Howdy Dave, I think the best thing we can do for our kids is to be a good example for them to follow. Some time ago one of our newspapers carried a photo of a notorious local criminal. His wife and child were in that photo. I wondered then what chance that little boy had. With regards to the education system well... in general it sets our children up to become followers of the slavery that our politicians, big business and banks want. Get 'em young, scare 'em (fill their heads with junk - * see below), load 'em up with debt and they will be yours for life. As for Harry Potter - the one thing that I will say is this - it has turned a lot more children towards reading. For that alone I think it has been positive rather than negative. (Gee, I hope Art isn't lurking around here - LOL!) Gary * - over here the "Gay" lobby has been insisting on indoctrinating the minds of THREE year olds with the concepts of "two daddies" and "two mummies" through some revolting reading books that discuss homosexual and lesbian relationships. For goodness sake - these kids are only THREE. Let them be children rather than pawns of the alternate lifestyle brigade. Like I said - get 'em young.

Hi, Linda, "That depends on whether or not you can pay your bills. Try tell someone that's had their electricity and phone shut off that money and happiness aren't synonymous." Right now you are talking about me! I'm still probably the happiest man in the world, though! Money is only a means to an end. The lack of it is not the end of the world. I'm lucky enough to have a friend next door who has put an extension cable under my door just so I can stay on line. Happiness is a way of life. It is what can define you and is certainly what keeps you going when the main impulse is to give up. If I lose money or don't have any, I can always, eventually, replace it and repay any debts that accrue.. If I lose happiness for just one second - I can never replace that! It has gone - irrevocably.

Hi Gary, ======================================================= Let them be children rather than pawns of the alternate lifestyle brigade. ========================================================== We have the same nonsense happening in Canada. Unfortunately, it's illegal in this country to say anything against it. I guess they'll just have to arrest me... Interestingly enough, I think I'd also be arrested as a perv for properly explaining the straight lifestyle to kids that young... I have had close friends involved in the 'alternate lifestyle,' (now dead as a result of their lifestyle), but they respected me as I was, and I them. The fact that some of these clowns now want to shove their lifestyle ideas down the throats of impressionable young children, to me, shows the desparately weak argument for their position. God bless, Dave

Hi Art, I really enjoy your outlook on life! ========================================================= If I lose money or don't have any, I can always, eventually, replace it and repay any debts that accrue.. If I lose happiness for just one second - I can never replace that! It has gone - irrevocably. ============================================================ Once upon a time, I sold insurance door-to-door (boy, is that a tough way to make a living!) There came a point when the economy was a complete shambles; the province was virtually in a stranglehold when three of the province's biggest unions when on strike, and then to top it off, an election was called. Thousands of people were out of work, with many losing houses, equipment, and of course, their jobs. Guess how difficult it was to find people willing to spend what money they had on extra insurance? Anyway, one day, I walked into our office, where everyone was sitting around with gloom and doom plastered all over their faces. I was smiling and said, "Man, it's sure great not to have to worry about paying bills!" They all looked at me like I was either crazy or had just won the lottery. Then I said, "When you've got no money to pay the bills, why worry about it?" Worrying has never accomplished anything good that I know of. God bless, Dave

Hi Everyone, Art, as usual you said very well what I mean to convey. I have food, shelter, comforts, and no threats looming over me. However, at times happiness can elude me. There have been a few times when poverty loomed over us. I remember they were simple and happy times. The reason that they were so was because we had hope of enduring the difficult times. Back to the original statement gave for this post. Those who want to rob a bank or count on winning the lottery are desperate. They do not have the ability or desire to find a ligitmate way to gain wealth. To them wealth and happiness is synanamous. When they attain it by such means their problems still follow them. WHERE EVER YOU GO THERE YOU ARE I work with some people whose conversations are consumed by what numbers were pulled last night, what numbers to play at noon, and what numbers will they buy when they leave work. What beauty, inspiration, joy, etc. did they miss out on in the people and places they experienced that day?