It should be a compliment. It means you are dependable, available when needed, doing what you are expected to do without being “buttered up” or bribed. What more could you want?

In a democracy you are expected to obey the majority rule. Is breaking the speed limit not a crime but shoplifting is? If you only break the rules you agree with, doesn’t the shoplifter disagree with the law about shoplifting?

A good response is, “I try.” None of us are perfect but we should strive to be better. We do not intend to do wrong but sometimes it just happens.

Do you realize the odds for winning? People rush to buy tickets for the big prizes. As the prizes get bigger and more people participate, the odds become greater. Of course there are winners. We hear about them but we don’t hear much about the losers. Do you feel comfortable about donating to someone else’s fortune.

I don’t think so. We have privileges. It seems like, in our society, we may have:

The right to die – with the doctor’s consent.

The right to eat – If we can afford the food.

The right to drive a car - if we can pass the test.

The right to breath - if the air is clear.

The right to free speech - if it doesn’t offend anyone.

The right to medical care - if we have health insurance.

The right to travel - if we have the means.

The right to sleep - if it doesn’t interfere with our responsibilities.

The right to protect our property - It seems not in all cases.

The right to speedy trial - It doesn’t happen.

The right to worship - It depends on what you want to worship.

The right to surf the internet - only if you have access to the hardware.

The right to peace - If you can find it.

The right to happiness - If you can find it.

The right to marry - after you get a license.

The right to landscape - if your neighbors aren‘t offended.

The right to a free education - That is definitely a privilege, not a right.

We do have a lot of privileges here in the United States.

A messy shop and a cluttered desk are signs of activity.

Milk glass ornaments and silk roses are ornamental and look nice but sometimes take up work space.

Where did this phrase come from? It is not in the US Constitution. I can imagine it is a loose interpretation of the first amendment. Taken literally it would apply only to Christians (not Jews, Muslim, Buddhist, etc) and the individual states (not the Federal Government).

The first amendment:

From the histories I have read, the writers of the constitution supported religious practices in governmental affairs.

Sometimes it’s necessary to get a certain project done but if I can manage it without help I can probably get it done sooner and better. Help often gets in my way. Also, I am not a good teacher.

Of all the protests on the news, I don’t remember any that had solutions except to “give me”. It seems to me that if the leaders should plan a solution and form a small committee to negotiate with the authorities. Peaceful mass meetings it public areas do get attention but to chant negative phrases only promotes opposition. It seems to me that speeches and chants be positive and explain their proposed solution that would benefit everybody, not just the protesters.

At a family gathering my wife, friends and siblings call me “Bill“, my children call me “Daddy“, my nieces and nephews call me “Uncle Bill“, my grandchildren call me “Granddaddy“, My great-grandchildren are confused. I know that is common practice but I am told it is more respectable than just calling me “Bill” as I would prefer. I would like to be respected by everyone - is “Bill” less respectable?