Originally broadcast on CHED radio - Tuesday, June 14, 1960

When I was a kid, there were two very very important words that I heard at least 20 times every day. Those two words were, "straighten up". For 10 years I heard that loud and clear call every time I set out for school, every time I went out with my best girl, every time I got within earshot of my father, "Straighten up”.  My dad knew there wasn't too much he could do about my brain, but my spine he was going to look after, and I was never allowed to forget to throw my shoulders back whenever dad caught me in an upright position. Why I mention this is because I think the youngsters of today need a few "straighten ups" yelled at them, especially the young ladies. Last Sunday I just took notice, as I'm sure you have done, of the number of young ladies who sort of sag along the street in their flat heels. Their eyes are downcast and their spines bent over and so many of them have that "what's the use" look. In contrast, I saw two other young ladies on Sunday walking along 142nd St., beautifully turned out in their Sunday best and they were straight as a die. They look like a million dollars. So mothers, and fathers, let's get the kids to throw those shoulders back and straighten up those spines or we're going to have the saggiest generation of adults in history. And kids, if you are listening, just try it for a while and see what a difference it makes in how you look and how you feel. You're going to have to carry the burdens of this world on those shoulders, so let's get those spines straight up and down and begin to look like you can handle the load. I know things look black, but I'm sure they're not as bad as those bent over backs and droopy young chins would indicate.

Originally broadcast on CHED radio - Date unknown

A man by the name of William Burke wrote these lines. 

"I was angry with my friend, 

I told my wrath, my wrath did end. 

I was angry with my foe. 

I hid my wrath, my wrath did grow”. 

You know there is a very powerful philosophy in those four lines. They can help you through difficulties in any personal relationship. How often has someone close to you, perhaps your husband or wife, let you down? How many times have you felt that a friend has betrayed you? Brooding over these hurts, whether they are real or imaginary, harbouring suspicions and grudges can corrode your outlook and take all the joy out of living. By simply telling the person involved how deeply you feel you dissipate all that poison inside you. If the person is your foe the simple act of "telling" your anger will act as a miraculous immunity to future venom. If the person is your friend, the antidote strengthens the bonds of friendship by wider-vision and understanding.

Originally broadcast on ChED radio - Thursday, February 27, 1964

I have a long looked for a satisfactory definition of “courage". I think one of the finest was uttered by an old lady in the novel "To Kill a Mockingbird". In substance she said, "courage is knowing you are beat before you start, but starting anyway". That may not be the best definition but it will certainly do until another turns up. "Courage is knowing you are beat before you start, but starting anyway". I have always felt that there is more courage in man's make up than he sometimes cares to admit. We often marvel when we pick up our papers to read of some daring feet that someone has performed in the face of great danger, or where we hear that someone has endured torture that we feel sure would crush any mortal. It is well to recognize at times like that, that the soul of man goes down hard and leaps from ruin quickly. There is, within each of us, a great well of courage. Perhaps we’ll go through our life never having to draw from that well. Perhaps tomorrow, it may be your turn to dip in for that extra bit of courage and faith you need to get over the rough spots. But fear not, the help you need is there awaiting the summons. I have always likened life to a prize fight. No matter how many times you are knocked off your feet, you still have a chance to win, if you'll just get on your feet and go one more round.

Originally broadcast on CHED radio - Monday, March 22, 1965

There is no moment a father fears more, and needlessly so, then that moment when his son discovers that Dad is just human. If you are a father you'll know what I mean. For 10 years the lad will come to you with the kites to be built, puzzles to be worked out, airplane models to be built, ships to be launched, fire crackers to be set off, bike tires to mend and geometry problems to be solved. For the first five years it never occurs to a child that Daddy is incapable of anything. The problem, whatever it may be, is turned over with the simple request, "fix it please." As the lad grows older, perhaps a bit of doubt may creep in and the problem becomes a little more complex, but the doubt is usually completely shrouded in the very positive statement, "you can fix it, can't your Dad.” (A statement of fact, not a question) and somehow Dad does come through. Perhaps he can fix it, but if he can't at least he can stall until tomorrow at which time father can have it fixed by some face saving expert. But eventually the day must come when father comes face-to-face with a problem he can't handle. It's always a Sunday when no outside help can be found. The boy is older now, and he watches over his father's shoulder as Dad goes his best against the problem. And then it happens, as it must sooner or later to all fathers. The child says, "you can't fix it can you Dad." There is no recrimination, no contempt. Again a simple statement of fact. The boy at last has found out that fathers are very human. On the day your son says "you can't fix it can you Dad" you will start to enjoy the most rewarding experience of life, father-son, man–to–man association with your lad.

Originally broadcast on CHED radio - Thursday, September 21, 1961

I read an interesting article the other day about a forest fire that had destroyed a Rangers lookout tower while the Ranger stood watch. You might ask, how could this happen, but really the Rangers explanation was simple. From his lofty perch high in the air, the base of the tower on which he stood was the only thing he COULDN’T see. When I read this I thought how like most of us this ranger was. Isn't it true that we are always looking for trouble far afield, but at the same time we can't see the trouble brewing right on our own doorstep. If you listen to our new show "Nightline" at 10 PM each evening, you'll hear a great many people say regarding a bad situation… "I know it isn't right, but what can I do about it?"

I say this, that anyone can start right from where he is to raise the standards of such vital sphere of influence as local and Provincial Government, and education. An alert, and informed public is democracy’s greatest strength. A vigilant citizenry CAN, SHOULD and MUST be aware of, and make every effort to correct such injustices as may be found right under our noses. We often hear our friends south of the border, soundly and roundly condemned for their attitudes on racial inequality, yet how few of us do anything about similar problems which exist right here in our own city. Perhaps it's because we lack confidence in our own deepest convictions, and therefore adopt the often spoken attitude… "What can I do about it?” If you feel this way, just remember that our democratic system is like a chain, it is only as strong as its weakest link. You are a link… just as important as any other link. Our country needs your strength, and needs it badly. When your time comes to be heard, be it on a platform, through a letter to the editor, a call to your radio station, or in the voting booth, say what you have to say and say it with conviction. Remember, regardless of the issue, you CAN do something about it.