I am tired of Pollyannas citing Chicken Little as a metaphor for Doomers. I don't have time to run around squawking that the sky is falling because I feel more like the Little Red Hen. The Little Red Hen asks Foxy Woxy and all the other barnyard animals to help her plant her grain. They laugh at her and go play. Then she asks for help reaping, again they have better things to do. Then she asks for help grinding her grain. Still no help. She asks them to help her knead the flour. Again, they are uninterested in preparation. Finally, as the smell of fresh baked bread wafts across the barn yard they all come running for a piece - at which point she pulls out a shotgun and tells them to get their own damn bread.

-- R (riversoma@aol.com), May 03, 1999

Answers

95% of the population comes to the bread, all playing tug of war with it. The bread turns into flakes as it dissipates. Everyone goes hungry and dies. Moral of the story: Use the gun in the beginning to coerce preparation so you won't waste what few shots you have for the first wanton's. You will need protein later. Remember, guns can get you in trouble and so can your mouth. Which would you rather use? Persevere, persevere, persevere. Back it up with Yardini, Yourdon and Yourmouth. What Choices do we really have? Certainly not a 30 Second spot on a commercial.

sincerely, Feller

-- Feller (feller@wanna.help), May 03, 1999.

I suppose I am the only person in the world who has figured out that the Red Hen was a communist. Think about it.

-- Peter,Pauland Mary (ab@cd.com), May 03, 1999.

"I am the only person in the world who has figured out that the Red Hen was a communist."

Is this your entry into the Clueless sweepstakes?

It may be a winner.

-- Tom Carey (tomcarey@mindspring.com), May 03, 1999.

No PP & M,

If the little Red Hen was a communist - she would've given the fox and others the bread. (in the above scenario)

Mutual cooperation does not mean communism. On the contrary, self- interest is abundant in mutual cooperation. A barn raising has an immediate beneficial effect only on one person or family. However, if you don't help raise other people's barns, don't expect to get help when it's YOUR turn. I think of these things as an investment.

I have been involved recently with "greenhouse" raisings. In return for my help raising 8 other greenhouses, I now have a large one myself. Cost was less than $200 for a 14x20. All it cost me was some weekend time. (A fair amount)

Before you accuse someone of being communist - find out what that means. While your at it, check out Socialism, Democracy, and Fascism. And see which one Amerika [sic] is today.

Jolly

-- Jollyprez (jolly@prez.com), May 03, 1999.

You've got the story wrong. The new version goes,

The Vertically-Challenged Red Victim Of Insensitive Meat-Eating Humans screeched to the rest of the Victims of Insensitive Meat-Eating Humans in the Kollective: "Comrades, we're in trouble. What we need is clear thinking, but we've all got BRAINS THE SIZE OF PEANUTS!"

-- Stephen M. Poole (smpoole7@bellsouth.net), May 04, 1999.