Independence
30 Jun 2010 1 Comment
in Politics
Shamelessly paraphrasing on one of Shakespeare’s more famous quotes, today, I give you “to think, or not to think, that is the question.” The real question of the times, I might add.
As we pause in our everyday life to celebrate the fourth of July this weekend, I find myself wondering how fully we appreciate all that Independence Day stands for, or if it has simply become a time for us to roast hotdogs over a fire and watch fireworks explode against a dark night sky.
I certainly hope we all realize that Independence Day is about a lot more than hotdogs! The separation of the Colonies from Great Britain on that notable day back in 1776 marked the first step in a long history of freedom. Over the years, it hasn’t been easy to maintain that freedom, and today we stand to lose all that we and our ancestors have fought so hard for.
The principles and standards supported by the Constitution are being dropped like flies as the leaders we elected to protect and uphold the Constitution disregard it with a concentration that is astonishing.
Last time I checked, being an American meant being free to make your own choices, for better or for worse, in your pursuit of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. That opinion isn’t very popular right now among mainstream media sources, and certainly not among our leaders. They are perfectly happy if you don’t ask questions. Why should they care if you have read the constitution and declaration of indepenence? You’re just another average citizen. Or so they struggle to make you believe. They wage a psychological battle, drawing hard and fast class lines while preaching and trying to sell equality.
Do you notice how, while education is such an “important” thing, critical thinking is rarely encouraged? Are you ever given a textbook passage, and asked to point out the fallacies? Or are you led to believe that the teacher/professor is always right, the material presented in the books is always correct, and there is no need for further questioning of a subject? How much are we conditioned to never ask questions?
Where exactly do the questions of 3-year-olds get lost? You know, the days of, “Why is the sky blue? Why do trees have leaves? How do birds stay up? How many trees are there in the world? Why does a ladybug have spots?” Why doesn’t that attitude of questioning prevail through childhood and even adulthood? Sure, maybe some of the questions don’t have answers, but lets take this questioning bit to the political arena.
“Why do you think gun restrictions will prevent crime? Do criminals ever obey the law, or will gun restrictions merely hamper the law abiding citizens who allow the restrictions to be imposed?”
“Why should I let you dictate to me what kind of health insurance I should have, or if I should have any at all?”
For the past hundred years or so at least, our leaders in DC have been increasingly prone to make our lives better by cutting our freedoms.
What else was the prohibition movement all about? You think telling me it isn’t legal to purchase alcoholic beverages is some how making me free? You can laugh all you want, but we still suffer (and I do mean suffer 
) from the lingering effects of the prohibition movement. To this day, in some off-the-map counties in Kentucky, for example, it is illegal to sell alcoholic beverages.
Plead irrelevance if you must. But this Independence Day I challenge you to ask questions. What exactly constitutes freedom? What makes you feel free? What will be the last step that pushes you over the edge to realizing how enslaved you are? Yes, it could be difficult to analyze these questions, let alone come up with answers, but don’t worry the egg before you get the chicken.
If you’re feeling pretty good about that, for the bonus round, ask yourself what the difference is between freedom, and the equality that our politicians are so bent on shoving down our throats. Interesting, isn’t it?
This Independence Day, I am proud to be an American, with the history of freedom-seeking “average citizens” who wanted nothing more than a better life for themselves and their children. For all that has changed in the past two-hundred some years I don’t believe that has. This year, let’s remind our leaders what freedom and the pursuit of happiness is all about.
And as always, God Bless America.
Golf Poem
23 Jun 2010 Leave a Comment
In my hand I hold a ball, white and dimpled, rather small.
Oh how bland it does appear, this harmless looking little sphere.
By it’s size I could not guess the awesome strength it does possess.
But since I fell beneath it’s spell, I’ve wandered through the fires of hell.
My life has not been quite the same, since I chose to play this stupid game.
It rules my mind for hours on end, a fortune it has made me spend.
It’s made me curse and made me cry, and hate myself and want to die.
It promises a thing called Par, if I hit it straight and far.
To master such a tiny ball should not be very hard at all.
But my desires the ball refuses, and does exactly as it chooses.
Hooks and slices, dribbles and dies, and disappears before my eyes.
Often it will have a whim to hit a tree or take a swim.
With miles of grass on which to land, it finds a tiny patch of sand.
Then it has me offering up my soul, if only it would find the hole.
It’s made me whimper like a pup, and swear that I will give it up,
and take to drink to ease my sorrow, but the ball knows… I’ll be back tomorrow.
Just so everybody knows, I am not the author of this poem and it does not reflect my sentiments. I’m too busy working in the pro-shop to learn the game of golf enough to hate it.
I have, however, written dire epitaphs to inscribe on the grave of the RBC when I leave in August, and composed entire songs mocking its ruthless and meaningless existence. Someday, if I stop working long enough, I may post them.
On Golf Balls… and other miscellanea
23 Jun 2010 Leave a Comment
Among other things, since April, I have been working at a golf course. Pro-shop worker extraordinaire. There’s more to it than you might think. Even if all that is “more” is quite simply, that you have to be up and functioning enough to communicate with customers by 8 AM.
Lessons I’ve learned? There are several, and bound to be more by the time I start college in August.
Rule number 1. This may seem obvious, but this is in fact a golf course. Therefore, when somebody comes in at 8 AM and asks for teas, don’t direct them to the cooler. And you do happen to, and they look at you like you’ve gone off your rocker, don’t walk over to the cooler to find the teas for them. Chances are they mean golf tees. Which are, in fact, undrinkable and rarely located in the cooler.
Rule number 2. The Range Ball Cart is the enemy. It is out to get you and if you aren’t careful it will. RBC’s are nearly always devoid of brakes and good steering. Don’t worry, they can be very entertaining anyways, but use with caution and don’t try this at home.
Rule number 3. Even if you aren’t really awake when the golfers start knocking down the door to the pro-shop at 8 in the morning, pretend you are. Life’s easier if you do.
Trust me.
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