Update, September 22, 2011: Apparently, an edited version of this email now attributes the article to Bill Cosby. However, it's original authorship (as below) has been verified - and it's definitely not Bill Cosby.
And if you're wondering what Bill Cosby thinks about this email, you can read his reaction here. Suffice it to say, he's not happy about it.
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And, once again, here comes a 65 year old, writing in his blog.
Except it's been heavily edited from his original post. Such is the nature of right-wing viral emails.
This should be required reading for every man, woman and child in the UK , United States of America , Canada, Australia and New Zealand . And South Africa
You hear me, Switzerland? Because I'm not talking to you.
"I'm 65 and I'm Tired"
By Robert A. Hall
I'm 65. Except for one semester in college when jobs were scarce and a six-month period when I was between jobs, but job-hunting every day, I've worked, hard, since I was 18. Despite some health challenges, I still put in 50-hour weeks, and haven't called in sick in seven or eight years. I make a good salary, but I didn't inherit my job or my income, and I worked to get where I am. Given the economy, there's no retirement in sight, and I'm tired. Very tired.
I'm tired of being told that I have to "spread the wealth" to people who don't have my work ethic.
So, the government should be funding the retirement you think you deserve. Even if you're too lazy to save for yourself. Or live on the social security, medicare, VA medical, military and state senate pensions that you've probably earned from other hard-working taxpayers.
Oh, public money is only good when you're the beneficiary. Got it.
I'm tired of being told the government will take the money I earned, by force if necessary, and give it to people too lazy to earn it.
And how much of "the money I earned" is funding the programs where money is being funneled to people "too lazy to earn it"? What do you propose to do differently?
Specifics matter. And I'm waiting. And I think I'll wait even longer while you explain how the money you save on these programs will help your retirement - because most of our tax monies go to completely different entitlement programs.
I'm tired of being told that Islam is a "Religion of Peace," when every day I can read dozens
In the whole world? Why, there are dozens! You hear me? Dozens!
of stories of Muslim men killing their sisters, wives and daughters for their family "honour"; of Muslims rioting over some slight offense; of Muslims murdering Christian and Jews because they aren't "believers"; of Muslims burning schools for girls; of Muslims stoning teenage rape victims to death for "adultery"; of Muslims mutilating the genitals of little girls;
I see a lot of Christians in jail for offenses to mankind as well. A lot more than a few dozen.
all in the name of Allah, because the Qur'an and Shari's law tells them to.
I'm sure that quite a few of the Christians in jail are also telling folks that G-d told them to do it. That doesn't make it right either.
Should we blame Islam or Christianity for their crimes? Because you sure seem unhappy about blaming "society" for everything else.
I'm tired of being told that out of "tolerance for other cultures" we must let Saudi Arabia use our oil money to fund mosques and madrassa Islamic schools to preach hate in America and Canada ,
Yeah, I wish they didn't teach anti-western propoganda in their schools either. But what do you suggest we do about it? Other than whine in your blog?
We could stop using oil - but that's not terribly practical.
We could invade and occupy their countries, forcing them to stop. It worked out great for the British Empire, didn't it?
So... what are your ideas? Because I'm not hearing any.
while no American nor Canadian group is allowed to fund a church, synagogue or religious school in Saudi Arabia to teach love and tolerance.
I'm feeling a lot of love and tolerance from you, my friend. And you still haven't explained how we can force them to do this.
I'm tired of being told I must lower my living standard to fight global warming, which no one is allowed to debate.
Wait... you're debating it right now. And you're not being jailed, fined, or beaten.
I didn't say you're debating it well. I'm just pointing out that you're still allowed to say what you want.
I'm tired of being told that drug addicts have a disease, and I must help support and treat them, and pay for the damage they do. Did a giant germ rush out of a dark alley, grab them, and stuff white powder up their noses while they tried to fight it off?
So, a drug user says s/he wants to get clean, and become a productive, tax-paying member of society. What do you suggest we do? Put them in jail where they live off the backs of hard-working taxpayers and never pay us back?
I'm tired of hearing wealthy athletes, entertainers and politicians of both parties talking about innocent mistakes, stupid mistakes or youthful mistakes, when we all know they think their only mistake was getting caught. I'm tired of people with a sense of entitlement, rich or poor.
Personally, I'm kind of happy with freedom of speech. In exchange for that, we need to put up with people who say idiotic things.
We also have the freedom to tell them that they're idiots. Or ignore them.
I'm real tired of people who don't take responsibility for their lives and actions. I'm tired of hearing them blame the government, or discrimination or big-whatever for their problems.
Wait... aren't you blaming the government for your problems? Why aren't you taking responsibility for finding better solutions? Instead of just whining and belly-aching?
Yes, I'm damn tired. But I'm also glad to be 65. Because, mostly, I'm not going to have to see the world these people are making. I'm just sorry for my granddaughter.
Maybe if she becomes a hard-working, productive member of society, she can do well. Or she can bellyache and whine like her dear old grandpa.
I suppose it will be her choice, huh?
Robert A. Hall is a Marine Vietnam veteran who served five terms in the Massachusetts State Senate.
There is no way this will be widely publicized, unless each of us sends it on!
This is your chance to make a difference.
" I'm 65 and I'm tired.
If you don't forward this you are part of the problem.
