Re: [Paddlewise] Registration and Safety

From: QCC Kayaks <sfreund_at_jvlnet.com>
Date: Thu, 14 Oct 1999 09:25:26 -0500
No particular opinion to express here, just some relevant humor. Then again,
since I do find it funny maybe I do have an opinion. I'll have to think
about it. Not original, author unknown to me.


		If Noah lived in the United States today...

		And the Lord spoke to Noah and said, "In one year, I am
going to make it rain and cover the whole earth with water until all flesh
is destroyed. But I want you to save the righteous people and two of every
kind of living thing on earth.  Therefore, I am commanding you to build an
Ark." In a flash of lightning, God delivered the specifications for an Ark.
In fear and trembling, Noah took the plans and agreed to build the ark.
"Remember," said the Lord, "You must complete the Ark and bring everything
aboard in one year. 
		 
		Exactly one year later, fierce storm clouds covered the
earth and all the seas of the earth went into a tumult. The Lord saw that
Noah was sitting in his front yard weeping. "Noah," he shouted.  "Where is
the Ark?" "Lord, please forgive me," cried Noah.  "I did my best, but there
were big problems." 
		 
		"First, I had to get a permit for construction, and your
plans did not meet the codes. I had to hire an engineering firm and redraw
the plans. Then I got into a fight with OSHA over whether or not the Ark
needed a sprinkler system and approved floatation devices."

		"Then, my neighbor objected, claiming I was violating zoning
ordinances by building the Ark in my front yard, so I had to get a variance
from the city planning commission." 
		 
		"Then, I had problems getting enough wood for the Ark,
because there was a ban on cutting trees to protect the Spotted Owl.  I
finally convinced the U. S.  Forest Service that I really needed the wood to
save the owls. However, the Fish and Wildlife Service won't let me catch any
owls. So, no owls." 
		 
		"The carpenters formed a union and went on strike. I had to
negotiate a settlement with the National Labor Relations Board before anyone
would pick up a saw or hammer.  Now, I have 16 carpenters on the Ark, but
still no owls." 
		 
		"When I started rounding up the other animals, an animal
rights group sued me. They objected to me taking only two of each kind
aboard. Just when I got the suit dismissed, the EPA notified me that I could
not complete the Ark without filing an environmental impact statement on
your proposed flood. They didn't take very kindly to the idea that they had
no jurisdiction over the conduct of the Creator of the Universe. Then, the
Army Corps of Engineers demanded a map of the proposed new flood plain. I
sent them a globe."
		 
		"Right now, I am trying to resolve a complaint filed with
the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission that I am practicing
discrimination by not taking godless, unbelieving people aboard."

		"The IRS has seized my assets, claiming that I'm building
the Ark in preparation to flee the country to avoid paying taxes. I just got
a notice from the state that I owe them some kind of user tax and failed to
register the Ark as a 'recreational water craft'."

		"And finally, the ACLU got the courts to issue an injunction
against further construction of the Ark, saying that since God is flooding
the earth, it's a religious event, and, therefore, unconstitutional. I
really don't think I can finish the Ark for another five or six years."
Noah waited. The sky began to clear, the sun began to shine, and the seas
began to calm. A rainbow arched across the sky. Noah looked up hopefully.
"You mean you're not going to destroy the earth, Lord?"

		"No," he said sadly. I don't have to. The government already
has."

Steve Freund
QCC Kayaks
(888) 794-3887
http://www.qcckayaks.com <http://www.qcckayaks.com> 


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Received on Thu Oct 14 1999 - 07:23:42 PDT

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