Optimism

[lavender]

 

[DevilMayCare]

...I suppose I'm trying to demonstrate a less anti-American stance on things. I can't find anything.

Please post anything that you find that reaffirms your faith in humanity...

Lavender - I wonder at the two halves of your wish, to be less anti-American and to read something that reaffirms your faith in humanity. I don't imagine those wishes are mutually exclusive, but it would much easier to find writings that reaffirm faith in humanity if the other wish were set aside. A broader theme of patriotism doesn't always sit easily with a tender, more focused look at human kindness. I'm not encouraging you to be anti-American, though the cacophony of voices around the Bob Kerry's recent Vietnam revelations certainly don't show America in the best light.

I'd recommend the fiction of Wendell Berry, a Kentucky farmer who studied writing with Wallace Stegner at Stanford University before becoming a professor of literature at the University of Kentucky. He gave up his teaching to focus on farming, raising a family and writing. He's the epitome of self-reliance and straight talk. He also writes beautiful poetry and stories that break your heart.

I read his most recent Jayber Crow and have read Fidelity and Remembering. They are all beautiful, truthful books about families, growing up and growing older, love and death, sharing and loss.

Here's a little sample from Jayber Crow that I typed out because it touched me.

...love, sooner or later, forces us out of time. It does not accept that limit. Of all that we feel and do, all the virtues and all the sins, love alone crowds us at last over the edge of the world. For love is always more than a little strange here. It is not explainable or even justifiable. It is itself the justifier. We do not make it. If it did not happen to us, we could not imagine it. It includes the world and time as a pregnant woman includes her child whose wrongs she will suffer and forgive. It is in the world but is not altogether of it. It is of eternity. It takes us there when it most holds us here.

He writes prose like the poet he is. Let me know what you think I you decide to check out his work. You might also want to check his Sabbath Poems, which he wrote during walks in the woods on his farm on Sunday mornings when his family went to church. They're beautiful as well.

 

[lavender]

 

[DevilMayCare]

...I have presented myself in a very anti-American light. I have been notified of this and am trying to rectify the situation.

That was the reason for the American focus.

We're celebrating the joy of an undivided government for the first time in a long while, so perhaps a bit of chauvinism is understandable. But ours is a country that prides itself on freedom of speech. We're not particularly adept at self-reflection however. Like most nations we prefer to sweep the more unsavory parts of our history under the rug. I made reference in my post to former Senator Bob Kerrey's revelations about Vietnam, which is leading many to once again reflect on our role in that war, which to be honest was far from honorable.

I don't know what you said, but defenders of this country can easily be myopic about its shortcomings, which are numerous. Yes, its a wonderful place to live and no it is not perfect. Far from it. Sadly, discussions about these matters on this board become quickly overheated and often vicious. That's why I avoid them. I don't think you need to prove yourself a patriot, but you might want to focus your attention here on less controversial subjects. Good writing is always a worthwhile thing to talk about. I'm sure you'll find others as well.

See you around the board. I'm going to hit the rack.

 

[Weird Harold]

I've been trying desperately to find stories about things going on in America that make my heart swell with pride or happiness.

I don't know where to find the story on the web, but Headline News had a segment recently on a ten-year-old boy who delivered his baby sister with the guidance of a 911 operator.

It especially caught my attention because of what he said about all of the hoopla.

"everybody keeps calling me a hero. I'm not a hero, I just did what needed to be done."

Is that the kind of story you wanted?

 

[DevilMayCare]

Along the lines of what Weird Harold mentions I came across the site below that has some inspirational stories you might enjoy.

http://home.earthlink.net/~viczarley/

Or, how about some "Hopeful Stories?"

http://www.angelfire.com/id/motivational/stories17.html


They're all around us. Have fun lavender.

 

[delite]

may be its because I'm not American but hey I like Americans your all (in general) alot more open and honest than the brits.
you all come over as having a great believe in your country and why shouldn't you.
Whats wrong with being patriotic? there's enough people in other countries all too willing to slag you off, why do it your selves?

 

[Mischka]

I believe, delite, that you'll find the most ardent supporters of any ideal (including a nation) are also its most vocal critics. Valid criticisms allow a nation to reflect upon areas in which it needs to improve. In my mind, lavender fits the mold of an intelligent patriot quite well - always striving for the greatest good, whether it possible to reach or not. I think this thread is a wonderful opportunity to expound upon that. I'm off to find uplifting stories now...

 

[CelestialBody]

 

[Mischka]

Hey CB -

I just read on another thread how you wished to have further conversations with lavender and me. Very cool. We'll of course have to continue that trend when you get back after the summer.

As for lavender's seemingly skewed perspective on America, I've told her that I believe it stems from one of the limitations of the Boards. She is truly an ardent supporter of the U.S. in real life, but on Lit she has come across as a tad negative because she has only had the opportunity to participate in a few political threads (and she's mucho-liberal, if you haven't gathered). Since she's only exposed one side of herself here, she's been viewed as anti-U.S. Hence the point of this thread.

And I should add that I don't think it's that she couldn't find any optimistic articles on the U.S., but rather that she hasn't had the time to look for one. We're in the middle of finals, and law books have dominated her existence.

 

[CelestialBody]

 

[Mischka]

Good luck with your last final, as well, CB. There are few feelings as refreshing than turning in that last exam.

Of course I'm biased, but I think law school is awesome. I took three years off between undergrad and law school, and I'm glad I did. I worked for a law firm to make sure it was something I was truly interested in pursuing before I plunked down the tuition. Plus the years out in the work force gave me a work ethic that I firmly believe has given me an edge over people who went straight through. But no matter if you go straight through or take time between degrees - law school is an amazing experience. Teaches you to analyze problems in an entirely new light.

 

[CreamyLady]

So does a good logic course, and one need not deal with lawyers.

Sorry, Mischka. I spent half a lifetime pandering to the slimeballs of your chosen profession, and my view is very, very jaundiced. The irony is, my own daughter is planning to join them.

 

[Mischka]

If it helps, CreamyLady, think about people like your daughter and me as helping to uphold the higher values of the profession. Some of the most admirable people I have met have been lawyers, and I wish to continue that trend.

 

[lavender]

 

[lavender]

 

[CelestialBody]

lavender,

 

[lavender]

 

[lavender]

 

[CelestialBody]

 

[lavender]

 

[CelestialBody]

 

[lavender]

 

[CelestialBody]

 

[lavender]