Listening to a radio show this morning as I paint....Talking about the border problem etc. No one (local callers) seems to have a very broad / historical take on oppression verses freedom. Opinions abound as to how and why and who they should let cross the border. One of the presidential candidates (not the one who owns a Hawkins original oil painting) stated during a 4th of July rally that America is great 'cause of it's people...the great diversity. I believe he couldn't be more wrong. America is diverse because America is FREE. America has been great... because of the unique freedom we experience....really unlike any other country in just about any time in history. (I have both time-traveled and lived abroad) This is the only place where the poor or minority or foreign born can become a doctor or teacher or a governator or whatever...quite unique I think and yet...the greatness is deteriorating precisely because of it's embracing and focusing on "diversity" rather than empowering people through the freedom found here. America lets more people enter the country (legally) than the sum of all other countries combined. (I just heard this stat not long ago) Yet it seems we continue to undermine the very things that make this a desirable place to be, eg., the Tucson Sidewinders triple A ball club is leaving the state, the Minnesota North Stars hockey team was sold to Texas, and the Vikings are trying to recruit by subterfuge ex-enemy Bret Favre. Seems one of the only saving factors is that Bob Dylan still tours incessantly and so, there is hope. If he's coming to your town you better try to catch him. He's 67 years old and still has some teeth left....and his voice is as beautiful as ever. There you have it. My answer to all the worlds problems. Thanks Bob.
