The Dude does not abide.

Diver: Wilson and Block from Three Peaks Deli and Grill
Interesting Facts: The Dude drinks White Russians, which strangely is not considered un-P.C.

Dear Diver,
I keep hearing in the political rhetoric about making American great again. Curious – when exactly was this? Was it when we were burning witches at the stake? Or perhaps during the time of slavery? Or was it more recently, say, dropping the bomb, segregation or the Vietnam War? Or maybe we just want to go back to those halcyon days of the good-old Reagan imperialism or Wall Street scams? Just wondering.
–  Poli Scycho

Dear Poli Scycho
When was America great? I think you would have to look at your definition of great.  I would easily bet that your definition of great differs from even the person next to you much less people from different socioeconomic backgrounds.  A man from Dallas whose father made $300,000 a year will likely have a different definition of a great country than a woman from flint Michigan whose mother made $13,500 in the same year.  Economic disparity is obviously a divisive issue and has been since the constitutional convention.  A slave owner’s definition most definitely differed from a slave.  I could go on with countless examples of relative sides to issues but I think you get the point.  Everyone has a “great America” in their imaginations but trying to pin one particular vision as correct is about as constructive as the war on drugs. 
– Diver

Dear Diver,
Every time my neighbors go out of town, their teen-age kids throw wild parties. The parents seem clueless but I’m pretty sure they would not condone such activities. Do you think I should tell them –  as a parent, I think I would like to know such things – or just keep waving from across the yard and picking up beer cans in the bushes like nothing’s wrong?

– Neighborhood Watch

Dear Neighborhood Watch,
In all honesty, I don’t believe it is your place to be telling the parents of the wild partiers. Especially if you were a partier yourself when you were their age. However if they are getting rowdy and or are doing damage, I would call the police. It also might be worth your time to see if you can get some free lawn work out of the deal.
– Diver

Dear Diver,
I’ve noticed that the County Courthouse clock is always ahead by about seven minutes. It has been this way as long as I can remember. Does no one there know how to tell time, or is it some sort of covert measure to trick people into being punctual?
– Clock Watcher

Dear Clock Watcher,
While you may find it annoying that the clock is seemingly permanently stuck seven minutes ahead, there are many people who prefer to set their clocks this way. My best advice for you is to either subtract seven minutes from the time displayed on the clock, or judge time based off your phone. Or, it could just be a bend in the time-space continuum.
– Diver

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