Iowa native Norman Maclean (1902-1990) published only two works (The Theory of Lyric Poetry from the Renaissance to Coleridge [1940] and A Manual of Instruction in Military Maps and Aerial Photographs [1943]) before publishing A River Runs Through It,
"Meanwhile Thomas Massie (R-KY) is being touted as the next secretary of USDA. Massie, an MIT-trained engineer, has been openly and vocally critical of ... the death grip corporate agribusiness has on small farmers." I believe our food supply depends on family farm support. Thank you for the comprehensive reporting and writing, Chris.
This article was depressing, yet surprisingly encouraging, too. Thank you, Chris. We are fortunate to have the Iowa Writers Collaborative to connect us with visionaries like you.
Chris, thank you for this essay. It provides a great perspective on how we can approach the challenges that we will be facing in the coming weeks and years.
I agree: “Many see the story as ‘about’ fishing, but if I may be so bold, I think it’s about coming to grips with not being able to affect change.” Yes. When I say most of what I’ve learned is by fly fishing for trout I’m serious. Failure to make deep not echoey repeated thoughts fail people all the time. I’m going to keep reading you. Great thoughts and ideas!
Thanks so much Chris . . . needed to hear some wise words on this cool and foggy November morning.
Highly recommend Maclean's book Young Men and Fire published after his passing, and his son John's book - Fire on the Mountain. Both are stories of humans and wildfire, but as with A River Runs Through It, other lessons for us all in both as well.
I am perhaps a bit less optimistic than you, Mr. Jones, about the ability of pluralism in this country to check the authoritarian impulses of the vile villainous president-elect and his minions. I will not surrender, but imagine that there are yet depths of depravity they will plumb before we can be effective in guiding any change of course.
I like following a journeyman writer like Chris; much like my church, he raises the bar for me, and he certainly is "a voice crying out in the wilderness". Thinking about the recently victorious Cheeto Jesus, "Vile" did not come to mind. Low-brow, but proud former McCain/Romney voter that I am, Lying F***ing Traitor, Convicted Rapist, Tax& Business-Cheat, Veteran-hating-draft-dodging-adulterous coward............... ALL of these and more come to my mind. But I do get the despair for my country; it has seeped into my bones like a wet, late-November day. The most optimistic view I can muster is we are on the cusp of losing our country permanently to a bunch of theocratic rapture-addled oligarchs. My pessimistic self says we already have.
Over the last half-dozen years I have lost an equal number of life long relationships over the Mango Menace. People I thought I knew, many since childhood, six decades ago, who are completely blind to what he is, and perhaps to what they are. The Trump people I know are in two camps; one votes their already fat pocketbook, farmers mostly, the ones who "hate socialism" except when it comes to their government support checks, government farm-to-market roads, and government lock and dam system and inevitable government bail outs when they yowl that their planted-to-the -riverbank crops are flooded out.
The other Trumpguppies are the Bush-Light chuggin' , jacked-truck ,billy-goat beard crowd. Economically depressed, perhaps living in one of Iowa's 69 dying counties where the smart kids cannot get out fast enough, they are pissed at life itself. Making $19 an hour driving the feed truck and sure the globalists or Jews or uppity women are why they are in such dire straits.
Whichever group they are in, their hand is on the tiller now, in Iowa, run by our Corn/CAFO mafia, and with complete command of the federal government. Stupidity has a price and we are all about to make our first payment in 2025.
Anyway, I have been on the therapist couch long enough, thanks for listening. Here is a bit from the astute and departed HL Mencken, whom Chris reminds me of.
" On some great and glorious day the plain folks of the land will reach their heart's desire at last, and the White House will be adorned by a downright moron."
“Maybe the larger population of Iowans don’t care about clean water? It seems possible. Yes, yes it does. Maybe the politics and water we merit are one and the same.” Maybe citizens in a late-stage capitalist country have elected the leader they deserve.
Thanks for the inspiration in this time of gloom. For sure, the fight will take courage!
"Meanwhile Thomas Massie (R-KY) is being touted as the next secretary of USDA. Massie, an MIT-trained engineer, has been openly and vocally critical of ... the death grip corporate agribusiness has on small farmers." I believe our food supply depends on family farm support. Thank you for the comprehensive reporting and writing, Chris.
This article was depressing, yet surprisingly encouraging, too. Thank you, Chris. We are fortunate to have the Iowa Writers Collaborative to connect us with visionaries like you.
Well reasoned and well said. I think it’s going to be rough sledding the next four years.
We must listen to and engage with each other. Red and blue.
I’m looking forward to more of your posts.
Amen
Thanks, as always, for your sound perspective, Chris. Fingers are crossed.
Chris, thank you for this essay. It provides a great perspective on how we can approach the challenges that we will be facing in the coming weeks and years.
I agree: “Many see the story as ‘about’ fishing, but if I may be so bold, I think it’s about coming to grips with not being able to affect change.” Yes. When I say most of what I’ve learned is by fly fishing for trout I’m serious. Failure to make deep not echoey repeated thoughts fail people all the time. I’m going to keep reading you. Great thoughts and ideas!
Thanks so much Chris . . . needed to hear some wise words on this cool and foggy November morning.
Highly recommend Maclean's book Young Men and Fire published after his passing, and his son John's book - Fire on the Mountain. Both are stories of humans and wildfire, but as with A River Runs Through It, other lessons for us all in both as well.
I am perhaps a bit less optimistic than you, Mr. Jones, about the ability of pluralism in this country to check the authoritarian impulses of the vile villainous president-elect and his minions. I will not surrender, but imagine that there are yet depths of depravity they will plumb before we can be effective in guiding any change of course.
I never hear politicians talking about ecosystems but your writings boil down to just that. Thank you for keeping the idea alive.
Well said. Thanks.
This is fascinating. Thanks, Chris.
Bravo!! 👏 Democrats in Iowa are loathe to change, and don’t know how to fucking fight smart. You are writing from a wise mind here. Thank you!
I like following a journeyman writer like Chris; much like my church, he raises the bar for me, and he certainly is "a voice crying out in the wilderness". Thinking about the recently victorious Cheeto Jesus, "Vile" did not come to mind. Low-brow, but proud former McCain/Romney voter that I am, Lying F***ing Traitor, Convicted Rapist, Tax& Business-Cheat, Veteran-hating-draft-dodging-adulterous coward............... ALL of these and more come to my mind. But I do get the despair for my country; it has seeped into my bones like a wet, late-November day. The most optimistic view I can muster is we are on the cusp of losing our country permanently to a bunch of theocratic rapture-addled oligarchs. My pessimistic self says we already have.
Over the last half-dozen years I have lost an equal number of life long relationships over the Mango Menace. People I thought I knew, many since childhood, six decades ago, who are completely blind to what he is, and perhaps to what they are. The Trump people I know are in two camps; one votes their already fat pocketbook, farmers mostly, the ones who "hate socialism" except when it comes to their government support checks, government farm-to-market roads, and government lock and dam system and inevitable government bail outs when they yowl that their planted-to-the -riverbank crops are flooded out.
The other Trumpguppies are the Bush-Light chuggin' , jacked-truck ,billy-goat beard crowd. Economically depressed, perhaps living in one of Iowa's 69 dying counties where the smart kids cannot get out fast enough, they are pissed at life itself. Making $19 an hour driving the feed truck and sure the globalists or Jews or uppity women are why they are in such dire straits.
Whichever group they are in, their hand is on the tiller now, in Iowa, run by our Corn/CAFO mafia, and with complete command of the federal government. Stupidity has a price and we are all about to make our first payment in 2025.
Anyway, I have been on the therapist couch long enough, thanks for listening. Here is a bit from the astute and departed HL Mencken, whom Chris reminds me of.
" On some great and glorious day the plain folks of the land will reach their heart's desire at last, and the White House will be adorned by a downright moron."
Thanks Kevin!
Thank you.
“Maybe the larger population of Iowans don’t care about clean water? It seems possible. Yes, yes it does. Maybe the politics and water we merit are one and the same.” Maybe citizens in a late-stage capitalist country have elected the leader they deserve.