Strong foundation

Well, well...it's been quite a week. When I posted a simple statement on the Oak Cliff Bicycle Company site, expressing my opinion that the poster and theme for the Kennedy Assassination Bike Race was in poor taste, and followed it with a blog entry on my own personal blog, I never expected such a furor. Many folks have expressed agreement that the poster was offensive, and a poll conducted on the CBS 11 News site found that 76% of those participating thought that the poster was "A bad idea-It's offensive."

But there has been a vocal minority, mostly young cyclists, who have defended the poster and theme, many leveling personal attacks at me. Most have accused me of wanting censorship, though I never asked that the poster be removed. I have been called a "nosy old busybody." (I guess that means I'm interested in history, current events, and what goes on in my society and community.) Another person characterized me as "a humorless bore." (My friends actually consider me fairly witty, but I don't see anything humorous in assassination, violence, or intentionally causing people pain.) I have been compared to Sarah Palin (scratching head)!?!? My spinal condition and my weight have been fodder for snide remarks, and one person stated, "Her son is a schizophreniac (sic)," as if that were the punchline of a joke.

The most amusing comments were those that suggested that I find something more constructive to do with my time. One such comment read:

Surely, in this day and age, you can find plenty of other things to spend your energy on changing or speaking out against. There’s all sorts of injustices in the world and in our home state. Might I suggest volunteering at the local animal shelter, feeding the homeless on Thanksgiving, visiting the elderly at a local nursing home or something else equally noble to get you away from your computer?

Once I stopped chuckling, I informed this helpful young lady that I had adopted 10 kids with disabilities, raised them as a single parent, provided therapy to disabled kids for 30 years, help take care of my 91 year old blind disabled mother, and have rescued 5 animals from shelters. To both of the people who suggested that I do something to better the world, I asked what exactly THEY had done to contribute to the common good. Strangely, neither responded. It is SO typical of that generation to think they are superior and qualified to lecture someone more than twice their age about how to live their life!

I hope that these folks aren't representative of an entire generation. I see people who are self-absorbed, hedonistic, and amoral. They don't build anything up; they only tear things down. Everything is a joke, and the more insulting or degrading, the better. They don't have respect for anyone or anything. They have the attitude that "anything goes," at least anything THEY want to do. Their mantra is "whatever." To me, they are pathetic: empty, lost souls with no moral compass.

But, I didn't intend for this to be a rant. I must admit, I'm not feeling very charitable towards these folks after all their comments this week. I was sending some mental arrows their way: I hope you have freezing rain for your race, I hope a construction truck drops a case of nails on your route, I hope you get a bad case of hemorrhoids. (Actually I have read one report that the race may have to be cancelled because the organizers did not get a permit for use of the park.)

But, rather than cursing their moral retardation, I'll send them a blessing. This is what I wish for them (in the words of Bob Dylan):

May God bless and keep you always,

May your wishes all come true,

May you always do for others

And let others do for you.

May you build a ladder to the stars

And climb on every rung,

And may you stay forever young,

Forever young, forever young,

May you stay forever young.

May you grow up to be righteous,

May you grow up to be true,

May you always know the truth

And see the light surrounding you.

May you always be courageous,

Stand upright and be strong,

And may you stay forever young,

Forever young, forever young,

May you stay forever young.

May your hands always be busy,

May your feet always be swift,

May you have a strong foundation

When the winds of changes shift.

May your heart always be joyful,

May your song always be sung,

And may you stay forever young,

Forever young, forever young,

May you stay forever young.