This'n'That; August Seventeenth #1; Judge Philip B. Gilliam Letter

Advice For The Teenager
    You may not have seen the letter below even though it's gone 'viral.'  It's good advice for teens of all ages, including the "Child-in-Chief" in barackingham Palace, "Clown Prince" obama!!  The letter and and a note from the person finding it buried in the paper's archives:

    The piece was written by Judge Philip B. Gilliam of Denver, Co.  A little research on Judge Gilliam found him to be a highly respected judge in the Denver Juvenile Court and Juvenile Hall from 1940 until his death in 1975.  During his time on the bench, he spent his tie protecting children and ensuring their proper treatment in the court system.
    His message may sound harsh at first, but when you stop and think about it, it comes from a guy who had probably seen it all.  Being a judge in fuvenile court in Denver would have been one tough job.  Maybe if more teenagers heeded his advice they would avoid ending up on the wrong side of a courtroom some day.  Judge Gilliam's letter appeared as follows:

Open letter to Teen-ager
Always we hear the plaintive cry of the teen-ager.  What can we do? ....Where can we go?
The answer is GO HOME!
    Hang the storm windows, paint the woodwork.  Rake the leaves, mow the lawn, shovel the walk.  Wash the car, learn to cook, scrub some floors. Repair the sink, build a boat, get a job.
Help the minister, priest, or rabbi, the Red Cross, the Salvation Army.  Visit the sick, assist the poor, study your lessons.  And then when you are through--and not too tired--read a book.
    Your parents do not owe you entertainment.  Your city or village does not owe you recreational facilities.  The world does not owe you a living... You owe the world something.
    You owe it your time and your energy and your talents so that no one will be at war or in poverty or sick or lonely again.
    Grow up; quit being a crybaby.  Get out of your dream world and develop a backbone, not a wishbone, and start acting like a man or a lady.
    You're supposed to be mature enough to accept some of the responsibility your parents have carried for years.  They have nursed, protected, helped, appealed, begged, excused, tolerated and denied themselves needed comforts so that you could have every benefit.  This they have done gladly, for you are their dearest treasure.
    But not, you have no right to expect them to bow to every whim and fancy just because selfish ego instead of common sense dominates your personality, thinking and request.
    In Heaven's name, grow up and go home!
--South Bend Tribune, Sunday, Dec. 6, 1959

    There you have it!  You've just read timeless, beneficial advice for 'teenagers of all ages!'This edition has several attached comments as well.
Til Nex'Time....