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| Music for Centennial, 1971 |
It appears our circumstances will not be ready for this. The comment has floated around that "the virus doesn't care that we are getting tired of it." Some ambivalence has been floating around too. It is rather confounding. We go from a pretty tight shutdown, to some loosening, but it's hard to be certain why. Vaccinations aren't that far along, are they?
It would be easy here to beat up on the now-former president. Plenty of flagellation is going to happen. You might be aware that my own thoughts are oriented that way. Naturally we should focus on where we're at right now. Biden is not going to get the barge turned around immediately. Everyone should wish him well although we know that won't happen.
Our Morris area has had more than its share of Trump loyalists. They look at someone like me, sniff and say we simply "hate" Trump. The argument can easily get religious. So-called evangelical Christianity has been a bulwark of support for the now-former president. A perfect kindling for conflict, I guess: religion and politics. Well, right now we have to be laser-focused on federal government action relative to the pandemic.
Democrats are programmed by their nature to be willing to spend money to simply help people. Republicans have a philosophy of everyone having to fend for themselves, and I don't mean to dismiss this orientation out of hand. But the pandemic called for a strong hand from the federal government from the get-go. To unleash the distinct power and assets of the federal government which can always find substantial assets to fight wars.
Trump said as he exited that a prime accomplishment of his was to keep the U.S. out of any new wars. That's very admirable. If only the man could have put forward more of an attitude of basic caring and compassion. On that count he struck out totally. He couldn't even pretend to show these qualities.
Rick Snyder, the now-indicted former Republican governor of Michigan, refused some time ago to endorse Trump, and his stance made an impression on me because he based it on Trump being a bully. Such a succinct and dead-on statement. We all know the basic nature of bullies. Snyder is in a heap of trouble because of he Flint MI water disaster.
We have our own water issues in Morris where it seems city residents cannot get a truly definite clarification on whether we need softeners or not. The newspaper at one point paraphrased the city's position as "stop wasting money on salt." Taken literally, that means we don't need softeners, period and end of question. But the city won't take that step, based on what I have observed.
Granted I have not seen the Morris paper since the pandemic broke out, turned our lives upside down. Has the paper offered some clarification on water treatment, on whether it's even needed? Would seem to be a fairly straightforward question to have answered. Alas, government channels and bureaucracy can get clouded. With advancing years comes this revelation or wisdom.
Government includes so many people with CYA motivation. Therefore I sometimes sympathize with those who call themselves "conservatives" and who remind us of the fallacies that can come from government.
Conservatives have gravely hurt their own cause by allowing Trump-ism to take over, fueled by of all people, the "evangelical Christians." The latter rationalize that we can overlook all of Trump's obvious personal failings by realizing man's sinful nature. God made us that way. Meanwhile it's the people who are outwardly atheist who seem better equipped to tackle public issues in an objective, constructive way. They won't give a pass for anyone being "sinful," like for when someone pays off a pornstar for her silence. Let's see, who did that?
Can we envision springtime?
My late mother said that once we're past the first of the year, we can truly start thinking of spring. Well, such thoughts will dance in your head while the reality does not fully cooperate. Close your eyes, imagine the coming warm weather months here in Morris. To what extent will we be free to circulate? Can we get an approximation of our regular lives?
A few public events would be savored to the utmost. And here I'm proud to point out that 2021 is Morris' Sesquicentennial year. It's the basis for a quite grand community celebration. It's precious for yours truly as someone who had involvement in the Morris Centennial. The year was 1971 of course. I was pleased to play in musical groups under the supervision of our high school band director, John Woell.
John is extant, happy to say. So is Dick Bluth who was in charge of the grand Centennial. I approached Dick a while back to ask if he was up to being in charge for the Sesquicentennial. I suppose I asked the question in a semi-teasing way because I knew he wouldn't be champing at the bit to do it again. He answered "no" with a smile.
A friend has emailed to me the recent acknowledgment in the paper of the Sesquicentennial milestone. I was struck by how the announcement was made by the city manager. It's a nice announcement but I'm rather confused why municipal government, rather than the (alleged) Chamber of Commerce would be taking the lead on this. You would think a committee would already be set up, but I accept the excuse that the pandemic has wiped out all sorts of usual routines.
It's anyone's guess now, how our celebrating is going to turn out.
I have suggested that the museum do an exhibit on the Centennial. Photos could be submitted but here's a reminder: picture-taking was a less common activity in 1971, long before digital times. A common camera was the Kodak "Instamatic." The Ron Howard movie "Apollo 13" showed a crowd of people poised with their Instamatics. You may have discovered that old Instamatic pictures do not scan well for online. In fact they're terrible.
The late Florence Sarlette of Morris was ahead of her time with her quality camera, and she took terrific photos of the band kids. We were dressed in period attire. The men around town were encouraged to grow beards. Woell was in the spirit with this. I'm sure he got paid extra for his yeoman's work. What could be more delightful than the sound of band kids?
I remember a small ensemble, which John called a "German band" - his ethnicity? - along with a larger one that played under the "alfalfa arch" just off main street. Don't confuse this with the small-scale arch that was placed over East 7th Street by the FFA kids over several years for Prairie Pioneer Days. Thanks to the FFA for that. But the arch in '71 was a total re-creation of the original. The alfalfa arch is perhaps the most iconic symbol from Morris history. Refresh yourselves.
The prospects for our Sesquicentennial celebration are tied to progress vs. the pandemic. Surely the Biden administration will be a sea change in terms of response. Now, you really aren't going to argue with me on this, are you? If you are, you'll probably just say I'm a "Trump hater." That's why these conversations get nowhere.
The Trump people think nothing of venting hatred toward Democrats. Odd world in which we live. We might have to suppress evangelical Christianity. Obviously that's not the type of church I attend. Reminder to evangelicals: "Beware false prophets."
My podcast for Jan. 21
My "Morris Mojo" episode on this blustery mid-winter day - yes, the "dead of winter" - looks ahead to the possibility of a Sesquicentennial celebration for Morris. I share some tidbits from early Morris history. The railroad led to our creation! Here is the permalink:
- Brian Williams - morris mn minnesota - bwilly73@yahoo.com
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| John Woell directs Morris High School musicians under the grand "alfalfa arch" for the Morris Centennial in 1971. Can this scene be repeated for the Sesquicentennial? |
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