Front Porch Politics

I pick my way through the children's toys strewn across the drive way as I approach the front porch. Roger waves at me as I get closer. He recognizes me. He generally spends the last hour of daylight perched on his front porch chatting with friends and visitors who drop by. Everyone knows that he serves as the region's front porch political pundit. He doesn't write a blog. No one sponsors his evening presentations. I believe, however, that his take on politics deserves just as much attention as those who host those talk shows on Sunday mornings.I take a seat on a bench next to Floyd. The audience numbering six now listens intently as Roger pauses to let his newest participant settle in. Floyd dutifully hands me a paper cup filled with lemonade. I sip the watery refreshment and engage with attention.

"So these politicians in Washington say 'This is what our founders intended. They didn't hand us a perfect process.' I say, 'Hogwash!'" Everyone laughs. Roger's revving up the engines for a powerful take off. "Our founding fathers never figured on career politicians. We're supposed to pick out the best and the brightest and send them to Washington to represent our concerns. They come home and then we send up a new batch. That feeds the system with new personalities, new ideas and dreams. They never figured on personalities living inside the Beltway in order to gain political clout, financial empires or immoral lifestyles. The very people we send to Washington have corrupted the system. They know and we know it. This latest argument stands as more evidence of the fact that Washington has ruined the American Way."

We all sit quietly nodding in consent. Floyd moves nervously on his portion of the bench. Scoot, the old Blue Tick coon dog moves to the ground off of the porch, probably seeking a cooler spot. Wade looks out across the evening shadows that grace the hay field. We know Roger is collecting strength and thoughts for the next installment. We don't have long to wait.

"This fight about the debt ceiling is another illustration of government gone wrong. I don't have a credit card any more. One year Mommy talked me into getting one for Christmas. She said we could buy the gifts for Christmas and then pay'em off with the tobacco money in February. Lord that was a mistake! My personal money suffered just like the government's suffers now. I didn't have enough tobacco money 'cause I had to get a new transmission for the truck. You can't spend what you don't have. Seems to me that we ought to cut back, tighten the belt and stop hand'in out money to everyone for everything. The simple truth is that you gotta have some pain before you gain. Saving is never easy but always the best way to go. They have to stop spending money we don't have!"

Wade speaks up, "Yeah, but, what can we do out here in Southern Ohio? No one listens to us. We don't even get a say in our own State politics, let alone in the big game." Everyone laughs again. We agree with Wade. Listening to all of the wrangling over debt, political parties and such; all seems a bit futile.

"Exactly my point," responds Roger. "You see...we gotta have revolution." You can hear sucking breath and low tone whistles. "Now don't get itchy," Roger continues, "I mean a political revolution. We can't keep this up. Vote'em out. I mean it. Just clean the slate and send a new batch up there. Eventually they'll get the idea that they can't mess with little girls or little boys (someone howls in the back of the porch and I know it's not Scoot!) They shouldn't get dependent on that job as a career. They need to understand that they got up there to represent us!" Low murmurs roll through the front porch and Scoot raises his head to identify the commotion. A slight breeze moves across the porch from the west. We find great wisdom in our local political prophet.

"There's a new wind blowing in our country," announces Roger. "It's not the same wind that Ted Kennedy smelled before he died. The folk are raising up. The elite don't like it. The big shots hate it. But we out number'em you see. All you have to do is go down there in November and bust'em down. Turn'em out. We need change but the kind of change we need involves turning out these people who think they can run our entire country into the ground through uncontrolled debt. We have to stop spending money we don't have!"

I walk off into the darkness. Roger usually ends his political pontifications with the phrase, "Liz, we'd better go to bed so these folks can go home." His wife makes the lemonade so he feels like he must include her in the final announcements. We comply and say goodbyes. I wonder to myself, "How did we get in such a state? What can we do to change our situation?" Maybe Roger is right. We should vote'em all out and start again. One thing for sure: Washington could learn a lot from the front porch political pundit named Roger. Maybe we could start a television show called Roger's Wisdom. I'm not holding my breath.

A Pilgrimage to Sacred Ground

I've been there before. Each time I visit DC, however, I realize how very special this country really rates compared to all others. Please don't judge me a flaming nationalist. I'm a patriot. I admire the ideals of the founders of this great country. As I begin this journey back into the birthplace of the nation, I realize that this truly will be an American Heritage Tour. In this journey I will lead numerous Boy Scouts to the center of American policy and legislation. The journey begins.

We're going to Valley Forge. Here George Washington encamped with his struggling Revolutionary Army seeking to break the bonds of British rule. Even though General Washington did not fight at Valley Forge, he certainly fought a great battle. The army was naked, cold, hungry and discouraged. "Naked and starving as they are we cannot enough admire the incomparable patience and fidelity of the soldiery." (General George Washington at Valley Forge, February 16, 1778). Many of the men had no boots, no clothes to speak of and no hope of victory. They felt defeated. Washington had to dig deep into his soul and speak out to the men to lift their spirits, their dreams and their prospects. This seems to be the real test of a leader. Can the leader call out of

 the followers a passion for the vision presented before them. Washington delivered a powerful narrative, example and promise. The men rose up to accept the challenge. I am grateful. No battle was fought at Valley Forge, but from December 19, 1777 to June 19, 1778, Washington struggled against the elements and low morale in order to overcome all on this sacred ground. I smile to think that we are traveling to Sacred Ground.

After this visit, we will head on over to Fort McHenry. This place is a famous point of interest best known for its role in the Battle of Baltimore. Fort McHenry successfully staved off the British invasion of the fort by 1,000 Americans that inspired Francis Scott Key, a lawyer and amateur poet, to compose the Star Spangled Banner, originally entitled Defense of Fort McHenry. The fortress was named for James McHenry, a politician who secured most of the funds for the project. The British forces bombarded Fort McHenry for 25 hours and eventually gave up when they could not destroy the walls of the fort or the will of the soldiers defending the harbor. The defenders of the Fort ordered a special flag for the occasion. This new American Flag, a large garrison flag, was designed "to be so large that the British would have no trouble seeing it from the decks of their gunships." (George Armistead, Garrison Commander). This fort gave birth to the Stars and Strips and the National Anthem. Surely this place is Sacred Ground. It is fitting and special than the Boy Scouts will raise the flag here at this Sacred Place.

We're very anxious to visit the Pentagon in the morning and then the US Capital in the afternoon. We will meet with Congressman Bill Johnson and also Senator Sherrod Brown. The Boy Scouts will achieve many elements of the Citizenship in the Nation merit badge. I cannot imagine a more exciting or fulfilling way to work on this advancement. We are grateful these leaders will take the time to speak to the boys. We have deep respect for our military personnel who sacrifice for the freedoms we enjoy. We do not take the service for granted.

Like I wrote in a previous blog, the highlight will come near the end of our experience when the Boy Scouts will lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns. We loaded up the wreath tonight on the bus. The wreath has patriotic colors, the names of the Troop Patrols (Chiefs, Wolf, Fox and Bobcat) and significant totems from our Native American friends. We thank Weber Florists for making this special ornament to rest at the Sacred Ground of the Arlington National Cemetery. I speak the truth we I say that these young man will lay this solemn symbol on behalf of all Boy Scouts, all people from Lawrence County, Ohio and really, on behalf of all freedom loving people everywhere.

As we leave on this historic journey I realize that all week we will be walking Sacred Ground. We will keep you posted!

The Boy Scouts and the Tomb of the Unknowns

Changing of the Guard
Tomb of the Unknowns

Probably few other moments in my life have been as moving as the times I have  watched the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknowns in Arlington National Cemetery. I've witnessed this event numerous times and each time I'm moved to tears. Sure...I'll admit it...I'm an emotional guy. Yet, this event calls out much more than just an emotional response from me. I sense the deep, symbolic meaning of the well-orchestrated change. The changing of the guard gives new meaning to the old cliche, Spit and Polish. I've never seen anything else like it. The movement, the military choreography, the serious stares and the marble white tombs bring the observer into a somber recognition of the sacrifice so many have made for our Republic. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=et1ik5O-REs&feature=player_embedded)

All of this comes to mind because I am preparing to lead my Boy Scout Troop to Washington DC where these fine young men will lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns. I grew up in Indiana....basically out in a corn field near a bean field near a creek just down from the 100 Acre Woods. I didn't know Winnie the Pooh in those days but I sure ran with wild animals all the days of my youth. I always wanted to be a Boy Scout but...sadly...no adult would take the time or pay the price. Yes, yes I know the old joke...being a Scout Leader only takes one hour a week...right. If you become a Scout Leader you'll gag on that phrase. I'm happy to spend the time and take these boys to our Capital. We have many plans.



Washington's Headquarters
Valley Forge Encampment

 The Boy Scouts from the Troop will raise the flag at Valley Forge National Park. That moment alone would be worth the entire journey, right? I mean...George Washington camping at Valley Forge during our revolution trying to talk the guys into staying around to get shot up by the expert marksmen of the British and...oh yeow..."no boots fellas and no food either. Fight for it!" When we get there at Valley Forge and those boys raise that flag I'm gonna break out in song, "This is MY country, land of the FREE." Wow. What a price so many have paid for me to have the privilege just to write this blog without fear of retribution (at least I've not heard anything from the NSA, CIA, FBI or the Internal Review Board at Ohio University).



Scouts Lay Wreath at Tomb
1937

 Ah, but the thrill will come when we arrive in Arlington for those singularly unique moments. Only a few Boy Scouts in the history of the movement (see link at the end of the blog entry) have ever had the opportunity to lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns. Our boys have been selected. I'm so proud of them. I'm thankful for the many community members who have contributed to make this possible. But I am most thankful that I live in the United States of America where I can teach young men to do a "good turn daily" instead of shouldering a backpack in order to blow themselves and someone else up into bits and pieces. I make heavy demands on my Boy Scouts, but I ask them to learn leadership skills, ethics, woods skills and life values. I can't wait to compare the photo of our Troop as they lay the wreath at the foot of the Tomb with the one featured here. This photo was taken in 1937...the same year of the great flood in our home town here in Ohio. My how things have changed. I'm glad some things never change!

Today, our Boy Scout Troop have berets, sport white ceremony gloves and wear long pants. We keep the traditions, however, because our male adult leaders all wear the campaign hats just like Baden Powell. (http://pinetreeweb.com/B-P.htm) Now THAT is Scouting! I'd love for the Boys to wear the old-fashioned campaign hats but they cost too much! We'll stick with the berets...even though the Army has once again abandoned them (except for parade dress). I'm smiling as I think about those boys walking that wreath up to that Tomb and placing it ever so gently down in memory of honor, sacrifice, courage and true patriotism. Goosebumps!

I should tell you about our wreath the boys will place at the Tomb. Weber's Florist has been a successful business here in our community for many years. They're designing this special wreath we will transport to Arlington. The artistic floral arrangement features the name of the Troop and the names of the four patrols of our Troop on ribbons. The entire piece appears to be a beautiful dream catcher made in the tradition and honor of Native Americans. I will certainly post a photo of this unique creation in the days to come.

In the truest sense, Boy Scout Troop 106 will soon make history. Young men from Southern Ohio will travel many miles to join and participate in a ceremony that has not changed since the inception: The Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknowns. I will weep as I watch them. I just can't help it. Imagine the stories these young men will have for their Scouts, their children, their families. This is the stuff dreams are made of. This is the stuff Republics are made of. This IS Scouting!

http://www.erbzine.com/mag17/1795.html

Old Iron Town

Downtown Ironton on a sultry day makes me long for scenes of yesterday. Spain...Madrid...now there's a place. I yearn to see the Madonna's face. Or take me now to Aztec borrows; let me see their irrigation furrows. Oh the sights I've enjoyed! Oh the folks I've annoyed! Take me now to oceans sweet. I need to see the wave's repeat. Heat and dust bring me 'round. Truth takes hold...I'm in Ironton...old iron town.

The Philosophy of the Log Cabin: A Vanishing American Icon

Few people understand the significance of the American Log Cabin. Their appearance on the American Frontier signaled a change in cultural identity and reality. Over the centuries, woodsmen in Europe had razed the forests of the continent. Stone became the preferred material for construction of homes, social establishments and places of worship. As Europeans migrated to the newly discovered New World, the deep, dark forests frightened the visitors but also provided bountiful resources for food and building materials. Numerous narratives exist recounting huge timber in three-canopy forests. The innovative settlers created furniture, fences, water wheels, tools and vehicles out of the ready supply of hard woods, soft woods and other woody plants. By far, however, the most imaginative, romantic and fundamentally basic creation spawned by the newcomers would be the American Log Cabin



Many Woodland Tribes
Used the Long House

 Some insist that Native Americans did not build log cabins. Naturally, such a claim is ridiculous. Native Americans used all resources around them. They constructed the long houses from logs. Several tribes had communal buildings fashioned from logs. In order to be more mobile, they used skin, furs, bark and more temporary material but many of the Eastern Woodland tribes became sophisticated builders with log.

The log cabin we romanticize, however, came straight from the European immigrants making their way into what they called the New World. "Log cabins were used widely in Europe, especially in Germany, Switzerland, and the Scandinavian countries. Swedish settlers built log cabins when they came to Delaware in 1638. Other colonists followed their example. When great numbers of settlers began to move westward after the Revolution, they found thick forests in Tennessee, Kentucky, and the Northwest Territory, and the log cabin became the typical home of the backwoodsman."
(http://history.howstuffworks.com/american-history/history-of-the-log-cabin.htm)


The log cabin provided deep, rich symbolism for the ruggedness of the pioneers. The sturdy structures stood firm in the face of wind, heavy snows, torrential rain and even attack. The thick log walls repelled or absorbed musket balls, punk'in balls, arrows or other missiles. Once the log walls warmed, the cabin became a naturally insulated living box. The pioneer family took on the stoic ruggedness of their living quarters. They cooked meals, received visitors, slept and made memories in the small, sparse living quarters.


The log cabin provides flavor for the period. The sweet fragrance of the wood mingled with the candle light scent makes the cabin an alluring, spiritual place. Every nook, corner and crack became special to the owner for holding secrets, papers, valuables and script (an old type of money). To employ a cliche...oh if those walls could talk. The landscape of the frontier held numerous examples of these sacred constructs...the log cabin became the spice of the early settlers, settlements and frontier villages. The structures became center focus of stories, songs, ballads, poems and cultural ritual.

The log cabin has been a symbol of humble origins in American politics since the early 19th century. Seven United States Presidents were born in log cabins, including Abraham Lincoln, Andrew Jackson, and James Buchanan. Although William Henry Harrison was not one of them, he and the Whigs during the 1840 presidential election were the first to use a log cabin as a symbol to show Americans that he was a man of the people. Other candidates followed Harrison’s example, making the idea of a log cabin—and, more generally, a non-wealthy background—a recurring theme in campaign biographies. Even a pancake syrup company adopted the log cabin as the logo and name for the sugary addition to the morning cakes.
(http://www.junoconstructioninc.com/?page_id=5)

Today, various styles and models of log cabins provide sentimental and nostalgic expressions that far outweigh the architectural symbolism of many other American structures. Log cabins speak of America. Glass, steel, composite materials and other synthetics offer contemporary design while the log cabin calls us back to another place and time. We relish the idea of thick wood smells, smokey morning cuisine and banjo, fiddle and guitar blended together into a frontier cultural omelet. We would love to go back, even if just for a few hours. The serene quiet of new-fallen snow in the woods, the cool breath of winter at the window, and a sumptuous rug in front of a roaring fire in the American log cabin. There’s something about a tiny, cozy little cabin in the woods, hewn from the surrounding natural resources that just makes us want to snuggle down and hibernate. We want the peace, solitude and serenity of the log cabin experience.
(http://www.loveromancepassion.com/the-romance-of-log-cabins/)

I built a log cabin. The structure has a loft. The fireplace, stairs, floors and roof all come from the woods around me. When people get mean and angry, when friends let me down, when work becomes more hurtful than happiness, I retreat to my log place of spiritual renewal. In my log cabin, I meet God. I see every notch, ax stroke, peg or special place in a log. Cherry, poplar and even locust make up the walls of my retreat. No harm comes to me here. I lay back to the crack of small fires on cool evenings. I laugh with the brook that runs close by my big wooden box.I am at home in this log cabin. This cabin is my castle. From here I can dream, slay dragons, keep my treasures and plan my defense. The cabin serves as my Holy Grail. I am sorry the log cabin continues to disappear from the landscape. I think we'd have more artists, more poets, more accomplished writers and even more successful presidents if we had more log cabins. The light reflects softly off the log walls. The flickering light speaks to me. "If we had more log cabins, we'd have more people who respect the past, feel safe in the day and have faith in what we can do in the future. That's what I call my log cabin philosophy.