RIP Common Sense

jambutty · 18-10-2006, 15:08

From time to time I find a gem of a post on other boards and it is so good I thought that it should be published far and wide.

Jack Timberland posted the following on the BBC Radio 2 Jeremy Vine message board. He doesn’t say where he saw it first.

Quote:

Just seen this on another board:

"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 can earn) and reliable 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 6 -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 that they themselves had failed to do in disciplining their unruly children. It declined even further when schools were required to get parental consent to administer sun lotion or a band-aid to a student; but could not inform parents when a student became pregnant and planned to have a medical procedure.

Common Sense lost the will to live, as 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 could 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 his 3 stepbrothers; I Know My Rights, Someone Else Is To Blame, and I'm A Victim.

Sadly, not many attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone."

I agree wholeheartedly.

AccyJay · 18-10-2006, 15:19

Excellent find Jambutty.

SPUGGIE J · 18-10-2006, 15:31

Down to a "T" that Jambutty. Cheers for that.

bullseyebarb · 18-10-2006, 15:34

Oh, so true. Along the same lines, the book, "The Death of Common Sense" by Philip K. Howard. It makes a wonderful case against government-induced regulations which are far removed from reality, totally unworkable in practice and generally disastrous for all concerned.

LancYorkYankee · 18-10-2006, 16:26

Thanks for sharing those profound truths jambutty! Maybe the saddest thing are those of us who gave up the fight trying to defend "Common Senses" right not only live but to be in charge!

T.C. · 19-10-2006, 12:52

Simple rules instilled in us aging ones by our parents, now reeked away from us by the big mouthed righteous brigade, and they are the ones supposedly making it a better world for us to live in? I don't think so!

SPUGGIE J · 19-10-2006, 13:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by T.C.

Simple rules instilled in us aging ones by our parents, now reeked away from us by the big mouthed righteous brigade, and they are the ones supposedly making it a better world for us to live in? I don't think so!

Maybe its time to have them on the stute books and we can live happier then. Society is way to easy going nowadays and we are paying the price for it, "the big mouthed righteous brigade" need to take a good long hard look at what they have created.

WillowTheWhisp · 19-10-2006, 15:09

I first got that in an email from my cousin in the US a year or so back. I'd forgotten how good it is. Thanks for bringing it up again here Jambutty.

garinda · 19-10-2006, 16:17

Jack Timberland should write a column in the Daily Mail, if he doesn't already, or at least letter. They'd love him.

I'm one of those that firmly believe that life wasn't always better in 'the old days'.

Somethings are worse, some things are better.

Like my rickets.

WillowTheWhisp · 19-10-2006, 16:34

There are some thngs today I wouldn't like to be without even if we didn't have them when I was a child, but there's a lot we could do with regaining.

When I've got my school governor's head on there are things I see and hear which make me want to weep.