What Wendell Berry Said.
In "Word and Flesh" Berry wrote, "The great obstacle is simply this: the conviction that we cannot change because we are dependent on what is wrong. But that is the addict's excuse, and we know that it will not do." Or do we? The Gulf of Mexico is currently experiencing the human equivalent of metastasizing cancer, and the governor of Louisiana proposes that the activities which resulted in that cancer be resumed immediately even as BP's underwater gusher continues to flow into the gulf. The picture that comes to mind is one of a smoker who, having had his cancerous voicebox removed, immediately resumes smoking through his tracheotomy, a permanent opening in the throat made necessary by the operation. It is a repulsive, grotesque, and yet darkly humorous image.
More, here.
Picture found here.
1 comment:
yeah, i seen a guy smoking with the oxygen prongs on his nose. it is a terrible thing, and the addicted smokers did not make an informed decision to start on that path.
we were born into a world out of balance, and it's our task to throw our weight against the tilt.
not easy, but that's our job.
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