tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9263500.post113500151108453578..comments2023-10-02T07:55:24.415-04:00Comments on Words Matter: The US BluesJimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01763876658345223153noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9263500.post-1135088822839458602005-12-20T09:27:00.000-05:002005-12-20T09:27:00.000-05:00"sadly, I'm afraid some of his best material is le..."sadly, I'm afraid some of his best material is left off from our public school instruction."<BR/><BR/>There you go again, you grumpy old nostalgist, you... Did you have a hand in writing <A HREF="http://www.phespirit.info/montypython/four_yorkshiremen.htm" REL="nofollow">this</A>?<BR/><BR/>Kidding aside, I reckon they would treat Twain like they treat Sean Penn or George Clooney- minimize him as part of the cultural elite, a "Paddle Steamer Liberal" or similar.<BR/><BR/>Oh, and if you haven't already, I'd read Bill Bryson's <A HREF="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0060920084/102-1740971-1904946?v=glance&n=283155" REL="nofollow">"Lost Continent"</A> for a great (and very funny) hymn to the loss of the Norman Rockwell scenes of his boomer childhood from modern America. He goes to Hannibal to see Twain's birthplace- priceless writing.Wisdom Weaselhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18216020315074987565noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9263500.post-1135079174178122212005-12-20T06:46:00.000-05:002005-12-20T06:46:00.000-05:00Twain has much to commend him to current day reade...Twain has much to commend him to current day readers--sadly, I'm afraid some of his best material is left off from our public school instruction.<BR/><BR/>Can you imagine the charges that would be lobbed Twain's way, if he were alive today? How about the irrepressible H.L. Mencken for flogging the national psyche and refuges of the scoundrels of his day? <BR/><BR/>At least in former days, the writings of Twain, Mencken and other critics, received an audience; hell, Twain went on a international speaking tour.<BR/><BR/>If you and Country Mouse ever have the opportunity to stop in Hartford, CT, visit Twain's home and museum. Definitely one of those hidden treasures of New England.<BR/><BR/>It's always good to have a contrarian running about, keeping me honest and preventing me from wallowing in pomposity and spewing too much hot air!Jimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01763876658345223153noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9263500.post-1135023300753669702005-12-19T15:15:00.000-05:002005-12-19T15:15:00.000-05:00PS: its nice to be able to agree with you on somet...PS: its nice to be able to agree with you on something again!Wisdom Weaselhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18216020315074987565noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9263500.post-1135023238218799272005-12-19T15:13:00.000-05:002005-12-19T15:13:00.000-05:00Don't forget one of the best epigramatical writers...Don't forget one of the best epigramatical writers on patriotism, Mark Twain. From (I think I remember rightly) <EM>A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court</EM>: "My kind of loyalty was loyalty to one's country, not to its institutions or its office-holders."<BR/><BR/>I often feel than unalloyed flag waving that does not allow mature reflection on both the good and bad in a country is just the public face of an insecure and nervous nation. Its the equivalent of sticking your fingers in your ears and yelling "blahhblahhblahh!" when someone tries to pass on unpleasant information.Wisdom Weaselhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18216020315074987565noreply@blogger.com