Just a few weeks ago the fields and skies were brimming with excitement! Bugs of all colors, shapes and sounds were zipping, darting, circling and meandering everywhere you walked. Some were after AMORE, some were just looking for their next meal, often the smaller, slower more defenseless bug.
Often would the bugs bounce into my chest and flutter away. I can imagine what the intensity of such once-in-a-lifetime lust concentrated in a few short days can do to one's radar, can't you?
And since there were SO MANY BUGS, you could see the birds all aflutter with such a feast at their disposal. One little robin was chasing a butterfly, who frantically sought escape, fluttering up, then left, straight down and curlyque back around, much like a fighter pilot taking evasive action.
Now it's August and it seems the 100 degree heat has slowed all such movements. Only the crickets and occassional cicada can be heard at night, a ritual repeated this time of year as long as I can remember.
Next comes the color, the chill and the Christmas thrill;
as a new feast lies deep within the winter field.
Saturday, August 18, 2007
Thursday, August 02, 2007
A Stitch in Time
The big city lawyer flew into town, the big case 9:00 am the next morning. Unfortunately his flight from New York had a tight connection and he arrived very late without his bags. The problem was obvious: big court case and NO SUIT, SHIRT, TIE OR SHOES (he travels in jeans and loafers).
"Not to worry,” says the local attorney who partnered with him on the case, “My good friend has a clothing store and I’ll call to see if he can open early for you.” “Sure,” the friend said, “Just come over and I’ll have our tailor work with him.”
The tailor worked magic, whipping out a stellar suit, shirt and tie, and tailoring it to perfection within the hour. So good in fact, the other lawyers in court complimented him on his attire, something that just doesn’t happen in the halls of justice.
The lawyer won his big case, the partner called his friend to tell him the great news and thank him. The clothier thanked the tailor, hugged him, shook his hand and told him his role in this true team victory.
But here’s the remarkable thing: this all happened on the day an article appeared in the paper about “the clash of civilizations” warning about the big Islam conspiracy to rule the world and exhorting Western Christianity to violently confront this so called scourge.
Well, on this day in this town where three strangers came together for a common good the lawyer was Jewish, the clothier was Christian, the tailor was Muslim. Of course, none gave each other’s religiosity any thought whatsoever, and I suspect this is the way of the world at large.
Are there fundamentalists of every religion who are so fearful that they seek to bind their insecurity with violence? Sure, but make no mistake. There is no “clash of civilizations” other than the self-fulfilling prophecy manic non-Muslims make of it, displaying a sense of fear and foreboding that need not exist.
99.9% of this world wants what you want—peace, happiness…and sometimes a great suit that fits.
"Not to worry,” says the local attorney who partnered with him on the case, “My good friend has a clothing store and I’ll call to see if he can open early for you.” “Sure,” the friend said, “Just come over and I’ll have our tailor work with him.”
The tailor worked magic, whipping out a stellar suit, shirt and tie, and tailoring it to perfection within the hour. So good in fact, the other lawyers in court complimented him on his attire, something that just doesn’t happen in the halls of justice.
The lawyer won his big case, the partner called his friend to tell him the great news and thank him. The clothier thanked the tailor, hugged him, shook his hand and told him his role in this true team victory.
But here’s the remarkable thing: this all happened on the day an article appeared in the paper about “the clash of civilizations” warning about the big Islam conspiracy to rule the world and exhorting Western Christianity to violently confront this so called scourge.
Well, on this day in this town where three strangers came together for a common good the lawyer was Jewish, the clothier was Christian, the tailor was Muslim. Of course, none gave each other’s religiosity any thought whatsoever, and I suspect this is the way of the world at large.
Are there fundamentalists of every religion who are so fearful that they seek to bind their insecurity with violence? Sure, but make no mistake. There is no “clash of civilizations” other than the self-fulfilling prophecy manic non-Muslims make of it, displaying a sense of fear and foreboding that need not exist.
99.9% of this world wants what you want—peace, happiness…and sometimes a great suit that fits.
Wednesday, August 01, 2007
Special Session an Outrage
This special session is an outrage. There is absolutely no emergency requiring the legislature to convene. The Peabody coal to liquid gas discussion can and should wait just a few months later, after the election and after much more research into both the viability of such an enterprise and the all important federal role. There remains serious doubt that the plant would be economically feasible as well as environmentally sound.
Most telling is this: Peabody spokeswoman, Beth Sutton, said Kentucky was the only state being considered for this project, according to the Evansville, Ind., Courier & Press (http://www.courierpress.com/news/2007/jun/29/peabody-looks-into-plant-site-in-sturgis/). They can maneuver all they want, but there is absolutely no way this is a situation demanding a special session. Every dollar wasted in this enterprise should translate to lost votes to Governor Fletcher for this blatant political ploy.
Most importantly, any decision to give away tax incentives, especially the all-important coal severance tax that is so crucial to the welfare of rural Kentuckians (all Kentuckians really), must be done only after a deliberate and through analysis. Applying high-pressure tactics (falsely based at that) is the polar opposite of the prudent approach required.
On the contrary, Kentucky should not give away any coal-severance tax, none.
Our leaders have for too long had us running scared. Kentucky has all the power and the leverage. It is our coal and our land. When we fully awake to our real strength we will begin to wield it for our maximum benefit.
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