Sweetwater Reporter (Sweetwater, Tex.), Vol. 111, No. 148, Ed. 1 Sunday, May 10, 2009 Page: 4 of 18
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VIEWPOINTS
Page A4 ■ Sunday, May 10, 2009
Sweetwater Reporter
DEDICATED TO PROUDLY DELIVERING LOCAL NEWS SINCE 1881
-r-'l Sweetwater .
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Sweetwater, Texas 79556
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lisa
Peterson
EDITORIAL POLICY
The editorial section of the newspaper is a forum for expres-
sion of a variety of viewpoints. All articles except those labeled
“Editorials” reflect the opinions of the writers and not those of
the Sweetwater Reporter.
POTPOURRI
Mother’s Day
Mother's Day seems an appropriate time for a trip down
Memory Lane. After all. in most cases, our mothers were
the ones who “encouraged” us to memorize sayings, poems ;
and fables as children. Most of us who were raised in the
Judeo-Christian culture also learned some basic rules for '
living called the Ten Commandments.
Some version of these rules appears in
most of the world's spiritual traditions in
one form or another. Many have become a
part of our criminal law, in that they pro-
scribe antisocial behavior. Common sense
tells us to abide by some of the others, such
as honoring those who helped to create us.
One commandment, however, has always
seemed at odds with the work ethic which
was learned about the same time as the
Commandments, and that is to take a day a
week for contemplation.
As a child, Sundays were special days, j
We often went for walks in the woods after |
church, or had a special meal with friends. When visiting
my maternal grandparents, that day was even more i
unique. My grandfather had a strong faith, similar to
many of his generation who were exposed to two world
wars and a depression that drove many to suicide. His
belief is an example to me even today. He taught adult
Sunday School in a little church in Moran, and always
seemed to enjoy having his grandchildren in attendance.
Discussions started there often came home, and continued
into the afternoon. One subject that I recall clearly con-
cerned the nature of the Sabbath. While he was quick to
agree that life saving work such as caring for stock, fight-
ing fires, or providing emergency services must go on. he
was equally quick to point out that all people need to take
a day away from the nonessential tasks which engulf us.
It surprised me to learn, when taking a comparative reli-
gions class in college, that all the world's religions call for
a day of rest. The Sabbath may be defined as a different
day of the week for some, but it is still a day for rest and
contemplation. Although at odds with our “Protestant
work ethic", it is an idea worthy of note. Where, and when,
did we decide that the good things of life come only when
we race through each day as though all must be completed
before tomorrow, to the point that we are weary, heartsick,
and overwhelmed? We state with pride that we have “lost
a day", that is, managed to push so hard that an eight hour
work period has come and gone without being noticed. We
have no time - for family, friends, contemplation, or
growth - and often feel somewhat superior to those who
do!
There is concern among health care professionals that
this pace is. in fact, harmful to us physically as well as
mentally and emotionally. Our bodies and minds need
time away from pressures and deadlines to renew and
recuperate. There is nothing in nature that does nor
observe a period of dormancy, be it plant or animal. Much
as we may choose to deny it. we are part of nature, with
that same need.
Try an experiment with your family. Take a day to enjoy
as a day dedicated to the recreation of mind and spirit.
This does not mean the Puritan style of spending the day
forcing yourself to study uplifting materials. Take the time
to do something you consider “fun”, something unrelated
to your job or responsibilities - whether in or outside the
home. Take a walk, not for fitness or to go somewhere, but
to enjoy the action of moving. Turn off the television, the
telephone, and the radio. Enjoy the company of your
spouse, children, or a special friend. Their company can
be enjoyed while doing something you enjoy, such as
planting the garden - in a leisurely manner! Read a book,
work a craft, or even take a nap!
Based on my experiment, doing this correctly will cause
a few thoughts of guilt to wash over. According to the
experts, this is a sign that you are observing your day of
rest correctly. The work ethic is so engrained in most of us
that we chafe at accomplishing less than we feel we ought.
Work through the guilt, realizing that what is being accom-
plished in an intangible renewal, and possibly the avoid-
ance of such consequences of our busy world as heart com-
plications and strokes. You will be amazed after a few
weeks and the difference in your outlook and energy level.
When God ordained a day of rest. He knew - again - what
He was doing! (Just as when He made Mothers!)
Lisa Peterson is the County Attorney for Nolan County.
Comments about this column may he e-mailed to edi-
tor (a sweetwaterreporter.com.
UNCOMMON SENSE
Clowns to the left of me, jokers to the right
I love my country and believe to research this further, but first
we can do much better in many decided to see where my beliefs
Aspects. If you are a regular read- actually align according to the
erofUncommonSense,youhave political spectrum. Iuseatobea
probably realized that
I value personal free-
doms, civil liberties,
mid democracy. I lean
left on social issues,
and right on fiscal
issues for the most
part.
In that spirit, I
mentioned recently
that 1 think the two
party' system in
America is broken.
No matter which one
you are affiliated with,
I am sure they have
disgusted you at some
point.
Man
McOomock
Republican, I now vote
mostly Democrat, but I
consider myself an
Independent who is des-
perately' seeking a third
party that more aptly fits
my views.
During my arduous
session of Google search-
ing, I came across a neat
little website: www.polit-
icalcompass.org. You
take a 5 minute test, and
it covers how you feel
about tilings such as cor-
jxirate regulation, global-
ization, free trade and
other issues, like anything else, it
Mandela and Ghandi. I am not
sure where the Dalai-Lama fits,
but I bet he's not too far away
either. Unfortunately, I also share
a quad with a few Russian, all-star
commies.
According to the all-knowing
compass, my views fit in on the
Libertarian Left side of the scale.
My opposite, strangely enough, is
is the Authoritarian Right - pre-
cisely where George W. Bush
falls. Hninun...
Anyway, the exercise gives you
a good idea of where your ideolo-
gy' fits compared with others.
After doing a little more digging, 1
found out that I ;un in gcxxl com-
Nevertheless, we tend to get is probably not perfect, after all,
defensive when we talk alx nit i»l- the test would require thousands
itics. Some people 1 know - who of questions to touch base on
wouldn't know the difference even
philosophy populating the
1. But, I would say that it ren-
tal me accurately enough,
between Pol Pot mid Poland - will world. But, I would
argue politics (unfortunately), resented
until they’re blue (or ral) in die and it is fun to do.
face. Personally, I like debating It Ls also scary, as you will
someone who is formidable but undoubtally see some type of evil
open-minded as well.
world leader in your quadrant
Yet, despite our inherent need along with you. For example,
to display our mental acumen Hitler doesn't fall too far from
through die prism of our political Bush. Tiiat is not a Bush bash, I
sensibilities, I have discovered promise. If you are a
tiiat jieople in general are sick of Authoritarian Leftist, you are
being misled by all upper level near Stalin. I lowever, I can brag
politicians regardless of tne (R) or for just a moment, as I proudly
(D) beside their names. I wan tel share a quad with Nelson
GUEST COLUMN
pany, at least in my opinion.
Other Libertarian Leftists
include: Noam Chomsky. Ralph
Nader, Emma Goldman, Upton
Sinclair, Heniy David Thoreau,
Barack ()bama, and - not surpris-
ingly - Thomas Paine, author of
Common Sense, hence the title
variation I borrowed for the name
of my column.
Basically, a Libertarian Leftist
believes in constitutional and
individual rights. We don't think
die government has any place in
die bedroom, nor is justified in
legislating morality. We are fiscal-
ly responsible but believe in die
validity of some social programs
and spending. We typically feel
that a fixe market is a g<xxi thing,
but that requires governmental
regulation, fine needs to kxik no
further than the havoc that has
been unleashed after deregula-
tion to understand that view.
From the bogus California black-
outs a la Enron to the Wall Street
scandals a la A1G, it is only natur-
al tiiat oversight be reintroduced
into die corporate world.
If the recession has taught as
one thing, it is that the CEO's of
billion dollar companies care
much more about their gratu-
itous bonuses more than their
employees' pensions ;uid public
concerns. I believe that freedom
is a rare blessing tiiat U.S. citizens
have die privilege to revel in. Any
attempt to block any personal
freedoms is abhorrent to me.
When corporations start to
impede the pn igress of America, I
no longer believe they have the
right to operate without answer-
ing to a higher authority. The
market can still lx1 free, just not a
free for all.
Needless to say, I have rambled
long enough. I will address the
broken, two-party system tiiat
America is stuck with in a future
column. Until then, log on and
check out your political compass.
You may lx1 closer to your favorite
historical despot than you think.
Brian McCormack is a staff
writer at the Sweetwater
Reporter. Comments about this
column may be e-mailed to edi-
tor@sweetwaterreporter.com.
President Obama marks NPD with proclamation
BEVERLY HILLS—
God bless America,
and how's everybody?
President Obama
marked National
Prayer Day Thursday
with a proclamation
instead of a White
House prayer service.
Everyone's different.
Bill Clinton came to
Jesus, George W. Bush
talked to Jesus, and
Barack Obama fills in for
Jesus on major holidays.
Bernie Madoff s secretary
told Fox News Wednesday
the Wall Street swindler
received sex massages on his
lunch hour from women who
advertised in escort ads.
Everybody was just out-
raged. Now all the investors
he screwed are worried they
might have a disease
Sarah Palin's teen-mom
daughter Bristol told a
National Teen Pregnancy
Awareness Day rally in New
York Wednesday that she
misses her freedom. She also
misses the baby's father. So
far she's shot high and to the
CAPITOL COMMENT
left every time he's attention and he knows he
come to the door, can go into the Minneapolis
Brett Favre airport men's room any time
talked to the he needs some.
Minnesota Vikings President Obama took Joe
about coming out Biden out to lunch Tuesday
of retirement for at a Virginia hamburger Comedy Store in
them Monday. It's restaurant famous for its Hollywood. He can be
the perfect city for aged beef. The trip was Joe's reached for speaking
him. Brett Favre idea. The best way to calm engagements by e-mail at
craves national the nation about swine flu is argus@argushamilton.com.
to remind them Mad Cow is
still out there waiting to
strike.
Argus Hamilton is the
host comedian at The
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Submitted by Richard Spann
Today’s women: Mothers and leaders
This month. American fami- spelling homework, attend
lies will celebrate Mother's sporting events, chaperone
Day and set aside one Sunday Girl and Boy Scout campouts,
to honor the women who are and more,
the foundation of our society. The experience of balancing
a full-time job with
a full-time family
has given me a
unique insight into
the needs of work-
ing families across
Texas and
throughout our
nation. Moms who
work inside the
home while volun-
teering for school,
organizations,
church and com-
munity’, or those
who work in a pro-
Kay Bailey
Hutchison
Mothers are the first
teachers of the leaders
of tomorrow. They
embody strength and
tenderness, and impart
wisdom and grace in
the lives of their chil-
dren. My own mother
gave me the support in
all my endeavors that
strengthened mv
resolve to overcome
obstacles.
President Theodore
Roosevelt said, in
honor of his mother.
Martha, "The mother is the fession outside the home,
one supreme asset of national deserve our gratitude. I have
life: she is more important by been fortunate to use this per-
far than the successful states- spective to shape legislation
man, or business man. or that will empower mothers to
artist, or scientist.” make choices that are best for
More and more in today's them and their children. In
society, a woman has the fact, two of my proudest leg-
opportunitv to contribute to islative accomplishments have
society- both as a mother and a been borne out of family con-
siderations.
When I was a single woman
in the workforce, I started an
leader. As a U.S. Senator, I
take mv work very seriouslv. I
never forget that the decisions
make each day impact the individual retirement account
lives of millions of Texans. But
I work 24-7 to do my most
to save tax-free for the future.
I could set aside up to $2,000
children should not be penal-
ized for responding to her fam-
ily priorities. After 1 was elect-
ed to the U.S. Senate, one of
the first pieces of legislation I
introduced was the homemak-
er IRA. which is the law today.
It allows women to set aside
the same amount, regardless
of employment status.
Women who choose to work
outside the home also should
not be penalized for this
choice. In many cases, a moth-
er works because her income is
necessary to help pay the
mortgage, buv groceries, or
put a child through college.
Some just like to work. And the
marriage tax. which unfairly
targets husbands and wives
who are jointly working to
meet their family’s needs,
pushes married couples into a
higher tax bracket than two
single wage earners taking in
the same combined income.
I began the fight to reverse
this inequity in 2001. Under
the old policy, an estimated 25
million couples paid a penalty
of $1,141 for being married. In
2001, my legislation was
enacted, tin the first day of the
111th Congress, 1 introduced
the Permanent Marriage
Penalty Relief Act of 2000 to
outlaw this tax policy, once
and for all.
Being a mother might be the
hardest job in the world, and it
is undoubtedly the most
important. But it is also the
most rewarding. One day .-
not enough to recognize all
that mothers do for their fami-
lies. but it is a wonderful
opportunity to say thank you
to that special mom in our
lives.
Kay Bailey Hutchison is the
senior U.S. Senator from
Texas.
important job: being mother in this account. After I mar-
to my two children.
ried and was in between
I am not alone in balancing careers, I learned that a mar-
such a great set of responsibil- ried woman who didn’t have
ities. Twelve of the l? women an outside job could only set
in the U.S. Senate are mothers aside $250, 1 was chocked bv
Seven of us are working moms this inequity. A woman who
with children at home, and we works in the home raising her
each juggle the daily demands family may be the most vulner-
of motherhood, while keeping able if she loses her husband
up with the needs of our con- through death or divorce. And
stituents. We arrange play a woman who moves in and
dates, help with math and out of the workforce to have
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Rodriguez, Tatiana. Sweetwater Reporter (Sweetwater, Tex.), Vol. 111, No. 148, Ed. 1 Sunday, May 10, 2009, newspaper, May 10, 2009; Sweetwater, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth561301/m1/4/: accessed July 17, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu.; crediting Sweetwater/Nolan County City-County Library.