Thought of the Day
"As the eye has not its own light, but needs the sun, so too the reason for its perfection needs the gift of faith. We have the same eyes at night at as we have in the day, but we cannot see in the darkness because we lack the additional light of the sun. The reason those with faith have a keener insight into values and a deeper moral sense is because they are blessed with a light others lack."
- Bishop Fulton J. Sheen
Russian Patriarch warns Catholics
Exorcists in demand to purge Mexico's demons
Melkite Church Seeks Ecumenical Union
Events throughout Church History that occurred on February 16th
In the Former East Bloc, Abortion Remains Norm
Lawmakers Push to Overturn Bush Abortion Move
Ten Serbs Killed, 23 Wounded in Kosovo Bus Attack
Family of dead Catholic Israeli soldier hopes for peace
Arafat fearing Israeli attack has fled Gaza
Barak, Sharon agree on coalition government
Honk Kong: Donald Tsang, a Catholic, is new chief secretary
Afghans Trading Daughters for Debt
Iran to host terror summit in April
Big winter snow storm buries Seoul, South Korea
It's minus 60, there's no heating and no electricity
Putin's Trojan horse alarms fortress EU
EU Gets Russian Assurances on Nukes in Kaliningrad
Russia Says Its Europe Missile Shield Plan Ready
Russia, U.S. in New Missiles Spat As Talks Loom
Bush Vows to Engage Russia and China on U.S. Terms
INS involved in voter fraud - WorldNetDaily exclusive
Are federal income taxes legal? - WorldNetDaily exclusive
Rate of All I.R.S. Audits Falls; Poor Face Intense Scrutiny
In Florida, lessons on vouchers
Conservatives Warn of Leftist Dirty Tricks
Judges Should Apply Law - And Law Alone
Soccer moms enlist in battle over guns
Clinton Aides Face Subpoenas Over Pardon
Ocala teen suspended for using foul language on Web site
Internet rush to buy human eggs
Dobson Criticizes 'Clinton Years'
The Brooklyn Museum is at it Again
Message to Louise Starr Tomkiel - ARCHIVED
NBC Casts 'Ellen' to Play TV Nun
Snickery Stuff ...
Note: Got this from Mary's Yellowstone. It's a cutie, but sadly, it's also TRUE!
The Passing of an Old Friend
Today, I am mourning the passing of an old friend by the name of Common Sense. Common Sense, AKA C.S., lived a long life but died from heart failure at the brink of the millennium.
No one really knows how old he was since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape. He selflessly devoted his life to service in schools, hospitals, homes, factories and offices, helping folks get jobs done without fanfare and foolishness.
For decades, petty rules, silly laws and frivolous lawsuits held no power over C.S. He was credited with cultivating such valued lessons as to know when to come in out of the rain, the early bird gets the worm, and life isn't always fair. C.S. lived by simple, sound financial policies (don't spend more than you earn) and reliable parenting strategies (the adults are in charge, not the kids.) A veteran of the Industrial Revolution, the Great Depression, and the Technological Revolution - C.S. survived cultural and educational trends, including feminism, body piercing, whole language and "new math."
But his health declined when he became infected with the "If-It-Only-Helps-One-Person-It's-Worth-It" virus. In recent decades his waning strength proved no match for the ravages of overbearing federal regulation. He watched in pain as good people became ruled by self seeking lawyers and enlightened auditors. His health rapidly deteriorated when schools endlessly implemented zero tolerance policies, reports of 6-year old boys charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate, a teen suspended for taking a swig of mouthwash after lunch, and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student. Finally, C.S. lost his will to live as the Ten Commandments became contraband, churches became businesses, criminals received better treatment than victims, and federal judges stuck their noses in everything from Boy Scouts to professional sports.
As the end neared, C.S. drifted in and out of logic, but was kept informed of developments, regarding questionable regulations for asbestos, low flow toilets, "smart" guns, the nurturing of Prohibition laws, and mandatory air bags. Finally, when told that the homeowners association restricted exterior furniture only to that which enhanced property values, he breathed his last.
C.S. 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 - My Rights, Total Tolerance, and Constant Whiner. Not many attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone.
May he rest in peace...!!!