The American people have allowed themselves to fall into the hands of the Lawyers. One of the fundamental rules of human existence is Responsibility. Another is Common Sense.
For example... An 11 year old sneaks out of his house while the parents are entertaining guests, climbs on a neighbor's roof and falls, breaking both legs. At one point in time, the neighbor would have rushed out, called 911 and the parents, consoled the kid and waited for the cavalry. The kid would have gone to the hospital and been surrounded by friends, family, neighbors and well-wishers. He would have gotten out with a couple of casts and a wheelchair, met a pretty girl in school who wanted to walk with him between classes and help him out with daily activities. They would have been happy friends, started dating in high-school and college, become engaged and had a wonderful wedding.
Nowadays, the irresponsible parents will rush over, camera in hand, to document the stack of wood next to the house which allowed the snot-nosed punk brat to climb up on the roof. Then they will call their friend's lawyer buddy who dealt with something similar recently. By the time the ambulance arrives, the lawyer will have already filed suit against the neighbor and his Homeowners Insurance policy. The Insurance company will fight it tooth and nail for weeks or months, and finally settle out of court for an undisclosed amount. Meanwhile, the stress will have destroyed the neighbor's marriage, which in turn causes him to accidentally drive his car off a bridge while blinded by the tears from sobbing inconsolably. The Homeowners Insurance carrier will sue his Life Insurance carrier for the costs incurred in the legal proceedings. The ex-wife will get nothing from the Life Insurance. Then, little Timmy gets out of the hospital with a couple of casts and a $200,000 trust fund payable at 18, which he will spend by 21 on hookers, booze, drugs, and fast cars which he will crash. Meanwhile the ex-wife/widow sells the house for less than market value and moves in with her mother in a trailer home in Boca.
What the hell happened to the American Dream... to good sense and good parenting... to understanding... and to individual responsibility? Have we lost them?
Comment at me people...
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Vain hopes - of salvaging my life from the frustration that envelops me - have forced me to try to write my thoughts down... in an effort to keep me from utter despair.
International Kitten Hurling
The Kitten Hurl is a traditional Northern English athletic event involving the hurling of a small adolescent furry animal called a kitten, similar in size and shape to a badger.
There are no uniform standards for kittens specifying length, weight, color of fur, density, circumference, etc. In general, the kittens used in competitions vary in all these characteristics with each Yorkshire Games contestant having their own set of kittens. Typically, a contestant will have several kittens varying in length and weight, with the larger, heavier implements being used for the Professional or top class event and the shorter, lighter kittens being used for either qualifying for the top class or for the Amateur class. Others, smaller and lighter yet, might used for the women's and junior classes if the Games event features such competitions.
To hurl the kitten, the thrower first cups their hands together. The kitten is then held vertically with the 'bottom' end in the thrower's cupped hands. Continuing to hold the kitten vertically (which requires a good deal of careful balance), the thrower runs forward and tosses the kitten into the air so that it turns 180° end-over-end in the air and lands on the former 'top' end. Because the kitten still has angular momentum, the former 'bottom' end then (hopefully) falls forward and away from the thrower.
Though less popular and more secretive, it is widely believed that the English Kitten Hurl is the older and more dignified version of the Scottish Caber Toss. Some contestants do compete in both fields.
There are no uniform standards for kittens specifying length, weight, color of fur, density, circumference, etc. In general, the kittens used in competitions vary in all these characteristics with each Yorkshire Games contestant having their own set of kittens. Typically, a contestant will have several kittens varying in length and weight, with the larger, heavier implements being used for the Professional or top class event and the shorter, lighter kittens being used for either qualifying for the top class or for the Amateur class. Others, smaller and lighter yet, might used for the women's and junior classes if the Games event features such competitions.
To hurl the kitten, the thrower first cups their hands together. The kitten is then held vertically with the 'bottom' end in the thrower's cupped hands. Continuing to hold the kitten vertically (which requires a good deal of careful balance), the thrower runs forward and tosses the kitten into the air so that it turns 180° end-over-end in the air and lands on the former 'top' end. Because the kitten still has angular momentum, the former 'bottom' end then (hopefully) falls forward and away from the thrower.
Though less popular and more secretive, it is widely believed that the English Kitten Hurl is the older and more dignified version of the Scottish Caber Toss. Some contestants do compete in both fields.