I loved your response to "Jean". That person is obviously miserable and totally misses the point, especially by saying yours is not a good life. Jean obviously hasn't paid much attention to you or your writings or else he/she would know better.
GK-I am saddened to have to write this, but I feel I must unsubscribe from your Post to the Host. Your column and commentary have for years been a welcome escape from the challenges and arguments that always seem to swirl around our daily lives. They bring a pleasant and lighter start to a day, reminding me of the many good and simple aspects of life, especially in the rural Midwest. However, it seems the posts are more often filled with the anger and controversy plaguing our country, something I don’t need to be reminded of. I wonder why people who get so angry at your comments read your columns at all, much less take the time to write, but such is our world of electronic debate. I will continue to read your books, etc., but cannot start a beautiful Monday morning reading the lectures of narrow-minded angry people on the troubling issues of our country. I wish you well, and would advise you not to post or answer hate or anger generated posts. As I was taught as a boy- don’t mud wrestle with a pig. You both get dirty and only the pig likes it. Joe K. Beautiful Northern Michigan.
Comments from a born & raised conservative mid-Western guy--NE, MN & SD--now living in the red-South which is much like the middle-America that we grew up in...
"Do Something" should be simple, one step at a time:
1) Ban weapon sales to all under 21 & lock schools & other public buildings leaving a single monitored entrance.
2) Restrict gun ownership to those with a CWP, which will provide a serious background check--periodically renewable--and some basic instruction in firearm use & responsibility.
(Not unlike requirements for driving a car--training, photo ID, etc)
3) Anyone who needs an AR-15 to hunt deer shouldn't be hunting. It's not hunting. It's just killing--or just shooting. OK to own one if qualified by #2 above.
4) From long medical experience--anyone who threatens suicide must be taken seriously, or they might. The same for threats of shootings--enforce "Red Flag" laws.
you have wise readers, whether they appreciate you or not. To the guy who's convinced they're out to take our guns, remind him we need licenses for cars and yet (alas) I see no decline in auto ownership over the last century or so...
I share the turmoil Joe Kimmell feels when I read the angry rants you sometimes get from people who are not like me... But I thank you for posting them. It reminds me that "people who are not like me" read your comments...and maybe some of them will be enlightened just a little from time to time. I wish I could be as calm and direct in response to "people who are not like me." Thank you for letting us know that you love living...and that such love exists even when you are pilloried by "people who are not like me."
Can we decide who to trust with our futures, a body elected by us, or the people who want to make their own rules? This may be important to us all now or soon. I always loved your shows and especially Lives of the Cowboys. Thanks a bunch
I wonder if Dave's mnemonic for stalactites and stalagmites is either of the following: (1) stalaCtites are on the Ceiling; stalaGmites are on the Ground. (2) stalacTites are on Top; stalagMites are on the bottoM. -Chaim S.
I grew up and live in rural communities, where gun ownership is not only common, but sometimes necessary. The folks I know use guns mostly for hunting and varmint extermination, and occasional euthanizing of mortally wounded animals, and usually stick to the trusty old .22 rifle Nothing more is really necessary around here. The elderly gentleman up the street from me once used his .rifle to chase off some guys who were nosing around his property at 2:00 AM, but all he needed to do was walk out his door with it and they ran off. My brothers once ended up with bottoms peppered with salt rock when they went poking around someone's dump during closed hours - this happened during the '60's, so Dad made them march over and apologize.
My father was a good shot, and his weapon of choice was a .22. He did not like killing things, but he liked to keep in practice. We kids were taught to respect the potential danger of weapons, and left the gun alone unless Dad was giving us lessons. He would sometimes go "hunting," but never came home with anything. After his death, Mom explained that Dad did not like killing animals, but he did enjoy a few hours of peace and quiet without his four rambunctious children running about, so he would go off into the woods, climb up a tree, and just sit and watch the deer wandering by. He was even too soft-hearted to slaughter the chickens in the fall, so the job fell to Mom - she didn't like it, either, but she had a lot of mouths to feed.
My husband owns a .22 rifle and an airgun. He, like my father, is a good shot, but does not enjoy shooting. He's used the rifle to kill problem animals (e.g., possums in the chicken coop) and loads the airgun with rubber bullets to discourage deer who want to eat up the corn or loose dogs who think donkey chasing is great fun (maybe it is for the dog, but the donkeys hate it!). In the 40+ years we've been married, he's probably used either gun five or six times. He keeps the guns locked away safely when they're not in use (99% of the time).
There is a place for RESPONSIBLE gun ownership - since not everyone is capable of responsibility, background checks and tests are necessary.
"We sing to show that we're one country. What are you doing to achieve this?"
I heard a different story from another "achiever." I was in the tent-camping section of a state park. Lou, a white fellow with a neatly trimmed beard, came up to me. He needed to tell someone about his latest "good deed." It seems, last night, it was pouring rain. A Korean fellow who had a brand new tent was flummoxed about how to set it up, as darkness set in. Lou saw his predicament and went over to help him. He showed him how to get the fly above the dome-shaped tent, and below the arching superstructure.
Ted had to tell someone about it! It made him feel really good. As a semi-neurochemist, I replied that those feel-good sensations are caused by endorphins - and it's good to have some endorphin releases on a fairly frequent basis. "But, beyond that," I said, "in these days, in the shadow of our most recent former president, it seems to me that it's a really good thing to voluntarily interact with folks who "aren't in the majority culture" somehow. Ted smiled. It was as if we had given a hidden handshake - as if we belonged to a secret club - because we were both showing each other that we're DEMOCRATS! In our neck of the woods, we're in the political minority.
Maybe it's something to think about among GK's Friends. Perhaps, because of the fine example set for us by our Friendly Host, we've absorbed the concept that having interactions with our Fellows, even if they might not have been "Born in the USA," is one way to reduce the tension when we interface with the world. Maybe the title of this column doesn't only imply "Friends of GK" - but "Friendly folks" in general! Recognizing, and Helping strangers, can give us friendly folks an endorphin high that can even make the rest of the day seem better!
I'd like to tell Scooter Larsen that if the government ever comes after citizens with a National Army, it won't matter how many fat old patriots have AR-15s, or body armor, you're going down fast. These weapons are good for only one thing, murdering other innocent citizens, and we need to remove them as much as possible, as quick as possible!
I loved your response to "Jean". That person is obviously miserable and totally misses the point, especially by saying yours is not a good life. Jean obviously hasn't paid much attention to you or your writings or else he/she would know better.
GK-I am saddened to have to write this, but I feel I must unsubscribe from your Post to the Host. Your column and commentary have for years been a welcome escape from the challenges and arguments that always seem to swirl around our daily lives. They bring a pleasant and lighter start to a day, reminding me of the many good and simple aspects of life, especially in the rural Midwest. However, it seems the posts are more often filled with the anger and controversy plaguing our country, something I don’t need to be reminded of. I wonder why people who get so angry at your comments read your columns at all, much less take the time to write, but such is our world of electronic debate. I will continue to read your books, etc., but cannot start a beautiful Monday morning reading the lectures of narrow-minded angry people on the troubling issues of our country. I wish you well, and would advise you not to post or answer hate or anger generated posts. As I was taught as a boy- don’t mud wrestle with a pig. You both get dirty and only the pig likes it. Joe K. Beautiful Northern Michigan.
Good morning, this is a question, not a comment. Is there a website where I can order your latest books ? Please direct me to the right site. Thanks.
Comments from a born & raised conservative mid-Western guy--NE, MN & SD--now living in the red-South which is much like the middle-America that we grew up in...
"Do Something" should be simple, one step at a time:
1) Ban weapon sales to all under 21 & lock schools & other public buildings leaving a single monitored entrance.
2) Restrict gun ownership to those with a CWP, which will provide a serious background check--periodically renewable--and some basic instruction in firearm use & responsibility.
(Not unlike requirements for driving a car--training, photo ID, etc)
3) Anyone who needs an AR-15 to hunt deer shouldn't be hunting. It's not hunting. It's just killing--or just shooting. OK to own one if qualified by #2 above.
4) From long medical experience--anyone who threatens suicide must be taken seriously, or they might. The same for threats of shootings--enforce "Red Flag" laws.
you have wise readers, whether they appreciate you or not. To the guy who's convinced they're out to take our guns, remind him we need licenses for cars and yet (alas) I see no decline in auto ownership over the last century or so...
Thank you for not taking so much of the foolishness of readers too seriously. I appreciate you being you.
I share the turmoil Joe Kimmell feels when I read the angry rants you sometimes get from people who are not like me... But I thank you for posting them. It reminds me that "people who are not like me" read your comments...and maybe some of them will be enlightened just a little from time to time. I wish I could be as calm and direct in response to "people who are not like me." Thank you for letting us know that you love living...and that such love exists even when you are pilloried by "people who are not like me."
Can we decide who to trust with our futures, a body elected by us, or the people who want to make their own rules? This may be important to us all now or soon. I always loved your shows and especially Lives of the Cowboys. Thanks a bunch
I wonder if Dave's mnemonic for stalactites and stalagmites is either of the following: (1) stalaCtites are on the Ceiling; stalaGmites are on the Ground. (2) stalacTites are on Top; stalagMites are on the bottoM. -Chaim S.
A grown man named Scooter with a U.S. Rep named Chip. I'm tickled that this is still such a weird and wild country. Thanks for the P -> H!
I grew up and live in rural communities, where gun ownership is not only common, but sometimes necessary. The folks I know use guns mostly for hunting and varmint extermination, and occasional euthanizing of mortally wounded animals, and usually stick to the trusty old .22 rifle Nothing more is really necessary around here. The elderly gentleman up the street from me once used his .rifle to chase off some guys who were nosing around his property at 2:00 AM, but all he needed to do was walk out his door with it and they ran off. My brothers once ended up with bottoms peppered with salt rock when they went poking around someone's dump during closed hours - this happened during the '60's, so Dad made them march over and apologize.
My father was a good shot, and his weapon of choice was a .22. He did not like killing things, but he liked to keep in practice. We kids were taught to respect the potential danger of weapons, and left the gun alone unless Dad was giving us lessons. He would sometimes go "hunting," but never came home with anything. After his death, Mom explained that Dad did not like killing animals, but he did enjoy a few hours of peace and quiet without his four rambunctious children running about, so he would go off into the woods, climb up a tree, and just sit and watch the deer wandering by. He was even too soft-hearted to slaughter the chickens in the fall, so the job fell to Mom - she didn't like it, either, but she had a lot of mouths to feed.
My husband owns a .22 rifle and an airgun. He, like my father, is a good shot, but does not enjoy shooting. He's used the rifle to kill problem animals (e.g., possums in the chicken coop) and loads the airgun with rubber bullets to discourage deer who want to eat up the corn or loose dogs who think donkey chasing is great fun (maybe it is for the dog, but the donkeys hate it!). In the 40+ years we've been married, he's probably used either gun five or six times. He keeps the guns locked away safely when they're not in use (99% of the time).
There is a place for RESPONSIBLE gun ownership - since not everyone is capable of responsibility, background checks and tests are necessary.
"We sing to show that we're one country. What are you doing to achieve this?"
I heard a different story from another "achiever." I was in the tent-camping section of a state park. Lou, a white fellow with a neatly trimmed beard, came up to me. He needed to tell someone about his latest "good deed." It seems, last night, it was pouring rain. A Korean fellow who had a brand new tent was flummoxed about how to set it up, as darkness set in. Lou saw his predicament and went over to help him. He showed him how to get the fly above the dome-shaped tent, and below the arching superstructure.
Ted had to tell someone about it! It made him feel really good. As a semi-neurochemist, I replied that those feel-good sensations are caused by endorphins - and it's good to have some endorphin releases on a fairly frequent basis. "But, beyond that," I said, "in these days, in the shadow of our most recent former president, it seems to me that it's a really good thing to voluntarily interact with folks who "aren't in the majority culture" somehow. Ted smiled. It was as if we had given a hidden handshake - as if we belonged to a secret club - because we were both showing each other that we're DEMOCRATS! In our neck of the woods, we're in the political minority.
Maybe it's something to think about among GK's Friends. Perhaps, because of the fine example set for us by our Friendly Host, we've absorbed the concept that having interactions with our Fellows, even if they might not have been "Born in the USA," is one way to reduce the tension when we interface with the world. Maybe the title of this column doesn't only imply "Friends of GK" - but "Friendly folks" in general! Recognizing, and Helping strangers, can give us friendly folks an endorphin high that can even make the rest of the day seem better!
I'd like to tell Scooter Larsen that if the government ever comes after citizens with a National Army, it won't matter how many fat old patriots have AR-15s, or body armor, you're going down fast. These weapons are good for only one thing, murdering other innocent citizens, and we need to remove them as much as possible, as quick as possible!
I have enjoyed your insight and entertaining ideas and musical acumen for the last 4 decades.. Attended two of your live performances in Virginia.
Thanks for continuing your friendship with your fans!
After reading the Cat / Bird / Gecko story, couldn't help thinking that "they" get along as long as there is a glass between.
I would like to believe “Jean” Is an aberration, but I fear she or he are real people. 😩