“Human history becomes more and more a race between education and catastrophe.” — Admiral Dwight Johnson quoting H. G. Wells in his school board race.
As a boy I always loved summer school. It was there that I learned my best lessons, read my favorite books and worked with my family. I think it’s fair to say that what I learned in my summers of my youth shaped me in the winters of my middle aged life.
In a way that’s true now, too, but I’m the one running the classes. I suppose that’s how it goes. As it should, as it should.
Summer school’s in session. Don’t be a tourist now. We don’t need you at Montauk, or Manhattan Beach, or in Miami (gross!). We need you right here. We need you right now.
All the children are coming. In the summertime it’s muggy, it’s hot, and so it’s perfect to study, study, study. Lodging will provided on an as needed basis. So, too, travel.
You might have heard that I’m an outlaw, baby. I lied, of course, and so I got punished. Spanked even. Ouchy!
$71M and counting! Come and see for yourself. So broke. They got me. Or did they?
Of course I have a few friends who carry me through — just as I am proud to carry them.
What could I possibly say about my friends who freed me? How could I possibly ever repay them?
By dedicating myself to freeing others.
Well, how do I do that? I do it by being an example.
Greater love hath no man who laid down his life for his friends, you know? I feel like I read that somewhere. But where?
I think my grandparents taught it to me but it’s been so long since I taught Sunday school.
Of course some students come with bad intentions. We will find that out too. Character is an essential component of any education. We follow the old code around here.
Some of them are even cruel to their teachers! Can you imagine that?
But good students send their bios. They download Signal. They come correct with open minds, willing hearts and strong bodies. All are welcome. I repeat all are welcome. All races, all creeds, all ages, all, all, all!
They needn’t come with perfection but I do insist that they be human to others and themselves.
Class is in session.
Will you be at the beach? At the pool? On a boat? No shame in any of that but once you dry off, once you are out of the sun, it’s time to hit the books.
Uncle Chuck is asking for you.
But really after class I want you to be my friend. I do not use that word lightly. Friend.
You see I’ve been lonely all of my life. Very lonely. That is, until recently, when I showed up to work.
Oh yes, we have work to do, me and my friends. I hope you join us. After all, the things of friends are in common.
If you can’t make class — and really you should — I might prepare a syllabus. Of course I might not. These things are individually tailored and any lesson plan must take account of the student’s individual needs.
Oh, and thank you to my students and teachers who reached out to me but honestly, I have never been better.
Do you think I am so easily defeated? You know better than that, don’t you?
We’re not out of the woods, not entirely, but I can see a break up ahead.
My brothers came by to pick me up and now I’m back in the driver’s seat. You might have noticed they even passed the GENIUS Act. Huh. Wasn’t that my code name? Weird!
Your teacher had some extracurricular activity down in Fort Worth but I’m back now. Of course I never left did I?
Colonel Carl Lundquist, my other grandpa, knew a thing or two about going to work and how sometimes you have to take care of others business.
Isn’t it interesting that none of the American publications picked up that I got a $71 million judgement against me!
Why it’s almost like none of it ever happened!
I won’t bore you but you might enjoy reading the transcript. There are some humdingers in there. But I should warn you. I’m a novelist these days. Still I did get to depose myself and that’s rather fun.
So follow me, my students. Continue to condemn me, my enemies. You cannot hurt me unless I let you and I forgive you ahead of time. Thank you to my friends and teachers.
It’s been so hard being the rider but I am now willing to assume the throne with my Arwen who has chosen a mortal life alongside me. Do you think I should give her my favorite book, The Wasp, as a present? I think I should.
We have a lot to teach one another as we do the work of a nation.
As for me?
Well…
I’ll let Nina Simone say it for me. Such a racist aren’t I?
Birds flying high, you know how I feel
Sun in the sky, you know how I feel
Breeze driftin' on by, you know how I feel
[Chorus]
It's a new dawn, it's a new day
It's a new life for me, yeah
It's a new dawn, it's a new day
It's a new life for me, ooh
And I'm feeling good
Until we see each other next…
Do watch An Officer and a Gentleman (1982). I wouldn’t recommend these things if they weren’t important. O.K.?
Chuck out.
Interesting series of questions by the judge starting on p. 169 of the transcript--that he elicited any of that. And this on p. 175: "THE COURT: I'd like to hear the answer."
Cheers on the closing.
I'm patient--and open minded… in all directions/dimensions.
Hi Charles, glad to see you are doing well. Do you have a link to the news segment featuring StealthMedical explaining the purpose of Kapparot? I apologize this is off topic, but this is the only way I could find to reach you. Thanks.