PARTY TIME

"I can party with the best of ‘em, but I’m afraid I must party with principle," signed yours truly . Principle involves refraining from a waste of time and money. But ordinary Americans, philanthropic groups and politicians in Washington know how to party. A pink ribbon on my quick rise yeast packet accompanies the words "bake for the cure." Locally a red ribbon campaign hopes to encourage teenagers to adapt healthy life style choices. Yellow ribbons represent money spent in support of our troops. Employees at IBM are given $150 if they sign up a child for an online program on diet and exercise. A top University sponsors a study about the relationship between carbon dioxide emissions and diets, both red meat and vegetarian. These examples merely waste of resources (time and money). Their concessions to good feelings trump reasoned behavior. Ribbons, free money, phoney studies and health and environmental concerns cause warm and fuzzy vibes that distract from reason and common sense. Like a party - unless thrown at home for two, where it saves me time and money.