Poetry Prose and Other Words

by Ken Ingham

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Blog 1993

January 29, 1993
Clinton Breaks a Clinch

The president is winning and so are the people. The forces of reason grow stronger and more effective. There is a problem in the country. We are again confronting that pesky little defect in democracy which allows the majority to perpetuate a situation that is intolerable to a minority, whose members are then obliged to make enough noise to capture attention. The gays have our attention and it doesn't seem that they will leave the country soon so what should we do? Clinton has arranged for us to have a debate, the most enlightened response that a democratic society can make. Discuss the issue and encourage everyone to think about how they really feel. Demand rational support for all assertions and listen carefully. The atmosphere on both sides will clarify. Many will change their points of view when confronted with logic, creating a less polarized climate more conducive to needed adjustments in our behavior. That's leadership. That's progress. That's how change occurs in a sophisticated democracy.

Ken Ingham
Garrett Park MD

September 12, 1993
Letter to Earth First! Journal

Dear Shit for Brains,

Thank Gaia, the EF!J will continue for at least another year! It is unique among the various organs of Gaian literature. I don't mind your squabbles and the journal is a good place to let it all hang out. Should one group discover universal truth it will be obvious. We all could recognize it if we saw it but few of us can define it. Direct action is necessary and important. It stimulates the great debate over how best to preserve and restore wilderness. The EFJ provides positive reinforcement for points of view that aren't (yet) so acceptable elsewhere. The squabbling in print also serves to comfort those who might otherwise harbor the misconception that we Eco warriors already have answers to all the tough questions. Keep searching for the truth and keep publishing the various attempts to define it.

Ken Nethingham
Briary Bottom, West Va