Columns
Hawthorn Hill: Issues and the arguments that follow
All too often we mire
ourselves in unnecessary
arguments and debates.
There is of course a certain
intellectual enjoyment that
comes with that particular
territory. I admit that there
are times when I delight in
arguing in defense of an opposing
viewpoint just for
the pleasure of the game.
Plato advised us long
ago to play what he characterizes
as the `believing
game’ when confronted
with an argument or perspective
that might run
counter to one’s own. Most
often we find ourselves
standing on firm ground,
but the deeper, more objective
analysis of a position
that the believing game requires
offers an opportunity
to strengthen one’s position
rather than weaken it. On
the other hand, there are
issues, however much they
are debated, that are irrelevant
to the larger question
that appears to have
sparked an argument in
the first place. Given the
infinite variety of ways we
have of differing with one
another, it occurs to me
that we should be focusing
less on our differences and
more on our commonalities.
Unfortunately, there is a
climate of contentiousness
that has infected America
to the point where unless
we make a concerted effort
to establish common ground
in a civil manner this democracy
we so cherish will
go down the tubes.
An excellent example of
an unnecessary debate is
over the issue of climate
change, i.e. global warming.
There is no doubt that
the earth is warming up.
The consequences of that
are clear and obvious. There
are those who claim it is
just another weather cycle.
It is also true that with respect
to geologic time our
records of climate fluctuations
are slim.
And there are those who
see us as the primary culprits.
The truth is that it
does not matter who or
what is to blame. If we continue
to pollute the planet
and live in ways that are
patently unsustainable,
both environmentally and
economically, then we are
leading ourselves down a
pretty scary path. I want a
brighter future for my
grandchildren and everyone
else’s.
I was gratified recently
when a close friend, whose
politics are quite at odds
with mine, opined that
while he remained skeptical
of climate change theory
it really did not matter. As
he put it, we simply can not
continue screwing up the
planet. No matter what the
reasons for global warming
might be, he said, we irrevocably
imperil our existence
if we do not change
our ways. I live a life up
here on the hill as closely
tied to nature as possible.
He lives in a wealthy Connecticut
suburb where all
the homes are large and
gas guzzling, very expensive
cars are the norm. It
gratifies me that two people
living such different lives
can agree on a matter so vital
to our survival. It was
the kind of experience that
keeps my hopes alive. Our
salvation lies in our active
recognition of our common
humanity, a recognition
that celebrates difference
while at the same time
sharing the responsibility
for safeguarding and healing
the very natural environment
that nurtures and
makes possible our continued
existence.
We have six chickens.
Two are one breed and four
another. They are getting
on famously. They perch
closely huddled together at
night, wander about the
place in a tightly knit pack
during the days I let them
out, and generally comport
themselves with an admirable
civility towards one
another. I do not know all
chickens; I just know my
chickens. But I like what I
see. They do not dither
about global warming or
climate change. They are
content with a scrap of
cracked corn here, a succulent
slug there. Contrary to
what I rather flippantly
suggested to a friend a few
weeks ago, I really am not
interested in becoming a
chicken, or any other animal
for that matter. But I
do wish for a world where
simplicity reigns a bit more
supreme and where, as
Wendell Berry puts it, our
lives are characterized not
by greed and consumerism,
but by thrift, generosity,
and temperance. As he puts
it, ``spending is not an economic
virtue.’’ Spending is
in large part responsible for
the climate predicament we
find ourselves arguing
about. Why not give the environment
a gift this Christmas?
Find out what you
can do to help start the
healing process. The opportunities
are illimitable.
Additional essays appear
periodically on my
blog at rjderosa.wordpress.
com.
- Columns
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From Fly Creek: Passing fronts and settled weather
(I owe the first part of this column to an informal writers’ workshop sponsored by the Smithy Pioneer Gallery. The small group, led by Gallery Director Danielle Newell, meets Sunday afternoons and is open to anyone interested in the writing craft. As a warmup exercise on that very rainy afternoon, we each wrote a few paragraphs on the weather and emotions. Here’s what that keen group prompted me to scribble down) The dour old Scotsman, the one featured in jokes without number about buying lottery tickets, pinching pennies, scorning worldly ways, etc., once silenced a friend who was praising the beautiful weather.
Continued ... -
In These Otsego Hills: We're back from Michigan ...
Unfortunately, we once again find ourselves stuck in a time warp. When we look at the calendar, we realize that Labor Day is fast approaching. Yet, we seem to be operating under the misconception that it is still early July due in large part to the fact that we spent the almost five weeks from July 15 to August 17 in Grand Rapids, Michigan. We feel the summer has sailed by and we, unfortunately, have not kept pace.
Continued ... -
Otsego Herald: Censorship?
All those indebted to John Lawrence, Post-rider, and do not settle the same IMMEDIATELY may rely upon having to pay cost!! Otego, Aug. 24.
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In These Otsego Hills: 1984 comes to a close ... finally
As we continue traipsing through 1984, we realize that even though we were supposed to be covering the comings and goings of Cooperstown, we actually were able, even then, to touch on a number of pressing community, as well as personal, issues. Of course, much to the relief of the powers that were at CCS, the school was not among them. The he-we ran for the school board in 1984 and was elected. Thus the school was deemed off limits by the powers that were at the paper. But we discovered there was still a wide range of issues upon which we could write.
Continued ... -
Otsego Herald: New school book
From the Otsego Herald for Saturday, Aug. 18, 1810
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Book Notes: Books offer tennis insights
Professional tennis sometimes seems to be the ultimate life. Where else could you travel the world, earn gobs of money, get in great shape, and have groupies from the opposite sex chasing you all the time? And you get all your equipment free to boot (which may explain why players smash racquets without remorse). Quite a glamorous life, isn’t it?
Continued ... -
In These Otsego Hills: Continuing our 1984 musings
Now that we have undertaken the beginnings of this column, we fear we find ourselves unable to stop our review of the early writings. In fact, we seem to be completely addicted to the project. And thus, we will continue to explore the very foundations on which this column has been built.
Continued ... -
Book Notes: Burnett's book recalls 'Golden Age'
It’s a shame that today’s young generation missed the golden age of television from the 1960s and 70s. The fact that Hollywood studios with their ``original’’ ideas of constantly remaking hit TV shows from that era into new movies and reunion specials is quite telling. Even Fox with its ``That 70’s Show’’ is a reminder of that whimsical time.
Continued ... -
Home Notes: A place to cherish
As we enter into the middle of summer, let us pause and relish in the fact that we have been blessed with such lovely weather.
Continued ... -
From Fly Creek: Hurray for Mother Bassett!
Just back from my annual week at Lake George’s Silver Bay, in company with about 600 other Quakers. As always, it was a great time: Friends shared silence in the early morning by the lake and during the day in the big brown-shingled tabernacle. (Silver Bay is an old YMCA camp.)
Continued ...
Plenty of fine stringed music and singing in the evenings; lots of daytime rocking-chair stints on the deep veranda, facing across rolling lawns and lake to green mountains and skies of startling blue. -
In These Otsego Hills: In the beginning
Our remembering Jerry in last week’s column has now lead us to muse about our early days of writing a weekly newspaper column.
Continued ... -
Book Notes: Prohibition should not be ignored
I was an American history major in college and one topic that my professors never discussed was prohibition.
Continued ... -
Otsego Herald: Elopement
From the Otsego Herald for Saturday, July 21, 1810 Compiled, with comments BY HUGH C. MACDOUGALL
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Home Notes: Personal Care is a rewarding occupation
When I was a young girl in the early 50’s my family would often take rides through Cooperstown and the Cherry Valley area.
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In These Otsego Hills: Remembering Jerry ...
Difficult as it is to believe, we have been a widow for eleven years this week. And yet it seems as if our late husband Jerry just died yesterday. The memory of it remains most vivid in our mind. We suppose there is much that we don’t remember about July 20, 1999. But we do remember just how much that day changed our life forever. We lost not only our spouse of 28 years, but also our best friend.
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Otsego Herald: Celebrating the 4th
From the Otsego Herald for Saturday, July 14, 1810 Compiled, with comments by
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Our Opinion: What’s good for the goose...
The board of trustees has decided to hire an engineer to review the work of CLA Site, the firm hired to do the site assessment and design work for the Village Gateway Project _ now known as the Cooperstown Intermodal Transit Project. That review will cost up to $12,000.
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From Fly Creek: ‘Thump-thump, dum-lum’
Since I last wrote to you I’ve been several times embraced to Mother Bassett’s bosom.
Continued ...
(Oh dear, I hope that’s not a disrespectful metaphor. But if you’ve seen photos, you know she was a handsome, dignified woman with an ample superstructure.) This time, for variety, the hospital visits at first seemed to have little to do with Parkinsonism. But a new problem had turned up that had me tested in every part of the hospital except obstetrics. -
In These Otsego Hills: Travels with The Widge...
We have decided that the role of grandmother is quite to our liking. As we have been told any number of times, as a grandparent it is perfectly acceptable to hold, play with and fawn over the grandchild until such time as said grandchild becomes fussy. And then, and this is the best part, it is completely within the purview of the grandparent to return the fussy grandchild to the parents. We love it.
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Otsego Herald: Shocking accident, American arrested
On Wednesday last, as Joseph Faulkner, esq. of Middlefield, was returning home from Cherry-Valley, a gust of wind arose up suddenly, a large Elm was blown across the road, directly on Mr. Faulkner, who, together with his horse was instantly killed.
Continued ...
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From Fly Creek: Passing fronts and settled weather
