33 Responses to:
DIFFICULTY SHOULD REFINE US

# 1. 7/29/10 12:14 AM
Amen.

# 2. 7/29/10 12:25 AM by Jolene
That's what I have struggled with....I don't think I've completely ever heard sorry from the one person who inadvertently hurt me. I don't think it was calculated but I do know, as you said, they knew of how that particular pain would feel. I know someday it will get resolved, but it's like a safety pin that has opened and keeps jabbing you periodically.

# 3. 7/29/10 1:41 AM by Michael - Las Vegas
Sorry, but I reflexively reject the notion that my difficulty is anything to celebrate. It's lasted far too long for something so easily remediated, and there is no end in sight. I'll look back in gratitude if/when it's over.

# 4. 7/29/10 2:49 AM by Thelma - Grand Island, N.Y.
Bob, even though it sounds unlikely that there was a his side to the story on the firing, it is possible it was just cause. The Sherrod example, for instance, of not getting her side. I enjoyed the 'eagle st. militia' column, it does sound like one of the safest areas around. As well, the war article, though I don't think anyone considers us to be fully at war, there. Seeing we needed to stop/disrupt AlQueida, I think it a great decision to go ahead and stop the atrocities and truncate the Taliban. As we need to strengthen our position after we hopefully put them down (that is, if the Afghanis have the hutzpah the Iraqis had, which is in question), hopefully we can still help others suffering similar murder/oppression/brutality in other ways. Maybe the best way, is if we have the local government behind us is to just relentlessly go after cutting off the money to these vile thugs.

# 5. 7/29/10 4:04 AM by JOHN - MOUNTMORRISNY
I enjoyed your column. Thanx.

# 6. 7/29/10 6:24 AM
Ontario Beach among worst in nation for bacteria levels, study shows.

"Sewage and runoff pollution in our beach water is preventable," said Jon Devine, senior NRDC water attorney. "With investment in cost-effective, smarter water practices that are available today, communities can tackle the most common sources of pollution lurking in the waves."

Ontario Beach was closed more days than it was open last year. According to Monroe County health officials, the beach was open for 38 days, but closed for 42. Durand-Eastman beach was open for 39 days and closed for 45 in 2009.

Solution: Enough talk, get off you asses and go get the money from the federal government. If this was in NYC, they would have had it done overnight. Time to go rock the cradle in Albany or Washington. Enough talk and more action. Hell, that's what the taxpayers are paying you for.

# 7. 7/29/10 6:27 AM
What the hell are you talking about? Next time just put it in one sentence and enough with the philosophical dreamy cloudy !*&!@.

# 8. 7/29/10 6:52 AM by ex-pansy
The zero in my hand

Is nothing to lose

It's hard to confuse power with love

Love with power

Everything that I'm not is all that I've got

~Sam Phillips

# 9. 7/29/10 7:58 AM by eh Rod - CANADA`
Thanks for the insight. I've often wondered why I'm so refined. Peace.

# 10. 7/29/10 8:01 AM by Dave - Rochester, NY
Seems like our culture is all about avoiding pain & suffering. Every other new piece of legislation is aimed at protecting people from harm in some way.

One of the most highly prescribed medications today is antidepressants (psycho-candy). There is a pill for everything.

# 11. 7/29/10 8:16 AM by Laura
That is why I've never taken medication for depression. I've always thought that, if nothing else, fighting my own demons by myself would make me stronger and more compassionate, and it has. Thank God that now the depression is in the past, and I made it through to the broad meadow on the other side without having been screwed up by psychiatry or pills.

# 12. 7/29/10 8:27 AM by GEORGE ( THE OTHER ONE) - GANANOQUE ONTARIO CANADA
*

If what you said is true; if people can take their tribulations and grow and rise above them, then The United States of America, after this dreadful four years are over, is going to rise again like a rocket.

Only two more years before stupid is out of the White House and Americans can begin to rebuild your great country. Only two more years.

# 13. 7/29/10 8:47 AM by mark - hilton, ny
Hello Fellow Tax Payers,

Just a quick off the cuff note please, I have to have a comment about the Daily morning show this week- About NY being the LAZIEST state in the Nation-- wow!!! Another reason to prove indeed that WELFARE and Free thin n that's do not breed anything truely but Immoral (high percent) low self esteemed Individuals. This falls in line with the Distinction of the Nation's teen age breeding factory, and oh let's not forget the World's Real Estate for Welfare housing notoriety! Ok - thank you for your time today. God Bless you, our troops and help us all see the right way.

# 14. 7/29/10 8:56 AM by ex-pansy
# 9. 7/29/10 7:58 AM by eh Rod - CANADA` Thanks for the insight. I've often wondered why I'm so refined. Peace.

#9..really???..life's THAT good in Canada, eh?

# 15. 7/29/10 9:07 AM by Liam's Dad - Rochester
MEGA - SUPER - UBER - FUBO

#9 Rod, that was pretty good... you actually made me laugh!

# 16. 7/29/10 9:10 AM by Ultra Bob - salt lake city Utah
NOTICE TO EMPLOYEES

The daily beating of employees will continue until the moral improves.

The Boss.

# 17. 7/29/10 9:17 AM by Jolene - Sandy-Ut.
ARE WE ANY CLOSER TO YOUR RETURNING TO UTAH? I'm usually at work when your on wham.

# 18. 7/29/10 9:33 AM by Leigh - Rochester, NY
I've learned 2 important things from difficulty: Not to be afraid to fail. I will come through ok. With no fear of failure, I am more free to try things.

I have learned what matters and what doesn't. People spend so much time stressing over things that really don't matter. In life, there are actually very few things that truly matter, and the most important of all is family. Oddly enough, most people who get so wrapped up in things that really don't matter have the biggest failures over family and things that are truly important.

# 19. 7/29/10 9:43 AM
Hey! If Rod can gain insight from anything, you've done quite a service today Bob.

# 20. 7/29/10 10:01 AM by LB - Penfield, NY
Kind of beating around the bush regarding who you're talking about. Not your usual style!

# 21. 7/29/10 10:07 AM by Ryan H - Victor, NY
Although I hate to quote a movie:

"Why do we fall? So we can learn to pick ourselves back up again".

I live a blessed life but have also had my share of hardships, not as hard as many and harder than others. I am the result of both the good and the bad. I would not change an instant as that would change who I am today.

# 22. 7/29/10 10:45 AM by Calvin Pitzrick - Rochester, NY
Bob, another great column. Don`t know how you do it so consistantly!

Talking about refining, there is going to be a lot of refining going on after Obama puts us all into the poor house, under slavery to the State, if he gets his way!

And talking about eh - Rod in Canada, I`m wondering if he is an ex-patriot from the Vietnam era?! Peace

-- Cal Pitzrick

# 23. 7/29/10 11:02 AM by Masked Marvel - Parts Unknown
There is always purpose in suffering.

# 24. 7/29/10 11:17 AM by jasmine - buffalo, ny
Thank you so much for another heartfelt, moving column. You are exactly right about this and I got goosebumps from reading it. I have read your column every day and wouldn't miss it for anything. Some of the political ones I could take or leave, but the ones like today's are what keeps me coming back day after day.

# 25. 7/29/10 11:20 AM by Nancy - Utah
I enjoyed today's column very much. Years ago I learned something from the movie The Natural that has stayed with me through thick and thin. Here is the quote: "I believe we live two lives; the one we learn from and the one we live after that." Good luck to you and your family's future. You are missed.

# 26. 7/29/10 12:08 PM by Janice Twede - Bountiful, Utah
What I would like to comment on is the fact that my 91 year old Mother really misses you in the morning!!! She is very upset that you are no longer on the radio here. Please let us know when you will again be on radio in UTAH. We were and are Bridgewater fans as well!!! Janice

# 27. 7/29/10 1:27 PM by Sparky - NC
One of the things that gets me past hurt is the observation that what goes around, comes around. Heh heh heh heh heh!

# 28. 7/29/10 1:47 PM by cj - slc
Pain is an illusion.

# 29. 7/29/10 1:51 PM by Rick G. - Spencerport, NY
We had a generation that went through 10 years of a depression, only to step into a global war with both feet. They came out of it stronger and better. We would do the same if we were allowed to fail.

The people with the internal drive to succeed will succeed in spite of setbacks, while the ever-growing masses of people who just sit around with their hand out are nothing more than an anchor around our necks.

Cut them loose so they can either sink or swim on their own. Nobody wants or needs their dead weight.

# 30. 7/29/10 2:04 PM by Phillip
Senate Republicans on Thursday rejected a bill to aid small businesses with expanded loan programs and tax breaks, a procedural blockade that underscored how fiercely determined the party’s leaders are to deny Democrats any further legislative accomplishments before November’s midterm elections.

How about this partisan difficulty? You republican senators have effectively killed a bill that would has given aid to small businesses.

Always thinking of the people who need help the most, aren't you?

Editor's Note: yeah, the taxpayers who will have to pick up the tab -- interest included -- for another welfare program.

# 31. 7/29/10 3:15 PM
It's kind of hard to deal with failure and disappointment when everyone gets a certificate of achievement just for showing up.

# 32. 7/29/10 4:22 PM
as soon as something wonderful happens, tons of bad things come along to try to ruin it.

# 33. 7/29/10 8:43 PM by John - SLC, Unholy Utah
#13 Mark you're ignorant and hell yes Tony Hayward, former head of BP should be executed! His negligence has killed 13 people on his ship. He's done this type of thing before. Why do we have prisons? You're an idiot Bob.

Editor's Note: who do we execute for the rules of engagement in afghanistan that have killed far more americans than 13?

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