We,The sensible people of the United States, in an attempt to help everyone get along, restore some semblance of justice, avoid any more riots, keep our nation safe,  promote positive behavior and secure the blessings of debt-free liberty to ourselves and our great-great-great grandchildren, hereby try one more time to ordain and establish some common sense guidelines for the terminally whiny, guilt-ridden
delusional and other liberal, bed-wetters.
     We hold these truths to be self-evident: that a whole lot of people were confused by the Bill of Rights and are so dim that they require a Bill of No Rights.

ARTICLE I: You do not have the right to a new car, big screen TV or any other form of wealth. More power to you if you can legally acquire them, but no one is guaranteeing anything.

ARTICLE II: You do not have the right to never be offended. This country is based on freedom, and that means freedom for everyone - not  just you! You may leave the  room, turn the channel, express a different opinion, etc., but  the world is full of idiots, and probably always will be.
 
ARTICLE III: You do not have the right to be free from harm.  If  you stick a screwdriver in your eye, learn to be more careful, do not expect the tool
manufacturer to make you and all your relatives  independently wealthy.
 
ARTICLE IV: You do not have the right to free food and housing. Americans are the most charitable people to be found, and will gladly help anyone in need, but we are quickly growing weary of subsidizing generation after generation of professional couch potatoes.
 
ARTICLE V: You do not have the right to free health care.  That would be nice, but from the looks of public housing, we're just not interested in health care.
 
ARTICLE VI: You do not have the right to physically harm other people. If you kidnap, rape, intentionally maim or kill someone, don't be surprised if the rest of us want to see you fry in the electric chair.
 
ARTICLE VII: You do not have the right to the possessions of others. If you rob, cheat or coerce away the goods or services of other citizens, don't be surprised if the rest of us get together and lock you away (or provide more immediate, painful responses)
 
ARTICLE VIII: You don't have the right to demand that our children risk their lives in foreign wars to soothe your aching conscience (or to stabilize friendly dictators, or to ensure the profits of large corporations, or to cover up existing domestic problems). We hate oppressive governments and won't lift a finger to stop you from going to fight if you'd like.  However, we do not enjoy parenting the entire world and do not want to spend so much of our time battling each and every little tyrant with a military uniform and a funny hat.
 
ARTICLE IX: You don't have the right to a job. All of us sure want all of you to have one, and will gladly help you along in hard times, but we expect you to take advantage of the opportunities of education and vocational training laid before you to make yourself useful.
 
ARTICLE X: You do not have the right to happiness.  Being an American means that you have the right to pursue happiness - which by the way, is a lot easier if you are unencumbered by an overabundance of idiotic laws  created by those of you who were confused by the Bill of Rights.

    (passed along via Chris Gregoroff) - (italicized additions are those of the editor)

               
February 13, 1998
    This Copper River Valley has always fascinated the social scientist part of me. On one side everybody has strong opinions and makes no bones about it - especially in bars, gossip groups and among friends.  On the other side, getting folks to stand up in public (or print) about those very opinions is like pulling hens teeth.  So, what happened to all that strong, well reasoned thinking?
    Some folks have approached me with sincere discomfort about my statements on the forum pages that say the equivalent of "no whining".  They say it will intimidate people and prevent them from speaking out.  Other folks have been upset over the highly restrictive policy on "anonymous" contributions - saying that we won't find out about many things because people fear retribution.
    Well, there is an empty reservoir of sympathy on this end for both of those arguments.  We all outwardly decry the caricature politician who says one thing and means another, works deals "under the table" and generally sows confusion by speaking a lot and saying nothing.  At the same time, we appear to admire those statesmen who speak out and 'let the chips fall where they may'.
    I partially grew up in an area that still had town meetings.  They could have often been called verbal brawls but I continue to admire the character I viewed at those times.  Participants in those meetings had strong feelings and were willing to state them ....and see how they stood against those of their neighbors.  It is true that sometimes, long standing dislike was the result.  Other times, a reasoned discussion changed a view and turned an enemy into an ally.
    Our basin is in the midst of rapidly changing times - and what was may soon not be what is.  The primary chance we have for retaining the best of our lifestyles, and for obtaining only the best of what is coming our way is to discuss openly and sincerely, work together and learn to co-operate.  Our neighbors are not the enemy.  Though they may certainly think differently from us, they too are willing to face the hardships of this environment and I would be surprised if some of their reasoning for doing so is not so diverse from our own.
    It is time to focus on our commonalities and at least mitigate, if not resolve, our differences.  The answer is not to hide from them, backbite and undercut.  Besides, if gossip and rumor mongering is all you do, even your friends know better than to rely on you - and are very careful of what they tell you.
                                                                            Christopher Wright

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