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Arizona Blocks Westboro Baptist Church

January 15th, 2011

What is it about the Westboro Baptist Church (WBC) that always captures media attention? They are of course the “church,” (and I use the term beyond loosely) that we all love to hate. Personally every time I see these ghouls on television I marvel that people like this actually exist! They’re like caricatures of real Nazis from the nineteen thirties and forties only thankfully, significantly less intelligent. This past week they announced plans to picket the funerals of the six Arizona shooting victims, including the nine- year old little girl! Fortunately the state government moved quickly to protect the grieving families and prevent this inbred congregation from showing up. How is it that a group of people who presumably call themselves Christians can be so obsessed with death and destruction? What gospels are they reading? A peek at their vile website (something I don’t recommend by the way), reveals their hatred for everyone. They’re anti-Semitic, anti-White, anti-Black, anti-Hispanic, anti-Catholic, anti-gay, anti-Republican, anti-Democrat, anti-American, etc. etc…. Who do you support? The answer is of course no one, except maybe death itself. I’m racking my brain and I can’t think of any place in scripture where Christ treated anyone with this kind of cruelty… even the ones who killed him. Hey WBC, I’m not Baptist, but I am Christian, and I think I can speak for my Baptist friends and say “Change your conduct or change your name!”

The new Arizona law was signed into effect by Governor Jan Brewer on Tuesday. It passed both the state house and senate unanimously and went into effect immediately. The law of course could not address the extremist group directly but applies to all such protests. From what I understand the new law makes it illegal to picket or protest any funeral from within three hundred feet of the cemetery beginning an hour before and ending an hour after the service has concluded. I’m no attorney but this seems like a very reasonable guideline. It’s actually rather insulting that it’s even necessary. Who other than this group would want to protest a funeral for any reason? I would love to see other states including Texas follow suit with similar legislation. Perhaps this is a way we could protect the grieving families of lost soldiers. Until then we can continue to do what citizens of Tucson and other cities have done, namely surround the loved ones with signs and support… and real prayers.

First Monday Trade Days

July 22nd, 2010

                Having just written about one Canton area business I thought I’d go ahead, take the plunge and discuss another. First Monday Trade Days has definitely made that town world famous for its monthly open air flea market. According to what I’ve read, the market actually began in the eighteen fifties. The timing coincided with the monthly arrival of a circuit riding judge who visited the county once a month. Naturally this became a good opportunity for farmers, craftsmen, Horse traders and livestock salesmen to market their wares. Of course with so large a crowd gathering every month, local dignitaries and politicians found it impossible to resist the opportunity for a stump speech or campaign stop. Nearly every conceivable animal, rifle, pistol, article of jewelry, pet etc. has been traded or sold at Canton over the years. But by far the weirdest story I’ve ever read can be found in the cities histories. In the nineteen forties, two couples (who had become entirely too close by all accounts) decided to trade each other. Yes, that’s correct, they went to the district clerk’s office, and traded spouses! As technology increased and changed the sale grew and grew, so that today half the town is made up of the fairgrounds. I’d wager that the town population doubles for four days, every first weekend of the month    

            I recall visiting the market with friends and family occasionally as child. The most prized item I purchased there was a “survival knife,” which had my survival actually depended on that finely honed and balanced instrument, I would have lasted about an hour and a half at best. That being said, I can say with some emphasis that this event is not for me! I know I know… If you love wheeling and dealing or consider yourself a modern day horse trader or salesman, you’re probably rolling your eyes at me right now. But I hate to shop. What’s more, I hate to shop in the heat. Don’t misunderstand, I love the outdoors if we’re talking about camping or fishing, but for me, combining shopping with the East Texas summer heat is the stuff of nightmares. Beyond that I hate to shop for things I don’t need, or cannot afford to purchase. Don’t worry, next time I’m in the market for an alpaca to hug, I’ll head for Canton, until then I’ll just hang out… somewhere else.

            Ok, all snobbery aside I realize the market really is a good place for farmers and ranchers in particular to buy and sell what they need. And the dollars brought in by First Monday are good for everyone around here, so yes, the monthly event serves a purpose. Nowhere else, can such a large variety of stuff be found gathered in such a small area, all for sale! Have a wonderful time rummaging, just please don’t ask me to go. For those interested in vendor lists of if you just want to read more try the City of Canton’s webpage, www.firstmondaycanton.com. Also try http://shopfirstmondaycanton.com.  The next Trade Days weekend is scheduled for Thursday, July twenty ninth, through Sunday, August first.

Times Have Changed, But Timeless Hasn’t… At Least Not Much

January 12th, 2010

In the nineteen nineties a group of friends and I established “Timeless Books and Music” as our second residence. We passed hours on the store’s floor and in its couches sifting through everything from classics to nineteen forties and fifties science fiction. The owner at the time became familiar with our tastes and would set aside books he knew would be of interest to us. As a result, my library contains some obscure but semi-valuable editions I would otherwise never have found. In those days the primary but not exclusive, literature to be found in the store was fiction from the first few decades of the turn of the century. There was a smattering of religion and history, and as I said classics, but the old dime back fiction was the order of the day. We’d find old Lewis and Lovecraft, Fritz Lieber and F. Scott Fitzgerald.

There was music for sale in those days as well. In fact if I were to walk through the music section today, I would probably find items we dropped off in trade for some form of reading material.

Today, Timeless has a new owner, but the same location on Broadway next to Hastings. And while the genre of books has changed, the store still keeps a steady flow of customers. The literature offered has broadened in terms of appeal. There are all kinds of mostly newer fiction. Timeless carries many of the same titles one might find in a bigger chain, but at used bookstore prices. The music section has grown considerably since I last visited too. If you’re looking for old vinyl or cassette tapes, Timeless is probably your best bet in Tyler.

Truth be told, things have changed a lot since I used to visit all those years ago. I no longer spend my entire afternoon haunting the shelves of the bookstore, nor do I tend to skip meals in order to buy books, (although that wouldn’t kill me either), but if you’re looking for some good beach reading this summer, you can still find it at Timeless Books and Music. Located at 4129 S Broadway in Tyler Texas.