These days, I find myself packing extra clues in my back pocket. That's because, more and more, I'm running into people that just don't have a clue about what is happening around them. Are they too detached from reality to realize they're clueless? Or do they know they're without a clue, but perhaps too shy to ask for one? While the exact reason for their clueless status is a mystery, there is a way to help.

What kinds of circumstances bring out the clueless? Well, let's consider freedom of speech, for example. An entertainment personality, like Howard Stern, is driven off of broadcast radio by political renegades, and some people applaud the success to silence his voice on terrestrial airwaves because they don't like him or what he says. Obviously, these people fail to realize that by muffling Stern, they're encouraging and supporting the further censorship of all Americans who might have an alternate opinion.

For you special folks, you really need to get a clue. Here, have one of mine.

Sometimes, I nonchalantly drop a clue on the floor when I'm talking to these people. It brings a smile to my face when I hear the squeal of delight and someone says, "Hey, I got a clue!", and figure out that they're not clueless anymore.

How about property rights? In Riviera Beach, Florida, town officials are moving forward with plans to use eminent domain to confiscate the land and property of approximately 6,000 residents. Most of these affected people are black, low income families. Surely displacing so many law-abiding citizens must be for an exceedingly important public good, right? Hardly…The town wants to displace all of these residents so it can use the 400+ acres of land to make room for a billion-dollar yachting and housing complex. We're talking exclusive use for the upper crust of society, not your average Joe or Jane.

For those of you who aren't outraged with the brazen theft of personal property and property rights in general, please, get a clue. Better yet, take two. They're small. I have extras just for you.

Sometimes the clue on the floor trick doesn't register with the 'sans clue' crowd. They either miss it completely, or those who do happen to be aware of the clue often look at it with puzzlement, and perhaps ask, "Hey, what's that thing?" For those hardcores, I innocuously say, "It looks like a clue. Nice find! Why don't you take it? I've got plenty."

In September, a Sacramento federal district court judge ruled that it was unconstitutional for teachers to lead students in the Pledge of Allegiance because it contains the phrase “under God.” In November, this same guy entered a permanent injunction to implement his judgment by prohibiting teacher-led recitation of the Pledge with "under God" in it. The judge's injunction was stayed, and at least one organization has filed an appeal with the 9th Circuit Court to reverse his decision.

How about this? If you don't like the Pledge of Allegiance, or reciting the words, "under God", just keep your mouth closed for all or part of the Pledge!

By the way, in 1942, the United States Congress included the Pledge to the Flag in the United States Flag Code (Title 36), and in 1945, the Pledge to the Flag received its official title as: The Pledge of Allegiance.

For those who have forgotten that the Pledge of Allegiance actually contains the words, "under God", I've got a bunch of extra clues for you. Please take them, and feel free to share some with your clueless friends.

These are just a few of the reasons why I've found it important to keep plenty of extra clues in my back pocket of late. Of course, there are so many other things going on nationally that seem to really bring out the clueless crowd. I'm talking about those who argue against things like enhanced border protection; those who try to prevent the deportation of illegal immigrants who do not respect our laws; those who would rather see the health care system go bankrupt as it is forced to bear the burden of providing services to uninsured, non-citizens; those who would rally around the effort to take the word "Christ" out of Christmas, or try to convince us that a Christmas Tree is a "Holiday Tree"; or, how about those clueless wonders who work in so many ways to undermine our troops, our President and our nation on the Global War on Terror? You know, it's the little things like that which cause me to carry all those extra clues.

Hey, I've got another great idea. If you've got a few extra clues lying around, why not take a moment and subtly share them with those who have gone without for far too long. Just plant a clue here and there as you converse with these clueless brethren and see if they pick up on it.

And hey, if YOU happen to see a clue lying about, go ahead and get it! It was meant for you! Once you've gotten a clue, you might even share one with somebody else. Who knows, before long, the clueless people in this country might be nothing but a bad memory!

Go on now, and get a clue!

J. Peter Yakel is a freelance writer and author of three books. Since 1998, his articles on leadership, military science, genealogy, and electronics, have appeared in numerous publications and a variety of Internet websites.

For more clues about the author, or if you'd just like to read a free chapter preview of his book, "The Legend of Juggin Joe", visit his website at: http://www.lulu.com/yakel

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