Woebegone Conclusions, Contrite Apologies

Garrison Keillor is morose!

A few months ago, our local newspapers, one published in the morning (liberal), one published in the evening (conservative) merged their Saturday publications. I'm afraid this is a precursor to a total merger, and this will be disappointing. I'm not happy with the new format. They've done away with the advice columns and kept the teen perspective section. They run all the comics from both papers. (I'm assuming the backlash from readers will be daunting if and when they downsize and combine. I'm also fairly sure they would get rid of my favorites. I will not, however, write to complain. I'm currently enduring the Sunday Comics' new format stoically, in the true spirit of martyrdom.) Garrison Keillor's column has been included on the editorial page along with Andy Rooney. Andy Rooney's getting old, he rambles more and more incoherently. I read his perspective just to keep track of his deterioration. I also read Garrison Keillor. It's only been a few weeks, but I was surprised at the disparity between my preconceived perception of his writing and NPR program (which I've never heard) and the reality of his views.

His program is called "A Prairie Home Companion", as I'm sure everyone who has peeked from beneath their rock or momentarily focused on something other than their own self absorbed preoccupations would recognize. So, I was thinking Sheriff Andy from Mayberry? The guy's from Minnesota. So, I envisioned references to lazy days of ice fishing, or walking barefoot while chewing on wheat stalks, sweet and sappy? But, week to week as I actually read his articles, I'm picking up on disillusionment, disappointment, and a bout with depression. And, it's not subtle. There's not too much "aah, shucks" going on.

Last week, Mother's Day, he talked about the loss of possibilities, individuality, and intelligence inherent when a women produces and then raises offspring. The example he gave of a mother's love and tenacity had to do with fighting to the death to get said child acquitted of murder charges. Definitely worthy of a sentimental Hallmark tribute. A few weeks ago, he expressed the opinion, that I thought was unique to me, that the anniversaries of tragic events just serve as narcissistic opportunities to wallow in self pity. This week, he closed with a story about a classic (and obviously classy) soprano that sang on in spite of a couple of dozen drunken hecklers. His last line struck such a chord* (*clever use of a musical metaphor) that I decided to use it in my blog design.

I'm astounded to identify so closely with views expressed by an NPR program host. I'm amazed at the similarities in our writing styles. I'm humbled, and not a little apologetic. This is an example of how easily and grossly I can misjudge someone on very little information. Nobody's ever asked me what I thought of Garrison Keillor. But if they had, I would have offered a completely irrelevant, wrong and false appraisal based on....nothing substantial. I formed an impression on the titles of a radio program, book (Lake Wobegon Days), political party (Democrat) and NPR affiliation. I still don't know much about Garrison Keillor, but now I know I don't know much.

I remember forming a judgemental opinion based on nothing at ten years old. A neighborhood friend asked me if I was going to watch the newest t.v. show sensation, "The Monkees". "No, that's just stupid." Not very sophisticated, but certainly ignorant. I knew nothing about the program. When I did, I became a life long groupie of Mickey, Peter, Mike and especially Davey Jones. More recently, there was the girl who became my maid-of-honor, HBO, "Desperate Housewives", pop-corn flavored ice-cream, and lesbians. I really, really should have learned my lesson back in our "super-Fundy" days.

When Tall One and I were first married, and for 15 or so years after, we were members of progressively less fundamentalist Christian churches. The first was the worst. We were so narrow and bigoted that we actually believed in "second and third degree separation". This is the doctrine whereby you do not associate with someone that associates with someone that doesn't agree with your convictions. Say that three times, fast. Leaving there, we went to a more "liberal" church. You couldn't eat in a restaurant with a salad "bar", seriously. We were run off from the next church for encouraging the youth in idol worship. It's a long story. The next, because of a huge disagreement over building vs. people. And the last, increasing profound disillusionment.

I want to stop making snap judgements and drawing uninformed conclusions. It's embarrassing. It's an awful character trait. I find it unbecoming in others. But, I'm doing it unconsciously. I'm just not thinking....oh...yeah...right. Sorry.

http://dir.salon.com/topics/garrison_keillor/