Saturday, November 06, 2004
CLOSET CLUTTER
Old-time radio used to provide us with a weekly reminder which told us to take a look at ourselves. The specific program featured a patient, understanding, loving housewife and a bumbling, overly ambition. gullible and often inspired husband who was known by the appropriate designation of: “Fibber” - Fibber McGee
Fibber's wife Molly, long-suffering under his odd, clownish ways, was a paragon of self-containment in one way but, now and then, she found it necessary to stop her errant husband in one of his inventive escapades. She did do by saying curtly and conclusively: ”Tain' t funny, McGee!”
I thought of “Fibber McGee and Molly” on Tuesday of this past week as I stepped up to the voting booth at our town's community center. Fibber put everything in the closer just inside their front door andoon those occasions when it became necessary to open the door he often did so without making sufficient preparation for the avalanche of belonging which came forth unbidden.
We do the same sort of thing, soften, when we put our hand to the level of the voting machine. We open new vistas. How many voters were aware of the fact that they would be called upon to vote on several amendments to our state's constitution? Why are there five names of men running for President when we had heard of only two - and one other one is a few states? How do you vote for Congress person who is running unopposed? All sorts of things tumbled down upon you as you stand there and you solve part of it by voting against it whatever it might be. Or, ignore it. Vote your known preferences, pull the bar and get "outta there.” The little sticker and attendant tapes to your lapel says: “I Voted”
But, to what extent had you done so?
Too often, throughout the “political year”, we are kept so busy chasing after personal rainbows – enticing illusions of things which might be – just as Fibber McGee did so much of the time, and we fail to work at keeping our storage closet of experiences, knowledge, facts, figures and friendship in order so they might be better used to everyone's advantage.
The election times of our lives are about the only time a lot of us get to see ourselves as we really are. Our gathered problems are many They are often fermenting and they are thought to be unsurmountable. We tend laugh it all off; to shove them back into the narrow closets of our lives - we tend to make a big joke out of all of the confusion and clutter.
It is at that moment that we all in need of a “Molly” in our lives to step up and say to us: “It ain't funny, Mc-whatever-your name- might be!”
It is needful that we put our political stocks in better order.
Soon.
Now.
. A.L.M. November 5, 2004 [c496wds]
Friday, November 05, 2004
HELPER
Sheer necessity required that we make use of a two-car ferry boat years ago when we wished to cross the New River, upstream a few miles above Radford, Virginia. The crossing was widely known as Ingle's Ferry and the site can be visited today just a mile or so down river from Clayton Lake Dam.
The ancient river - deemed to be, by those who know about such things, the oldest river on the North American Continent, is the border between two Virginia counties – Montgomery and Pulaski. The current of the wide river is heavy at that point set within a gentle curve. The Pulaski side is rather steep , a pattern which holds downriver for many miles as the ancient waterway cut it's path through the limestone cliffs on it's way to join the Kanawha, Ohio and Mississippi. Our Montgomery side featured, for the most part, flat, fertile and flood- prone fields. At the top of the hill on the Pulaski side the village of “New Berne” - Newbern to us. The West End section of the City of Radford - a community five miles in cooperate length strung out on the series of “shelves” rising up from the flood plain level of the above the flood plain level of the stream.
The Ingle's Ferry installation is worthy of a book unto itself telling its history and importance, but my immediate concern is to note one way in which the old ferry boat managed to make a quicker trip across those rushing waters.
Loaded the two cars and perhaps a small, cart or buggy the long wooden vessel tugged at the cable to which it was attached and was poled out of the safety of the log-shouldered berth into the current. You could feel the rush of water grab at the emerging boat length; then along side and when it got to the rear end you felt a sudden downstream swerve. A confident glance from the pole man assured your all was well and you quickly came to realize the downward current of the river pushing against the angled side of our boat was being used to move us toward our destination.
By keeping the side of the vessel athwart the main thrust of the current we acquire a source of power we might, otherwise, we might be opposing. The boatman in charge has control of the degree to which the craft is to be aligned with the force available and we rely on his or her wisdom to maintain that condition to our best advantage. It is not the purpose of the boatman to attempt to alter the force of the current, or to arrange the course of the stream itself. It is his job to make maximum use of the power potential, and he may, if he choses to do so, modify the sources of such power just as we have done by the construction of Claytor Lake Dam above the Ingle's Ferry crossing. We have, in so doing, brought a measure of flood control to the bottom land areas below the dam as well as the shores of the resulting lake itself.
This is not just idle nostalgia. Is it too far out for me to see a relationship to what we are now asking the President of the United States, newly installed for a second term, to do for us? He is a steersman in one sense, a pilot, a boatman who keeps our craft in proper relationship to existing forces which impede our progress. A wise leader will use those opposing forces to help us on our way. I learned that simple less on many years ago from watching or riding the small ferry-boat across the New River in southwestern Virginia. I feel, too, that he is capable, if need be, of building a controlling complex above and beyond all at we see, if need be.
A.L.M. November 4, 2004 [c662wds]
Thursday, November 04, 2004
AND THE WORLD GOES ON
Now, second-termer President George W. Bush spoke of his appreciation for his father having passed along to him the awareness that – in spite of all that happens to us – life goes on.
It is so true. During the election months - even”years” for some – living was, somewhat suspended ... placed “on hold” for a time while important political a considerations were given prime attention.
As a nation of people, we tend to “pick up” where we “left off” returning to the continuing scene often without realizing that changes may well have taken place with some of them in our absence. The Laci Peterson Case is before a jury at last, and TV watchers are again expressing their opinions. Some wonder what what became of Martha Stewart? Some are amazed to see Yasher Arafat-head of the P.L.O.- back in the headlines. This very morning the airwaves of the world are showing Arfafat both dead and alive. There are factions around the world which would like to see him one way or the other, but I have a feeling Yasher A. has bested such adverse conditions before and that he may well do so again. There is no one person whom we have seen to be in dire physical circumstances so often only to watch him extricate his pudgy little from the threatened danger. He out-MacIvers MacIver's TV unique ability to maintain a steady stock of instant-escape substances, gadgets or gizmo's. Vast numbers of people still see him as the Clown Prince of the Arabic world. Few realize his tremendous power.
Some things we can forget, as well. We will, probably not be seeing old films showing long-haired youths throwing their combat decorations over a symbolic wall. Such showings were intended as an embarrassment to candidate Senator John Kerry. Now that the election is over we realize that while such pictures stand as an item of shame reflecting adversely on all of our national culture, lifestyle, our sense of values which caused a generation of such youth to develop and influence our pathways.
Genuine concerning has returned to the consciousness of, millions of American now that the Election phase is ended. More genuine good is being contemplated today than we have known for some months.
Some of it may even be activated.
A.L.M. November 4, 2004 [c397wds]
Wednesday, November 03, 2004
UNITY
We have, in recent month, had some severe political and social problems which have, under election-time pressures, caused a great deal of division among us. If we follow true to the usual pattern we shall, as of now, begin a series of reforms designed to overcome some of the problems formed by overt expression of diverse opinion.
Few such plans have any real assurance of success. Most fail because they are basically dishonest, so do a close check on any reformation ideas you may be thinking of putting in place to sooth some of the irritations which were either caused by, made more difficult, caused by, or multiplied by Election 2004’s strange meanderings.
Our leaders will meet today and, in effect “bury the hatchet”. Many citizens cannot bring themselves to do such a thing. They are, instead, critical of those they supported during the campaign and see them as weaklings, willing toddies, and complacent co-worker against progress making the most off defeat.. The “healing process” as it is called, is an essential part of every political campaign of the governmental system which is sustained and strengthened by such diversity of opinion.
Unity is the key to continue success for our nation. The political campaign set forth those qualities which are deemed worthy of examination and comparison. The treatment is often harsh, intensely argumentative and on the edge of becoming violent, at times, in the estimation of some citizens. We did not overstep such limits this time around, and that, in itself, is a mark of merit. Too often, in the world-wide view, we see governments torn to shreds by “elections” giving license to violence. It doesn't happen that way here, for which we should be grateful
The secret of such a re-birth of basic ideals after strong disagreement is a to be found in the fact that both sides must do so. It is symbolized b y the re-establishment of civilities between the four men running for the major offices of the election, but it is really found when you and I, their followers and sustainer's, do so eagerly and with sincerity.
There is a other comparable undertaking the world over,and I hope it will be maintained as a hallmark this time around. We, with a unusual sense of humor, insert a paragraph of text - unseen but always there none-the- less – which serves each side. We remember the previous antagonisms and use them as model upon which plan for future encounters. There's something of a “Huck Finn” revenge quality in it through which we see ourselves and our actions, eventually, as having been petty or ridiculous. It is an American trait and we can't expect other to understand it. It enables us to laugh at each other and a ourselves as individuals and as political party clowns.
A.L.M. November 3, 2004 [c479wds]
Tuesday, November 02, 2004
NATIONWIDE SIGH
You,too, may have heard it today – the sound of a giant sigh of relief, of satisfaction and long-awaited pleasure. I was among those sighing,too, and we were celebrating the end - finally - of the 2004 Election campaigns. It has been a tedious time.
The campaigns start too early and run too long. This one started at a faster pace, too and hearers became tired if it. The campaign voices were loud. They were omni-present among us in print and on TV far too long; much too frequently. Some personalities were unpleasant; ill-fitted to aspire to the office in mind. Much of the subject matter brought up and, on the whole rather poorly handled, was of a nature which we Americans, in general, have not yet learned to be comfortable within public forums. To have our prospective leaders commenting on the merits and demerits of same sex marriages or discussing the prospect of all-out stem cell research do not make especially good in-home topics. We are in an era when religious matters are of world-wide concern. Terrorists attacks,until now not at all common in American thinking, are now an historic reality in the lives of citizens of New York and our nation's capital city. Beside such topics the usual election talk talk about taxes, trade-offs, pork deals, pensions, aid programs and employment positions(jobs) are rather tame subjects. The campaign was far too often urging citizens to vote their fears for the future rather than strength and blessings to be gained from unity.
It may be a good thing that we are on the verge of the time of the year in which we, as a nation, celebrate a day dedicated to being thankful. Tonight, as initial returns are just starting to come in to the nation's newsrooms, there are also a score or more of elaborate ways in which all can go wrong! There is serious thought tonight that we may become involved in a legal war among ourselves to decide who won in which contest. Election 2004!
A.L.M. November 2, 2004 [c364wds]
Monday, November 01, 2004
DEAD DEAD
I can't recall ever having thought of the subject of the intensity of death until our most recent Halloween celebration. The actual process of dying has always, to me, had a certain finality about it that causes reflection and thoughts concerning it's actuality as being somewhat “moot”, as legally- oriented folks might prefer to put it. “Now,” whenever that might be, “is too late.”
Even that excellent seer concerning many of the mysterious ways the human mind can work, “Garfield”, met with the problem when he met a ghost-person at the bar drinking in lonely sorrow because “he”, “she” or “it” had lost the ability to scare people. The ghost sipped and groaned forlornly: “ I wish I was dead!” Garfield, in sympathy, put his paw on the shadow and said softly: “I don't know exactly how to go about telling you, but ....”
Garfield underlined something for me which I had read earlier that witchday which said in plain text: “Ghosts don't know they are dead.”
Halloween's ghosts are not, you see, null and void. They don't consider of themselves as being empty, vacant, shadowy or non-existent.
And, at about this point you must be asking what the heck all that
have to do with anything?”
Right, but I was struck rather sharply by the idea that continuing shades of some of Mankind's great ideas and concepts live in a shadowy, non-substantive manner. Just because a concept or idea for a change didn't work out the first time someone believed it would, does not mean it is finished ...done ...or dead. We are living in an ere when this sort of wish-think might prove to be more important than ever before. Medical and other scientific study has changed the potential life span of humans far beyond our wildest projections.
Halloween is thought of as more or less fun-filled parody of an early holy day time. It is fashioned for kids, for chronic jokers of all levels, b but - deep down - I often sense an accumulation of fears, fancies and foolishness perhaps religious in nature. Listen carefully and you will find that someone will ask you if you believe in ghosts.
The inquiry is often disguised as humor. The questioner is hesitant to put his or her thoughts into words. Many seem to think they are being critical of their religious faith and they feel in tensely uncomfortable when phasing such a query.
I am thinking about this subject at an age level which allows me to cite an opinion based on more-or-less a full century of experience on a first and second-hand basis. I'm not quite that old, but my memories put me in touch with beliefs my parents and others must have used to answer my questions about spirits and strange occurrences
When people ask me if I believe in ghosts, I do not say “No, of course not.”
Let's just sit out here on the limb with each other!
Is that okay with you?
A.L.M. November 1, 2004 [c509wds]
Sunday, October 31, 2004
SPONSORS
Everything has to be “sponsored” by something or someone, it seems. Now-a-days nothing can exist, apparently, and stand solely responsible for whatever may happen to, because of, or from it being in existence.
We are all very familiar with the all-too-common expression of our day which tells us that whatever we choose to hear, see, glance at, or participate in -
is ”brought to you by ...”
Everything is brought to you - by someone. It puts you on notice if you see anything wrong with whatever it is you are going, to watch, do, hear or take part in, it is if anything about it disturbs you in any way, however slight, in is to be seen as not being their fault but, rather, that of the sponsor. That entity can, you see, be named legally as the one who is actually bringing whatever it might be into your stream of consciousness or portion thereof. One reason for such sponsorship of concepts is ultimately to establish responsibility in case you find something wrong with whatever you are led to see, hear or do. Sponsors have lawyers or other in/out experts on staff ready to prove whatever is needed - right or wrong.
We have all witnessed the growth of sponsorship in automobile racing. When I was a youngster, we talked about cars by the make of the car or by the driver's name if we knew it. We spoke of the red “Maxwell” racer thundering at a mile-a-minute or more at the Fair Grounds. Today, before crowds of over one hundred thousand people you see scores of racing cars decorated with the names, logos or slogans of hundreds of sponsoring firms. It is one of the most successful pages of advertising. Every visible inch of every car is emblazoned with colorful names and art-work favoring specific products, both the exteriors and interiors. Drivers uniforms are plated with the same material. Some have wonder which weighs the most the driver or his logo-lumped suit.
Recurrent talk is steady these days about doing the same thing to big league baseball ...selling advertising to all comers at any point on anyone's uniform. Can't you imagine a bat plastered with chip-equipped logos. Then, if a home run is hit on a certain logo - somebody wins a trip somewhere, if they guessed the right logo. Home runs, them selves could, then, become meaningless. New, designer uniforms will be essential, of course, because there's not enough salable surface available.
Television commercials long and delivered in larger doses in recent time are still widely accepted. Try a simple test to see how you family of TV watchers acts. Watch the next time all of you are watching a TV show together. Observe how many family members members stop talking when a commercial starts remain silent until the program content is resumed when folksy chatter renews its pattern. We have come to respect the presence of advertising in our midst
I have, I know, to a great extent. To be honest, some of the ad content is better written, acted and produced than much of the program content used and re-used on far too many “me, too” stations. Some people still deceive themselves with references to the “commercial-free TV” they say they enjoy so much. They need to re-examine the terms :'brought to you as a public service by...”, “listeners like you”, and other such obfuscations.
.A.L.M. October 30, 2004 [c579wds]
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