[Vision2020] I can't resist . . .

[Joan Opyr]

PPS: I was just going to ignore this, but I find that I can't.  Being 
lectured by Phil Nisbet on "rolling up my sleeves" and trying to get 
along with others is like being lectured by a Spokane drunk on why I 
should pay a visit to "Beans and Rice and Jesus Christ."  Spare me your 
moralizing, Phil; you've bitten off more heads than Ozzy Osborne.  I am 
happy to work with many people whose politics are quite different from 
mine.  Tom Trail, Jon Kimberling, Gary Schroeder . . . I have 
corresponded with and met with each of them.  Our meetings were cordial 
(and in some cases downright friendly), and I have expressed more than 
just a desire to roll up my sleeves; I've done so.  In last year's 
Republican Primary, I crossed over party lines to vote for Gary 
Schroeder, and I encouraged other Democrats to do so.  That was not 
toeing the party line.  That was begging for trouble.  Do I think I did 
the right thing?  Yes.  Has it worked out as I'd planned?  No.  The 
perfidious jackasses who run the GOP in Boise promptly stabbed Gary in 
the back, removing him as Chair of the Senate Education Committee.  
Damn them for a load of stinking Brutuses.  (Or is that Brutii?)

It might surprise you to learn that I've met with representatives of 
Christ Church -- one memorable evening back in December of 2003, I 
spent more than four hours (over at least that many pitchers of beer) 
chatting with Ben Merkle, Nate Wilson, Doug's daughters and Doug's 
daughter-in-law, Heather, about "Southern Slavery: As It Was."  We were 
cordial to one another, but we were obliged to agree to disagree.  
Despite their repeated assertions that if I were just to meet with Doug 
and listen to one of his compelling disquisitions about his beliefs 
regarding the rights of women, property owners, and who should and 
should not be allowed to vote, I would be bound "to see things his 
way," I declined.  I've read Doug's work.  I've read his books and his 
articles in Credenda Agenda, and I've listened to quite of a few of his 
sermons, which are available online.  I know what Doug thinks, and I 
know what I think, and never the twain shall meet.  As Andreas Schou 
pointed out during the question-and-answer session at the June 23rd 
showing of "My Town," there is no middle ground between stoning and not 
stoning, and exile is not acceptable to me.  (Where should we gays and 
lesbians and apostates re-locate, Bovill?  Do you think they're ready 
for us?  Before I move, I want The Red Door and Bookpeople to precede 
me.  Then, perhaps, I'd be happy.)

Now, Phil, I challenge you to name a single occasion on which you have 
productively engaged with "the opposition."  Prepare yourself, though, 
as I'll be contacting POW and the PWCN to confirm that you were 
genuinely productive and that your professed willingness to set aside 
petty differences and work with others has not been greatly 
exaggerated.

(Ha.)

Joan Opyr/Auntie Establishment
www.auntie-establishment.com