Marr ... One On One - An Open Letter To Readers
By Ron Marr (05/17/03)
I tend to believe that we are always at the beginning, that life has its own agenda and we can do little but accept its quirks, joys, blows and surprises. I tend to believe that though there are great inequities in the world, such differences in fate, fortune, luck and talent are but the counterweights of existence.
I tend to believe that you cannot truly know good without having experienced evil, cannot truly know love without having experience hate, cannot truly laugh until you've cried, cannot truly appreciate life until you have endured death.
I believe lots of things, more than could ever be spoken in an 850 word essay. However, since this column has generated an overwhelming amount of publicity these past few months - feature stories, letters, commentary, discussion groups - I suppose it's time I go against my initial feelings and toss in my two bits Make no mistake, I'm flattered beyond description by the kind words and support. On the flip side, I'm gratified that the detractors are enraged enough to offer opposition.
But I'm boggled by the public reaction. After all, I've been writing this piece in local, regional and national magazines and papers since about 1985. In my own mind I'm just a wandering Hillbilly with a pack of dogs who doesn't have the good sense to keep his mouth shut. But again, I'm honored that you read it and respond in whatever manner you so choose.
The truth...my single goal in writing was, is and always shall be based around a single premise. It is to present ideas that lead people to feel, ponder, laugh, sob or notice steam rising from their collar. Individual reaction is not as important to me as that the words are an impetus to consider something other than the price of hamburger or the finalists of American Idol. My aim revolves around voicing opinions that might otherwise lie silent. That's both end of story and start of story...prologue and epilogue in one tidy little package.
But I'd be lying if I were to claim that the attention paid to your's truly hasn't left me confused. As with all things, I believe it is far more important to consider the words that are spoken than it is to wonder about the person who speaks them. I mean, I like the "strategeries" of George W, but couldn't care less about what he has for breakfast. I detested the dictatorial ambitions of Bill Clinton, but didn't give a flip about his childhood angst. I just don't understand the appeal of "People" magazine or the ratings garnered to such tripe as Oscar night or an "E Hollywood Profile" of Karen Carpenter. Who cares?
Nonetheless, because of all the free ink I've received this year, allow me to clear up a few misconceptions. Am I an angry guy as so many claim? Sure...sometimes...if something makes me angry. Mostly I'm just happy with my pups and fire, friends, family and guitar. Am I a lonely, maladjusted hermit who hates his own species? Heck no. I may lean to the hermit side of the force but I see and enjoy people, places and things every day. I simply don't feel political correctness has a place in society, and would rather say what I mean than sugar-coat it with platitudes. Sensitivity and compassion should be reserved for your one on one dealings with kith, kin and acquaintance. In fact, those lofty traits are integral to courtesy and civilized behavior. That said though, sensitivity and compassion have no place when confronting matters such as the theft of freedom and liberty, or the actions of a trickster politician with an army of spin doctors.
Am I a "black and white" sort of fellow. Sure, if the question lends itself to black and white answers. Many do. Many don't. I'll even give you an example. I was recently - much to my surprise - a little saddened to learn that one of the great loves of my life was getting married. Things between us were left unresolved and unsaid and it really wasn't very long ago. But in the same moment, sitting in front on a roaring fire in my new little tavern, watching the fog rise from the river and hearing the geese overhead, I knew that I was blessed. Sadness and joy, gain and loss, future and past...all these things co-exist. Black and white are a part of humanity, just as are infinite shades of gray. Often they intermingle.
Look folks, I tend to believe life is about contradiction. Life is about appreciating what you have as well as appreciating the hidden gifts of what you don't have. I tend to believe that life is as fun a ride as you want to make it. I tend to think life is about thinking, feeling and believing.
And for those who have thought, felt or believed, maybe in some small part because of my ramblings, I tender my deepest appreciation. This column will continue (many have assumed I was dropping it since I purchased the Mother Lode Saloon) and my hope is that you, the reader, will continue to enjoy it.
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