[Vision2020] The Wizard of Blogz

[Tom Hansen]

>From today's (November 10, 2007) edition of the Moscow-Pullman Daily News
with thanks to Gene Rosa -

-----------------------------------------------------------

The Wizard of Blogz

Who could ever forget that penultimate scene in the "Wizard of Oz," where
the tempestuous Wizard - thanks to the dog, Toto - is found practicing his
bombast behind a curtain?

Peaking behind the curtain, Dorothy, the Tin Man, the Scarecrow and the Lion
discover the Wizard to be nothing more than an ordinary, avuncular man who,
like Dorothy, had arrived in Oz from Kansas. Despite the deception the
"wizard" is able to solve the problems of Dorothy and her friends, not with
magic but with a little common sense and some effective double talk. The key
joy of the scene is the realization that one's goals, however difficult, can
be achieved with belief and commitment. But, is there a larger message in
the story's denouement? I was never certain. Never certain, that is, until
now. 

Thanks to a striking photo on the front page of the Daily News last week,
where some protestors affiliated with Christ Church are claiming that
certain candidates for City Council are bigots, we find that the curtain
lives on. In modern times it apparently lives on in electronic form. For
Moscow apparently has its own "wizard" in a Christ Church pastor (from the
Latin for shepherd) who in his blog refers to the same candidates for Moscow
City Council as religious bigots who should be voted out of office. So,
there is a man behind the curtain after all. However, he doesn't appear to
have the avuncular style of the original wizard, but has instead a penchant
for finding repugnant epithets to hurl at devoted public servants who enact
policies he opposes.

Wizardry, indeed.

Gene Rosa, Moscow

-----------------------------------------------------------

Seeya round town, Moscow.

Tom Hansen
Moscow, Idaho

******************************************

"People walking up to you
Singing glory hallelujah
And they're trying to sock it to you
In the name of the Lord."

- Joe South (from "Games People Play")
 
******************************************