Memories of My Mother

Mom was a lighthearted woman.  She sang around the house (we teased her, claiming that her voice was terrible.  It wasn't a Grammy-quality voice, but it was fine).

Like most people, she sang the songs of her youth - in her case, the 1940s.  I didn't realize how often I'd heard them, until one day, I was watching Name That Tune.  The music of the show was WWII songs - I was, for once, VERY good - I knew them all.

Mom was patient.  She listened to my brother and I read stories aloud (prompting us to "sound it out" when encountering an unfamiliar word), let us recite our times tables, and helped us learn new skills - cooking, sewing, knitting, etc.

At a relatively young age (early 40s), Mom developed Rheumatoid Arthritis.  By the time I had my last child, she was in a wheelchair.  From that point on, she largely stayed home; it took much planning to arrange outings.  My dad retired early, both due to his poor health (he had pancreatic cancer), and to care for her.

Mom's life was not one that makes great biographies; she never held prestigious jobs, attended college, or managed charities or organizations.

What her special gift was that she made everyone that knew her feel special.  She had time to listen to those that needed it.  She gave her attention to others, without needing to be the focus of attention.

That's a very rare quality, and a large part of what made her special.

WHY Leftist Goals Aren't Good for America

I've not before found an explanation that better capsulizes the Leftist philisophy, and makes clear why it is NOT sustainable:

The left constantly approaches the economy like it’s a gigantic daycare. When people need something, “all we need to do is share.” If someone has something another person doesn’t, the solution is to have the “teacher” force him to share. This is how liberals approach the economy. But what is lost in this daycare mentality approach is that individuals need to put effort into creating, producing, and selling goods and services. They do not just exist, like a birthday cake that should be cut up and handed to the rugrats on a plastic plate. And liberals don’t notice that after a few semesters, the teacher is really packing on the pounds.

People, the tangible things of an economy don't just materialize.  They come into being because of the hard work of the producers.  If you think that people should just "share" their money, try this:

Here's an experiment - the next time someone says that "we" need to do something about a social problem, say "Great!  I've been hoping you'd agree.  Let's see, that program will cost about 3 billion dollars - you don't think that's too expensive, do you?"  They'll likely say NO amount is too great to solve the problem.  Then respond, "Wonderful!  I'm so glad that you have the commitment to solving the problem.  Your share will be $1000.  I'll take a check."

The concept that there just isn't a fairy godmother, with LOTS of money, who will wave her wand and dole out cash, is lost on many people.  This is a deeply immature mindset.  It is the mindset of one who FEELS poor, but FEELS surrounded by others who have SO much money.  Like the non-birthday girl at a party, she just can't fathom that the birthday child wouldn't want to make her happy by "sharing" some of the gifts - and by sharing, I mean being forced to give them up.

These Things Fall Under the Heading "Things I Did Not Know"

Did you know it's a CRIME to deposit less than $10,000 in the bank, if you received the money in greater quantities?  There are farmers that did so, and have had their money confiscated.

Gibson Guitars had 1/2 MILLION dollars worth of wood taken from them, without recompense, and NEVER have had charges brought against them - in 3 years.

Guess they never heard of that silly thing called the Bill of Rights:

Article the sixth [Amendment IV]
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

Article the seventh [Amendment V]
No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law;nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.

Article the ninth [Amendment VII]
In Suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise re-examined in any Court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law.

Now, I'm not a Constitutional Lecturer, but I just think - MAYBE - Gibson has a case under these articles.

MULTIPLE attempts to jail/shut up Ted Nugent (I don't particularly care for him - he is a bit of a jackass - BUT, he does have his rights, and the Federal Government is trampling all over them).

I'm particularly upset that my elected legislators seem more concerned about posturing on the news than fighting - tooth & nail - for ALL AMERICANS' rights.