[StBernard] jparades and UTOPIA

Westley Annis Westley at da-parish.com
Thu Mar 12 08:30:06 EDT 2009


"..I don't know about the problems on that particular float but there were
many happy, well
behaved revelers both on and off the floats that I witnessed. Many riders
spent hard earned money not just for their benefit but for those families
here to enjoy a welcome carefree day. --dr"

Jer Responds:

Yeah, since 2007, I stopped attending a parade anywhere. My last one was the
St. Patrick's Day/Islenos/St. Joseph Day parade where I was ashamed at the
outcome of terror and disturbing throws that could have put a lawsuit out to
anyone hit in the "meat cleaver" incident. If one is immune to being hit by
them, that's an issue to itself by the victim. Shameful exhibition.

I have always loved parading until some years back when I noticed a dramatic
change in attendances, vile acts of urination or drunkenness,
discourteousness for the people out to have a good time or foul language,
and I expect--no I am predicting some acts of violence which will come into
play in the very near future knowing demographic changes taking place. It
became worse from each decade as I've witnessed. The 50's worse than the
60's, the 60's to 70's and now from 2000 to now. For those who have become
insensitive to violence, disturbance or disruption, it's probably a sign of
the times that I'm not accustomed to watching.

Yes, the riders do spend large amounts of money and always have. It's needed
to make a parade a successful ride. However, I must say, there is some
pleasure in the sport of throwing beads. I do feel additionally, that the
ride along the route does provide a sense of royalty, superiority or
personal exuberance. There is a "high" (besides any drinking some might
indulge) in suspending one from that level above the crowd. Some feel joyful
in the crowd-pleasing way--while still others might want to dispense pain to
see if a large pair of beads can knock off a pair of glasses and in my case,
to see if a miniature meat-cleaver can cause disability to one's eye. What
other reason can there be for throwing such objects? It's sadistic. But, as
mentioned, most float riders only wish a good time for all.

I have never lived in a Utopian world. Just a realistic one here on earth,
DR.

When times change, people change, -- when they change for the good they are
rewarded and hailed with worthiness. When the change results in humanity
being threatened and fear is more the norm than the exception, the change is
not only worthless to good-loving people, its detrimental to its existence.

I can remember my parents telling me how nice the parades were during the
20's and 30's. To me the 40's and 50's are superb as I became more
insensitive to carnivals as time evolved. Each decade brought about more
decadence. To witness downward trends each decade is a testimony as a gauge
to just how good previous years were by comparison.

I realize it will never return to former times nor to the era of my father.

To those who know the truth through life experience, these observations are
evidentiary. To those cocky and feel normalcy is what's happening these
days, it's more ignorance of better days or denial that they might have
existence.

But, please dr. My future address I hope will be "Utopia" (also known as
God's Kingdom of Heaven).

--jer--






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