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"The Passing of a Friend"
"The Passing of a Friend"
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 as 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 earn) and reliable parenting 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 doing the job they
themselves failed to do in disciplining
their unruly children.
It declined even further when schools were
required to get parental consent to administer
Panadol, sun lotion or a sticky plaster to a
student - but could not inform the parents
when a student became pregnant and
wanted to have an abortion.
Common Sense lost the will to live as the
Ten Commandments became contraband,
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 can 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; his wife,
Discretion; his daughter, Responsibility;
and his son, Reason.
He is survived by three stepbrothers; I Know
My Rights, Someone Else is to Blame, and
I'm A Victim.
Not many attended his funeral because
so few realized he was gone.
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 as 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 earn) and reliable parenting 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 doing the job they
themselves failed to do in disciplining
their unruly children.
It declined even further when schools were
required to get parental consent to administer
Panadol, sun lotion or a sticky plaster to a
student - but could not inform the parents
when a student became pregnant and
wanted to have an abortion.
Common Sense lost the will to live as the
Ten Commandments became contraband,
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 can 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; his wife,
Discretion; his daughter, Responsibility;
and his son, Reason.
He is survived by three stepbrothers; I Know
My Rights, Someone Else is to Blame, and
I'm A Victim.
Not many attended his funeral because
so few realized he was gone.
