Great post Dan. Was just reading about Charles Kirk - mercifully I had no idea who he was and even after I did he seemed more of crazed influencer than someone who deserved a moment of silence in the US Senate - but there you go. Good that European Parliament resisted but was disrupted when the Right Wing unsuccessfully attempted the same tribute. We seem to live in a world where increasngly, people celebrate violence - or remain silent in the face of it - for whatever treason; surviving an apocalypse at any cost becomes the goal.
Many people here will still see Tom Phillips as a hero. That he was 'tragically cut down' in front of his own child on Father's Day while providing for his children (by stealing milk and shoes for them) by a police force that many see as a constant enemy will only enhance hs myth. Bar brawls will, inevitably, be fought over this one. - but worse, his children may forever be forced to defend the indefensible, or say nothing, and to never experience their right to even partial anonymity.
So much to think about here - but I held my breath while reading about you and your son being lost - even for moments - in the bush and the importance of that moment when you said "I follow you" and up you both climbed. That will be a moment your son will always remember, of course he will tell jokes, his version of it, at your expense - but honestly that was just the best lesson in resilience, and trust. Well done real-hero Kiwi-American Dad.
Aw thanks, Susan! This is so very kind. I think we all wish for Tom's kids just the most normal and sane and happy life as possible--and as *large* a life as possible, free to roam the pleasures of the earth. Can I admit selfishly that I hope one of them goes up to be a writer and bangs out a crazy memoir, or even better some epic poem, about the whole experience? But that's not for me to want. Only peace and love and lots of waffles drenched in syrup.
I love tramping with the kids because you're so nakedly out there TRYING to make a story, or living right through one--good for the body, good for the mind, good for the memory. I was terrified on that hike but we got through. That's a lovely thought, that he'll tease me for it some day. I honestly can't wait.
yes - guess we wish that for all kids but somehow that doesn’t seem to happen (and certainly not here) for the children of the notorious.
I love tramping because my eyes instantly relax as soon as I hit that green wall of bush.
Not everyone gets to be a hero. I once waited out a cyclone in a small hut at Waikaremoana (before corduroy tracks and glamping huts) with a friend and her young children in tow. All I could think of were the headlines if we needed rescuing “Solo mothers put children at risk”
"It's a hell of a thing, killin' a man" - so sayeth Clint Eastwood as William Munny in 'Unforgiven'. Uniquely American ethos, and not something to be proud of IMO.
As for Tom Phillips: Deranged thug, you ask me. I get he was pissed about the custody arrangement, as many dads are. But kidnapping the kids and living a life of crime is not the answer.
As for Charlie Kirk: This was a particularly vile and destructive person - but I cannot condone murder under any circumstances. His criticism of MLK Jr; his labeling of the Human Rights Act a huge mistake; his attacks on LBGT; attacks on people whose faith differs from his - all of it deplorable and disqualify him, in my view, for acceptance in a civil society.
Yeah right? Not only is the killing an American thing, but the soliloquizing about the killing is also a very American urge. The gunslinger can't just do the deed, there's got to be a self-justifying speech about it. And the worst part is that I'm a total sucker for 'em, even as I knew it's poison.
A head-clutching week all around. These two guys--well let's jsut say there was an angrier draft before this one. I look for the better angels. I'm not a shouter on the internet, I'm just not. They both were selling/living the simplest answers to life's richest questions. Murder is of course the worst answr of all. None of this feels good. Gonna take a walk. The tuis are back in the kowhai tree. Abrazos from over the hill!
I just edged and mowed the lawn, harvested the lemons from our suddenly-bursting lemon tree - and now gonna have a pleasant walk in our neighboughood whilst listeining to Mariners v Angels from T Mobile park. I do love baseball. This is my therapy.
I needed to read this today. Thank you. And thank you to all the great Dads out there who love our kids unconditionally ❤️
Love! That's pretty much it, ain't? The open kind, not the closed kind. Thanks for reading, Sarah. Wishing peace to you & yours!
Great post Dan. Was just reading about Charles Kirk - mercifully I had no idea who he was and even after I did he seemed more of crazed influencer than someone who deserved a moment of silence in the US Senate - but there you go. Good that European Parliament resisted but was disrupted when the Right Wing unsuccessfully attempted the same tribute. We seem to live in a world where increasngly, people celebrate violence - or remain silent in the face of it - for whatever treason; surviving an apocalypse at any cost becomes the goal.
Many people here will still see Tom Phillips as a hero. That he was 'tragically cut down' in front of his own child on Father's Day while providing for his children (by stealing milk and shoes for them) by a police force that many see as a constant enemy will only enhance hs myth. Bar brawls will, inevitably, be fought over this one. - but worse, his children may forever be forced to defend the indefensible, or say nothing, and to never experience their right to even partial anonymity.
So much to think about here - but I held my breath while reading about you and your son being lost - even for moments - in the bush and the importance of that moment when you said "I follow you" and up you both climbed. That will be a moment your son will always remember, of course he will tell jokes, his version of it, at your expense - but honestly that was just the best lesson in resilience, and trust. Well done real-hero Kiwi-American Dad.
Aw thanks, Susan! This is so very kind. I think we all wish for Tom's kids just the most normal and sane and happy life as possible--and as *large* a life as possible, free to roam the pleasures of the earth. Can I admit selfishly that I hope one of them goes up to be a writer and bangs out a crazy memoir, or even better some epic poem, about the whole experience? But that's not for me to want. Only peace and love and lots of waffles drenched in syrup.
I love tramping with the kids because you're so nakedly out there TRYING to make a story, or living right through one--good for the body, good for the mind, good for the memory. I was terrified on that hike but we got through. That's a lovely thought, that he'll tease me for it some day. I honestly can't wait.
yes - guess we wish that for all kids but somehow that doesn’t seem to happen (and certainly not here) for the children of the notorious.
I love tramping because my eyes instantly relax as soon as I hit that green wall of bush.
Not everyone gets to be a hero. I once waited out a cyclone in a small hut at Waikaremoana (before corduroy tracks and glamping huts) with a friend and her young children in tow. All I could think of were the headlines if we needed rescuing “Solo mothers put children at risk”
"It's a hell of a thing, killin' a man" - so sayeth Clint Eastwood as William Munny in 'Unforgiven'. Uniquely American ethos, and not something to be proud of IMO.
As for Tom Phillips: Deranged thug, you ask me. I get he was pissed about the custody arrangement, as many dads are. But kidnapping the kids and living a life of crime is not the answer.
As for Charlie Kirk: This was a particularly vile and destructive person - but I cannot condone murder under any circumstances. His criticism of MLK Jr; his labeling of the Human Rights Act a huge mistake; his attacks on LBGT; attacks on people whose faith differs from his - all of it deplorable and disqualify him, in my view, for acceptance in a civil society.
Yeah right? Not only is the killing an American thing, but the soliloquizing about the killing is also a very American urge. The gunslinger can't just do the deed, there's got to be a self-justifying speech about it. And the worst part is that I'm a total sucker for 'em, even as I knew it's poison.
A head-clutching week all around. These two guys--well let's jsut say there was an angrier draft before this one. I look for the better angels. I'm not a shouter on the internet, I'm just not. They both were selling/living the simplest answers to life's richest questions. Murder is of course the worst answr of all. None of this feels good. Gonna take a walk. The tuis are back in the kowhai tree. Abrazos from over the hill!
I just edged and mowed the lawn, harvested the lemons from our suddenly-bursting lemon tree - and now gonna have a pleasant walk in our neighboughood whilst listeining to Mariners v Angels from T Mobile park. I do love baseball. This is my therapy.
Perfect afternoon. Enjoy the stroll, brother!
You should write for politicians, Dan.
Hi Ali! Hmm, maybe I should...know any good ones? :)