The Brattleboro, Vt., Selectboard Un-Candidate, #37

     Earlier this week, I was driving north up Putney Road, just beyond the stoplight at Hannaford when the driver in an approaching car yelled as he went by me, "I see shit!" The most plausible explanation I have for his behavior is that he has seen my Bigfoot sign on the back of my truck and doesn't like it. Another one of the hysterically intolerant.
     Taking a large view, there are good reasons for such hysteria. First, we are faced with Iran and North Korea openly building nuclear bombs and missiles in an attempt to destroy America and more importantly for the collective mental health of America, we are doing nothing about it. Thus, we have threat met with passivity: the perfect mix for hysteria. We know we are about to die, and no one has the chutzpah to do anything about it. Who wouldn't be hysterical or seeking other forms of escape such as drugs and alcohol? Secondly, there is not only Iran and North Korea trying to get the weapons and platforms to destroy us, but also the hostile countries of Russia and Red China. And they already have the means for our annihilation. Third, we have the radical Islamists who are trying to destroy everybody and everything that is not seventh century Muslim. These highly intelligent -except when it comes to their faith- people are also racing to use any means including the nuclear bomb to destroy America. The fourth reason for our hysteria is that most Americans are living in cities and are losing their grip on reality because there is very little reality in urban life that is not anthropogenic - made by man. Their reality is all man-made, artificial and rigidly controlled by man. City man and women are living in a solipsistic world. Testing is showing that the newest generation, the iGeneration, comprising 25% of the population, would rather have a virtual relationship than a person to person one. Due to that, this generation has unprecedented depression and suicides because the young people have chosen to live in bell jars. Like all hysterics, they fear for their safety in spite of America being far safer than in the past. Like all hysterics, they seek strong people to order them around. Like fearful hysterics, they are very threatened and intolerant of any idea or person who doesn't agree with them. They are so fragile that they even fear having feelings because feelings can hurt! In a perennial state of agitated depression, these late teen and early twenty-somes find it difficult to read or study. With kids like these, we Boomers can't afford to die and leave our country in their weak, trembling hands!
     As I tried to make plain in my articles about college kangaroo courts for so-called sexual abuse, parents have to start acting as more than money milk cows for their children. Look into these issues, and make judgements that these kangaroo courts and allowing your child to grow up on smart phones are evil, and stop them. You parents are going to have to devote some effort to raising your children beyond earning money. Children need and profit from good discipline. Doesn't the Millennials and the iGeneration's desire for authoritarianism tell you that? Kids that age should be rebelling from authority and exploring the world and all its ideas. Instead, they want to remain babies so someone will discipline them and make them feel loved and safe. They want boundaries because you parents didn't raise them with any. Do your jobs, parents and be parents. Not buddies or best friends. Don't listen to the perverted, weak experts, professionals, and mainstream media.
     When I was doing a lot of fishing on the Outer Banks, North Carolina, the best advice I got was to watch what the fisherman who was catching fish was doing and do exactly that. Then you'd start catching fish too. My advice to you is to find parents raising strong and healthy children and do what they did. I have another word of advice for promoting reality, critical thinking, and good judgement in your children, and it is something that can be done as a family: Take up birding or bird study. Buy Nikon Monarchs, 8 power, for about $300 unless you want the very best, like Leica at $1,000. Make sure each person has a good bird book with actual pictures to refer to. This is where reality is taught, by using the bird books which teach you not only what the bird looks like but his distinctive markers.
Encourage discussion with respect for the bird guide as the deciding authority. You will be teaching your children to seek evidence and decide on the basis of evidence not emotionality. Leave all phones in the vehicle except one for highly unlikely emergencies. Treat your kids to ice cream or something they like after each birding expedition for positive reinforcement. Now go do it! Good luck!
Peter "Nick" Nickerson, 352-359-0850
"Evidence is God and every woman a Queen and every man a King"