Upon the impartiality, fairness, and integrity of its courts the endurance of a nation depends.  Civil gonvernment is founded on justice, even as true religion is founded on mercy.  ___ TUB     Does it seems we are lacking in these qualities?  ....or is the lack of these qualities amplified by a willing media looking for relevance and ratings?  Hmmm.

"Trustworthiness is the true measure of self-mastery, that is....character."  _TUB

"There is an art in defeat which noble and mature souls always acquire; that is....how to lose cheerfully.  They are fearless of disappointment."  Wish I could say I measure up to that ideal!

It seems to me that the past few decades have witnessed a menace in the rising tide of pleasure pursuit; that is, self-gratification with no concern for others or consequences.  The combination of restlessness, curiosity, adventure, and pleasure-abandon characteristics of many of us pose a real danger.  Some would argue that we've already reached the point of no return. 

My thought is that the hunger of the soul cannot be satisfied with physical pleasures, electronic devices, homes, cars, gadgets, etc.  The love of homelife and children is burdened by the unwise pusuit of pleasure.  We can exhaust the resources of art, color, sound, rhythm, music, and fashion, but by doing so we cannot hope to elevate the soul or nourish the spirit.  Fashion and vanity does not support home building and child culture; pride and rivalry are unable to enhance the survival qualities of succeeding generations.

We must look well to the goal of destiny!  Self-gratifications have cost us a fatal price if they bring about the collapse of marriage, the decadence of family life, and the destruction of the home, mankind's supreme acquirement and perhaps civilization's only hope for survival.

It seems to me that one of the great troubles with todays lifestyle is that we think we are too busy to find time for spiritual meditation and religious devotion.  The thoughtless secularism of some supposedly educated men as well as the leanings of the man on the street are both almost exclusively concerned with things; they lack, no, they are barren of all real values and satisfactions of a spiritual nature.  More entitlements,  free medicines, free health care, free education, more job benefits, higher wages, a nicer car, a really big house, deck, pool and the newest zero-turn mower for example.  But, things are devoid of faith, hope, and eternal assurances. Things have no concept of truth, goodness, and beauty.  A thing cannot know, much less know truth, hunger for righteousness, and cherish goodness.  The sincere pursuit of goodness, beauty, and truth leads to God.  And when once start out to find God, that is conclusive proof that God has already found you!

Since Christmas is approaching, here's my wish list for Salem.  These are given in no particular order of importance.  An expansion of the YMCA to include a gym, 3 to 5 racquetball courts with acrylic backs for spectator viewing,  a 25 meter enclosed and heated pool and therapy pool inside the same facility.  A movie theater, bowling lanes and skating rink.  A real bypass, 4 lanes to accommodate growth and only an overpass at the railroad.  Better planning with new subdivisions, sidewalks and bike paths that connect to town.  A small shopping mall and several new businesses.  A satellite campus for a regional college to integrate with the learning center.  City wide wireless high speed internet.   A small, independent local newspaper...you know competition is good!  Also, discontinuing the "Whine Line", also known as "The Town Crier" as it seems to do more harm than good.  An 18 hole golf course expansion would be nice.  Real motels to cater to the huge numbers of race fans that drive in or stay at Scottsburg.  A larger airport, as the decision makers of todays small businesses are traveling in small, non commercial planes.  And if they can't get here, they will go somewhere else...and the courage for local leaders to say this loudly and clearly.  Lower property taxes would help.  Lower water bills too!  I'm sure there's more...

"He who rules his own self is greater than he who captures a city.  Self-mastery is the measure of man's moral nature and the indicator of his spiritual development." __JBJ

Merchants on the square are considerably upset with "The Salem Leader", our town's only newspaper.  The back story is this.  The local businesses along with the Chamber of Commerce have sponsored a Christmas parade for several of the past years.  Attendance has dwindled so they got together to come up with a different approach.  An idea was struck along the lines of "Christmas on the Square" where businesses would remain open into the evening, the exterior decorative lights would be turned on, Santa would be available, food, drink, special coffees would be available in order to produce a family friendly atmosphere and encourage some shoppers.  Some were concerned in the meeting that the promotion be handled positively or criticism would result.  This was explained to reporter Marcia Walker.     .....Want to guess the headline?  It was as follows,   "No Christmas Parade This Year"

Cannot our local press do anything positive?  Why do you always have to stir the pot of controversy, Marcia?  and editor Stephanie,  where has your sense of judgement gone?  These people you have upset are the very ones who buy advertising in your paper.  Why would any business want to antagonize it's support base?  Is it not the merchants choice to try something different?  Why not support it with a positive headline such as, "Chistmas Around the Square Coming This Year"?   Yes, we know controversy sells papers...at least in the short run, but count the cost of lost respect, perceived lack of ethical integrity, and in time it translates into less readership and lost ad revenue.  You know, the things we were taught in kindergarten still rings true.  That is, "if you don't have anything good to say, then don't say anything at all'.   We want truth, but most of us see through the bias, Marcia.  It does not help our businesses, it does not help our community, and in the end it does not help "The Leader"

As we're entering the Thanksgiving and Christmas season, I've had the following article tucked away to share.  The author is given credit at the end of the article and I most sincerely hope you pause to consider its message.  __ricaler.

A gift for my daughter

It's Christmas, and I have the usual problem of deciding what to give you. I know you might enjoy many things – books, games, clothes. But I'm very selfish. I want to give you something that will stay with you for more than a few months or years. I want to give you a gift that might remind you of me every Christmas.

If I could give you just one thing, I'd want it to be a simple truth that took me many years to learn. If you learn it now, it may enrich your life in hundreds of ways. And it may save your having to face many problems that have hurt people who've never learned it.

The truth is simply this:
No one owes you anything.

Significance
How could such a simple statement be important? It may not seem so, but understanding it can bless your entire life.  No one owes you anything. It means that no one else is living for you, my child. Because no one is you. Each person is living for himself; his own happiness is all he can ever personally feel. When you realize that no one owes you happiness or anything else, you'll be freed from expecting what isn't likely to be. It means no one has to love you. If someone loves you, it's because there's something special about you that gives him happiness. Find out what that something special is and try to make it stronger in you, so that you'll be loved even more. When people do things for you, it's because they want to – because you, in some way, give them something meaningful that makes them want to please you, not because anyone owes you anything.  No one has to like you. If your friends want to be with you, it's not out of duty. Find out what makes others happy so they'll want to be near you. No one has to respect you. Some people may even be unkind to you. But once you realize that people don't have to be good to you, and may not be good to you, you'll learn to avoid those who would harm you. For you don't owe them anything either.

Living your Life
No one owes you anything. You owe it to yourself to be the best person possible. Because if you are, others will want to be with you, want to provide you with the things you want in exchange for what you're giving to them.
Some people will choose not to be with you for reasons that have nothing to do with you. When that happens, look elsewhere for the relationships you want. Don't make someone else's problem your problem. Once you learn that you must earn the love and respect of others, you'll never expect the impossible and you won't be disappointed. Others don't have to share their property with you, nor their feelings or thoughts. If they do, it's because you've earned these things. And you have every reason to be proud of the love you receive, your friends' respect, the property you've earned. But don't ever take them for granted. If you do, you could lose them. They're not yours by right; you must always earn them.

My experience
A great burden was lifted from my shoulders the day I realized that no one owes me anything. For so long as I'd thought there were things I was entitled to, I'd been wearing myself out – physically and emotionally – trying to collect them. No one owes me moral conduct, respect, friendship, love, courtesy, or intelligence. And once I recognized that, all my relationships became far more satisfying. I've focused on being with people who want to do the things I want them to do. That understanding has served me well with friends, business associates, lovers, sales prospects, and strangers. It constantly reminds me that I can get what I want only if I can enter the other person's world. I must try to understand how he thinks, what he believes to be important, what he wants. Only then can I appeal to someone in ways that will bring me what I want. And only then can I tell whether I really want to be involved with someone. And I can save the important relationships for those with whom I have the most in common. It's not easy to sum up in a few words what has taken me years to learn. But maybe if you re-read this gift each Christmas, the meaning will become a little clearer every year. I hope so, for I want more than anything else for you to understand this simple truth that can set you free. 

(A version of this article was originally published on December 25, 1966, dedicated to my 9-year-old daughter.)
By Harry Browne
© 2002 WorldNetDaily.com

Salem takes another economic punch this past week by the announcement that the Tecumseh plant has been sold.  No other information is available to the 350 workers that are employed there.  The community is holding it's collective breath as details from the new owners are released. 

So who will offer Salem an economic lifeline?  A job loss of that magnitude would cripple our already hobbling local economy.  With property taxes already a burden and high local utilities, what company would want to set up shop?   The glory days of 200 employee sized factories is over.  Small business is the rule of the day...and we've not been effective in drawing many of these. 

Salem has made progress over the past few years,  the schools are modern, the YMCA, Senior Center, and Learning Center are attractive and helpful for quality of life.  A new CVS and new Rite-Aid gave us a much needed facelift.  The new Jay C is progressing, but not as fast as some would like.  The State has been helping as the improved 135 South roadway is under construction. (note to Marcia Walker at Salem Leader...how many properties and/or homes were purchased for the improvement?)  Another road improvement project will soon start on SR 56 from High Street east to Rubber Hill road.  This project will displace a few homes and their residents during construction and when finished, will provide for better traffic flow from the east.  It also anticipates the proposed bypass project.  (another note to Ms. Walker...see if you can determine the number of homes involved in this "new controversial roadway project"?) 

Lower local taxes would be a great benefit, but unlikely to happen.  An interstate highway would be great too!, but is out of the question as we're a little off the beaten path. 

There is a group of people working to achieve the same ends as having an interstate on-off ramp located right in Salem; that would be the local airport officials and some in city government.  Support from the state level has also been forthcoming.  My research shows that a twofold to tenfold increase in local economic activity is achieved by a business class airport.  (economic impact data source: Aviation Association of Indiana 2003)  According to an airport source, the project itself would pump upwards of $20 million dollars into the local economy.  Why more local residents are unaware of this is understandable given the biased press coverage it's generated.  However, my hat is off to these guys for helping throw a lifeline.  Just wonder if anyone will be there to grab hold?

"Too often we engage in a fight merely to convince ourselves that we are not afraid."   Does it then seem interesting that when we join the battle for the right, it turns out that both the victor and the vanquished have sustained defeat?

Salem Leader's publisher Nancy Grossman published a scathing article complaining about Mayoral candidate David Bower Tuesday Oct 23.  She went on to express outrage that he described his just finished interview with Marcia "One Sided United" Walker as a "cold, proctologic exam".  She further stated that someone running for mayor should conduct himself more respectfully.  She actually published this piece for others to read! 

Alas, there is always more than one side of a story.  This author looked into the matter and found the following.  Yes, there was an interview with reporter Walker.  Afterwards, while leaving the Leader offices, Editor Stephanie and Publisher Nancy were present and made small talk.  According to Bower, he is somewhat friendly with both and referred to his interview in what was an "off the record" casual comment.  "Guess that was a mistake", he later said. 

Come on Nancy!  We all know that Marcia Walker always writes an opinion piece disguised as a news article.  Look at her history on any public official.  The county council does nothing correctly, the city council is unworkable, the hospital board is alway hiding something, the air board is taking homes for sport, according to Walker.  Nancy, several persons with similar concerns have mentioned this to both you and Stephanie.  I know as I've talked with them.  Are you blind to your actions!  For you to publish a "Gotcha" piece is low and despicable and reveals more about yourself than about a political candidate.  What a bunch of pot stirrers you have become.  Look at the "Chicken house" story.  You fan the flames of gossip and give voice to petty complainers and then claim, "It's a controversy"  Our community would be better served if you didn't report on most matters!

P.S.  You need a man's point of view.

Tact and tolerance...something that seems to be acutely missing from the culture of the day.  Granted, some older, mature individuals still have the residue from an earlier age when that was part of the norm.  But, is it harder to find those qualities exhibited now?  Most people will tell you what they really think and if you're not quick to agree will pull you into the maelstrom of venom and spit what's left out.  So much for tolerance. 

There is something to be learned however.  I've heard it said, "Tact is the fulcrum of social leverage, and tolerance is the earmark of a great soul."  Tact can act as the social lubricant of daily interaction thereby lessening the wear and tear on your soul.  And be watchful for those rare individuals who when pressed, respond with tolerance and forbearance.  Recognize what you have witnessed as a gem apart from the stones of living.