Bill Sykes' Newsletter from America.
(February 2003)
An ex-Brit gives his views-(without fear
or favor)---of the American Scene
Oh for the days of yesteryear civility.
The following came across my desk just after
Christmas from a friend and correspondent in Canada and
although I don’t know who the author is I found
a certain affiliation with the words and it struck a chord
with this "Old Geezer" and set me thinking and
yearning for the civility of my younger days, and so I’m
providing a slightly modified version.
Seeing that I have attained the age of seventy seven
years and counting, and appear to come under the category
of an "Old Geezer", I was wondering how the
phrase was coined and its interpretation.
Challenge: There must be someone out there who has the
answer and I would be delighted to receive the information.
"Old Geezers".
-
At sporting events during the playing of the National
Anthem, Old Geezers hold their caps over their hearts
and sing without embarrassment. They even know the
words and believe in them.
-
Old Geezers remember World War One, the Depression,
World War Two, Pearl Harbor, Guadalcanal, Normandy
and Hitler.
-
They remember the Atomic Age, The Korean War, The
Cold War, The Jet Age, The moon landing, and Vietnam.
-
If you accidentally bump into an Old Geezer on the
street he will be the first to apologize.
-
If an Old Geezer meets a lady on the sidewalk he
will tip his cap in acknowledgement.
-
Old Geezers trust strangers and are courtly to women.
-
Old Geezers hold the door open for the next person,
and always when walking with a lady, will make certain
that the lady is protected by being on the inside
of the sidewalk.
-
Old Geezers get embarrassed if someone curses in
front of women and children, and they don’t
like any filth on TV or in movies.
-
Old Geezers have moral courage and seldom brag or
boast, unless it’s about their grandchildren.
-
It’s Old Geezers who know that our country
is not protected by politicians and who recognize
that it’s the young men and women in the military
who find honor by doing their duty and serving their
country.
-
This country needs Old Geezers with their decency
and moral fortitude, and we need them more than ever
in these days of moral turpitude and lack of moral
fiber.
-
Old Geezers are an absolute necessity at times of
national crisis in order to provide a degree of calmness
and strength of leadership.
-
Thank God for Old Geezers.
The above are some of the codes of genteel civility of
yesteryear that are sadly lacking in today’s world
but are still a shining example for the youth of today
to follow.
We welcome feedback about any of the contents of these
newsletters. Please send all correspondence to bill_sykes@huddersfield1.co.uk
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