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An e-mail I got today:

I got this e-mail today and it really is "food for thought". So I thought I would just share it if you have the time or inclination to read it:

Jay Leno wrote this; it's the Jay Leno we don't often see....

As most of you know I am not a President Bush fan, nor have I
ever been, but this is not about Bush, it is about us, as Americans, and
it seems to hit the mark.


'The other day I was reading Newsweek magazine and came across
some Poll data I found rather hard to believe. It must be true given
the source, right?
The Newsweek poll alleges that 67 percent of Americans
are unhappy with the direction the country is headed and 69 percent of
the country is unhappy with the performance of the President.

In essence 2/3 of the citizenry just ain't happy and want a change. So
being the knuckle dragger I am, I started thinking, 'What are we so
unhappy about?''


A.. Is it that we have electricity and running water 24 hours
a day, 7 Days a week?


B.. Is our unhappiness the result of having air conditioning
in the summer and heating in the winter?


C.. Could it be that 95.4 percent of these unhappy folks have a job?


D. Maybe it is the ability to walk into a grocery store at
any time and see more food in moments than Darfur has seen in the last
year?

E.. Maybe it is the ability to drive our cars and trucks
from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean without having to present
identification papers as we move through each state?



F.. Or possibly the hundreds of clean and safe motels we
would find along the way that can provide temporary shelter?


G.. I guess having thousands of restaurants with varying
cuisine from around the world is just not good enough either.


H. Or could it be that when we wreck our car, emergency
workers show up and provide services to help all and even send
a helicopter to take you to the hospital.


I.. Perhaps you are one of the 70 percent of Americans who
own a home.


J.. You may be upset with knowing that in the unfortunate
case of a fire, a group of trained firefighters will appear in moments
and use top notch equipment to extinguish the flames, thus saving you,
your family, and your belongings.


K.. Or if, while at home watching one of your many flat
screen TVs, a burglar or prowler intrudes, an officer equipped with a
gun and a bullet-proof vest will come to defend you and your family
against attack or loss.


L.. This all in the backdrop of a neighborhood free of
bombs or militias raping and pillaging the residents.
Neighborhoods where 90% of teenagers own cell phones and computers.


M.. How about the complete religious, social and
political freedoms we enjoy that are the envy of everyone in the world?


Maybe that is what has 67% of you folks unhappy.


Fact is, we are the largest group of ungrateful, spoiled
brats the world has ever seen. No wonder the world loves the U.S., yet
has a great disdain for its citizens. They see us for what we are. The
most blessed people in the world who do nothing but complain about what
we don't have, and what we hate about the country instead of thanking
the good Lord we live here.



I know, I know. What about the president who took us into war
and has no plan to get us out? The president who has a measly 31
percent approval rating? Is this the same president who guided the
nation in the dark days after 9/11? The president that cut taxes to
bring an economy out of recession? Could this be the same guy who has
been called every name in the book for succeeding in keeping all
the spoiled ungrateful brats safe from terrorist attacks? The commander
in chief of an all-volunteer army that is out there defending you and me?



Did you hear how bad the President is on the news or talk
show? Did this news affect you so much, make you so unhappy you couldn't
take a look around for yourself and see all the good things and be glad?

Think about it......are you upset at the President because he actually
caused you personal pain OR is it because the 'Media' told you he was
failing to kiss your sorry ungrateful behind every day. Make no mistake
about it.


The troops in Iraq and Afghanistan have volunteered to serve,
and in many cases may have died for your freedom. There is currently no
draft in this country. They didn't have to go. They are able to refuse
to go and end up with either a ''general'' discharge, an 'other than
honorable'' discharge or, worst case scenario, a ''dishonorable''
discharge after a few days in the brig.


So why then the flat-out discontentment in the minds of
69 percent of Americans?


Say what you want but I blame it on the media. If it bleeds
it leads and they specialize in bad news. Everybody will watch a car
crash with blood and guts. How many will watch kids selling lemonade at
the corner? The media knows this and media outlets are
for-profit corporations. They offer what sells, and when criticized,
try to defend their actions by 'justifying' them in one way or
another. Just ask why they tried to allow a murderer like OJ. Simpson to
write a book about how he didn't kill his wife, but if he did he would
have done it this way......Insane!


Turn off the TV, burn Newsweek, and use the New York Times for the
bottom of your bird cage. Then start being grateful for all we have
as country. There is exponentially more good than bad. We are among the
most blessed people on Earth and should thank God several times a day,
or at least be thankful and appreciative.' 'With hurricanes, tornados,
fires out of control, mud slides, flooding, severe thunderstorms tearing
up the country from one end to another, and with the threat of bird flu
and terrorist attacks, 'Are we sure this is a good time to take God
out of the Pledge of Allegiance?'


Jay Leno
 
Well, not sure if Jay Leno really said it.. However, it does make a good point.

We are living in the gilded age yet it is never good enough for many whiny Americans.. Part of me thinks a good hard depression might wake people up, but unfortunately it would probably hurt the silent majority of us who just live our lives.

I do think though, that there is something built into the American psyche to never be satisfied and always strive for something better. It was once a strength of ours, but too much of anything can be bad.
 
Well, not sure if Jay Leno really said it.. However, it does make a good point.

I do think though, that there is something built into the American psyche to never be satisfied and always strive for something better. It was once a strength of ours, but too much of anything can be bad.

I was wondering if Jay Leno really said it also!?! Oh well whoever it was is not relevant, it is good food for thought!

And I agree with the point you made thet even good things can be bad in large doses!
 
This is really good,Cathy- thanks for sharing! And I don't think it matters one bit if he wrote it or not- I think they're wise words, regardless...

Here's an e-mail I received today- these words were recited on the air in a memorium piece for reporter and former White House Press Secretary, Tony Snow whose funeral was yesterday...

THE TRUE GENTLEMAN

The True Gentleman is the man whose conduct proceeds from good will and an acute sense of propriety, and whose self-control is equal to all emergencies; who does not make the poor man conscious of his poverty, the obscure man of his obscurity, or any man of his inferiority or deformity; who is himself humbled if necessity compels him to humble another; who does not flatter wealth, cringe before power, or boast of his own possessions or achievements; who speaks with frankness but always with sincerity and sympathy; whose deed follows his word; who thinks of the rights and feelings of others, rather than his own; and who appears well in any company, a man with whom honor is sacred and virtue safe.

- John Walter Wayland published in 'The American Citizen' 1930
 
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