|
I often wonder if anyone reads what I write. It becomes a major concern. If no one is reading, why should I write? I occasionally hear from friends who I assume are being nice and just use my column as a means of conversation.
The other day I received a letter in the mail postmarked Washington, D.C. It was not addressed to my home, but, rather to the Paola Free Library Board. I am a board member, so I expected some kind of suggestion about the library.
As I read the opening paragraph, I became somewhat concerned. It began: “I am an attorney in Washington, D.C.,” and my first reaction was fear of what a Washington lawyer might be after me for. She continued: “I am writing to you in regards to the very fine opinion piece that was published in the Miami County Republic on April 22nd.”
Now, I knew I was in trouble, probably for plagiarizing. I breathed a sigh of relief when she went on to say; “I have a “Google alert” on the Secure Fence Act and picked it up as a clip on May 13th. I want to thank you so much for writing the piece (diplomacy is better answer than building a wall). I am part of a group of organizations and individuals who have been fighting the construction of the border wall and the waiver of all environmental, historic preservation, tribal protection and administrative laws.”
I was totally relieved and somewhat proud of the fact that my little article had reached all the way to Washington, D.C., through of all things the Internet and Google. She even forwarded my article to Congressman Raul Grijalva, who represents a district in southern Arizona and recently introduced a bill to Congress entitled, “Border Security and Responsibility Act.”
According to my new lawyer friend the “Congressmen was so pleased with your article that he distributed it to his colleagues.” Wow, now my work is being recognized by the government.
When I wrote the “Wall” column, I had just visited the wall in the Rio Grande Valley and was disturbed that my country was wasting so much money and man power to build an edifice that was useless and would destroy much of what makes the Rio Grande Valley grand. I was glad to have done my small share in protesting by writing a simple column.
Then, my lawyer friend asked a favor of me. “I have been wondering if you know other people who visit the Rio Grande Valley in the winter months, and might be interested in writing similar articles for their local newspapers or even just letters to their editors. We have heard so many times that what is needed is more protests from people in Kansas, Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin … places that Congress considers the real America.”
Suddenly this small town columnist who just enjoys writing and expressing his somewhat jaded views about anything and everything is a spearhead for a protest movement. I don’t know if I want to mess with Homeland Security or not. After all they are the organization President Bush put in charge of constructing the border fence. Those people play rough and play for keeps. Here I thought my public thoughts went no further than the county and suddenly my name appears on the list for Homeland Security.
If I have a chance to write columns in the not too distant future, I think I will stick to the birds, berms, cats and dogs. Things that would not interest my congressman and would certainly not raise any red flags in Washington.
Trackback(0)
|
TrackBack URI for this entry
Subscribe to this comment's feed