I am on a rant today ....

My parents told me about Mr. Common Sense early in my life and told me I would do well to call on him when making decisions. It seems he was always around in my early years but less and less as time passed by. Today I read his obituary. Please join me for a moment of silence in remembrance. For Common Sense has served us all so well for so many generations. 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 earn) and reliable parenting 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 six-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 they themselves failed to do in disciplining their unruly children. It declined even further when schools were required to get parental consent to administer Aspirin, sun lotion or a sticky plaster to a student; but could not inform the parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion. Common Sense lost the will to live as the Ten Commandments became contraband; churches became businesses; and criminals received better treatment than their victims. Common Sense took a beating when you couldn't legally defend yourself from a burglar in your own home and the burglar can 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; his wife, Discretion; his daughter, Responsibility; and his son, Reason. He is survived by three stepbrothers; I Know my Rights, Someone Else is to Blame, and I'm a Victim. Not many attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone. Do you still remember him? I met one person yesterday who sure doesn't. Why did I post this you may be asking yourself. Well let me explain. I promise that I will make a long story very short but you will get the jest. Yesterday I made a visit to the doctors office to pick up a billiing statement to turn into my insurance company. While I was there the lovely receptionist was asking me about my recent trip to Parris Island. Ahhhh yes how my face just lit up ... the proud smile that crossed my face ... the excitement as I pulled out my small photo album that I carry in my purse with memories of Parris Island and my Marine... my voice as I was stuttering ... couldn't get the words out quick enough... There was several people in the waiting room ... the ones that I had my back to ... they were in no way part of the conversation. As I was every so proudly showing Mrs. D my pictures and I heard this woman's voice and she said ... "Oh, so your son is a Marine?" I whirl around and ever so politely and proudly say ... "Why, yes ma'am he is!" Then it(she) started in.... she said that she was an Army wife, that her husband had served a couple of tours in Iraq, yada, yada, yada ..... and then she preceeded to do NOTHING BUT BAD MOUTH THE MARINE CORPS. Let me tell you I was livid.... so being the gracious southern lady I am and very proud Marine Mom I just looked.. no wait... glared at her and said politely said "Thank you for your opinion, however I don't believe that I was talking to you. And please thank your husband for serving our country for after all FREEDOM ISN'T FREE" Now some may say if I were in your shoes I would have said more than that but you know I didn't. I did not in any way want to embarass myself, my son or the Marine Corps. I wanted to be the bigger person and show class and dignity. Which I do believe I did with that statement. Thank you for allowing me to share this rant with you today.