by Robert Wilkinson
Today is the 50th anniversary of the Cuban Missile Crisis, as well as the 43rd anniversary of the very first “Monty Python Flying Circus” television broadcast.
I was 11 and living at ground zero near Cape Canaveral, Florida when the missile crisis came down. We were told to go home from school early, and be with our families and say our prayers, since we were told in no uncertain terms that should the Russians launch, we were only 8 minutes away from total nuclear annihilation. I remember thinking at the time that I was much too young to die at the hands of adults who couldn’t seem to work things out.
That of course has infused my life with a centeredness in the Now, since once upon a time I wasn’t sure there would be tomorrow, or even the next hour. I suppose that’s a good thing to come out of a very heavy thing to lay on a very young child.
Monty Python, on the other hand, has brought me many hours of joy, laughter, and relief from the tensions of modern life. I didn’t have time to research all the clips I’d like to post here, but please feel free to find some and post them in the comment stream. I promise to post ALL of them, regardless of how absurd!
I especially like the two movies produced by Sir George Harrison the Beatle, “Life of Brian” and “Monty Python and the Holy Grail.” Gotta love when clowns and satirists make fun of two of the primary myths driving Western culture and history. If you haven’t seen them, check them out! Just prepare for a stiff dose of irreverence, tongue in cheek humor, wit that’s razor sharp and passes in a heartbeat, and overall just a dose of great good fun! “Because no one expects the Spanish Inquisition…..”
And finally, a heartfelt RIP to Russell Means. Courageous, powerful, iconic, he never backed down, and stood up and spoke to power as only one of the First Peoples could. If you don’t know what he was about, please check out any number of bios out there. He was a truly great man.
Tell Vine I said hi, Russell. He prepared the defense that helped you get the word out. Blessings to you both, my Brothers.
© Copyright 2012 Robert Wilkinson
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