIGNER - ACKNOWLEDGED BY EINSTEIN - WE WOULD NOT BE RATIONAL AND HOMO SAPIENS COULD NOT PARTAKE OF DIVINE WISDOM AND KNOWLEDGE OR ENJOY THE FREEDOM OF CHOICE TO THINK.

FORMULA 1

THE FORMULA FOR WEALTH IS TO MAKE YOURSELF RICH BEFORE YOU ENRICH SOMEONE ELSE. DO YOU SUPPOSE HOLLYWOOD STARS, MUSICIANS AND PERFORMERS GOT RICH WITHOUT FANS GIVING THEM MONEY? HOW DO YOU THINK CORPORATIONS AND BUSINESSES PROVIDING GOODS AND SERVICES ACCUMULATE WEALTH WITHOUT CUSTOMERS GIVING THEM THEIR MONEY? HOW COULD POLITICIANS AND LAWYERS AMASS FORTUNES UNLESS THEY CONVINCED OTHERS TO DONATE TO THEM? THE FORMULA FOR WEALTH IS TO GIVE YOURSELF MONEY BEFORE YOU GIVE IT TO OTHERS. SAVE A PORTION OF EACH DOLLAR EARNED. THEN INVEST THOSE DOLLARS RATHER THAN GIVE THEM AWAY TO OTHERS IN THE ENTERTAINMENT, VACATION AND RETAIL INDUSTRIES. AS A BLUNT RADIO TALK SHOW HOST SAID RECENTLY, "TO BE POOR IN THIS COUNTRY YOU HAVE TO BE IRRESPONSIBLE OR STUPID." STUPID AND IRRESPONSIBLE GO TOGETHER LIKE SMOKE AND FIRE. IF YOU CHOOSE TO BURN UP YOUR DOLLARS WITH PERPETUAL CONSUMPTION LIVING BEYOND YOUR MEANS OR IN DEBT, YOUR FUTURE WILL DISAPPEAR LIKE SMOKE AND WHAT YOU HAVE LEFT WILL BE THE ASHES OF YOUR RETIREMENT YEARS. WHO THEN BUT GOVERNMENT COULD BAIL YOU OUT OF YOUR SELF-INFLICTED POVERTY WHEN INSUFFICIENT SAVINGS AND INVESTMENTS CANNOT COVER HEALTH COSTS, HOUSING, FOOD, UTILITIES, ETC.? THEN ONLY YOUR DEPENDANCE UPON THE GOVERNMENT COULD RAISE YOU OUT OF THE ASHES, PHOENIX-LIKE, BUT OTHER PEOPLE WILL BE FORCED TO SUPPORT YOUR FLIGHT. IS THIS FAIR? IS THIS RIGHT? WERE YOU NOT STUPID AND IRRESPONSIBLE?

WOMEN

THE GREATEST STORY EVER TOLD IS THE LIFE OF JESUS. THE GREATEST QUESTION EVER ASKED -I ASK- IS, "WAS MARY NUTS?" WAS MARY, THE MOTHER OF JESUS, THE PUREST WOMAN, NUTTY LIKE ALL WOMEN WHO BEFORE HER AND AFTER HER HAVE INHABITED THIS EARTH? BIOLOGY AND HISTORY TELL US THAT WOMEN ARE RULED NOT BY THEIR HEADS BUT BY DISAPPOINTED AND OFTEN VENGEFUL HEARTS. MEN CAN’T ‘MAKE THEM HAPPY’ NO MATTER WHAT THEY DO OR DON’T DO. THEIR NAIVETE WEARS OFF AFTER FIRST LOVE AND WITCHERY THEREAFTER ENROBES THE FAIRER SEX. TRADITIONALLY, THEY HAVE NEVER BEEN FAIR FOR LONG. THEIR TRAGEDY OF BOTTOMLESS EMOTIONS UNFOLDS AND NO AMOUNT OF TALK OR REALITY CAN ARREST IT.

MARY'S CREDENTIALS ARE IMPRESSIVE. SHE WAS THE MOTHER OF GOD, CONCEIVED WITHOUT SIN AND WITHOUT KNOWLEDGE OF MAN, ASSUMED BODY AND SOUL INTO HEAVEN AT DEATH. WAS SHE TOO NUTS OR IS SHE THE PROPER ROLE MODELS FOR WOMEN? DID SHE HEAR FROM ANNE WHAT A POETESS, SARAH PIATT, PENNED OVER A HUNDRED YEARS AGO?

"MY MOTHER SAYS I MUST NOT PASS
TOO NEAR THAT GLASS;
SHE IS AFRAID THAT I WILL SEE
A LITTLE WITCH THAT LOOKS LIKE ME,
WITH A RED MOUTH TO WHISPER LOW
THE VERY THING I SHOULD NOT KNOW."

I FOR ONE CANNOT THINK OF MARY AS A WITCH OR THAT MODERN RHYMING ASSIGNATION. HAVING BEEN THERE, DONE THAT AND INSTITUTED MY 'REFORM,' I KNOW WHAT NUTS IS LIKE - WRONG. BUT THE SOAP-OPERA LIFE, PLAYED OUT FOR KEEPS AROUND THE WORLD TODAY PROVES THAT WOMEN HAVE FOUND NO ROLE MODEL WORTH EMULATING OR WORTHY OF THEIR TRUST.

AS PROFESSOR HIGGINS SAID IN SHAW'S PYGMALIAN, "WHY CAN'T A WOMEN BE MORE LIKE A MAN?" OR AS I SUGGEST, FAKE IT.

GO, NEGATIVITY

DON'T YOU TIRE HEARING FROM LIBERAL NABOBS OF NEGATIVITY AND EVANGELISTIC NABOBS OF NEGATIVITY? I DO. AMERICANS - THE RICH, NOT SO RICH AND PERPETUAL SPENDERS - DO NOT LIVE LIVES "CONTROLLED BY HURT AND PAIN," AS I HEARD A PROTESTANT MINISTER PREACH AT A SUNDAY SERMON. LOCAL AGENCIES ARE NOW SOLICITING SUPPLIES BECAUSE "BACK-TO-SCHOOL CAN BE EXPENSIVE FOR FAMILIES IN NEED." ARE THE FAMILIES IN NEED OR IN NEED OF A HANDOUTS?

LET'S FACE REALITY FOR A CHANGE. AMERICANS HAVE THE BEST OF ALL POSSIBLE WORLDS ON EARTH. WHAT'S POSSIBLE IS THE HIGHEST STANDARD OF LIVING AND LOWEST QUOTIENT OF ENDEAVOR. JUST FOR A DAY I'D LIKE TO SEND LIBERALS AND PREACHERS OF THE GOSPEL OF DOOM AND GLOOM, DEPRESSION, SUFFERING, HOPELESSNESS, WORTHLESSNESS, POVERTY, HYSTERIA AND BLAH, BLAH, BLAH, BACK IN TIME. BACK TO 1899, THE YEAR BEFORE TOILET PAPER WAS FIRST INVENTED. HURT AND PAIN PRECEDED ITS CREATION TO A LARGE MEASURE, I'M SURE. OR BACK TO 1924, THE YEAR BEFORE 'SPLINTERLESS' TOILET PAPER CAME INTO USE. THAT SURELY FULFILLED A NEED AND ELIMINATED SUFFERING. OR BACK TO 1939, THE BEFORE I WAS BORN AND 2-PLY. NOW, I CAN REJOICE THAT 2-PLY TOILET PAPER IS ALL I HAVE EVER KNOWN. 2-PLY SHOULD REMIND NABOBS OF NEGATIVITY THAT AMERICANS TODAY DO NOT START EACH DAY IN 'STURM AND DRANG,' A POPULAR, DEPRESSING CONCEPT PREACHED IN THE 18TH CENTURY. RATHER, I WOULD LABEL THE 21ST CENTURY, SYBARITIC.

1/2 AND 1/2

BRAGGING IT'S AMERICAN-MADE OR MADE-IN-AMERICA EXPRESSES :
A. PATRIOTISM OR B. XENOPHOBIA? DEPENDS WHETHER THE CUP IS ½ FULL OF FLAG-WAVING PRIDE OR ½ EMPTY WITH ANTIPATHY FOR FOREIGN INTRUSIONS. WELCOME TO OUR TWO AMERICAS. SO WHAT'S NEW? THE TOP FIVE WHO WROTE THE 1ST DRAFT OF OUR CONSTITUTION - GORHAM, ELLSWORTH, WILSON, RANDOLPH AND RUTLEDGE - WERE NO COMMON MEN. THEIR CUPS WERE ½ FULL, MEANING THEY ENJOYED LIFE AS ELITES. MOST SETTLERS IN OUR NEW LAND, HOWEVER, KNEW THEIR PROSPECTS IN SOCIETY WERE LIKE A ½ EMPTY CUP. WOMEN, THE LAND POOR, THE UNEDUCATED AND THE SLAVES COULD NOT HAVE APPLIED OR BEEN SELECTED TO REPRESENT AMERICA AT THE SUMMER CONVENTION IN 1787.

SOME OF THE IDEAS OF OUR EARLY STATE REPRESENTATIVES WERE ENDOGAMOUS, HELD IN COMMON, BUT OTHERS, EXOGAMOUS, FORMED BY LOOKING OUTWARD TO FOREIGN THINKERS. THE PREAMBLE WRITTEN BY GOUVERNEUR MORRIS, A SUCCINCT MASTERPIECE. WHAT A DOCUMENT, AMERICA’S CONSTITUTION! IT BLENDED FREEDOM WITH RESTRAINT, A DEEP-SEATED PATRIOTIC FERVOR FOR THE FUTURE OF A NEW REPUBLIC WITH A XENOPHOBIA. THAT WOULD PROTECT US AGAINST FOREIGN INTERVENTION IN OUR AFFAIRS. THE CUP WAS PASSED AND SIPPED (THE CONSTITUTION FIRST SIGNED) BY EACH OF THE 12 ORIGINAL COLONIES. IN ADDITION, A BILL OF RIGHTS WAS DRAFTED BY 2 OTHER POLITICIANS, DIVERGENT IN THEIR BELIEFS - GEORGE MASON AND ELBRIDGE GERRY. HOWEVER, A TINY DROP OF POISON - SLAVERY - WAS IMMIXED, WHICH AFFECTED BOTH NORTHERN AND SOUTHERN CITIZENS FOR YEARS TO COME. IN THE CIVIL WAR, SLAVERY, AMERICAN-MADE AND MADE-IN-AMERICA WAS CONTESTED. THE NORTH SAW THE 'PECULIAR INSTITUTION NEGATIVELY (ON MORAL GROUNDS) LIKE A ½ EMPTY CUP; THE SOUTH SAW IT POSITIVELY (ON ECONOMIC GROUNDS) LIKE A CUP ½ FULL. THE BLOOD OF 600,000 MEN WAS DRAINED FROM THAT CUP, BEFORE THE WAR ENDED.

TWO AMERICAS MEANS TWO SIDES CONTENDING ON EACH ISSUE.

SMUCKERS' UNCRUSTABLES

SEEMS TO ME IT IS OFTEN A PERVERSE LAW OF NATURE THAT BIG AND TALL MEN DO NOT HAVE AS MANY SMARTS AS THEIR LILLIPUTIAN COUNTERPARTS. OUR FOURTH PRESIDENT, JAMES MADISON, SHORT AND APPROXIMATELY 100 LB. (WHO THOUGH POSSIBLY A HYPOCHRONDIAC LIVED TO BE 85), SPOKE WISELY AND WITH PRESCIENCE AT THE CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION IN 1787. HE SAID THAT THE CENTRAL JOB OF GOVERNMENT WAS THE ACCOMMODATING OF COMPETING FORCES. GOVERNMENT "MUST BE SUFFICIENTLY NEUTRAL BETWEEN DIFFERENT INTERESTS AND FACTIONS, TO CONTROL ONE PART OF THE SOCIETY FROM INVADING THE RIGHTS OF ANOTHER." HOWEVER, ANOTHER DELEGATE AT THE SUMMER SESSION, CAUTIONED AGAINST AN "EXCESS OF DEMOCRACY," BECAUSE THE PEOPLE WANT INFORMATION BUT ARE EASILY MISLED."

FREEDOM AND CONSTRAINT ARE DIFFICULT TO BALANCE. PEOPLE LIKE TO FOLLOW RATHER THAN LEAD. SELF-CONTROL COMPETES WITH NARCISSISM IN HUMAN NATURE. BUT IN AMERICA - THE LAND OF OPPORTUNITY - HAS FREEDOM REACHED ITS NADIR WITH THE ARRIVAL OF SMUCKERS' UNCRUSTABLES ON GROCERY SHELVES?

A STAGE SHOW ABOUT FAITH AND FIBER OF MEDAL OF HONOR RECIPIENTS PLAYS ACROSS THE COUNTRY IN THEATRES TO RAVE REVIEWS. THE HEROIC TRADITION OF FAITH AND FIBER ALSO PLAYS OUT IN THE INTRODUCTION OF SMUCKERS UNCRUSTABLES. THEY SHOW THAT WE STILL HAVE FAITH IN OUR FREE MARKET SYSTEM AND THE STUFF (FIBER) OF HEDONISM IN THE BODIES OF OUR CITIZENS. HURRAY FOR CONVENIENCE FOODS!

SO FAR, GOVERNMENT HAS REMAINED NEUTRAL AND NOT RESTRICTED OUR MENU CHOICES. OR HAS IT? LIBERAL POLITICIANS AND JUDGES HAVE ALREADY LEGISLATED AGAINST TRANS FATS, CIGARETTE USAGE, FOIE GRAS, SCHOOL CHOICE, PUBLIC PRAYER AND GUNS, CO2 EMISSIONS, LEAD, ASBESTOS, AND FOR GAY UNIONS, ABORTIONS AND SELF-ESTEEM.

HOW LONG BEFORE SMUCKERS' UNCRUSTABLES ARE NOT TO THEIR TASTE?

FREE-FOR-ALL

TO THE MATH AND READING INITIATIVES IN NCLB (NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND), WE NOW ADD SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING AND MATHEMATICS (STEM) AS AREAS TO IMPROVE IN OUR PUBLIC EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM. EVEN I CAN SOLVE THE EQUATION : GOVERNMENT-CONTROLLED PUBLIC INSTRUCTION = FAILURE. THE FREE MARKET COULD TAKE CARE OF DEFICIENCIES IN OUR STUDENTS’ EDUCATIONS IF IT WERE ALLOWED TO WORK. FREE MARKETS CAN SOLVE REAL-LIFE PROBLEMS IN HEALTH CARE, ENERGY EFFICIENCY, ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION, BORDER SECURITY, EDUCATION, TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT. AS RUSH LIMBAUGH SAID RECENTLY, "IF LIFE TURNS INTO A GUANO SANDWICH," PUT THE FREE-FOR-ALL MARKET OF ENTREPRENEURS TO WORK.

THE CHINESE HAVE TRADITIONALLY BEEN MASTERS OF MANUAL LABOR AND REPETITIVE ACTION, YET THE DRAGON CONTINUES TO WHIP ITS POWERFUL TAIL DEMONSTRATING SUPER POWER. THE OLYMPICS, AUGUST, 2008, WILL SHOWCASE CHINA TO THE WORLD. AMERICA, ANOTHER SUPER POWER HAS TRADITIONALLY MANIFESTED INGENUITY AND CREATIVITY, NOT PROGRESS BY ROTE, AND MAINTAINED ITS BELIEF IN PERSONAL FREEDOM.

A SPOKESPERSON FOR THE ARTS RECENTLY SPOKE OF THE NEED FOR A "SYSTEM THAT GROUNDS ALL STUDENTS IN PLEASURE, BEAUTY AND WONDER. IT IS THE BEST WAY TO CREATE CITIZENS WHO ARE AWAKENED NOT ONLY TO THEIR HUMANITY, BUT TO THE HUMAN ENTERPRISE THAT THEY INHERIT AND WILL - FOR GOOD OR ILL - PERPETUATE." THIS GLITTERING GENERALITY UNDERSTANDS THAT LIBERALS ARTS ARE IMPORTANT IN ADDITION TO SCIENCE AND MATH. LET’S REMEMBER THE HIGGLEDY-PIDDLEDY PROPENSITIES OF AMERICA'S YOUTH. SOME YOUTH ARE DRAWN - BECAUSE OF GENETIC MAKEUP OR CIRCUMSTANCE - TO MATH; OTHERS TO READING. SOME ARE DRAWN TO MUSIC, ACTING, DRAWING, COMPUTERS, MOVIES, ASTRONOMY, SPACE EXPLORATION, ARCHEOLOGY, PROTESTING, SCIENCE, GOD OR BULL-SHITTING; OTHERS TO ENGINEERING, GRAMMAR, A LANGUAGE, HISTORY, GOVERNMENT, SOCIAL WORK, VOLUNTEERISM, SPORTS, TECHNOLOGY, TINKERING, ANIMALS, AUTOMOBILES, POLICE WORK, FIREFIGHTING, SOLDIERING, THINKING, POLITICS OR MERELY NOTHING. HOW DO WE ACCOMMODATE THEM ALL? WITH A FREE-FOR ALL SYSTEM THAT DOES NOT INDOCTRINATE AND DEMANDS WORK. FOR ME, BEAUTY, PLEASURE AND WONDER HAVE BEEN FOUND IN DIFFERENT PLACES THAN BEAUTY, PLEASURE AND WONDER FOR MY NEIGHBOR.

LIBERAL VS. CONSERVATIVE

HOW CAN YOU TELL A LIBERAL (DEMOCRAT) FROM A CONSERVATIVE? CAMERAS AT INTERSECTIONS TO PULL IN MONEY ARE JUSTIFIED BY A MAYOR BECAUSE THEY WILL SAVE LIVES. HIS EXAMPLE IS A SEMI-TRACTOR TRAILER THAT SLIDES THROUGH AN INTERSECTION. HE "RAN THE RED LIGHT." THE RESULT? REVENUE FOR THE CITY AND ACCIDENTS PREVENTED. A REALITY CHECK REALIZES THAT A 16- WHEELER'S AIR BRAKES CAN'T FUNCTION AS QUICKLY AS A CAR'S; HE CAN'T STOP "ON A DIME." FURTHERMORE, SEMI TRAFFIC MEANS MONEY TO THE CITY. WHOEVER CAN'T SPY A SEMI THROUGH A CAR WINDOW SHOULDN'T BE DRIVING IN THE FIRST PLACE.

LIBERALS COMPLAIN THAT HOME BUYERS WITH POOR CREDIT ARE HAVING TROUBLE MAKING PAYMENTS, BUT IT WAS THE LIBERALS WHO DEMANDED THAT "EVERYONE SHOULD BE A HOMEOWNER" AND FACILITATED BORROWING BY FORCING MORTGAGE COMPANIES TO MAKE THE RISKY LOANS. LIBERALS CAUSED THE PROBLEM, BUT NOW THEY WHAT "TOUGHER RULES."

IF A RICH, FAMOUS AND SUCCESSFUL BLACK ATHLETE IS ACCUSED OF PARTICIPATING IN DOG FIGHTING, HE HAS OBVIOUSLY BECOME A TARGET OF RACISM, WHICH DISSES AFRICAN-AMERICANS FOR GETTING AHEAD.

A WORKER LAID OFF FROM A CUSHY "COUNSELING" JOB REFERS TO HIS UNEMPLOYMENT TIME AS AN "ORDEAL", NOT AN INCENTIVE TO BECOME A MORE PRODUCTIVE AND NECESSARY WORKER IN SOCIETY.

PSYCHOBABBLE BY LIBERALS ABOUT WORKERS FINDING SELF-REALIZATION ON A JOB CONTRADICTS THE FACT THAT SOME PEOPLE JUST WANT THE PAYCHECK AND DON'T CARE TO FURTHER QUESTION THE MEANING OF LIFE.

JOHN RAWLS, THE PHILOSOPHER, IS DESCRIBED AS A "HERO" FOR HIS BELIEF IN SUBSIDIES TO EMPLOYMENT. THIS IS LIBERAL MISUSE OF THE PROPER MEANING OF THE WORD, HERO, AND OF THE TERMS, PAID LABOR AND DIGNIFIED WORK.

A LIBERAL WOULD EMPLOY A NURSE TO EASE THE BURDEN OF A VACATION; A CONSERVATIVE WOULD QUESTION AN ADDITIONAL $1,000 A DAY EXPENSE ON AN OPTIONAL, UNNECESSARY ACTIVITY.

"THE ESSENCE OF GENUINE LEADERSHIP IS TO SHARE POWER WITH THE PEOPLE RATHER THAN DISPLAY POWER OVER PEOPLE." SAID PAUL HOFFMAN, ONE OF THE ARCHITECTS OF THE MARSHALL PLAN AFTER WORLD WAR II IN 1945. HE SUMS UP THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN LIBERALS AND CONSERVATIVES.

TODAY'S MEDIA AND LIBERAL, DEMOCRAT POLITICIANS ARE DOING THEIR BEST TO MAKE THE PUBLIC FORGET THIS. IT'S SUCCEEDING. AMERICANS BUY INTO RANTS ABOUT CORPORATE GREED (THEY DON'T UNDERSTAND THE ECONOMIC OF SUPPLY AND DEMAND), CONSPIRACY (GOVERNMENT IS "IN BED WITH THE DEVIL" IN CHINA), OF HATE-MONGERING (CURRENT BOOGEYMAN IS THE MEXICAN ILLEGAL), GLOBAL-WARNING, SCHOOL VOUCHERS, PANDEMICS, JOBS LOST OVERSEAS (MORE ARE PRODUCED AT HOME), LACK OF HEALTH CARE ( THOSE WHO WANT IT HAVE IT), THE FILTHY RICH (WHO ACTUALLY PAY MOST OF THE TAXES ), AND FREEDOM (WHICH THEY CONTINUALLY RESTRICT).

THERE IS ONLY "ONE SIDE TO AN ISSUE," SAYS RUSH LIMBAUGH, A CONSERVATIVE RADIO TALK SHOW HOST, "THE RIGHT SIDE." AMERICANS DO NOT CARE ENOUGH TO MAKE THE DECISION WHETHER, LIKE RED ROVER, RED ROVER, THEY CARE TO COME OVER TO THE SIDE OF COMMON SENSE AND REALITY.

WHAT'S SCARY IS NOT THAT JANE FONDA SAYS THAT RUSH LIMBAUGH LIES AND IS NOT LIGHT-HEARTED AND OPTIMISTIC, BUT THAT SHE BELIEVES THIS CONTRADICTION OF REALITY. LIBERAL VS. CONSERVATIVE.

GREIF GROUPIES

5 DEAD AFTER A BRIDGE COLLAPSE IN MINNESOTA, 2007
60 DECOMPOSED CORPSES OF IRAQIS, 2007
300 VICTIMS OF FLOOD IN SOUTH ASIA, 2007
7,000 SOLDIERS LOST TAKING IWO JIMA IN 1945 IN WORLD WAR II.

WE HAVE BECOME A NATION OF 'GRIEF GROUPIES,' MOURNERS WITHOUT ANY PERSONAL ATTACHMENT TO THE AGGRIEVED IN A SITUATION EXCEPT THROUGH A TENUOUS, ARTIFICIAL AND MAUDLIN BOND TO THE DECEASED - LIKE THE BOND OF IDOL WORSHIP - THAT VALIDATES THEM FOR THEIR CACHE OF CARING. THOSE WHO BENEFIT MOST FROM TODAY’S 'GRIEF GROUPIES' ARE THE UNFORTUNATE FEW, NOT THE UNFORTUNATE MANY. THIS SYNDROME WAS FIRST EXHIBITED AFTER THE DEATH THE PRINCESS DIANA IN ENGLAND ABOUT A DECADE AGO. SINCE THEN MEDIA AND POLITICIANS PANDER AND PROMOTE IT. MEMORIAL GIFTS, FLOWERS, CEREMONIES AND SENTIMENTS ARE NOT ONLY APPROVED BUT ENCOURAGED. EVEN OUR PRESIDENT, GEORGE W. BUSH AND FIRST LADY LAURA ARE REQUIRED TO PUT IN AN APPEARANCE AT THE SCENE OF EVERY MINOR LOSS OF LIFE. REGARDING THE TRAGEDY AT THE BRIDGE, A 'GRIEF GROUPIE' SAID, "THE HEROES HERE ARE LIKE TEARS, THERE ARE MANY." WHO ARE THESE HEROES?

A TRUE HERO IS A PERSON DISTINGUISHED FOR VALOR, FORTITUDE OR BOLD ENTERPRISE; ANYONE REGARDED AS HAVING DISPLAYED GREAT COURAGE OR EXCEPTIONALLY NOBLE QUALITIES. ASK THE ANCIENT GREEKS WHO UNDERSTOOD 'TIME', WHETHER CITIZENS DOING THEIR DUTY AS RESCUERS OR CITIZENS AT A WRONG PLACE AT A WRONG TIME IMMEDIATELY QUALIFY AS HEROES.

THE SAME INSIDIOUS PARASITE THAT EATS AWAY AT COMMON SENSE, RESTRAINT AND PERSPECTIVE CORRUPTS THE THOUGHT OF AN AFRICAN-AMERICAN WOMAN WHO SAID, " MY GENOMIC INFORMATION HAS A MUCH RICHER TEXTURE WHEN I KNOW THE CULTURAL UNDERTONES." WHAT DO WE THANK FOR THE 'GRIEF GROUPIE' SYNDROME? NARCISSISM.

ONLY A CHRISTIAN

ONLY A SCIENTIST COULD SAY THAT "STILL, WE STARE LONGINGLY INTO THE MIRROR OF THE COSMOS - LONELY HEARTS YEARNING FOR A GLIMPSE OF OUR OWN REFLECTION."

ONLY A MUSICIAN COULD BELIEVE THAT LISTENING TO BEETHOVEN IS "DIZZYING" AND "IRRESISTIBLE."

ONLY A CHRISTIAN REALIZES THAT THE SCIENTIST AND MUSICIAN FAIL TO GRASP THE SOURCE OF THE UNFATHOMABLE, BEAUTEOUS APPEAL OF THE COSMOS AND GREAT MUSIC.

ONLY CHRISTIANS CAN RECOGNIZE AND ACCEPT THESE DRAMATIC BUT MINUSCULE REFLECTIONS OF POWER OF GOD. CHRISTIANS UNDERSTAND THE SOURCE OF THEIR EMPTINESS AND LONGING. FURTHERMORE, MIRACLES HAPPEN, BUT SOMETIMES A HUMAN, SCIENTIFIC ADVANCEMENT MASQUERADES AS A MIRACLE. A DOCTOR WHO REVIVED A SOLDIER IN IRAQ, "BLEEDING OUT" ON THE BRINK OF DEATH, SAID IT WAS "LIKE FROSTY THE SNOWMAN COMING BACK TO LIFE."

A CIGARETTE - ONE STANZA

THE PUBLIC ILL-SERVED
WITH AGENDA-DRIVEN WORDS:
"DON'T PASS GAS,
NOT IN MY FACE,
WORSE THAN MACE,
SECOND-HAND SMOKE,
TAKE TOXINS OUTSIDE."
NO ONE ASKS MS. AER
IF HER REALITY CARES,
HOW SHE FARES BY IT.
FORGETTING FORTUNES,
LANDS FOUNDED - AND
HAPPINESS, LIBERAL LIES
FOUNDER TOBACCO.

AN ALTERNATIVE STANZA FROM CHARLES FLETCHER LUMMIS WHO ENJOYED A NORMAL LIFE SPAN FROM 1859 TO 1928 -

MY CIGARETTE!
THE AMULET THAT CHARMS AFAR
UNREST AND SORROW,
THE MAGIC WAND THAT, FAR
BEYOND TO-DAY CAN CONJURE UP TOMORROW."

P.S. GIVE ME A BREAK FROM INTOLERANT, SOCIALIST, POLITICAL CORRECTNESS.

IT IS FINISHED

"BELIEF IS A THING THAT MUST INFORM THE SENSE OF PLACE... ONCE IN HIS LIFE A MAN OUGHT TO CONCENTRATE HIS MIND UPON THE REMEMBERED EARTH, I BELIEVE. AS I THINK OF IT, THIS IS A DECLARATION OF THE SACRED." TO N. SCOTT MOMADAY, OKLAHOMA IS THE REMEMBERED EARTH. OKLAHOMA IS SACRED?

THIS COMPARISON COMES FROM A NATIVE AMERICAN WRITER WHO ALSO SAID, "LET'S REMEMBER PEARL HARBOR, AS WE DO THE ALAMO... THE EQUATION SPEAKS FOR ITSELF." SPEAKS ABOUT WHAT?

AGAIN, THIS NOSTALGIC, ENVIRONMENTAL EVANGELIST WRITES THAT THE SONORAN DESERT IS "EARTH'S SOLARIUM BY DAY, AN ASTRONOMY BY NIGHT," AND "IN THE STORY OF CREATION, IN BEAUTY, IT (THE SOUTHWEST) IS FINISHED."

I BELIEVE FAITH INFORMS MAN TO REMEMBER HIS PLACE ON THE EARTH OF HIS GOD. GOD IS SACRED; EARTH IS PROFANE. THE DESERT IS BEAUTIFUL; REDEMPTION BEAUTIFIED HUMANITY'S SOUL WHEN JESUS SAID "IT IS FINISHED." WORDS ARE CAPABLE OF EVOKING POWER LIKE STARS, BUT MR. MOMADAY WOULD BE WISE TO REMEMBER THAT THE POWER OF HIS WORDS COMES NOT FROM THE EARTH OR NATIVE AMERICAN GHOST DANCES, BUT FROM GOD.

"HE THAT HATH CHILDREN"

CONTRASTING MARRIAGE WITH THE SINGLE LIFE, FRANCIS BACON, AN ENGLISH PHILOSOPHER 400 YEARS AGO, OBSERVED: "HE THAT HATH WIFE AND CHILDREN HATH GIVEN HOSTAGES TO FORTUNE; FOR THEY ARE IMPEDIMENTS TO GREAT ENTERPRISES, EITHER OF VIRTUE OR MISCHIEF." BACON WAS DEAD WRONG THEN. NOW CHILDREN ARE DEAD-ON EXCUSES FOR EVERY MANNER OF MISCHIEF AND EVERY IMPEDIMENT TO COMMON SENSE AND PROGRESS. THE MANTRA, 'FOR THE CHILDREN' MASKS MANY ILL-CONCEIVED, MISMANAGED AND WASTEFUL PROJECTS AND PROGRAMS. THE FARMER'S GRANGE COLLECTS SCHOOL CLOTHES FOR 'NEEDY' CHILDREN BUT NO NEEDY CHILDREN EXIST NOR WOULD THEY WEAR HAND-ME-DOWNS IF GIVEN THEM. POLITICIANS INVOKE FREE CHILDHOOD IMMUNIZATIONS AND HEALTH CARE KNOWING THAT IT PROMOTES PARENTAL IRRESPONSIBILITY AND RAISES TAXES. EDUCATORS MUST POLICE SCHOOLS FOR SAFETY’S SAKE, BUT THE RESULT IS THAT WITHOUT IMPOSED DISCIPLINE AND MORALITY, SCHOOLS ARE MORE DANGEROUS THAN EVER. A CAREER ADVISOR FOR YOUNG ADULTS SUGGESTS THAT A CHOSEN CAREER "MUST BE A WAY YOU REALLY LIKE TO BEHAVE," IMPLYING THAT STUDENTS NEED TO PERPETUATE CHILDHOOD FUN.

UNFORTUNATELY, PROGRESS' IN CHILD-REARING HAS RESULTED IN FUN BEING THE END GAME. JOHN LENNON'S UPRIGHT PIANO CAN REST ON THE LAWN OF VIRGINIA TECH ON ITS "MAGICAL, MYSTERY TOUR." WHY? WHY HAS IT NOT BE HEWN INTO TINY PIECES FOR CHILDISH FUN? WHY IS SUCH SILLY DRIVEL TOLERATED? "HE THAT HATH CHILDREN" TODAY HOLD REASON AND REALITY HOSTAGE BY WAY OF POLITICAL CORRECTNESS. HE IMPEDES GREAT ENTERPRISES. HE PERPETRATES MODERN, MORAL MISCHIEFS. HE ABANDONS VIRTUE. DITTO FOR SHE "THAT HATH CHILDREN."

DOWN (OR UP) TO THIS

BOETHIUS (476 - 526 A.D.) IN HIS "CONSOLATION OF PHILOSOPHY", EXPLORED THE QUESTION OF WHETHER HUMAN FREEDOM AND MORAL RESPONSIBILITY ARE POSSIBLE WITHIN GOD'S PROVIDENTIAL GOVERNANCE OF THE UNIVERSE. ARE FREE WILL VS. PREDESTINATION RECONCILABLE? HISTORY HAS CONTINUOUSLY ILLUMINATED CONFLICTS AND JUXTAPOSITIONS. DARWINISM VS. CREATIONISM. POWER VS. PRINCIPLE. PERCEPTION VS. REALITY. THE HEDONISM OF MEN WHO FACETIOUSLY SAY, "ARREST ME I'M HAVING TOO MUCH FUN," VS. THE HEDONISM OF MEN WHO HAVE NEVER LEARNED THE LIMITS OF FUN. ELITISM VS. POPULISM. URBAN VS. RURAL. TRUTH VS. FALSE AUTHORITY. ACADEMICS VS. ATHLETICS. GLOBAL COMPETITION VS. PROTECTIONISM. DEMOCRACY VS. COMMUNISM. FOIE GRAS (FATTY LIVER) VS. FAUX GRAS (FAKE LIVER). BARACK OBAMA VS. REASON. BUT HAS CIVILIZATION COME DOWN TO OR UP TO THE QC3 ON EAR VS. QC2 AROUND EAR HEADPHONES WITH "TOTAL (ACTIVE PLUS PASSIVE) VOICE REDUCTION BY BOSE?

FIFTEEN HUNDRED YEARS FOR WHAT? BOETHIUS' INVESTIGATION ASSUMED THE EXISTENCE OF GOD'S DIVINE GUIDING HAND VS. MAN'S ABILITY TO SHAPE AND DETERMINE HIS COURSE. THE BATTLE PERSISTS BETWEEN CONTINUOUS REDUCTION IN THOUGHT VS. INCREASED RELIANCE UPON NARCISSISM. IS THE CULMINATION OF ENLIGHTENMENT DUALING EAR PHONES?