Such Big Changes

FROM OTHER TIMES

With Other Values

how far we've come

THE ACCIDENTAL PRESIDENT

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.. There was a time when, (despite political affiliation,) some basic cultural, [American,] values were agreed upon.
.. Concepts of integrity, truth, honesty, equality, independence, privacy, individualism, directness, punctuality, pursuit of happiness, were well and truly agreed upon. Even 'bad guys' knew the concepts and behaviors.
.. Over the last century we have seen the agreement of concepts dissolve into fractious and opinionated nuances about just what each of these values is - AND - what they mean.

CATCH AND TELL

.. From "alternative facts" to "grab them by the pussy" we now have a sundering of our sociocultural  fabric by a lack of agreement on the constitutional values that govern American Behavior.
.. We have come to confuse liberty with license and, truth with opinion and, directness with insult.
.. This is not a new historical phenomenon. Rome saw it. Egypt saw it. China saw it twice. Persia saw it. Many cultural nation/empires have seen this. It's the start of a precipitous decline that can happen rapidly or gradually.

LOVE ME, LOVE MY DOG

.. In fly fishing terms: it's the "LOVE ME, LOVE MY DOG" syndrome.
.. We have seen this at fishing access points on many rivers. The dogs run freely with no discipline. Poop is viewed as a gift or present.
.. This is a sure reflection on the undisciplined attitude of their owners.
.. We have become a nation of undisciplined dog owners. We are now perpetrating on ourselves and the world an irresponsible behavior pattern.

PISS ON YOU !

.. It's a bit of behavior that fails to acknowledge the consequences of today's action on tomorrow's consequences.
.. Tomorrow will come and the dog owner culture of America will piss all over itself and it's neighbors.
.. No segment of our culture and no sub culture within any segment has escaped this transition. From the perceived gentility of fly fishing, we have come to the gonzo rich, ripping lips and, entitled in your face braggart.

DOGGIE ENTITLEMENT

.. From humble, forgiving, inclusive faiths, we have come to billionaire preacher performers with exclusivity as a badge of membership.
.. Throughout time it has been shown that a culture that fosters segmental entitlement ends up in divisive dissolution. Here we are.
.. When Harry Truman gave his inaugural address his emphasis centered on phrases like "equal justice under law," "equal opportunity," "peaceful settlement of disputes."
.. When Donald Trump gave his inaugural address his emphasis centered on phrases like "bring back our wealth," "make America wealthy again, "think big and dream even bigger,"

BLAME OTHERS

.. Pick your devil. Pick your own 'Satan of Change.'  Somewhere around the Nixon / Kennedy era a cultural shift became apparent:  from public servants in politics to power mongers in politics.
.. The shift has become the norm and is progressing along a trajectory propelled by recently adopted cultural positive feedback mechanisms.
.. Of course "MORE IS BETTER." More of anything! Wealth, power, prestige, entitlement, and other self aggrandizing qualities are now desirable.
.. We have more fishing rods, more flies, more destinations, more dogs, more cars, more awards, more members, more big fish, more clients, more brands, etc.

THE AMERICAN IDEAL

.. OR - more hotels, security men, firings, tax payer funds expended, public land reductions, oil produced, coal mined, laws broken, norms violated, advice ignored, buddy raises, lawyers hired and fired, etc.
.. There is nothing unique or despicable about the attitudes and behaviors of President Trump and the majority of our citizens.
.. He is a product of his times, as we all are. We will see more of this.
.. Neither Republicans nor Democrats are immune from our cultural trajectory.
.. The curse of "May you live in interesting times," is upon us and we'll not be able to avoid the thrust of history. Enjoy it while you can.

THE BLISSFUL SOLITUDE OF NOTELLUM CREEK

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.. The sun is out for a couple of days. The midges might show shortly after mid day. If not,  there will be trout in the riffles.

A CARROT SPIDER

.. If not the riffles then, there is the dark water and the reclusive monster under the bank.
.. Notellum Creek has all these possibilities within a couple of hundred yards. So does the Madison River around Raynolds Pass and Three Dollar Bridge.
.. The colorful runoff on the lowland Madison River is mitigated by the settling that occurs in Quake Lake.
.. Must be a fishy day.

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THE AMERICAN FISHING CHARIOT