They say that a picture is worth a thousand words. I've never quite understood that. There's nothing like knowing the actual person.

I created a nook for myself the other day. Where I am, where I am at in my life it seems that nooks need not only be created, but they also need to be defended. There's been a tenacity of late that is new. One would think that having grown up with three siblings and a set of angry parents, I would learn to be tenacious and defend my space. I have learned since then that The world outside the "normal" life of family teaches you an even deeper (and sometimes angrier) tenacity. One that drives you to escape to a space that is yours and only yours. One that you defend without shame.

This nook isn't very impressive. its just a desk next to a window. It smells like dust in here and old cigarettes smoked a year ago (the ones that landis and i smoked on sunday afternoons lying in bed refusing to get up). Just outside of the window is a wall. Brick. But sometimes, all you really need is a desk next to a window. What is outside the window doesn't really matter; just that there is light.

I just finished reading this book:

Cecil Bothwell is the local Mountain Xpress writer just voted best journalist. He was also fired shortly after the Xpress ran a cover story about this book. If you haven't read it, I would recommend it, especially if you're interested in what going on politically underground in Asheville.
In some ways, The Prince of War isn't an entirely surprising book. It will offend some Christians and perhaps grossly misrepresent many individuals of faith. for others it will simply confirm their suspicions. As someone who was raised in the heart of Billy Graham's "territory", I found myself somewhat on the fence with this one. Bothwell doesn't hold back and makes no pretense to support anything that Graham has ever done. So, if you're looking for an unbiased biography on one of the most influential religious leaders in America, you might want to check out a different book. The first page for instance, leading into the introduction has this quote by Thomas Jefferson: " Christianity is the most perverted system that ever shone on man"
Don't expect Bothwell to have much more sunshine than that. While I don't necessarily agree with his methodology on this one, you do have to hand it to the guy for stepping out in the middle of one of the most entrenched regions in the country and to publish something as scathing as this book is. And while we could sit around and argue his journalistic style (lack of an objective voice etc) I would venture to say that 75% of the book are direct quotes from Billy Graham spanning the past 50 years, many of which are taken verbatim from the Nixon tapes, speeches, phone conversations, etc. Bothwell also observes Graham's negotiation of the civil rights movement; strategic if not downright neglectful at times. Hosting numerous events and crusades for instance where there were either no black admittance or segretated seating are just two examples.
Whatever I can argue about Bothwell's obvious dislike of the man and the faith, I would highly recommend this book. The direct quotes, citations, official reports are all just a few of the ways Bothwell makes the case that Billy Graham has been entrenched in the White House, helping win elections and suppressing numerous grassroots movements from washington for the past 40 years. Its a side of Billy Graham that we don't often see and quite a few people i think don't want us to see.
I picked my copy up at Malaprops bookstore downtown, but i'm sure other local places and online stores have it available by now.

tidbits

Today in the news:
according to the AP via cnn.com, a teenager with autism was lost on a trail this past weekend. After missing for several days and despite the family's assurance that although he may be autistic he is in perfect physical condition and used to hiking the region, search and rescuers have kept the search radius to about four miles. its simply appalling at times isn't it? my hopes.
more from the campaign trail (again, according to cnn). Apparently John Edwards doesn't think Hilary is sincere (which for cnn.com is worthy of an entire article) and John McCain has proposed a tax bill which strongly resembles Giullani's, just a little less specific *cough nonexistant* budget. Not only threatening the security of millions, but all the more vague. way to go McCain. If you can't beat em, confuse them.
Ever since Gore won the Nobel Prize there's been whispers of a possible bid (but are they actually whispers or the doggy bones of media driven gossip we all love so much). Also, how in hell can Fred Thompson be so high up in the polls?
At the end of the day, such lofty media outlets as cnn.com will result to pie charts explaining to us what exactly is going on in the politcal sphere. does anyone ever understand these pie charts? at least they're pretty and colorful.

If anyone is in the mood for a new read I have a suggestion. (i think its hilarious that i just assumed i had an audience) Life has found me to be too busy for an actual novel. Donald Barthleme's collection of short stories called "forty stories" has been the perfect thing for fall in Asheville. (not that we've had much fall yet, but tell that to the leafers). Nonetheless, when you have those fifteen minutes between work and lunch, class, grocery or mental breakdown, go to the library and pick it up. Short, witty and always bizarre Barthlme's writing stinks of some kind of sardonic spirit we all have. I've fallen in love with the short story. I think I can jive with a short story much easier than a continuous narrative when I'm stressed and busy. (which by the way i think is the primary marketing strategy of the bible but thats another post.)
Well, if anyone else is looking for the sublime sigh in the middle of the day, support your local library and pick it up. (jen, i'm afraid you might be stuck with asking a sherpa, for this i congratulate you. You will probably be able to ask them in their native tongue. although I'm not sure how Barthleme will translate in Nepalese).


I'll end with a quote which i think is relevant. (pertaining to fred thompson)
"Actors [Goethe said] are the Scotch weevils in the salt pork of honest effort"