The Lowest Animal

01/03/08

“Dear Dad:

Remember how you used to take me to your classes with you, and that one time you told them I was U-M’s new kicker and the guy believed it.”

I went back to work today. Teaching, for me, is a kind of performance art that involves providing instructive information, standup comedy, and wise counsel. My aim is that the students be not only better writers but also better citizens. If this rough-hewn pedagogy seems dated, so be it. Too few of our university students today know enough about history, geography, and current events. Sometimes it seems our students are adrift in a sea of valueless apathy. They live in a culture that has trumpeted it’s moral superiority while at the same time surrendering the moral high ground. Our government fights in the name of Western Christianity (recall Bush’s slip in using the word crusade) while torturing our enemies and rescinding our citizens’ rights. This is the culture our present-day students have grown up in.

NEXT DAY: What a world. Sadly, Mark Twain’s satirical piece “The Lowest Animal” seems more relevant now than ever. Regarding the violent tribal/ethnic violence in the wake of rigged elections in Kenya, Jeffrey Gettleman of the New York Times writes: “In Nairobi, a much feared Kikuyu street gang called the Mungiki, who are said to take an oath in which they drink human blood, were sweeping through the slums and killing Luos.”

FUBAR played last night (Happy hour, 6-8, the first Friday of every month) at the Heidelberg “The Club Above.” Some of the hockey fans that attend our gigs were surprised to see Porter, Kolarik, and Naurato show up to watch a bunch of old farts like us. Consider this an invitation to come and see us when in Ann Arbor. You might recognize the musical manager, Kim French, keeping things in order. Kim plays with local musical performance artist, “Mr. Largebeat,” as well as The Cult Heroes and other local combos.

Packer fans, now that the Bears have gone into hibernation once again, I’ll cheer for the Cheese. Let’s hope the game manager rather than the gunslinger shows up at quarterback.

I guess I like Seattle (-3) and Pittsburgh (+2.5) today.

Happy New Year!