Category: Americana

JFK – Sinking For Success

The patrol torpedo boat PT-109 commanded by Lieutenant John F Kennedy sunk 78 years ago, on August 2nd 1943, after being rammed by the Japanese destroyer Amagiri. This incident gave Kennedy lifelong back problems and a war hero status because of the bravery he showed to save his surviving crew. The disaster was also one of the foundations for his political career.

As I face the tremendous uncertainties of life in a society which is trashing the legacy of freedom from World War Two, JFK is one of the heroes whose legacy I cherish.

As he said, “Every accomplishment starts with the decision to try.”

God bless Freedom.

Geoff Fox , 2nd August, 2021, Down Under

In Two Minds: Fox on Goldich on McCoury

A Geoff Fox visual transcreation of words from Tim Goldich.

Bluegrass musician Del McCoury turns 82 years old today and is still working.

His career in music goes back to 1958.

His two sons Ronnie and Rob have been in his band for 27 years.

The above word art is a visual transcreation of Tim Goldich‘s words: “Many a feminist rejects marriage, home, family, and parenting. But, how beautiful all of those things can be. Del McCoury’s connection with his sons shows that there’s nothing more wonderful than family.”

Geoff Fox, 1st February, 2021, Down Under

From Mark Twain – Irreverence and Liberty and Donald Trump

In 1863 Mark Twain (born on November 30 in 1835) wrote: ” ……. we glorious Americans will occasionally astonish the God that created us when we get a fair start.”

With his ability to cut through and communicate to conservative America Donald Trump shows an irreverent ability to maintain his own free spirit which much of the world doesn’t understand.

He is Archie Bunker in the White House.

His followers love him for what he is.

How will he surprise us next?

Geoff Fox, 30 November, 2020, Down Under.

Independence and Modern Relationships – Annie Oakley Style

When America’s great hero Annie Oakley said, “Families are nothing other than the idolatry of duty.” and “Housework is work directly opposed to the possibility of human self-actualization.” she could have been reading from the modern feminist playbook.

I think she was way ahead of her time.

But Annie Oakley was no man-hater. She worked well with men all her life.

My friend Shelly of Houston seems to me to echo Annie’s spirit when she writes about getting free of a marriage destroyed by her ex-husband’s infidelity:

The American capacity for self correction constantly amazes me.

Robust freedom of speech is at the core of this strength.

I believe that, on many fronts, conservatism in America needs to reinvent itself to fulfull its essential role of preserving the best of America.

Geoff Fox, November 4, 2020, Down Under