My Friend
I have a little stuffed animal at home. Some people may think that’s kind of odd for a man my age but I like it and it makes me smile.
It’s a gorilla with crazy eyes, a bit mischievous looking. On him I pinned a button I found that says, “Next irrational outburst 5 minutes.” He wears it on the upper part of his left arm where everyone can see it. In his right hand, he’s holding a banana. That’s because bananas contain potassium and are said to be good for energy. Tucked between his right forearm and just under his chin, I placed a round white stone with the words, “I See Stupid People” inscribed in black letters.
Fact is though, I don’t see stupid people. I see people who cannot look the truth in the eyes. I see frightened people, frightened by what they might feel. I see lonely people, caught up in what’s going on in their heart. I see a shoulder in need of a kind and loving touch.
I don’t see an angry, frustrated world. I see a world where people simply lost their way and hopefully will find it back again.
I’m just kidding. I don’t have a stuffed gorilla. They’re an endangered species. Actually mine isn’t. It’s perfectly safe and looks happy enough to me.
One thing you can be sure of; if my gorilla weren’t happy, it would let me know about it in no uncertain terms so no need to contact PETA. My gorilla can take care of itself. Thank you very much.
Ya know, in hindsight, I’m sorry I ever brought this up. If I hadn’t, probably no one would have said anything. I’ve been in a few rooms with an 800 pound gorilla and no one seemed to notice. But I’m given to exaggeration. Though gorillas are the largest of all primates, they don’t weigh that much; generally not much more than 500 pounds. Now an elephant is another story entirely. How anyone could be in the same room as an elephant and not even notice is beyond me. They can grow as tall as 13 feet and weigh up to 15,000 pounds. Now if you ask me, that would be hard to miss but then again, look at chemtrails.
Howard Glasser, Kelseyville
Thoughts and sentiments
I very much appreciate Mr. Freese’s thoughts and sentiments (RB 5/6). For one thing it does prove what a great country we have, this “free speechie” thing thought up by the deists, Christians, and atheists 200 plus years ago works and hasn’t worn out it’s welcome … yet. Hillary may have something to say about that, but I digress.
I appreciate the irony of the popular sentiment (don’t talk politics or religion) that is happily blown to smithereens by his wonderfully informative letter. And I don’t just mean the autobiographical parts of it.
I also appreciate the reminding us red-neck style Christians (I are one) of the fact that the founding Father were a diverse group with two of the most famous and powerfully influential (Franklin and Jefferson) one being an atheist and one a deist. That does go against the somewhat false narrative many of us “pick-up drivin’ ‘n shotgun carrin’” evangelicals hold to. I personally don’t, having studied a bit ‘o history.
His point about changing long and deeply held views is very true. But some of us write for those on the sidelines who have yet to become entrenched.
One point of correction: those 10 commandments given to Moses weren’t given for the reason the popular culture thinks, to guide us to better and more ethical behavior. They were given to prove we couldn’t keep them, thereby revealing to us the need for outside help in the form of three persons whom Mr. Freese has every right to believe do not exist. And some of us are willing to pray for years for that to change but ultimately it isn’t up to us for that to happen however the thought and sentiment we hold to says something important.
BTW: John of the New Testament was known as “old Camel knees.” Peace Brother. Thanks for the letter.
Doug Del Bosco, Lakeport
Water X
This morning the newspapers (as well as TV/internet) I get all have substantial articles on water usage. The basic message seems to be that “volunteer” is not getting the job. We all should have known that.
Sadly, the number of responsible volunteers is far outnumbered by those who are not. I’ll likely not be here, but it will be very interesting when the average person finally wises up to how complex and costly (yes, monetarily, socially, and politically — including a whole lot of what some people think of as their “rights”) solving the problem is going to prove. The biggest part seems to be recognizing we had better start now because the situation probably won’t get any better. Besides that, there are too many people, and all politicians, who are reluctant to take firm positions.
To me, the first steps the state should take are basic: Declare all water within the state public property and under the control of the state with an oversight and authority over all private, municipal, county, and state distribution systems. Some may see it as “socialistic,” but I cannot see any other way to have people play by the same rules. Shift the emphasis from consideration of additional storage facilities to encouraging a massive effort to recycling the water we have already used. Years ago I was told the main outfall from the (Los Angeles) treatment plant was greater than the inland rivers that once kept Tulare Lake full and functioning. The UC should be told to emphasize research on plants that can grow with greater salinity and improved watering/irrigation processes. All types of flood irrigation method should be prohibited where not essential, as with some rice. And, of course, there is much more we can do.
A lot of people need to get used to having their toes stepped on from the standpoint that the massive measurement that is necessary to make California’s water system work will probably impinge on what we may have thought were “our rights” and our privacy.
Guff Worth, Lakeport
