JVL, I’m 74; I grew up in Jim Crow Alabama, and escaped at age 19. I spent 20 years in the Army as a Counterintelligence/Counterterrorism officer, dealing with very dark things. After I retired, I spent 12 years in city government, where I saw how venal, feckless and flippant too many of our fellow citizens are about government and the p…
JVL, I’m 74; I grew up in Jim Crow Alabama, and escaped at age 19. I spent 20 years in the Army as a Counterintelligence/Counterterrorism officer, dealing with very dark things. After I retired, I spent 12 years in city government, where I saw how venal, feckless and flippant too many of our fellow citizens are about government and the positive role it can have in all our lives. Finally, before retiring, I taught criminal Justice at a small school in Savannah, Georgia, which delved into the many ways crime enters our lives. By rights, I should be pretty hopeless about our country, but I’m not. For every scoundrel, I’ve encountered good will. For every wave of hate and fear, I’ve seen hope and vision. Call me Pollyanna, but nation’s best years are ahead of us, as long as we realize we need each other. A good Memorial Day to you all.
It’s hard to keep a positive attitude when you’re observing so much stupidity that is counterproductive to stupid people and their families and supposed friends, but we’ve been here before, and I have faith that we have leaders throughout the country that reject nihilism.
JVL, I’m 74; I grew up in Jim Crow Alabama, and escaped at age 19. I spent 20 years in the Army as a Counterintelligence/Counterterrorism officer, dealing with very dark things. After I retired, I spent 12 years in city government, where I saw how venal, feckless and flippant too many of our fellow citizens are about government and the positive role it can have in all our lives. Finally, before retiring, I taught criminal Justice at a small school in Savannah, Georgia, which delved into the many ways crime enters our lives. By rights, I should be pretty hopeless about our country, but I’m not. For every scoundrel, I’ve encountered good will. For every wave of hate and fear, I’ve seen hope and vision. Call me Pollyanna, but nation’s best years are ahead of us, as long as we realize we need each other. A good Memorial Day to you all.
TomCannon
Asheville, NC
Thanks for this, Tom. It means a lot.
Jonathan,
It’s hard to keep a positive attitude when you’re observing so much stupidity that is counterproductive to stupid people and their families and supposed friends, but we’ve been here before, and I have faith that we have leaders throughout the country that reject nihilism.
Tom
Yes, and thank you for this lovely contribution today, on the approach to Memorial Day.
Mary, Too many people died in our wars to give up without a fight to save the best of our country. A great Memorial Day weekend to you and yours.
Tom
Thank you, Tom. Meaningful and needed words.