When some folks asked me to produce a program for public radio 32 years ago, seems as there were at least 5 guys there in the studio that weren't married. There was also a woman in there who --- well, when she walked in you knew that she raised sheep. One by one the gay guys and the sheep woman were weeded out because they didn't fit in (belong to the political party that voted with management) and even getting married didn't keep my head off the block. You can see that each and every one of us would be an embarrassment to any station entrusted with serving the public. A year or so ago charges were leveled against the last surviving hippie (homo groovius), he is finally gone, and now our local public radio broadcasts are delivered by a staff that is completely trustworthy, homogeneous and pure. If an overeducated liberal is yet to be found in some dusty back office, it is because he knows enough to paste a “Support Our Troops” sticker on his car and evince other manifestations of belonging to mainstream America.

But that's to be figured. If you were running a public radio station that counted more and more on corporate funding and less on listeners would you want a bunch of hippies, gays and women libbers working for you?

The humble Farmer

I know about donkeys. Yesterday morning it took me over an hour to pull one onto a trailer so we could put it in another pasture. You can't move a donkey from one pasture to another by leading it by a halter like a horse or cow or towing it with a tractor because the donkey will sit down and skid along on its rear end rather than walk. --- Which can get messy crossing a tar road. Nice analogy in this piece.

Professor McIntosh is, as usual, on the money. We all have friends who say they hate thuh gov'mnt when what they mean is that they hate corporate America that directs the policy of our government. I admire the good Professor for articulating sentiments that would get him kicked off some Public Radio stations.

Now I have forgotten what I was looking for when the witty title to your piece sucked me in.

Well done.

It reminds me that over 30 years ago I, a bachelor of 40, got a handful of women's underwear at Good Will. We were dedicating and unveiling a brass plaque on the outside of the church to honor a maiden lady of about 80. While everyone was in the church, I was commissioned to bolt the plaque in place and cover it with cloth that could be yanked away after all were assembled. Being a product of my age, I thought it would be delicious fun to cover the plaque with women’s underwear. --- And while running the delicate little things through my washing machine, I thought it would be even more fun to go next door to my old neighbor, Gramp Wiley, and tell him that I had to leave and would he please come over in half an hour and hang out the wash I had thrown in the machine. He later told me that while he was hanging it out on my line, the very same very proper lady we were about to honor and surprise with a plaque drove in my yard. Gramp said, “I felt like a fool.” The following week in a newspaper report of the dedication, we read that “… the plaque was covered with material supplied by Robert Skoglund which he must have obtained with some difficulty.”

From your interesting report one would guess that nowadays little boys are a bit more blasé than even big boys were years ago.

We have lost our innocence.

I share your pain.

The humble Farmer

While listening here at my computer, I went on Amazon and bought Cory Robin's book, Fear: The History of a Political Idea.

Program manager: Philosophy Talk should be aired on your station. It is the kind of program that makes intelligent people lock you in on the dial --- and send you money.

We'd love to hear Philosophy Talk while puttering in the workshop or driving an endless commute. The miles would fly by.

Unfortunately, programs that encourage people to think are losing ground as the extreme right slowly but surely fills Public Radio's management and board positions. The Philosophy Talk you hear in many states might only be a token airing --- so that educated people might think there's nothing amiss --- and will continue to be there for fund raising.

For example: one public radio station would dearly love to dump the man from Minnesota because of his politics --- I have seen this in writing --- but doesn't dare because he's a cash cow.

Keep up the good work Philosophy Talk. You are essential. Watch your back.

The humble Farmer

The title to this piece reminds me of a bit of wisdom Zach says he heard me pass along on my radio program many years ago. --- What’s the shortest sentence in the English language? “I am.” What’s the longest sentence in the English language? “I do.” If saying do once gets you into trouble, can it also suggest what you might be stepping in if you get married twice?
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Thanks for this piece. We can all appreciate what you are doing here for city people.

Of course here in Maine, where there is more elbow room, it's a different story. Any organic rhubarb farmer knows that even a Saint Bernard will never replace his young Angus bull when it comes to enriching and preserving our planet. And after three years of faithful service, you wouldn't eat the dog.

Keep up the good work. We'll be listening.

The humble Farmer

James McIntosh is right on target as usual. Because I sometimes write satire, I have been accused of writing and saying true things about bad people. When questioned, I can prove that I never wrote or said a word about sneaky old so-and-so. That's when I'm countered with, "It's not what you said --- it's what people PERCEIVED. When I heard this perceptive piece by Professor McIntosh I couldn't help but think --- that although what thousands of people perceived I said has cost me money it hasn't cost me any friends.

I laughed when I read the description. One wonders what other countries think of the US where the outcome of presidential elections can be decided by a conservative court and not the ballot box. "The US might be a nice place to visit but working people are rapidly losing ground there."

The humble Farmer

Go

Your neighbor humble

I haven't posted enough comments to know that anything submitted between brackets is deleted. I read French and Dutch and other languages where thoughts or quotes are often set off by brackets, so I set off my thoughts between "I immediately thought... But --- in brackets. But my thoughts were deleted by the brackets. Sorry to mess this up for you. If we are lucky, nobody will read my comment and wonder what it was I was hoping to say.

Keep up the good work.

Neighbor humble

James McIntosh is always worth hearing, but this piece is truly inspired and worth airing over and over.

The humble Farmer

If it is any comfort to you, Indiana does not have a monopoly on censorship.

The humble Farmer, St. George, Maine

After listening to this piece I resolved to ask my wife to leave my list of projects on the kitchen table at night before we go to bed. Having them whispered in my ear when I first wake up in the morning is too enervating.

I listened, hoping you'd say something about circular breathing.

We hear that taste and smell can remind us of of a poignant moment.

Listening to the didgeridoo took me back to a sound I heard over 65 years ago in my mother's kitchen. My father was out back, finishing up some repairs on the plumbing, when suddenly, we heard his didgeridooish voice saying, "I am the voice of the sink spout."

The humble Farmer

Good advice that you can get in less than 60 seconds should not be ignored.