That was splendid; thank you. I don't know if it is a blessing or a curse to be old enough to remember what real life was like as depicted in these scenes. I do feel sorry for today's young people who only will know life in this hyper-political, internet age, when all their reality comes to them through a digital device. Watching old movies, especially the holiday movies, reminds me of those old days. I'm guessing today's youth look at those days through the lens they were taught to use, and only see toxic masculinity, male-dominated hierarchies, gender issues, etc. My heart goes out to them.
Let me admire your optimism, even though I can't share it. Trouble is, in my humble opinion, that people like you and your family are small in numbers. Those who seek to destroy us have the advantages of money, power, numbers and momentum. Even if, and that's a big if, we can somehow stop them and their machinations, they have destroyed so much of what we knew and loved that any thought of going back to "normal" is simply a pipe dream.
Often when I say things like that, I hear a similar refrain; i.e., there is hope, we can find a way to overcome, truth and justice will win in the end. Much of that may be true, but I fear the toll on all of us will be very great and we will certainly not recognize the end if/when it comes. Sorry for the pessimism, but over my fairly long life I have learned that pessimists are rarely disappointed.
On page 222 of David C. Korten's book, "Agenda for a New Economy," there's a quote by Howard Zinn (read it carefully, because it matters greatly): "There's a tendency to think that what we see in the present will continue. We forget how often we have been astonished by the sudden crumbling of institutions, extraordinary changes in people's thoughts, 'unexpected eruptions of rebellion against tyrannies' (emphasis added), and the quick collapse of systems of power that seemed invincible."
May I insist that you grab a copy of this invaluable book soon? And for that matter, especially read Chapter 16: WHEN THE PEOPLE LEAD, THE LEADERS WILL FOLLOW, from pages 222 to 232.
That portrait of Benjamin Franklin with his face in place of the eagle's head and the eagles wings spread out made me think of the following quote from Edgar Allen Poe in his Eureka:
"-but because the tortoise is sure of foot, for this reason must we clip the wings of the eagles?"
As others have noted, reading this post felt like a receiving a gift. Beautiful and thought provoking…both the many renditions of Rockwell’s art and the story you masterfully told, Matt.
I have been familiar with Norman Rockwell's art since the late 1960s. In my opinion, it is very difficult to go back to that special time called the "moral compass."
Indeed, Western civilization is undergoing a transformation into something different. Jordan Peterson would certainly argue that "This is not good!"
Nice Christmas gift. Thank you.
Marvelous 🎩
Agreed, nice Christmas gift. Many blessings to you and yours, also.
That was splendid; thank you. I don't know if it is a blessing or a curse to be old enough to remember what real life was like as depicted in these scenes. I do feel sorry for today's young people who only will know life in this hyper-political, internet age, when all their reality comes to them through a digital device. Watching old movies, especially the holiday movies, reminds me of those old days. I'm guessing today's youth look at those days through the lens they were taught to use, and only see toxic masculinity, male-dominated hierarchies, gender issues, etc. My heart goes out to them.
Let me admire your optimism, even though I can't share it. Trouble is, in my humble opinion, that people like you and your family are small in numbers. Those who seek to destroy us have the advantages of money, power, numbers and momentum. Even if, and that's a big if, we can somehow stop them and their machinations, they have destroyed so much of what we knew and loved that any thought of going back to "normal" is simply a pipe dream.
Often when I say things like that, I hear a similar refrain; i.e., there is hope, we can find a way to overcome, truth and justice will win in the end. Much of that may be true, but I fear the toll on all of us will be very great and we will certainly not recognize the end if/when it comes. Sorry for the pessimism, but over my fairly long life I have learned that pessimists are rarely disappointed.
I wish to impress upon you some hope.
On page 222 of David C. Korten's book, "Agenda for a New Economy," there's a quote by Howard Zinn (read it carefully, because it matters greatly): "There's a tendency to think that what we see in the present will continue. We forget how often we have been astonished by the sudden crumbling of institutions, extraordinary changes in people's thoughts, 'unexpected eruptions of rebellion against tyrannies' (emphasis added), and the quick collapse of systems of power that seemed invincible."
May I insist that you grab a copy of this invaluable book soon? And for that matter, especially read Chapter 16: WHEN THE PEOPLE LEAD, THE LEADERS WILL FOLLOW, from pages 222 to 232.
See, now. There's hope!
That portrait of Benjamin Franklin with his face in place of the eagle's head and the eagles wings spread out made me think of the following quote from Edgar Allen Poe in his Eureka:
"-but because the tortoise is sure of foot, for this reason must we clip the wings of the eagles?"
As others have noted, reading this post felt like a receiving a gift. Beautiful and thought provoking…both the many renditions of Rockwell’s art and the story you masterfully told, Matt.
Thank you! 🙏❤️💫
I have been familiar with Norman Rockwell's art since the late 1960s. In my opinion, it is very difficult to go back to that special time called the "moral compass."
Indeed, Western civilization is undergoing a transformation into something different. Jordan Peterson would certainly argue that "This is not good!"
Encl.
https://www.bitchute.com/video/h8CuvmHKEtaZ/