The Snake That Poisons Everybody
published  4/11/01 

I'm often asked “how do you think of things to write about?” I might've asked the same question years ago while busy working in the hi-tech industry, single parenting, trying to keep up with the “rat race” - the words “focused” and “having blinders on” become synonymous. How many folks take the time to write when many don't take the time to read and seek information about the world around us? Some TV shows can be informative and educational but sadly many young children are exposed daily to the violence, killing and horror shows produced and promoted by “Hollywood” under the guise of entertainment and business. In many cases “actors” from this same industry are opposed to hunting, fishing, trapping and gun ownership.

Every once in a while something that we read leaves an indelible impression on us. In my previous life as a  “fortune 5 company” employee - something that came across my desk impressed me and just imprinted.

I'm always amazed and surprised at how many folks who may not understand [or recognize] certain aspects of wildlife or nature and perpetuate “old wives tales” and fallacies and even fail to educate themselves or their children about the creatures around us - flora, fauna, insects etc. - those we all share our environment with. Some folks are just too quick to kill something just because they couldn’t properly identify what kind of plant, animal, snake or insect they encounter. Many are killed even though they're completely harmless to humans. Some folks see one insect in or near their house and right away reach for a spray can of poison. Others see beneficial insects as a good sign that poisons haven’t been used.

Most of us remember our early days in school when the teacher exposed us to one of our first experiments by whispering something in the ear of the first student in the first row and then instructed that student to pass the message on to student #2 and so on . . . . until the message was circulated to many students. Then the last student was asked to repeat the message they just received. It was nothing like the words that the first student heard or repeated - the message was always completely changed. Everyone who sees this demonstrated for the first time is very surprised and rightfully so - this is a lesson in life experiences that we shouldn’t forget but somehow a lot of us do.

Following is something that came across my desk many years ago from the United Technologies Corporation.

                                    THE SNAKE THAT POISONS EVERYBODY

It topples governments, wrecks marriages, ruins careers,
busts reputations, causes heartaches, nightmares, indigestion,
spawns suspicions, generates grief
and dispatches innocent people to cry in their pillows.
Even its name hisses.

It is called Gossip. Office Gossip. Shop Gossip. Party Gossip.
It makes headlines and headaches.
Before you repeat a story, ask yourself:
Is it true?
Is it fair?
Is it necessary?
If not, “shut up!”

                                                                         United Technologies Corp.

Frank can be reached at the Times or email forthebirds39@verizon.net