We needed tough lessons as children. An occasional playground fight was expected as the norm, and if we complained to our mother that we were being teased, we were treated to this glorious aphorism: “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me.” My mom used to say that all the time, one of the seemingly endless adages she had at her disposal to deal with any of life’s problems. To this day I think long and hard about the practical application that dogma had on my life.
The idea that you could actually choose whether or not to be hurt by words: that was huge for me. Even though it has been repeated ad nauseam for generations, “sticks and stones” really is a powerful bit of philosophy to a kid. That’s one of the great things about being a parent: you can spout nothing but clichés, and yet, to your child, you come off as one of the great thinkers in Western culture.
–from MEAN DADS FOR A BETTER AMERICA, by Tom Shillue
Yesterday’s video failed to upload. We’ll see how this one does.it was called “by the fire…with no fire”
Thank you for reminding me. I wanted to talk about our post-show hangout in Memphis and here it is:
“Phobias”
The woman who should be in a circus sideshow as a bearded lady is screaming ‘Islamaphobia!’.
First, I’ve an issue with all of these ‘phobias’.
phobia
/fō′bē-ə/
noun
1. A persistent, abnormal, and irrational fear of a specific thing or situation that compels one to avoid it, despite the awareness and reassurance that it is not dangerous.
2. A strong fear, dislike, or aversion.
3. An irrational or obsessive fear or anxiety usually of or about something particular
I’ve no phobias, I understand Islam, transvestites (people whom dress and pretend to be the opposite sex), and homosexuals.
I do not fear them.
I do not have to like nor agree with them.
That’s not fear, could be revulsion, but not fear.
I will say this about Islam;-
I’ve 3 daughters, two granddaughters, and of course the love of my life.
They are not now, nor as long as I breathe will they be second class citizens.
I do believe in one Islamic tradition though.
‘Honor Killing’
If you assault or rape one of ...
