I am of the generation that created this mess (though I am hopeful of the future). We got everything handed to us, and then we got greedy and self-serving. We are The Boomers, a pejorative to me, now.
This is the best piece I maybe ever read. The thing that caught my eye the most is your comments on the flag. Personally, I want it back. MFGA! Take it back from (excuse me for this) the mullet wearing; niece dating, pickup driving fools that have tried to abscond with it. They are traitors, in my mind.
To the generations born after me, stay hopeful. There is no choice. No solution comes from a negative position. It's a waste of time to dwell on a dystopian future that none of us really know is coming. It isn't.. In the years from 1860 to 1968 we had Civil War, 2 Depressions, WW1, the Dust Bowl, a Great Depression, WW2, and the assassination of 3 major figures. Today we are merely stuck with the equivalent to adolescent acne. Pestilent petulance, if you will. You guys will fix the steaming pile we left.
I appreciate hearing a perspective from your generation, thank you for sharing. Your comment re: not wasting time dwelling on a dystopian future that we don’t know is coming is particularly top of mind for me.
I’ve heard climate scientist, Ayana Johnson, point out that we have plenty of examples (books and media) depicting the dystopia that may await if we continue down this extractive, polluting path but very few arts depict “what if we get it right?”
I’m always coaching myself to imagine a better future instead of getting carried away with fearful projections.
I am impressed with your expressed perspectives. They took my thought back to vague recollections of reading the Old Testament book of Proverbs in which a father is most lovingly proffering counsel upon his son. I will soon now return to reading Proverbs.
My thoughts also dwell on one's regard for whether to "indwell," reflect within in an attempt to gain sound objective insight. "Know your right then go ahead," Davy Crockett. Right?
I have read and heard that being right is important but the manner of sharing our convictions with others is truly a fine and most high art form for no sooner do I think I have grasped the truth than it is changed or vanished from conception. Truth itself as those wise counselors mentioned in Proverbs is directly related to the word of God which cannot be "held" by our limited human minds. My favorite inconceivable concept is from Jesus commenting on the nature of the word of
God . I am remis to try repeating it but something like 'the word of God being seen or heard is like the movement of the grass as the wind passes over and through it.' We know the word IS in a like manner to how we know why the grass is moving. Then too in the same breath Jesus mentions something regarding 'but ye/we know not it's whence and whither.'
Now a short, fairly related poem of HUMA.
PURIFICATION
Beloved, bless your love with a kind word
He has lost his soul, now his body is being consumed.
Wow, glad to hear how many thoughts this sparked for you Ralph, thank you for sharing here. Can't help but notice the relevance of the root word "hum" in what you shared. :)
If you’ll notice I didn’t name any individuals in this article. That is because this (the tendency to blame, lie, cheat, steal and oppress) is a shared problem, regardless of party lines. And we should be taking a good hard look at how we got here and how we can do better.
Here, we agree. Since the 50's, we have allowed our government to grow into a behemoth that is not controllable. How many industrial complexes are there? Military, Pharma, Ag, Welfare ... With the debt we have now, is there a way out. Not likely and this may be our best chance. Yes, we do need to come together. May be hard to happen when only 30% of the D's are proud of our country.
I appreciate your thoughtful reply and the respectful way you shared your perspective. I agree that the shame many Americans are carrying is one of the obstacles to greater unity and reduced polarization. At the same time, I understand how patriotism can wane in the face of rising nationalism—it's important we don’t confuse the two.
As I reflected in this post, I’m experiencing a renewed and more nuanced sense of American pride as I consider what our history and founding principles mean to me personally—and what’s been put at risk, not just by one administration, but through a series of government actions that have collectively endangered our democracy.
It has been a series. Sadly, the people and the country will pay a heavy price for the foolishness of our politicians on both sides. It may happen in my lifetime as I am only 78.
I am of the generation that created this mess (though I am hopeful of the future). We got everything handed to us, and then we got greedy and self-serving. We are The Boomers, a pejorative to me, now.
This is the best piece I maybe ever read. The thing that caught my eye the most is your comments on the flag. Personally, I want it back. MFGA! Take it back from (excuse me for this) the mullet wearing; niece dating, pickup driving fools that have tried to abscond with it. They are traitors, in my mind.
To the generations born after me, stay hopeful. There is no choice. No solution comes from a negative position. It's a waste of time to dwell on a dystopian future that none of us really know is coming. It isn't.. In the years from 1860 to 1968 we had Civil War, 2 Depressions, WW1, the Dust Bowl, a Great Depression, WW2, and the assassination of 3 major figures. Today we are merely stuck with the equivalent to adolescent acne. Pestilent petulance, if you will. You guys will fix the steaming pile we left.
Bob Marketos
Perhaps we’ll compost the mess ;)
I appreciate hearing a perspective from your generation, thank you for sharing. Your comment re: not wasting time dwelling on a dystopian future that we don’t know is coming is particularly top of mind for me.
I’ve heard climate scientist, Ayana Johnson, point out that we have plenty of examples (books and media) depicting the dystopia that may await if we continue down this extractive, polluting path but very few arts depict “what if we get it right?”
I’m always coaching myself to imagine a better future instead of getting carried away with fearful projections.
hi dad!
I am impressed with your expressed perspectives. They took my thought back to vague recollections of reading the Old Testament book of Proverbs in which a father is most lovingly proffering counsel upon his son. I will soon now return to reading Proverbs.
My thoughts also dwell on one's regard for whether to "indwell," reflect within in an attempt to gain sound objective insight. "Know your right then go ahead," Davy Crockett. Right?
I have read and heard that being right is important but the manner of sharing our convictions with others is truly a fine and most high art form for no sooner do I think I have grasped the truth than it is changed or vanished from conception. Truth itself as those wise counselors mentioned in Proverbs is directly related to the word of God which cannot be "held" by our limited human minds. My favorite inconceivable concept is from Jesus commenting on the nature of the word of
God . I am remis to try repeating it but something like 'the word of God being seen or heard is like the movement of the grass as the wind passes over and through it.' We know the word IS in a like manner to how we know why the grass is moving. Then too in the same breath Jesus mentions something regarding 'but ye/we know not it's whence and whither.'
Now a short, fairly related poem of HUMA.
PURIFICATION
Beloved, bless your love with a kind word
He has lost his soul, now his body is being consumed.
In the realm of love, both selves are wiped out
The moth is consumed
just as the flame itself is extinguished.
The destiny of mankind
was foreseen on the day of creation
Alter the design, if you have the courage.
First cleanse yourself,
purify your heart, then counsel others,
O! Huma! but first you must change
the form of your speech.
end
Thank you again Andie et all! rj
Wow, glad to hear how many thoughts this sparked for you Ralph, thank you for sharing here. Can't help but notice the relevance of the root word "hum" in what you shared. :)
Root "Wow" back to you. Um? what does 'hum' mean!? Let's goog it up.
a continuous sound made by bees. Use: busy bees are humming quietly in their labors today.
I like all the responsive comments but my vote for no.1 is Cass Marketos!
May they and all be happy and humonious in Huma's hum!
Thank you for sharing! You’ve said this so well.
Appreciate you reading and commenting 🙏
Wow Andie, great article. This is the first one I've seen that was so honest about Joe Biden and Nancy Pelosi. Thank you!!
If you’ll notice I didn’t name any individuals in this article. That is because this (the tendency to blame, lie, cheat, steal and oppress) is a shared problem, regardless of party lines. And we should be taking a good hard look at how we got here and how we can do better.
Here, we agree. Since the 50's, we have allowed our government to grow into a behemoth that is not controllable. How many industrial complexes are there? Military, Pharma, Ag, Welfare ... With the debt we have now, is there a way out. Not likely and this may be our best chance. Yes, we do need to come together. May be hard to happen when only 30% of the D's are proud of our country.
I appreciate your thoughtful reply and the respectful way you shared your perspective. I agree that the shame many Americans are carrying is one of the obstacles to greater unity and reduced polarization. At the same time, I understand how patriotism can wane in the face of rising nationalism—it's important we don’t confuse the two.
As I reflected in this post, I’m experiencing a renewed and more nuanced sense of American pride as I consider what our history and founding principles mean to me personally—and what’s been put at risk, not just by one administration, but through a series of government actions that have collectively endangered our democracy.
It has been a series. Sadly, the people and the country will pay a heavy price for the foolishness of our politicians on both sides. It may happen in my lifetime as I am only 78.
Amen sister. Thank you for your clarity and thoughtful writing.
Those watercolors are beautiful too!
Thank you for reading and re-sharing. Your encouraging note means a lot 💐