Things I Can't Talk About

The idiocy of the government "borrowing" an hour of my sleep time and holding it in reserve for me until the fall is generally my topic of discussion on the Monday after daylight savings time goes into effect. However, on Sunday we heard a sermon on "if you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all." Therefore, I hope you will understand why I have nothing to say about daylight savings time this morning.

But, that's not the only thing I can't talk about. For the life of me, I cannot find anything positive to say about the manipulations of the U.S House rules to pass the health care bill. They are not suggesting changing rules at the beginning of a session, or even at what might be perceived to be half-time. The changes they are considering making would affect a bill where the game is actually in the last two minutes of the final quarter. The political maneuver flies in the face of the rule of law. But, since I can't say anything nice about it, I have nothing to say at all.

Then, there was the story on the news this morning about a math teacher who wrote across the top of a student's paper, "20 points off because you are a loser!" What is there nice to say about that, other than the fact that the teacher is blessed it was not my child's paper?

But, disagreeing on public policy issues is not the same as saying harmful, hurtful things, so long as disagreements are on policy, not personal. There are a number of people with whom I disagree on policy, but find to be fine individuals of character on a personal level. We generally understand each others' positions and rarely take offense at the disagreement. Learning to disagree agreeably in this environment is crucial to staying in the battle for the long haul.

As you can see, some of my comments this morning are rather tongue-in-cheek.But, that one about the teacher, I am dead serious about. Scripture explains why words are so powerful. God spoke and the world came into being. In the same way, the words we speak can shape and form our world. Words spoken over young or vulnerable people (loser... stupid...ugly...) can literally shape how they see themselves. The parent or teacher who is a role model for a child should take those phrases totally out of their vocabulary, choosing to correct behavior, rather than to attack self-esteem. Putting the words in writing is even more egregious. To not say something in defense of the child who received that note would be a worse travesty than to say something "unnice" about the teacher.

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer. Psalm 19:14