the alberton papers

Name:
Location: alberton, mt., United States

I am a retired steamfitter and vocational instructor, Current member, alberton town council, having served two terms previously, several years ago. Resident of alberton almost 28 years. I am fiscally conservative and socially progressive, a free thinker and an advocate of good, responsive, honest government.

Monday, November 27, 2006

tools

The Alberton Papers, Vol III, #5
By Dick Darne 11-27-06
"Man is a tool using Animal. Nowhere do you find him without tools; without tools he is nothing, with tools he is all." Thomas Carlyle, Scottish Philosopher
Here at the Gravely Institute of The Rockies, located in beautiful downtown Alberton, we have just concluded an in-depth study of tools. We found that not only are tools necessary to man’s survival in today’s world, but they are cool. Anybody can fix things with a pair of pliers and a bent screwdriver, but it takes a real craftsman to use tools. Besides fixing stuff and building things, tools are a status symbol. He who dies with the most tools wins, or at least starts a big fight among his surviving family upon his death. One can never have too many tools. Proof: "there’s more than one way to skin a cat" means different tools for each method. There is much more proof, space dictates I must move on, just trust me. Some techniques for accumulating tools are: yard sales, bargain bins, auctions and for tools of your dreams, subtle hints like leaving the catalog open and marked. Catalogs should be collected, just buy something from one and a lifetime flow of catalogs will commence. Great bathroom reading material. Another method is a very minor technique closely related to blackmail, "Honey, I can’t do all these chores, I don’t have the right tools". Shop together at Ace hardware, she gets ideas for projects and you get an opening for a new tool. Always be prepared. When you graduate to the "Big Leagues"then it’s time for Montana Tool gift certificates. Soon you’ll need a shop, or a bigger one than you have now. At the Institute, we have concluded that the right size would be about 50 X 100, insulated, wired and with floor heat, but most of us will settle for less. I worked for years for an outfit, where hanging on the wall was a sign saying: " A determined man can do more with a rusty wrench than a lazy loafer with all the tools in a machine shop".
Now where’s the fun in that?
Keep your tools cool. Visit the Institute, or at least contribute. dd

Sunday, November 19, 2006

crime & punishment part one

The Alberton Papers, Vol.III, #4
By Dick Darne 11-19-06
Crime and Punishment part one
"It is error only, and not truth, that shrinks from inquiry" Thomas Paine
I will now weigh in on the "bus incident". As to what "dog" I have in the fight, I have no kids in school anymore, but I have had seven attend here and six graduate, plus two foreign exchange students Out of these came misbehavior, punishment, and, in some cases, suspension. For one, the punishment meted out was too severe, he successfully argued for a more appropriate punishment to a board of trustees who were not totally "wooden-headed". He went on to graduate and eventually become an Alberton School Trustee. My "dog" in the fight is Justice for all the kids.
I am sure I am not the only person who was surprised and dismayed by the board’s refusal to reconsider last week. In spite of public utterances by the County Attorney, the Sheriff, the Juvenile Probation Officer, Teachers, an ex-Trustee, the Local Pastor and community members, all either advocating reconsideration, or extolling the integrity of all students involved, the trustees refused, acting as though their minds were already made up.
It appears that these boys have lost all extra curricular activities, all sports, been charged with a misdemeanor, served a three week suspension and are performing community service. Since the incident, at least one has made the honor roll.
Among the qualifications for "wooden-headedness" is: a stubborn refusal to change course when a clear alternative is available. The boys have accepted blame, and now, more than anyone, know not to ever do it again. I would expect them to be in the vanguard of hazing elimination in Alberton. Because the old adage, "boys will be boys" is true, adult supervision is necessary, therefore an adult should have been positioned in the back of the bus a long time ago.
While in some societies a failure of this magnitude would call for seppuku , in ours an acknowledgment of a "learning experience" is sufficient. I would bet that Mr. Walsh now knows better than most and would also be in the vanguard. Probably be a better coach, teacher and principal too.
Enough is enough, rehabilitation rather than excessive punishment, learning rather than blame, redemption rather than humiliation.
I’ll bet on the boys, I’ll bet on the coach, they have learned. The trustees, I just don’t know.
It does take a village! Keep thinking and asking questions. dd

Monday, November 13, 2006

scoundrels 1, justice 1

The Alberton Papers, Vol III, #3
By Dick Darne 11-12-06
Scoundrels 1, Justice 1

"In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial by an impartial jury....." - Amendment VI, U.S. constitutions.
Justice has been thwarted quite often due to a real scoundrel, sometimes it prevails. This is a true story about a first class scalawag, of whom we can only hope he is roasting in the fire and brimstone below. James McParland is he, a dastardly prevaricator, who bore false witness against several members of the so-called "Molly McGuires"while in the employ of the Pinkertons (who have never been a friend of the toiling class). The Pinkertons were in the employ of Franklin P Gowen. Gowen was the head of the Reading Railroad, the coal trust and owner of the Avondale coal mine. Gowen was also a lawyer, who prosecuted the defendants with perjured testimony from McParland. Nineteen men were convicted of murder and died on the gallows. McParland moved on to more lying, Gowen went insane a few years later and committed suicide. One for the scoundrels.
A couple decades later, the ex- governor of Idaho was murdered in Caldwell. The mine owners again turned to the Pinkertons, who once again called on their best perjurer, McParland, who was able to convince a witness to lie. The mine owners kidnapped "Big-Bill" Haywood, and hired Senator Borah to prosecute. Clarence Darrow was the defense attorney. The deck was thoroughly stacked, but the verdict came in: NOT GUILTY. One for justice.
There are many stories like these. The Pinkertons have been up to their eyeballs in labor disputes, always against the working class. The power of the state has intervened almost always against workers. For further reading, see "Labor’s Untold Story", "Big Trouble" and "The Molly McGuires". If your library or book store doesn’t have them contact me.
I dedicate this story to: Doyle, McGeehan, Boyle, Duffy, Kelly, Campbell, Donahue, Fisher, Kehoe, Hester, McHugh, Tully, McManus Lanahan , Sharpe, McDonald, Munley, Carroll and Roarity. They didn’t get to sing their song, but they died like men. dd

Monday, November 06, 2006

volvo driving, latte drinkers

The Alberton Papers, Vol. III, #2
By Dick Darne 11-6-06
Volvo driving, latte drinkers.
"Coffee falls into the stomach.....ideas start to move, things remembered arrive at full gallop....the shafts of wit start up like sharp-shooters, similes arise, the paper is covered with ink....." Honore de Balzac
I’ve been called a lot of things in my life, until now, nothing mattered except being called late to dinner. I recently was accused of being in a category of people who drive Volvos and drink lattes ( or is the plural latti?). I will now defend the first and refute the second.
1-a) new Volvos are predominant among young, upwardly mobile whatevers, or YUPPIES. Since neither I nor my Volvo are young, that ain’t me.
1-b) old Volvos are usually associated with old HIPPIES. I checked with and old hippie and having been a young hippie is not required to become an old hippie. While I think I would have made a good hippie, I have not taken the entrance exam and been inducted. I missed all the sex, drugs and rock & roll, but I take an occasional aspirin and listen to "the oldies" on the radio.
1-c) my Volvo was rescued from the crusher, $100 + a set of tires gets me 30 mpg.
1-d) the Swedes know how to build a car. Like Germans with good attitudes. Plus, all models will accommodate a set of skis and tow 3000 pounds. A veritable "Swedish Suburban"
so, I drive a Volvo.
2-a)real men don’t drink latte (or mocha or anything with a french name) proof: no recorded instance on record of John Wayne ever drinking anything but plain old coffee.
2-b)lattes, etc. taste terrible, but after paying an exorbitant price, no one will admit it.
2-c) while I have been present when some of my best friends have partaken of the yuppie-brew, I have remained faithful to the traditions of the Duke.
There you have it folks, I am an "old Volvo driving, plain old coffee drinking, curmudgeon". Your turn to buy next time. dd