[nukkad] Mourning the Death of an Old Friend

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An optimist is a person who sees a green light everywhere, while a 
pessimist sees only the red stoplight... The truly wise person is color-blind. 
-Albert Schweitzer, philosopher, physician, musician, Nobel laureate (1875-1965)
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Mourning the Death of an Old Friend 
. . . by the name of Common Sense

Today we mourn the passing of an old friend, by the
name of Common Sense. 

Common Sense lived a long life but died from heart
failure on 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 Common Sense. 

He was credited with cultivating such valued lessons
as to know when to come in out of the rain, why the
early bird gets the worm, and that life isn't always
fair.  Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial
policies (don't spend more than you earn), reliable
parenting strategies (the adults are in charge, not
the kids), and it's okay to come in second. 

A veteran of the Industrial Revolution, the Great
Depression, and the Technological Revolution, Common
Sense survived cultural and educational trends
including 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 regulations.  He watched in
pain as good people became ruled by self-seeking
lawyers. 

His health rapidly deteriorated when schools endlessly
implemented zero-tolerance policies.  Reports of a six
year old boy 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 only worsened his
condition.  It declined even further when schools had
to get parental consent to administer aspirin to a
student but could not inform the parent when a female
student was pregnant or wanted an abortion. 

Finally, Common Sense 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 the Boy Scouts to professional sports.
 Finally, when a woman, too stupid to realize that a
steaming cup of coffee was hot, was awarded a huge
settlement, Common Sense threw in the towel.  As the
end neared, Common Sense drifted in and out of logic
but was kept informed of developments regarding
questionable regulations such as those for low flow
toilets, rocking chairs, and step ladders. 

Obituary: 
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 two stepbrothers: 
My Rights, and I am a  Whiner.

Not many attended his funeral because so few realized
he was gone. 

--Author Unknown 
  
  








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