Comments for EdBriggs.com

Comment on Snow Geese by Kathie

Kathie — Sat, 24 Sep 2011 04:09:57 +0000

Hi Ed – wandering around your site & came across this story … seeing this in person is still one of the most amazing and awe-inspiring moments in my life - I can still remember it as if it was yesterday. Thank you

Comment on A Grave in Normandy by Jim Watt

Jim Watt — Sat, 23 Jul 2011 15:09:56 +0000

Hi Ed!
I choked up as I was reading this touching account. I have such vivid memories of the day my parents received the news of David's death. Your father was two years ahead of my father at Maryville College. Also, your father and my father were roommates at Asbury Acres in 1986 and 1987.
Jim Watt

Comment on Genesis 1:1-4 Alternate Versions by Nike Air Max 2012

Nike Air Max 2012 — Sun, 27 Mar 2011 21:20:02 +0000

Right-minded saying thanks will not fair-minded be enough, representing the wonderful understandability in your writing.

Comment on Pick On Someone Your Own Size by Denise

Denise — Wed, 16 Mar 2011 15:12:56 +0000

AMEN

Comment on At the Crosswalk by Barry Walker

Barry Walker — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 17:09:57 +0000

I agree with your reply totally. I firmly believe that's why our government, or the people whom I called the puppetmasters, are beginning their attacks on teachers and education. They are placing the future of education in the hands of politicians. They want our future generations to know only what they want them to know (nothing new there I guess). I call it "dumbing down America". In a few years our graduates won't know squat about how our government is supposed to work or how they/we got to where we are. But, they sure will be good production workers struggling at minimum wage. "Hey", they'll say, "I figure if I work hard enough, in twenty years or so I might buy a car!" And this will bring manufacturing back to the U.S. so the CEO's won't even have to understand a foreign language to run their corporations and rake in the profits.

Comment on At the Crosswalk by Ed Briggs

Ed Briggs — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 11:28:48 +0000

I remember you and your family well and those days of camping and hiking. I guess we are tempted to think of them as “good times,” but need to remember these were also the days of the civil rights struggles and great trauma for many of our citizens. I think school teachers are some of our best people and it is sad to see them and education as a political target. Your statement “facts no longer matter, laws no longer matter, peoples’ voices no longer matter . . .” is right on. And you could also add that history no longer matters, because people make up their own to take its place. And even science no longer matters to a lot of folks, they treat it like an enemy.

Comment on Watch Your Back . . . Or Not by Barry Walker

Barry Walker — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 06:07:27 +0000

I also have observed this behavior in Grackels many times. After watching them turn one of our feeders into their exclusive playground just today, using their typical "strength in numbers" strategy, I found that a well placed BB into one of them tipped the scales a little which allowed Cardinals, Chickadees, Wrens, Titmice among others to feed. The Grackel, after hopping to a nearby brushpile under the watchful eye of two cats, eventually recovered and flew away. Did he get the message? Maybe. Will the others be back? Probably. Did I win the rights for the other birds to feed without fear? Temporarily, I simply made a statement and I'm OK with that.

Comment on At the Crosswalk by Barry Walker

Barry Walker — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 05:37:28 +0000

Ed,
     I hope you still remember me from Soddy-Daisy. I can assure you that the guys my age who you took camping & hiking with Mr. Bob as cook and campmaster have never forgotten you. I've been enjoying your articles very much. This article hit home very much at this time.
     In Tennessee as you may be aware, teachers are on the way to losing their right to collectively bargain, to contribute collectively to a political campaign, to have a representative on their retirement board, and are having their tenure laws changed. All this should fix the economy. But in Sumner County where we live, the school board has spearheaded a movement since January (illegally) to refuse to negotiate with the teachers' union in the county because they claim the union does not have the required membership. They do in fact have the required membership and proved that using the schoolboard's own payroll deduction records, but they simply chose to ignore this fact and since that time they no longer deduct union dues from teachers' paychecks. There is a lawsuit pending against the schoolboard. The teacher's union should have a solid case, but these days who knows? My point is – in so many areas in the US today, facts no longer matter. Laws no longer matter. Peoples' voices no longer matter. Politicians are bending over backwards to please the "bully in the schoolyard", corporate puppetmasters who have a vested interest in staying in power and they're adamant that God is on their side and they're more than happy to shout that at you in any debate or public meeting. You'll know them ahead of time – they're carrying guns.
     The result of the lawsuit to be decided by next Wednesday in Sumner County, TN will determine if teachers or any other union will have any rights by law. It will, I believe will be a national barometer on the extent of peoples' rights in the US. It will be proven weather or not we will ever be able to cross the street again.
     Thank you for all the leadership and education you gave to Mr. Bob's class.

Comment on How Many Socks? by Don Colvin

Don Colvin — Sat, 12 Mar 2011 19:19:35 +0000

Ed. I was in 4th 5th and 6th grade with you and I don't remember but one fight. at Ft.Craig.Only reason I remember is that Lionel Martin and I had a dispute and it ended up with both on the ground. Mrs.Martin was our teacher in 4th grade.
That was the year You had a Mohawk haircut. I will never forget the look on the teacher's face.

                                                                              Donald S Colvin
                                                                              Gy/Sgt   U.S.M.C.
                                                                               RETIRED

Comment on A Grave in Normandy by Bob Hudson

Bob Hudson — Sat, 12 Mar 2011 15:31:06 +0000

Ed,
This was moving. I'm pleased I could read it.
Bob