Best E-Mails of the Week 5/11/02
In an effort to add diversity to the workforce, five cannibals get
hired by a large school district. During the welcoming ceremony the
superintendent says, "You're all part of our team now. You can earn good money
here, and you can go to the cafeteria for something to eat. So please don't
trouble any of the other employees."
The cannibals promised. Four weeks later the superintendent returns and
says, "You're all working very hard, and I'm very satisfied with all of you.
However, one of our janitors has disappeared. Do any of you know what happened
to him?"
The cannibals all shake their heads no.
After the boss left, the leader of the cannibals says to the others, "Which of
you idiots ate the janitor?"
A hand raises hesitantly, to which the leader of the cannibals replies, "You
FOOL! For four weeks we've been eating Assistant Superintendents, Curriculum
Directors, Team Leaders, Supervisors and Coordinators and no one noticed
anything, and YOU had to go and eat the janitor!"
Her hair was up in a pony tail, her favorite dress tied with a bow.
Today was Daddy's Day at school, and she couldn't wait to go.
But her mommy tried to tell her, that she probably should stay home.
Why the kids might not understand, if she went to school alone.
But she was not afraid: she knew just what to say.
What to tell her classmates of why he wasn't here today.
But still her mother worried, for her to face this day alone.
And that was why once again, she tried to keep her daughter home.
But the little girl went to school, eager to tell them all.
About a dad she never sees, a dad who never calls.
There were daddies along the wall in the back, for everyone to meet.
Children squirming impatiently, anxious in their seats.
One by one the teacher called, a student from the class.
To introduce their daddy, as seconds slowly passed.
At last the teacher called her name, every child turned to stare.
Each of them were searching, for a man who wasn't there.
"Where's her daddy at?" she heard a boy call out.
"She probably doesn't have one," another student dared to shout out.
And from somewhere near the back, she heard a daddy say,
"Looks like another dead beat dad, too busy to waste his day."
The words did not offend her, as she smiled up at her Mom.
And looked back at her teacher, who told her to go on.
And with her hands behind her back, slowly she began to speak.
And out from the mouth of a child, came words incredibly unique.
My daddy couldn't be here, because he lives so far away.
But I know he wishes he could be, since this is such a special day.
And though you cannot meet him, I wanted you to know.
All about my daddy, and how much he loves me so.
He loved to tell me stories, he taught me to ride my bike.
He surprised me with pink roses, and taught me to fly a kite.
We used to share fudge sundaes, and ice cream in a cone.
And though you cannot see him, I'm not standing here alone.
'Cause my daddy's always with me, even though we are apart
I know because he told me, he'll forever be in my heart
With that, her little hand reached up, and lay across her chest.
Feeling her own heartbeat, beneath her favorite dress.
And from somewhere in the crowd of dads, her mother stood in tears.
Proudly watching her daughter, who was wise beyond her years.
For she stood up for the love of a man not in her life.
Doing what was best for her, doing what was right.
And when she dropped her hand back down, staring straight into the crowd.
She finished with a voice so soft, but its message clear and loud.
"I love my daddy very much, he's my shining star.
And if he could, he'd be here, but heaven's just too far.
You see he was a fireman and died just this past year
When airplanes hit the towers and taught "Americans to Fear."
But sometimes when I close my eyes, it's like he never went away."
And then she closed her eyes, and saw him there that day.
And to her mother's amazement, she witnessed with surprise.
A room full of daddies and children, all starting to close their eyes.
Who knows what they saw before them, who knows what they felt inside.
Perhaps for merely a second, they saw him at her side.
"I know you're with me daddy," to the silence she called out.
And what happened next made believers, of those once filled with doubt.
Not one in that room could explain it, for each of their eyes had been
closed.
But there on the desk beside her, was a fragrant long-stemmed pink rose.
And a child was blessed, if only for a moment, by the love of her shining
bright star.
And given the gift of believing, that heaven is never too far.
This is an Editorial written by an American citizen, published in a
Tampa Newspaper.
IMMIGRANTS, NOT AMERICANS, MUST ADAPT.
I am tired of this nation worrying about whether we are offending some
individual or their culture. Since the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, we have
experienced a surge in patriotism by the majority of Americans. However, the
dust from the attacks had barely settled when the "politically correct" crowd
began complaining about the possibility that our patriotism was offending
others. I am not against immigration, nor do I hold a grudge against anyone who
is seeking a better life by coming to America. Our population is almost entirely
comprised of descendants of immigrants. However, there are a few things that
those who have recently come to our country, and apparently some born here, need
to understand. This idea of America being a multicultural community has served
only to dilute our sovereignty and our national identity. As Americans, we have
our own culture, our own society, our own language and our own lifestyle. This
culture has been developed over centuries of struggles, trials, and victories by
millions of men and women who have sought freedom. We speak ENGLISH, not
Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Russian, or any other language. Therefore,
if you wish to become part of our society, learn the language! "In God We Trust"
is our national motto. This is not some Christian, right wing, political slogan.
We adopted this motto because men and women, on principles, founded this nation,
and this is clearly documented. It is certainly appropriate to display it on the
walls of our schools. If God offends you, then I suggest you consider another
part of the world as your new home, because God is part of our culture. If Stars
and Stripes offend you, or you don't like Uncle Sam, then you should seriously
consider a move to another part of this planet. We are happy with our culture
and have no desire to change, and we really don't care how you did things where
you came from. This is OUR COUNTRY, our land, and our lifestyle. Our First
Amendment gives every citizen the right to express his opinion and we will allow
you every opportunity to do so. But, once you are done complaining, whining, and
griping about our flag, our pledge, our national motto, or our way of life,
highly encourage you to take advantage of one other great American freedoms, THE
RIGHT TO LEAVE.
|
Here is an article in today's New York Times.
I saw Philippe Petit at 7:00 am that July morning in 1974 just one month
after college graduation. We were working at building Battery Park City as a
land fill in the Hudson (North) River, and co workers told me to look up at
the tight rope walker between the twin towers. As engineers, all we
could say was "Of course he's doing it now when there is absolutely no wind.
Even the slightest wind would make the towers sway a few feet, and snap his
cable."
A policeman in Newsweek was later quoted as
yelling to Petit from the roof top: "Come back here now, or I'm coming out
there after you!" :)
Who wants
to walk to the top of the Brooklyn Bridge with me? Any Spider men out there?
Actually in the movie he was on the 59th St. Bridge near the Roosevelt
Island Tram, right? |
Visionaries Dare to Take the Catwalk
By PHILIPPE PETIT
've
been a New Yorker for almost 30 years, and I've walked all over this great city
on a high wire. I did it illegally at first — at 1,350 feet, between the twin
towers of the World Trade Center, in 1974. Then officially: over Belvedere Lake
in Central Park; across Amsterdam Avenue, 16 stories in the air, to the
unfinished south tower of the Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine; and
later, on several occasions, inside the nave. I've walked from wing to wing
above the entrance courtyard of the Museum of the City of New York and from roof
to roof between the buildings of Lincoln Center, over the fountain. I've danced
on a high wire under the celestial vault of Grand Central Station and in the
Rose Center for Earth and Space at the American Museum of Natural History. Just
last weekend, I walked 50 feet in the air between two distant columns in the
Crystal Palace at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. Believe me when I say
that New York City hides many treasures in high places, some of them visible
only from a bird's-eye view.
Now Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg has come out in support of a plan to open the
Brooklyn Bridge catwalks and towers to the public. The mayor and his daughter
have climbed the Sydney Harbor Bridge under the auspices of Bridgeclimb, an
Australian outfit that has been proposed as suitable to escort visitors to the
top of the Brooklyn Bridge as well. I have my own history with the Sydney Harbor
Bridge. A year before my walk between the World Trade Center's twin towers, I
secretly stretched my high wire between the northern pylons of that bridge and
walked its length.
Opponents of the plan are concerned about safety for the climbers and
pedestrians and vehicles below. Having proposed and performed high-wire walks in
many countries, I know that this is a typical response from those without
vision: it is simpler to say no. But being safe need not mean sacrificing dreams
of daring proportions. I am not talking about taking risks with our lives:
daring should be a state of mind, not a state of physical danger. I say this as
one who prepares each of my walks in minute detail since I plan to live to be
very old.
Having climbed the Brooklyn Bridge more than once, and knowing the structure
well, I think the idea of opening of its aerial structure to everyone for a safe
visit is a magnificent one. It will enlighten the public about the fascinating
story of the bridge's construction — a lesson in imagination, perseverance and
stout-heartedness of New Yorkers of the past.
It will also open our eyes to our own possibilities. To look up elevates the
soul; to watch a falcon take flight from the cornice of a building is to envy
its freedom, to consider the world from a loftier perspective. We need altitude
as much as we need oxygen. To be surrounded by things of great height — mountain
peaks or skyscrapers — reminds us of our fragility but also inspires us to reach
for the clouds, to take our measure and to stretch it.
So I raise my glass to you, Mr. Bloomberg. You are leading New York City in
the right direction — upward! And I'll be happy to be the first to climb the
bridge in this new way, demonstrating to my fellow New Yorkers how safely it
will allow us to become more observant and appreciative, more courageous and
more in love with our wonderful city than ever.
Philippe Petit is an artist in residence at the Cathedral Church of St.
John the Divine and the author of the forthcoming "To Reach the Clouds: My High
Wire Walk Between the Twin Towers."
From Minnesota DOT
Transport Research Laboratory scientists in England did a study on effects of
drivers using cell phones while operating a vehicle.
They discovered the reaction time for cell phone users while driving was slower
than drivers operating a vehicle above the legal blood alcohol limit.
Doesn't matter whether cell phone is hand held or hands free.
Reaction times for cell phone users was 30% slower than alcohol impaired drivers
and 50% slower than drivers who had not consumed alcohol.
Test speeds of 70MPH:
Average stop Distance. Alcohol impaired. Hand held cell. Hands free cell.
102 feet 115 feet 128 feet
148 feet
When out in a work zone keep the above facts in mind, especially when flagging.
This is just one distraction drivers contend with on the highways.
Couple the above statistics with driving in bad weather with slippery roads,
alcohol impaired drivers, lack of sleep etc., etc. and you can understand why we
have so many accidents. Take care out there.
Here are pictures from the Special Olympics Northwest
Regional Games this past week:
Opening Ceremony and parade.
Team Ridgefield with Head Coach Greg and Local Coordinator, yours truly.
Running the 220 with encouragement from the other athletes.
Ridgefield won three medals for the running long jump.
Gold, silver and bronze.