OBITUARY FOR COMMON SENSE 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 I'm A Victim Not many attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone.
I, too, mourn the death of common sense. I suspect that you and I have very different political philosophies (based on some of your posts), but much of what is written here I agree with. My wife and I were commenting on this issue when looking at some recent purchases. On a frozen pizza box; Heat before consuming, and remove product from plastic before heating. On a new camera; Instruction 1. Remove camera from box. When I was teaching, I had many battles with administrators and parents over my requirements for students in my classes. Most of the kids accepted the guidelines, but the adults were another story. I still can't figure out when we lost the right of in loco parentis. In any case, it's a good thing I'm retired now. Anyway, interesting post, even if a bit sad.
I agree with all and well said. The wife and I have discussed many a time of how common sense just is not in existence anymore. We laugh at a lot of the 'safety' labels on products nowadays but with the standards of today's lawyers, these labels are nothing by CYAs. Shame shame on society.
Hey Lou, you reminded me of a bunch of those silly instructions one runs across these days, and I found a bunch of them online. 7 Up, Canada Dry Club Soda and Ballatore Gran Spumante Champagne warn their users that the contents of their product are under pressure and the cap of the bottles may blow off causing eye or other serious injury. Thus, they should be pointed away from face and people, especially when opening. An air-conditioner had a caution printed on it stating that ‘Avoid dropping air conditioners out of windows’. An instruction on a blow dryer stated that users were warned not to use it while sleeping. In fact, White-Westinghouse 1600 Blow Dryer warns the users to keep it away from water. Child-sized Superman and Batman costumes had ‘Wearing of this garment does not enable you to fly’ printed on them. Have you ever noticed what’s printed on the bottom of the Tesco Fruit Juice Carton? It is written – ‘Keep Upright’ ON THE BOTTOM. Rowenta Clothes Iron wisely warns you against ironing your clothes while wearing them. Silk Soy Milk advises their customers to shake well before use and buy it often too. The real gem is what we can see while setting up a computer. If keyboard is not detected, it asks you to press F1 for help or press any key to continue. (huh?) Here is a link to a great collection of "common sense" warnings for products: Things People Said: Warning Labels My two particular favorites are; "Fragile. Do not drop." -- Posted on a Boeing 757. And: "Caution: Remove infant before folding for storage." -- On a portable stroller. My daughter-in-law actually pointed that particular one out to me on the back of a new stroller she had picked up. Saying; "want a good laugh Grampa?"
These are really funny, in a sad, twisted kind of way. The crazy thing is, there must be a reason for the warnings (besides idiot lawyers). I truly believe there are people in this country stupid enough to try some of these things.
Theres nothing common about common courtesy either. The simple gesture of holding a door open for someone seems more of an idea than some people can concieve. Many of those people look a little lacking in the common sense department as well.
Same here unfortunately. I wonder if there will be someone to step forward and take Paul Reveres place? Only this time, he will not be shouting: "The British Are Coming, The British Are Coming, To Arms, The British Are Coming." :-(
A lack of common sense generally has one of three starting points: Lawyers. Shakespere was right. We should kill all of them. Women. There are sensible ones but then again many are competing with Paris Hilton.... Leftists. There is nothing like an over educated moron that has never had a real job....
The funny thing about Common Sense (and anything else that begins with 'Common') is that it is NOT common! The vast majority do not share it! Its rather ironic, given its name (Common Sense) since 98% of people don't seem to have it. Should really be termed Common Nonsense.
Just nit-picking here for the fun of it Carl (no offense meant), but it is unlikely that was his cry since he and those he was warning were British. And considered themselves British; that was put in his mouth later in the poem and much was wrong with that item, but it was a poem afterall. The cry, in all likelyhood was one of; "The regulars (or Redcoats) are coming! To Arms!" Just a cutie giggler I should point out for an attempt at accuracy.
You are not alone in that observation: "Common sense is not so common" - Voltaire (1694-1778) The most absurd warning label of all time has to be the one stamped on every firearm's barrel: "Warning: Misuse may cause injury or death." Really??
Hi Clint-no offenses taken ;-)) If I remember correctly, I think when I first heard that they considered themselves British Citizens-I THINK it was in my 8th grade Social Studies class. I also remember having one hek of a great Teacher too that everybody liked a lot--Mrs Gay Stone. Anyway, I remember that her class was the best one I ever was in that tought History. PS, have you ever heard the song (and im not sure exactly how old it is) but is a nice Patriotic type song anyway ;-)) and is called: "The Sons of Liberty." Allegedly that song was sang by the men who participated in the Boston Tea Party. Whether that's true or not? I don't know? PS, as it's raining here today-there is no Burnin' Dirt--rather more like Heating Mud. ;-))
