Jack’s Winning Words 10/1/08
“Which of these two is the happiest—he who labors without ceasing and only obtains enough to live on, or he who rests in comfort and finds all that he needs in the pleasure of hunting and fishing?" (Micmac Indian Chief) The chief was commenting on European settlers trying to change the native’s way of life to their own. The quote was sent to me by my grandson, Jason, and I thought it was appropriate for the first day of the bow-hunting season in Michigan. ;-) Jack

FROM OUTHOUSE JUDY: Very wise Indian Chief! We get so caught up with the working world, we forget God will supply us with all we need. And, we also have all we need of the deer.... :-) The deer population out here is staggering. Thank you Jason for the Winning Words today! MORE FROM JUDY: the first ones to try to change the Indian's way of life were the priests. FROM JACK: Not Lutheran pastors.

FROM PR J.S. IN MI: I am tired of Either/Or type of thinking. I am a Both/And tyype of per person....depending, of course, on the alternatives. Too much Either/Or thinking puts us in a straitjacket in which we do not need to reside.

FROM SDG IN TAMPA: That is interesting but it is not life in modern Florida. Since the courts gave the Indians the right to operate casinos, each Seminole today is given 120,000 dollars each year from the profits. What goes around comes around. I personally cannot believe that so many Americans these days get such enjoyment from gambling. JACK'S REPLY: 3 casinos in Detroit and 1 across the river in Canada. Back in the 16th century, an English farmer, Thomas Tusser, said: "A fool and his money are soon parted."
The question that started the casino proliferation....How do we lift the Indians from oppressing poverty?...And secondly, Are the Indians bound by the laws of the white man?...And thirdly, Is this the payment for the land that was their's? Ah, There's the rub. I have a problem with "the courts gave." The courts are our system to "interpret" the law. Is there a better alternative?

FROM MOLINER C.F.: The happiest pepole I know are those who work but take time off to hunt and fish. So, I guess that's a third choice for your question.

FROM CHARLIE IN B'MORE: ..... good one.

FROM B.S. NEAR ORLANDO: I wonder what this Chief would have said had he known those "whities" brought death and destruction to his people via: measels, mumps, scarlet fever, T.B, gonerrrhea, etc. I kidded my son in law one time to mowing down deer with a hugh cannon, instead of using a bow and arrow. He did in fact use a bow and arrow. i.e., he did give some of the deer a fighting chance. B ob, p.s. I couldn't hit the broad side of a barn, I still don't know how I got a medal for shooting when in the army. I oiled up my rifle too much, so every shot I took,spray oil on my glasses so I couldn't see, so I took off my glasses and fired anyway, and got the medal. You figure. It meant $5.00 extra in pay each month. Yea baby,ice cream, & gas for my Model A.