Sunday, May 29, 2016

reflection, welt fingering and contemplation


I marvel at young people today.  It seems evident to me that many fail to receive proper guidance from their folks. I received guidance from my dad on a regular basis.  Sometimes Mom reinforced Dad’s guidance with a willow limb applied lovingly to the sensitive skin behind my boney knees.  Then I was encouraged to sit quietly in my room for a time of reflection, welt fingering and contemplation. Dad provided beneficial enlightenment regarding the pursuit of young ladies too. “Chase girls to your heart’s content,” Dad always said. “Chasing girls is rousing sport, first-rate exercise and good clean fun. But write this down and remember it well, Son, catching girls invariably has consequences.”   SC  

Tuesday, May 24, 2016

DON'T LOOK EDITH!


There’s absolutely no question that our American democracy and the long-established election procedures which are essentially inherent in it can become discouraging to those of us who feel pressed by our patriotism to observe and participate in the process.

It’s not surprising that we occasionally become bitter and disillusioned by what inevitably becomes exasperating and painful to watch.  On those occasions, it’s prudent to step briefly away from the process and admire the results.

To those who despair and disparage the process, I would point out that, unlike the early years of our Republic, today’s campaigns rarely result in duals, bloodshed and imprisonment.

in essence, our democracy today is the product of a nonviolent but passionate and often rambunctious electorate, an electorate comprised of gut wrenchingly enthusiastic right and left wing elements whose perpetual interaction produce an abrasive friction, sharpening, refining and polishing the vast moderate middle and our country as a whole to a brilliant luster envied by the civilized world.

The result is one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all, conceived in liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men and women of every conceivable ethnicity and stripe are created equal, and that government of the people, by the people, for the people shall not parish from the earth. Take a deep breath, avert your gaze when necessary, and enjoy the benefits of citizenship and freedom. SC