17OCT2008
Not long ago while working with a fellow Soldier reviewing a troubling choice of actions that caused undue delays in completing a task, he verbalized his analysis, “That doesn’t pass the common sense test.” His quick analysis didn’t require forming a committee or a board of inquiry, he didn’t possess a Ph.D. in physics nor did he pull out a big reference manual. He looked at the choice that was made by another, saw the obvious results that were staring us in the face and pronounced the only logical conclusion. It simply and unarguably did not pass the “The Common Sense Test.”
Now, I do not know who coined the phrase, “The Common Sense Test” and as far as I know it has been around for a long time. I know that in the nearly 40 years that I have been living in and out of military uniform I haven’t seen a course of study that produces certified evaluators of common sense. I haven’t found any online schools that offer to confer on their students this advanced intellectual accomplishment. I cannot find any list of college courses promising the student this acquisition of heightened intellectual powers. Still, some place in time someone found the simplest way to word the obvious without being afraid to put it out in the open and we have it now the phrase “The Common Sense Test.”
If “The Common Sense Test” would be used more often in Washington we wouldn’t have most of the problems we have in this world today. If “The Common Sense Test” was used by everybody on a daily basis people wouldn’t feel like they are living merely from crisis to crisis. It is pretty obvious when it hasn’t been used: Going in debt for something a person can’t afford, text messaging while driving, arguing about their rights all the while they are ignoring someone else’s, and a host of other problems that fail “The Common Sense Test.”
Common Sense can never be underrated or over used. Instill this basic ingredient of success into teenagers and they become productive adults. Develop it in parents and the children of the household gain a foundation for the future even when they make common sense errors. Require it of politicians and you can feel it across the whole nation!
You’ll have to admit that in time when common sense is lacking people see it. Someone can try to explain it away and argue about all the pros and cons of a project or action made without common sense, but even a child can see that something is lacking, something is missing. Call it what you will but when poor judgment is used in completing a task the analysis is always the same, “That doesn’t pass the common sense test.”
One of these days “The Reaper” is going to hand in his final report to Someone higher. The truth of the matter is that all the reasons and all the excuses for failing to apply “The Common Sense Test” will only add to the fire.
THE GRIMM REAPER REPORT © 17OCT2008
http://the-grimm-reaper-report.blogspot.com/
Friday, October 17, 2008
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
"In the beginning..."
14OCT08
“In the beginning…”
America.
America has been known as a place of freedom, fulfillment, hope and pride. America has grown into a living entity embodying the elements that produced this Divine experiment called Democracy. America grew into a culture and society where ambition, creativity, enthusiasm, and national identity unified people from around the world under her name. America possessed an inner purpose that flowed like an unstoppable epidemic across this great land as the Divine touched the very hearts of those who made America to rise above the shame of slavery, civil war, isolationalism and prejudice. America grew into the envy of every nation on Earth. America because of her combined purpose subdued her frontiers, stabilized the world during two world wars and blocked the spread of godless regimes. America has stood as one united undefeatable force as the world fought Communism, Fascism and Imperialism. America schooled its children, provided living wages for its work force, created a standard of medical health care and life style that was emulated around the globe. The core of what and who makes up America has become synonymous with the very concept of freedom and that has bolstered its men and women into a military force second to no other nation on the globe. This vision of what makes America great led its earliest leaders to sacrifice their very lives and livelihood as they placed their signatures on the Constitution of the United States of America,
“ We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America”
Personal opinion and political differences will always be a part of any two people. Yet, even during those times when we have nearly split ourselves apart, the core of what makes America great comes through. Abraham Lincoln spoke to that very core at Gettysburg,
“Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal. Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battle-field of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this. But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate -- we can not consecrate -- we can not hallow -- this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us -- that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion -- that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain -- that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom -- and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.”
Once again America appears to be heading toward another challenge to its core beliefs and conviction. America has attempted to appease all and by this appears to be in danger of diluting itself into fragmented identities. As one cannot make cold wax flow and mold into one so can no nation expect the same of honoring all national cultures, ethnic identities, religious ideologies, moral persuasions or political agendas. America we must re-focus our attention back to our basic and core identity without diluting our national moral convictions of what is good for the whole of the people not merely the fragmented few. America, as we enter this 21st Century we must move forward without losing sight of our moral compass.
America, look at who we are in this 21st Century. We have allowed “In God we trust” to be stamped on our money but won’t allow him in our lives. We hold our athletes, politicians and preachers to moral standards but want entertainment filled with corruption, drugs, murder, nudity, vice, violence and vulgarity. America, we have invited the rest of the world to mock us as well as the very concept of the God who we claim designed us into being a nation. It is because of our moral laxity and decadent excesses that some fear our expanding influence into their culture.
America, we are still “The Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave.” America, we still possess the most productive farmland and given the opportunity, our people have a work ethic that can outwork the people of any other nation. America, we still possess a strength that makes even those who hate us run and hide in caves to strike at innocent civilians as we stand together; we have proved that as recently as 9/11. But America, we’ve allowed our divisiveness, our excesses, our special interests, our addictions to comfort and ease to dim our vision of national unity and because of that we have allowed ourselves be side tract.
America, someday each of us will leave this world and it is what we leave behind that will proclaim our legacy into the future. We will answer for what we have or haven’t done. I believe what “The Good Book” says about reaping what we sow and that is enough for us all to get back on course.
However, some may need just a little more encouragement to get back on course. Some do not want to listen to a preacher or a politician but they fear the concept of “The Reaper” coming, knowing that when he does, he will hand in his final report to Someone higher than himself. Until then, just consider this to be “THE GRIMM REAPER REPORT.”
THE GRIMM REAPER REPORT © 14 OCT 2008
http://the-grimm-reaper-report.blogspot.com/
“In the beginning…”
America.
America has been known as a place of freedom, fulfillment, hope and pride. America has grown into a living entity embodying the elements that produced this Divine experiment called Democracy. America grew into a culture and society where ambition, creativity, enthusiasm, and national identity unified people from around the world under her name. America possessed an inner purpose that flowed like an unstoppable epidemic across this great land as the Divine touched the very hearts of those who made America to rise above the shame of slavery, civil war, isolationalism and prejudice. America grew into the envy of every nation on Earth. America because of her combined purpose subdued her frontiers, stabilized the world during two world wars and blocked the spread of godless regimes. America has stood as one united undefeatable force as the world fought Communism, Fascism and Imperialism. America schooled its children, provided living wages for its work force, created a standard of medical health care and life style that was emulated around the globe. The core of what and who makes up America has become synonymous with the very concept of freedom and that has bolstered its men and women into a military force second to no other nation on the globe. This vision of what makes America great led its earliest leaders to sacrifice their very lives and livelihood as they placed their signatures on the Constitution of the United States of America,
“ We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America”
Personal opinion and political differences will always be a part of any two people. Yet, even during those times when we have nearly split ourselves apart, the core of what makes America great comes through. Abraham Lincoln spoke to that very core at Gettysburg,
“Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal. Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battle-field of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this. But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate -- we can not consecrate -- we can not hallow -- this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us -- that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion -- that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain -- that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom -- and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.”
Once again America appears to be heading toward another challenge to its core beliefs and conviction. America has attempted to appease all and by this appears to be in danger of diluting itself into fragmented identities. As one cannot make cold wax flow and mold into one so can no nation expect the same of honoring all national cultures, ethnic identities, religious ideologies, moral persuasions or political agendas. America we must re-focus our attention back to our basic and core identity without diluting our national moral convictions of what is good for the whole of the people not merely the fragmented few. America, as we enter this 21st Century we must move forward without losing sight of our moral compass.
America, look at who we are in this 21st Century. We have allowed “In God we trust” to be stamped on our money but won’t allow him in our lives. We hold our athletes, politicians and preachers to moral standards but want entertainment filled with corruption, drugs, murder, nudity, vice, violence and vulgarity. America, we have invited the rest of the world to mock us as well as the very concept of the God who we claim designed us into being a nation. It is because of our moral laxity and decadent excesses that some fear our expanding influence into their culture.
America, we are still “The Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave.” America, we still possess the most productive farmland and given the opportunity, our people have a work ethic that can outwork the people of any other nation. America, we still possess a strength that makes even those who hate us run and hide in caves to strike at innocent civilians as we stand together; we have proved that as recently as 9/11. But America, we’ve allowed our divisiveness, our excesses, our special interests, our addictions to comfort and ease to dim our vision of national unity and because of that we have allowed ourselves be side tract.
America, someday each of us will leave this world and it is what we leave behind that will proclaim our legacy into the future. We will answer for what we have or haven’t done. I believe what “The Good Book” says about reaping what we sow and that is enough for us all to get back on course.
However, some may need just a little more encouragement to get back on course. Some do not want to listen to a preacher or a politician but they fear the concept of “The Reaper” coming, knowing that when he does, he will hand in his final report to Someone higher than himself. Until then, just consider this to be “THE GRIMM REAPER REPORT.”
THE GRIMM REAPER REPORT © 14 OCT 2008
http://the-grimm-reaper-report.blogspot.com/
Friday, October 10, 2008
GETTING THE JOB DONE
10 October 2008
Nothing says efficiency like getting the job done on time and within budget.
Some people have more excuses than they have sense. They can tell you their version of why something isn’t completed as promised but fail to take any personal responsibility for the failure. This is even when they were in charge of the project.
We have all heard of what has been called “mob mentality.” Get enough people together and individual convictions and restrains give way to the will of the crowd. My basic question to those who have been caught up in “mob mentality” is, what kept you from walking away and calling the authorities at the first sign of something that went against your convictions and personal values?
Let’s take this whole notion to the political mob in Washington. I can’t help but wonder what happens to politicians when they get away from their home districts. The politicians promise that they will be different. The politicians promise they will be sensitive to the needs of America. The politicians promise that they will be responsible. Yet, it isn’t long before they are passing legislation that undermines the convictions and values of their home districts. They return to us wanting to be re-elected spouting their desire to reform the political mess and they whine to us that it was the other political party that is at fault. Is our whole political system made up of nothing more than victims of “mob mentality?”
I shudder to think that our politicians’ personal convictions and values are no stronger than what is portrayed in the media. It appears that Washington merely houses those we elect who overspend our tax dollars while enslaving future generations with what the average American calls fiscal irresponsibility. It appears that to get other politicians to vote favorably on good ideas special favors are attached thereby loading even good ideas with enough “flies in the ointment” to make the average American reject the whole thing. (This isn’t “you scratch my back I’ll scratch yours.” It is a practice that has rejected common sense and the common values that made this nation the envy of the world.) These same politicians vote themselves health insurance plans and retirement packages that the average hard working person cannot get all the while the average common citizen of these United States of America are left paying for the politicians’ “work.”
There are those who pace themselves in a project. They take the time to understand the problem, gather information, and formulate a plan then work to secure a long lasting solution. Once one problem has been addressed appropriately they are able to focus on the next project. The results are pretty much the same: appropriately addressed solution-focused problem solving techniques.
Then there are those who rush into a project. They seem to be constantly going from crisis to crisis, rarely actually fixing anything but merely stabilizing the moment to race after another crisis. Once one problem has been patched they jump to the next crisis. The results are again pretty much the same: inadequate solutions, unformulated ideas, short-term fixes that must be addressed over and over again.
Of course, there are things in life that must be addressed over and over again to keep them running smoothly. In regard to this last sentence common sense comes into play, but the main focus of today’s column is to address the quick-fix band aids that merely plug a leak while failing to address the cause of the leak! Attention paid to the first sign of a problem does not allow it to grow into a crisis. This is being solution-focused and common sense tells us that ignoring a problem only allows it to grow.
Well, you may agree or you may disagree, regardless let’s hope someone begins to stand their ground in the “mob” before The Reaper writes his final report.
Let me say it again, “Nothing says efficiency like getting the job done on time and within budget.”
THE GRIMM REAPER REPORT © 10OCT2008
http://the-grimm-reaper-report.blogspot.com/
Nothing says efficiency like getting the job done on time and within budget.
Some people have more excuses than they have sense. They can tell you their version of why something isn’t completed as promised but fail to take any personal responsibility for the failure. This is even when they were in charge of the project.
We have all heard of what has been called “mob mentality.” Get enough people together and individual convictions and restrains give way to the will of the crowd. My basic question to those who have been caught up in “mob mentality” is, what kept you from walking away and calling the authorities at the first sign of something that went against your convictions and personal values?
Let’s take this whole notion to the political mob in Washington. I can’t help but wonder what happens to politicians when they get away from their home districts. The politicians promise that they will be different. The politicians promise they will be sensitive to the needs of America. The politicians promise that they will be responsible. Yet, it isn’t long before they are passing legislation that undermines the convictions and values of their home districts. They return to us wanting to be re-elected spouting their desire to reform the political mess and they whine to us that it was the other political party that is at fault. Is our whole political system made up of nothing more than victims of “mob mentality?”
I shudder to think that our politicians’ personal convictions and values are no stronger than what is portrayed in the media. It appears that Washington merely houses those we elect who overspend our tax dollars while enslaving future generations with what the average American calls fiscal irresponsibility. It appears that to get other politicians to vote favorably on good ideas special favors are attached thereby loading even good ideas with enough “flies in the ointment” to make the average American reject the whole thing. (This isn’t “you scratch my back I’ll scratch yours.” It is a practice that has rejected common sense and the common values that made this nation the envy of the world.) These same politicians vote themselves health insurance plans and retirement packages that the average hard working person cannot get all the while the average common citizen of these United States of America are left paying for the politicians’ “work.”
There are those who pace themselves in a project. They take the time to understand the problem, gather information, and formulate a plan then work to secure a long lasting solution. Once one problem has been addressed appropriately they are able to focus on the next project. The results are pretty much the same: appropriately addressed solution-focused problem solving techniques.
Then there are those who rush into a project. They seem to be constantly going from crisis to crisis, rarely actually fixing anything but merely stabilizing the moment to race after another crisis. Once one problem has been patched they jump to the next crisis. The results are again pretty much the same: inadequate solutions, unformulated ideas, short-term fixes that must be addressed over and over again.
Of course, there are things in life that must be addressed over and over again to keep them running smoothly. In regard to this last sentence common sense comes into play, but the main focus of today’s column is to address the quick-fix band aids that merely plug a leak while failing to address the cause of the leak! Attention paid to the first sign of a problem does not allow it to grow into a crisis. This is being solution-focused and common sense tells us that ignoring a problem only allows it to grow.
Well, you may agree or you may disagree, regardless let’s hope someone begins to stand their ground in the “mob” before The Reaper writes his final report.
Let me say it again, “Nothing says efficiency like getting the job done on time and within budget.”
THE GRIMM REAPER REPORT © 10OCT2008
http://the-grimm-reaper-report.blogspot.com/
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
RIGHT TO THE POINT
October 07, 2008
Let me get right to the point without some headline grabber to pull you into reading this column. Here it is: What is important to you? Now, don't answer too quickly. Take a few moments to ponder the question. Sit back in your chair and allow the impact of this question to settle upon you completely. If you had to answer this one question and your answer was to drive the rest of your life without being able to change it, "What is important to you?"
Too few people really take the time to answer the question honestly. There are flippant answers that appear to mock the seriousness of the question. Some people are so out of touch with their own needs that they quickly answer without honest self examination and thereby spend their life in unfulfilling activities, relationships and vocations. The result becomes a shell of a person who had been so full of dreams, energy and potential but now is bored, resentful and tired of life. These poor souls have filled their inner craving for significance with insignificant familiarities and after spending their day working a dead end job they are found slouched in front of a television being bombarded with watching make believe people living make believe lives. Is this the best we can do with ourselves? I ask again, "What is important to you?"
Now, don't get me wrong everybody needs some type of escape whether it is watching your favorite show on television or some hobby. But what has happened to America as a society and a culture when we have no better personal drive than to watch other people live? It says that we have given up hope, lost our personal ambition and our ability to live life to its fullest. Before Almighty God I have to believe we were created to possess the potential to be more than a couch potato!
Examine what's really important to you.
As you are honestly examining you with what is important go a little deeper and ask, “What are you willing to give up to gain what you really want?"
Every once in a while a person needs to step back and ask themselves these basic questions.
The reason I even bring this issue up is because too many people have failed to know the basics of their own inner workings: physically, emotionally, psychologically & spiritually (that's right SPIRITUALLY - hey, if the more traditional religions are wrong, then you didn't lose anything, but if they are correct it will be hell to pay!).
So, let's get back to the point of my writing. Be honest with yourself (not just because you are in a foul mood at this moment), "What is important to you?" Carry this question a little deeper and follow it up with asking yourself, "What am I willing to give up to gain what I really want?"
When you get your answer drop me a line. You may find that a renewed vigor returns to your daily living as you focus on what is really important to you or you may find that you have given up long before The Reaper sends in his final report.
THE GRIMM REAPER REPORT ©08OCT08
http://the-grimm-reaper-report.blogspot.com/
Let me get right to the point without some headline grabber to pull you into reading this column. Here it is: What is important to you? Now, don't answer too quickly. Take a few moments to ponder the question. Sit back in your chair and allow the impact of this question to settle upon you completely. If you had to answer this one question and your answer was to drive the rest of your life without being able to change it, "What is important to you?"
Too few people really take the time to answer the question honestly. There are flippant answers that appear to mock the seriousness of the question. Some people are so out of touch with their own needs that they quickly answer without honest self examination and thereby spend their life in unfulfilling activities, relationships and vocations. The result becomes a shell of a person who had been so full of dreams, energy and potential but now is bored, resentful and tired of life. These poor souls have filled their inner craving for significance with insignificant familiarities and after spending their day working a dead end job they are found slouched in front of a television being bombarded with watching make believe people living make believe lives. Is this the best we can do with ourselves? I ask again, "What is important to you?"
Now, don't get me wrong everybody needs some type of escape whether it is watching your favorite show on television or some hobby. But what has happened to America as a society and a culture when we have no better personal drive than to watch other people live? It says that we have given up hope, lost our personal ambition and our ability to live life to its fullest. Before Almighty God I have to believe we were created to possess the potential to be more than a couch potato!
Examine what's really important to you.
As you are honestly examining you with what is important go a little deeper and ask, “What are you willing to give up to gain what you really want?"
Every once in a while a person needs to step back and ask themselves these basic questions.
The reason I even bring this issue up is because too many people have failed to know the basics of their own inner workings: physically, emotionally, psychologically & spiritually (that's right SPIRITUALLY - hey, if the more traditional religions are wrong, then you didn't lose anything, but if they are correct it will be hell to pay!).
So, let's get back to the point of my writing. Be honest with yourself (not just because you are in a foul mood at this moment), "What is important to you?" Carry this question a little deeper and follow it up with asking yourself, "What am I willing to give up to gain what I really want?"
When you get your answer drop me a line. You may find that a renewed vigor returns to your daily living as you focus on what is really important to you or you may find that you have given up long before The Reaper sends in his final report.
THE GRIMM REAPER REPORT ©08OCT08
http://the-grimm-reaper-report.blogspot.com/
SHARING MY THOUGHTS
October 02, 2008
As time changes my youth into these so called "mature years" I am becoming a little more tenderhearted and a little more sentimental. Some things do not bother me as much as they used to and some other things bother me more. May I ask that you humor this Grandfather for a few minutes while I share my thoughts?
People and their dogs. Now I personally attest that pets can wrap themselves around your heart. Used to be that I couldn't understand how someone could get so emotional about an animal. But I have to admit that as time has passed I have shed a few tears over some cats and dogs that have touched my heart. What I am still working through is having to listen to someone else's dog barking endlessly when I just want some peace and quiet. Back in my younger years I had a sure fire way to quiet any dog, but like I said, now I am a little more tenderhearted. Not much, but a little more.
People and their kids. I have had a few and just like pets they can wrap themselves around your heart, wallet and lifestyle. Used to be that kids were taught that they were loved and were also taught some manners. What I am still working through are kids who tell their parents what to do. Back in my younger years my parents had a sure fire way to provide me with proper guidance: I was taught to love my parents and if I didn't feel "the love" I was more than able to feel the error of back-talking. I am not talking about beating or neglecting a child, shoot, you'd treat a dog with more respect than some people treat their kids. (I'm probably sounding a little more tenderhearted here than I mean to.)
People and their driving. Yep, I am a people and I drive too but just because I can drive like a maniac doesn't mean I should. Sometimes you'll see me about town in my 4x4 pickup or on my Harley. Going back to raising kids for a minute, I believe in sharing. I may be old fashioned but I believe we need to respect other drivers, stay reasonably within the speed limit and share the road. Yes, you can go faster if you want to, but where is your self respect? If you want my lane, share with me your thoughts by using your turn signal or at least LOOK before you change lanes. If you leave enough room for me to pray before I crash into you I'll try really hard not to use some language that I wouldn't use on a dog or that Mom would wash my mouth out for using.
People and dying. We are all going to pass into a memory someday so let's leave this world a better place. I don't know how or when life will end for any of us. Hopefully I will see my grandchildren's children. Regardless, I want to go like my dear old grandmother who just died quietly as she slept with her dog sitting beside her. Not like the screaming passengers in her car.
Thanks for your time.
The Grimm Reaper Report (c) 02OCT2008
http://the-grimm-reaper-report.blogspot.com/
As time changes my youth into these so called "mature years" I am becoming a little more tenderhearted and a little more sentimental. Some things do not bother me as much as they used to and some other things bother me more. May I ask that you humor this Grandfather for a few minutes while I share my thoughts?
People and their dogs. Now I personally attest that pets can wrap themselves around your heart. Used to be that I couldn't understand how someone could get so emotional about an animal. But I have to admit that as time has passed I have shed a few tears over some cats and dogs that have touched my heart. What I am still working through is having to listen to someone else's dog barking endlessly when I just want some peace and quiet. Back in my younger years I had a sure fire way to quiet any dog, but like I said, now I am a little more tenderhearted. Not much, but a little more.
People and their kids. I have had a few and just like pets they can wrap themselves around your heart, wallet and lifestyle. Used to be that kids were taught that they were loved and were also taught some manners. What I am still working through are kids who tell their parents what to do. Back in my younger years my parents had a sure fire way to provide me with proper guidance: I was taught to love my parents and if I didn't feel "the love" I was more than able to feel the error of back-talking. I am not talking about beating or neglecting a child, shoot, you'd treat a dog with more respect than some people treat their kids. (I'm probably sounding a little more tenderhearted here than I mean to.)
People and their driving. Yep, I am a people and I drive too but just because I can drive like a maniac doesn't mean I should. Sometimes you'll see me about town in my 4x4 pickup or on my Harley. Going back to raising kids for a minute, I believe in sharing. I may be old fashioned but I believe we need to respect other drivers, stay reasonably within the speed limit and share the road. Yes, you can go faster if you want to, but where is your self respect? If you want my lane, share with me your thoughts by using your turn signal or at least LOOK before you change lanes. If you leave enough room for me to pray before I crash into you I'll try really hard not to use some language that I wouldn't use on a dog or that Mom would wash my mouth out for using.
People and dying. We are all going to pass into a memory someday so let's leave this world a better place. I don't know how or when life will end for any of us. Hopefully I will see my grandchildren's children. Regardless, I want to go like my dear old grandmother who just died quietly as she slept with her dog sitting beside her. Not like the screaming passengers in her car.
Thanks for your time.
The Grimm Reaper Report (c) 02OCT2008
http://the-grimm-reaper-report.blogspot.com/
Who's to Blame?
September 30, 2008
First off, let me tell you that if you are like me, you love America. I think you'll agree with me, things are in a pretty bad state of affairs here in America. Blessed as America has been, something has happened to our "Home of the Brave and Land of the Free." As a career Soldier I have done more with my life than talk or vote and it is because of this I am putting a few thoughts to print.
America, we have lost our moral bearings. The result is what you and I see today. It wasn't the war, it wasn't racial issues, it wasn't differences of political opinions. America, we let go of personal responsibility and accountabilty and since no one was responsible everyone is going to pay for it. (When no one cares if the screen door is left open then no one can complain about bugs and rodents in the house.) It reminds me of that saying, "When all is said and done, more is said than done."
The current liberal culture has brought us to this chaotic economic, moral and social state. Somewhere society as a whole has lost the most basic foundation that made it civil. Liberals have decried personal responsibility and introduced their own version of communistic equality - resulting in no personal sense of "work and earn it" but take it from those who did earn it and give it to those who haven't. This same liberalism has been allowed to run the media with a liberal agenda. This has resulted in calling those with a sense of personal accountability, moral compass or sense of answering to a Higher Power as merely possessing undeveloped ego strengths and infantile impulse control and Victorian, antiquated ideologies. The Liberals have either stated or at least inferred that preventing self expression damages individualistic self worth resulting in parents being afraid to punish their children when they misbehave (I use the word "punish" because the word "correct" isn't understood by toddlers and a swift swat to the hind end will not crush a child's ego when that same child equates misbehaving with punishment!). So trash talk is accepted, communities cannot set acceptable standards and our children are bombarded with that which destroys innocence and mars a sense of moral purity. This same liberalism has lowered our social morals to the point where back talking parents and teachers makes the home and classroom a place where the immature dictates. And nothing is more frightening than immature dictators. We have gone so far down the path away from common sense that acting on sexual urges of teenagers is seen as a healthy expression regardless of gender, timing, personal accountability or the basic understanding of reproduction (it amazes me that the argument between "pro-life" and "pro-choice" is over a pregnancy but no one seems to address what caused the pregnancy in the first place - simple economics illustrate the fact that what one deposits results in compound interest. If they don't want the "dividends" then don't make a deposit.)
There is more to expound upon but for now you get the picture. Don't blame Washington. Get off the Democrats and the Republicans - look in the mirror.
And so, America, here we are. America is sitting in global economic embarrassment, if not ruin. Our economics are shot, our morals are shot and our social standard is shot. Don't look to Washington to fix it. Don't expect our government to lead the way to moral redemption or divine intervention. Argue if you will about the separation of Church and State until you are blue in the face. Like it or not, America, we now have the separation of Church and State - what did you expect when God was not allowed to have access to our money, our morals and our societal foundation? Liberalism only works when no one really cares about the consequences.
I hope to God we care enough now.
THE GRIMM REAPER REPORT (c) 30SEP08
http://the-grimm-reaper-report.blogspot.com/
First off, let me tell you that if you are like me, you love America. I think you'll agree with me, things are in a pretty bad state of affairs here in America. Blessed as America has been, something has happened to our "Home of the Brave and Land of the Free." As a career Soldier I have done more with my life than talk or vote and it is because of this I am putting a few thoughts to print.
America, we have lost our moral bearings. The result is what you and I see today. It wasn't the war, it wasn't racial issues, it wasn't differences of political opinions. America, we let go of personal responsibility and accountabilty and since no one was responsible everyone is going to pay for it. (When no one cares if the screen door is left open then no one can complain about bugs and rodents in the house.) It reminds me of that saying, "When all is said and done, more is said than done."
The current liberal culture has brought us to this chaotic economic, moral and social state. Somewhere society as a whole has lost the most basic foundation that made it civil. Liberals have decried personal responsibility and introduced their own version of communistic equality - resulting in no personal sense of "work and earn it" but take it from those who did earn it and give it to those who haven't. This same liberalism has been allowed to run the media with a liberal agenda. This has resulted in calling those with a sense of personal accountability, moral compass or sense of answering to a Higher Power as merely possessing undeveloped ego strengths and infantile impulse control and Victorian, antiquated ideologies. The Liberals have either stated or at least inferred that preventing self expression damages individualistic self worth resulting in parents being afraid to punish their children when they misbehave (I use the word "punish" because the word "correct" isn't understood by toddlers and a swift swat to the hind end will not crush a child's ego when that same child equates misbehaving with punishment!). So trash talk is accepted, communities cannot set acceptable standards and our children are bombarded with that which destroys innocence and mars a sense of moral purity. This same liberalism has lowered our social morals to the point where back talking parents and teachers makes the home and classroom a place where the immature dictates. And nothing is more frightening than immature dictators. We have gone so far down the path away from common sense that acting on sexual urges of teenagers is seen as a healthy expression regardless of gender, timing, personal accountability or the basic understanding of reproduction (it amazes me that the argument between "pro-life" and "pro-choice" is over a pregnancy but no one seems to address what caused the pregnancy in the first place - simple economics illustrate the fact that what one deposits results in compound interest. If they don't want the "dividends" then don't make a deposit.)
There is more to expound upon but for now you get the picture. Don't blame Washington. Get off the Democrats and the Republicans - look in the mirror.
And so, America, here we are. America is sitting in global economic embarrassment, if not ruin. Our economics are shot, our morals are shot and our social standard is shot. Don't look to Washington to fix it. Don't expect our government to lead the way to moral redemption or divine intervention. Argue if you will about the separation of Church and State until you are blue in the face. Like it or not, America, we now have the separation of Church and State - what did you expect when God was not allowed to have access to our money, our morals and our societal foundation? Liberalism only works when no one really cares about the consequences.
I hope to God we care enough now.
THE GRIMM REAPER REPORT (c) 30SEP08
http://the-grimm-reaper-report.blogspot.com/
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