“Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one's lifetime.”
So, I'm reading that last post about "moving to Texas" because of what's best described in the October issue of Atlantic by Applebaum....etc.... and can't help note that the huge majority of the cases cited by Ms. Applebaum are university or higher education related. Yes, there was the odd corporate mis-fire and retribution or reinstatement, but it seems to overwhelmingly come from the advanced degreed meat sacks occupying the halls of higher education.
Which reinforces my general opinion that the current university format, that is, those disciplines wherein one is supposedly advised in forbearance, certitude, and all the wonders that a liberal arts education are supposed to provide, are in fact jerry rigged vocational centers pumping out bumwads for an economy that increasingly doesn't need them. (I exempt those programs that teach STEM or similar technical pursuits from my accusations. Someone's gotta train our scientists, engineers, and medical professionals.)
It is soooo good to have discovered you on substack, GK! I’m writing from Greece (yes, I’m Greek) being a devoted follower of Prairie Home Companion for years. First heard about you from my brother’s wife (brother and his amazing wife both graduates of Macalester and settled in the Twin Cities ever since) That’s when 30 years ago I was introduced to the arctic Minnesotan winters and in 2006 to the warmth of the Common Good Books shop. So good to have you back! And as we say in Greek “efharisto” - thank you!
I never met an Anastasia before and now it's a pleasure finally to link up. I once spent a month in Greece, in a rented house in a village on a hill on the island of Patmos, and had a wonderful time among people who spoke hardly any English but it didn't matter. Minnesota is full of northern Europeans, Swedes and Germans, judgemental folk, and we're in desperate need of southerners, Greeks, Portuguese, Italians. I have a Portuguese niece now and she is a wonderment. She has a beautiful heart and has adapted to America with grace and humor. Someone needs to write about this, Anastasia, and it isn't me, my people are English and Scottish.
You are truly an amazing person, GK! If ever your travels bring you back to our shores, it would be a privilege and honour to show you and your wife some of the magical places of the Olympian gods. After all, we invented philoxenia. I think I’ll leave the writing to you, though.
"You write in order to find out what you think." How very "complex" of you, in Kierkegaard's terms! It seems to me that your posing as a "simple Man" is mostly a Minnesotan's way of being "socially correct." Like Jesus' parables, "The News From Lake Woebegon" stands, for me, as perfection in the art of saying complex thoughts in simple ways.
An example is this thought about writing to discover your own thought processes. It's only since my "Lake Woebegon" baptism on Saturday nights that I've become really aware of the sense of clarity that can jump out at me, simply by keeping my pen moving across the paper! That's Prairie Home Wisdom!
Am I suggesting that you forsake your Minnesotan humility in order to shine a light on your complex side? Heavens, No! Sometimes the deepest thoughts slide in much more easily if they're garbed in the robes of humor. They certainly brighten the world of Lake Woebegon! It's just that those of us who have grown to love the Prairie Home Companion might be the first to admit that we've looked behind the "Ah, Shucks!" curtain. We, your admiring fans, recognize you as the complex genius that you certainly are! Tip of the hat to you!
Boy, I’d love to go to your evening in Boston and take several friends who think like me, Garrison, but I found a major impediment. We are pro-choice and we choose not to have a medical procedure or negotiate a carcinogenic test to get into a venue when we're immune and the procedures/tests are designed to reduce our immunity, among other nefarious things.
At some point artists and people who love them have to take a stand against the tide, like many of us did many years ago.
But I think it’s wise for you to make hay while the sun shines and have these events, particularly if we may see massive injury sooner or later. I’m nevertheless grateful you’re coming to Boston, where I am.
I know bodily choice is not your battle and still think you should be designated Poet-Laureate of the US.
Professor John Amaral, admirer of Chet and friend of Tommy.
I love your idea and suggestion regarding living in various parts of the country different than where you currently live or grew up. Love it! love it!
“Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one's lifetime.”
……Mark Twain
So, I'm reading that last post about "moving to Texas" because of what's best described in the October issue of Atlantic by Applebaum....etc.... and can't help note that the huge majority of the cases cited by Ms. Applebaum are university or higher education related. Yes, there was the odd corporate mis-fire and retribution or reinstatement, but it seems to overwhelmingly come from the advanced degreed meat sacks occupying the halls of higher education.
Which reinforces my general opinion that the current university format, that is, those disciplines wherein one is supposedly advised in forbearance, certitude, and all the wonders that a liberal arts education are supposed to provide, are in fact jerry rigged vocational centers pumping out bumwads for an economy that increasingly doesn't need them. (I exempt those programs that teach STEM or similar technical pursuits from my accusations. Someone's gotta train our scientists, engineers, and medical professionals.)
Regarding the current forms of bullying....Amen!!!
Garrison,
“Sanctimonious Bullying.” Great description of a serious problem. Thanks for naming it.
Hope you’re well.
Gary
It is soooo good to have discovered you on substack, GK! I’m writing from Greece (yes, I’m Greek) being a devoted follower of Prairie Home Companion for years. First heard about you from my brother’s wife (brother and his amazing wife both graduates of Macalester and settled in the Twin Cities ever since) That’s when 30 years ago I was introduced to the arctic Minnesotan winters and in 2006 to the warmth of the Common Good Books shop. So good to have you back! And as we say in Greek “efharisto” - thank you!
Anastasia
I never met an Anastasia before and now it's a pleasure finally to link up. I once spent a month in Greece, in a rented house in a village on a hill on the island of Patmos, and had a wonderful time among people who spoke hardly any English but it didn't matter. Minnesota is full of northern Europeans, Swedes and Germans, judgemental folk, and we're in desperate need of southerners, Greeks, Portuguese, Italians. I have a Portuguese niece now and she is a wonderment. She has a beautiful heart and has adapted to America with grace and humor. Someone needs to write about this, Anastasia, and it isn't me, my people are English and Scottish.
You are truly an amazing person, GK! If ever your travels bring you back to our shores, it would be a privilege and honour to show you and your wife some of the magical places of the Olympian gods. After all, we invented philoxenia. I think I’ll leave the writing to you, though.
"You write in order to find out what you think." How very "complex" of you, in Kierkegaard's terms! It seems to me that your posing as a "simple Man" is mostly a Minnesotan's way of being "socially correct." Like Jesus' parables, "The News From Lake Woebegon" stands, for me, as perfection in the art of saying complex thoughts in simple ways.
An example is this thought about writing to discover your own thought processes. It's only since my "Lake Woebegon" baptism on Saturday nights that I've become really aware of the sense of clarity that can jump out at me, simply by keeping my pen moving across the paper! That's Prairie Home Wisdom!
Am I suggesting that you forsake your Minnesotan humility in order to shine a light on your complex side? Heavens, No! Sometimes the deepest thoughts slide in much more easily if they're garbed in the robes of humor. They certainly brighten the world of Lake Woebegon! It's just that those of us who have grown to love the Prairie Home Companion might be the first to admit that we've looked behind the "Ah, Shucks!" curtain. We, your admiring fans, recognize you as the complex genius that you certainly are! Tip of the hat to you!
Boy, I’d love to go to your evening in Boston and take several friends who think like me, Garrison, but I found a major impediment. We are pro-choice and we choose not to have a medical procedure or negotiate a carcinogenic test to get into a venue when we're immune and the procedures/tests are designed to reduce our immunity, among other nefarious things.
At some point artists and people who love them have to take a stand against the tide, like many of us did many years ago.
But I think it’s wise for you to make hay while the sun shines and have these events, particularly if we may see massive injury sooner or later. I’m nevertheless grateful you’re coming to Boston, where I am.
I know bodily choice is not your battle and still think you should be designated Poet-Laureate of the US.
Professor John Amaral, admirer of Chet and friend of Tommy.
PS: you might wish to investigate Dr. David Martin (activatehumanity.com) and Catherine Austin Fitts (solari.com)
On Sep 17, 2021, at 12:00 PM, Prairie Home Productions <admin@garrisonkeillor.com> wrote:
WE ARE SO EXCITED TO ANNOUNCE
Garrison's fall event schedule is expanding.
On-sale today, Garrison Keillor Tonight! with opener Debi Smith at three very exciting venues.
Oct 12 8:00PM City Winery Boston TICKETS
Oct 13 8:00PM City Winery New York City TICKETS