I took a friend at his word, “don’t be a one-note player.” About the same time I was reading humor from S. J. Perelman, “try everything once except incest and folk-dancing.” So off I headed to newspapering, kept lots of notes and read all kinds of things, ignoring the opinion of a high school teacher that I wouldn’t amount to anything. He was an oboe player. What did he know?
It is interesting how the business of political correctness has sneaked into American life with a threatening bang. It is getting "worser and worser."
In 2000, Professor Bill Lind wrote: “For the first time in our history, Americans have to be fearful of what they say, of what they write, and of what they think. They have to be afraid of using the wrong word, a word denounced as offensive or insensitive, or racist, sexist, or homophobic.”
Does this sound familiar today? Certainly does as society has run and is running amok everywhere. Ever wonder if the vast public airways are leading the way these troublesome days? It is not always good either. I wish there were some ways that cures could be found for mental disease, meanness in normal lives and other evils.
This has been a week, especially here in Alexandria, to honor the nation’s military heroes, those who gave their lives and those who still bear the scars of war and “peacekeeping” duties, I wish there were drones in days past available so our men and women could not have suffered being shot down, killed or captured and tortured. They would remain as heroes.
I don’t subscribe to general public malice. Nor do I believe people should be prosecuted in the courts or in public opinion for their private thoughts.
Time has arrived when everybody is offended in some way or another. I am insulted when I’m not considered a native American. I am proud to be an American, and a Virginian by birth. I think the basic tenets of living in the land of the free and the home of the brave are being forgotten. It is disturbing that members of the clergy of all denominations and persuasions have lost their way and forgotten how to preach and teach goodness.
Citizens everywhere have been misled by politicians who lead to the discombobulating of the good life.
Of course, this conduct leads away from health and happiness. Many of those candidates have become subjects of severe personal attacks, verbal abuse and insinuations designed to destroy them in the eyes of voters.
Ethics commissions abound. This is good. Wouldn’t it be just as good if candidates and political consultants, campaign chairmen and party leaders of all stripes be required to swear and affirm to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth? As is often said in all courtrooms, honesty and veracity should be the order of the day? But such affirmations more often than not are ignored. Political competitors can have more fun and effect by telling half-truths, “stretchers” and simply making up tales for their own advantage.
A favorite saying is “call me anything you want; just don’t call me late for supper or payday.” OK, probably a bit trite but makes serious sense.
It was Edmund Burke, journalists' Patron Saint, who said: “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.” This British politician also tabbed those in journalism as the Fourth Estate. That includes the broadcast folks, not just newspapermen and women.
It is also revolting that the harangue continues in an effort to change the name of a professional football team, The Washington Redskins. The federal government still has the Bureau of Indian Affairs. The racism idea permeates the media and sports fields and is in the minds of those who don’t want to talk about The Games. Or, it’s to take attention off of athletes who take the money and, off the “hardwoods” and “gridirons,” are law-breakers on all levels.
For a moment, consider the fact an “atheist chaplain” has been in the military. Can that be possible? Yes.
Well, freedom of thought is on the endangered species list.