Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Anonymous - Auburn, AL
Extra points! Good for you in your article! I am fairly confident that you will have hundreds of emails based on your solicitation for folks to write a column on your behalf. I easily admit - I will be disregarded for my comments to follow and that I elect to remain anonymous. I am often too abrupt or direct. My comments are not “politically correct” and I have chosen to remain anonymous. But, what the “hey” – we all have fun in different ways. I could not resist the challenge in your article today for reader’s feedback. My goal is to challenge you as a columnist but, please know, I continue to enjoy your columns.
Please know 2 facts. I am (1) a new Auburn resident and (2) I could’t resist your recent challenge in your column in the Opinion section. I look forward to your final selection. It will be entertaining! I am simply weighing in as a new resident and one that wants to challenge your comments/solicitation (that means your approach was successful…good for you and/or the newspaper!)
• Monkeys – guess we all have to ask why a man from NC is writing a column for the Auburn area. Monkeys often mimic things……..hmmm? A monkey simulates desired behavior from other monkeys (couldn’t resist…we are having fun here). Is that the goal (do not mean to offend).
• Goats – great marketing lure! I have no comment. (Could but too much research to correlate tigers to goats).
• Suspect Parental Decisions – “manners” are a lost art in America. It has been a pleasure to be the recipient of the manners and respect I have encountered from both Auburn natives and our others visiting or calling Auburn their temporary home. THANK YOU Auburn! It enriches us all. Auburn residents re-establish my faith in future generations.
• 70s muscle cars – I don’t think you were old enough to know the pleasure of 70s muscle cars! It’s not the car but the memory and atmosphere….no engine or car engine - regardless how fast - replaces memories.
• Firearms – The constitution stands firm. I do not use nor could ever use a firearm but I respect the constitution. I would equally give my life for that right because the constitution is important. We should all reread the constitution and recent decisions from the Supreme Court on firearms. The constitution is the basis for our country (or let’s hope so!).
• Burt Reynolds – Smokey and the Bandit? Is that his collective works (there were many more – I do not mean to disregard his contribution)? He was an icon in American culture in film, sporst, and TV and became a predominant icon in Hollywood. He paid a price on many levels. Others have paid higher prices. An athlete turned actor. We sometimes put too much pressure on those that are not prepared to accept that responsibility.
• Zombies – ditto to Goats….I look forward to the creative responses from other writers/readers.
• Common implements to beat the dog snot out of someone: The best tools are words. Lost on most. My experience with my dogs is they show more respect from words than others in a “dog snot” situation. Wouldn’t life be better if we all behaved as our canines?
• Women-in-prison movies – have to wonder why that is one of the subjects “dear to your heart”? (grins)
• Odd customs of some of our friends from other lands - Really………..Odd customs are that Americans often want all cultures or lands they visit to immediately embrace our behavior. We are visitors…let’s be gracious!
• Super models - ditto to Goats and Zombies. I could name a few super models but I am sure those names (all male) would be lost on you!
• Names that start with E – Did you notice you only listed male names? What about Esther? One of the strongest women in history. I am not a feminist or a biblical scholar but….let’s see….Eleanor (do you know someone with that name), Evelyn, Emma,……….shall I continue?
• Robots – a belief that we will eliminate our responsibilities in life. Technology is an asset not a replacement for responsibility.
• Bigfoot – we should all believe in the unseen. Food for the imagination and mystical feeds the soul.
• The sublime beauty of “Road House”: Seriously, the sublime message was about a man that experienced friendship. You asked for the sublime and I am giving it to you. The most important character was portrayed by Sam Elliott. He was “there” for his friend. No questions asked. That’s the sublime message beyond kicks, punches, and drinks.
• Rick Flair – okay; I admit – not a wrestling guru.
• Pepper Spray – a woman’s defense against what she reads mostly in the media. Who is accountable?
• Chicken wire – as my grandmamma always said – “don’t be afraid to use it.”
It is often healthy to debate thought. I want to thank you again for your article and previous articles. Who knows why I chose to respond!
Last comment…you are actually being more than sincere about the future of American newspapers (quoting you “if newspapers still exist in August”). Here is hoping that we do not lose the value of the newsprint. The true pleasure of picking up a paper, feeling it between our fingers, enjoying it from where we read it…...let’s not eliminate one of the most important constructs to our culture.
Kind regards,
An engaged reader and huge proponent of the written word on newsprint
