Yes, just what you have been waiting for all day ... another look into the past into what my late dad had to say in one of his monthly columns. This is number 12, for those keeping count.
For those of you who are big fans of Rusty's columns, I have recategorized such posts, so you can now have an index of all the columns and the poems by linking to the Rusty Rides Again category index page.
Old Rusty lives way back in the boonies with a couple of hound dogs and one lazy ole mule. With nothing to do all day except whittle and listen to the radio, he gets some off-the-wall ideas about our political structure and its impact on our daily lives. Maybe you will get a chuckle out of some of the stuff he comes up with, and who knows, you might even agree with part of it.Rusty Rucker No. 1 - Rusty Rucker No. 2 - Rusty Rucker No. 3 - Rusty Rucker No. 4 - Rusty Rucker No. 5 - Rusty Rucker No. 6 - Rusty Rucker No. 7 - Rusty Rucker No. 8 - Rusty Rucker No. 9 - Rusty Rucker No. 10 - Rusty Rucker No. 11 - poems. Posted by Tiger at July 29, 2003 06:47 PMJuly 1999 Updated regularly -- Totally new first of every month.
Well now, let's see if we can get some things in prospective. Like all the high school boys going crazy and killing their fellow students. No one could ever condone such heinous acts, but this was just a handful of youth. Let's think of the millions of teenagers who go to school, mow the lawn, help with chores, sack groceries and lead a normal life.
The media rarely praises these guys. There are so many of them doing so well it is not news, but it should be. Kids today are confronted with stuff we never dreamed of in my day. All kinds of temptation dangling out there for them to latch onto. We didn't have friends selling drugs back then. In fact, the only drugs I knew anything about came from the pharmacy, which we called the drug store.
Another thing we have to keep in mind, the population has doubled and doubled again in recent years. There is overcrowding everywhere. This keeps the pot boiling all the time. It's no wonder that it boils over now and then.
Takes a heap of parenting to raise boys and girls in today's environment. And all too often, both parents work outside the home. I'll tell you right now, whatever extra benefit that second check brings, it is not worth the sacrifice of our children. If folks are gonna have young'uns, they gotta manage it so Mom (or Dad) is home until the youngest is in high school.
I sure can't disregard the mass loss of life in these school shootings, or bombing like Oklahoma City, but there is no justification for taking away our guns. Far back as I can remember it has been unlawful for individuals to own automatic weapons (machine guns) but the mobsters of the 20's had them anyway. Same now! Disarming the population will have little, if any effect on armed crime. Criminals can always get guns. But, imagine what will happen to burglaries and other intrusive crimes when they know the resident is not armed and hasn't any way to protect himself. Never doubt, crimes are committed by persons who do not wish to be caught, hurt or sent to jail. A 38 Smith & Wesson under the mattress or a Colt 45 in the nightstand drawer is an intruder's worst nightmare.
Gun owners should be responsible adults and I have no quarrel with requiring a character check before selling a weapon, not do I object to forbidding the sale of assault rifles and those 25 round "Buck Rogers" pistols. Neither belong in the hands of the general public.
I personally, have a double-barrel 12 gauge shotgun with rabbit and squirrel load on one side and double-ought buckshot on the other. Something for all occasions, you might say.
Thanks for the ride. Y'all come back now ... Ya hear!!!
... I believe one of America's most priceless assets is the idealism which motivates the young people of America. My generation has invested all that it has, not only its love but its hope and faith, in yours.
--Richard M. Nixon
NEVER FORGET -- Big Brother is ALWAYS WATCHING!