Category Archives: Signs of the Times

Cloudy Skies for Friends General Conference — Part 1

for Friends General Conference — Part 1

Early in July, I was at the 2016 Gathering of Friends General Conference in Minnesota. And not long afterward, a Quaker I’ll call “Goodfriend” sent me an email, passing on a message from another, Friend, called here “Onequake.”

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Chuck—I thought you might be interested in this email. It’s from a member of our Meeting . . . .Do you know anything about racial tensions at FGC?

Begin forwarded message:

From: Onequake
Subject: FGC and race

Hi all,

This morning we attended [a Meeting far from home]. We heard that there were racial incidents at [the] FGC [Gathering in Minnesota early in July]. And that the area of MN chosen for the gathering is well-known for racial problems.

Top Ten Reasons Why This Berniac Is Happy Today:

8. Because the chances of beating Trump are now better than they were yesterday.

7. Because the chances of flipping the Senate are also better.

6. Because ditto the House.

5. Because Bernie’s impact on the Dems’ platform has started conversations which will move toward big shifts on some key issues.

Jimmie Lee Jackson: One Who Went Before

Jimmie Lee Jackson: One Who Went Before If I could, I’d add another stone to the crowded cemetery rows here, bearing the name of Jimmie Lee Jackson. He was shot by an Alabama State Trooper in 1965, and died several days later. The same trooper-shooter killed another unarmed young black man in 1966. Forty-five years … Continue reading Jimmie Lee Jackson: One Who Went Before →

The Carolina Quaker Split: Two Targets Say, “No Thanks!”

The Carolina Quaker Split: Two Targets Say, “No Thanks!” Last Month NCYM-FUM’s Representative session agreed to begin discussions on a possible plan to split the YM. But now two of the Meetings among those slated to be moved out of NCYM into the as yet uncreated new YM have firmly turned “Thumbs Down” on the … Continue reading The Carolina Quaker Split: Two Targets Say, “No Thanks!” →

Spilling The Two Secrets I Know About Garrison Keillor

In Washington DC, after a book party in The big Florida Avenue Friends Meetinghouse there. The book was a collection of stories by Russian and American writers, put together by a joint committee, and supposed to be a contribution to ending the Cold War. This Was just before Gorbachev came in and turned all that upside down. Garrison had contributed a story, and showed up at the party.
After I shook his hand, we both leaned over the refreshment table, and I Saw that it was just the two of us there for the moment; everyone else was in Scattered clusters, many of them murmuring in Russian.
I Figured I only had a couple minutes, so I pounced, and asked the question that had stayed with me all the years I had been listening tomthe show android eading his stuff.
It was the question that he & all U.S. Males of his generation had to answer. Including me. (If you’re of that generation, or think you’re familiar with it (us), think for a minute and see if you can guess what it was . . . .