Loving Loons
Charlie Earl
It’s not
easy being a loon. My clueless friends and relatives think I’m paranoid. My
paranoid acquaintances think I have my head up my anal orifice because I’m not
yet into panic mode. Family and my readers want me to stop over-using the
liberty crack that seems to be guiding my addicted life. My two children and
their spouses continue to hope that Dad may grow up before he gets too old, and
my grandchildren are somewhat intimated by it all. My poor saintly mother just
shakes her gray-haired head and wonders where she may have gone wrong. And….an
extremely tolerant wife of more than 44 years prays that lightning may strike
me and burn some sense into my addled brain. I am truly blessed, however,
because the people who mean the most to me aren’t afraid to love a loon.
One of the
great advantages of going off the deep end is that it is a long, long way until
you hit bottom. I may continue to sink, but I have not yet resolved to give up
and lie quietly on the bottom of the liberty pool. This task, this mission
would be fruitless and impossible without the support (however reluctant) of
those who inhabit my life. I couldn’t do it alone without their feedback,
support and tolerance. Although I am not in their league, there have been many
loons who led the way for our nation. Their peers thought them to be crazy, and
their foes often underestimated them. But…the loons of our past have been
transformed into wise prophets and brave oracles.
Samuel Adams
was reviled by many of his friends and neighbors because of his incessant
complaining about what he claimed were the Crown’s abuses of the colonists. His
constant haranguing drove some people away from him and caused others to
question his sanity. Many, however, consider him to be the Godfather of the
Revolution due to his untiring agitation for freedom. He was a loon, but those
who love liberty love Sam Adams….and probably his namesake brew as well.
Thomas Paine
was often despondent and frequently unkempt. A steady job seemed to be impossible
for him to hold because he was a quarrelsome rascal. Some suspected that “Demon
Rum” held him in its evil clutches and was responsible for his sometimes
anti-social behavior. Paine was a loon. He was a brilliant misfit whose
understanding of freedom ignited the flames of liberty among many of his fellow
colonials. Even today Paine is a divisive figure among those who study and
write our history. His bright red nose was a shining beacon of liberty and
lunacy in our early days.
In a social
structure that favors “fitting in” the outlier, the radical or the most
passionate advocate will be identified as a “wacko” or a “loon.” Those who
define the liberty proponents that way are often fearful of seeming too
committed or too zealous. They seek to be viewed as measured and moderate when
in fact their placid flaccidness can be considered symptomatic of someone who
lacks principle and conviction. In a recent example John McCain and Lindsey
Graham made harsh statements about Senator Rand Paul’s filibuster efforts on
the Senate floor. Although several of Paul’s colleagues joined him in the
marathon, McCain and Graham bemoaned the “pointless and grandstanding” nature
of the captivating event. McCain characterized Paul as a “wacko”….which
probably did not enhance comity among the members of the GOP Senate caucus. Paul’s
performance was extraordinary in the sense that his entire presentation was
thoughtful and germane. He did not engage in frivolous banter or read odd
passages to consume his time. He believed that he was standing on principle,
and despite McCain’s description many people were impressed. It seems the loon
won this round.
Loons may
frequently stand alone, but those who have support from people who love them
can be unstoppable. If you know a loon who loves liberty, tell them you love
them. Please don’t slink away to hide your embarrassment. Your favorite loon
may be the spark who keeps liberty alive for many others.
Charlie Earl
Loon on, my good friend. Loon on!
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