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Hard Scrabble - Observations on a Patch of Land By John Graves, 1974, 271 pages, Southern Methodist University Press , $14.95 This is my first encounter with John Graves and he goes on a very short list of favorite authors that I can count on one hand. This book in my opinion is in fact scripture; at least Texas scripture. One might object because it is written by man, but what’s new in that respect. He explores a physical world with metaphysical clarity. It is as if God said to him, “Give them light.” His definition of ownership is of evolutionary significance. Now I suspect John would disagree with all of the above and that is another reason I find him a good source of important truths. I am not sure if this book is meaningful to the fairer sex, but don’t let that observation prevent the distaff members of Texas from reading this book. I suspect the enlightenment will be universal no matter the sex or nationality of the reader. |
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It is still hot in East Texas, however there was a bit of Northwest wind this morning that portends a change of the seasons. I was working in the garden and sweating heavily by 9AM. I felt a breeze and as I raised my face into the wind and closed my eyes I had a most glorious feeling of the coming fall weather. A blissful peace came over me and I thought to myself "the best things in life are free". Then it dawned on me that if I hadn't worked up such a sweat, I would have never been able to enjoy this seminal event. This feeling of joy and happiness. It made me recall the same joy felt as a child when a small cloud blocked the summer sun while baling hay in the heat of a summer afternoon. Somehow in this same instant, I came to the conclusion that freedom of religion, as guaranteed by the First Amendment also extrapolates to the conclusion of freedom from religion. Just think how important this idea is concerning the firestorm about the mosque near the 9/11 site. If we want freedom of religion there is a cost. The cost in a righteous democracy is the racemate freedom from religion. Only by pride cometh contention.(Proverbs 13:10) Americans are infected with a severe case of pride that causes them to think only they have the right pathway to whatever constitutes their idea of salvation; forgetting nothing is free. |
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Freedom’s Orator - Mario Savio and the Radical Legacy of the 1960’s By Robert Cohen , Oxford University Press , 2009, 512 pages, $27.50 To use an old Aggie term, I was totally gobbled up in the 1960’s with the official government establishment’s propaganda. I considered Mario Savio a communistic beatnik and thought someone needed to throw him under the police car on which he was standing when giving his “Bodies Upon The Gears” oration. I guess the old German proverb surely applies to me (Too soon old and too late smart). Savio was so far ahead of me in understanding the world situation and especially the corruption of our democratic process. I had already become a cynic concerning most official endeavors, but this book gives me a better understanding of why the governing process is a exercise in smoke and mirrors. Power corrupts and all men once they get power become corrupted. A look at our political establishment is proven evidence that this is true. Even if I had understood the facts, I am not sure I would have had the nerve to take the stand that Savio took. I consider him a patriot of the first order. Robert Cohen paints Savio as a saint and I think he is only slightly hyperbolic. |
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