Sandy..."Hey team, did you read the article on the front page of last Sunday's Horizon section, "Politics as religion"?  I'd saved it, and then just read in today's paper that "the parent who complained [to William Byrd] said... 'It's not really anything I was looking for except making folks aware...I was hoping to get the Gospel out some more.  We need repentance in the land.' Don't know what to say..."

Hello Sandy. With regard to this repentance thing you mention, and the gospel reference, are you A.)pointing out the way the media has blown the entire thing so far out of proportion? Or, 2.)is the problem with the mom wanting to use the platform as an avenue to interject her religious beliefs, hoping to influence the world by snuffing out one kids book? Or, A again)the fact this one mom was sort of lackadaisical with a not that big of a deal attitude, as in "just saying?" I need your answer please...5 seconds...2..1...oooh too bad, the money will roll over into the pot for next weeks question is the good news. I find myself curious to know Sandy, what is your take on the above? Gip

Gibson Brown:

Hello Sandy. With regard to this repentance thing you mention, and the gospel reference, are you A.)pointing out the way the media has blown the entire thing so far out of proportion? Or, 2.)is the problem with the mom wanting to use the platform as an avenue to interject her religious beliefs, hoping to influence the world by snuffing out one kids book? Or, A again)the fact this one mom was sort of lackadaisical with a not that big of a deal attitude, as in "just saying?" I need your answer please...5 seconds...2..1...oooh too bad, the money will roll over into the pot for next weeks question is the good news. I find myself curious to know Sandy, what is your take on the above? Gip

Hey Gip - Um...I'll take door #7.  I just quoted the paragraph describing what the upset dad said when he was interviewed.  Used his exact words. After reading that today I re-read the article in Sunday's paper & wanted some wise panel input since it's right on topic. What do YOU think?                                          (Is this a good cop out or what?)

Sandy..."What do YOU think?"

Hey Sandy. I think there are so many more worthy things to really care about...war, starvation, natural disaster, pollution, gangs, the economy, health care needs, unemployment, our border problems, and almost anything else imaginable, all are more news worthy than some kid's library book bugging his mommy. The damage to little junior will not come from the book in question. The damage starts as soon as his buddies find out it is his mom. Gip

Ricky:

Do you have an aunt Connie and uncle Lonnie?

I have a mother-in-law named Connie and a daughter named Connie, but I'm reasonably sure I wasn't named after either of them.  The truth? I was named after a preacher my father admired around the time of my birth.  His name was Clon and that's what my dad always called me.  My mother, however, never liked the name very much and won at least a partial victory by adding the -nie.  My older sisters didn't like either name and made up another one (I'll not reveal that one, and they had better not either...).  Most everyone else I've met mis-pronounces, mangles, and/or makes fun of both of my names, and I've come to expect it as my lot in life.  The whole world is against me... etc.   I googled myself once and was surprised to learn that there are others of me out there.  Wonder how they're handling it?    

Clonnie..."Most everyone else I've met mis-pronounces, mangles, and/or makes fun of both of my names, and I've come to expect it as my lot in life.

Man with cool name, when you stop sobbing and weeping about your name being unique, please know there are other folks who share your pain. I can't make "Clonnie" a farm animal by reading it backward(Pig), your middle name sir, is not a farm(McDonald), nor is there a color involved for the punks in class to work with regarding your last name(Brown). The fact that all three of your fine names are not a last name thrown together...Gibson McDonald Brown, is a huge plus. My folks were so sauced when they tried to name me, they could barely hold their laughter or their drink when they agreed to make Gibson...Gip, just for spite, and to make sure I would learn the fine skill of fighting while growing up. I doubt either of us have heard our name called, only to find out it was the other Gibson 'Gip' McDonald Brown guy. Parents really should not drink. Again, I feel your pain. Gib

PS...even the spell check says we both spell our names wrong.

Ezekial 23 is my favorite, but the Bible is filled with odious passages. The spiritual truth is that sinners do odious things. When Israel had fallen into sin, the prophets rebuked. Do you really want to know what the Israelites were doing?

The Miller's Tale is particularly ripe. The poet who kept me in trouble was Jim Morrison. He should be taught.

White Flag: Not trying to spring traps or start anything

I think we all get some grief over our names at some point.  My maiden name was Mays so I was called "mayonaise" and "Willie Mays".  My middle name is Jean so "Hygiene" was always a hoot.  I too enjoyed the alliteration of Bill Brown, Linda Lee, Sally Sund, so of course I ended up Sandi Saunders!   :)

Mr. Yearout, I have a dear friend who's husband is named Connie.  Imagine his fun in life...but he has a great sense of humor.  What else you gonna do?

Thanks, Connie. I get so mad I can't see straight. About McCarthyistic attacks, I mean. Teachers, social workers, & other card-carrying liberals are unarmed & defenseless people who abhor violence in all its forms. They are therefore at a disadvantage against a Goonocracy who maintain private arsenals, & whose favorite pastimes are football, & war. I can be just as readily subjected to such attacks, since I do business with Socialists abroad.

So, I believe in the power of Fear. The use of Fear is the only way to control bullies. I propose to use Fear against the neo-McCarthyites, fear of the prisons they had built for us. It may save lives by deterring crimes against the people.

Don't get me wrong. I never said it wasn't OK to question authority. It is our right & our duty. But, if an amateur is to question a professional, then the amateur need do some homework for this. I never meant that parents should have no say in the curriculum, only that they shouldn't use our educators as straw men on which to vent ignorant rage.

Let parents volunteer to serve on a committee for something-or-other for an entire year. Then their contribution to the discussion might be meaningful.

Gibson Brown:

Hey Sandy. I think there are so many more worthy things to really care about...war, starvation, natural disaster, pollution, gangs, the economy, health care needs, unemployment, our border problems, and almost anything else imaginable, all are more news worthy than some kid's library book bugging his mommy. The damage to little junior will not come from the book in question. The damage starts as soon as his buddies find out it is his mom. Gip

Hi Gip.  I agree w/ you 100%!  I just threw up (oops, "tossed out"?) that post because it was the source of last week's topic. And you're also right abt the "damage" the poor student is probably already suffering because of his parent. Meanwhile, I really liked Dave's reply!

Sandi Saunders:

My middle name is Jean so "Hygiene" was always a hoot.

I love that!  I'm going to use it on my youngest daughter, Jeanie, at the first opportunity.  Im my mind I can already see the "look" she'll give me.

Edward Lyons:

I get so mad I can't see straight. About McCarthyistic attacks, I mean.

I know what you mean, Edward.  Sometimes I get so mad I can't see straight too -- but it only lasts for a few seconds, and then I remember that I couldn't see all that well before I got mad.  I also try to realize the uselessness of my anger, especially when it's directed against other  people,  It seems to me that anger against people is counterproductive; anger should be directed against ignorance and selfishness, the two qualities that cause most (if not all) of the world's suffering.  I have made a pact with myself that I will do my best not to get mad at people.  If I feel anger rising I back away and try to analyze the causes for the actions that caused my anger to rise.  Then, if I can do something about that cause, I'll act.  If I can't do anything, I'll let go of it.  Do I do this perfectly every time?  Of course not, but life is too short to spend it holding grudges against people.

I'm rambling here, and this is just my opinion of course, but I don't think most people set out with the intention of harming others.  It just happens because we're all selfish to varying degrees, and we act without knowing all the facts.  We all do it -- I more than most, probably -- but I'll do my best to try to understand others, and I hope that they'll return the favor.  Having said that, it occurs to me that I'm asking a lot, because I don't even understand me.