Whenever words are being used some kind of definitions and/or parameters must be factored into the equation. So let's begin with the words themselves.

"PRINCIPAL - First in rank, authority, importance, degree, etc." Next, the same sounding word is not as easy to define: "PRINCIPLE - The ultimate source, origin or cause of something, and the third suggested meaning is a further application of this root meaning: "A fundamental truth, law or doctrine, or motivating force, upon which others are based (like, moral principles)".

Life, as we know it on Planet Earth, is determined by absolutes. There are those who prefer to think otherwise but absolutes cannot be ignored. Try jumping off a ten story building and claim the absolute of gravity will not apply. Try putting your hand in a crucible of molten lead (which becomes liquid at approximately 540 degrees Fahrenheit) and leave it there for just 30 seconds. Consider just one more futile experiment. Drive your car at a speed of 60 miles an hour and try to stop when you get within 10 feet of a concrete covered bridge abutment. By the time your brain's message to your leg muscles gets your foot to the brake pedal your car will have smashed into the concrete wall and you will probably be dead and the car a total loss. These three scenarios are indisputable examples of principles.

Principles then, by the definition in the first paragraph are virtual absolutes. Gravity is indisputable--it works on this planet every day, sunshine or rain. It works the same for everyone, whether male or female, a 10 pound baby or a 200 pound adult. Money has no influence or effect on gravity; you cannot bargain with coin or paper currency and change the "law of gravity".

Life is affected by principals and principles, period. Charles R. Swindoll has written dozens or maybe hundreds of his small (68 pages) Bible study guides and his editor-writers, Bill Watkins and Bill Butterworth consistently used what I would classify a caveat in those books: "Knowledge apart from application falls short of God's desire for his children. Knowledge must result in change and growth." I believe these two statements are true regardless whether the subject is religious or secular.

What about the PRINCIPALS?

Every person who is "in charge" over matters, events or a company in which you have no control could be called a (or the) principal. If that person is not governed by PRINCIPLES that are fair, equitable or moral, you could well have problems (or "issues" as modern day parlance prefers over "problems"). It is that simple. How we deal with life or the circumstances that are our lot in life is what matters. It is that simple. In other words, Chuck Swindoll's editors wisely counseled biblical students: "Convert knowledge learned into change and growth."

There will always be principals and principles. We must come to some kind of terms with how we work with this fact of life. It is not a matter of rocket science to discover the principles mentioned above will be obvious in leaders in our government, whether it be politics or legalities in local or other levels of government. Believe it, principles are essential to the successful operation of any government.

With the above thoughts on principals and principles some applications are in order. In 1999, the popular TV host, Larry King, had CBS'S 60 MINUTES quips expert, Andy Rooney as a guest. All through that broadcast, neither "principal" or "principle" was mentioned as a word. However, throughout the comments Andy Rooney made in regard to two politicians in particular and others in general. (Please remember the DATE--1999! Readers need to understand my comments are not about today's politicians but the application is like the ubiquitous "politician "--their talents-virtues know no generational bounds.)

"Lowering Standards" - A PRINCIPLE

In the opinion of Andy Rooney, when a President chooses to refer to himself as BILL Clinton instead of William J. Clinton, he presents the idea or concept of a lesser or lower standard. We accept such lowering of standards with "common" people but when the President of the United States compromises principles of standards it is a fake acquaintance entitling "common citizens" to regard Bill Clinton (in this analogy) to be a "buddy" as opposed to the fact this he is the one who was holding the highest office in our land. Jimmy Carter did the same thing. Comparatively, I cannot imagine the average Brit being encouraged to refer to Queen Elizabeth as "Betty", can you?

"Buying Political Offices" - Andy Rooney feels that something has radically happened in our society when becoming elected is dependent on how much money you can raise to spend on being elected. This is literally (by principle) BUYING the office. The person seeking election should be qualified by what they are rather than whose they are.

"Principles of Principals" - When Bill Clinton allowed himself to become involved in a scandal with a young woman within the walls of the White House he was disdainfully disregarding the principles of morals, ethics and sanctity of the office of President. We do not expect this kind of conduct from the President and not only did he appear to be guilty he lied to millions on television when he denied he had such relationships. The same accusations can be applied to Republicans with former President Richard Nixon in the Watergate Scandal. Inexcusable is a fair word to use for either man. I think the conclusion Andy Rooney had about his opinion of former President Clinton ("...he was good at what he does but terrible at who he was") and finally Mr. Rooney said, "With all his faults I still liked the man." And don't we wish or hope people can regard us with the same concessions? No president has ever been perfect but neither should they relish in their imperfections.

"Knowledge apart from application falls short...knowledge must result in change and growth." --- Charles R,. Swindoll

Posted by Bill Venrick at 8:19 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

It isn't every day or even a life-time to have been acquainted with a top-notch dairy farmer who married a grade-school classmate and both of these individuals have been known and kept track of for over sixty years. After the story about Russell & Delores Miller's dairy operation in Hortonville, Wisconsin, it was decided to publish this story about two brothers in Lancaster, Ohio, who had to take over a small twelve cow dairy farm when their father passed away. THE WORDWRIGHT

THE JOHN ETY FARM BEGINS

John and Ethel Ety established their farmstead in 1917 on Fairfield Township Road 201 and raised their four children, Ruth, Annabelle, Robert and Paul a few miles northwest of Lancaster, Ohio. At that time the acreage of the farm was 87 acres with about six or seven cows. In 1945 the Ety Farm was twelve cows with Surge bucket milkers in their old stanchion barn. Change was the main constant in the years to come. The first change came four years later when their father died. Bob had graduated from high school three years before and Paul was starting his senior year; the older sisters had married and moved away from the farm. Bob and his family moved into the home place with Mother Ety after their father passed away and Paul, Jane and their son rented a place in town. What began as a modest farm dairy was slowly changing, and with the passing of their father, the two sons were to develop one of the most outstanding dairies in Fairfield County. These brothers were exceptionally hard workers and left no stone unturned in providing the finest feed, environment and milking conditions possible for their herd of registered Holstein cows. Perhaps the most amazing parts of the success of the Ety Dairy Farm was that here were two young men in their twenties whose complementary talents and teamwork made it all happen.

THE ETY BROTHERS DAIRY GROWS

It didn't take these young men long to figure out that they were either going to have to get in or get out of the dairy business. Improvements and methods from hand-milking a dozen or so cows to planning and developing different kinds of milking parlors made the Ety Farm a place where change became the norm. When something new came along they would decide which way or what system or plan they would adopt.

Early on both brothers attended a Surge Dairy School and they picked up ideas as to how to make significant improvements on their farm. A regular commuter driving by the farm was always treated to see something new or different. The very nature of the milk parlors, with its large windows was an invitation for everyone to "come see how we milk cows". With their growing herd the once 36,000 gallon underground manure tank would eventually be dwarfed by a 25 feet high, 82 feet diameter liquid manure tank that would hold nearly a million gallons. Managing manure was a top priority. Their two 20' x 60' silos were soon inadequate and more were built. Silos came along like "new tools" in a mechanic's shop. While visiting the farm once, Paul mentioned that Jane told him she wanted a house before they built another silo. Paul grinned and told me they put up at least two more silos before Jane got her house.

The complementarity of good management and good herdsmanship produced the desired results--good milk production. In short, Bob and Paul took care of their cows. Even in retirement, Paul said something that didn't really surprise me when he told me he still buys his eggs from a farmer instead of a supermarket. At his house they buy eggs for $2.00 a dozen when you can buy them at half that price; and the farmer in Paul explains, "...the lady we buy eggs from takes care of her chickens". That was good enough for him, besides Paul quickly added, the yolk in the farmer's eggs are orange-colored, not yellow! "They're good eggs!"

A HIGH POINT IN ETY DAIRY CAREER

When Bob & Paul Ety were setting records (with the help of their cows of course) they were in their middle thirties. Who can really tell what the real drive was behind these two young men? Was it simply making a real business from a very modest beginning of their father and his few cows? Perhaps this could have been a subtle impetus but probably the real reason or cause for their success was their work ethic. The only evidence of pride is a cautious grin on the faces of the two young men pictured below. Bragging is not a part of the Ety Dairy heritage. They just worked hard and you could say they proved the wisdom behind the acrostic of the word LUCK - Laboring Under Correct Knowledge. Yes, the harder they worked the luckier they got!

Their pinnacle of success was when they made headlines in farm news by the increase of 12,240 gallons (of milk) increase per year! The picture above shows what that many gallons of milk look like! That kind of success doesn't come from luck or talk. But years after the two Ety brothers achieved such notoriety life brought some tough times. Barely twenty years later Bob died. What now? What was once a two-man team was now nearly a solo. They did have hired  men most of the time.  Usually one full time and they had others they  could call on when the crops were ready to be brought in.  Bob and Carol's two boys helped with the farm because they lived there. By the time they quit milking, they had 300 cows, about 500 calves and heifers.  The local dairy bottling distributor used to come every other  day and get 8,000 to 9,000 gallons of milk.  Sometimes they would have  to pick it up every day. 

Plans were already in the works to "quit the dairy" before Bob became ill with cancer and later died. So, it was only a matter of time until the farm would "wrap it all up" with plans to sell the land to a business developer and retire like most people do in life. Remember, with a large herd there has to be a use or plan to "do something" with manure; and they used this natural fertilizer on their land, it was that simple.

Today the ETY DAIRY FARM is just a memory. Where once cows were cared for, fed and milked, a modern huge shopping center exists. Corn and milk are no longer the produce from those fields. Fairfield County Township Road 201 has been named ETY ROAD for sometime now and it is a thoroughfare off US Route 33 to gain access to condos, apartments, automotive dealerships and brand-name stores that are household names. If Paul misses anything it is the work with cows and the land but life goes on, and once again change rules. For years this farmer's day started when the alarm clock went off every morning at 3:45 and ended when Paul walked through the door of their home around 10:00 that night. In spite of such a work load they raised three children and the work ethics of Paul and the parental principles of his wife run through the veins and genes of the Ety children to this day.

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Posted by Bill Venrick at 5:04 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)