NOMINATING GAMES

It has been a while since we have witnessed a group determined to commit suicide.

We like to think that such incidents as the Jonesville mass self-immolations become a thing of the past. We like to believe we have solved that problem. We mumble words about having solved such a severe situation.

Yet. we are currently witnessing a display in which a group of politicians are maligning each other as they seek the nomination of their party to become President of our nation. It seems to be a poor way to go about it.

After all, these are members of one family, in a sense. For them to openly disparage each other would seem to be an error because the very voters to whom they are talking are the same who will be voting for that person nominated by the party. It will demand a great deal of damage control when the actual campaign gets underway.

Some individuals out there in voter-land may be as dumb as their leaders seem to think they are, but most are apt to think twice about voting for any man so openly condemned by the people who work with him and should know him best of all. When Gephart and Deane tell what each thinks of Medicare, for instance, they take opposite views - entirely opposite. One claims Medicare is the “worst” single mistake of all time; while the other contends it has been the ”best” achievement of their party. One or the other, in the mind of the voter, has to be wrong.

To speak disparagingly of the other members of the group would seem to me to harm their own chance. Not only do I feel it to be a political error but it remains an infraction of common rules of politeness. By this time viewers have pretty well sorted out the better candidates and which will best. Most of them have been eliminated long ago. All of them suffer daily just to stay alive. If any last-minute entries - such as General Wesley Clark, Al Gore or Hillary Clinton, make themselves available to “save the party” without having undergone all this fellow-runner criticism they have a marked advantage.

Serious damage is being done daily as contenting nominees malign each other. Much of it is irreparable.

There must be a better way,


A.L.M. September 30, 2003 [c422wds]

 
BACK OFF A BIT!

You too, have, by this time, seen it in print. That, of course, does not attest to the truth of the statement at all. Be it alleged or real, however, it does cause questioning and comments.

Is it true the item urges us to ask, that Michael Jordon receives much more payment from ”Niki” than the total amount of the payroll of all of their Asiatic employees?

If such a thing is accurate; if it is true, it should shock many people to know such a fact is valid. If it is not true that fact it suggests that it ought to made clear out of simple fairness to Jackson and others.

Initially,, we will think of it as being huge sum, but then, if we look into the average wages paid to Asiatic workers it might not seem quite so excessive Even, then it would seem excessive and wrong to many people. I is, perhaps, unwise to think about a change if which the workers are granted more pay, when we realize that on cannot condemn individual offenders when we know they are not the only ones using such a tactic. In many cases they are paying typical wages in keeping with the economy of the nation in which they are located. To upset that delicate balance would be chaotic in some nations.

The main reason we have moved just about all of our manufacturing capabilities overseas, is based on the fact that they can make such products at far less cost. The unquestioned basis of that cost saving is to be found in the low wages paid workers. There are other reasons for lower production costs: government regulations, work place safety features, and systems of health care and hospital case when needed. If any, or all of these benefits can be cut or eliminated, the production costs can be lowered.

Rather than causing needless commotion on that side, we might do well to study our own needs and desires to see if we actually need many of the things we buy - made by less fortunate workers around the world the world whom we do not even known. We, at times a buy several of such items because they are less expensive than our own versions used to be.

It is time, perhaps, we might worry less about what Michael Jackson might or might not be getting get for advertising such products for us. Higher apparently, but minus, no doubt, far more percentage commissions eating away at such a stated figure than we might imagine, before the eventual payment is made to the entertainer's account. It probably tallies out like lawyer's fees in large class action suits.

It might also be time be time for us to reassess the values we place on such entertainment personalities to advertise such products. For Michal Jackson to receive more than all the Nike workers in Asia, seems a bit too strong, and it may well be it is one of the many such reports put out - some such reports put out - many by Jordon himself, it is claimed - to attract attention by reciting such versions of his weird ways.

Don't be too ready to condemn the foreign worker's ways or be concerned about is poverty and needs. After all, we put many of them in that position. and we, by our purchases, often keep them there.

A.L.M. September 28, 2003 [c540wds]

 
READ RAWLINGS

Have you actually read any of the Harry Potter Series of books?

It's been some time since a writer has attracted and held the attention of young people so expertly and parents who have not forgotten how real and demanding their early reading habits were when properly motivated.

British authoress J. K. Rawlings has done all of us a favor in bringing excitement and enthusiasm back into the idea of reading books. Young people today are reading the Harry Potter books with exceptional excitement and enthusiasm. No one can say, for sure, of course, just where this sudden acceptance of books by youth, ,might led us, but it seems to many adults that this is the start of something good for our children. It is most important, I feel, that we parents and grandparents follow though and become personally aware of the series - four volumes thus far and more in the making – which has influenced our children so strongly.

How does Rawlings work this special magic?

She works with amazing simplicity using tried-and true villains and ordinary people do commonplace things, She has great respect for the traditions Mankind has held for many centuries concerning the existence of magical qualities in the world and in certain humans, as well. Readers are not required to develop belief and acceptance of some, supposedly “new” man-made creature involving ultramodern techniques and concepts. She makes active use of our accepted world of commonly accepted concepts of witches, ghosts, goblins, trolls, elves, manifestations by magicians and necromancers among us and around us.. Never does she ask modern readers to believe in something that has not considered in the past by their predecessors. The demonic forces of evil and the redeeming qualities of good are set forth in modern dress. You may find much of it to familiar. Much of seems known to you from innately from your birth. You may well have been taught not to believe in such things; they they were sheer fabrications, yet, perhaps ...some of it could be, well, ...not true, exactly, but possible.

Harry Potter, put upon most cruelly by the circumstances of his birth and early life, and the means by which he matures; by which he grows, we do as well right along with him. We accept the fact that he is a wizard, as were his parents before him. He and we, are charged with combating evil in various forms. He strikes one as being so average that most readers find it easy to align themselves with his way of thinking and wishing for change.

The general pattern is a series of short adventure stories, each complete and satisfying in itself yet resolved in a manner which associates it with the larger theme of the book itself.. Rawlings successful overcomes any reading span problems young people may have. Her writing is a cut above that you may think applies to kid lit. One never gets the feeling she is “writing down” to children, Nor is she ever being smug with older readers - explaining details or pretending she dose not really believe in the magic which she write so well.

All if us might do well to attend a few lectures at her Hogwart's School for wizards and magicians. It is a pleasant way to find out what type of reading has attracted our youngsters intensely. It is not easy reading in the sense that we tend to think books for young people must be.

You may best start your Rawlings reading with the initial volume” “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone “ In that way you will get a firm cocept of the genesis of Harry Potter ,Wizard.
. A.L.M. September 27, 2003 [c657wds]

 
OUR PATHWAY

Among those people who sit around figuring up such statistics, it is reported that we have now spent about one per cent of our Gross National Products total on the Iraqi War of 2003. The same people have also calculated that we spent 134% of our G.N.P. value on World War II. The whole idea, of course, is to show how economical making war seems to have become over the years.

Don't be too quick to believe any such figures.

It is difficult to price war-making in relation to the prices of commodities, many of which are essential.

The contrast provided by such figures does - even logically - suggest that one was larger than the other in cost, but they were very much different as well, in dimensions, texture and quality. I you replace a small bag of potato chips on the grocer's shelf and select a much larger one , you expect it to cost you more.

Wars do not come cheap. If the Iraqi war had lasted as long as WWII and expanded to include as many nations in active conflict, the cost of the total war would be quite a bit larger. Ironically, the same statistically minded people would still be around but quoting opposite figures, no doubt.

No count, no list, tally, or detailed , in-depth studies can ever tabulate the true costs of war. It costs area are far removed from things countable. There is psychic and emotional damage, there are physical damages which will not become evident until the passage of many years, there are mental aberrations which, while they may never surface in an individual's lifetime, may affect others in his or her extended family.

A little more honesty concerning the actual cost of wars, might be one pathway toward avoiding them.

A.L.M. September 25, 2003 [c320wds[

 
C-SPAN EXERCISES

Those people who watch C-Span with some degree of regularity soon find that it can be one of the most revealing segments of the TV spectrum.

I have always watched some of it, but in recent months the absolute dearth of worthwhile programs on the regular channels, we have found those offered by C-Span can be superior. You will notice this more readily if you have undergone a need for some economy in viewing TV.

There was time when we had over one hundred fifty channels available, but none local. That became tiresome after a few years of trial. It offered too much of the same thing. Antennae arrangements were limited. The end decision was to go with cable and that, too, offer too much of the same thing ...hardly worthwhile in an economic sense . We cut back to what might be called the economy or cheapskate version of cable TV. That offers 19 channels . Five are local area stations, one is ABC affiliated, one NBC and one PBS. The two are civic slide bulletin things and a rather static medical interviews offerings by a local hospital. There are three out of Richmond,Va.- one ABC, one CBS ; one NBC out of Roanoke , plus TBS, Atlanta, the “Insp” channel which is either a religious smorgasbord or info-mercial platform. The others are QVC, NBC store and HSN hawking channels. The two C-Span channels are a welcome bonus much of the time.

We are said to have the basic line-up, and that is a very accurate designation, too, because when you think of the 140-plus others available they prove to be largely copies, imitations, re-runs, re-hashes and echoes of the basic eight or ten. With what we have, there are far more than we can watch. One of the locals carries CNN Headline News, and the PBS runs old BBC farces with tedious regularity.

Don't get me wrong:. All have some good shows. . I am not knocking any one of them ”en toto”. I have some favorites, but I find myself watching more and more of C-Span. .

That is the only place you can see the typical American political figure in his version of the “Emperor's Clothing.” C-Span is the only place you can get eye-witness accounts to portions of the legislative bodies “at work”, and , if you favor or oppose any particular legislative project, this is where you can gather some first-hand knowledge of the action - or lack-of- action . Senatorial and House routines are not theatrically enhanced, so don't expect too much..

C-Span offers a lectern for those people who have b been elected to office an d never get o make the headlines. The only time we see many of their names is on the lists for re-election. You see them and hear them C-Span.... both the apt and the in-ept.

You can see and hear them hours on end standing among a few fellow workers and far too often they will be reading extended lists of statistical drivel. If you wish to retain your memories what the legislative halls seemed to be in your old-fashioned high school Civics textbook you may do s,but be prepared for something less exciting.

We have a host of leaders, it seems, who continually set forth both visual and verbal evidence concerning their mediocrity. Lifeless readings are the routine, and when you do get a speaker who orates or speaks even half-way ... it is a sensational thing to do. Dolt wait too long for any such high moments.

I sometime wonder how much of C-Span is picked up and re-run on overseas TV to prove to their viewers that they don't have too much to worry about from the United State after all.

A.L.M. September 23, 2003 [c 615wds]

 
BY CHANCE PHOTOS

Some of our most appreciated photography seems to have been a result of chance, of the photographer being at the right place at the right moment.

It may well be that the artist's eye and consciousness was needed to realize the moment was exactly at hand, the work he must do is to sense when the moment is upon him or her and, then, to edit out those elements which are not to be a part of the finished work's composition. The true artist with a camera, instinctively knows when there is too much or too little. The slightest angle; a subtle backing off to include more or closing in to clip the shot's edges - all those are essential mannerisms of picture takers. It is a phase of training which comes with experience, and is not found in formal instruction books in any meaningful way.

Recall your favorites. Be they the work done by a master of he art or by an amateur, it is the qualities of simplicity and exactness which hold the greatest charm for the viewer. The could be said that the old Oriental maxim of: ”Less is more” aptly applies to more than just flower arrangements.

News photographers, in particular, have to develop such a skill for taking story telling shots. The celebrated photograph of an exuberant young WW II soldier kissing a young girl during a Times Square in celebration of the War's end is good example and typical of a photographer catching a specific act in it's only, ever time. A series of such shots are contained within the film of the fiery crash of the “Hindenburg” at Lakehurst, New Jersey' and you, no doubt, have your favorites both in black and white and in color.

Editing, often unwittingly, is part of photographic perfection or “nearly perfect” because no two viewers thereof actually see such a thing in the same way.

We need to apply some of that editing to the picture of ourselves we present each day to others about us.

Someone is taking an estimate of you at every moment of our life as we share it with others about us.

A.L.M September 24, 2003 [c353wds]

 
UN OR US

Chirac presented us with a good example of conniving comment the other day when he alluded to the nature of his and Bush's viewpoints as being either “black” or “white”.

I don't have his exact phrasing at hand at the moment, but the gist of his statement was designed to keep him from seeming to be a chronic fault-finder. He does not want to be seen as being hard headed or obstinate. This, in turn, suggests changes are possible in his view which can be seen as a weakness based on being, essentially, unsure of his original stance.

The situation in the Greater East is not a simplistic thing which can be said to be as clear as the rather limited differences between “black” and “white”. It has long been realized by men and women of only moderate intelligence, to be much more “colorful” with the prevalent hue being red - blood red!

The black-white reference which, sadly, may be mis-read by more people than one might surmise, too. It is very nice of Mr. Chirac to say he is not being petty about who is going to run the governmental in Iraq. He wants it turned over promptly to as yet to be designated Iraqi officials under the guidance and control of United Nations.

This is very much like asking sight-impaired persons to guide others who are in the same stage of unawareness through an undetermined labyrinth of vague uncertainties. The UN has, long ago, become so complex as to able to see only in sepia tones.

President Bush has had a far more intimate view of the situation than others and his opinions should not be summarily discarded in favor of those concocted by some far off observer ... especially by one who has blithely looked the other way when danger was first noticed in the area. He should, if honesty were the basis of his actions, be eager to associate himself with the one man best suited to teach him the rudiments of leadership in such a complicated era.

We had best leave race, color, religion and a few other important facets of it all lie as sleeping dogs, until such time as we have re-established competent rule of the Iraq area. Then, it will be the duty of the new Iraqi nation to deal with those element they deem to be most urgent.

Chirac, and his followers both here and in France, Germany and other such areas would seemingly foresee Iraq as a UN occupied state more or less forever.

Is that what Iraq needs? Is that what the Iraqi people want?

A.L.M. September 22, 2003 [c445wds]

 
THESE TELLING TIMES

I get a bit tired of being today when I am told I am a member of a minority.

O course I am, We all are, in some facet of our active life. Those do-gooder people who like to harp on the subject seem to think I will be a better citizen if I can think of myself as being one who must do without, the very poor, the underprivleged, the have-nots - which is their sole way of defining a “minority” in modern society.

They speak often of “walking in the other fellers shoes “for a time and, believe me, the leather is wearing mighty thin on that mode of movement.

No too many years ago was told I was among the few people in the nation who did not have a personal computer. When I advanced to that equipment stage, I found I was among the few people who did have such a computer as I was fortunate enough to acquire.

I have gone though this social environment thing from the days of 78's, 33-l/3, ED's,, LP,'s. thru 8-Track, mono, stereo, wire reorders, tape recorders in a dozen forms, and now I find myself among the minority of people who do not possess a DVD player or a complete home theater setup. New and puzzling acronyms pop up almost daily for equipment which does wonderful things -called whatever the alphabet can handle.

Each new wave of such letters puts me in a new minority group.

Religious differences are a main focus with some They often, however, seem to find it unpleasant to comment on this type of minorty, possibly because of our unpleasant historical background in an international sense in dealing with so many manifestations. I am seldom reminded that, as a professing Christian, I am automatically, in a minority group.

Far too many political figures of our time seem to see the government is blend people such as themselves banded together to satisfy the wants and desires the downtrodden minorities. Government becomes a mechanism for handing out packaged happiness, medical care, and other illusive forms of of pre-packaged happiness, free medical care, and financial security.

TV ,pocks at me as being minoroty,too. I am to eat, drink and wear what I am told is “in”. I am told what others think and to be grateful for such guidance

I have been a minority person a good many years. I used to get mail with/ amazing regularity from Ed McMahon. Publisher's Clearing House set up an endless series of dates on which they never knocked at my door. Many people did not realize that “Reader's Digest “ was magazine as well as a sweepstakes heaven and a source of short-cut books for quick reading.

I tend to think of as being “average” But, that, too, has become a minority. Maybe you have noticed that, where as, years ago, one could attend Medical School and graduate as a “General Practitioner” - a general all-ailments medic. No more. GP is now alphabetically included in the list of “Specialist” training programs.

You and I are minorities in so many portions of our lives. There's no need to deny it. Think back a bit and you will see how many of the truly great leaders and re-makers of Mankind have come from what you might call “minority” elements. And, in many such cases they never knew they were so classified.

.A.L.M. September 22, 2003 [c620wds]

 
DOWN SIZING

We have recently had occasion to sell off some old possessions which have become a clutter in our household. For the second time in our years, another house has outgrown us. We need less space.

The process is now called “down-sizing”which sounds efficient and business-like.. Not too many years ago it would a have been called “getting rid of some junk.”

It has not been an easy thing to do. Some of the items which “must go” have been a part of our lives for many years, some since childhood. It is a pleasant thing to have to part with such treasures.

We are especially blessed in having children, grand and great-grand children for which I am most grateful. That helps eliminate much of the pressure and anguish of surrender of prized possessions. Our initial downsizing action was to to offer all members of the family free rein in selecting anything they felt they could use
.
That meant, for instance, that hundreds of books we had gathered over the years are now spread out among family members. They have, in one sense, gone nowhere at all; they are just being put to new, more varied use within the larger family, which is, after all,. what books are intended to doing. The glass-front bookcases went with many of them and our Rec Room area downstairs is almost book-less for the first time in many years - perhaps a hundred or so books remaining. We have done the same thing with silver, china and crystal accumulations.

During this process various items no one wanted had formed a pile in the double garage area. Several weeks ago friends helped load in into a small trailer, a pickup truck and our own van and off it went to a weekly auction sale site where it was translated into hard cash. It proved to be well worth the effort, too.

One of the first indications that you are approaching the time of downsizing because of advancing age is when you can no longer navigate the stairs with out wishing you didn't have to do so. We're looking for a single storied house of a bit more than a thousand square feet of floor space with no big lawn to mow, shrubs to keep up with, and driveways to free from snow in wintertime. Our house has been sold, and we are looking. Moving day looms ahead. The next few weeks, brimming with mystery and uncertainty at the moment are going to be most interesting.


A..L.M. September 21, 2003 [c430wds]

 
TRUSTING THE MEDIA

We seem to be experiencing occasional outbursts expressing distrust of various branches of the media.

So many of the attacks are unwarranted, unfair and based on the flimsiest of circumstantial evidence and anecdotal trivia.

Such bad-mouthing of the “press”is not new, of course not is it a thing which should be forbidden or eliminated. Honest criticism can be helpful in many ways, but constant carping on inconsequential details can be deadly.

Our American system actually thrives on sincere opposition. The story may be apocryphal, but I recall when the well-known author Sherwood Anderson is said to have done. Anderson, the author of many fine novels of our time, wanted to invest some of his earnings in a weekly newspaper. I may be wrong by twenty miles or so, but I think he chose the town of Marion, Virginia for an interesting journalistic experiment. Instead of buying one weekly newspaper Anderson bought two of them in the same area.. He named a dedicated Democrat as Editor of the one; and a rival Republican for the other. He funded each equally and instructed - even ordered - them to take firm party stands and to debate the issues regarded as critical for the area. I moved away from the area, and I cannot tell how the situation actually worked out, but the idea is useful. Each party thrives on sincere opposition from the other; if there is no give-and-take there can be little growth with a resulting laxity in maturity and durability of popular concepts of just what good government ought to be.

Today the various branches of what we now call “the Media” are in direct competition with each other. We should keep that in mind and be aware, always, which field of special interest they favor. It can be a good thing when one element of the media actually supports the very political party with whom you find yourself in agreement. It is a benefit quality as long as they make it obvious to all to what point they are biased in their view

So much of the distrust we talk about in relation to the Media today can be traced along two paths. The one leads to the door of those members of the media who are still living in the past. Violent changes have taken place in all the media and few, if any, can function as they could, and did, years ago. Far too many of them continue to try to be all things to all people.

The second pathway which can cause distrust leads to the individual's doorway - people such as you, such as me - who expect every portion of the media to be just that - all things to all people !

The worthy media is not structured that way at all.

We, as individuals, have the responsibility to pick and choose the segments of the media which best state our views and speak to our vital concerns. If you turn that job of yours over to talking heads, boiler plate printers, jingo jabberers, knee-jerk side-takers or erudite, educated idiots ... you are forfeiting your right to a freedom envied by much of the rest of the world.

A.L.M. September 19, 2003 [c565wds]

 
WHILE REGIS BURNED

It was my hope, during that time when Regis Philbin seemed to have the TV audiences of the nation pretty much under his control with the program now, short-titled as “Millionaire,” that we were on the edge of a positive result bringing us improved TV programming.

ABC-TV, I was pleased to see, appointed Susan Lyne as “Entertainment President.” The title itself impressed me .... not “Vice President in Charge of Entertainment but “Entertainment President”. The very classification seemed to grant to Susan Lyne , the young lady from within the firm who was named to the position, a somewhat higher level in the pecking order at Board meetings.

Susan Lyne set forth some interesting idea, too. She wanted to make her network a “talent magnet”. She plainly said “we have a lot of work to do” and said “it was a time when no broadcaster can do the expected. We need to occasionally surprise people, to make noise.”

In the weeks when Regis was running hot and breaking his own records for viewers, it was refreshing to find someone concerned about the future. You will recall how the TV world went wild with imitations,. We watched a score or more of imitations of the “hit” show. Regis Philbin, has what is known as “street smarts” which told him when it was time to leave, and when Millionaire fell into two traps - one over scheduling of the show and, then, a reliance on celebrity participants which is so often a sign of weakness.

What followed the remarkable Regis revival ?

“Millionaire” itself was an import. It was the Yankee version of a British TV show, TV moguls seem to think something used was more profitable than anything new. We have been engulfed in a parade of so-called “reality”shows and a mixture of “Talent(?) Shows” of the most pathetic types. That era has run it's downward course and we now come to the “new” Fall shows.

We are just beginning to see new fall offerings. There are around thirty of them , and I have seen two thus far which have have not been encouraging at all.

We should be watching the ABC-TV entries, in particular, because if they out-rate or out-last the others, Susan Lyne's work will be vindicated. She envisioned a place where “creative talent will be given freedom to do their best work “. She realized she faced a situation on which the prevailing way was to “attract talent was by offering more money.”

The success of ABC-TV shows this fall will let us know if Susan Lyne's innovative work has had the desired affect.

.A.L.M. September 19, 2003 [c471wds]

 
FOR THE BIRD

Today, I am told, you can stand in front of the steps leading up to the impressive Pyramid of Kukulkan at Chichen Itza, in the Yucatan area of Mexico and, when you clap your hands deliberately, a strange echo comes back to you which duplicates the sound of the Mayan sacred bird – the Quetzal.

I wonder. Does this happen by chance or was it “built in “ ... on purpose? I have heard a tape of the actual; bird call and I have listened to another tape of hand claps in front of the ancient temple an it would be difficult for me to tell one from the other. had they not been taped for me.

This unusual bit of acoustical archeology has only recently been discovered and it points up studies of the actual, physical measurements of the pyramid and others like it. An oddity concerning those measurements, too. The risers on the steps are uncomfortably high - far too high for the descendants of the people who built them to climb. Today's natives are short of stature. They cannot walk up the forbiddingly high steps to higher levels. It becomes a task; a real climb.

More details. The two restored side of the pyramid have ninety-two such levels of and because of the thickness of each of those layers of stone, one gets and echo called a” “picket fence” ..intermittent sounds that last about one-tenth of a second. The actual sound of the call of the Quetzal bird is about twice as long - about one-fifth of a second. Studies done of the two un-restored wall surfaces are much weaker. The original, smooth plaster finish is missing on the two side and the are rough and irregular. The site was mysteriously abandoned around 1200 A.D. and historians have yet to come up with a good reason for the sudden departure of the faithful

About that sound: the starting frequency is about 1,310 Hertz and the minimum end frequency is 922 Hz. Sonograms show “a striking resemblance in sound quality, frequency, length and harmonic structure” to the bird call scientists tell us. They agree it seems to be more than mere coincidence as if some one planned it that way. The pyramid's Mayan name was “Temple of Kukkulkan.” The prefix “kuk” has roots in the Mayan name for “Quetzal” which was viewed by the ancient devotee as “the messenger of the Gods.” It may be may the sound is what the old Mayans called “La cola del Quetzal” or, “the “Quetzal's tail”. They used the feathers of the bird for ceremonial purposes; why not make use of the bird's call as well ?

There must be other sounds of history all around us. We should listen for them, I suppose.

The next time you happen to be in the Chichen Itza area, I'd appreciate it if you'd check this one out for me.

A.L.M. September 18, 2003. [c502wds]

 
CROSS SECTION

If you had a welcomed guest from another planet and you wished to show him, she or it an accurate cross-section of the American people, what one place would you visit to get your best look at the real American?

We seem to be in a phase of our existence right now in which we are evaluating ourselves in many ways, especially in relation to potential peaceful existence with other nations. If you had to select one place, over all others, where you could get the best and most complete view of what the American people really are today, where would you turn? What one location in these State United would illustrate the complexities of our social system and show the best cross-sectional sample of what constitutes the citizenry of this Land of ours?

Right. You would turn to a place where a great many people gathered. Certainly, sports events get more people together in one place at the same time than any other event. Choose that site and you have a goodly number of sports fans and fanatics and the same limitation would apply if you selected your nearest Big League Baseball diamond with all stands loaded.

You might think, then that one of the marches on the nation's capital might - with their “millions”of participants, but r that is only a partial count of a group of protester, petitioner, or special problem people. The high count does not assure us of seeing a full version of the American people.

Unfortunately, you would not go to your your favorite place of worship to find the most complete group representing all elements of American life. Think of every place you go in your busy life and choose one which you would nominate as being the place you can see the best overall representation of Americans.


I made my choice a few year or so, and I have yet to find another site which equals it in getting more types of typical Americans together in one location. That's true even of close competitors in the same occupational field. If you - and your inquisitive guest – spend a hour so there watching - you will see the rich, the poor and the in-between earners, you will see men and women' girls and boys, you will see well-dress individuals, slovenly attired geeks, nerds and - even some left-over beatniks from previous decades. You will meet teachers, students - the list is virtually endless!

One place seems best of all if you wish to see the most complete cross-section of Americans.

Visit any Wal-Mart parking lot.

A.L.M. September 17, 2003 [c425wds]

 
BOONDOGGLE RERUN (*) OWEL

In June of 1999 I wrote a piece for this page titled “Boondoggle”.

I used that title to decry the fact that I received through the United States mails each month a publication intended for farmers receiving subsidy payments. I am not, and have never been eligible, for such government assistance and the monthly newsletter listing start and cut-off dates for such programs which were not of much concern for me. I have received this newsletter for many years and, now in 2003 I find I still get it. It also provides me with the names of twelve paid persons who make it possible for me to have news of activities of their governmental office each month.

I have received and replied to an occasional form from time to time, which asked me if I wished to continue receiving the publication. I have ticked the “No” box but no one every read them, it appears.

A “ boondoggle, I find, is described as being “an unnecessary or wasteful project or activity”, so it is logical that I should find some in governmental areas.

Specifically, the use of the term “boondoggle” can be blamed on one man. His name was Robert H. Link and he was active as a Scoutmaster for many years before his death in 1957. I mention the date pf his passing to show that the term is fairly new and not one used when the founding fathers were finding fault with the King's men. The word grew from Scouting, in fact.

Two “other” meanings of “boondoggle” are: (1) A braided leather cord worn as a decoration especially by Boy Scouts. (2) A cord of braided leather, fabric, or plastic strips made by a child as a project to keep busy.”

Remember ...as a noun: “an unnecessary or wasteful project or activity”. As a Verb: “to waste time or money on boondoggling.”

If, for some weird reason you'd rather not talk about at this time, to further your own investigation of this strange word - “boondoggle”, I think “government” might still be a good place to start.

(*OWEL... this being one of a random series dealing with “Our Wonderful English Language” - ever growing)

A.L.M. September 15, 2003 (c398wds)

 
TROUBLE FREE

Our own United States, in its younger years, was not without problems aplenty. Actual rebellion was not all that common but it did appear at several sore spots, with some odd circumstances.

Such a case was the rebellion which occurred in western Massachusetts. Known , then when in started in 1786 - just three years from the birth date of the new nation and it lasted well into the new year of 1787.

The farmers of the western area of the state were not alone in suffering from a severe economic depression. They could not pay their debts and, in keeping with laws of the time, they soon found themselves in court and then, in many cases, in jail. The farmers were not alone in feeling the economic pressures which explains what historians who have bothered to write about it, called it – not the Farmer's Revolt - but an “uprising of the mercantile elite of Eastern Massachusetts, especially Boston, who demanded hard currency to pay to their foreign creditors. It was the farmers in the western areas who took action, but the merchant class was in marked sympathy with their revolt.

Captain Daniel Shays (1747-1825) was a veteran soldier of the American Revolution. He was a farmer from Pelham, Massachusetts, He found himself leading around 1500 followers. They wore their old Continental Uniforms, for the most part, and had a spring of hemlock in their distinctive mark.

The rebellion started with a series of petitions to the government for paper currency,lower taxes and judicial reforms. .When these failed to have any affect, the farmers took more stringent action. The first target was to takeover the site of the Court of Common Pleas at Northhampton on August 29th. Other groups stormed the courts at Worcester, Taunt on, Great Barrington and Concord. Their plan was to disrupt further trials and imprisonment for debtors.

In September - from the 25th through the 28th - Shays' impromptu army occupied the Courthouse at Springfield which prevented the Supreme Judicial Court from convening.. Governor James Bowdoin assembled 4,400 militiamen under the commend of General Benjamin Lincoln to defend the courts and to protect the Commonwealth The rebels then decided to take over the Federal Arsenal at Worcester. General William Shepherd , however, successfully defended the Arsenal with some 1200 local militiamen, which, had it been successful which, might have given Shays' army supplies for extended engagements. That was on January 25, 1787.

Two weeks later General Lincoln arrived in the Springfield area and quickly scattered Shays army into various neighboring towns. The insurgents were taken completely by surprise on the morning of February 3, 1787. The actual decisive attack took place at Petersham, Mass. General Lincoln had marched his troops through a heavy snowstorm the previous night in order to surprise the insurgents.

Most members of Shays' army army took advantage of a General Amnesty which was offered. The Supreme Judicial Court, meeting once more, sentenced fourteen of the rebellion's leaders - including Daniel Shays to death for treason. They were later pardoned by Governor John Hancock, Just two men, John Bly and Charles Rose of Berkshire County, were hanged for their part in the rebellion. Just why they were singled out and Daniel Shays went back this farming, is not made clear. The Massachusetts Legislature started to consider reform legislation seriously and the Federal government, in convention assembled at Philadelphia, struggled to create a constitution to deal with such situations in the future.

An interesting sidelight - one which might prove to be of special interest today - is found in Thomas Jefferson's comment on the Rebellion. The word appeared in a letter James Madison. It is important for us to notice, however, that Jefferson wrote the letter to Madison from Paris, France, January 3th, 1787 - before the end of Shays' Rebellion. His words: “a little rebellion now and then is a good thing. -” and “a medicine necessary for sound health in government.”

We should, I feel, pay strict attention to the time elements involved when we make use of those Jeffersonian quotes.

A..L.M. September 25, 2003 [c767wds]

 
CHICKENS, HERE AND THERE

It may well be that you have not been in and around the nation's poultry houses recently, but the publicity prone poultry problem protesters are present once more. They are attempting to build a strong anti-chicken eaters group among us and to boycott all chicken-serving restaurants.

Their allegations, once again are that we are grossly unfair and unnecessarily cruel in the manner in which we raise and execute our birds. They are gathered again in the name of “animal “ rights.

They dislike the manner in which thousands of American chicken producers continue to place generous supplies of finely ground grains and nutritionally balanced food before their housed birds from chick hood - medications,as well, if needed and supplemented to meet ever known chicken need! Fresh water is supplied in a steady, constant flow of droplets of water from pipes installed just over the feeder and readily available to all. There is not crowding and pushing around basins or troughs to compete for walked-though , filth-filmed water. We deceive our birds, they point out, by burning lights in the houses in the evening and again during the wee-hours of the night to make them think it is daylight and time to eat some more of that fine grain. That's unfair, it seems.

Among other cruel things we do - there are protesters who point out that the chickens we eat never get to ”touch ground”, never get to fly though the air, and never get to eat green grass blades, scratch for dried weeds seed and small pebbles, or delve among cow-droppings for choice leftover tidbits - and to, then, wash it all down with a swig of brackish, green water from the nearest puddle.

By contrast, our system is quite acceptable when compared with the modern process of raising birds in France, for instance. If they have to protest, they might do well to go there to see what cruelty can be. American poultry raisers cringe when they read about common French methods.

The French love their “pate foie gras” and many French and a few English producers, customarily force feed their birds during the final weeks of growth to as a more than twice the size of the valuable liver. Almost all French production is geared for each bird to have its mouth pried open, a tube is inserted down its throat and quantities of “maize” are pumped into its stomach, averaging as much as six pounds per day until time of slaughter. “World Farming”, an an animal welfare campaign group in Europe, estimates that the amount of feeds thus force fed daily as being the equivalent of a human being force-fed about twenty-eight pounds of cooked spaghetti per day. And, the procedure is growing. The increasing demands for ”pate foie gras” mean at least twenty-five million ducks and geese are to be force fed each year in France – double what the rate was just ten years ago.

It all makes our chicken-rising routines seem like kindergarten play, doesn't it?

A.L.M. September 14, 2003 [c530wds]

 
DOUBLE FEATURE

Just why I would remember having read two kindred books at about the same time – February 1999, at this particular time when we have are marking the 2nd Anniversary of the downing of the Trade Towers in New York City, puzzles me.

I can't explain why that should come to mind unless it could be that I have been thinking how we, as a people, have shared in such a large fund of miseries over many years and survived to become and even better than we wee before in some strange way.

Life itself is largely a series of disquieting incidents. So often we are living soap opera. The difference being, of course, that a series of dire events is compressed into a time limit of just a few days or weeks on the popular radio-TV format. It real life it takes years and the stress and trying circumstances seem less ominous even as we live through each of them.

BOUND FOR GLORY – of and about Woody Guthie and ANGELA'S ASHES, by Frank McCourt. Those two book of which I write, are so very much alike, and, at the same time so different from each other,

I was reading the Guthie book when friend Nora Howell offered me a copy of the then “best seller” McCourt hit. I kept Woody as my “upstairs” book and Angela was my “downstairs” book for that week. The writers were both men who grew up during the years of the Great Depression, through the Roosevelt era and into early phase phases of World War II. That was, essentially, my own time , so we were had been hardened against pretty much the same things and I found ready comparisons and contrasts along the way. We each saw them in a difference light, of course.


The one lived in Oklahoma and Texas and the other In Ireland for the most part - having been born in Brooklyn and migrated back to Ireland when things got tough here. Both had miserable home living conditions.

Each writer undertook the task of telling of his childhood years and passage into manhood. Both made an attempt to be completely honest and both succeed in a way, yet I sense things were being held back from time to time - the better things, too, I fear, largely because both books depend on this situation of abysmal poverty which is to be kept in the forefront at all times.

I have many memories of doing without things during the Depression years but, compared to either of these boys, we had it very nice all the way, it seems. I can understand the poverty depicted but that people would actuality choose to live in filth and squalor is beyond my comprehension. For dramatic purposes they choose to dwell on the bad things and let the good things ride, I fear.

Guthie impressed me with his sense of what is dramatic and how to key it to a climax. McCourt will probably become best known for writing a lengthy book without using a single set of quotation marks. This freak quality hurts his story, at times and confuses honest readers.

It is good to read the two books concurrently to realize the differences between Ireland and Oklahoma, and how the people lived in relation to those different circumstances.

By comparing the troubles met by the people in these two books of my own era, I have had a life '- thus far, at least, which can only be termed as being “a piece of cake”.

A.L.M. September 13, 2003 [c656wds]

 
BOLO

Men! Are you up to date on proper neck wear?

I thought I was, but I have just discovered that the western style Bolo Tie is relatively new in men's wear. It is not a part of our heritage from the days of the Wild West as many of us seemed to have thought it had to be. A man by the name of Victor Cedarstaff was riding along the Bradshaw Mountain trials with some friends near this home at Wickenburg, Arizona.

There was a gusty wide that day, and several times Victor had to grab his hat to keep form losing it. The hat wasn't of any great concern to him; it wasn't that valuable to him, but the hat band had a silver buckle attached to it, which the rider prized and did not want to lose along the trail. To safeguard it, he slipped the cloth hat band off with the buckle attached and put it around his neck.

Later he fitted the buckle to a rawhide cord, added a beads as groments on each end to keep the buckle from slipping off, and named his creation a “bolo tie”, because he came to realize how much it resembled of the of the rope with weights attached to both ends, thrown so skillfully by Argentine pampas riders as an efficient weapon.

I bring this up because I have found the colorful bolo tie to be the supplement to casual wear which make the wearer feel dressier. That's about the only reason I have ever heard for wearing any kind of a neck tie - a unifying touch after all else is done, possibly, as an expression of wearer' individualism, as well.

I find Bolo ties to be suitable for women's wear, too. A colorful strand with a light-catching stone design can be the perfect cleavage center of interest for that special moment. The Bolo Tie catalogs are brimming with a fine selection decorative emblems for every mood, any personality trait.

And, bolo neck wear is so easy to tie, too. It may well help solve some of your Birthday and Christmas holiday gift giving problems. A tri-colored set of bolo neck ties with birthstone, holiday or special events designs can be extremely personalized gift both men and women will admire and cherish..

A.L.M. September 12, 2003 [c403wds]

 
FAST FOOD FIXER

Years ago - in 1986 – the Ladies of the Staunton - Augusta County (Va.) Rescue Squad published the following recipe in their fund-raising Cook Book. I like it...

“ E L E P H A N T S O U P
1 elephant 3 rabbits (Optional)
Salt and Pepper

Cut elephant into bite size pieces. This should take about two months. Add enough gravy water to cover. Cook over kerosene fire for about four weeks at 465-degrees. This will serve about 3,800 people. If more guests are expected, two rabbits may be added, but do this only if necessary, as some people do not like it when they find hare in their soup.”

I like such a dumbed down item now and then. This one serves well during this era when fast food are taking over on the gastronomical scene We need a touch of humor in our daily routines when so much of what is considered to be “funny” is seems to be contrived on the lewd oriented standard. A bit f whimsy and good humor, especially from an unsuspected place - such as a Cook Book - is always most welcome.

We need a touch of foolishness in our lives. That, to me, seems to be a part of being happy. Some of the most miserable people I have known have been those who have taken every moment of ever day seriously and worked intently to keep it that stern way - devoid of any bright color caused by a sharp departure from linguistic or mental restrictions. Being “happy” can often be a matter of seeing how utterly ridiculous we appear as we do some of the things s robotic rituals, without thought and consideration for the feelings of the feelings of other about us.

The only way your can disprove that is for you to refuse to try it. We often have more need than we might realize concerning our narrow attitudes toward other people about us. I do not favor all of us becoming “Chuckling Charlie” personalities. Nothing comes across so leaden as does contrived or insincere attempts at being”funny” but the proper, subtle touch of humor can brighten the most difficult work day.

A. L. M. September 11, 2003 [c381wds]

 
OUR RIGHTS

I often find myself questioning the public understanding of exactly what constitutes our “rights” as citizens of this nation.

The general view of the term has changed in recent decades. It, like so many other designations, has been both over-used and and abused, I fear. The idea of listing certain things as “our rights” has been twisted and, far too often, tailored to fit the wishful wants of special groups and individuals. The term has been so mis-identified and mis-applied by groups and individuals to suit personal desires that is has acquired a sub-title in a preface word “civil”.We have, thus, created a new element of confusion and now we feel it necessary to decide what may be “natural” an and others as “legalistic.”

Our feelings are reflected in the actions of much of the media when we see a tendency to guard against being mis-read. Often, when the term ”rights” is prefaced by a limiting term - “0ur”, “Black”, “Afro-American” or “Hispanic” or others of that nature, the entire concept of “right” becomes clouded and limited. Bounds are set and re-set.. “My rights” can come to mean many things and narrow racial, social, economic, religious and downright quirky departures refuse to surrender to any modifications.

At times, sensible men and women urge us to think on grander terms, but this, too, leads to trouble. If one thinks of the Christian religion gives him the right to evangelize the world of people of other groups who claim identical rights or worse. This, in turn, injures other unifying fact as geographic placement or linguistic associations.

Internationally, we see some fine examples of how nationalistic tendencies can undermine efforts toward unity. They have done so repeatedly and caused severe divisive friction. The old League of Nation – while it was a noble effort – has been replaced with and even more cumbersome amalgam pf nations. It is ironic that simply by exchanging just two letters the title is made to read: “Un-tied Nations.” As many nation, some not as large as many cities around the world, insist on certain “rights” which , they feel have accrued to them simply by membership in the co-operative effort.

It is time we re-think what we really;mean when we speak of our “rights.” That is especially true of those we have come to classify as being “civil.” We need to be more aware of our standards here at home, so we can better judge the claims of others to the same or equal rights.


A.L.M. September 9, 2003 [c443wds]

 
YE PILGRIM FOREBEARS

Those Pilgrims, fresh to the woods of New England from the Old World, were real style setters. Artists of the time were followed by others who copied that which Pilgrims and/or Puritans are said to have looked like and how they dressed in their first years in this cold continent in drab sameness.

To avoid seeming to be pretentious, they dressed “plainly” - all black with no colors permitted. Their shirts were of black material, pantaloons and trousers, as well – all black as could be. Frock-like tunics and coats were added when the first Fall season fell, and one could spot earmuffs being added beneath the rim of the low style stove pipe hats Mr Lincoln came to favor later on.

If the newcomers went around dressed in such flimsy apparel as the artists show them, there must have been some frigid souls among them. There was one mitigating circumstance, however, which is seldom hinted at by those in the plain clothing mode. Nothing is said about the superb quality of heavier types of the plain cloth. That which appear to be approved non-pretentious clothing could be of any thickness desired as long as the the purchaser possessed pecuniary power. To stave off shivering a proper Pilgrim had best have some spare shillings squirreled away. The plain cloth items would be of various kinds of materials - probably not silk because the silk was of the Orient and doubtless pagan from birth, so it would be avoided, if known at all. The black coats could be as thick as the pence supply available allowed them to be. Knitted scarves and shawls were said to have been common as at-home wear and they were used by men as well as by women and children.

The buckle business what a part of the Pilgrim style scene, too. Remember those big pewter, silver or brass buckles on top of the usually pouch- like shoes often made of rough leather and held together around the foot by the addition of “pewter, silver or brass buckles. Or, so often the artists like to show a big buckles on the front of said Pilgrim's high hat. This whole matter of buckles could be seen as a frivolous addition may well have used were skillfully cared from wood for holding shoes together.

Now, this this matter of the strange conical-shaped barrel gun Pilgrims always seem to have had at hand. A hapless hare may dart across the path, or a bird might sww-o-o-ish overhead in a threatening manner overhead. More stories of multiple kills with one shot have probably originated with such blunderbuss guns which must have sprayed shot widely throughout the atmosphere

The picture so many of us have of the early American Pilgrim-Puritan is about as accurate as is our knowledge of natives of that time and place.

Who says we don't have an art heritage in this country?

A.L.M. September 9, 2003 [c551wds].

 
HILLTOPPERS

Locally, the Mike Shirkey family seems always to live on a
high hill.

Regardless of where they have moved in recent years, they are always living above the surrounding terrain where one can see for miles in just about all directions. Each place they have lived has also become the site of our family Fourth of July Fireworks Watching outing. Each year we can see the 4th being celebrated at four or five locations off to the East or the South primarily.

The first place they called home as a family of four was built a hill above a larger, older brick dwelling known as “Storm Hill” just north of Verona, Va. Evelyn Shirkey was grew up in that old house which was so-named because when it was being built after the Civil War severe storms delayed the construction so often the site became known as”Storm Hill”. The Shirkeys lived in a smaller house built atop the hill called “ Storm Hill”. Theirs was smaller house build for her Mother and father by her Grandfather Marcus Arndt and Evelyn''ls father Frank McCue. They enlarged that house considerably and added a sizable workshop building nearby, added a swimming pool and a two-car garage unit to the house itself. Adept in such tasks on a do-it-themselves basis. It sold promptly when they decided to go into the poultry business on a farm near Fulks Run, Va. in the west edge of Rockingham County, just a short distance from Mathias, West Virginia.

The farm had two dwellings and they could have lived in the lower one, but, true to form, they chose the smaller house on top of the steep hill overlooking their two, large, double-decked poultry houses. Our Fourth of July observations suffered somewhat by that move, because across the steep valley one could see nothing seemingly endless expanses of National Forest covering massive ranges of mountains to east and west The Shirkeys did very well at then broiler raising operation, but it became evident that sufficient help was not to be available in the rather remote area and they decided to shift to a more readily manageable farm operation raising eggs for hatchery needs.

That called for a move to a new location in Augusta County ,Virginia with a few miles of “Storm Hill”. The transition was effected smoothly, and where did the Shirkeys decide to self-build their new home - on the hilltop, of course, a bit west of the laying house operation. In so doing they have restored our Fourth of July fireworks watching privileges to the best situation yet. We can now view the displays at Gypsy Hill Park in Staunton, those in Waynesboro, a the Wintergreen Resort in Nelson Count, and the massive display set off by Massanutten Village Resort just east of Harrisonburg in Rockingham County and other smaller attempts in between each of those.

Thanks to the Michael Shirkey family - Mike, Evelyn, Chris and Jon - our family Fourth of July celebrations have been restored, enlarged and and invigorated.


A.L.M. September 8, 2003 [c595wds]

 
WOULD BE'ERS

How can men and women who have set themselves up as being of such stature that they might expect themselves to become President of the United States, be so unthinking, vindictive, childish-biased, and impolite in voicing their opposition to the current holder of that office?

We are now witnessing a curious exhibit by a group of eight or ten such persons aspiring to that office, who seem to feel they deserve our support and dedicated service so the can be our leader. Yet, day-by-day, seeking that place, they openly vilify and openly insult our elected President.

This, to me, is totally wrong!

It is, not only an highly suspect way of going about seeking support, but is is the wrong road road to take in an ethical way, as well. I think the office seeker should have a measure of respect and honor for the office he seeks in this particular case. That is not established if he or she repeatedly scorns the present holder of that office - chosen and elected by a majority of the people.

I do not appreciate it at all when anyone - in public forums - accuses the President of the United States - our nation unfairly- be he Republican, Democrat or of another party. I felt the same with others in the past of either party. My view is that, once elected, that individual is “our” national President - not merely that of the party which placed him there. It is the party we must judge for any shortcomings, not the individual.

One by one the current cadre of would Presidents seem to be vying with each other to see who dare voice the most unscrupulous accusations they can evolve of President George W. Bush. One such candidate, just this last week, accused Bush of total unworthiness at least four time in one sentence in a recent speech. Certainly that candidates handlers must know that is no way to win friends and influence voters. Those tricks of the politicking trade which seem to have worked well in lesser levels of election procedures, are forbidden in the more exalted stratum naming the nation's President.

The potential candidates who make use of this disturbing technique of slander, false accusations, and gossip-engendered skullduggery, are doing a dis-service to their own party and to the nation at large. Their selfish, inconsiderate appeals to the lowest elements of political life; maneuvering innuendo are an insult to those who are earnestly engaged in seeking the highest office in the land.

Listen intently to the campaign oratory; evaluate what you hear on the basis of common elements of fair play, honesty and politeness, and be aware of snide personal references to the personal traits of the incumbent. Now is the time for us to weed out the wrong doers. Pick and choose your candidate with care.

I do not buy products from an advertiser who knocks a competitor's product by name. I do not vote for a politician who openly knocks his oppositions attainments. His task, to me, is to show me how he can do better; not to list the things he thinks the incumbent may be doing wrong.

A..L.M. September 7, 2003 [c534wds]

 
POP CHANGE

The rate at which the population of Earth is increasing is everyone's concern.

We may sit by and insist that it is the over-populated areas of the world which need to start doing something to control the number - not us.

There are more or less six billion people now occupying this rather small planet. We have become somewhat used to that term “billions” here in our section; you don't need to worry until you start talking in “trillions” and we have reached that state in our debt retirement arrangements. But, six billion is quite a sizable group of people, especially when we realize it is not static but multiplying all the time as a we sit here talking about - even for a few minutes.

The implications of such growth on our future is becoming more evident by the moment. Any child born at any place on this Earth occupies an expanded portion of the space available. We are unwilling victims, even now, as ever-increasing throngs of excess people from the Latin American nations, in particular, migrate to our borders in ever-increasing numbers to become either legal or illegal citizens.

We are very much concerned - like it or not.

Can Earth feed more than six billion people? That physical aspect comes quickly to mind with church groups, and other charity organizations we have expected to deal with such problems in the past. The rations, of some sort, will be there in an abstract form, of course. That is a minor portion of the real problem which will face our children. Each of us will have less, of course.

There is a host of other concerns than food to sustain the increased numbers of people. Every aspect of our various levels of culture will be mutated by the mere pressure of such numbers, and, if you feel the nations of the world have trouble getting along today you may have a hint of what it could become when restraint is not present among us. Competing among themselves for bare necessities can turn civilized men into barbarians of the worst order. In managing an over-populated world, the worst is yet to be..

We can wait no longer! It is, quite likely, past time for the United Nations and individual states around the world to pay strict attention plans to control the growth of world populations. We need detailed studies compiled in mutually close, honest and upright co-operation with the China, India and others.

We cannot continue to set and re-set vague dates for undertaking such survival studies. Even now may be too late.

A. L. M. September 6, 2003 [c424wds]

 
SLAVE HOMES

The geographical spot on which I happen to live , was, many years ago, a working plantation of the Old South. That was in the 1840 decade when the Weller family, who owned the land, was actively engaged in the processing of leather as part-time, year round round occupation.

They raised animals of various kinds, purchased others, and used the hides to make much needed leather. The skins were were cleaned and dried, tied in flat bundles and - for a time – sent down river from a site located to the north about a mile and half on the North fork of that river - the Shenandoah – which spreads throughout the area as North, Middle and South portions. The hides were rafted downstream to Port Republic where they were transferred to one of the larger river rafts or “gundolas” being built at that port site to be poled down the Shenandoah and the Potomac Rivers to Baltimore markets on the Chesapeake Bay.

The operation here at the Weller plantation called “Lofton” was, of course, a slave labor operation. The area is a sub-division now and the old brick home built by the Weller family with brick made right down the slope from the large house in 1844-1845.

I watched the bulldozers hit the sturdy, two-foot thick brick walls on the morning of my 80th birthday and today, looking at some of the four hundred houses being build on the land. I had lived there in that fine, old house for some years. Today I can stand at the edge of the area where the slave quarters were located, but the main portion of the site is now under portions of two houses. The main portion of the is under two of the new homes.

I know where the slave houses - three of them – were located because when we plowed that area in the 1940's we constantly turned up the foundation stones - long, limestone slabs - used as foundations as the four corners of four log structures measuring about fifteen feet long by twelve wide. The area had been used as had been used as a wood cutting and firewood storage area and had not been plowed within the memory span anyone on the old place. Local lore held that the slave quarters for the Weller Plantation's leather making operation where in back of the big house - to the west of the building called The Wash House. We used it as a cover for the woodcutting saw and for firewood storage, but, today I can stand in somebody's front yard and look out over where the three slave houses.

I find it difficult to try to to explain to others the feeling that comes over me when I do such things. I feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude that I have been chosen to “see” such things from the past.

We get a new and improved estimate of the true worth of our own heritage when we reflect on the amazing accomplishments of those who have gone before us.. .both masters and slaves.

A.L.M. September 5, 2003 [c538wds]

 
STUDENT STATUS

Far too much loose talk and mis-information is being bandied about these days concerning the much criticized SOL tests which were designed to see where children really should be when they arrive at a specific grade level.

In general most people seem to feel the tests have been a lamentable burden for young people and they tend to work have them dropped. As a general rule both make a rather dismal showing at all levels. They have brought to light many things many parents would rather not know about the educational system. Summer School attendance has trippled in most areas but it is voluntary and not compulsory, so few take it seriously. Parents feel frustrated when they find that their "A" student can't read, for instance. They are chagrined when their child needs to attend "summer school" which, to most, has always been a degrading term. School official have been calling it by other names as much as possible alluding to "Intensive Study", "Reassessment Sessions", and avoiding use of the term "remedial" at all costs. That has been saved to use as a threat against anyone who refuses to attend summer classes setting forth the idea that, when the regular school session starts in the Fall, they will be "required" to take special "remedical " or "make-up"classes.

I have been amazed at the fact that the teacher's unions allowed the exams to be. Much of the difficulties the students are experiencing are being attributed, as some might have foreseen, to inadequate teaching by poorly qualified people. The NEA is usually more alert to such threats.

The Federal government rushed in with a "solution" to meet all such educational lapses. President Clinton elected to set aside $1.3 billion to hire 30,000 new teachers! Just where he found 30,000 qualified teachers and suitable classrooms in which to place them, has not, as yet, been determined ,or, it seems, even considered. It is largely election time talk and is not intended to be fullfilled.

A.L.M. September 4, 2003 [c366wds]

 
VERY FEW DO

Very few accidents just “happen. Bad luck is often invited.

It may be difficult for us to determine cause, primarily because doing so might show up poor judgment on our part.

That would suggest that we can eliminate many of these accidents, or at least cause them to be less costly insofar as injuries are concerned.

We are most concerned with the every-increasing number of automobile crashes. There are so many variables in the formula bringing about such incidents, including simple negative attitudes by many drivers. We tend to legislate against mishaps and to devise “rules” - even laws - whereby others are supposed to improve the vehicles we drive on our behalf. Very often, the new legislation, actually brings about new problems and invites other accidents to happen.

Each year during this fall portion of the year, as our school system begin functioning, a great deal of special attention is given to safe playground equipment; revision of building standards to eliminate all sort of potential problems, and the media does a good job of spreading the word about safety rules when walking or rid or riding. Such actions are commendable, but more accidents of this nature occur at home or near home than at school. Statistics are vague and inspection of facilities virtually impossible, but the average backyard play or sand play area is a haven of accidents waiting to happen.

That's where the average one of us might make ourselves more useful. Each year there are accounts of children hanging them selves on fault ropes and wire attachments to non-school play ground equipment. Much of it is often simply worn out and needs replacement. Know where your children play after school . You will find some home-made rigs which are less expensive to built, perhaps, but more costly in accident percentages. You do not have to be a Ph.D. in mechanical theory to know when equipment is unsafe for your, or any other child,to ride. They are in even more danger at home if they have learned to place their trust in the newer, more modern equipment at school on on public property.

We all have “at home” areas of safety we might tend to with greater care. In doing so we can get at the reasons behind many accidents, before they take place.


A.L.M. September 3. 2003 [c402wds]

 
ALL SPEAK

Years ago we sang a popular song which had the lyrics: "T'ain't What You Do; It's the Way That You Do It!." The lyrics to that song were written by versetile James Young ; music by Sy Oliver and I remember Louis Armstrong singing them for us.

A recording of that old tune should be required listening for all those indivudals and groups presently pontificating on the pitable place of programming for television.

They are words basic to much commo-sense qualites.

I cannot abide the type of TV program in which there are three or more individuals who are supposed to give their opinions on a subject when all three are allowed, and even encouraged to talk at the same time. This format, if it can be called one when it goes beserk, is a valid means of passing information along. If the speakers observe common rules of politeness one to the other, everything goes well. Such “shows”get out of hand far too often and you wonder if the networks have called in Jerry Springere to producer their news shows.

It is witnessed on TV often and seems to stem from a urban mindset concerning common politiness. That may be unfair on my part, but the majority of this discussion-type shows originate in metro areas. I have seen it on ABC's "Night Line" and it drove me away from a favorite person in Ted Koppel. An otherwise enjoyable and profitable show is sacrificed. One revent afternoon FOX network providediced such an "arena" which kept going on -and-on. The plan calls simply for lining up three talking heads and make sure that they all three talk at the same time eagerly tryingto out shout the other. This can go on for five minutes or more at a clip in many cases and after a moment's respite during which we hear a commercial insert it can , and usually goes back for more of the same argumentative muddle! For long stretches the viewer gains nothing from the mass harrange. Emcees seem to be not only powerless to curb it, once it starts, and some even join in on it in an attempt to outshout others. Panel members, as they berate each other, or go right on lecturing steadily with no indication the others might be talking.

Certainly we deserve better treatment than this from guests invited into our home. It seems to be becoming more common, too, so I leave at the first indication of any such impolite exhibition. Certainly the network executives must realize this is talking place. I often wonder if TV people every watch TV at all. So called "new programs" are echos of others far too often and panel shows are, I suppose, low-budget time fillers as are so many of the magazine-type shows. Small wonder the major networks are steadily losing out to cable, individual superstations and to Internet and the computer world.

Comedy scripts – many of them of worthy material - are mis-handled in like manner. A display of cleavage is not cleverness, nor is cussing commendasble for comedy offered as family fare.

A.L.M September 2, 2003 [c523wds]

 
AREA LIT

Prose and Poetry - by place.

That seems to be an odd way in which to seek to classify that which we write, but we continue to do it as long as we insist on publishing and sustaining the highly subsidized “little”or “literary” magazines.

Each lays claim to being an entity, yet each strives constantly to be like all the others. After a time, reading each of them, you come to know the “DNA” of the areas, yon can single out specimens of each by linguistic clues.

One guide I find to be particularly useful concerns the manner in which writers use profanity, obscenity, sac religious terms, references to specific biological functions and eclipse ... the use of “beeps” or graphic representations of such a sound for intended but unwritten words.

Modern literature makes wide use of all of these mannerisms, of course. The very cause of generation of such terms comes from the users basic lack of vocabulary and that creation of such supplements will fill in and have shock value, as well. So much of such mis-usage it comes about when young people are away from parental and home-town social controls for the first time and striving to assert their worldliness. Gaudy embellishments are used by writers who simply do not have the vocabulary scope needed. There are still publications which do not, as a rule, accept such material, but they are rare.

Literature is also a commodity today and is marketed as such. The halcyon days of such generalized magazines as “The American . “Collier's”, Saturday Evening Post”,, “Delineator”,” Redbook,” supplemented by a host of magazines called - and often ridiculed as - “the pulps”- “Astounding Stories”,”Ellery Queen”, “Doc Savage” are gone. Many of the magazines of that day, all of which displayed what is now considered to have been puritanical pretense. The use of profanity was curbed unless it was considered essential to the story. It was seen as sign of weakness in the writing of stories to depend upon such additives. The responsibility was largely with the editorial control of the magazines - from Publisher through various Editorships.

The so called literary magazines today seems to divided themselves into geographical areas. Content is supposed to reflect such-and-such an area. Profanity is used and augmented form time to time with with other such colorations. Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, South, Deep South - with ethnic pockets found in each of them, tend to use profanity often, augmented by physical and biological terms, and religious oriented terms. The style is brisk, sketchy, profane and biased. In the West we find a more masculine type of profane usage with biological coloring. In the far west, coastal areas the tone seems to be more feminine; drifts from pole-to-pole and is quite prone to excess in any one pattern .Oriental allusions are more frequent, too, especially in the loose ,so-called poetry which clutters many half- pages. It seems to feel it is setting standards by which the rest of the writing world must use. Our fiction writing and poetry are very sensual today ...profane, I think, on purpose and ,quite often, ineffectively so..

The entire concept will be readily evident if you will read a few pf the many college and university quarterlies. Not all are, as yet, infected and some of the finest writing and reading is to be found in those which have maintained a standard of decency. But many are “carriers” infected beyond any possible reclamation. Many are repositories for all types of profane usage and sophomoric pretense.

Our “Little”magazines are committing suicide and, quite possibly, taking with them many individual creative talents worthy of more proper and proved attainment.


A.L.M. September 1, 2003 [633wds]

 
WHERE DO WE GO FROM THERE?



In September and the Fall of the year of 1999, you may recall ,we, as a nation, were faced with a series violence in our public schools system which shook the very foundations of our educational system.

Much talk was heard in those days about new and better ways to avoid such tragic events in the the future. Some of the suggestions for change, we now see, were as silly as were the suggestions were for many of the New Century crisis conditions we worried about so extensively at about the same time.

What changes will be made in our public education system as result of of that surge of violence at the end of the old century?

Very little, it seems.

There was an upsurge of "at home " teaching, I would say and, perhaps, a resurgence of the private school on the American educational scene.

All fifty states have already legalized "at home" tutoring if parents choose to do so and teach their own children. Some 700,000 such students are so enrolled and it is a short step for several families to group together; hire teachers and have their own private schools. There are religiously oriented "Acadamies" scattered through out the country now and these, I think, will also prosper as a result of the violence. Many of the schools in this group have remained small because they cater primarily to those within the religious denomination or sect sponsoring them. They were all started as a direct result of the segregation legislation of the 60's. As they have grown they have relaxed religious rules somewhat and are more open for new membership than they were originally.

Gun control areas for discussion, remains pretty much the same now as it was three years later. In our immediate area of Virginia where deer hunting is, for many, a basic part of the school year, bickering continues as to determine if an unloaded shotgun may be left locked in a pick-up truck on a school parkig lot, while the student-driver-owner is inside at his studies. Is a locked pickup a properly storage container for the gun as long as the

student-owner,or user, has the truck key and the ammunition supplies for said weapon sequestered? Such nicities as that have crowded the acceptance of such legislation out of the practable picture.

Even while much talk about "changes" in the school system continue, I I doubt that much will move. The "system" is too deeply established to expect it to change to any marked degree. The teacher's "labor unions" are in control and have been for some time, while ,at the same time, administrative personnel are so deeply entrenched in a tenured structure of academic ignorance that they find it difficult to accept. Whatever changes we see in the educational system will hit in time, as a result of the frightening new upsurge of violence, but that too will be more or less forgotten quickly. Many states rushed legislation through three years age, There was a clamouring for re-establishment of old "standards" and " values" and the politicians climbed on popular bandwagon for a time.

That surge of violence was one of the most disruptive things to come up on the American social scene in a long time and, coupled, as it was with excessive scandals in government and a generally lowering of morality in our culture, it was taken seriously by many people. But this year, locally, just before the opening of school this past week, the “crisis” in schools demanded the prompt removal of carpeting from all class rooms and replacement with tiles flooring. A threating mold had been discovered.

So, somebody's out there making changes, you see. All is not lost.

a.l.m. August 31, 2003 [c618wds]

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