Friday, May 25, 2012
     
 
 
Columns
An 8th grade final exam

We all think we're much better educated today than our ancestors. Way back then many grandparents and great-grandparents stated that they only had an 8th grade education. Today most of us can boast of a high school education, and many of today's young people advance to the college or trade school ranks.

But, were our ancestors really that uneducated, even the ones who quit school to join the work force following eighth grade.

Could any of us have passed the 8th grade in 1895? I know I would have lots of trouble.

Back Again
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The things we do for mother

CLAIRE:

There's a whole subcategory of movies that my mom likes to call "uplifting." The typical trademark of these movies is an hour and a half of tragedy, death, and misery, followed by about three minutes of pure joy and redemption. Think: George Bailey's impromptu party at the end of "It's a Wonderful Life," or the brand new puppy running through a field at the end of "Old Yeller."

Sicko

JIM:

"Sicko" is the title of Michael Moore's 2007 documentary about the flaws in America's health care system. My wife and I have always been blessed with good health insurance plans through our employers. Consequently, five years ago I didn't pay too much attention to Moore's film. What a difference five years can make!

Go ahead, stick your chin out

JIM:

The name of the game

JIM:

When I was a youngster, growing up in Jim Thorpe, my family always had a favorite game that got played nearly every night after dinner. Parcheesi was the hot ticket for a long time. Later, we graduated to card games: 500 Rummy, then Pinochle. Video games, of course, didn't exist.

We lived so well so long

JIM:

And I don't know a soul who's not been battered

I don't have a friend who feels at ease

I don't know a dream that's not been shattered

or driven to its knees

But it's all right, it's all right

We've lived so well so long

Still, when I think of the road

we're traveling on

I wonder what went wrong

I can't help it, I wonder what went wrong

- Paul Simon,

"American Tune" (1975)

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