I came to the US in 1980 with a young family and in the mid 80s went back to school to get a high school English teaching credential, which required that I take poly science 101 so I knew about the American constitution and all that. I recall being aghast at the whole checks and balances idea, how lacking in trust this whole government apparatus was and -- as we see -- is. How negative. Nobody got my point. The prof was condescending. This book, which I will read, tells me my intuition was spot on. Not that this makes me feel good. We British have our own reckoning to deal with, to “fess up to” as we Americans say. Thanks for your powerful post, your stake in this ground.
Oh Wow!! That's so interesting that you were able to suss that out about the checks and balances thing forty some years ago. Your mind hadn't been corrupted by the great glorifying effort called our public education system. Thanks for your comments!! and your own courage to speak up then.
,And another song of that era addressed to the children:
You who are on the road
Must have a code that you can live by
And so, become yourself
Because the past is just a goodbye
Teach your children well
Their father's hell did slowly go by
And feed them on your dreams
The one they pick's the one you'll know by
Don't you ever ask them, "Why?"
If they told you, you would cry
So just look at them and sigh
And know they love you
And you (Can you hear?) of tender years (And do you care?)
Can't know the fears (And can you see?)
That your elders grew by (We must be free)
And so, please help (To teach your children)
Them with your youth (What you believe in)
They seek the truth (Make a world)
Before they can die (That we can live in)
And teach your parents well
Their children's hell will slowly go by
And feed them on your dreams
The one they pick's the one you'll know by
Don't you ever ask them, "Why?
If they told you, you will cry
So just look at them and sigh
And know they love you
An answer to the ills of this ers
I came to the US in 1980 with a young family and in the mid 80s went back to school to get a high school English teaching credential, which required that I take poly science 101 so I knew about the American constitution and all that. I recall being aghast at the whole checks and balances idea, how lacking in trust this whole government apparatus was and -- as we see -- is. How negative. Nobody got my point. The prof was condescending. This book, which I will read, tells me my intuition was spot on. Not that this makes me feel good. We British have our own reckoning to deal with, to “fess up to” as we Americans say. Thanks for your powerful post, your stake in this ground.
Oh Wow!! That's so interesting that you were able to suss that out about the checks and balances thing forty some years ago. Your mind hadn't been corrupted by the great glorifying effort called our public education system. Thanks for your comments!! and your own courage to speak up then.
Marinating in grief.
Eyes on the horizon.
HI Helena!! Love those phrases. I wish the horizon were closer!!
Tears in my eyes.
Again.
Thanks, Michael!