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Lesson Plans


The death of C.S.

From: dj (djash)
Date: Sat Jul 29 2000 - 09:25:28 PDT

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    Just passing this along... Donna


    attached mail follows:


    Today I am mourning the passing of an old friend by the name of
    Common Sense.

    Common Sense, aka C.S., lived a long life but died from heart failure
    at 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 C.S. He was credited with cultivating such valued lessons
    as to know when to come in out of the rain, the early bird gets the
    worm,
    and life isn't always fair. C.S. lived by simple, sound financial
    policies
    (don't spend more than you earn) and reliable parenting strategies
    (the adults are in charge, not the kids).

    A veteran of the Industrial Revolution, the Great depression and the
    Technological revolution, C.S. survived cultural and educational
    trends
    including feminism, 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
    federal regulation. He watched in pain as good people became ruled
    by self-seeking lawyers and enlightened auditors. His health rapidly
    deteriorated when schools endlessly implemented zero tolerance
    policies, reports of 6-year-old boys charged with sexual harassment
    for kissing classmates, a teen suspended for taking a swig of
    mouthwash after lunch, and a teacher fired for reprimanding an
    unruly student.

    Finally, C.S. 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 Boy Scouts to professional sports. As the end neared, C.S.
    drifted in and out of logic but was kept informed of developments,
    regarding questionable regulations for asbestos, low flow toilets,
    "smart" guns, the nurturing of Prohibition Laws and mandatory air
    bags.
    Finally when told that the homeowners association restricted exterior
    furniture only to that which enhanced property values, he breathed
    his last.

    C.S. was preceded in death by his parents Truth and Trust; his wife,
    Discretion; his daughter, Responsibility; and his son, Reason. He is
    survived by three stepbrothers, Rights, Tolerance, and Whiner. Not
    many attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone. 

    ---

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