It has been a rough number of days since the invasion of Israel. The brutality of the attack is the worst slaughter of Jews since the Holocaust that ultimately led to the creation of the Jewish State, 75 years ago.
The Middle East remains a tinder box of hatred, violence, and now another war. It appears that the situation will get worse, not better.
At home in America, Congress fails to elect a new Speaker of The House. Democrats are sticking together, and eight Republicans are using a House rule to stop the majority vote to elect a new Speaker. That situation appears fluid with no end in sight, at least early in the week. Let’s hope that the Congress can get back to work.
In Colorado, the CU Buffaloes blew a halftime 29-0 lead, to lose a conference game with Stanford 46-43. Those of us who watched the late game conclusion well past midnight witnessed a second overtime field goal by Stanford, sending CU fans to bed, confused, irritated, and angry. The game was exciting to the last miserable seconds.
The Broncos lost another game to Kansas City, and I must say that the defense showed some spirit, holding the Chiefs to a 10-3 score at halftime. It seemed like every time QB Wilson got rolling something bad happened. That situation doesn’t appear to be improving.
The election is Nov. 7, with city council and school board candidate races. Follow the contests over the next few weeks in this newspaper. Be thankful that we can vote in freedom and safety.
As the week ended, I received a very friendly letter from a longtime friend, Larry Brown, who worked for the Colorado River Water District decades ago. Larry would visit with me on water issues in Craig 50 years ago. Since that time Larry, and his wife Sharon, have lived in Mesquite, NV; Provo, UT, Denver, and Littleton, more recently moving to Kansas to be with family. We change his address often.
Larry has been an avid reader of our newspapers for decades and sends me jokes and comments on a regular basis. His last letter contained an inspiring poem that was uplifting. With the week’s bad and horrifying news his letter put a smile back on my face. Gratitude to Larry for taking the time to write and care about his old friend. I share his message with you faithful readers and may it brighten your day.
Out Where the West Begins
Out where the handshake’s a little stronger,
Out where the smile dwells a little longer,
That’s where the West begins.
Out where the sun is a little brighter,
Where the snows that fall are a trifle whiter,
Where the bonds of home are a wee bit tighter,
That’s where the West begins.
Out where the skies are a trifle bluer,
Out where friendship’s a little truer,
That’s where the West begins.
Out where a fresher breeze is blowing,
Where there’s laughter in every streamlet flowing,
Where there’s more of reaping and less of sowing,
That’s where the West begins.
Out where the world is in the making,
Where fewer hearts in despair are aching,
That’s where the West begins.
Where there’s more of singing and less of sighing,
Where there’s more of giving and less of buying,
And a man makes friends without half trying,
That’s where the West begins.
Author, Arthur Chapman