In the face of what some see as impending doom we remain optimistic. We gained reason to believe in this Country at our family reunion: character and backbone - the predominant theme there. After that gathering we were even more convinced that the current experiment in Washington is a transitory one, not something which will be institutionalized. It will prove to be a needed catharsis, not a tragedy.
We all know that the stars aligned perfectly for a radical element of US society; the far left for the first time in our lifetime gained traction; what Vic Hansen calls "faculty-lounge utopian rhetoric" became no longer just rhetoric.
Result - the dreams of a zealous few have at last become the nightmares of a once-complacent many. Good. Once sampled, these few will be rejected; there will be a great retching, a great heaving as these types are vomited up and out of America’s system.
We predicted earlier that historians will consider BO’s rise to power, his and his fellow extremists’ attempt to re-make American society, as a fluke. None under the oak that afternoon, notwithstanding party affiliation, harbor a distaste for American society, for America’s history or for America’s place in the free world as do the far left. These and others just like them will not accept this attempted heist by a few who believe they have superior wisdom and greater insight than most of us, who believe they have been ordained or anointed to forcibly impose that wisdom on the rest of us.
Ronald Reagan observed, "The trouble with our liberal friends is not that they're ignorant; it's just that they know so much that isn't so." They’ll be reminded of that in the near term. What they thought to be a revolution, a legacy will turn out to be nothing but a spark to ignite their well-deserved end as a contributing segment of society.
They will become once again, simply a nuisance.
Robert Craven
Monday, April 12, 2010
Friday, April 9, 2010
Americans At Hare Hill
When the Constitutional Convention finished its work Ben Franklin was asked what kind of government had been decided upon. He replied, "A republic, if you can keep it." Many patriots then perceived the threat of loss, of dissolution. There was no precedence for what they had just done.
Today many of us also fear the threat to our Republic but as posed by radicals with traction in Washington. Yet perhaps we have given less credit than is due to the average American. We came upon a few just this past Easter weekend.
In the foothills of the Sierra, near where the Kings runs down to the San Joaquin Valley plain there is a special place to which generations of Yokut made their way every year in search of sustenance and shelter. So too does our family make its way each Easter season to this place, also to seek sustenance yet not by the way of the acorn and deer as did the Toihicha and Aiticha; we are gathered there for a renewal, to reflect and to share.
Fried chicken has replaced the deer, macaroni salad, the acorn; the spring water is now bottled. But just as the Yokut found an anchor at the spot we call Hare Hill so too has our family, and for six generations.
Four living generations still come to this place. Some, just yesterday it seemed seated under the grand old oak are now gone; others, scampering underfoot amongst the wild flowers, give promise.
There’s an immediate connection as we arrive and it is genuine. There is no desultory chatter, no loaded comments. Folks are eye to eye in conversation, putting the other up front and center; it’s all that warmth, care and a heart can deliver.
The Americans at Hare Hill have been dealt a hand. For most, prosperity and happiness but for others, a challenge, perhaps of the body; for a few, a recent sorrow. Yet no whining from these, no complaints as we gather.
There’s a mom, her daughter just taken from her but busy with the little ones under the oak, seeing to them and their joy, and these little ones, without knowing it delivering something to sooth her wound. There are others, recently stricken a body blow but simply inquiring into the welfare of their cousins; nothing of self absorption from them - humor and good nature, the salve of choice. And there are three of the Great Generation, one nearly silent now as he sits wrapped against the breeze, his thoughts perhaps of another time. In another time this great American flew the daring flight so that Ike might have the trigger to launch the liberation of Europe.
Strength of character is the common denominator at the reunion; it is refurbished every Easter. These are the best America has to offer. The very great and very average American was right there at Hare Hill. Just a whole lot of them, doing the best they can and doing it pretty dog gone up and walkin good - self sufficient, beholden to none, accepting life’s adventure while looking to their family’s and their country’s integrity in the bargain.
As we drove home from the Easter gathering we felt renewed, not just for ourselves and our family but for our Country. We knew then that these Americans and the many more just like them will never abandon our Founders’ ideals.
Ben, we’ll be alright.
Robert Craven
Today many of us also fear the threat to our Republic but as posed by radicals with traction in Washington. Yet perhaps we have given less credit than is due to the average American. We came upon a few just this past Easter weekend.
In the foothills of the Sierra, near where the Kings runs down to the San Joaquin Valley plain there is a special place to which generations of Yokut made their way every year in search of sustenance and shelter. So too does our family make its way each Easter season to this place, also to seek sustenance yet not by the way of the acorn and deer as did the Toihicha and Aiticha; we are gathered there for a renewal, to reflect and to share.
Fried chicken has replaced the deer, macaroni salad, the acorn; the spring water is now bottled. But just as the Yokut found an anchor at the spot we call Hare Hill so too has our family, and for six generations.
Four living generations still come to this place. Some, just yesterday it seemed seated under the grand old oak are now gone; others, scampering underfoot amongst the wild flowers, give promise.
There’s an immediate connection as we arrive and it is genuine. There is no desultory chatter, no loaded comments. Folks are eye to eye in conversation, putting the other up front and center; it’s all that warmth, care and a heart can deliver.
The Americans at Hare Hill have been dealt a hand. For most, prosperity and happiness but for others, a challenge, perhaps of the body; for a few, a recent sorrow. Yet no whining from these, no complaints as we gather.
There’s a mom, her daughter just taken from her but busy with the little ones under the oak, seeing to them and their joy, and these little ones, without knowing it delivering something to sooth her wound. There are others, recently stricken a body blow but simply inquiring into the welfare of their cousins; nothing of self absorption from them - humor and good nature, the salve of choice. And there are three of the Great Generation, one nearly silent now as he sits wrapped against the breeze, his thoughts perhaps of another time. In another time this great American flew the daring flight so that Ike might have the trigger to launch the liberation of Europe.
Strength of character is the common denominator at the reunion; it is refurbished every Easter. These are the best America has to offer. The very great and very average American was right there at Hare Hill. Just a whole lot of them, doing the best they can and doing it pretty dog gone up and walkin good - self sufficient, beholden to none, accepting life’s adventure while looking to their family’s and their country’s integrity in the bargain.
As we drove home from the Easter gathering we felt renewed, not just for ourselves and our family but for our Country. We knew then that these Americans and the many more just like them will never abandon our Founders’ ideals.
Ben, we’ll be alright.
Robert Craven
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