Passing Thoughts on Some “F” Topics

Fair - On the good side of the line, as opposed to being on the foul side. Not all games have umpires or referees. Some, like the game of life, may have too many officials following different rule books. In life, the golden rule still seems to work best - do unto others as you would have them do unto you.

Family - Families exist in great variety, but politicians who use family as a campaign slogan usually conjure up a stereotype like Father Knows Best from the 1950s.

Fantasy - Not living in the past, present or future, but living instead in a world that does not exist. Indulging fantasy for temporary escapism is harmless enough, but those who live in a permanent fantasy world should not become US Presidents. Ronald Reagan had been a movie actor for so long, he thought the world was a DeMille epic. George W. Bush models himself on Reagan, living in a fantasy world bio-pic in which he sees himself as the star. Bush is not even aware that most Americans have walked out of the theater.

Farts - You have to admit, farts are fun. They always get a laugh in jokes and movies. And they are further proof of intelligent design. Just as man early on learned that pain is a warning sign of injury or illness, Oog knew that when he heard the sound of an Ugg fart, it was time to leave the cave.

Federal - The concept of a unified nation , with parts (in the US, the States) having some powers separate to themselves in addition to those of the national government. State powers prevent national tyranny and provide mini-governments which can try out new ideas that, if successful, might be adopted by the national government. Political parties in the US, most notably Republicans in the last 50 years, campaign on States Rights, but do not hesitate to consolidate the power of the national government when they control it. When there are mini-government successes, they are unfortunately not being considered at the national level.

Financial Planning - Putting together a long range plan to match income with expenses, control spending , save for contingencies and invest for the future is a wise move for individuals, families and businesses, but one too many fail to make. It is an even wiser move for our US Government, but one the Bush Administration has totally disregarded. This administration has instead made huge tax giveaways to the rich, fattened their corporate partners from the public coffers and mortgaged the future of our children and grandchildren.

Flip Flop - Many of the fools who waved flip flop sandals at the 2004 Republican Convention in mockery of John Kerry’s voting dilemma when he early on figured out the George Bush invasion of Iraq was a mistake have now flipped and decided Bush is a flop. As the Bush Administration has been floundering since the 2004 election, the Bush position on many issues has flip flopped faster than the feet of a flamenco dancer.

Flowers - Botanical sex objects sometimes purchased in the supermarket by human males looking to make a sting.

Fraudulent - Based on deceit, such as the Presidency of George W. Bush, as shown by these examples, among others: his dishonest campaign claim to be a “compassionate conservative” and a “uniter not a divider”; his conspiracy with his brother to disenfranchise black voters in Florida; his ongoing attempt to portray himself as a courageous warrior, in spite of his avoidance of Vietnam service and no-show Air National Guard record, and his indecisive cowering in the classroom on 9/11 and subsequent self-defensive circuitous retreat; his continual efforts to mis-label and misrepresent the laws he advocates; his secretive and clandestine attempts to accumulate unprecedented executive power at the expense of Congress and the American people; and his secretive pre-ordained plan to invade Iraq on the first pretense available.

FREE! - The most effective word in advertising. The idea of getting something for nothing seems irresistible. And the word “free” conveys that idea, even though it is often accompanied by other words in smaller typeface, such as “buy one and get the second one FREE!”

Freedom - Certainly more than “just another word for nothing left to lose”, freedom can only best be celebrated by those who have experienced living without it. Freedom in some matters is more important than others. Living as a slave on a Southern plantation in 1840, as generations of your ancestors had done before you and just as you expected many generations of your descendants would do after you is much different from the days before free right turns were allowed at red lights.

Fruit - An end product of the labor of trees and shrubs. The strange fruit hanging from the tree in the Billie Holiday song were black men being lynched. Years back, fruit was a derogatory word for a homosexual male, perhaps because he might be dressed as brightly as the items in the produce market, or maybe because he was considered like the females who labor to bear the human fruit.

Future - The hope and prayer of many people having trouble coping with the present. Buddha taught that we should live in the present. It can be interesting and useful to note how often we express hope, particularly when we do so as a way of deprecating our present situation.