Say Anything Blog

The folks are gabbing on cell phones , listening to i-pods or typing on a lap top. Instead of the smell of the farms and fresh air, the smell of the fast food bought at the last drive-through window runs through the car. I feel sad for all these folks; they never had the joy of experiencing the real small town America before our corporations reeked havoc on them.

I think blaming the corporations for this is a little far-fetched.  Corporations were created to serve public demand for thins like air conditioners, iPods, laptops, etc.

Corporations didn’t force us to want those things, we as free citizens operating in a free market chose to want those things for ourselves.  The corporations simply formed to provide them to us.  And many of these corporations you complain about not only existed in the 1950’s, but were pilloried in much the same way you’re doing now for driving away “the good old days.”

The more things change, I guess, the more they stay the same.

When the people fear their government, there is tyranny; when the government fears the people, there is liberty.

-- Thomas Jefferson

Rob’s recently listened-to songs:

Gone is any form of creativity , warmness or camaraderie.

Luckily, we still have hyperbole!

I feel sad for all these folks; they never had the joy of experiencing the real small town America before our corporations reeked havoc on them.

Funny! I live in a small town! Aside from a newly minted Starbucks, nothing Davinski described is true! Maybe if he would leave his Mom’s basement once in a while, put down his i-pod, turn off his laptop, maybe he would see some of it?

Better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it.

It really sort of irks me when people start trashing corporations.  Are there bad corporations out there who have committed crimes, engaged in unethical business practices and treated their workers poorly?  Sure.  Are there also corporations that rent-seek and lobby for unfair political advantages?  Sure.

But then again, most of the technological advances we love the most have been invented (or innovated), and then made available on a massive scale by...corporations.

In general, big business has made our lives better.  Not worse.

When the people fear their government, there is tyranny; when the government fears the people, there is liberty.

-- Thomas Jefferson

Rob’s recently listened-to songs:

The lefties never go after the real evil corporation, the one that deals in death and which receives real corporate welfare:  Planned Parenthood.

"Give the lefties a pile of money, and they’ll spend it buying votes.” - Rush Limbaugh on the “bailout”.

Also, davinski, demand creates supply.  We created those corporations you so love to demonize, so you are really criticizing and demonizing the American public.  Typical leftie arrogance.  I guess you must pray nightly for “the dictatorship of the proletariat”.

"Give the lefties a pile of money, and they’ll spend it buying votes.” - Rush Limbaugh on the “bailout”.

davi, you are f**king idiot.

Una Salus Victus Nullam Sperare Salutem

Interesting memory.  As a child, I ranked gasoline as one of my favorite smells and also enjoyed the gas station adventures.  Mmmmm, pure leaded gas had a very unique smell that unleaded gas never captured.  During those few years when stations had both leaded and unleaded, the aroma change was obvious to me.  Did anybody else notice that or did I sniff too many gas fumes?

Davi, you are a f**king idiot.

Now Now Hotel, we are all God’s children. It is a big world, and we have many differing opinions. Perhaps some sensitivity counseling would help.

You don’t need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows

Bob Dylan

The small towns are still there, they are just not the ones you remember.  Get a motorcycle, travel the upper mississippi (or local waterway) and you will discover a plethora of small towns, great diners, and fabulous food.  You will find your lost childhood.

2h9,

davi, you are f**king idiot.

I really don’t think that was necessary.

When the people fear their government, there is tyranny; when the government fears the people, there is liberty.

-- Thomas Jefferson

Rob’s recently listened-to songs:

I’ve always loved road trips myself.  Gasolines...and yes, even the gasoline smell.

My dad always traveled a lot, and sometimes he’d take me with him.  There was just something about stopping at truck stops.  Driving all day.  Dropping, dead-weary, into a soft hotel bed at night.

Fun stuff.  I always thought that if nothing else worked out, I could be an over-the-road trucker.

When the people fear their government, there is tyranny; when the government fears the people, there is liberty.

-- Thomas Jefferson

Rob’s recently listened-to songs:

I am sure the members of the small towns at the turn of the previous century complained about the roads, cars, and drive-ins as members of the next generation complain about the ‘Generica’ food places and technology.

I am sure the young kids will look back nostalgically at this era and look back at the Starbucks on every corner and everybody had their own cars and bitch about whatever the future has in store for us.

It is just change.  Some of it is good, some of it is bad, but change will happen.

davi, I got your sensitivity swinging. Your anti-business screed is sappy drivel.

Flamer, I always loved that smell! And I remember when diesel changed. I worked with my stepfather doing 24 hour road service on trucks, and fueling tractors and farm equipment. And Avgas! Wow did I love that aroma. Kerosene heaters always make me think of “flightline in the predawn”, turbines whining to life, belly full of messhall eggs and bacon and over cooked coffee. Mmmm, those were the days!

Una Salus Victus Nullam Sperare Salutem

Thank you Davinski for the post ... it brought back many fond memories for me to dream upon.
You were fortunate to be able to stop at a restaurant, my father always said “we don’t have money for those types of things”. I never tired of bologna, mayo, mustard, and sweet relish sandwiches and they’re still my favorite. Stopping on the road side for a picnic is a treat even today for me.
I learned, early on that there was a difference in “not having money to spend on specific things” and “not having money at all”. My dad never said we didn’t have the money… he just said we didn’t have money to spend that way. 
Your post also brought up a very adamant issue for me. It bothers me a great deal about the dvd players in the cars to entertain children and even adults now. These people are missing out on a lifetime education and it’s a sad thing.
I am beginning to think most children won’t know how to get to the grocery store because they have never looked out the window as they go with a parent on that errand. The first thing they do is flip on a movie or even carry one to the car with no other thought in their mind. So much personal communication is lost, even if it’s just talking about road repair, a building being demolished or discussing why a person was wrong for driving irresponsible like they just witnessed. On trips… they are pacified by animation or video games and have missed a true education just outside the window.  These people/children are missing out on learning self control, self satisfaction, family socialization and most importantly they are missing out on MEMORIES
Thank you again Davinski ... family trips are a very fond memory for me and to me ANY AND ALL family time is so important, yet is so neglected today.

Thanks Anna. I had many of those “bologna specials” myself. Mom use to ground up our bologna with pickles and mayo. Still love it to this day.

You don’t need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows

Bob Dylan