Common Sense

I got this in an email today. I try never to comment on politics or religion in this blog. I also try not to rant about the import of living sustainably, of recycling and my fears regarding the general state of the world (terrorists, global warming, epidemics, animal cruelty, lack of affordable health care, etc. etc. etc...) I don't go into the reasons behind why I don't teach anymore (full-time or substitute). But when I read this email, I felt a need to share it - it is about the death of common sense presented as an obituary which first appeared in the Indianapolis Star circa 1998 and was written by Lori Borgman (check out her website - you'll be glad you did). It is a sad and all-too-true commentary on our society today. I've been fortunate to have traveled a great deal in my life - 48 countries on 4 continents. It has shown me that Americans, in general, are particularly guilty of crimes against common sense. Although maybe it's just because I know too many Americans to be objective - I am an American, after all. Anyway, here is the essay:

"Common Sense - An Obituary


Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense, who has
been with us for many years. No one knows for sure how old he was, since
his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape.


He will be remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons as:
Knowing when to come in out of the rain;
Why the early bird gets the worm;
Life isn't always fair; and
Maybe it was my fault.


Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don't spend more
than you can earn) and reliable strategies (adults, not children, are in charge).


His health began to deteriorate rapidly when well-intentioned but overbearing
regulations were set in place. Reports of a 6-year-old boy charged with sexual
harassment for kissing a classmate; teens suspended from school for using
mouthwash after lunch; and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student,
only worsened his condition.


Common Sense lost ground when parents attacked teachers for doing the job
that they themselves had failed to do in disciplining their unruly children.
It declined even further when schools were required to get parental consent to
administer sun lotion or an aspirin to a student; but could not inform parents
when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion.


Common Sense lost the will to live as the churches became businesses; and
criminals received better treatment than their victims. Common Sense took
a beating when you couldn't defend yourself from a burglar in your own
home and the burglar could sue you for assault.


Common Sense finally gave up the will to live, after a woman failed to
realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot. She spilled a little in her
lap, and was promptly awarded a huge settlement. Common Sense was preceded
in death, by his parents, Truth and Trust, by his wife, Discretion, by his
daughter, Responsibility, and by his son, Reason.


He is survived by his 4 stepbrothers; I Know My Rights, I Want It Now,
Someone Else Is To Blame and I'm A Victim.


Not many attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone"