Spewings from my odd mind

Ever wonder about the origin of holidays?  Some are obviously religious....Easter, Christmas, Hanukkah.  Some are obviously contrived for commercial reasons, like Valentine's (thank you Hallmark Cards and FTD).  Some are to recognize the sacrifice of our armed forces....Memorial Day, Veteran's Day.  But Labor Day?   Yes, it is to honor those who "labor", and it was pushed for by the early labor union movement, but it wasn't until 1894 that President Grover Cleveland made it a national holiday after a particularly bloody fight between the military and federal marshals and strikers at the Pullman Co. (railroad car mfg.) ended in a number of deaths.

Fearing more labor violence, Labor Day was a bone thrown at workers to calm things down and prevent further unrest.  The Prez was careful, however, to NOT have it the same day as International Worker's Day so as not to give any credence to the growing communist movement.  Now you know.

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I heard a quote today that resonated with me:  "Don't have an opinion where you have no responsibility."

This as opposed to the way things are now, namely, "Opinions are like a__holes....everybody has one."

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I also read something interesting written by a journalist covering the Republican convention last week.  He observed, "There is no organic connection between Romney and the GOP base.  He is renting the party to fulfill his dream of becoming president, and they're renting him to get rid of President Obama."  Good point.  It really doesn't feel like they belong together, but they're trying to force it, sort of like an arranged marriage.  It's just an odd chemistry.  

The Democrats start their convention this week.  Now it's their turn to bore us to tears.  Football season couldn't have come at a better time, for me at least.

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We're forecast to have triple-digit heat most of the week in Dallas, but a weather front comes in for the weekend cooling things off into the 80's.  Do I dare hope?  Is this "it"....the first stirrings of Autumn?  I even like the sound of it....."Autumn".  :)

S

This day is for you, Mom

Thank you, Mom....all moms for that matter....for all you've gone through to get us here.  Oh, I know, the morning sickness and dragging us around for 9 months wasn't exactly a picnic, but that whole "labor" thing was really above and beyond.  Hearing stories about what a pain in the a__ I was as a little kid, I can only imagine what you had to endure giving birth to me.  


Actually, the closest I can come is remembering the kidney stones I've had.  I've heard it said they are God's way of punishing men for putting women through labor.  Except my kidney stone was in reality the size of grain of salt, and I thought I was gonna die!  I recoil thinking of popping out a 6 or 8  (or more) pound kid.  Yikes!


So to say "thanks", Congress and I have declared this Labor Day in your honor.  You deserve it.  I love you, Mom.  ;)


S