"When dawn spreads its paintbrush on the plain, spilling purple... ," Sons of the Pioneers theme for TV show "Wagon Train." Dawn on the mythic Santa Fe Trail, New Mexico, looking toward Raton from Cimarron. -- Clarkphoto. A curmudgeon artist's musings melding metaphors and journalism, for readers in more than 150 countries.

Saturday, February 8, 2020

Where have all the manners gone? Long time ago

Reading my article about Mom teaching us manners, clashed with what we all see in this country today. A sheriff calls for a roadside bomb to murder the Speaker of the House. A preacher wants gay people shot. 
Their mothers didn't teach them manners, if they know who their mother is, I'd like to respond, but that shows a lack of manners, doesn't it? Every day, every minute, almost every second there are more instances of people totally devoid of manners, or respect, of responsibility, of decency.
America has descended into a nation of rudeness, of hate, of extremes--of no manners or respect.
Where have all the manners gone? Manners are an indication of respect, or civility, even it you don't agree, you don't insult. You take responsibility for your actions and words and demeanor.
Have you seen any manners in American politics or religion or culture recently?
One of the tragedies is that is most obvious is  this didn't happen overnight, that these rudest, crudest of the bunch, weren't taught manners. It's generational.
Then I thought of the Pete Seeger song, "Where have all the flowers gone?"
My adaptation:
Where have all the manners gone?
Long time passing
Where have all the manners gone?
Long time gone
Where have all the manners gone?
Parents have forgotten them, every one
When will they ever learn?
When will they ever learn?
Where have all the children gone?
Long time passing
Where have all the children gone”
Long time ago
Where have all the children gone?
Gone to hatred every one
How will they ever learn?
When will they ever learn?
Where have all the manners gone?
Long time passing
Where have all the manners gone?
Long time ago
Where….

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