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Jan 3, 2004 President Franklin Roosevelt in his first inaugural speech said “All we have to fear is fear it’s self” when rallying the country to rise up and fight the great depression. Then He went on to use fear to govern for an unprecedented 12 years. First the fears created by the great depression, then the fears created by the war. Neither of these can be attributed directly or indirectly to FDR. Both where the results of political evolution of the times. Any who say they have no fear are fools or lyres. Parents control children with fear, Employers control Employees with fear, Doctors practice medicine through fear, Teachers teach through fear, Governments govern through fear, etc. etc. If we assume fear is a bad thing then we forgo one of Gods greatest gifts. Fear keeps us alert, aware, informed. Fear is the lubricant that helps most of us slide through three quarters of a century more or less. This holiday season we have been bombarded with fear. Fear has been all around us. This isn’t something the Government concocted for some obscure reason. I have no doubt it will bring out the conspirator monsters. This wasn’t created for political position by either party. I’ve no doubt it will be used by some to create doubt, that’s another form of fear. This was created by al Qadea the Terrorists to spread fear, to alter our behavior. To disrupt our Holiday joys. I am so very proud of how well America handled this Holiday season given the stress we where under. This is why America will never surrender to terrorists. We are not only a proud people, a strong people we are also a belligerent people with the will to respond. Most are not intimidated easily or at all for that matter. Americans are also a very smart people though it hardly seems so the way we act at times. Trust me I am coming to a point in this story. The fear of OLD AGE is a really the big fear for a lot of people. They get that first gray hair and all of a sudden life is on a slide down hill. I personally can’t see it. I am 72 and enjoy every minute of every day. Every day I get out of bed is a good day because I’m able to get out of bed. If my body would coordinate with my mind I would have at least another 70 years left in me. I talk with people who have all sorts of ailments, they seem to always be having this or that operated on. Their pills cost them $ 100 or $ 200 or more each month. When I am ask what my last operation was for I’m almost embarrassed to say I have never been operated on. When I’m asked where I buy my medication again I am embarrassed to say I take no medication. I always feel I am the one who is abnormal for being normal. God help me if I ever said (out-loud) I thought many of the problems of aging are caused by attitude and lack of self-discipline. We are bombarded by advertising telling us of new symptoms for new ailments we can have if we only contact our Doctor for a prescription, Many Doctors will willingly comply. Again fear sets the agenda. Since I started writing op-ed’s for useless-knowledge I have paid close attention to conversations around me. I get a lot of ideas for articles that way. In my rounds of Holiday parties I was struck by the number of people discussing health problems. It seemed at times they where trying to out do each other with the worst complaint. Trying to start another conversation I ask one fellow if he thought al Qaeda would be a problem this Holiday season. He said he had no idea but he was sure the Government would handle it if it where a problem. He went back to sipping a frozen daiquiri and discussing his new crab-free diet. I was surprised at the number of people who had friends who died recently. I don’t like to keep track of funerals. I don’t go too any funerals. I like to stay in touch while their still living. I know I sound a little heartless but I doubt old Uncle John will know I didn’t show up at his funeral and I doubt he would care much. I would think his biggest disappointment was he had to show up. The fear of offending, “You must show up at poor old Uncle Johns funeral for the sake of the family”. When in fact Uncle John didn’t much care for any of them anyway. Again fear takes the lead. It has been said if you aren’t afraid to be afraid then fear can never control you life. Fear can be a positive element in ones life when understood. I’m afraid I must close this article now, it’s time for Crista and me to join The over 65 Roller-blade Club down at the local bike-path. ------------ About the Author: Ken Hughes is a retired businessman. A political junkie who's passion is the re-education of Liberals and Term Limits for Congress. He has had very little sucess at either. Email Ken Hughes: uncleken@wwnet.net Comment on this column in the forum. Tell a friend about this site! ------------ |
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