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De Omnibus Dubitandum - Lux Veritas

Friday, August 19, 2011

Observations From the Back Row: 8-19-11

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“De Omnibus Dubitandum”

Everthing we are told should bear some resemblance to what we see going on in reality!


At Wednesday’s town hall in Atkinson, Ill., a local farmer who said he grows corn and soybeans expressed his concerns to President Barack Obama about “more rules and regulations” — including those concerning dust, noise and water runoff — that he heard would negatively affect his business.

The president, on day three of his Midwest bus tour, replied: “If you hear something is happening, but it hasn’t happened, don’t always believe what you hear.” When the room broke into soft laughter, the president added, “No — and I’m serious about that.” Saying that “folks in Washington” like to get “all ginned up” about things that aren’t necessarily happening (“Look what’s comin’ down the pipe!”), Obama’s advice was simple: “Contact USDA.” “Talk to them directly. Find out what it is that you’re concerned about,” Obama told the man. “My suspicion is, a lot of times, they’re going to be able to answer your questions and it will turn out that some of your fears are unfounded.”

Call Uncle Sam. Sensible advice, but perhaps the president has forgotten just how difficult it can be for ordinary citizens to get answers from the government. (The reporter took his advice; and two days later what was the answer? Please read the rest of the article. The fact that this is the only link in today's post is deliberate.)
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For a number of years I have used the below quote from Charles Lutwidge Dodgson’s book, "Through the Looking-Glass and What Alice Found There", at the end of my Green Notes newsletter, and for a reason.  I always thought they were profound.  I now think they are more profound than ever. You may wish to read the entire section regarding "The Walrus and the Carpenter".  Oh...and please....don't someone tell me they don't understand!  One more thing.  You may know the author as Lewis Carroll. 

"The time has come," the Walrus said,
"To talk of many things:
Of shoes, and ships, and sealing wax -
Of cabbages and kings,
And why the sea is boiling hot,
And whether pigs have wings."

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