Yes -- school's out for the summer.

Children laughing, running excitedly -- you're right, school is out for the summer.  Some have mixed emotions like a fifth grade girl I talked with.   She called it an iffy situation -- she likes school except for bullying that goes on.

Students will almost certainly get their report cards mailed to them; at least that has been the policy for many years. That's different from the way it was done when I attended school. We would have a day off while teachers  compiled the grades and then we would return to school long enough to turn in our books and pick up our report cards.

I was always happy to see the school term end although my summer was going to be a time of hard work in the hot weather.  It used to seem to me that June l was hotter than May 31 every year.

Sequester -- what do you mean, sequester?

Those of us still awaiting enough points to be discharged from the navy often talked about our plans for when we were out and home.  One friend, from St. Louis, had a simple goal, get a civil service job and live happily ever after.  Some of us argued that he should have a grander ambition.  Now, I am convinced he was right and we were wrong.  Why worry,  let the government take care of you.

The sequester was supposed to cut expenditures and stop creating unnecessary jobs. It is not working that way -- the feds are advertising to fill 2700 high paying jobs that in total will cost 792 million dollars.  With a government job you are fixed for life,

You thought the post office had money troubles?  The post office is trying to hire with a starting pay of 21 dollars an hour -- no high school education required.  The answer to our economic problems is to give everyone a government job.

Tomatoes for a flower pot

Jen brought in a handful of grape tomatoes, our first fruits from gardening.  The tomatoes are from a plant in a flower pot.   This is the first year in many that I haven't a garden, only a few tomatoes in flower beds. It is hard to accept that I am unable to do gardening or yard work.  It is better that I give thanks for what I am able to do.

Will we have riots like Sweden?

We could, although it is not likely.  Sweden has taken pride in its liberal welfare policy, providing modern housing, cradle to grave health care and other financial benefits to the needy, especially immigrants.  However, most of the immigrants have refused to accept Swedish culture.  Religion has played a part, also.

When I say we can avoid riots, I do not mean it is certain that we won't have troubles, not as long as we have a large part of our population depending on a variety of welfare programs.  The danger is wrapped up in the word "entitlements."  Some people act as if they are entitled to the fruits of another person's work.

Everyone has the right to life and liberty and the right to pursue happiness but no guarantee they will catch it.
None of these comments are original with me but I subscribe to them all.

There is no such thing as a free lunch.  Some one has to produce or there is nothing to share. There is no  such thing as the "right" to anything produced by another person.  Both parties must benefit  or no voluntary exchange can take place. 

That's about all the economics we need to know.

Remembering the fallen heroes

Memorial Day, a time set aside for us to remember and honor those brave men and women who in all wars have paid the ultimate sacrifice in defending our nation and our way of life.  What better way to recognize those heroes than by committing our nation to caring for those who came home wounded physically and in many instances hurt mentally and emotionally.  We cannot do more for  those who fell on the battlefields than honor them but we can take care of our wounded heroes.

What Memorial Day means

Memorial Day weekend has begun with many taking advantage of the three days to begin  summer activities. That's fine, but let us remember what Memorial Day means.  It is a day we recognize those who gave their lives in wars beginning with the  War Between  the States and now honoring those who died in all wars since.

Memorial Day should not be confused with Veteran's Day.  Again, Memorial Day is the day we remember the men and women who died while serving, while Veterans Day celebrates the service of all U.S. military veterans, living or dead.

Some cities will hold parades and some people will decorate graves with American flags. Many churches will have special Sunday services to mark the day.

Terrorism is terrorism

Prime Minister David Cameron declared it was terrorism -- the murder of a British soldier by two Islamists yelling  "Allah Akbar"  on a London street.  He didn't call it a demonstration about a video or even simply criminal violence unlike Mr. Obama's description of the Benghazi attack and the Fort Hood massacre.

I am highly disturbed and angry that Nadal Hasan,  who yelled "Allah Akbar" as he murdered 13 and wounded others at Fort Hood, has been paid $278,000 while awaiting trial.  Yet, because Obama refuses to admit the attack was terrorism, his  victims have been denied the benefits they are entitled to receive. What more can Obama do to damage our country?