Winning Words 12/23/12
“Why should I care about future generations? What have they done for me?" (Groucho Marx) Comedian Groucho’s words often had a hidden meaning. That’s why I chose this quote for the day after Earth Day. The “future generation” has come to appreciate his off-beat humor. They can also pay homage where his ashes are interred. The marker simply says, GROUCHO, and has the Star of David. ;-) Jack

FROM HONEST JOHN: Christ will save his church from the Extremists. God will not save our nation from the crazies out there. We can't let them win.////FROM JACK: Groucho was "crazy" and entertaining. There are others who are "crazy" and scary. They would be entertaining, except that they are leading some to believe that they are "sane."

FROM RG IN ARIZONA: It would seem a significant point, when considering our relationship with one another, that those of us called by the Grace of God to Christian Faith are a part of the Body of Christ. One part of the body needs another part of the body to be well, if the whole body is to be well. Seemingly, as humans on Earth, a similar rationale would apply. As the whole of the universe is one system, certainly beyond the capacity of mere mortals to alter, we all exist as a part of that system. Yet, no matter how much we think we can "save" the world, this Earthly system will end at the last moment of Time, as we refer to it. Thus, as the parable would note, let us tend to the vineyard that brings forth everlasting fruit. ////FROM JACK: Many people are making reservations to be in Peru on December 21, because the Mayan Calendar says that's the day when the world will end. The Bible, however, indicates that "no one knows the day nor the hour," so I'm not planning a trip to Peru. ////RG RESPONSE: It is amazing, as you rightly noted in your response to Honest John, how crazy the state-of-affairs is, and that it would be entertaining except for the idea that insanity has been modified to appear as sane!

FROM LG IN MICHIGAN: Lol!!////FROM JACK: LOL? That's what I do when I watch a Marx Brothers movie.

FROM BLAZING OAKS: HA! Groucho was fast with a quip, with that wry or sarcastic twist...I think of Dietrich Bonhoeffer's quote,"The ultimate test of a moral society is what kind of world it leaves to its children"...we all become concerned for our grandchildren's world, but so far inventive minds have managed to find solutions for our crowded and aging planet. I pray this will continue!!////FROM JACK: Great! That's the way to put a positive spin on a situation that many see as negative. "You Bet Your Life" and the lives your children and g-children and g-g-children (etc) on that.

FROM PLAIN FOLKS CHESTER: "Say the magic word and the duck will come down and give you a hundred dollars."////FROM JACK: "You Bet Your Life" was a funny show, and you can still see some episodes on YouTube. Groucho had grown a real moustache at that point in his life.

FROM SHARIN' SHARON: Actually, the way I see it, we're all a future generation for people in the past--if we try to live our lives well, then those of them who lived well will not have the chain broken and I sincerely hope our future generations carry on even further. Actually, maybe for any of us who aren't living well, the past generations and the future generations will conspire together to turn even us towards a better path. I was most interested in the tidbit of information that the Star of David is on Groucho's marker. Your blog is ALWAYS worth reading!!!////FROM JACK: Thanks for noticing the Star. I try to meaning to Winning Words beyond that which is obvious. I think that it's interesting that so many comedians have Jewish roots.