Dog Days Again
The sun is in conjunction with the Dog Star, Sirius. Dog days are back. Bright Sirius adds its heat to that of the sun. Or so thought the ancients. Indeed, it is hot out there.
I think back to childhood in Kingsville, Texas, playing with
my brother, not really aware of the heat. That is, until you went into the
Rialto Theater – the only air-conditioned place in town.
Bob G. asks where high school students find their summer
jobs, in this new age, with OSHA and child labor laws? No more kids running
paper routes; now, its adults in cars. No more lawn mowing; companies with
riding mowers handle that chore. My friends tell me about dog-sitting jobs,
life guards in the neighborhood swimming pool. Where do our youngsters learn responsibility,
the work ethic? It’s a different time, a new age, a sea change. I’ll bet that
there are some innovative youngsters out there, someplace.
Years ago at the University, I sat on the front row in a
graduation ceremony, next to a guy wearing crimson robes. Our President Fred
Davison gave the address to the grads. He said, “We must return to those
principles that made this country great!”
And my neighbor jumped to his feet and shouted, “Slavery!
Child labor! Killing Indians!” Davison glared at him. And at me, next to him.
Needless to say, I never again sat next to a guy wearing
crimson.
But I wonder – and Bob G. would agree – have we gone too far
with child labor laws?”
Dac
7/8/2009
“I wonder what it is the vintners buy, one-half so precious
as the stuff they sell?” – Omar the Tentmaker.