. . .A Free Country?
Marbury vs. Madison (1803) ~ Important discussion about freedom
Tuesday, June 10, 2003
The "G" Man, G Gordon Liddy, has published a book "When I Was a Kid, This Was a Free Country." This book is a good read!
It is not my purpose here to copy his book. I would like to say that, "When I was a pre-teen I lived in a Free United States of America.
I would like this to be a page of your recollections (a word dad often used) about when you lived in a free country.
Today I watched as a neighbor put some articles in her car and then, I observed as she went through the laborious task of binding her small daughter in the back seat. After she and her daughter road out of site my mind wondered back through the years when I as a small child, say ten or so, used to go to work during the summer school vacation with my dad. He (Robert LeRoy) worked with Pyrofax Gas. He drove a delivery truck and worked very hard to make a living. He often grabbed a sandwich from his lunch box while traveling from one customer to another – an effort to get through all the deliveries he had to make. I was thrilled to be with my dad. I was able to learn much about life and the country I was so privileged to live in. Pyrofax Gas, owned by H.J. Beuhight at that time, was the distributer of LP Gas for all of Indiana County. Those summer excursions took us all over the County. I came to know nearly every country road, hill and valley. Indiana County in Pennsylvania is one of the most beautiful places in the world. Having visited 47 different countries in Europe and Asia I feel qualified to say this with much certainty.
The recollection I have is simply this – I rode with my dad in the front seat of his truck. There was no restraints to wrap me up in and I was free to stick my head out of the passenger side window and feel the air brush through my hair. There were those times when dad would allow me to sit on his lap and clutch the sterring wheel and drive! He even allowed me to ride on the back of the truck on many occasions. One of the greatest thrills I recall was the mountain that stands between Brushvalley and Blairsville. What an exciting experience -- to ride on the back of dad's truck as we descended toward Blairsville! Something I shall never forget. Unfortunately, that was an experience that the law would not allow today. Can you imagine a youth of 10 or 12 riding standing on the bed of a truck loaded with about 30 100 pound cylinders of propane today? Out of the question. Today Mr. RL Craig would be arrested for "child endangerment!" Who knows what else! Out of the question.
Chopper, my dog, simply loves riding on the back of my pickup. The other day, would you believe, I was riding down Jefferson Avenue, Newport News, VA, and Chopper reminded me much of those days I spent with dad. Chopper would go from one side to the other, stand up on his back legs and swish his head from side to side allowing the air to flow through his coat of fawn hair. He was so happy. Then, to my amazement a cop turns his siren on and I thought he was after someone else so I slowed down to let him by. It is me that he was pulling. I wasn't speeding and pulled into a lot adjacent to the road. He so impressionably got out of his squad car and approached my pickup. He ask smartly, "Don't you know that it is against the law to ride a dog in the back of a pickup?" With surprise I suggested, "I am really sorry. I didn't know that." I reached down and got the leash from the seat and got out to put Chopper's collar and leash on. He ask me, "What are you going to do with that?" I said, "I am gong to fasten the leash to the bed of the truck." He said, "No, that will not do. He will have to ride up front with you."
Now, I don't know about your pets, but Chopper has that fine hair and it gets all through the seat covers when he rides inside the cab. Non the less, the LAW says I must not allow my dog to ride in the back of the truck. HOW ON EARTH DID I SURVIVE AS A CHILD FOR ALL THOSE YEARS RIDING ON THE BACK OF DAD'S DELIVERY TRUCK WITHOUT THE LAW?
I used to live in a free country!
You are invited to share your story of "When this used to be a free country" here. That is, . . . while you still have the freedom to do so . . . ?
Bob C
While I'm in the recollecting mood it seemed fitting to add the following story. I can recollect a day not long ago when this following story would not have happened. The firm handshake settled most deals – a deal was a deal. A man's word was his bond. Today, even with all of the limits and laws on the books the following might well be the case and happens all the time.
----- Original Message -----
From Beverly W.
Sent Saturday, June 07, 2003 5:18 PM
Subject A wise old farmer
"I believe that friends are quiet angels who lift us to our feet when our wings have trouble remembering how to fly."A wise old farmer went to town to buy a new pickup truck that he saw advertised in the paper for a certain price. After telling the salesman which truck he wanted, they set down to do the paperwork. The salesman handed the farmer the bill, and the farmer declared, "This isn't the price I saw!".
The salesman went on to tell the old wise farmer how he was getting extras such as power steering, power brakes, power windows, special tires, etc., and that was what took the price up. The farmer, needing the truck badly, paid the price and went home.
A few months later, the salesman called up the farmer and said, "My son is in 4-H and he needs a cow for a project. Do you have any for sale?" The farmer replied, "Yes, I have a few cows I would sell for $500 apiece, Come and look at them and take your pick." The salesman said he and his son would be right out. After spending a few hours in the field checking out all the farmer's cows, the two decided on one and the salesman proceeded to write out a check for $500. The farmer said------"Now wait a minute, that's not the final price of the cow, you're getting extras with it and you have to pay for that too".
"What extras?" asked the salesman. Below is the list the farmer gave the salesman for the final price of the cow,,,,,,,,,,
BASIC COW.......................$500.00
Two-tone exterior..................$45.00
Extra stomach......................$75.00
Product storing equipment..........$60.00
Straw compartment...............$120.00
4 spigots @$10 ea.................$40.00
Leather upholstery................$125.00
Dual horns..........................$45.00
Automatic fly swatter .............$38.00
Fertilizer attachment.............$185.00
GRAND TOTAL.................$1,233.00
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