Old Dead, White Guys

"Freedom is never an achieved state; like electricity, we've got to keep generating it or the lights go out." -- Wayne LaPierre

A few years ago it was fashionable to bash old, dead white guys.

Figures; only morons could come up with something that dumb.

Let’s see; what did those old, dead white guys give us?

Well, for starters they gave us democracy. Granted, women did not have a voice outside the home and their whole economy was slave based. Still, they made attempts that hither forth would light a fire in men’s hearts and that fire has not yet died.

They gave us some of the greatest minds known to man. Men like Socrates, Plato and Aristotle. They gave us literature, drama and political theory. Some of the world’s greatest art is from Old Dead White Guys.

While Americans take their liberty for granted, we can see in the nightly news people the world over wanting to be free. Hundreds may die tonight for their hope to be free.

Some of those dead, white guys risked life and limb to explore new worlds. Men like Christopher Columbus and Lewis and Clark. Granted, things may not have gone too well for the indigenous people but don’t blame them. They were only the messenger.

It’s easy for us to condemn in hind sight what happened in the past, but let’s not forget that it’s in the past. We can’t go back and change what went before.

I got an email once that stated “Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, today is a present. That is why it’s called the present”

MADD MEXX

Skepticism Is Next to Godliness

Question with boldness even the existence of a god; because if there be one he must approve of the homage of reason more than that of blindfolded fear. -Thomas Jefferson, letter to Peter Carr, August 10, 1787

I think we ought always to entertain our opinions with some measure of doubt. I shouldn't wish people dogmatically to believe any philosophy, not even mine. Bertrand Russell

Daughter number 2 once asked me if she should question her parents. My response was “Of course”. Parents like everyone else have an agenda. I don’t believe that the good book meant that children should blindly honor their parents. What if the parents are thieves or worse, murderers; should a child honor their parents’ wishes? I think not.

I thank “god” my daughters are free thinkers and are successfully following their own path.

I know older people who are stuck in antiquated thinking because mom or dad believed such and such. They do not want to admit that mom and dad might have been ignorant. My parents were ignorant through no fault of their own. They had been conditioned NOT to question their elders.

The problem with America as I see it is that no one seems to have critical thinking. Folks have let the preacher, news person or politician take over their brains. Seems like “American Idol” or “Survivor” is the most important thing in their lives.

And then they keep bitching about the country going to hell. Wake up; think for yourself, fool.

As Voltaire said, "Doubt is not a pleasant condition, but certainty is absurd”.

MADD MEXX

Another Dumb Gesture

Well, Obama and Company are at it again. They are falling all over each other trying to kiss Middle Eastern and Islamic ass because some Marines pissed on some dead Afghans.

Never mind these animals drag our troops through the streets and chop off heads like some kid roasting marsh mellows. Obama and his Democrats want to punish the Marines far beyond punishment for conduct unbecoming.

I will allow that they should have some kind of disciplinary action, but criminal charges? Give me a break.

But, that’s a Democrat for you. They’d rather switch than fight. If you’re old enough, you should know where I appropriated that from.

MADD MEXX

Hero

As I sit down to write this post, I am 70 years old. I want my children and grand children to know that their grandfather and great grandfather was a hero. No, he didn’t have super powers but he was a REAL hero just the same.

My daddy never earned more than $50.00 a week yet he managed to support a wife and two kids and on some occasions, my mom’s sister and her kids. My parents would later adopt two of the girls.

He built our home in the evenings after supper. My brother and I were too young to be of much help. We were poor and didn’t know it. He couldn’t do that now a days because of building permits and codes and such things. Progress is good but sometimes it’s at the expense of personal initiative and motivation.

I sometimes find myself comparing myself to my Dad and find myself falling short. I did not come to realize until later in life that my Dad was a true hero.

                                                                     MADD MEXX

Living In the Recent Past

REMEMBER THIS: Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don't mind, it doesn't matter. Mark Twain

I was reading a blog recently where the blogger was writing as to why women spent so much time in the kitchen during the Dark Ages. Turns out that was the warmest part of the hut.

It got me to thinking of my own childhood and I asked my wife about her’s. I wanted to know if they had ever had a wood burning stove. Her family was in the country; my family was in the city although we were literally “on the other side of the tracks”.

We spent our first winter in a street car that was on the property. My mom cooked and heated the place on a wood burning stove. We had an outhouse for the first number of years. Remember, we were in the city.

After my dad built a two room house with some help from friends we graduated to a two burner kerosene stove. Still had the outhouse.

Young people today cannot appreciate the sacrifices our parents made to give us an education. And, if hard times ever come again (which they will, no doubt about it) will they be able to keep it together?

I wonder how many people under the age of, oh, 50 can bathe in a generous two gallons of water or use an unconventional toilet or cook over a small fire. I can exclude campers; they know a little of the primative life.

Being caught up in a natural disaster like Hurricane Katrina or the aftermath of a devastating tornado is not the time to learn these skills.

MADD MEXX

Change We Can Believe In

No, I’m not talking about the kind of change Barak Obama promised.

Recently in church there was a power point slide on the wall announcing that soon contributions can be made online.

My wife commented how some people were losing their jobs because of technology.

Well, it got me to thinking how change has gotten us to where we are now. Not just modern technology but subtle changes throughout the ages.

Like it or not war has played a vital role in our progress. The first hospital improvements came about in treating injured soldiers in the field. Emergency room procedures can thank war for any life saving techniques which are now routine.

Canned foods may have had origins in war. Certainly GPS and cell phones had their genesis in war. I’m not trying to glorify war; just pointing out some modern day benefits you may not have known.

As for people losing jobs, like it or not that’s progress. Wagon builders had to adapt or go out of business. There was no need for whip makers once we gave up horses and began to drive automobiles.

Every day we may not notice some business is not there anymore. Let’s stop and see what’s coming next.

Why go through all the hassles of writing a letter when we can send email. And, now we can see the person we are talking to on the new cell phones.

I suppose I could go on but, hopefully you get my jest.

Red Neck Is More Than a T Shirt

Red necks get no respect. I’m talking about real red necks not some dumb piece of white trash. I once saw a T-shirt on a young lady that read, “It’s a red neck thing”. If you have to advertise it, you’re not a real red neck contrary to what Jeff Foxworthy may say.

Red necks get blamed for everything that’s wrong with America. But, has anyone wondered or questioned where the term originated? What happens to light complexioned people when they stay out the sun too long? They sun burn. What happens to a man plowing a field with a mule team or on a tractor? He gets sunburned. And, what part of his body gets the least protection? The neck; hence the term red neck.

Those of us blessed with a little color have a bit of sunscreen built in. We may tan but we don’t sun burn.

Anyhow, thank god for the REAL Red Neck.

MADD MEXX