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Nov. 28, 2004 Let’s take the rest of the Country back while we’re at it. Wait a minute. I’m not as radical as the previous statement might lead you to believe. What I’m referring to is, for lack of a better phrase, “common sense” in the marketplace of ideas. There are several here at useless-knowledge who’ll consider me an idiot. I accept that, mainly because I am an idiot some of the time. I’m also a little smart now and then. There are times when I get it right, many occasions when I get wrong. The redeeming aspect of my personality is, 99% of the time I learn from my mistakes. I guess you could say I’m just average. I’m one of those “middle class” schmucks that need to be saved from myself. I’m one of the great unwashed who can’t be depended on to be tolerant of other people’s customs and beliefs. This is probably why I, and those like me, need wise, benevolent judges to guide me to a "Xanadu of Diversity." Ah diversity. Due to all the cultures now occupying American soil we must be careful. We must not insult another’s cultural or religious belief by indulging in our own. Our wonderful ACLU, our benevolent judges, our wise and gifted politicians, all have saved us from ourselves. After all the Constitution of the United States guarantees a separation of church and state, right? WRONG! Wake up America! Don’t let the inmates run the damn asylum. Okay. You don’t believe me. I’m lying through my teeth. I’m a member of the "Vast Right Wing Conspiracy." Well, you’re right about the last part, a card carrying, charter member, thank the Great Something of the Sky, Forest, Brook, Ocean, Sun, Moon, Trees, Rocks, Mother Earth in General. Did I leave anything out? The following is an unedited copy of Article I of the United States Constitution: Article [I.] Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. There are several interesting words in this Article. The first is “Congress.” Note it doesn’t say judges, courts, even Supreme Courts, nor Federal Courts. The second interesting word is “Establishment.” In case no one is familiar with that word its definition is: "The act of establishing, the act of forming something. The condition or fact of being established. An organization founded and united for a specific purpose. Something established." The third interesting portion of this Article is the phrase: “Or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.” Now if we put this all together we find the Constitution is quite specific. Congress, not the courts, MAKE the laws in this Country. Congress will not pass a law creating a government sanctioned religion of any kind. Lastly Congress shall not pass any legislation prohibiting you or me from practicing any religion. The inmates of our Federal Court system have taken Article [I], and found in that simple language, all of the following and more: We cannot have a Nativity scene on any public property. We cannot have the Ten Commandments displayed in any public building or on any public property. We cannot utter, post, write, or print, the word Christmas when describing the coming holiday season in any school, or other public building. We cannot have religious songs depicting the holiday season. Nor can we permit holiday songs that infer any Judeo-Christian belief. I’m sure there are other restrictions regarding the holiday season that the courts have handed down. I just can’t think of them at this time, I’m sorry. The hilarious part about all these restrictions is: the restrictions only apply to the Judeo- Christian religion. Some of the major chain stores have jumped on "the don’t offend anyone bandwagon" by not using the word Christmas in their advertising or displays. The music played in the stores and malls to get all us dumb schmucks in the mood to spend, spend, spend, will be generic. No more Silent Night, O Little Town of Bethlehem, Noel or White Christmas. Those of us who practice the Baptist faith, Evangelical, Presbyterian, Catholic, Episcopal and many other Christian faiths constitute the overwhelming majority in this Country. What possible reason could we have for allowing the courts to get so out of hand? How about stupidity? (I’m too busy to read the papers or pay attention to current events.) Complacency? (My 401K is doing great. I’ve got my good job. Let the politicians sort it out.) Irresponsibility? (Don’t bug me man. I’ve got my weed. I got my six-pack. Don’t block the f---ing TV, Jack. Vote what? You vote, as---le.) How about all the above. Add Lazy to the mix and we have a bleak picture for the United States of America. In this year of 2004 we are fast approaching the year’s major holiday. On November 25th, most of us celebrated Thanksgiving. We celebrated this holiday irrespective of our Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Christian, Buddhist, Witch, or other faith. My question is why did we celebrate Thanksgiving? Who or what did we give thanks too? Why did we give thanks at all, we earn our daily bread do we not? Thanksgiving might very well offend those of us who believe in self flagellation. No self-respecting masochist wants anyone giving thanks for anything. We’d better take back the asylum, folks. In keeping with the current court rulings regarding holiday utterance I would like to offer the following to all, friend and foe alike: WE SEND YOU SALUTATIONS, my domestic partner and I, during this END OF YEAR WINTER COMMERCIALIZATION PERIOD. Yes, it is indeed refreshing to have the yoke of liturgical connotation removed from this time of concentration on matters far more important. These matters concern the economic well being of the suppliers of various raw materials. We cannot overlook the manufacturers, their dealers and retailers. All of the above provide the general populations of China, Mexico, Asia Minor and Major with the livelihood necessary for non- corporate America to continue: OUR MOST GRANDIOSE CELEBRATION OF THE WINTER COMMERCIALIZATION PERIOD. I know you must delight in the trappings of freedom my domestic partner and I share. Now we are no longer required to harm innocent sensibilities. Now, we may celebrate diversity. Put away ridiculous "old wives tales" in favor of the neutral commemoration of commerce in general. I give thanks each day to our benefactors. They are those fearless individuals, who protect us from falling into the "old folklore traps" of years gone by. Please don’t forget to send your thank you, in the forum of an offering, to our benevolent, wise and benign guardians of the RIGHTS we, the common folk, continually abuse. If you find yourself tempted to practice a forum of "ritualistic folklore" in the privacy of your home, please remember you are symbolically insulting the sensibilities of your neighbor. Along with your WINTER COMMERCIALIZATION PERIOD support check, add a note and plea for guidance. Send immediately to ACLU, Washington, DC. SALUTATIONS TO ALL AND TO ALL HAPPY WINTER COMMERICALIZATION PERIOD. That’s my opinion. It’s the only one I’m qualified to give. ------------ About the author James B. Bergstad: I've explored this planet for sixty-six years. For the most part it's been a blast. I now indulge my passions of reading, writing and painting. My novel "Hyde's Corner" is awaiting publication. It is a taut period/drama set in the Oklahoma Panhandle. Sheriff Selmer Burks presides over the destruction of three families and the corruption of Hyde's Corner. Email: captflash@astound.net Tell a friend about this site! ------------ All articles are EXCLUSIVE to Useless-Knowledge.com and are not allowed to be posted on other websites. ARTICLE THIEVES WILL BE PROSECUTED! |
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