American High
I believe there is a time tested saying wherein it is acknowledged that it takes an “outsider” to see the true inside of things, or people for this matter. Mark Twain was a great “Outsider” who saw right through the “Insiders”. I am right at home with Sam when it comes to political disdain, especially with senators. Now being from Alaska – at least having lived way up north in the 49’er for some 30 years by now – it qualifies me as an “Outsider” extraordinaire. So with that in mind, I believe this individual can provide an unbiased opinion about that “Inside” job. So the subject of interest from the outside “in” is America, “Real America” existing in somewhat harmony as the contingent lower 48 states that is. Alaska is so much different a place of worship, so it is affordable and reasonable to reflect upon this “outsider’s” view inside “Real America”, in efforts to gage the health of this Red & Blue nation of greatness. Especially considering things could change forever now that 2008 is upon us. See this is the year that the Supreme Court of the “Free-Land” will once again – possibly putting it to rest this time around – define what is truly sacred or not about the 2nd Amendment Right, to bear arms. Accordingly, “A well-regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.” This case could be the deciding factor as to whether or not the states stick together as a union. Depending on how the bench opinionates, it may be time for individual states to exercise their eminent domain rights and secede, for security reasons. I would bet that if the court rules in favor of “arms control” based on the fact that the existing military infrastructure is the “militia” and gun ownership is no longer a free-for-all righteous citizens’ necessity, Texas “shall” become a separate country. Other states would soon follow suit, especially if there is an existing infrastructure that can survive without Uncle Sam welfare intrusion. That is what Federal earmarks and pork-ears are all about, Big Brother infusion for intrusion control. It happened in Alaska, whereas once upon a time marijuana for personal use was voted legal by the citizens. When the Fed.’s came north, crying wolf about criminalizing the cannabis or else, the legislature went behind closed doors and changed the voice of the people. Why? The “or else” edict from Uncle Sam meant loss of money. Basically, a “with us or against us” sentiment. And since Alaska is the biggest welfare state, the legislatures realized that loss of grant money could mean loss of jobs which could mean loss of votes which could mean they could loose their seat and have to once again work for a living wage. Now considering the fact that the prior judgeship has refused to visit this same Amendment to bear arms for the same sticky reasons since 1934, when even back that long ago refused to actually and clearly define what is meant by a “militia”, this time around there will be a yey or ney vote. It will come about as an opinion, then dissected apart to the discretion of the legislatures and lawyers of the individual states. It will most likely mean a completely different new-century 2nd Amendment. Talk about a “Battle Royal”! Bottom line, there will be some controlling issues and guidelines. So is it guns or roses that makes for this “Real America”? Guns put aside for the time being, as the “militia” is alive and well so I feel safe. Now, I have traveled California, wherein one can now enjoy stargazing in L.A., as the air has taken a turn for the clean side. I have been through Boston, from the tunnels to the “Big Dig” and besides finding Sam Adams alive and well on every street corner, one cannot forget the Lost Writers hangout. In St. Louis, brotherly love is what life is all about. Hey, to this day New England remains undefeated! All across “Real America”, one sees evidence of a strong union. But if I were tasked to name a place, one that defined the cornerstone of “American High”, it would be found far and away from the hustle and bustle of city life. How about a place called Oakfield? Located just north of Batavia. Which is somewhere between Buffalo and Rochester N.Y. I was on a job back that way, just after Christmas and right before the New Year. Wow, these 30-mile speed limit zones come upon you quick. But one doesn’t need a lawman’s sign to realize that slowing down is required. The one-lane highways that skirt this Great Lakes region cut across pasture and field then soon turn to time-like forgotten downtowns, skirted by neighborhoods welcoming intruders coming and going. And the houses lined up along the way - old of style but still showing resilience to the brutal weather that can be thrown this way from ocean size lakes - protrude right out towards the streets with some semblance of a sidewalk providing a buffer zone. A place wherein kids played outdoors along with the howling wind as a companion, and cats crossed the roads as if jaywalking was their amended right. And the way in which the houses were decorated for the holidays, like a Christmas time of the past? It was picture postcard perfect, from this “Outsiders” opinion. So tranquil, so secure, so heavenly. And guess what, no Starbucks around these parts! To name but a few of these “Real American” towns, how about Leroy or Elba. Now what sent me to the writing tablet with this “Outsider’s” inside look around was what everybody seemed to want to talk about. Hey, Alaska has the mountains, but this place had the “Swamp”! The “Swamp” seemed to be what the locals wanted to talk and brag about with visitors, like it was something magical or mystical to which they held an individual respect towards. Now Mark Twain found respect enough and wrote about his childhood affiliation with the Mississippi River. And for those of us not fortunate enough to have the mighty Mississippi as a place to grow-up upon, mature and learn the values of life, well a landlocked water-hole could most likely provide the same degree of imagination. Swamps were part of my upbringing and I can remember stories of the Swamp Fox - the Vietnam veteran who made the soggy water-ways his home upon returning to the states - so I could somewhat relate to what these righteous New Yorkers were getting at. The swamps were the places that tested our courage and “militia” like attitudes in our youth, with sticks and stones as our protection – maybe a Bee-bee Gun. Raft building was a necessity, to get away from rival gangs or when petty crime invited a misfit like interest, like stealing bubble gum from the corner store. It made us guilty as Billy the Kid and we didn’t want to mess with no lawman. So we went to hiding deep in the swamps. We learned to play hard in the swamps, then come of age, it meant a special event - the deer hunt. For some, it meant the duck hunts. Talk about camaraderie! It was the time when the dads would take the time out to teach us how to outsmart a deer in its own habitat. But we understood more about a deer’s behaviors then our teachers, as this was where we hung out. This was “our” land, from California to the New York islands! And in our youths wherein the swamp was our relief away from school and monotonous homework and readings like the “Great Expectation”, we learned the ways of the deer. In my case, it meant the added advantage of learning the ways of the Swamp Fox. Who was this masked man - with camouflaged face paint - that had fought for our country abroad then decided to live a hermits lifestyle, in the swamps along with the river rats and snakes? And with the time spent “swamping” during our youths, it was just like living out there. We learned how to walk silently, when to be still, when to be vigilant and when to run. And like a deer - or Vietnam veteran - we learned what escape routes would most likely find freedom away from fearful or compromising situations. The swamp and river life taught us many things to cherish in our pursuit to happiness. So with that, there was an overpowering security with the mindset of the citizens of this region not far from big city life, but far enough away wherein there exists a value system based on land inherited individual traits and in no way shape or form is the lemming ritual respondent around here. So even if the right to bear arms was “infringed” upon by modern day dynamics of legal wrangling in efforts to understand what was declared in force back in 1791, there is no worry herein. To fight for independence “infringed” upon around these parts would be a fight similar to that played out in our youths, with “swamp” like warfare of a different kind, as it would be orchestrated by a different breed of Americans. When we look through history, the swamps played an important role in the wars of this land. That is why the swamps were so important in youth. And still so important in this day and age. So to hear grown men like Tony the miner and Doug the foremen talk about the “swamp”, it is the spoken word of proud Americans – a word of warning that keeps on rolling, if not by river, if not by land, then by way of the “swamp”! Now this American High is no American Lie!
I believe there is a time tested saying wherein it is acknowledged that it takes an “outsider” to see the true inside of things, or people for this matter. Mark Twain was a great “Outsider” who saw right through the “Insiders”. I am right at home with Sam when it comes to political disdain, especially with senators. Now being from Alaska – at least having lived way up north in the 49’er for some 30 years by now – it qualifies me as an “Outsider” extraordinaire. So with that in mind, I believe this individual can provide an unbiased opinion about that “Inside” job. So the subject of interest from the outside “in” is America, “Real America” existing in somewhat harmony as the contingent lower 48 states that is. Alaska is so much different a place of worship, so it is affordable and reasonable to reflect upon this “outsider’s” view inside “Real America”, in efforts to gage the health of this Red & Blue nation of greatness. Especially considering things could change forever now that 2008 is upon us. See this is the year that the Supreme Court of the “Free-Land” will once again – possibly putting it to rest this time around – define what is truly sacred or not about the 2nd Amendment Right, to bear arms. Accordingly, “A well-regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.” This case could be the deciding factor as to whether or not the states stick together as a union. Depending on how the bench opinionates, it may be time for individual states to exercise their eminent domain rights and secede, for security reasons. I would bet that if the court rules in favor of “arms control” based on the fact that the existing military infrastructure is the “militia” and gun ownership is no longer a free-for-all righteous citizens’ necessity, Texas “shall” become a separate country. Other states would soon follow suit, especially if there is an existing infrastructure that can survive without Uncle Sam welfare intrusion. That is what Federal earmarks and pork-ears are all about, Big Brother infusion for intrusion control. It happened in Alaska, whereas once upon a time marijuana for personal use was voted legal by the citizens. When the Fed.’s came north, crying wolf about criminalizing the cannabis or else, the legislature went behind closed doors and changed the voice of the people. Why? The “or else” edict from Uncle Sam meant loss of money. Basically, a “with us or against us” sentiment. And since Alaska is the biggest welfare state, the legislatures realized that loss of grant money could mean loss of jobs which could mean loss of votes which could mean they could loose their seat and have to once again work for a living wage. Now considering the fact that the prior judgeship has refused to visit this same Amendment to bear arms for the same sticky reasons since 1934, when even back that long ago refused to actually and clearly define what is meant by a “militia”, this time around there will be a yey or ney vote. It will come about as an opinion, then dissected apart to the discretion of the legislatures and lawyers of the individual states. It will most likely mean a completely different new-century 2nd Amendment. Talk about a “Battle Royal”! Bottom line, there will be some controlling issues and guidelines. So is it guns or roses that makes for this “Real America”? Guns put aside for the time being, as the “militia” is alive and well so I feel safe. Now, I have traveled California, wherein one can now enjoy stargazing in L.A., as the air has taken a turn for the clean side. I have been through Boston, from the tunnels to the “Big Dig” and besides finding Sam Adams alive and well on every street corner, one cannot forget the Lost Writers hangout. In St. Louis, brotherly love is what life is all about. Hey, to this day New England remains undefeated! All across “Real America”, one sees evidence of a strong union. But if I were tasked to name a place, one that defined the cornerstone of “American High”, it would be found far and away from the hustle and bustle of city life. How about a place called Oakfield? Located just north of Batavia. Which is somewhere between Buffalo and Rochester N.Y. I was on a job back that way, just after Christmas and right before the New Year. Wow, these 30-mile speed limit zones come upon you quick. But one doesn’t need a lawman’s sign to realize that slowing down is required. The one-lane highways that skirt this Great Lakes region cut across pasture and field then soon turn to time-like forgotten downtowns, skirted by neighborhoods welcoming intruders coming and going. And the houses lined up along the way - old of style but still showing resilience to the brutal weather that can be thrown this way from ocean size lakes - protrude right out towards the streets with some semblance of a sidewalk providing a buffer zone. A place wherein kids played outdoors along with the howling wind as a companion, and cats crossed the roads as if jaywalking was their amended right. And the way in which the houses were decorated for the holidays, like a Christmas time of the past? It was picture postcard perfect, from this “Outsiders” opinion. So tranquil, so secure, so heavenly. And guess what, no Starbucks around these parts! To name but a few of these “Real American” towns, how about Leroy or Elba. Now what sent me to the writing tablet with this “Outsider’s” inside look around was what everybody seemed to want to talk about. Hey, Alaska has the mountains, but this place had the “Swamp”! The “Swamp” seemed to be what the locals wanted to talk and brag about with visitors, like it was something magical or mystical to which they held an individual respect towards. Now Mark Twain found respect enough and wrote about his childhood affiliation with the Mississippi River. And for those of us not fortunate enough to have the mighty Mississippi as a place to grow-up upon, mature and learn the values of life, well a landlocked water-hole could most likely provide the same degree of imagination. Swamps were part of my upbringing and I can remember stories of the Swamp Fox - the Vietnam veteran who made the soggy water-ways his home upon returning to the states - so I could somewhat relate to what these righteous New Yorkers were getting at. The swamps were the places that tested our courage and “militia” like attitudes in our youth, with sticks and stones as our protection – maybe a Bee-bee Gun. Raft building was a necessity, to get away from rival gangs or when petty crime invited a misfit like interest, like stealing bubble gum from the corner store. It made us guilty as Billy the Kid and we didn’t want to mess with no lawman. So we went to hiding deep in the swamps. We learned to play hard in the swamps, then come of age, it meant a special event - the deer hunt. For some, it meant the duck hunts. Talk about camaraderie! It was the time when the dads would take the time out to teach us how to outsmart a deer in its own habitat. But we understood more about a deer’s behaviors then our teachers, as this was where we hung out. This was “our” land, from California to the New York islands! And in our youths wherein the swamp was our relief away from school and monotonous homework and readings like the “Great Expectation”, we learned the ways of the deer. In my case, it meant the added advantage of learning the ways of the Swamp Fox. Who was this masked man - with camouflaged face paint - that had fought for our country abroad then decided to live a hermits lifestyle, in the swamps along with the river rats and snakes? And with the time spent “swamping” during our youths, it was just like living out there. We learned how to walk silently, when to be still, when to be vigilant and when to run. And like a deer - or Vietnam veteran - we learned what escape routes would most likely find freedom away from fearful or compromising situations. The swamp and river life taught us many things to cherish in our pursuit to happiness. So with that, there was an overpowering security with the mindset of the citizens of this region not far from big city life, but far enough away wherein there exists a value system based on land inherited individual traits and in no way shape or form is the lemming ritual respondent around here. So even if the right to bear arms was “infringed” upon by modern day dynamics of legal wrangling in efforts to understand what was declared in force back in 1791, there is no worry herein. To fight for independence “infringed” upon around these parts would be a fight similar to that played out in our youths, with “swamp” like warfare of a different kind, as it would be orchestrated by a different breed of Americans. When we look through history, the swamps played an important role in the wars of this land. That is why the swamps were so important in youth. And still so important in this day and age. So to hear grown men like Tony the miner and Doug the foremen talk about the “swamp”, it is the spoken word of proud Americans – a word of warning that keeps on rolling, if not by river, if not by land, then by way of the “swamp”! Now this American High is no American Lie!
Read for free “The Teachings of the Swamp Fox” by S. Pam MaGee at:www.storylineonline.com
CopyRight 2007 – Dixie Productions/MSK Media/Eagle Rock Press
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