“RANDOM THOUGHTS”

2 PARAGRAPHS 4 LIBERTY: #308

One thing that I have learned over the years is that distinctions between (or among) words matter. To explain, we think in words, and if a person doesn’t understand the distinction between words then that person doesn’t understand the concepts involved. Here are some examples:

– When I was growing up if we did something nice for people and they said “thank you,” we were taught to say “You’re welcome.” But, have you noticed, when we say “thank you” to many of our younger people today, they respond by saying “No problem.” Of course this implies that if it had been a problem they would have not done the nice thing. (I know that this mostly is not their intent, but maybe we can mention this to our younger people to see if they understand the concept.)

– The difference between the words “can” and “may.” Of course all of us “can” do many things, like robbing liquor stores, but we “may” not.

– The difference between the words “imply” and “infer.” A speaker/writer implies, but a listener/reader infers. So many problems occur in the world when the “implications” and “inferences” are not the same.

– And how about punctuation? Here are two favorites:

“Eating my family and not using commas are my three favorite things.”

Street sign: “Slow Children at Play.”

So, since at least I think I am on a roll here, let me share with you some of what I call some inescapable realities of life:

– As we say in UCLA Football: “Hope is not a strategy.”

– The harder I plan and work, the “luckier” I get.

– “Well Done is better than Well Said.” Benjamin Franklin

– Worshipping at the altar of “My yacht is bigger than your yacht” is shallow.

– The definition of a life well lived is not wealth, fame or good looks, instead it is defined as how we treated others.

– By classifying or casting individuals as no more than intersections of their race, gender, heritage, etc., we are no longer noticing people as distinct individuals who share similarities.

– Mandates for good citizens: Learn and then Teach!

Quote for the week: “Liberty is meaningless when the right to utter one’s thoughts and opinions has ceased to exist. That, of all rights, is the dread of tyrants. It is the right which they first of all strike down. They know its power.” Frederick Douglass