Hi Joe!
Thanks you so much for Deer Hunting with Jesus -- a terrific piece of truth telling! Four days ago I was sitting here in Nashua, New Hampshire, watching the huge TV news coverage of the "Incredible Snowstorm", which had been going on since 1 PM. The Boston news started an hour early because there are so many thousands of cars stuck on the Massachusetts Turnpike. Oh the horror of it all! Six inches coming in six hours! And more to come! "We can't remember a storm like this!" shout the news reporters, out there in the wicked elements.
I sat there watching, and laughing my head off! Why? Because, of course, every commercial during the news broadcasts is for some big, powerful, sexy, car. No one, Not one person, would even dare suggest there might be some (small) connection between the traffic nightmares and the number of cars jamming the turnpikes and old roads, and streets -- Hey! Here comes the big, tough Toyota "Phenomenon" commercial -- wonder if they get stuck in traffic, Hell, probably not with all that power?
Here's my idea: they finally took the liquor and cigarette ads off TV, now let's get rid of the auto ads! (I can hear you laughing from here.)
Good idea, eh Joe? But hell, it's actually kind of fun watching all those little lights, sitting in the beautiful, falling snow, on the Turnpike, going nowhere -- kind of Christmasy, you know? (Chorus of "Silent Night, Holy Night".)
I gave up my ancient "hooptie" when I moved here. I saw the writing on the wall, thanks to you and Jim Kunstler. (I have to say, I prefer your wicked sense of humor.)
I wish I could flee this place before I'm too old and weak. But no chance. I just turned 65 and I'm in the underclass already. Nobody wants an impoverished old immigrant. Too many of them everywhere now.
On TV, it was almost funnier the next day as the news people told all the amazing "horror" stories, emailed by people who experienced this monster of nature! Why the hell don't they just build more and bigger highways? Sheeesh!
Anyway, thanks again, Joe, for all your great essays, and reader's letters. It's good to know there's some kindred spirits out there. Keeps me going.
And now, back to the little light show.
In solidarity,
Sage
Nashua, New Hampshire
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Sage,
Indeed, we live in heroic times. I myself once survived a half-mile trip to the mall in six inches of snow -- and did so in my ole red 1988 Toyota truck, the one I bought for a dollar with rear wheel drive, bald tires and a dead heater fan. But then, there was no other choice. The liquor store is located in the mall.
In art and labor,
Joe
