What Happened to Common Sense
Just a short rant about one of life's experiences67 total reviews
Comment from Simple Reflection
I like the way you begin with your own grandchildren and lead into this story about Bader. It was very well written, and reads nicely.
The only thing that stuck out was the phrase "mental masturbation". It seems like a different choice of words should be chosen since you are writing about children and school issues. Also, Principal and Mayor do not need capital letters.
You really did a great job with this, and it shows much compassion on your part as a neighbor willing to get involved. I hope things improved for this family.
reply by the author on 15-Nov-2011
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I like the way you begin with your own grandchildren and lead into this story about Bader. It was very well written, and reads nicely.
The only thing that stuck out was the phrase "mental masturbation". It seems like a different choice of words should be chosen since you are writing about children and school issues. Also, Principal and Mayor do not need capital letters.
You really did a great job with this, and it shows much compassion on your part as a neighbor willing to get involved. I hope things improved for this family.
Comment Written 15-Nov-2011
reply by the author on 15-Nov-2011
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Thanks for reaching back into the vaults to read this post. I'll take a look at all your suggestions. Regards, Bill
Comment from phattp
I enjoyed reading this. It gets across a lot of good points about life as a child, living in the shadow of racial and religious misunderstandings, or assumptions. I agree with everything you say here and you've put it really well.
Thanks for posting it. A grand job. :)
reply by the author on 25-Sep-2011
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I enjoyed reading this. It gets across a lot of good points about life as a child, living in the shadow of racial and religious misunderstandings, or assumptions. I agree with everything you say here and you've put it really well.
Thanks for posting it. A grand job. :)
Comment Written 24-Sep-2011
reply by the author on 25-Sep-2011
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Thanks for reading and for such kind feedback. Regards, Bill
Comment from Piggies Grandma
This is cleverly written and very well thought out. I would have punched those kids too, if they called my sister that. It's not fair that Bader got suspended and the other boys got away with it.
reply by the author on 24-Sep-2011
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This is cleverly written and very well thought out. I would have punched those kids too, if they called my sister that. It's not fair that Bader got suspended and the other boys got away with it.
Comment Written 24-Sep-2011
reply by the author on 24-Sep-2011
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Thanks for reading and your kind feedback.
Comment from Kingsland
I would call that boy a punk. He is far from a piece of wood. I would rather call him... Forthright for standing up for what he sees in his love for his sister. By the way, what happened to the other kids? I enjoyed reading this article about the times in your life. It was well written and a joy to have read and written this response for... John
reply by the author on 24-Sep-2011
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I would call that boy a punk. He is far from a piece of wood. I would rather call him... Forthright for standing up for what he sees in his love for his sister. By the way, what happened to the other kids? I enjoyed reading this article about the times in your life. It was well written and a joy to have read and written this response for... John
Comment Written 24-Sep-2011
reply by the author on 24-Sep-2011
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Hi John - punk in an affectionate way. He really is a nice kid. I did find out after the fact that the other two boys were punished as well, not to the same extent, but punished. I appreciate your reading and for your kind feedback. Bill
Comment from Denise S
A nice story , it was really interesting , it's nice how you have decided to enjoy what you have and don't worry that much about the grandchildren not being near. I like your attitude.
reply by the author on 24-Sep-2011
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A nice story , it was really interesting , it's nice how you have decided to enjoy what you have and don't worry that much about the grandchildren not being near. I like your attitude.
Comment Written 24-Sep-2011
reply by the author on 24-Sep-2011
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Thanks for reading Denise and for your very kind feedback. Regards, Bill
Comment from James Tipton
Bill, this is a really fine piece. I hope it has appeared at least in your local paper. Or in a parents magazine or PTA magazine or even a church magazine.
It is very touching, and so very appropriate right now in a too paranoid America. I also liked the endling a lot...just the way a real boy would feel..."Heck, the goes my two-week vacation."
I would observe, though, that for me,the phrase "mental masturbation" does not fit into the mood or tone of the story.
I also think that the title might be somehow more specifically related to this particularly story.
reply by the author on 24-Sep-2011
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Bill, this is a really fine piece. I hope it has appeared at least in your local paper. Or in a parents magazine or PTA magazine or even a church magazine.
It is very touching, and so very appropriate right now in a too paranoid America. I also liked the endling a lot...just the way a real boy would feel..."Heck, the goes my two-week vacation."
I would observe, though, that for me,the phrase "mental masturbation" does not fit into the mood or tone of the story.
I also think that the title might be somehow more specifically related to this particularly story.
Comment Written 23-Sep-2011
reply by the author on 24-Sep-2011
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Thanks for reading James and for your comments. I will definitely think about both your observations. Regards, Bill
Comment from Patrick G Cox
Hi bhogg,
I'd say you did exactly right here, though young Bader might have been looking forward to two weeks unofficial holiday. Trouble is there is far to much of this sort of biased punishment where often the personal bias of the Principal takes over and the facts are ignored.
Patrick
reply by the author on 24-Sep-2011
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Hi bhogg,
I'd say you did exactly right here, though young Bader might have been looking forward to two weeks unofficial holiday. Trouble is there is far to much of this sort of biased punishment where often the personal bias of the Principal takes over and the facts are ignored.
Patrick
Comment Written 23-Sep-2011
reply by the author on 24-Sep-2011
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Thanks for reading Patrick. I should write an addendum in that I later found out that the other two boys were punished. Not as much as Bader, but they didn't get off free. Bill
Comment from Cheryl Daphine
He probably wasn't thankful to you,one cause most kids enjoy time out of school, and two because he probably didn't know what he would face back at school. Sad situation.
I remember when I was growing up we were [I thought] at war with Viet-Nam. Never have figured that one out. I had never been prejudice,[no fault of my family.] Yet I found it difficult to not have ill feelings toward Orientals.
I of course have worked at not allowing those feelings,and I have had to deal with the same towards Arabic and Muslim peoples.It is difficult.I consider myself to be a fair minded and Christ centered person.
But honestly have to deal even with prejudice thoughts with blacks for the first time in my life. I think it is because there have been so many accusations towards white people who disagree politically with the current administration.Also because Michele Obama made that statement,that for the first time in her life she was proud to be an American.[When a black man came to office.]
I hate to have to deal with these feelings. The more the accusations come,the more the thoughts do.
As a human being,I would have taken up for Bader.In my day too common sense ruled. So did the paddle. I wish for both back.
reply by the author on 24-Sep-2011
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He probably wasn't thankful to you,one cause most kids enjoy time out of school, and two because he probably didn't know what he would face back at school. Sad situation.
I remember when I was growing up we were [I thought] at war with Viet-Nam. Never have figured that one out. I had never been prejudice,[no fault of my family.] Yet I found it difficult to not have ill feelings toward Orientals.
I of course have worked at not allowing those feelings,and I have had to deal with the same towards Arabic and Muslim peoples.It is difficult.I consider myself to be a fair minded and Christ centered person.
But honestly have to deal even with prejudice thoughts with blacks for the first time in my life. I think it is because there have been so many accusations towards white people who disagree politically with the current administration.Also because Michele Obama made that statement,that for the first time in her life she was proud to be an American.[When a black man came to office.]
I hate to have to deal with these feelings. The more the accusations come,the more the thoughts do.
As a human being,I would have taken up for Bader.In my day too common sense ruled. So did the paddle. I wish for both back.
Comment Written 23-Sep-2011
reply by the author on 24-Sep-2011
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Amen Daph - I don't think that the day of the paddle hurt those of us of age too bad! Regards, Bill
Comment from poetbear
This is witty and charming and it makes good sense.
There is a gentle strength here that will capture readers and writers alike.
You take the reader with you gently and make them want to saty awhile.
reply by the author on 23-Sep-2011
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This is witty and charming and it makes good sense.
There is a gentle strength here that will capture readers and writers alike.
You take the reader with you gently and make them want to saty awhile.
Comment Written 23-Sep-2011
reply by the author on 23-Sep-2011
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Thanks for reading and the kind feedback! Bill
Comment from nor84
Humerous tale in one way, but sad in another. I did find a few little punctuation things for your to consider.
My neighbor-hood (neighborhood)clan simply calls me Mr. Bill.
It was twelve-year-old, Bader.>>>comma not necessary before his name because you've got the compound adjective 'twelve-year-old.'
Just hearing from Bader, doesn't >>>comma after Bader not needed.
In fact, on my street, they blend right in with the rest of the boring mix; two cars in the garage, a yard that is generally nicely mowed and two cats who like to visit.>>>semicolon would be better as a comma. They have to join two complete independent phrases, and the second one, with no subject, is a dependent clause.
Ye gods, I'm with you. Things are getting pretty stupid when GI Joe's a reason to send a kid home.
I told my wife about Bader, and she insisted I call the Principal of the school>>>no need to capitalize principal or mayor when there are no surnames attached.
The world has gone crazy since 9-ll. I had just returned from a flight to Germany the previous month, and have flown only once since -- a short hop from LA to Seattle. I'm not confident that airline security can make us safe, and it's darned annoying, albeit necessary.
reply by the author on 23-Sep-2011
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Humerous tale in one way, but sad in another. I did find a few little punctuation things for your to consider.
My neighbor-hood (neighborhood)clan simply calls me Mr. Bill.
It was twelve-year-old, Bader.>>>comma not necessary before his name because you've got the compound adjective 'twelve-year-old.'
Just hearing from Bader, doesn't >>>comma after Bader not needed.
In fact, on my street, they blend right in with the rest of the boring mix; two cars in the garage, a yard that is generally nicely mowed and two cats who like to visit.>>>semicolon would be better as a comma. They have to join two complete independent phrases, and the second one, with no subject, is a dependent clause.
Ye gods, I'm with you. Things are getting pretty stupid when GI Joe's a reason to send a kid home.
I told my wife about Bader, and she insisted I call the Principal of the school>>>no need to capitalize principal or mayor when there are no surnames attached.
The world has gone crazy since 9-ll. I had just returned from a flight to Germany the previous month, and have flown only once since -- a short hop from LA to Seattle. I'm not confident that airline security can make us safe, and it's darned annoying, albeit necessary.
Comment Written 22-Sep-2011
reply by the author on 23-Sep-2011
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Thanks for reading and the great spots. Both are appreciated. Bill
