I disagree with Hightower.

What you will find here is: a centrist's view of current events;
a collection of thoughts, arguments, and observations
that I have found appealing and/or amusing over the years;
and, if you choose, your civil contributions which will make it into a conversation.

He not busy bein' born, is busy dyin'. - Bob Dylan

Please refer to participants only by their designated identities.

suggestion for US citizens: When a form asks for your race, write in: -- American

Friday, February 18, 2011

A self made American man

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February 18 is my birthday

It always reminds me that when I was young I felt like I had been dealt a pretty bad hand. No money, no connections, too small for sports, 20/400 vision, etc.

But I had been taught that I should be committed to success - or something like that - and so I undertook to pull myself up by my bootstraps - yada -yada - yada. I worked at it, overcame some bad decisions, and got a few breaks. I spent 48 years in the American university system as a student, teacher, and researcher in what I think it would be fair to say was a successful and productive career.

Thirty years ago I was quite proud of it, but later it did not seem so far to go.

I would recommend that if you have those disadvantages and you want to be a self-made person and you have choices I would recommend that you:
1. be born into a family with a strong sense of responsibility,
2. be born in the United States of America, and
3. be born in the early 1940s.
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1 comment:

  1. Well Happy Birthday!

    But remember, grasshopper, you're only 30 once, so enjoy it.

    ReplyDelete