The Observation Deck

Recently, there been some talk that this old 'Deck's been kinda quiet lately...

Some have thought that perhaps it might be spruced up a bit by someone writing something controversial.

Now, those of you who know me, know that I'm normally the guy who likes to try and smooth things over around here when they start gettin' out of hand...

That's sort of what the banjo players I've met seem to like to do... if I could make a somewhat broad and utterly unscientific and speculative generalization here...

(Oh, I'm sure there's possibly a banjo player around somewhere who likes to raise a ruckus, but I don't know of too many of 'em in this neck of the 'Wood. )

So, I guess it's time for me to shock people and write something controversial, so here it goes:

"Something controversial"

There.

I've gone and done it. I've written "something controversial".

Hope no one was too awfully offended.

Back to the banjo...

Dang it Gary---- Ya plunked a bad string there!!!!

Tune that thing. You're way off.

.

Gary

Actually the comment was traffic is still up from a year ago, but the city seems to be even
more afraid to post or comment on how things are going. When I speak with people on the
street, they mention how they read the Deck and love it but are afraid they will say the
wrong thing or get "shouted down." While I suppose I understand both comments, I also
think they are both foolish. For a city to move forward, they will be rough moments and
conversations. But through those conversations we can learn so much about our city and
the people in it. So why be afraid to join an open conversation?

I would say many reasons. Some because for some ungodly reason the world thinks there
needs to be harmony. This is ideal, but very childish. The world to move needs to turn, and
churn both in reality and in ideas. This is not facebook, where the prozac drool of mundane
comments thrown to the wind in the hopes of some hopelessly board and tragically lonely
person actually stops long enough to stop posting and read something. "Well I think it is
decafe today."

This board was created to inform, vet and vent. When it was put together the organizers
realized full well understood that every evening would not end with hugs and smores around
the campfire known as the Deck.

I believe it was god that said. "To make an omelet you are going to have to scramble a few
eggs." If not him someone certainly inspired by him. Cities, and communities are like
god's omelets.

What was that quote????

“We will have to repent in this generation not merely for the vitriolic words and actions of
the bad people, but for the appalling silence of the good people.” Martin Luther King, Jr.
posted by Ken Wilder

It brings me back to something I have questioned for years. Why was the band that played
while the Titanic was sinking ever considered heroes? Wouldn't it have been better if they
hand actually helped get people into the lifeboats that were never used?

Random thoughts on labor day, and why we work.

.

Ah. Jimmy Jimmy Jimmy....

Perhaps you're right. History certainly show that this old world of ours has certainly "turned and churned".

(Come to think of it, in my time, I've probably contributed my fair share to the "turning and churning" crowd)

But is it really being "childish" to work and hope for harmony? (translate- peace?)


I'm not sure that you'd want to go down that road with me, for I have answers to that one that you might not want to hear. Working for peace is not always a piece of cake.

As far as the "band" on the Titanic went, people do not even agree about the tunes they played. (Some said "Nearer My God To Thee", some said "Autumn") but in fact virtually all usable lifeboats were indeed methodically launched on that vessel and the "band" was indeed, heroic. (2 boats were not, as the ship apparently just ran out of time, and a number of the boats were indeed launched well below capacity for several reasons) The Titanic survivors might not have remembered the tunes selected by the "band", but they certainly remembered the "band's" bravery. (Technically, it was an "orchestra", since strings were involved)

By the way, unless I am mistaken, members of the "band" were not signed on as crew members either. Technically, I believe that they were categorized as passengers.

Are musicians therefore any less brave, or less valuable than other members of society during a crisis? Don't ask my dad about that one, as he was an Army musician during WWII. Or, maybe you should. I suspect that he could give you an earful about that topic.

Lastly, I'm not sure what it was that you thought that "God" might have said about all of this either. As for me, I'll stick to the Sermon On The Mount, and that part about peacemakers being blessed...

Back to the s'mores and hugs, my brother....