An
Obituary printed in the London Times - Interesting and sadly rather true.
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. If you
still remember him, pass this on. If not, join the majority and do nothing.
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