Aananla
3rd July 2002, 10:44 AM
This was sent to me by a friend.
Today, we mourn the passing of an old friend, by the name of Common
Sense. Common Sense lived a long life but died in the United States
from heart failure on the brink of the new millennium.
No one really knows how old he was, since his birth records were long
ago lost in bureaucratic red tape. He selflessly devoted his life to
service in schools, hospitals,
homes, factories helping folks get jobs done without fanfare and
foolishness. For decades, petty rules, silly laws and frivolous
lawsuits held no
power over Common Sense. He was credited with cultivating such valued
lessons as to know when to come in out of the rain, why the early bird gets
the worm and that life isn't always fair.
Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don't spend
more than you earn), reliable parenting strategies (the adults are in
charge, not the kids), and it's okay to come in second.
A veteran of the Industrial Revolution, the Great Depression and
the Technological Revolution, Common Sense survived cultural and
educational trends including body piercing, whole language and "new
math." But
his health declined when he became infected with the
"If-it-only-helps-one-person-it's-worth-it" virus.
In recent decades, his waning strength proved no match for the ravages
of well intentioned but overbearing regulations. He watched in pain as
good people became ruled by self-seeking
lawyers. His health rapidly deteriorated when schools endlessly implemented
zero-tolerance policies. Reports of a six-year-old boy charged with
sexual harassment for kissing a classmate, a teen suspended for
taking a swig of mouthwash after lunch and a teacher fired for reprimanding
an unruly student only worsened his condition.
It declined even further when schools had to get parental consent
to administer aspirin to a student, but could not inform the parent when
female student was pregnant or wanted an abortion.
Finally, Common Sense lost his will to live as the Ten Commandments
became contraband, churches became businesses, criminals received
better treatment than victims and federal judges stuck their noses in
everything from the Boy Scouts to professional sports.
Finally, when a woman, failed to realize that a steaming cup of coffee
was hot, was awarded a huge settlement, Common Sense threw in the
towel. As the end neared, Common Sense drifted in and out of logic but was
kept informed of developments regarding questionable regulations such as
those for low flow toilets, rocking chairs and stepladders.
Common Sense was preceded in death by his parents, Truth and Trust;
his wife, Discretion; his daughter, Responsibility; and his son,
Reason. He is survived by two stepbrothers: My Rights, and Ima Whiner. Not
many attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone.
--Author Unknown
Today, we mourn the passing of an old friend, by the name of Common
Sense. Common Sense lived a long life but died in the United States
from heart failure on the brink of the new millennium.
No one really knows how old he was, since his birth records were long
ago lost in bureaucratic red tape. He selflessly devoted his life to
service in schools, hospitals,
homes, factories helping folks get jobs done without fanfare and
foolishness. For decades, petty rules, silly laws and frivolous
lawsuits held no
power over Common Sense. He was credited with cultivating such valued
lessons as to know when to come in out of the rain, why the early bird gets
the worm and that life isn't always fair.
Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don't spend
more than you earn), reliable parenting strategies (the adults are in
charge, not the kids), and it's okay to come in second.
A veteran of the Industrial Revolution, the Great Depression and
the Technological Revolution, Common Sense survived cultural and
educational trends including body piercing, whole language and "new
math." But
his health declined when he became infected with the
"If-it-only-helps-one-person-it's-worth-it" virus.
In recent decades, his waning strength proved no match for the ravages
of well intentioned but overbearing regulations. He watched in pain as
good people became ruled by self-seeking
lawyers. His health rapidly deteriorated when schools endlessly implemented
zero-tolerance policies. Reports of a six-year-old boy charged with
sexual harassment for kissing a classmate, a teen suspended for
taking a swig of mouthwash after lunch and a teacher fired for reprimanding
an unruly student only worsened his condition.
It declined even further when schools had to get parental consent
to administer aspirin to a student, but could not inform the parent when
female student was pregnant or wanted an abortion.
Finally, Common Sense lost his will to live as the Ten Commandments
became contraband, churches became businesses, criminals received
better treatment than victims and federal judges stuck their noses in
everything from the Boy Scouts to professional sports.
Finally, when a woman, failed to realize that a steaming cup of coffee
was hot, was awarded a huge settlement, Common Sense threw in the
towel. As the end neared, Common Sense drifted in and out of logic but was
kept informed of developments regarding questionable regulations such as
those for low flow toilets, rocking chairs and stepladders.
Common Sense was preceded in death by his parents, Truth and Trust;
his wife, Discretion; his daughter, Responsibility; and his son,
Reason. He is survived by two stepbrothers: My Rights, and Ima Whiner. Not
many attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone.
--Author Unknown