James Mahlon White
Publisher
Some schools on our east and west coasts are mandating masks (including outside) and calling for social distancing, just in time for election season and all those cartons of mail in ballots. Isn’t this the craziest world? Speaking of a crazed world, The Donald and co-defendants turned themselves in at the Fulton County Clink down in Georgia. The DA who charged him said the 2016 election was stolen from old Hillary and then fund raised off indicting President Trump. Self serving set up if you ask me and would make any Venezuelan proud. Meanwhile, the Judge in the January 6 fiasco set the trial date for one day before Super Tuesday. What a COINCIDENCE! They’re all enemies of the State now and must be punished! It’s worked in other countries. Steele Dossier, Russia Hoax…then 4 indictments in 5 months. But none of this is political.
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Ran across a documentary called “When Ireland Starved.” It focused on the Potato Famine. The British in Ireland raised plenty of food, but shipped it off to The Motherland as men, women and children starved and Ireland lost half its population. The English rulers banned the use of Gaelic, closed churches, schools and leveled houses. One of my great-grandmother’s Irish cousins was hanged by the British for taking part in the fight for Irish Independence. My great-grandfather would spit when the word “England” was mentioned and my grandmother did a little dance when the I.R.A. plugged Lord Mountbatten. Do I come from a dysfunctional family? Most likely, but one with a long memory. I do understand why the Irish wouldn’t help the British during WWII. What I don’t understand is how they they’ve managed to keep a sense of humor about how the planet spins. Years ago my mother gave me a CD with Irish music in Gaelic. I’ve listened to it and thought my ancestors would have understood the singer. Have much the same feeling when my old mantel clock strikes. It belonged to a great-great grandfather. Many, many years have taken flight since T.B. first heard that sound in 1879.
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This column is so addled with subject matter that’s it time to stop. I’ll try to do better next week. In the meantime, watch out for those “Rich men north of Richmond.” Blessings on you old buddy.
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'Til Next Week:
J.M.W.
