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On Saturday Alia and I had dinner at my good mates house with his fiance and another lovely couple in advance of a jazz club date to see a kick ass band called Rudder. ... it was great food, wine and conversation... amongst the group, representing England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, French Canada, and the Phillipines were a high school teacher, a university professor, a social worker, a community education manager for new immigrant families, a CBC (formerly at BBC) political news reporter, and me, a visual artist.
The talk was largely about "when I was a kid" - type stories a la Monty Python...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xe1a1wHxTyo
However, there was serious concern about the economy, children's education and welfare and how out-of-touch and f*cked up the "politically correct" world had become especially the lack of responsible parenting and leadership in schools, leading kids to false expectations and a disillusioned, angry future.
As these things often happen, I coincidentally received the following email from another mate today which I'd like to share with you... for your thoughts.
An Obituary printed in the London Times
Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense,
who has been with us for many years.
No one knows for sure how old he was, since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape.
He will be remembered for having cultivated such valuable lessons as: Knowing when to come in out of the rain; Why the early bird gets the worm; Life isn't always fair; and Maybe it was my fault.
Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don't spend more than you can earn) and reliable strategies (adults, not children, are in charge). His health began to deteriorate rapidly when well-intentioned but overbearing regulations were set in place. Reports of a six-year-old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate; teens suspended from school for using mouthwash after lunch; and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student, only worsened his condition.
Common Sense lost ground when parents attacked teachers for not doing the job that they themselves had failed to do in disciplining their unruly children. It declined even further when schools were required to get parental consent to administer sun lotion or an Aspirin to a student; but could not inform parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion.
Common Sense lost the will to live as churches became businesses;
and criminals received better treatment than their victims.
Common Sense took a beating when you couldn't defend yourself from a burglar in your own home and the burglar could sue you for assault.
Common Sense finally gave up the will to live, after a woman failed to
realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot. She spilled a little in her lap, and was promptly awarded a huge settlement.
Common Sense was preceded in death, by his parents, Truth and Trust, by his wife, Discretion, by his daughter, Responsibility, and by his son, Reason.
He is survived by his four stepbrothers: I Know My Rights, I Want It Now,
Someone Else Is To Blame, and I'm A Victim.
Not many attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone.
If you still remember him, pass this on. If not, join the majority and do nothing.
I remember....so I'm passing it on.
=o)
Noel
The talk was largely about "when I was a kid" - type stories a la Monty Python...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xe1a1wHxTyo
However, there was serious concern about the economy, children's education and welfare and how out-of-touch and f*cked up the "politically correct" world had become especially the lack of responsible parenting and leadership in schools, leading kids to false expectations and a disillusioned, angry future.
As these things often happen, I coincidentally received the following email from another mate today which I'd like to share with you... for your thoughts.
An Obituary printed in the London Times
Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense,
who has been with us for many years.
No one knows for sure how old he was, since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape.
He will be remembered for having cultivated such valuable lessons as: Knowing when to come in out of the rain; Why the early bird gets the worm; Life isn't always fair; and Maybe it was my fault.
Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don't spend more than you can earn) and reliable strategies (adults, not children, are in charge). His health began to deteriorate rapidly when well-intentioned but overbearing regulations were set in place. Reports of a six-year-old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate; teens suspended from school for using mouthwash after lunch; and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student, only worsened his condition.
Common Sense lost ground when parents attacked teachers for not doing the job that they themselves had failed to do in disciplining their unruly children. It declined even further when schools were required to get parental consent to administer sun lotion or an Aspirin to a student; but could not inform parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion.
Common Sense lost the will to live as churches became businesses;
and criminals received better treatment than their victims.
Common Sense took a beating when you couldn't defend yourself from a burglar in your own home and the burglar could sue you for assault.
Common Sense finally gave up the will to live, after a woman failed to
realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot. She spilled a little in her lap, and was promptly awarded a huge settlement.
Common Sense was preceded in death, by his parents, Truth and Trust, by his wife, Discretion, by his daughter, Responsibility, and by his son, Reason.
He is survived by his four stepbrothers: I Know My Rights, I Want It Now,
Someone Else Is To Blame, and I'm A Victim.
Not many attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone.
If you still remember him, pass this on. If not, join the majority and do nothing.
I remember....so I'm passing it on.
=o)
Noel
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