A Beacon Goes Dark

It was the end of another American cultural icon last week, as TV’s longest continually running show, Guiding Light, sailed off into the sunset. No more Reva, no more Josh, no more Bauers or Spaulding’s or Springfield drama. And all I can say is that I am just damned sad.

According to Wikipedia, “Guiding Light” (known as The Guiding Light prior to 1975, or simply GL) is an Emmy award winning American television program credited by the Guinness Book of World Records as being the longest-running soap opera in production and the longest running drama in television and radio history. It aired on radio from January 25, 1937 to June 29, 1956 and debuted on CBS Television on June 30, 1952.”

I confess. I used to watch “the stories” with great regularity. Not so much in recent years, but when I did watch, it was Guiding Light all the way. I remember watching it as a kid, and followed the characters and their joys and heartaches as though they were members of the family. Which, in fact, for many of us, they were.

But more than that, it was a break in the day for many women. Up early to prepare meals and do the chores of the day, mid afternoon, when the house was empty or quiet with napping children, women could sit down and escape reality for at least a short period of time.

We Have More Freedom Without Health Care?

In response to the very watered down Max Baucus health care proposal, Senator Jim Bunning (R-Kentucky) said, “I do not support a government takeover of the health-care system.” [The proposal] “confiscates more money from the taxpayers,” he went on. “It tramples on American freedom and liberties.” (See link here.)

Thomas Frank at the Watermark Bookstore made the point that progressives have failed miserably by not taking on the assertion that government health care costs us liberty and freedoms.

Think about it.  Are we more free when we are sick and can’t work?  Are we more free when we have health care bills we can’t pay?  Are we more free when we are dead?  I guess the last one is unknowable at this time, but I would have to say “NO” to the first two.

Can we take seriously “patriots” who show up at rallies with guns strapped on  implicitly threatening government officials who dare trample on their freedoms by giving them health care?  I say we can’t…

[Senator Bunning pictured above in photo].

iggydonnelly

Wednesday, 09/23/09, Public Square

I know.  I’ve been told.  They shouldn’t be so open that the contents fall out.  🙂

Do you think an open mind equates to an open heart.  People I know have both, and those I’ve met and don’t bother to know have neither.

fnord