#commonsenseliving

In King of Prussia PA, Brian Hurley of UPS Store #6652 has been open every day and helping people get their packages and letters to loved ones.  He’s been  doing Identigo for those needing it to work and getting cars registering to get drivers on the road. He social distances and has staff wear masks.  He is seen here working with his son, TY, keeping business up and running.  He is at:   [email protected]

HSLDA Attorney, Dan Beasley, writes about Pennsylvania Asking for Support for HB 1938 which is aptly named:  

Commonsense Improvements for Homeschool Students

Just because we are stuck inside doesn’t mean we can’t get a little bit of culture or help the kids with their education.  Here are a couple of things you can do while inside.  

Tour of Versailles

http://en.chateauversailles.fr/news/life-estate/versaillesvr-palace-yours#a-unique-visit

Tour of Windsor Castle

https://www.royal.uk/virtual-tours-windsor-castle

World’s Most Beautiful Castles

https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/most-beautiful-castles-world/index.html

Castle Ruins Reconstructed

There is a rush now to allow voting by mail, meaning allowing anyone to mail in a ballot anytime for any election.  What could go wrong with that?  I could be wrong, but if they can spoof addresses, email and telephone numbers on the computer, how hard would it be to have a computer generate a vote letter and do an E-Signature?  

Several of our lawmakers have been around for quite some time, so maybe they never heard of that, and someone should make them aware of the fraud that goes on every single day with all of that new technology.

Putting my natural skepticism aside, everyone, from seniors to just turned 18 adults, have had identity theft happen to them.  We need to deal with that as a reality of our times.  We have had nothing but talk about how Russia and other countries tried to influence our election.  It seems easy to ignore things and just complain about it.  

Remember rule # 1 here, no whining and complaining, just recognizing a problem and offering solutions.  Here are my solutions.  You must prove that you are who you say you are with valid identification, just like you were going to open a bank account.  Prove that you have a vested interest in voting because you are a citizen and those you put into office will do things better for your community.  That’s how I know that you are not just voting to mess things up for me.

We are oh so virtual these days.  Not only are we doing Zoom meetings daily, we are texting more and more to do business and sending emails constantly.

All the business sites are reposting things about how to run virtual meetings, send professional email letters and how to do proper text messages.

So, for those that are new to this or who are young just starting out or need a refresher, here is a review of basic texting manners.  As far as fighting, insults, negative or sarcastic comments, they are not the thing for either personal or professional texts.  They can be used later in court, by the police, by Human Resources or by anyone who wants to just make you look foolish.  

FOR BUSINESS TEXTS

There are business things that should NEVER be sent out when you text.  

1.   Sensitive personal info is not to ever be texted to anyone, ever.  This includes social security numbers, credit cards, bank information and the like for either you or your company.

2.   Logins are sensitive and you should keep them secret.  Don’t send your password to someone to get into your computer.  That can get you fired or brought up on charges  

3.   Medical news or information is something that anyone can use to steal your identity or that of an employee.  Keep it private.

4.   Leaving your job is done by an adult.  You need to speak with another adult about it at the company.  Be a grown-up and do it in person or over the phone if there is no other option.  

FOR PERSONAL TEXTS

Adults and caring human beings just don’t do these things by text.

1.   Someone dying or bad medical news is too sensitive to send out by text.  You never know how someone will react emotionally so do it in person or by phone if that is the only option you have.

2.   Telling someone you are pregnant is an important moment in your life, theirs and the child’s.  Regardless of the situation, have some consideration for everyone.

3.   Telling someone you love them for the first time is a wonderful and personal thing.  If you want to keep a relationship with that person, be mature and do it in person.  You’ll be thankful later that you did.

4.   Breaking up with someone is nobody’s business but yours and the other persons.  There will be a flurry of questions and things that need to be said that shouldn’t be done on a text.  If you want this to be clean without more issues later, don’t text.

Everyone says they are concerned about the environment and that is a good thing.  Then, you have some very vocal, prominent people who say many things.  Unfortunately, you rarely, really see them do anything other than complain about everyone else and that is so very negative.  

“You need to reduce your carbon footprint.  Why are you driving that mini-van/truck/type of vehicle?  You’re so inconsiderate.”   Ever notice they ask the family of 5 why they are in a minivan but the people complaining jump on planes, drive cars in mega-cities and live in huge mega-mansions.

“You should recycle things, stop wasting money and help out.”  You are quietly giving things to the Salvation Army, Goodwill and your local church and you even shop there.  But they don’t seem to clean out their large homes and donate their clothing, electronics, toys, books and games.  

“You should re-use things to bring down your consumption.”  But I see them constantly in new clothing that is pricey and subjugates whole economic systems, driving new cars, parked at their new home with new gizmos.

“You should reduce what you use.”  But they use up tons of gas to go drive out to get something to eat.  Or when they make someone drive it to their door, they are getting disposable everything; bags, cups, plates, plasticware, straws and all of the wrapping things come in.

“You should just make do with what you have.”  But they are constantly going on expensive vacations, using exclusive salons for hair and manicures and out buying themselves something new.

Reduce, Re-use, Recycle, Repurpose or Just Make Due

Go ahead and impress me and everyone else by setting an example.  And by that, I don’t mean that you go and buy a Prius that is super expensive and has a battery that leaves an immense carbon footprint.  Don’t fly to some gala to be photographed with other people writing checks for a better, cleaner planet.  Don’t skip the Zoom meeting you could do and have yourself chauffeured to a conference.  Don’t have an immense fundraiser with tons of people driving in to see and be seen.  Don’t lecture everyone else about what they should be doing.  Don’t keep using plastic bags at the grocery when they are not recyclable and drink water from petroleum based plastic bottles.

My challenge is for each and every one of you to do something constructive and be positive.  You know what you and everyone can do?  Solids, sensible practical things that will actually help you and others.

Do be nice to people who are working for a living.  That person that you didn’t think twice about last week is now essential personnel.  You didn’t think about what they really did or needing them until you needed them.

Do give food and drinks only to a homeless person so they have sustenance.  Bring blankets or jackets and cards for shelters and churches.

Do clean out your closets and donate things to charity.  Those old jeans, last year’s fashion and used clothing along with sheets, blankets and towels are all usable and wanted by someone.  If they aren’t usable, they would make great rags that are then used as material to make clothing and other housewares in many places.  

Do give money to bona fide charities and churches.  They are on the front line in communities for helping the mentally ill, homeless and poor.  They know who needs water, food, clothing and shelter where you wouldn’t know where to start.

Do shop local and eat home.  When you go out, eat local and support local restaurants, shops and businesses.

Do bring a bag to pick up garbage when you go running.  Wear gloves when you do that to keep you and everyone safe.