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  • Random Sunday Thoughts: The NonFighting Irish, Gus and Call, Time For A Change

    random sunday thoughts:

    THE NONFIGHTING IRISH, GUS AND CALL, AND TIME FOR CHANGE

    by jim richmondwittliff_CallGus1988-web.jpg

    I didn't watch the Notre Dame loss to Clemson, 3-30 last night.

    As Irish as I am, Notre Dame played a weak schedule and got into the final four only because of its brand. We knew what was coming:. the point spread before kickoff, Clemson by 13.

    Area Catholic churches were reportedly packed with kneeling supplicants before game time: "PLEASE, TOUCHDOWN JESUS, JUST NOT ANOTHER ALABAMA EMBARRASSMENT! Make it close. Amen."

    So, instead I finished Larry McMurtry's prequel DEAD MAN'S WALK, wrote after the three Lonesome Dove novels, and in reverse order introduced us to Captain Augustus "Gus" McCrae and Captain Woodrow F. Call, two famous former Texas Rangers, and to the end of what some perceive as a slightly more accurate account of early Western history in the U.S.

    In the last several days, I turned the last page on Philbrick's MAYFLOWER; also on a contrarian historical account of WWII from the viewpoint of the Japanese, and another somewhat ambivalent work on Eisenhower's 8 years in the White House. (Better than we thought POTUS, built up military, hated Nixon, and probably deserves a D-Minus grade on Civil Rights.)

    About a week's worth of reading wrapped up.

    Not exactly topics on Fox Morning Friends, The View or The Five.

    Tomorrow, pulling the plug on television. I've said it before. I MEAN IT THIS TIME!

    I chatted with COMCAST/INFINITY for about 30 minutes the other day.

    Not always nice people when you call to tell them "good bye."

    They wanted my first born and proceeds of my 403b pension plan, to get out of their tv "agreement."

    (Sorry, son.)

    After my costly divorce settlement with COMCAST, will save about $70 a month. But it's not REALLY just about the money.

    I have nothing but distain for current day TV, except cable programs like LONESOME DOVE, or reruns of THE SOPRANOS, THE WIRE, and THE SHIELD. (Why are shows so in love with the definite article?)

    TV is permeated with overhyped sports, superficial news and sucks up your time quicker that a HOOVER vacuum or a donation pledge to disgraced WOUNDED WARRIOR.

    I try to walk 3 to 5 miles a day, take photos, and read several books in a typical week.

    Pretty boring life, huh? I love it.

    Now about giving up that first born ….

  • THIS LAND IS OUR LAND ... THIS LAND IS THEIR LAND

    peter-paul-mary-newport.jpg
     
    THIS IS OUR LAND...THIS IS THEIR LAND

    By jim Richmond

    On a very chilly Christmas Eve 5 mile walk. time to think. A time to write stories in my head. A time to appreciate nature. A time to think about all the people I miss and why.

    Corny, perhaps, But I often listen to Peter Paul and Mary songs. on the walk. Songs that sang About justice, hope, challenge, and love, when I was but about 21.jmrwalking.jpg

    My twin brother and I saw PP and M in live performances 

    At least five times during those years.

    And my last time was is 1964, when I was a young reporter for a Kansas City newspaper assigned to write a review of the concert.(I would shortly be drafted for Vietnam conflict service.)
     
    After the concert was over I wondered backstage and in a large vacant store room, I found Noel (Paul) Stookey Sitting casually on the floor with a group of about 30 college students in a circle. Just discussing issues of justice faith hope and charity. He did not know I was a reporter

    I went back and wrote the story and wondered how many stars, who had just perform for 2 hours to 4,000 or 5000 Would have spent their time with a group of young people in that kind of setting ...in that kind of conversation

    So I listen to Peter Paul and Mary as I walk today, and I hear and I remember those hopeful aspirations And calls for justice Of the early 60s

    And they are a reminder to me not to give up today ... to I hold those aspirations for today for tomorrow in-our country in the world...in my daily life at 74