The American Spectator

Reader Mail

(Page 7 of 14)

/p>

That was a great piece of writing and insight. I head out to my garage every weekend, and wonder what can be thrown away. I've taken to sneaking "stuff" into the back of my car, so I can take it to the Goodwill or church thrift store under cloak of darkness and without interference. Heaven forbid I should ask first. Roller blades that only fit five-year olds (my youngest is 11) must be saved for some hypothetical grandchild or cousin (explaining that technology marches on and that the old roller blades are now obsolete falls on deaf ears).

On the camping front, I spent about 12 years in the various YMCA "Indian" programs for dads and kids. All the camping was car camping. I now have propane stoves, gas cylinders, gigantic tents and inflatable air mattresses (among other things). Putting the "stuff" away after a weekend trip was a 4 hour process. My boys joined the scouts with a troop that only backpacks. Coming home from even a week-long trek to the Sierras results in a clean-up that is basically putting the dirty clothes in the wash, airing out the sleeping bag, and hanging the backpack on the wall. Storage and clean-up time cut by almost 90%. So, there is hope.

p>I wonder, however, what I'll do with all that car camping gear? br> -- Paul J. Sievers br> Newport Beach, California /p> p> IT'S NOT UNUSUAL? br> Re: Michael F. Cannon's Romney's New Rx : /p>

Mr. Cannon says: "It [Romney's Massachusetts health insurance mandate] represents the first time that Americans were required to purchase a particular product simply because they reside in a particular state."

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