My daddy always said that people would be a lot better off if they wouldn't get their wants and their needs mixed up.
Took me a while, but I finally figured it out. We spend a lot more time and effort getting what we want than we do getting what we need.
Maybe that says something about how little effort is required to get those things we really need. If we settled for that, we'd have a lot more time on our hands — time to use making out a want list.
In any case, there's a lot of attention being paid to the idea of AIMS, getting A's and the Arizona Legislature's pathetic attitudes toward education, which brings up the idea of an AIMS test of our own.
First, a definition. An aim is a goal, a desire, a want. So, for our purposes, this AIMS test is a "want" test. Let's see how we as a state, nation and species are doing and what our grades are in the area of wants and needs. Can we make the Dean's List?
We want: Lakes, golf courses and a swimming pool behind every house.
We need: To find ways to live in harmless harmony with the environment we choose to invade and conquer.
Grade: A. Not hard, is it?
We want: SUVs, 4-wheel drives and expensive, gas-guzzling sport and luxury vehicles.
We need: Economically and ecologically efficient transportation.
Grade: A. We're on a roll, here.
We want: God, scapegoats, drugs, beer and booze as excuses for our actions.
We need: To learn self-discipline, self-control and how to take responsibility for our actions.
Grade: A. Don't blame me, pal. I'm just recording the grades here.
We want: Everything — and right now!
We need: To learn patience and the pleasure of earning, saving and anticipating — the pleasure of possession after perseverance.
Grade: A. Hey, we really earned that A.
We want: Mindless entertainment, e.g., MTV, Pamela Anderson, the Osbournes, professional wrestling, Adam Sandler, Mike Meyers and fraternity porno films.
We need: Discovery Channel, History Channel, National Geographic, Animal Planet and "M*A*S*H."
Grade: A. This answer is teacher's choice — deal with it.
We want: Guns, knives, wars, to kill each other (including animals), gangs, rape and violent entertainment.
We need: More people doing things for each other and fewer people doing things to each other.
Grade: A. You got a problem with that, bud?
We want: Quick, painless, cheap fixes for our problems, regardless of their long-term effects.
We need: To find ways to preserve this planet for our three-times-great-grandchildren and their descendants, regardless of the cost or sacrifice.
Grade: A. Hey, they'll find a way, I've got faith in them.
We want: Paradise on Earth and immortality.
We need: To remember that life isn't measured by the number of breaths we take but by the moments that take our breath away.
Grade: A. 'Nuff said.
Terry Moore is a graduate English student who wants to get all B's. Reach him at: limerick@asu.edu.
