Our Allies Suspect Us
Monday, August 22, 2011 at 6:00AM 
A local daily paper, the Daily Banning Record tells us about the Paris Summit:
The United States' North American Allies are in suspicious and resentful mood toward the United States
...
Britain will call for closer cooperation in the development of production of weapons
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France wants a say in the launching of tactical nuclear weapons.
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Italy still plagued by economic depression and unemployment, her chief concern is development of NATO in the political and economic fields. ... she will plug hard for closer political and economic integration with her wealthier neighbors.
... Germany wants troops to remain in Germany as long as the cold war continues.
The paper continues:
A top nuclear scientist said this week that he believes that British scientists may have developed a process to tap unlimited power from the seas.
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On the sports page we learn that Ted Williams is batting .388 and won his fifth American league batting crown. The paper also answers that age old question, "What should a girl do if the boss makes a pass?" The answer is simple: Miss Rogers says, "She can run or stand still depending on what she wants." Good advice for the ages.
Penney's has men's sport shirts for $2.98 & $3.98. Bruce Gilchrist has a new Chevy pick-up for $1823, and the Harris Food Mart has grapefruit 5 for 25 cents.
You may have guessed by now that the paper I am quoting is an old paper. It is the December 17, 1957 edition. Reading through this paper leads me to a thought. All the troubles of the world are going to continue, the problems will be solved, or they won't. How is reading about it going to help?
I come from a religious tradition that encourages the "little people" to watch world events in order to “be ready.” But we no longer remember what we are to get ready for. How can knowing about the crisis in Farawaystan really help me in my day to day life? It cannot, in fact it hinders it.
Politics will remain a part of what I do here, but I think that while politics is an interesting hobby, stamp collecting might be more fun and more productive. And my children could sell the collection when I am gone. It is with great reluctance that I throw away the old paper, but it leaves me with an idea. Should I throw away today's paper too?
Politics 
Reader Comments (2)
The opening sentence is rather odd. The US has only one North American ally and that is Canada. Then it goes on to talk about Britain, France, Italy, etc. who are European allies.
Most curious ...
They meant North Atlantic I am sure, it was a Nato Article. Or I miscopied it.