(Email exchange in order of top to bottom)
To John Guardalabene
2-2-10
Beanbag; yr legumosity; '6',
Howard Zinn, fighter to the very end, a man about whom I venture you knew much more than I, was obviously a prophet whose portfolio will continue to gather momentum behind his earthly upright treading.
I was introduced to him by my friend Rev. Dr. John Helt during my Friedens church period in the 80's. Also where I met Dee, UCC Parish Worker from Maryland. That whole consciousness-raising experience during which my life, if graphed, looks like a range of fresh steep mountains, with equal regard for ups and downs. All ups due to Dee, both directly and indirectly.
I am saying this to you as I want to include your words in the Waukesha Sewer Raccoon News, another organ, the third, but one that has lived beyond Vulcan Weathervanes and The Yibawean Society. The Yibawe license plate still rides on our car, however. All three manifestations arose from the rich soil of Zinnland, the Heltland, et mucho al.
As to you reflections on the Gertie Phenomena, (ed note: see * below) I could not agree more, nor said it as well. Your random (?) crossing of my path, 6, was not random.
Cup of Dixie, and
2
----- Original Message -----
From: John Guardalabene
To: David Dix
Sent: Monday, February 01, 2010 8:27 PM
Subject: Re: 6, meet Blei
Howard Zinn, fighter to the very end, a man about whom I venture you knew much more than I, was obviously a prophet whose portfolio will continue to gather momentum behind his earthly upright treading.
I was introduced to him by my friend Rev. Dr. John Helt during my Friedens church period in the 80's. Also where I met Dee, UCC Parish Worker from Maryland. That whole consciousness-raising experience during which my life, if graphed, looks like a range of fresh steep mountains, with equal regard for ups and downs. All ups due to Dee, both directly and indirectly.
I am saying this to you as I want to include your words in the Waukesha Sewer Raccoon News, another organ, the third, but one that has lived beyond Vulcan Weathervanes and The Yibawean Society. The Yibawe license plate still rides on our car, however. All three manifestations arose from the rich soil of Zinnland, the Heltland, et mucho al.
As to you reflections on the Gertie Phenomena, (ed note: see * below) I could not agree more, nor said it as well. Your random (?) crossing of my path, 6, was not random.
Cup of Dixie, and
2
----- Original Message -----
From: John Guardalabene
To: David Dix
Sent: Monday, February 01, 2010 8:27 PM
Subject: Re: 6, meet Blei
2:
Apologies for delay in responding. Yes, Toni’s mother is Japanese-American—still living at 87. BTW, saw your email on Howard Zinn. He is revered both in this household and in Berkeley generally. I listened to him many times over the years on KPFA, our Pacifica radio station. Howard seemed a genuine man of integrity. A life well –lived in my view.
6
David Dix at ddix1@wi.rr.com wrote:
That profundity,6, is to be saved, certainly in this backed-up computer. Even there the urgency of proper understanding is a requisite.thank you for your reply.2 over
ps
Is not Toni of Japanese ancestry? If so I have something for her from our attic archives, a booklet made by my mother on the Japanese, circa 1925. She was in grade school in Sun Prairie WI. Must mail it. Touching, I think.
Advise.
----- Original Message ----- From: John Guardalabene
*
My Dear Cup,
There’s a lesson (probably more than one) in our experience with Gertie. Most people in finding paper money rolled up in the coin return of a pay phone—if there are any such public instruments remaining—would conclude that the cash was planted and either take it or leave but walk away with a smile.
Gertie was not limited in this way. The possibilities in life were open-ended to her. While she guarded her find, there was no ironic look on her face. If something good in the form of a coin could come out of a pay phone, why not something better?
Sometimes I think that intelligence, or what passes for intelligence, is our worst enemy. This can work on both the individual and collective level. What’s the point of trying this or that if it’s inconsistent with our experience and the way we believe the world works.
We save our energy for the tried and true. Flying outside the flock can result in permanent separation. Even expressing unorthodox opinions can result in very unpleasant consequences, including the loss of one’s life. The Inquisition of the Catholic Church didn’t condemn every victim to death but certainly must have discouraged many from pursuing a life of science.
The Chinese cultural revolution didn’t prevent China from going capitalist but it ruined many families and ended many lives prematurely and violently.
My point is that craziness is simply a label and often one that we apply to others because of our own self-interests, inadequacies or shortcomings. I’m not suggesting Gertie was an ignored genius whose brilliance or contributions to society will one day be obvious.
I’m merely saying that Gertie’s ability to accept what we would view as the impossible is something worth reflecting on.
Your Brother at the wheel,
206
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