As our family sat down for breakfast at the Emma Chase Cafe in Cottonwood Falls Kansas about ten after ten AM last Sunday Dr. George Tiller had just been/ or was soon to be shot in Wichita, an hours drive south of us. We didn't hear this news until we got back to, ironically, Merriam Ks., early Sunday afternoon. Merriam, where our Mom lives is the home of Scott Roeder, the man who allegedly murdered Dr. Tiller in his Church in Wichita just hours earlier that day (well, it was Scott Roeders home at least, now presumably he is in jail).
After a happy getaway weekend, a time with family, a time to forget the craziness of the world this news snapped me directly back to reality. The world is not a happy or peaceful place. Humans are not really very nice. At least the nice and sane ones are in the minority I fear.
People who I consider somewhere between slow and outright stupid rule the planet. Kansas is not alone in this regard. "The wages of sin are death" is a favorite saying amongst the Bible thumpers. Dr. Tiller was judged by many to have sinned. Although he had committed no crime in the eyes of the law, or in the eyes of his church where he was a faithful member for many years, he was condemned to death.
Ultimately the executioner was Scott Roeder, now hailed a hero by the idiotic evangelical self righteous and all knowing baby savers of the world. Yes, Scott Roeder (allegedly) pulled the trigger but who besides him are guilty of this crime? Who condones the murders of licensed medical practitioners who are doing in the light of day under sterile and safe conditions what used to be done in back alleys and filthy backrooms by gin guzzling hacks?
Bill O'Reilly for one. That a supposedly sane and rational man who has a responsible media leadership position: a man admired by many who are blinded by the passion of religious fervor, can advocate acts of murder in a public forum is just soooo beyond me. Bill you douchebag, do you actually feel better now that Dr. Tiller is in fact dead? I suspect you do.
These are dark days indeed and I despair for the young people of the world. My sons generation and beyond. The world is fucked in so many ways (RIP General Motors, just a side thought). Well, not the world... not this Earth, not the Universe. Just our species. We came close but never evolved far enough to ultimately make it here on this planet. I foresee a large "correction" in the future for the human race. Planet Earth will be just fine after she shakes the ugliness off her back like so many fleas.
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Below... in the tradition of Foodie Tuesday is the best rhubarb pie I have tasted in 20 years or more, served up in the dining room of the Emma Chase Cafe where we were eating last Sunday morning as noted above.
The Humble Clay Studio next door is for Bees Tone and Elizabeth Priddy, both avid potters. I thought of how peaceful, almost surreally so, to be in a place like Cottonwood Falls Ks. creating pottery... creating art, and selling enough of it to get by. What a life that would be...
The bottom two pics are self explanatory. Well, the top one explains the bottom one. Just a stones throw up the street in Cottonwood Falls...
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Comments
I hate that you're bummed and hope that we can have something happy this week.
Your post is poignant. I, too, fear for us. Connie Mack said earlier she thought we were going backwards, and that is the sensation I've had for a while now.
Your writing shines.
The juxtaposition of my favourite pie--rhubarb--with this essay startled me. But I do love rhubarb pie, and I wish I could try this extraordinary pie. But I will, someday. Thanks for reminding me that there are good things--many, many good things--even on days that seem bleak.
Take care of yourself.
Rated
There is something about a post that grounds a story in its own geography, geography that is connected to the storyteller that pins it to the Earth in a way that ordinary reporters can only dream about.
FLW you're kind and thanks.. I'm glad you came by and read this and left your thoughts
OE
Kob
Don Rich
thank you
I can't believe anyone would defend cold blooded murder.
And you pics? Kansas just keeps looking better every post.
Well said.
I don't know when the world's going to get better but I do know that I'm not willing to foresee the death of our species yet, and by extension the extinction of my children and my children's children. I also know that there have been times in my life where I looked far and wide for one decent person and couldn't find her. And I also know that I've met so many people here on OS that are more than decent people that can and do make the world a better place, and I am encouraged by that. I hope that when you're rested you will feel the same way too.
Remember the role in Suicide's Auditions (Mr. Mustard's play) for hopelessness.
Eat some pie, take a nap, and then jump back into the fray with your like minded friends.
Denese
Mary T I know... I always maintain a happy outlook, or at least I used to. I hope I'm wrong but I'm getting some bad feelings here.
Mission it is the O'Reillyites... that type that just scare me to death.
Thanks for that..
first... sadness for a senseless death
second O'Reilly should be tried for murder on charges of depraved indifference.
third your essays and photos suggest a new career.
fourth.. --rated--
Ms. VR.. you always brighten my day and today I was committed to somber you messed me up here. (thanks anyway:)
Vincent I stole that from someone.... just can't remember who. Thanks for reading and commenting here.
owlie I'm so glad as always to see you at my blog... I get very good vibrations from you. well that would go for pretty much everyone on OS but thanks nonetheless
Jane S let's hope we are wrong huh... people are so damn stupid and vicious.
I could gobble up that slice of rhubarb a la mode until, in the words of Eric Theodore Cartman, I would have to moan: "No more pie!"
Janie K I know I/we need to, basically, ignore the acts of the ignorant... downright stupid as fuck assholes that run free and rampant. I'm working my way thru that right now.
OSM yes, a contradiction that those same assholes have no answer for... not one that I've heard.
melissa moore I think I'll feel better soon. we have to figure a way for the future of our kids and I'm right there with you and denese on that.
Stacey glad to agree with you that we are not alone here. But Kansas has a black eye so often when it comes to these matters...
This happened in my neighborhood. Awful.
" At least the nice and sane ones are in the minority I fear." Now I have to disagree. Listen, Trig: count one day the good people, not the bastards; then count the bastards: they will be outnumbered by the good people; i´m sure of that. This world sucks, I´m not naive in that sense. We all suffer from the effects of some horrible humans who shouldn´t be where they are... but, believe it or not, they are a minority. If you feel we are doomed, you give them more space, more drive. It´s not the Earth shaking the fleas from her back; WE have to make the change by educating people, by giving good examples, by helping people to think freely; by not supporting the bastards, by not buying their pseudo patriotic speeches, by not voting for the bastards. It´s just my opinion, ok? I can´t stand to see them win, there´s too much at stake... my children and your child come first in my thoughts.
OK, now I can call it a day.
Kisses, man. Good night (very, very late here in Buenos Aires...)
Whatever happened to a piece of an old-fashioned pie for dessert?
Pie can be really good. I can see why they came up with the phrase, "a piece of the pie," when describing success/money/fame.
Where's your piece of the pie? Where's mine? Will there even be a pie, when our kids grow up?
Gosh! I wish these self-righteous pricks were outraged by an invasion of Iraq for oil and about torture, about the dying economy, about our damaged planet, but no....women are such an easy target for men, and always have been. This is yet another Republican Smokescreen Issue.
I wonder if Americans will ever realize how controlled they are. After all, who needs tyrants and armies to control populations?! How messy and expensive that all is! Brainwash citizens from birth that ours is the greatest nation on earth, in spite of all the endless wars, the torture, the looting of our national treasury in October 2008 by the former president, the constant fear that the media pushes because of "terrorists" and "criminals", on and on. Americans have lost their jobs, their businesses, their savings, their homes....but I guess no matter what the evidence to the contrary, this is still the greatest nation on earth, gosh darn it, and Americans will put up with anything!
Boy, does that brainwashing work!!