Content Manager posted on September 01, 2009 00:10
September 2009 Navy
by LCDR Steven L. Rogers, USN (Ret)
Common sense is defined as, what people in common would agree on: that which they “sense” as their common natural understanding, prudent and of sound judgment, making decisions based on what they see as knowledge held by people “in common.”
I am sure we can all agree that many people today fail to use “Common Sense,” when addressing many issues affecting their lives or the lives of others.
Perhaps you have read this obituary which was written by Author Anne Whitefield, and printed in the London Times, on 4 December 2007. If you have not read it, you will find it to be most thought provoking.
Today, we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense, who has been with us for many years. No one knows for sure how old he was, since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape. He will be remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons as: Knowing when to come in out of the rain; why the early bird gets the worm; Life isn’t always fair; and maybe it was my fault.
Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don’t spend more than you can earn) and reliable strategies (adults, not children, are in charge). His health began to deteriorate rapidly when well-intentioned but overbearing regulations were set in place. Reports of a 6-year-old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate; teens suspended from school for using mouthwash after lunch; and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student, only worsened his condition.
Common Sense lost ground when parents attacked teachers for doing the job that they themselves had failed to do in disciplining their unruly children. It declined even further when schools were required to get parental consent to administer sun lotion to a student; but could not inform parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion.
Common Sense lost the will to live as the Ten Commandments became contraband; churches became businesses; and criminals received better treatment than their victims.
Common Sense took a beating when you couldn’t defend yourself from a burglar in your own home and the burglar could sue you for assault. Common Sense finally gave up the will to live, after a woman failed to realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot. She spilled a little in her lap, and was promptly awarded a huge settlement.
Common Sense was preceded in death by his parents, Truth and Trust; his wife, Discretion; his daughter, Responsibility; and his son, Reason. He is survived by his 4 stepbrothers; I Know My Rights, I Want It Now, Someone Else Is To Blame, and I’m A Victim.
Not too many attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone. If you still remember him, pass this on. If not, join the majority and do nothing.
May all of us encourage our nation’s leaders to use common sense when addressing issues affecting our national security. For if common sense with regard to the defense of America does not prevail, there will be no America left to defend.
“The three great essentials to achieve anything worthwhile are, first, hard work; second, stick-to-itiveness; third, common sense.” Thomas Edison