How should we judge a government?

"No matter how noble the objectives of a government, if it blurs decency and kindness, cheapens human life and breeds ill will and suspicion – it is an evil government".

- Eric Hoffer, The Passionate State of Mind 1954

"Our government is like a baby's alimentary canal, with a happy appetite at one end and no responsibility at the other. "
“You are saying our problem is civil disobedience, but that is not our problem. Our problem is civil obedience. . . . Our problem is that people are obedient while the jails are full of petty thieves, and all the while the grand thieves are running the country.”
-Howard Zinn

MyCen News

Wednesday, February 01, 2012

A man without enemies...

Towards the end of the Sunday mass, Fr O'Donell asked, "How many of you have forgiven your enemies?"

80% held up their hands.

Fr O'Donell then repeated his question. All responded this time, except one man, an avid golfer named Walter Barnes, who attended church only when the weather was bad.

"Mr. Barnes, it's obviously not a good morning for golf. It's good to see you here today. Are you not willing to forgive your enemies?"

"I don't have any," he replied gruffly.

"Mr. Barnes, that is very unusual. How old are you?"

"Ninety-eight," he replied. The congregation stood up and clapped their hands.

"Oh, Mr. Barnes, would you please come down in front & tell us all how a person can live ninety-eight years and not have an enemy in the world?"

The old golfer tottered down the aisle, stopped in front of the pulpit, turned around, faced the congregation, and said simply,

"I outlived all the sons of bitches."

0 comments: