June 5, 2019

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A year ago today we were in Seattle, visiting Pike Place, a short walk from our hotel.  My “iconic” photo there was not the famed Pike Place Fish Market featuring the famous fish toss, but the Gum Wall not far away, with a couple of kids having a good time (the young lady pointing out her contribution to the wall).  Generations of youngsters and gum wads under school desks come to mind here.  When the kids get to this long wall, it must be heavenly!

Gum Wall, Pike Place Seattle WA June 5, 2019

A year ago was a celebratory time for us – me, a survivor of heart surgery six months earlier; Cathy, a survivor of me!  AMTRAK heading to the Coast was a good idea.  But as we know, time passes quickly and other things interfere, as we all know from our own life experiences.  Memorial Day 2020 continued to change our lives, adding to the pandemic, and so on….

Later today (it’s Sunday morning, June 7, as I write), we go to Grandson Parker’s high school graduation, scheduled for 2:45 p.m.  Here’s how Eastview High in Apple Valley decided to do graduation this year.

Tomorrow Grandson Ted is 20.  They live nearby, but I haven’t heard of any backyard party.  Life is still in quarantine.

Then there’s the daily front page news, the end of the week of George Floyd’s funeral, and all that attends, all over the world.  We all have an opportunity to be part of the solution; I hope we take the bait, but it won’t be easy.  It is easier to blame.

Yesterday I took my spouse Cathy down to see Lake Street and Chicago Avenue south.  It was another beautiful day, all was quiet.  Hulks of most of the buildings that were destroyed by fire remain, most windows remain boarded over with plywood, there is the usual graffiti…but some awesome street art is now appearing to bring a little beauty back.

We couldn’t get all the way to 38th and Chicago where the murder happened on Memorial Day, but we got within a block.  People were gathered there.  All was quiet.

Today is the first day of the rest of our lives.  What are we going to do with it, and the days that follow?  It’s up to us.

Gum Wall Pike Place Seattle June 5, 2019

The story of the Gum Wall is interesting.  I have a link at the beginning of this post, but searching the words will come up with more stories.  We are all like that young lady, with our own space on the wall of humanity.  What is our design, our contribution, to be?

Seattle Pike Place area June 5, 2019

The neighborhood where Gandhi Mahal restaurant stood before it was destroyed by fire last week. Minneapolis Star Tribune page A12 June 7, 2020.  Gandhi Mahal was mid-block in the burned out block.  

A VERY CONSTRUCTIVE USE OF YOUR TIME.

BECOMING HUMAN: A LENTEN SERIES:  Along with about 50 others, I attended the first three of a planned six lecture series on this topic at Basilica of St. Mary beginning February, 2020.  Each talk was powerful.  The last three had to be cancelled due to quarantine, but the speakers, all faculty at St. Thomas University, put all of the six lectures on video, and Basilica and St. Thomas have made them available to everyone, and I’m passing along with permission.  The syllabus is at the end of this post.  I have not included the links or followup activities.  Here are the links to the talks themselves.

Week One: Dr. David Williard: Civil War to Civil Rights

Week Two: Dr. Jessica Siegel: The War on Drugs

Week Three: Dr. Amy Levad: Mass Incarceration

Week Four: Dr. Amy Finnegan: Defeating the “White Savior” Complex

Week Five: Dr. Michael Klein: Mobilizing for Social Change

Week Six: Dr. Kimberley Vrudny: The Blackness of God

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BECOMING HUMAN: A LENTEN SERIES

Welcome to The Basilica of Saint Mary’s Lenten Series on “Becoming Human.” Though of course we wish we could have continued the series in person, COVID-19 made online delivery necessary. We hope that this “online portal” to the series provides you with some ofthe tools that will be necessary to engage in the work of transforming our communities.

The theory guiding this series is that the racial history we all inherit is dehumanizing for all of us, though it is dehumanizing for white folks in different ways than it is dehumanizing for people of color. The only way to “become human” is to confront the legacy of white supremacy and undergo a process of transformation, even conversion, to engage more humanely in the world, especially across the color line.

Key to this effort is learning the history of how white supremacy has been structured into the American legal system from its founding (week one), persisting beyond the era of Civil Rights especially through the “war on drugs” (week two), and leading to the contemporary reality of mass incarceration (week three). Learning the stages of development in racial identity can help to disrupt the “White Savior” complex, the tendency of white people to engage in efforts that are unhelpful at best, and patronizing at worst (week four). True social transformation can happen when there is a match between our unique gifts and the world’s need. As Frederick Buechner put it, “The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet” (week five). Since theology is a carrier, too, of white supremacy, learning about the Blackness of God might also help in recognizing the moral imperative behind this religious calling to engage in the work of social transformation (week six).

This series will echo the Christian cycle of creation-fall-redemption, starting with the theological idea that humans were created in the imago Dei, but fell into a sinful condition where persons, relations, and structures fail to function in the ways that God desires. Humans were created reflecting something of the divine life, but sin–especially the social sin associated with the domination of one over another–has diminished life, not only for people of color, but also for perpetrators. The final two sessions in the series will point to the hope that God is redeeming us from the condition in which we find ourselves. The series holds onto the hope that the Holy Spirit is at work in the world, enlightening us, empowering us, and encouraging us to resist systems of oppression, and to cooperate in the task of reclaiming our common humanity.

Schools out

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June 8, 2020:  Yesterday we had the honor of participating in grandson Parker’s receiving his high school diploma at Eastview High School in Apple Valley MN.  There were about 500 graduates this year, and no traditional graduation exercise, but it was a phenomenal event.  Every participant – every one of you – are invited to watch the 75 minute YouTube graduation, music and talks for the class of 2020 at Eastview.  You’ll be glad you watched.  (Student speaker Campbell Bernstein is at 9:04; Faculty speaker Mary Carberry is at 23:50, both app. 10 minutes.)

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During the days of CIVUD-19, my relaxation has included a daily solitary drive somewhere in the vicinity of home.  Today, I drove by the school where my daughter is Principal, Oltman Middle School.  I was expecting to see the usual: an almost empty parking lot.  School has been home-based since the end of March due to the Pandemic.

Today was different.  There were cars in the lot, and cars in a slow caravan where students are dropped off and picked up.  I saw three “stops” along the front of the school.  What’s up?  Here’s a photo:

At stop 3, Oltman Middle School, June 3, 2020.It didn’t take long to sort this out: it was the last day of school, and students were picking up, curbside, whatever of their stuff had been left behind when they last attended class behind those walls.  Earlier other essential items in the lockers had been recovered, as perhaps forgotten snacks and such.  Today’s grocery bags for most of the 1,000 students held leftovers.  It was well organized.  Parents were assigned a particular hour to drive by.  It seemed to go well.

So ends a most unusual school year where students, faculty, staff and parents have had to make big adjustments through our entire state, and over most of the country.  They – all of them – deserve congratulations and a good summer.

Five of our grandkids are school age.  Two graduate from high school this year – which will be virtual, one of them in July.  It hasn’t been easy.

“The School Year” – roughly September to June – has long defined the normal rhythm of life for society, generally.  Kids generally are delighted when ‘school’ is over…but in a week or two many will be missing school and waiting for it to begin again.

School is young peoples community.

There is no certainty, this year, that next year, 2020-21, will be ‘normal’, in the traditional sense.  Much depends on what transpires with the Pandemic in which we all are immersed.

For now, congratulations to everyone involved in that place called school.  Have a good summer.

POSTNOTES: My friend Marion Brady, older than I, has been passionate about the place called school far longer than I’ve known him (we met in the 1990s in an on-line discussion group moderated by the National Education Association about public education).

Marion writes regularly for the Answer Sheet in The Washington Post.  Here are two of his recent articles on his own proposal for school reform: 1) “Educating: Bottom up change” marion Brady.  and 2) his most recent column, “Salvaging public schooling”, in the June 3, 2020, Orlando Sentinel: marion brady2.  (click on the images to enlarge them).  More about Marion here.

Here’s a longer writing, articulating Marion Brady’s philosophy.

Two other vignettes – two gifts – as this most challenging school year in all of our lifetimes ends:

Yesterday a retired teacher sent  a short YouTube video forwarded by another retired teacher.  The video clip, which seems to be from a Central European country, is brief, poignant, troubling and inspiring, all at the same time.  I hope you watch the entire 3 or 4 minutes.

Finally, on the lighter side for all educators, a look at the future from Teacher magazine in 2002: Distance Learning

Seen in an office at Oltman Middle School, Cottage Grove, MN June 3, 2020

A Year

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See POSTNOTE

About this time of day, one year ago today, we were about to leave for AMTRAK station in St. Paul Minnesota, enroute to 14 days beginning at Seattle, south to Davis, California then back via Denver.  It was a memorable trip, celebrating six months out from major heart surgery December 4, 2018.

There are trainloads of wonderful memories, and lots of photos.  My preference is to not pick and choose what to publicize from that trip.

It was a very different time, then, before COVID-19, and everything else that troubles our country at this time in our history.

May there be better news next year at this time.

Have a great day.

I do offer a wonderful short video received today from a friend who is a retired teacher, sent to her by another retired teacher.  It’s about 3 minutes, a powerful lesson.  Watch to the end….

POSTNOTE:

If you haven’t visited lately, the last four posts of May were about the George Floyd tragedy, May 27, 29, 30, 31, 2020.  There will doubtless be more: the George Floyd killing is a crucial issue in my 80 years living in this country.  Check back once in awhile.

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JUNE 3, 2020: UPDATE

I drove down Lake Street right before noon.  Quiet.  Still closed at 29th.  Still all boarded up.  The burned out remains of Walgreens at about 31st is the first destroyed building.  This time I went a block south when diverted, rather than north, and the adjoining east/west street was very busy around Holy Trinity Church which seems a local epicenter for aid.  Lots of people carrying lots of bottled water.  Peaceful.  Orderly.  Holy Trinity is a block southeast, as the crow flies, from Gandhi Mahal site.

This afternoon, I learned that my church, Basilica of St.Mary, had incurred some fire bomb damage on Thursday.  The Pastor describes the incident here.  Luckily there was relatively little damage.

I will endeavor to give brief updates each day, here.  Continuing comments are welcome.  I’m adding one comment received today at the end of this blog.

JUNE 2, 2020: MORNING 

In my e-mail, overnight, presented strictly as received:

Two of four photos yesterday at Gandhi Mahal, 27th at Lake Street, Minneapolis from my daughter, Lauri.

Gandhi Mahal June 1, 2020 from Lauri

Next door to Gandhi Mahal June 1, 2020

from my long-time friend, June, retired university professor: Hi Dick,  These are scary times.  I hope we make it through this.  I have been sharing the post below.  I hope your day is a good one.

originator, Gene, May 31, 20220:

I’m doing a lot of reading of posts on Facebook from around the Twin Cities.

One person posted that they were on a plane filled with white supremacists who were all openly discussing their plans.

Some one else stated that she heard that at least eight thousand are trying to or planning to get to Minneapolis by Tuesday.

Someone else said that there are a lot of Vigilantes holing up in hotels and motels out in The Burbs and driving into the city.

Evidently, cars are being stolen and that’s why there are no license plates on a lot of these brand new SUVs and trucks. Where they are stealing them from, I have no idea. But I also know that not everyone is stealing SUVs / trucks and many are just plain driving up here from places like Texas, Indiana, Wisconsin… Just to name three states that keep coming up over and over as well as, of course, Minnesota.

Someone I went to High School with reported that people were driving through her neighborhood threatening to kill everyone. I’ve heard a lot of reports like that all over Facebook… People talking about groups of people driving through their neighborhood threatening people and traveling with a lot of weapons. (I know that there has been push- back on people over this curfew issue… Some people just wanting to sit on their porches and sit on the steps, others who believe quite naively that just because they are peaceful that they can still continue to protest and walk around– in light of all of these terrorists driving around and threatening folks, it’s better to adhere to the curfew and stay indoors if you are not patrolling your neighborhood)

One person spoke of reporting to the authorities that she had seen people who had stopped somewhere and she was able to see that their truck was filled with all sorts of flammable chemicals.

These folks are not playing! They are hell-bent on either taking over the city or taking us down completely! The trouble is that we’re not the only city; they’re hitting other cities at the same time as they are hitting ours. It really is a game of whack-a-mole!

To those people who don’t believe me, like a couple of people I know who really feel that I’m being overdramatic, you have no idea… This is a f****** nightmare and I guess we going to be awake for a long time trying to figure out how we’re going to counteract all of this.

And just so you know, if you think because you live in the suburbs or some of these small towns, that this violence is not going to touch you, you better think again. They’ve already made their way up to Northern Minnesota… Bemidji, Iron Range, Duluth… They’re even hitting places like Rochester… Even Fargo\Moorhead area… No One Is Safe!

The protest against George Floyd, of course has nothing to do with any of this … These folks have been training and planning this for a very long time looking for an opening and they found one!

The good side of this is that we are all going to have to come together in order to save our city and to save our state! Did you hear what I said??? We are all going to have to come together in order to save us all!

Just Above Sunset, Finally Losing It All, The President declares war…on who?

Heather Cox Richardson, Letters from an American, June 1, 2020

The 2019 West Coast Trip: we arrived in Seattle late morning June 3, a year ago.  Later in June I’ll post with a summary of the 13 days ‘on the road’.   Check back once in awhile.

COMMENTS:

from Carole, a long-time trusted friend:

The following resources may help others who are grappling as we need White people now more than ever.
Relevant Resources:
Please see the following resources that are circulating the internet. The following docs are from leaders who believe we are stronger together. These are legitimate. Please share with others.

Minnesota and National resources that can be used to find similar resources in your area:

How to Help NOW by Jamie Fischer (Facebook link).  Many resources linked here.
Anti-racism Resources: Sarah Sophie Flicker (Twitter) and Alyssa Klein (also Twitter). Many resources linked here.
from Melanie:
I saw your latest post with the photos and the  scary things happening post.  And I listened to the conference call with the Governors.  Also the Gov. of NY.
I wonder if you would like to share Trevor Noah’s so eloquently put comments. [very powerful.  Ed.]
from Barry: I am not sure whether to thank you or not. Just as my anxiety is lessening a bit I read your blog. So we start all over again. I hope they will find something better to do with themselves. There are a lot more than 8,000 residents in MN and if we organize and stand together and not allow their madness we will be ok.
I think getting together to help out Gandhi Mahal would be a good place to focus our energy.
Dick to Barry: I certainly don’t need thanks, and maybe you over-interpreted what I was saying.  I’m just not going to spend weeks and month rehashing the same issue over and over again.  I have the ‘file’ open on George Floyd, and it is always there (May 27, 29, 30, 31, June 1).  This afternoon I was thinking of some other thread I’d like to comment on sometime this month.  I don’t have a lot of readers but they are a diverse lot, and my hope is that the ones who think I’m hopelessly liberal, or naive, will at least keep visiting.  Anyway, let’s talk a little more about your concern.  I wish we could meet in person – that’s my preference.  But however, keep talking.  I’ll add your comment, and probably include my response there as well.  Thanks again.
from Roland: The damages to business places etc seems ok to you.
Dick to Roland: Maybe I’m a very poor communicator.  The business destroyed is of a close personal friend of mine.  I’m wondering what your issue is, Rollie.  I don’t mind disagreement but I’d like to know exactly what the disagreement is.   The person who owns the business I’ve high-lited (Ruhel Islam of Gandhi Mahal) is grateful that I publicized his loss.  He’ll come back, I’m certain, better than ever.

from Darleen:  I thought you’d be getting a closer view and a view for yourself.   I appreciate your insights.

From what I heard, MN protestors are- peaceful and grieving, but the AFTENA (sp) [antifada] group from
out of state is the violent group and have stirred up violence across the US.   Be safe.
Dick to Darleen:  It is too early to know what involvement this nebulous bunch called “antifada” had (they are labelled as “radical left” and specifically identified last night.  They deserve scrutiny, certainly.  Most likely the antagonists, the destroyers, were what loosely called “white nationalists”.  Sometime this month I’ll likely do a specific commentary on this group who think they can control by violence and who likely have exploited Floyd’s death (my opinion).

June 3, from Mary in Rochester NY:   And the beat goes on!!  But becoming a bit more focused on purpose and less on wanton destruction,  Rochester is one of the cities on curfew and one of the cities where there is a lot of local commentary and justification.  Too many answers, too few questions, too little accountability.

It is quiet where I live, it is just an ordinary Wednesday with trash pickup and dog walkers.
Many of my fellow health care workers on the night shift at the nursing home just down the street live in ‘the hoods’ – affecting ability to get to work, affecting ability to focus on work, affecting enthusiasm for work, and so subsequently, for those who don’t have as many external motivators and de-motivators affecting work, the work is more difficult with even shorter staffing.  Seems a bit of a vicious circle and much like the chain of infection we learned so much about with corona, it continues to take serious efforts at interruption to break the contagion.
Yeah, it takes a village but if there is to be peace, it must begin with an individual’s commitment to the possibiity…..start by doing unto others as you would have them do unto you!  Remember the message of Pentecost.

Learning.

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UPDATE June 2: Previous and related posts: May 27, 29 and 30.  Column by Ruhel Islam’s daughter in June 1, Washington Post, here.  John Noltner, A Piece of My Mind, has been interviewing people at 38th and Chicago, you can see these here.  PHOTOS AND MORE ADDED TO JUNE 1 POST.  The future of our nation is truly in our own hands.  Everyone must mobilize.

This and the previous three posts will constitute my ‘file’ about George Floyd.  Any additional comments or news will be added at the end of this, or one of the earlier posts.

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I woke this morning contemplating the previous 72 hours, and the time since George Floyd died last Monday, May 25.  As May ends, I have a few thoughts to share, which are based on hope.  Today I am encouraged about the future.

What dominated my thoughts this morning were two photos I took December 2, 2015, at a Twin Cities Nursing Home. The event happened because of Ruhel Islam, owner of Gandhi Mahal, one of the businesses destroyed by fire a couple of nights ago.

 

Ruhel Islam with Lynn Elling Dec. 2, 2015

Larry Long, Lynn Elling and Ruhel Islam Dec. 2, 2015

As I recall this day, Lynn, a legendary activist for peace, was on the trip towards eternity, and not long before had been admitted to a Nursing Home – I’m inclined to say Masonic Homes in Bloomington, but it may have been another at that time.  Ruhel, owner of Gandhi Mahal, a favorite restaurant for Lynn and his wife, Donna, suggested we take a meal to Lynn, and invited Larry Long.  Both knew Lynn from community activities.  I was Lynn’s friend and, this day, the chauffeur for Ruhel and Larry.

This visit is one I will never forget.  The meal was from Gandhi Mahal.  Ruhel fed Lynn.   Larry sang “Last Night I Had the Strangest Dream”. It was first class in every way.

Lynn died three months later, and at his Memorial service May 1, 2016, Ruhel attended and Larry sang.  It was a fine and deserved farewell to a man who took peace seriously.  Memories of the events and the men endure.

Five years later, a couple of nights ago, Ruhel’s restaurant burned to the ground, an indirect victim of someone’s deliberate arson.

The May 29  New York Times had an article about Gandhi Mahal, quoting Ruhel.  He and the restaurant will revive because of who, and how, he is.

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The past few days and the future are important times for our city and everywhere.

In my mailbox Sunday morning, this, from my sister in rural Minnesota: “All of this this is too sickening to contemplate from a distance, but that’s where I am. I was glad that friend Judi and cousin Mary Kay were feeling safe and optimistic, in spite of the terror that has erupted near their neighborhoods. At this point in time COVID-19 seems inconsequential!  Any thoughts on how I can make a positive difference during this tragic time, please let me know.”

Also, from a valued relative in North Dakota: “They are in Fargo tonight Hope they do not come further west.Too bad that is all people have to do.”  (There were rumors on my end of the cities about groups gathering at Hudson WI.  Best I know, nothing but normal kinds of vigils and small local demos.)

Yesterday, a friend sent some wisdom shared in her neighborhood in St.Paul, which I included in yesterdays post, and which is included again at the end of this blog.  Is the list accurate?  Your choice.  Here are some more observations.

  1. At a time like this there are endless opinions and emotions.  Take a personal time out, to think things through.  This is a time for dialogue, including within your own head, about your own self!  Are your beliefs consistent with objective reality?
  2. Be very cautious of the tendency to indict a group of any kind.  “The police” that we know are by and large very respectable people – many of us know them as family, or friends.  Daily, they confront crises.  Yes, there is aberrant behavior, to be dealt with legally.  Unfortunately, we live in a society that far too often relies on labeling, and this is very dangerous for us all.
  3. I was very impressed with how my state and local government handled, and is handling, this most recent crisis, including the seeming chaos at the beginning.  Yes, mistakes were made, and owned, but adjustments made.  I wish everyone would be able to listen to the entire news conference held by Gov. Tim Walz and his crisis team on Thursday.  Walz’s career was as a teacher, and he was teaching Civics, without using the word.  “Government” is much more than just a word.
  4. Today Just Above Sunsets Alan, included a long collection of Racism quotes.  They’re worth a look, here.
  5. What we’re learning now is valuable to apply to the future, near and distant.  We can choose to learn or not learn some valuable lessons we’re having to confront not only about a pandemic (COVD-19), a community crisis (a murder), and about ourselves, especially.
  6. I encourage your viewing of the six talks on racism.  The links can be found here under “Becoming Human”.
  7. This is written before curfew on Sunday afternoon.  Absent unforeseen developments, this will probably be the last post on this topic.
  8. Your comments and additions are solicited; they will be added here, so check back in a couple of days..

George Floyd, Minneapolis Star Tribune May 31, 2020 p. 1

from Nancy, May 30:

Here’s a post that I saw on Facebook today — very important message:

‎Jesse Haug‎ to Lowertown, Saint Paul
9 hrs
A reminder that on nights like these, there are multiple distinct groups in action, with distinct goals and behaviors. Do not confuse one with another.

I’d group them into at least 5 categories.

1/
ACTIVISTS: They have clear goals, at least in their own heads. They are out to be heard and noticed. They may be nonviolent. If there is property damage, it will be targeted. Diff activists may have diff targets, but it won’t be indiscriminate.

2/
GRIEVING CITIZENS: They aren’t (yet) organized activists. They’re hurting deeply. They haven’t been heard. They have more anger than they know what to do with. They may cause unjust damage, even though their anger comes from a place of justice.

3/
ROWDY IDIOTS: They don’t give a shit about justice. They just want to fuck shit up. They’ll mingle with the activists, even though activists are ultimately a nuisance to them. They’ll come like moths to a light any time things are going off the rails.

4/
CHAOS AGENTS: Like rowdy idiots, they want to fuck shit up. But like activists, they have a goal and are self-controlled. They’re here to escalate, create an opening, make others look bad. Prime examples: alt-right instigators and crooked police. (There’s overlap.)

5/
PROFESSIONAL THIEVES: Whenever there’s chaos, there’s an opportunity to make a buck. Some of the “looting” has actually been well-organized, coordinated hits: post a lookout, designated grabber, getaway car.

6/
There may be more groups I’ve overlooked.

I say all of this to point out the danger of using the word “protesters” for everyone out there tonight. If, for example, you say, “protesters need to stop burning buildings,” which of these groups are you are referring to? Be specific, not vague or generalizing.

Above all, be careful that you do not wrongly ascribe to ACTIVISTS and GRIEVING CITIZENS the actions of the other three groups. That is just what those other groups want.

The need for justice is real. The grief is real. Take them seriously. Respect them.

Addendum: just in case it’s not obvious, the first two groups are the vast majority of people out there — but the last three cause the vast majority of damage.

from Barry, May 30, 2020, Minneapolis MN, at E 38th St and Chicago Ave S

POSTNOTE June 1, 2020:  I choose to use this time in our history as a learning opportunity.  The good old days that some in my generation revere, were in reality not all that good, and even if they were idyllic, they are no more (including the recent past).  Within these most recent posts is a great deal of useful information, if you care to learn more.  The neighborhoods I’m most familiar with are here.  The I-35 W bridge incident last night was about three miles straight north of Lake Street.  Much of the damage was along Lake Street.  Neighborhoods were less affected.  There was some damage in St. Paul as well.

There is a meme about that certain groups were responsible: African-American, outsiders, etc.  Drive these streets and they are regular neighborhoods, basically well kept.  Why would they destroy the shops in their area?  As pointed out above, protests these days are motley crews, populated by more than simply people with a grievance, in this case witnessing the murder of a black man by police in broad daylight.  The Twin Cities is my home, for most of the last 55 years.  It is rich in diversity, full of good people.  It also has a deserved negative reputation for abundant sins of discrimination in the past, including the 1967 riots.

Every single one of us has responsibility here, in what we see, say and do, particularly from this point on.  This is not a matter of ‘them’; it a matter of ‘us’.

 

 

Images

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Other related posts at May 27, 29 and 31

Today is beautiful in the Twin Cities – as WCCO-TV will correctly be able to say, “another Top Ten weather day”.  Of course, a day is much more than “weather”….

My walk is always good reflection time, and this morning I thought back to a long ago sermon I heard at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Minneapolis.  The Gospel reading for the day was from Matthew chapter 22 verse 34-39.

The Priest finished the Gospel reading, and we sat down for his sermon.

He began by repeating the last phrase of the days Gospel: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

Then he sat down, and said nothing further, and sat, and sat and sat.  Imagine yourself in the pew, that day, accustomed to hearing some message, and all you got was 6 words.  It’s not fair!!  After what seemed like hours, the Priest stood and continued the Mass.  We were left with the task of filling in the many blanks for ourselves, and I’m leaving you with the same blanks to fill, now many years later.

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Out on the path this morning, somebody had neatly printed in at least five different places “Justice for Floyd“.    The same writer had a final message, in the same print: “Have a nice day!“, to which someone had added a postdate: “Thank you, too“.

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At home I got restless, and decided I needed to take a drive down to Lake Street in Minneapolis, just to see whatever I could see from the car.

Approaching St. Paul, a sign: “Curfew 8 p.m. to 6 a.m.”  I saw this several times, to and from.

I crossed into Minneapolis on the Lake Street bridge over the Mississippi, and about the first sighting was the Dunn Brothers where I’ve had coffee from time to time – my cousin lives nearby.  Plywood was apparently being placed on the windows, or taken down – I’m not sure which.  This would be about 47th Avenue S, at W River Parkway.

At about 32nd Street, on my left was the remains of a Walgreens, burned to the ground, only a shell as remnant.  Lake Street was blocked at 29th, so I turned around and made my way a couple of blocks north, past St. Albert the Great, which was undamaged, and west to 27th, which was open, so I could see the remnants of the intersection I knew best, where GandhiMahal was.  This entire area was very much like a war zone must look.  The damage seemed mostly restricted to businesses on the major streets.  Only those who wished to destroy know why they picked the targets they did.

Gandhi Mahal, which I initially thought may have survived, has since burned to the ground.  I took a couple of photos.  In this one, Gandhi Mahal would be between the two folks at center, about a block behind them.  Of course, Gandhi Mahal no longer exists.  My friend, Ruhel Islam, who owns the restaurant is a man of indomitable spirit, and I think he will recover, with lots of help from many friends over the coming months.  There are many stories like his.  But everyone will need lots of help.

27th and Lake, Minneapolis, May 30, 2020, about noon.

To another Bible Question, “…and who is my neighbor?” (Luke Chapter 10 Verse 29).

On this sad Saturday, I saw hundreds, if not thousands of ordinary folks walking down the streets with brooms, shovels and other tools of recovery, just coming to help in whatever way they could.  They came to give their hour or whatever, no questions, no demands.  They represented the diversity of the area.  There was no sense of defeat in these folks, such as the couple next to my car in the Aldi’s parking lot, who were simply sweeping the street in their vicinity.  My “thank you” to them was cordially received.  For everyone, every little bit helps.

Of course we’ll be barraged by analysis, fault-finding, blaming, on and on in coming days.  This is expected and needed.

But the Resurrection experience for the destroyed areas will truly be the common citizens who care, like whoever it was that wrote the sign in the park, to the quiet people with brooms and dustpans.

Thanks to everyone.

NOTE:  There have been amendments and quite a few comments to the previous post on this topic, and I doubtless will have another post with my own perceptions, perhaps tomorrow night, Mary 31,.  And, of course, other comments are solicited.  It is useful to check back – any comments received are shared

COMMENTS (more at end of page as well):

from Jane re Gandhi Mahal article in New York Times, here: Dick, this is about Gandhi Mahal, from the NY Times.  I too loved that place. Amazing people.
From The New York Times:  “Their Minneapolis Restaurant Burned, but They Back the Protest.  Though a Bangladeshi family lost their business in the uproar over the death of George Floyd, they support demonstrators and helped medics treat them.”

from Carol:  My son lives in So. Minneapolis and his church (City View) is a couple blocks from the 5th precinct.  He’s there now grilling – the church is buying food and feeding the neighborhood.  He says rumor has it that 70,000 plan to march on the 5th precinct tonight and burn it down.  He said the locals have been out for hours, cleaning up the streets.

from Darleen:  Thanks for the message and eye witness account of the destroyed area.  No one knows the who’s and the what’s, but I tend to believe that much of the damage was from bussed in protestors rather than people who live in the area.   I suppose it is a combination of both.  Tensions were running high and the virus pandemic frustrations played a role.  Be safe

from Corky: Are we better off  today vs yesterday? Has the main problem been sidetracked? Does 1968 come into view again? How do we begin to address the inequality issue in this country? For some reason ,  virus issues & personal home storm damages doesn’t even seem to be that important anymore. Time to reflect on the humanity in our country.

from Thomas:  I appreciate the first-hand update, Dick.  Hopefully the peaceful demonstrators will be off the streets by 8:00 p.m.  I know that me and my family are hunkered down in our residences.  Trust you’re the same.

from Nancy: I’ve enjoyed reading your thoughtful blog at this very sad and difficult time. Thank you.

from Thomas: I appreciate the first-hand update, Dick.  Hopefully the peaceful demonstrators will be off the streets by 8:00 p.m.  I know that me and my family are hunkered down in our residences.  Trust you’re the same.

from Bryan:  Thanks for the update.   Good to know things are calming down a bit.    Here’s a video I did of the situation here in Charlottesville, VA:

 

A City Burning

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Other related posts at May 27, 30 and May 31.

May 30, 2020: I have lived, worked and travelled a great deal  in the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area of over 3,000,000 people for most of the last 55 years, and I am not living in fear today, nor have I in the past.  This is a time for all of us to open our eyes, especially those of us who are “white”, and there is an opening for us to do so.  I highly recommend watching those talks about racism referred to in the original post (below), which you can do anywhere you are reading this.  Overnight came a summary of the national scene, Finally Falling Apart,  This moment is an opportunity, not a crisis.  Yes, it requires change in attitudes and behaviors – our own.  We’re up to it.

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Wednesday I went down to the State Capitol Grounds to take photos of a monument I’d first noticed on Memorial Day.  Here is one of the panels.

Minnesota Workers Memorial Garden, State Capitol St. Paul MN, May 27, 2020

After the photo I drove over to the place where George Floyd was killed by police Memorial Day, 38th and Chicago Ave S in Minneapolis.  An orderly crowd blocked the intersection.  I got within half a block.

I returned home on Lake Street, passing by 27th and Lake, half a block from a restaurant very well known to me, Gandhi Mahal, on 27th, a half block south of Lake Street.  Gandhi Mahal was a community gathering place; COVID-19 had closed it, as all restaurants in mid-March.  I had to cancel a meeting scheduled there for April 15.  I had frequently used it for dinner meetings in the past.

A couple of blocks earlier, about the corner of Lake and Minnehaha, I noticed some young people with signs beginning to gather at the corner.  I didn’t realize at the time that nearby was the 3rd Precinct of the Minneapolis police department.

Last night we watched the fire rage in the Gandhi Mahal neighborhood on television.  At this moment, I don’t know the fate of Gandhi Mahal; however the block literally across the street from it was consumed in flames when last I watched.  [see update at the end of this post.]. This week has been a sickening time for me.

Minneapolis will continue to be dominant international news in the wake of the the George Floyd killing in broad daylight by Minneapolis police two days ago.

I wrote about it at this space Wednesday.

This morning an e-mail from my sister in New York:  “My comment is very short. There are things that are just plain WRONG….this is one of them.”

There is nothing more to say at this moment, except to urge every reader to take the time, this weekend, to watch the six talks on American Racism, all linked within Wednesday’s blog. Please take a look again, or for the first time.  Watch the talks.

Then reflect, and act.  Where do YOU fit in?

State Capitol St. Paul MN May 27, 2020

POSTNOTE after my walk: I’m a creature of habit.  After posting this blog, I glanced at the morning paper.  Gandhi Mahal apparently wasn’t damaged.  Most of the property damage was along Lake Street, not far from the restaurant and in the “Uptown” area about 3 miles west.  Of course, as in any traumatic event, there is shock, and then infinite numbers of opinions, which leads to the very real dilemma left to any one who wasn’t there but has the responsibility of sorting things out.  I have my opinion, you have yours.  That’s all I’ll say for now, except to urge you to watch the six talks on Racism.  Whatever your opinion, this is not an isolated incident in the history of our country.

Here’s an old graphic I like to use in similar situations.  We’re beginning the “RECOIL-TURMOIL” phase.

UPDATE 1:15 pm.  A friend just called to note that the GandhiMahal Facebook page announced that the restaurant was at minimum damaged by fire last night, though it is still not listed as a fire casualty in the paper.    Here is the Star Tribune article. For those on Facebook, you can read more here.

The Minnesota Governors briefing and update late this morning was very useful in identifying the very complex nature of taking action in a crisis of the sort we witnessed overnight, including the opportunistic involvement of anarchists and looters (two specific and not necessarily related ‘groups’ who are unverifiable, and thus potentially ‘false flags’ by those seeking to blame someone).  The Governor, who himself served 24 years in the Minnesota National Guard, and who was backed by people like the State Patrol and Minnesota National Guard and others, talked about assorted chains of authority and responsibility in a civil society, from local police and sheriff, to mayors, on and on and on.  Nothing is ever as simple as it appears to be in a tweet, or a complaint.  Yes, there were mistakes, and there will always be mistakes, but not willful.

Personally, I was witness to this kind of complexity very often in my day to day job years ago.  What was initially presented as an absolute right/wrong dichotomy, etc., was never so clear, the closer one got to the actual situation, and actors.  I’d simply advise everyone to be  careful about a rush to judgement, and assessing blame, though it is very tempting.

COMMENTS (additional comments at end of post)

from Laura: Prayers for a city to be healed.

from Adam: I really appreciate the visual you shared. Quite insightful.

from Jermitt: Thanks for sharing your personal experience with us.

from Mary, who lives in the area: It is my library postoffice, Aldi’s, police station and bike tire pump.

from Darleen:  Yes, the police officer is rightfully charged and the 3 officers with him or close to him would have been wise to tell him to stop as a compassionate request for human lifeI did not see the event the night it happened.   I watched some of it today and did see the knee on the neck.   The officer was out of order.   The autopsy did not indicate that death was caused by strangulation.   The trial will definitely be interesting.

from Fred:  Thanks, as always, for your perceptive commentary. We just might be seeing the start of a “long hot summer”—late 1960s style. It is tragic. Our Dear Leader just offered a unifying statement noting that cities being hit are run by Democrats.  I remember the night Dave and I took the wives to attend a dinner at Gandhi Mahal with you. It honored your German-author friend.

 

Dead Man Talking

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Other related posts at May 29, 30 and May 31.

I knew the latest Minneapolis police incident would be front page news this morning.  All I didn’t know was exactly what it would look like.  Here’s the ‘above the fold’.

Minneapolis Star Tribune front page May 27, 2020

There will be a lot more to say about this, and other similar news.  We are subscribers to the Minneapolis Star Tribune, so this is today’s front page on our doorstep.  More can be read at the STrib website, here.  Todays editorial is about this case.

For those with an interest, I recommend highly a six part lecture series on racism I attended through our parish, Basilica of St. Mary, in February.  The first half of the series was in person; the last half was cancelled due to COVID-19, but all six parts are on video.

The faculty are all professors at the University of St. Thomas.  All presenters are white, by deliberate choice.  Episode 6 explains why.  Each are about an hour in length.  The series was extremely well done.  Do check it out.  Comments are solicited.  I will add to this post as time goes on.

25 years ago, on Martin Luther King Day, 1995, I was asked to comment at my church.  Here is the summary of what I said on that Sunday: Race, a personal view

from blogpost “Spring” April 25, 2020:

BECOMING HUMAN: A LENTEN SERIES:  Along with about 50 others, I attended the first three of a planned six lecture series on this topic.  Each talk was powerful.  The last three had to be cancelled due to quarantine, but the speakers, all faculty at St. Thomas University, put all of the six lectures on video, and Basilica and St. Thomas have made them available to everyone, and I’m passing along with permission.  The syllabus is at the end of this post.  I have not included the links or followup activities.  Here are the links to the talks themselves.

Week One: Dr. David Williard: Civil War to Civil Rights

Week Two: Dr. Jessica Siegel: The War on Drugs

Week Three: Dr. Amy Levad: Mass Incarceration

Week Four: Dr. Amy Finnegan: Defeating the “White Savior” Complex

Week Five: Dr. Michael Klein: Mobilizing for Social Change

Week Six: Dr. Kimberley Vrudny: The Blackness of God

POSTNOTE May 27: I take a short drive each day, and today I made a longer trip to the scene of the tragedy yesterday, 38th and Chicago in Minneapolis by Cup Foods.  Here’s the google map of the intersection and neighborhood.  When I drove to the area (about noon, westbound on 38th) a crowd had blocked the intersection and was orderly, and appeared mostly younger.

This story is an important one, unfortunately not unusual, and probably just beginning.

May 28, 2020:  Today’s STrib top headline “Violent protests intensify…No pulse when medics arrived for George Floyd…New fury in the streets’ [Mayor] Frey calls for cop’s arrest.”

The Second headline below the above “100,000” and the rest of the front page is devoted to Corona Virus covid-19.
There is another editorial about the Floyd case today.
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Most of my work career was spent sorting out facts from information so I don’t dash into indictments.
But there is a side-by-side comparison I’ll be making as this one progresses.
The Justine Rusczyk (aka Damond) killing happened about three years ago in south Minneapolis.
In 2019, Somali Minneapolis policeman Mohammed Noor got 12 1/2 years for killing her in the dark alley in south Minneapolis (my sidewalk analysis: a tragic accident).   Justine’s family got a $20 million settlement.  Two women, Minneapolis Mayor and Police Chief, lost their jobs.
Time will tell what justice means this time.

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BECOMING HUMAN: A LENTEN SERIES

Welcome to The Basilica of Saint Mary’s Lenten Series on “Becoming Human.” Though of course we wish we could have continued the series in person, COVID-19 made online delivery necessary. We hope that this “online portal” to the series provides you with some ofthe tools that will be necessary to engage in the work of transforming our communities.

The theory guiding this series is that the racial history we all inherit is dehumanizing for all of us, though it is dehumanizing for white folks in different ways than it is dehumanizing for people of color. The only way to “become human” is to confront the legacy of white supremacy and undergo a process of transformation, even conversion, to engage more humanely in the world, especially across the color line.

Key to this effort is learning the history of how white supremacy has been structured into the American legal system from its founding (week one), persisting beyond the era of Civil Rights especially through the “war on drugs” (week two), and leading to the contemporary reality of mass incarceration (week three). Learning the stages of development in racial identity can help to disrupt the “White Savior” complex, the tendency of white people to engage in efforts that are unhelpful at best, and patronizing at worst (week four). True social transformation can happen when there is a match between our unique gifts and the world’s need. As Frederick Buechner put it, “The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet” (week five). Since theology is a carrier, too, of white supremacy, learning about the Blackness of God might also help in recognizing the moral imperative behind this religious calling to engage in the work of social transformation (week six).

This series will echo the Christian cycle of creation-fall-redemption, starting with the theological idea that humans were created in the imago Dei, but fell into a sinful condition where persons, relations, and structures fail to function in the ways that God desires. Humans were created reflecting something of the divine life, but sin–especially the social sin associated with the domination of one over another–has diminished life, not only for people of color, but also for perpetrators. The final two sessions in the series will point to the hope that God is redeeming us from the condition in which we find ourselves. The series holds onto the hope that the Holy Spirit is at work in the world, enlightening us, empowering us, and encouraging us to resist systems of oppression, and to cooperate in the task of reclaiming our common humanity.

COMMENTS:

Statement from a well known and respected Interfaith organization in Minnesota can be read here.

from a long-time friend: Reference to George Floyd,  I think it’s safe to say that abusive law enforcement is not unique to your area.  The use of excessive force is something that we have also been dealing with out here in Seattle.  Our Seattle Police Department (SPD) has been under a DOJ consent decree since 2012 and after a change in leadership and revised training, that consent decree is about to be lifted.  But the actions of our SPD has never been as blatant as the outright murder of George Floyd.  An example of the worst case of SPD use of excessive force that I can think of was the killing of a Native American wood carver who was carrying his carving knife as he crossed the street.  We have also had problems with members of the King County sheriff’s office.  I have had a back and forth with the King County sheriff on this subject as well as with members of his team that participated in a bowling league that I played in.  The debate centered around their attitude and the resulting training to shoot-to-kill when they drew their weapon.  I pointed out to them that when I was 12, my sister Lila and I would throw stones into the air and shoot them with our 22 rifle.  We didn’t hit them every time, bit did so with sufficient frequency that we could conclude that we were never very far off.  The point I was trying to make was that if a trained police officer had shot the Native American wood carver in the leg, guess what he would be doing with his hands.  He would drop the knife and grab his leg.  There was no need to kill him because he didn’t respond to the police officer’s demands.  This would have also applied to the lady with the scissors that was shot by a police officer in Bossier City, LA.  I am no psychologist, but my observations of the some of the King County officers that I bowled with is that they seemed timid and didn’t seem to have high degree of confidence in themselves. This leads me to believe that there are guys that join law enforcement teams because it make them feel like tough guys, while they live in fear on the job.

Response from Dick:  As I’ve said at an earlier time, generally I’ve had few issues with police, including the Minneapolis group (our church is in Minneapolis, and a large place, so Mpls police are a regular and invited and positive presence).

On the other hand, Minneapolis historically has a very bad reputation when it comes to race, not so much recently, and the community knows this.  It will be most interesting to see how this plays out in the longer term.  A solution is not to immediately fire the chief and the mayor – they already did that in another high profile incident three years ago.

Memorial Day

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See also, here.  This post includes a May 24 Letter from an American that deals specifically with the 100,000 casualties, thus far, from the COVID-19 Pandemic.  Peter Barus’ May 22 post, here, has much food for thought for all of us, relating to the current state of our country and the globe itself.  Take the time….

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Today, 16 of us joined a Zoom for the annual Vets for Peace gathering.  It was different, but it worked well.  Here’s a bad photo (problem with my camera)…but you get the idea.  I suspect Zoom, et al, is becoming a new normal for all of us.

May 25, 2020 VFP

Everyone has their own point of view about/on this day.  This is a good day to practice the difficult skill of dialogue.  Here are some points of view, just from today.

Larry, former VFP President, referred us to a couple of letters in todays Minneapolis Star Tribune:

This Memorial Day feels different during this time of pandemic. Usually we honor our military, especially those who have died. Now, however, we seem to be expanding our thoughts about sacrifice and service. In my neighborhood, I see handmade signs on trash bins thanking sanitation workers for their service, signs near mailboxes thanking postal delivery people. We now hear grocery workers being mentioned as being “on the front lines,” of medical workers who have died from COVID-19 exposure as the “fallen.” It seems that we may be reconsidering what work actually keeps us safe, what forgotten service also implies sacrifice and also deserves our praise.

None of this is to diminish sincerely held willingness to do military service. But why do we honor only those? But perhaps the most profound honor we could give to military heroes would be to stop sending them to endless wars, perhaps to die or perhaps to live the rest of their lives impaired by wounds seen or unseen. Perhaps the greatest honor we could give our military “fallen” would be to stop making so many of them.

CHARLES UNDERWOOD, MINNEAPOLIS

Sudden death lurks among us, sharpening our vision about what really matters. We demand that our legislators act to protect our loved ones according to our best science — not caving to talking points geared to wishful thinking. Will the coming special session stand out as Minnesota cares, or Minnesota kills?

As our state legislators debate where to focus our resources, let’s all remember that federal support for essential state and local needs has been shifted to wasteful Pentagon spending. Our country has stockpiled more than enough bombs to annihilate the world, but not enough virus-shielding gear to keep our health care providers alive. The U.S. has spent or obligated $6.4 trillion on wars in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Syria and Iraq, but we don’t have enough basic materials to test for a killer virus.

Let’s take a collective deep breath and realize: We need to shift from a culture of war to a culture of care. We demand that our legislators act to protect Minnesota lives with today’s 2020 vision. We have more than enough; we need to prioritize care.

AMY BLUMENSHINE, MINNEAPOLIS

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Norm, long-time friend and activist, sent an e-mail recalling the day (Norm amended by addition today, and it is added at the end of the post):

Memorial Day was often cold and rainy or such is my memory of that special day from growing up.
I do remember the community marching from the high school to the cemetery led by some local WWII veterans and the high school band or at least members of it.  There would be a little ceremony, then blanks fired in a salute followed by the playing of taps.  I think that we then hiked back to the school for a little deal but maybe not and the vets went back to the American Legion club to reminisce and reflect.
I think that the local honor guard would then head out to the cemetery south of town and repeat the gun salute and the playing of taps and maybe out to another cemetery as well, i.e. Kalevala cemetery?.
I think that all ended for the most part by the early 50’s at least in terms of the community marching to the cemetery.
I also remember that we frequently would go over to visit the family and relative plots in the Barnum cemetery as well much more than I remember those sessions in the Cromwell cemetery.
Although they have all been canceled this year, there are always several Memorial Day programs at many of the local cemeteries as well as the VN et al memorials on the grounds of the state capitol.  I have never attended the service at the VN memorial but have visited that site at other times and found the names of two of my nine ROTC classmates, Banks and Coulliard, on the Minnesota memorial wall. Both John and Bruce were pilots and both were KIA in Viet Nam, 1966 and 1968 respectively.
There was an Oestrich kid from Cromwell who was killed in and/or during VN  and also a Carl Seagren (sp?) from the UMD AFROTC program.  I ran into his older brother, Len, at the O Club at Utapao when I was stationed there and he told me about his younger brother’s death at that time.  I cannot remember if Len told me that Carl had died as a result of military service or due to some other reason.
Time to remember Grandpa Smith’s service in the Army in Montana and the Phillipines as well as that of Uncle Rudy who was gassed in WWI while serving in Europe.  I think that his brother, Frank, also served in the Army at that time as well but I am not sure.
I can’t remember if Uncle Frank’s sons, Buddins and Brad, served in the military or not but they might have.
I don’t know if Uncle Fritz ever served in the military but maybe he did as well.
I don’t know if any of the Duluth Hanson’s served or not, however.
Then, there also were the Katzele boys, Gene and Ed, who served in the Navy during WWII as did Uncle George while Uncle Roger served in the Merchant Marines.
Distant cousin, Lester Harrison’s son, Craig, served in the Army in Korea as I recall. I remember Grandma Hanson encouraging me to correspond with Craig when he was in Korea and I did.  Craig then gave me all of his military hard ware, that is, ribbons and medals and so on, when he returned from Korea.  I guess that meant that he must have been able to read my handwritten lettes when they reached him in the Korean Peninsula. 😎
We all got to serve during the VNW [Vietnam?] as did Cousin Kirby, i.e. USAF, Coast Guard and the Army respectively.
I am sure that there are many other relatives that I have forgotten and/or never knew about their military service but our family did have its share of service men over the years and during various conflicts just as did so many, many families across the state and the country.
Dad did not get drafted to serve due to his age and his bad knees but did get appointed to the local draft board which probably did not make him all that popular in the Cromwell area when I think about it.  
I had never really thought about that probability until much later in life.
Ah yes, Memorial Day, a time to reminisce and to reflect.😎
A colleague vet recalled time at Ft. Carson, which was where I served my two years.  

Tom, commander of the local American Legion, did basic a couple of years before me at Ft. Carson and sent several e-mails, in part:

Do you remember a movie house on base called The Daniel Boone?
I got my first 3 day pass by disassembling my M1 rifle and naming all the parts.
I enjoyed the web site and photos.  [Dick: Go here, to second page, click Ft. Carson, and you’ll find 15 or so snapshots I took at Ft. Carson 1962-63.  Included, I think, is a photo of the base as it appeared when I was in.].
The barracks were the same as when I was there, kind of a yellow colored as I recalled them and with coal fired furnaces.
I, too, can still see Agony Hill in my mind.  I was able to make it up with a full pack
and rifle, but it took all I could muster up at the time. 
Tanks were scary when on foot and a group of them passed by at high speed.
One could actually feel the ground vibrate.  
As you say, memories.

Amended by addition by Norm:

I just noticed that I did not indicate where my brothers and I served during the VNW.
Hans was a career officer in the USAF and a helicopter pilot who served in VN working with the “little people” as he called them, that is the Montagnards, inserting their small units led by a Vietnamese officer, who often did not return with the unit when Hans and his colleagues picked them up a few days later. As you know, the Vietnamese hated the hill people including the Yards, Bru, and the Sioux seeing them an uncivilized backward folks.  Hans said that they would only tell him and his colleagues that their officer was KIA and unable to return with his unit.  Hans said that he and his colleagues always thought that friendly fire might have been a factor there but…
He did not work with the Hmong who were also hill people who were fighting with the CIA in the Secret War in Laos against the Pathet Lao.
I spent a year in Thailand with the B-52’s at Utapao AFB (technically a Thai navy base but the USAF extended the existing runway a bit from a few thousand feet enough to get the little puddle jumpers used by our Thai colleagues to 12,000 or so that could heavily loaded bombers and KC-135  tankers…) located about 90+ miles south of Bangkok on the Gulf of Thailand (Siam). 
Actually, other than the initial 28-weeks spent at the joint USAF, NAVY and Marine photo/radar intelligence school at Lowry AFB in Denver, all of my active duty time as a Reserve office was spent as a photo/radar intelligence officer with the B-52’s.
Little brother, Rolf, spent his time as a Coast Guard office following OCS in Connecticut, on a buoy tender in Duluth and finished up in Boston at the CG station near where the Constitution is parked.
Again, just my brothers and I and nothing unique about it just as it was also the case with hundreds and thousands of families.

 

 

Vets for Peace Memorial Day 2020

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Friend Molly occasionally sends around a few friends on her mailing list.  Here’s the weekend version, less than a page: Molly May 23, 2020 (click on image to enlarge it)

May 24: from Joyce, Letter from an American.

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This is not an ordinary Memorial Day.

This year there will be no in-person gathering:no permit for the traditional large gathering of Vets for Peace. For many years, it has been an annual tradition to gather at the Vietnam Memorial on the Minnesota State Capitol grounds on Memorial Day.  It has been a rare year that I have been absent from this event.

This year, two alternative events are scheduled, one on Sunday live-stream on KFAI-FM; the other via ZOOM on Memorial Day, both at 10 a.m..  All details, including links, are here.  At the same link is access to several other programs.

Here’s my friend, and Memorial Day commemoration organizer, Barry Riesch at the Minnesota Wall, Memorial Day, May 26, 2014. Barry is identifying Marine Joseph Sommerhauser.  Barry and Joseph went to the same high school in St. Paul; Joseph is the younger brother of my barber, Tom, himself a Marine and Vietnam combat vet.

Joseph enlisted after high school and didn’t make a year as a Marine before he died in war, 1968.

Memorial Day, May 26, 2014, at the Memorial Wall on Minnesota State Capitol Grounds.

War is, indeed, hell.

Now we’re engaged in another war.  We are all ‘boots on the ground’.  This year it isn’t somewhere over there, long ago.  It’s right here.  We’ll probably go over 100,000 American deaths from COVID-19 this weekend.(58,220 Americans died in the Vietnam War in 10 years.)  In another sense, we’re in a bizarre combat against each other….  Be safe.

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May 15, one of my daughters asked me, and my two brothers, to remember our own military service.  We all complied.  I decided to go into a little more detail.  It’s here, if you wish: Remembering war, May 23, 2020 (click on the image to enlarge it)

I would also encourage reading Peter Barus’ post as well.  Access that post here.

And today’s Just Above Sunset is. on point as well: Not This Year.

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Check back for future posts.  The next one will likely be titled “The Pawns”, within the week.

COMMENTS (see also, the end of this post):

from Jermitt: I read your stories on your families military experience and found them interesting.  I think you probably read my personal story of my military experience.  I recently did some research on two of my dad’s brothers who were both wounded during WWII.  I was able track their location on the day each one was wounded.  I also lost a cousin in Vietnam, who name is on the WALL.  A second distant cousin was also killed in Vietnam war. Thanks for sharing, Dick.

from Alan, Quotations for this Memorial Day.  I highly recommend Alan’s frequent commentaries at Just Above Sunset.

from Mark: thank you for pulling all these threads together – that Peter Barus piece is incredible

from Richard, (his brother Don, 90, is our good friend across the street):  FYI, both Don and I are vets- he was in Germany, just post WWII; and, though I applied for Germany, was sent to the Far East- just at the wind-down of the Korean War. Don was in anti-aircraft and, I believe, they did firing practice over the Baltic Sea. Later, he was stationed in So. Bavaria. He took advantage of his free time and travelled all over Europe and No. Africa- Morocco and/or Algiers.  You may have seen his photo on a camel- I guess he travelled to France and all, mostly by motorcycle with friend. It turns out (re your article), I was stationed at Fort Carson, CO– and was in ‘fire-direction artillery’ (155’s); and nearly every week we’d do fire practice on the plains near the base of Cheyenne Mt. Another recollection at that time re combat fatigue was that of a Sgt., who was assigned with us in our fire direction center tent. He had recently returned from the heat of the Korean War, and would dive for the ground every time we fired the 5 or 6, 155mm cannons, knocking over our tables with maps, etc. It was uncontrollable for him, even though he knew when we were giving an order to fire. The term then was ‘shell-shock’.

That and other stories by our cadre returning from Korea were a bit un-nerving when my orders came down to be sent to Seoul, Korea, near the DMZ. However, on the way, one of our two military planes lost an engine and had to return to Ft Ord, CA, so my plane was diverted to the AFFE Headquarters-Rear in Japan. Fortunately for me, I was there for almost a year and loved it. I travelled a lot when off duty in Japan, even visited Nagasaki (that was about 10 yrs after the atomic bomb was dropped there, ending WWII). My military tour highlight though was when, having trained in swimming and diving throughout HS and at Macalester College, I participated in the AFFE ‘All-Japan’ and the ‘Far-East’ Swimming and Diving championships in Osaka, Japan.

Fortunately, because of the time in service, neither Don nor I had to be engaged in combat.

 

Peter Barus: You Have More Power Than The President

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Peter and I have been on-line friends for nearing 20 years, and recently he sent me a post initially sent to “friends and family”, included a blog post he published in Op Ed News.  The correspondence is sent along with his permission.  The letter and two links are very much worth your time.  Photo with Peter at end of this post.

Thanks, Peter.

“Happy Mother’s Day, you have more power than the President”

Dearest Friends and Family,

I hope and trust this finds you well, and creating the future with gusto!

I’ve written something and posted it on line for all to see, here.

It’s about a tough subject. But it’s hopeful. Or maybe I’ve finally lost it, I’d be the last to know.

It might be the foreword to a book that’s been rattling my brain for years, now called “Dodging Extinction at the Dawn of the Attention Age”. Or, it might be the whole book. It’s probably the best synopsis of this monster (well, I’ve got about 140 pages, more if it goes to press in the popular and handy 6″x9″ format).

There are a lot of famous writers up there with me, along with the cranks and poets and geniuses on OpEdNews. Naomi Klein has a very good piece there now [A High-Tech Coronavirus Dystopia] that is a very good followup to Professor Zuboff’s 2″ tome, The Age of Surveillance Capitalism. She is spot-on. Everybody should read this, both of these, prescient, timely and incisive works.

I’m not thinking about which character in A Night To Remember I want to be, as the deck tilts and the lights flicker. I’m thinking about a possible future in which we follow the excellent advice of Tolu Oni who lays out the real problem(s) and shows that they are not intractable at all.

A shift to sanity is possible and probably happening already. The media, of whatever stripe, are not going to make any money by reporting this. But most of us have abandoned the media as we’ve become more intimately connected on the new networks.

As Shoshanna Zuboff and Naomi Klein make clear, however, we have become intimately connected to a system that fracks us like oil and gas. The fracking salts are bots and trolls and memes that isolate us into tiny markets-of-one, and from there, we try to hold elections. This worked to their unimaginable profit, and our great detriment, unfortunately, but has gone about as far as the Masters of the Universe could take it. Their next project must fail, or our species surely will.

An imagination confined to a Marvel Comics paradigm is not going to get us much farther than what we see now. Too bad for them; Like an old bandmate of mine, who used to play lead guitar for Muddy Waters, would say: if you can’t keep up, take notes.

Stay tuned, and stay in touch!

love

Peter

Peter Barus, first row at left, Oct 23, 2002, Mastery Conference