Will I didn't know you were a educator as well. You sure have had a very busy life for only 55 years of age (I read your birthday tread) God bless.
Well said Scott.The article says 'all their possessions and savings' went down with the boat. So what did they lose in regard to savings? Are they saying that they lost cash money that just floated away or settled into the sand underneath the water? The boat seems to be beached now, so what did they lose that couldn't be recovered? Oh, I guess that they may have meant that all of their savings were invested in the boat. It's funny how the article is purposely written to tug at our heartstrings, as if to imply that they lost so much more than just that old boat, which seems to be recoverable. They could probably even recover the keel and put it back on the boat if they wanted to. But that would probably mean that they would have to go back to work for "the man" and compromise their soul in doing so.
The begging for money thing seems to be epidemic. A few summers ago I went into the local Quick Check for a sandwich and found a table set up outside the store where a group of neighborhood moms were soliciting money for their son's baseball team. The kids were just kind of milling around, goofing off and having fun. This was happening in the heart of the wealthiest county, in about the wealthiest state in the country. Their baseball team won a regional tournament and wanted to go to Florida for a "National" tournament. 'Please help these deserving kids pursue their baseball dreams'.
I went inside, where the folks at the counter and making the sandwiches are largely immigrant, with a mixture of local kids, all working for about minimum wage or a bit more and said, "are you ok with this?" I got a few knowing smirks in return. They couldn't help what the manager allowed outside their front door.
When I went outside, I couldn't help but say to the moms "it's really fine that you rich suburbanites are outside here teaching your kids to panhandle in front of a bunch of folks who are working for minimum wage". Boy, did I ever get jeered. They yelled at me 'you loser ... you probably never won anything in your life!' I turned to the kids and said how do you guys feel about your wealthy suburban moms begging for money to provide for your nice vacation. I got a few surprised looks!
I told this story to a friend of ours. Their son plays on a hockey team and the mom said that she hates it that the team organizers make the parents go out to do that sort of thing if their kid is going to be on the team (it's the moms that actually have to do the dirty work, the dads usually just disappear to avoid embarrassment). She said it wouldn't be so bad if they actually organized a car wash or some kind of service, but they don't want to do that - too much effort. The simplest way to go about raising money is to just set up a table outside a local store and panhandle. There seems to be enough moms that are enthusiastic about this form of money raising (just my observation - sorry moms )
I don't know about anybody else, but I could never stoop to that level. I paid for my kids sports and activities and that's that. A lot of folks would make the point that the kids have to do something to earn the privilege and I can't disagree with that, either.
If we teach our kids to panhandle in these subtle ways, they will learn the lessons.
I disagree. The wealthiest segment of our population stroke their ego and have a tax savings strategy in mind with their fund raising. Sure, it makes them feel better about themselves and provides a great opportunity to throw some really impressive charity balls and such. It's nice that they fund some really impressive edifices that they can point to with a sense of achievement and possession, even if they are public.Scott,
Very nicely written. Please keep in mind that the culture in the wealthiest segment of our population has a strong element of "fund raising". These moms are really teaching the skills needed too manage and fund the world's charitable foundations. Many of whom practice a much harder sell than the little league team sitting at a table outside the Piggly Wiggly.
That said, cookies are always nice.
- Will (Dragonfly)
That's kind of a midwestern, (flyover country ) ethos, I think. I'm afraid that many folks along the coastal states don't generally behave that way (generalization). I have those kinds of arguments with my brother, who lives in Iowa. He sees more responsible government behavior and far more rational behavior among all citizens than I complain about in our neck of the woods. He doesn't understand my complaints. I'm smart enough to understand his point of view (because I have lived there, too)!We always did car washes with our Boy Scouts to help raise money for their out of town camps! Kids planned and organized, kids washed the cars, kids collected the donations and kids cleaned up afterwards. A better life lesson, I think.
Isn't it an obligation of an older generation to pass on some wisdom to younger generations? Sure, some of the commentary and advise might seem a little harsh. Degeneration within a society is a real danger. Older generations gain wisdom and it is necessary to pass it along. I was 20 at one time and probably said the same things that you imply. Generosity is a virtue, freeloading is not. Evolution happens, we all know that. Evolution isn't necessarily all progress.It always amazes me how each generation complains about the stupid stuff "young people" are doing these days.
Devil music rock and roll, fast cars, different drugs, sitting too close to the TV, Ect.
Go fund me sites are a fact of the new generation. They use it to help others in need. How is that bad?
In what way does it hurt, or even affect you?
I also hear how kids are being ruined because nobody loses, or fails tests. But when they help others in need, helping resolve a "fail" like losing their boat and all their worldly possesions, then it's beggars and suckers.
Maybe the younger generation is just more compassionate and generous.
Yeah, I can see how that can piss you off!
I didn't see where anyone implied they were "pissed off" by generosity or compassion - did you?It always amazes me how each generation complains about the stupid stuff "young people" are doing these days.
Devil music rock and roll, fast cars, different drugs, sitting too close to the TV, Ect.
Go fund me sites are a fact of the new generation. They use it to help others in need. How is that bad?
In what way does it hurt, or even affect you?
I also hear how kids are being ruined because nobody loses, or fails tests. But when they help others in need, helping resolve a "fail" like losing their boat and all their worldly possesions, then it's beggars and suckers.
Maybe the younger generation is just more compassionate and generous.
Yeah, I can see how that can piss you off!
I never met a cookie I didn't like! I get mildly annoyed with the barrage of contribution requests I see at work, but I did buy 4 boxes of GS cookies. (I doubt I'll share them with anybody).Scott,
I'm not sure what you are disagreeing with. Is it the cookies?
- Will (Dragonfly)
I do!He doesn't understand my complaints.
Have you opened the box yet? my wife bought a couple boxes from the GS last year and I was shocked and dissapointed to see that they are now using a new box liner that only holds about half as many cookies inside the same size box of old. seemed like kind of a slap in the face to me.I never met a cookie I didn't like! I get mildly annoyed with the barrage of contribution requests I see at work, but I did buy 4 boxes of GS cookies. (I doubt I'll share them with anybody).
We can assume that the USCG, Florida DNR and the federal prosecutor all have computers and now know these two just came into the financial resources sufficient to meet legal responsibilities to remove their derelict vessel. They will either remove their vessel or the government will and they will be assessed for the costs.I'm gonna wager on this one that says they will not spend a single dime of this "free money" paying to have their mess cleaned up (boat salvaged & removed from water) and will walk away from their sunken boat & just let the taxpayers pay to clear it and move right on as if nothing happened. Just a WAG. I hope they prove me wrong and do the right thing with the money..