As I was growing up one of the central beliefs, that were taught to me by family, was the respect of other people. Along with this was exemplified to me the conviction that if I was to show respect for a person I also had to respect property as well. This went for public property as well as for personal property since respect was due to all people. In growing up I came to realize that these beliefs were central to society functioning as a whole since if there was not a proper respect of others the bonds that formed a society would be torn and thus the whole structure would start to unwind. As we study societies of the past it was often the case that, as they progressed these basics were torn apart and thus many of those societies started to crumble and go into decline.
As usual by now you are wondering where I am going with this. Well, this past week at our local golf course someone who never learned about respect showed their stripes. Sometime during an evening they went out onto the golf course and chopped down one of the trees that someone had spent time and money to plant there. Now I know there are folks who will say "that's just kids being kids" to which I say horse puckey.
If kids are taught the proper discipline and respect for others this is not the type of thing they would do. This writer believes those who did this deserve a good kick in the posterior and should be held accountable for their actions. They should have to repay society for the wrong they have done and not as is often done let off of the hook because they are just kids.
Responsibility to society is something lost and is a great detriment to the future of this society. We see this lack of respect rampant in many companies who don't give a damn about anything but the almighty dollar and couldn't give a rat's backside about human life or anything else as long as we make that buck. The reason for this is that those who are leaders were once kids who were never taught to respect others. They were spoiled brats who were self centred and are now self centred grown ups who believe they should get their way no matter who or what gets hurt in the process. They and whoever cut down this tree are not fit to be classed as part of society and should never get the benefits that a society gives them and that they demand are their rights. They are usually the first ones to cry if something is done to them, but the last to care when they do it to someone else.
Yes there are those who will say "its only a tree Bob," yes this time it may be only a tree, but if they are not shown the error of their ways then they will never learn where the limits are and thus will never have any understanding about what damage they do to the society from which they have profited so much. There is no level of wilful damage acceptable and no damage to which that person should not be held fully accountable for.
I may have ruffled some feathers on some bleeding hearts, but in some cases they also should be held accountable for the problems they have fostered in this country and face it a stern lecture alone does not do the job. There has to be something that hits home with them to make them open their eyes.
An old proverb talks about the tinker who is traveling around selling his wears. As it goes his horse dies on him and he needs a new draft animal. A local farmer whose reputation is not so good sells him a mule that the farmer has never been able to get to work. The tinker hooks the animal up to his wagon and cracks the reins to get him to move, but the mule just stands put. The tinker steps down from the wagon takes a board and gives the mule a crack between the eyes. The mule still will not move. The tinker then gets down again and this time he really wallops the mule. When he gets back on the wagon seat and tells the mule to get up the mule willingly starts pulling the wagon. As the wagon passes the farmer who sold him the animal, the tinker says "see first you have to get their attention." I think its time to get the attention of those who don't respect others and their property.
In Kaiser Play on the Aug. 4, first place went to Stan Sharpe, second to Linda Ard, third to Anna Tucker and fourth was garnered by Ken Tucker. Then on the Aug. 11, Fred Gansauge placed first, Anne Fylyma came second, Shirley Tebay took third and Linda Ard followed in fourth place.
On the Aug. 5, the card players got together to play some canasta with the winners being Anna Tucker and Arlene Walker.
Aug. 8, in bridge play Mary Greenwald took first with Linda Ard coming second. Aug. 14, first place went to Judy Iverson and second went to Lyn Smith.
Quote: "When the basic principle of respect disappears from society you can be assured that the society will soon become extinct." - Churchill
