when we sing ''GOD BLESS AMERICA'' how much do we HONOR GOD? IS AMERICA BLESSED?? JUST PONDERING,seems like things are out of control. things sure we,re different when i was a kid. sure we have more STUFF, but so did the romans-before they fell. i don,t understand'the sadness' i feel in my soul. does anyone else feel this way???

-- al-d. (dogs@zianet.com), June 07, 2000

Answers

Okay, al-d, you wrote a question similar to what I've been pondering today ... has the American pursuit of "stuff" or "the good life" crowded out family and social responsibility? I've limited my scope just to America, although it might be worth considering what's happening in other industralized nations.

When were you a kid, al-d? I grew up in the 1960s in a middle class household -- not rich, not poor. We had chores to do, and then my brother and I later started a lawn mowing business when we are around 14 or so to pay for summer camp (our parents gave us $1 for each $1 we earned). They could've afforded it, but they wanted to teach us the value of money. We learned a lot of lessons from our business, including how to work together when we couldn't stand the sight of each other!

I don't hear about things like that happening today. One neighbor won't let her boys near the mower -- too dangerous, she says. (they're 14 and 16). They've also been picked up by the police for spray painting their names on a freeway bridge. My comment was that I don't think that they have enough chores to do. It fell on deaf ears.

That's my take, al-d. What about you?

-- (kb8um8@yahoo.com), June 07, 2000.

yessir,ee. i remember when there wern,t no food stamps-no welfare for addicts-but also less silly regulations.yup i started working at age 7. made 10 cent,s a day. and gave it to mother. i guess values have changed.--i swear the trouble started in the sixties.---free-sex-moral-decline. sure there,s alway,s been SIN-- but nowaday,s ''no holds barred'' it sure seems like we,re slipping & sliding' into the abys. i mean where does it end??----satan dangles the BAIT. BUT IT ,S NEVER enough!!! just my 2 cent,s.

-- al-d. (dogs@zianet.com), June 07, 2000.

Al, you said,

i guess values have changed.

I know EXACTLY what you mean. Nowadays some people sue others for their living rather than honestly earning their income by working.

Frank

-- Someone (ChimingIn@twocents.cam), June 07, 2000.

Frank: Rofl!!!!!!

I dont feel sadness in my soul, perhaps you should opt for anti- depressants there al.

-- comment (Just@had.too), June 07, 2000.

get the facts bro. frank, but your a loving catholic bro. yes we defended ourselves=legally. take it up with the JURY. YOU WERN,T THERE.----next slam brother.

-- al-d. (dogs@zianet.com), June 07, 2000.

Now THAT was funny, Frank.

-- Tarzan the Ape Man (tarzan@swingingthroughthejunglewithouta.net), June 07, 2000.

Now, Al-d, lets look on the bright side. You say, "sure we have more STUFF, but so did the romans-before they fell." But, The Romans made it for well over six hundred years. If this principle applies to us as well, we've got another four hundred years of hard partying before we have to worry about retribution.

Oh, and Frank -- I am an attorney. But, I even like your comment on "Nowadays some people sue others for their living rather than honestly earning their income by working" While suing people is actually hard work in many cases, I agree with you. Recognize that there is a real split in the legal community. There are the tort lawyers (injured? . . . call us). And, there are the transactional lawyers -- the more productive stuff. And, there is a great middle ground, involving lawsuits where insurance companies are not involved, and rabid insurance defense lawyers are not billing fees faster than one can imagine.

I am not a tort lawyer, and hate it when tort lawyers get involved in anything productive.

-- E.H. Porter (Just Wondering@About.it), June 07, 2000.

E.H.,

Let me clarify something. I think the while the personal injury lawyers' *clients* are lazy, often looking for something for nothing, the lawyers themselves (while maybe not acting ethically) are definitely *working* for their living.

Actually, I do believe lawyers provide an *essential* function in our society, but it seems like they also magnify any situation they walk in to by 1000 fold, sometimes to the detriment of both parties, and always to the detriment of the loser.

Frank

-- Someone (ChimingIn@twocents.cam), June 08, 2000.

NO-ONE LIKES LAWYERS--TIL THEY NEED ONE.

-- al-d. (dogs@zianet.com), June 08, 2000.

Too funny Frank.

Ive always suspected that Driscol got religion about the same time he stopped paying his bills. Now he has a little money after his lawyer took most of it and he has discovered that after all of that he is still himself, which is most likely very depressing. His mental issues sound like they are getting worse so once again justice is served.

-- Ra (tion@l.1), June 08, 2000.

Frank you said:I know EXACTLY what you mean. Nowadays some people sue others

I see your still having trouble with forgiveness.

Ephesians 4:29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

Ephesians 4:32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

blessings...

P.S. I would still like to finish our disscussion sometime when I have more time to dedicate to it.

-- I believe in Him (Jesus is King@Kingdom.come), June 08, 2000.

I believe in truth, honest work, and meeting ones obligations. Does that fit into your agenda?

-- Ra (tion@l.1), June 08, 2000.

I Believe,

No, I do o.k. with forgiveness, and it isn't an issue here as he hasn't wronged me. My problem is with being judgemental, and it's something that I continue to ask for the Lord's help with.

Frank

-- Someone (ChimingIn@twocents.cam), June 08, 2000.