What Ever Happened to Civility?
Friday, March 19th, 2010Author Linda Brady Traynham
An occasionally distasteful measure of how effective those who write on politics, economics, “memes,” and mores are is the quality of those who oppose them. This does not make receiving hate mail any more pleasant, and after reading Gary Gibson’s and mine today I am pondering the relative efficacy of a third glass of wine, a whole valium, and a nap if I can find a soft, squashy, plushy teddy bear.
To forestall any jibes that I am a doper, my average tranqualizer use is half a tablet on occasions when I learn of an impending divorce in the family, my darling Charles’ favorite child being put on chemotherapy, and my adored son having major surgery on his hand tomorrow; February has been a rough month.
I do not require pharmaceutical assistance to deal with the rare yahoo who refers to my thoughts as “simplistic, knee-jerk solutions.” When I received that one recently I smiled wolfishly and knocked out a brief article you will find at www.thetexasring.com delineating in four or five steps how to solve the budget crisis and a two-item list of how to fix the broken educational system. Both would work beautifully and neither involves marching on Washington carrying pitchforks and tying hangman’s nooses. Chances of being implemented at present? Zero.
I will let you judge today’s attack for yourself and reply on W&G if you feel moved to do so: “sidagong February 17th, 2010 3:13 pm : Too bad you don’t take your own advice…you should have spent the money on tires (don’t forget weather rot) than using precious funds on useless autos that would not even rate as trade goods ? For all you have spent , and your “treasures” don’t even run, not to mention the fact that you have a difficult time acquiring parts (that would be in the future-when you can’t even buy, sell or trade without the mark of the beast) – what is your gain ? For all the goods you have hoarded and the “cheep cheap” storage you purchased, the weather, weevils, etc. have destroyed your children’s inheritance. What did that accomplish ? Can;t wait to hear this — can’t wait to address other issues as well !”
Now, isn’t that charming? Naughty, gleeful laughter…wouldn’t it be fun to know his net worth?
Hey, buster, if that’s your best shot I have the same advice the old gunslinger gave the arrogant, inept novice wannabe: “Go to pitchin’ hay, son. You’ve got the hands for it.” The part I enjoyed was that my immediate response was to reply, “Investing is a very personal choice; good luck with those you have made, if any.” I called MDC over to read it, and he cuddled me while he did. HIS suggestion–not having heard mine–was the one I used. “Everyone should have a hobby. Fortunately, I can afford mine.” One of life’s true joys is minds that much in tune.
There was no point in taking “sidagong” seriously. Why bother to tell him that most of our classic cars do, indeed, run, and we have spare parts for them? It is none of his business. If he can’t see why owning one’s own storage facility at the cost of less than a year’s commercial rent is a better choice that’s his problem, not mine. He has my pity for the sort of life where his possessions are for sale (a reasonable assumption) and for lacking the intelligence to plan ahead. I have nothing to say to a Neanderthal of his sort. It is none of his business how I choose to guard my children’s inheritance, although it would be uncharitable to suggest his, if he can identify them or his father, will probably end up fighting over who makes the payments on his tumbled-down single wide trailer. Mine, I am glad to say, not only have nothing to fear but are both very successful in their chosen professions. In time they will inherit a successful ranching operation that can pay for an on-site manager until they want to live here.
How fortuitous (and also the result of lifetimes of reading and thinking) that we have principles to guide our lives. I have friends like you. What do you suppose he has?
There. Having been far more cutting than I ever allow myself to be in public, and having feed the three little goat girls who were worth $50 as brood stock a month ago and are now valued at $250/each as future milkers and mamas because we bottle feed them four times a day, I have opted for the nap with the teddy bear with the bright red satin ribbon before we grill steaks. Limousine Liberals may be able to have both hatred and life’s pleasures, but the likes of sidagong don’t. Thank all of you for being my friends. In a very real sense I earned it–and you earned my regard.
Emotionally-exhausted laughter. I really do not deal well with emotional scenes, that being why I refuse to indulge in them. This very rare outburst is an excellent example of why one of the most important rules in life is never to say that first angry word. If you do, the next thing you know you’re screeching, “And another thing! Back in 1974 you…” Spurt of laughter. And besides that, think how disappointed sidagong will be. All of you and I can mull over virtually anything in the world with our basic guideline of “all discussions in this house are academic” and our committment to civility. Rueful smile…yes, he managed to upset your little friend, but he will never have the satisfaction of knowing that.
Hugs to all, me
No related posts.
Essie Feldhacher says:
March 19th, 2010
7:43 am
Thoughts:
Scripture talks about doing things other people discount as “folly” but are actually wise behaviors. Fools have this bad habit of shifting their mouths into gear while the brain is disengaged. And thinking they are clever and bright for doing so.
I think a fitting recourse, my dear, might be inviting the schlub to come to your ranch and go…hunt wild boar. Outfit him with a twenty-two. And make sure it’s a single-shot….Then give him a Barney-Fife bullet – only one – and it a bit green with age.
Sometimes even the naysayers serve a purpose; they cause us to rethink things from their view, and sharpen attitudes and actions even more, heh, heh.
As for being rid of him? Not so sure, Linda. He can Google you and find you here, there, ‘n everywhere, and if he chooses follow you around like a tincan tied to a dawg’s tail. You have my permission to “continue” with the attitude of a Junk Yard Dawg, if need be. Not that you need permission from ANYone to carry on, LOL.
Raising kids like ours is the true treasure we’ve racked up in life.
Steve Foste says:
March 19th, 2010
12:02 pm
Destruction of your childrens inheritance,mark of the devil! The only people I see that is ruining our childrens inheritance is the Government.
This person must be a politician or a wanna be politician, for he doen’t understand his adversary.If he things he can get in a war of words with Gary and Linda I would very much enjoy the fireworks, It would be a very short dialog, I for one know better than to take on two intellegent people who generally think things through and take their actions accordingly.
As for the trade goods and the mark of the devil, we would at least know where we stood in that scenerio and fight back accordingly.
sidagong, you would be wise to choose your adversaries more carefully.
Oilwelldoctor says:
March 26th, 2010
6:15 pm
Hi Linda,
don’t take people like sidagong to heart. And hey, somebody’s got to pay the mortgage on that bused down trailer with a second!
As far a inheritance goes, well… as I think I mentioned before, all I have seen from it is is spoiled children, grand children, etc. My father told me of my inheritance just before he died. I wish he would have spent it on me when I needed it, but then again, doing what was necessary (I won’t say on my own because I had a lot of friends), made me a stronger person I suppose.
Money is a store of wealth, a way to store work for later leaner times; nothing more. Sometimes we have to borrow money, to ask those we trust to help us work, but hopefully this borrowing pays off. A new barn to raise calfs or the like, or maybe opening a shop servicing Jaguars (most honerable)!
To live on borrowed money is extremely foolish. Unfortunately, our government encouraged such action over the last 15 years. People bought it too. Now we all pay for those mistakes.
See healthcare passed. I am going to Thailand. No standing in line behind a crack whore for this old boy.
Jeff
C Harriger says:
March 27th, 2010
11:50 am
We live in a time when people ‘confuse feeling with knowledge’. I once worked in an industry that fooled people into thinking they were choosing based on knowledge when it was an emotional response. Today, it has become high art, far more sophisticated as is evidenced by the band of brothers in DC. I don’t think this guy will make our list of ‘people we would like to have coffee with’. c-
Linda Brady Traynham says:
March 27th, 2010
12:13 pm
Dear Essie: Thank you for the comfort and wisdom. I’m always taken aback when anyone is rude to anyone, far less to sweet little old me. They must lead very unhappy lives. I accept that our writing publically lays us open to attacks, and even that if we don’t get sniped at occasionally we aren’t really doing our jobs. I suppose we all have chinks in our armor, and I’m pleased that none of my (really very few) detractors has managed to discover any of mine. Better yet, I make friends with great people like you, Steve, and Cary. The question still stands: how did America get to be such an angry, mannerless nation? What can we do to change that other than being good examples? Hug, Linda
Linda Brady Traynham says:
March 27th, 2010
12:32 pm
Dear Steve:
What a beautiful response, thank you! You make me feel like a heroine out of an L. E. Modesitt novel. I’m like one of his Order Mages, controlling chaos. Well, at least in my immediate vicinity, usually.
Actually…I don’t like to be angry (many people DO), and when I am my response is to grow quieter and more formal. We South’n ladies fight dirty with phrases like “I BEG your pardon?!” and “I don’t believe you understood what I said,” which could escalate to “Let me make something perfectly clear,” and culminate in “How DARE you?!” No shouting, no vulgarity or obscenity, very civilized. That reminds me of an article I wrote on W&G about the benefits of duelling! Thanks for taking my back, guy. Linda
Linda Brady Traynham says:
March 27th, 2010
12:33 pm
Dear Cary: Thanks for the emotional support, and I would love to hear about your former line of work. Do you give lessons? Linda
Lynne says:
March 30th, 2010
10:38 pm
I’m reminded of 2 quotes.
“An Armed society, is a polite Society” Robert Heinlein
“Everything in war is simple. It’s just that the simple things are Hard”
Clausewitz “On War”
lynne says:
April 4th, 2010
9:37 pm
This is the stuff that pissed off my LT’s mostly. I did read Jomini, Clausewitz, Sun-tzu, Mahan and Liddel-Hart. I showed off that I knew some those folks, also I read their books and told the ring-knocking west pointers what I thought of them. Probably not politic especially I after i told most pointers are sacked after 90 days in a real war. Well it was out there. I still think I was right. But I’m sure other folks will disagree.
Damn I have to learn not to stick my head up for “whack a mole”.
Well Linda I’ll be there with you telling folks that the emperor has no clothes.
jlsim66 says:
April 5th, 2010
12:23 am
dogone Nco’s are always training wonder if listen. Sorry I joined the NCO corps becuase I believe. There is a higher truth to be served. not easy but worthwhile
oldmanriver says:
April 10th, 2010
8:22 pm
Linda,
Whenever I see someone start talking about the mark of the beast etc etc. I just usually assume they are off their rocker a little bit.
Anyone that can get anything meaningful out of the book of Revelations I wonder about. All the predictions made in Revelations have been happening continually since the time of Christ and before. The big take away from Revelations is that he can come back at anytime. My sect of Christianity doesn’t put much stock in Revelations for whatever its worth. At least you have something that you enjoy doing and you arent hurting anyone. If you choose to buy popsicle sticks and fill your house up with them thats your business.