What's worse is that many higher-ed institutions, faced with fewer customers, are now removing their entire classic curriculum and replacing it with courses that are "au courant," relevant only to today. Bam! Those truths of the past that address the needed truths of the present are gone from us. What will be left behind is stone statuary of an enlarged campus more useless and far less elegant than that of Greece and Rome. Oh, and more debt will be piled on students and taxpayers.
We friends of four travelers also came to Denver, from FL, NC, DC and OR. And found so many others while in line, in the seats, at the concessions, all delighted and chatting and exchanging APHC stories. You still have it, you still share it, and we still love it. :)
Sure would be nice if you could find a way to broadcast/podcast/narrowcast/whatever the tapes - or the digital equivalent - of your recent Colorado show. I can't speak for anyone else, but I'd certainly be willing to pay a reasonable sum for the privilege of hearing it.
Oh Minnesota! Where are your McCarthys, Humphreys, Blackmuns, the guy in the red vest? Whatever it is in your water, I have been thankful for it, because I was reassured that there is still courage, compassion, intelligence, support for our greater good rather than thin ambition. Like the singer of Psalm 42 I am teetering between despair and hope.
I am a radio bug and rarely missed broadcasts by you and the late Paul Harvey. I was hoping the radio suits would continue the noontime commentary and recruit you to follow in Mr. Harvey's esteemed path. Who better to do this type of national commentary than you. Listen to what has become of AM radio. You are the last vestige to Walter Cronkite and Huntley & Brinkley. Is there still hope that this might happen. Getting news from bloviating bloggers and the Internet just not the same. I may have to watch old news videos on YouTube to remind me of what good journalism once was.
That photo reminded me of the time I was THAT CLOSE to Eugene McCarthy! No kidding! I had only been in Southern California for a few years when he came to campaign for president. He held a very informal meeting. There were maybe twenty or thirty of us when we sat on a small grassy slope at the California Institute of Technology. It was blissfully informal! He talked to us as if he were our favorite uncle. It was the best "campaign rally" I ever attended! I became 100% committed to "Clean Gene!" I think it was the sense of his innate honesty as much as his dreams for our country that impressed me so totally!
I wonder, where would we be as a nation if we had travelled the road with him, back then?
An apology? No. It can't be said enough times: The democracy of the United States of America is facing its greatest threat in living memory. Trumpers have a stranglehold on the "GOP," which has for the most part stopped participating in collaborative government. As a matter of strategy it is seeking instead to entrench itself in power using lies, conspiracy theories, voter suppression and rhetoric that has become increasingly outlandish, divisive and dangerous. Under these circumstances, if you are still a proud supporter of the "Republican" Party, you can't credibly disassociate yourself from Trumpism. On the contrary, you belong to the party of the big lie, insurrection and QAnon. You don't have to be "bowing in devotion to Donald Trump" to be complicit in his cause.
Today I completed reading Boom Town and enjoyed it as I have all your novels. I was relieved - and happy - when I read….well, I guess I can’t spoil the ending for those who haven’t read it yet. Maybe you know what I am referring to. My summer visits to family in Detroit Lakes, MN and the cottage on Floyd Lake (originally Eagle Nest Lake, I understand) are special - and in reading your novels (and listening to your shows) I am taken there again. I have tears when I leave there - I am sure for family I will miss until the next visit - and, yet, there is something deeper that I feel I am leaving - and as Boom Town reading was coming to a close and your description of the events - those same feelings and tears (a pleasant sadness - hard to describe) came to me again. Lake Wobegon will always be special to me - hearing through your voice, written and oral - just as “DL” is to me. Thank you again - and always.
What's worse is that many higher-ed institutions, faced with fewer customers, are now removing their entire classic curriculum and replacing it with courses that are "au courant," relevant only to today. Bam! Those truths of the past that address the needed truths of the present are gone from us. What will be left behind is stone statuary of an enlarged campus more useless and far less elegant than that of Greece and Rome. Oh, and more debt will be piled on students and taxpayers.
We friends of four travelers also came to Denver, from FL, NC, DC and OR. And found so many others while in line, in the seats, at the concessions, all delighted and chatting and exchanging APHC stories. You still have it, you still share it, and we still love it. :)
The Coen Brothers should direct your biographical picture and cast Christopher Walken as you.
Weird enough to work?
Sure would be nice if you could find a way to broadcast/podcast/narrowcast/whatever the tapes - or the digital equivalent - of your recent Colorado show. I can't speak for anyone else, but I'd certainly be willing to pay a reasonable sum for the privilege of hearing it.
Oh Minnesota! Where are your McCarthys, Humphreys, Blackmuns, the guy in the red vest? Whatever it is in your water, I have been thankful for it, because I was reassured that there is still courage, compassion, intelligence, support for our greater good rather than thin ambition. Like the singer of Psalm 42 I am teetering between despair and hope.
Oh, dear, Linda Mary, you wrote your comment while reading my mind! Your thoughts are mine, exactly. I only wish I knew you so that we could talk!
Janet, thanks for your positive response; one is never sure how comments will be accepted or rejected, but now we have something in common. Cheers!
I am a radio bug and rarely missed broadcasts by you and the late Paul Harvey. I was hoping the radio suits would continue the noontime commentary and recruit you to follow in Mr. Harvey's esteemed path. Who better to do this type of national commentary than you. Listen to what has become of AM radio. You are the last vestige to Walter Cronkite and Huntley & Brinkley. Is there still hope that this might happen. Getting news from bloviating bloggers and the Internet just not the same. I may have to watch old news videos on YouTube to remind me of what good journalism once was.
Please let us know when you are back on the dial!
That photo reminded me of the time I was THAT CLOSE to Eugene McCarthy! No kidding! I had only been in Southern California for a few years when he came to campaign for president. He held a very informal meeting. There were maybe twenty or thirty of us when we sat on a small grassy slope at the California Institute of Technology. It was blissfully informal! He talked to us as if he were our favorite uncle. It was the best "campaign rally" I ever attended! I became 100% committed to "Clean Gene!" I think it was the sense of his innate honesty as much as his dreams for our country that impressed me so totally!
I wonder, where would we be as a nation if we had travelled the road with him, back then?
An apology? No. It can't be said enough times: The democracy of the United States of America is facing its greatest threat in living memory. Trumpers have a stranglehold on the "GOP," which has for the most part stopped participating in collaborative government. As a matter of strategy it is seeking instead to entrench itself in power using lies, conspiracy theories, voter suppression and rhetoric that has become increasingly outlandish, divisive and dangerous. Under these circumstances, if you are still a proud supporter of the "Republican" Party, you can't credibly disassociate yourself from Trumpism. On the contrary, you belong to the party of the big lie, insurrection and QAnon. You don't have to be "bowing in devotion to Donald Trump" to be complicit in his cause.
GK -
Today I completed reading Boom Town and enjoyed it as I have all your novels. I was relieved - and happy - when I read….well, I guess I can’t spoil the ending for those who haven’t read it yet. Maybe you know what I am referring to. My summer visits to family in Detroit Lakes, MN and the cottage on Floyd Lake (originally Eagle Nest Lake, I understand) are special - and in reading your novels (and listening to your shows) I am taken there again. I have tears when I leave there - I am sure for family I will miss until the next visit - and, yet, there is something deeper that I feel I am leaving - and as Boom Town reading was coming to a close and your description of the events - those same feelings and tears (a pleasant sadness - hard to describe) came to me again. Lake Wobegon will always be special to me - hearing through your voice, written and oral - just as “DL” is to me. Thank you again - and always.