HOW DOES YOUR GARDEN GROW
Weeds or no weeds. That's the question!
HOW DOES YOUR GARDEN GROW
The saying that “beauty is only skin deep” is personified in the shocking 1986 psychological thriller and cult classic Blue Velvet starring Dennis Hopper of Easy Rider fame. From the innovative opening scene where the camera takes us on a slow journey from a bird’s eye view of a typical suburban town to a penetrating scene of what was percolating just below the surface of a well-manicured front lawn in 1980’s America then, also offered us a preview of our own descent and foretelling of what is happening just below the surface in 2024 America now. Creepy crawlers are invading our lawns and gardens as we speak. It seems that no one is prepared to do anything about it. Even though we all share the same tools to eradicate the invaders. We just must agree to use them.
When my wife and I decided to leave our home in Colorado surrounded by the beauty of the front range of the Rocky Mountains and move to the idyllic landscapes, farms, and ranchlands of East Tennessee several years ago we believed that we were leaving most of the disturbing changes happening in Colorado behind. Lo and behold. Now there are signs of weeds invading our new garden today. At first, like any other newcomer disturbing the peaceful garden of Blount County we were thought to be part of the weeds when we moved here. However, over time and by carefully cultivating our own community garden through service and dedication we were accepted by the kind fellow inhabitants of this burg. We thank you. We found that most of us here share more common values than divide us with any differences that we might possess. Faithful followers of our religions, volunteers assisting those in need and tending to the same common garden of American values our crops will continue to thrive. The original Founding Fathers were the first master gardeners of America. They believed the seeds must be cultivated with care and the tools of freedom outlined in the Constitution used properly, were necessary to survive any plague that may befall us. It is my firm belief that whether you consider yourself a republican, democrat, liberal, conservative, independent, or libertarian we all share the same garden landscape. Freedom, Democracy and Citizenship. Not tyranny. Beware. A storm is on the horizon for all of Tennessee. Time to protect our crops and stop resting on our laurels. Conservative values are under attack. The weeds are lurking among us.
The chaos happening on our streets, in our college campuses, and against our own first responders must be eradicated. If not, the weeds will surely overcome ALL our crops. One of the most effective tools we have is our right as “citizens” to vote. Voting is the best defense and insecticide against the weeds in our society. Failing to utilize that tool will surely lead to our demise. Keeping the tool in the shed is unacceptable today. Use that tool wisely because it was provided for us by our original Founding Fathers to cultivate our Liberty Garden.
THOMAS ANTKOW is currently a freelance writer and produced and hosted his own daily radio show on KCSF AM 1300 and co-hosted talk shows for KVOR AM 740 for Cumulus Broadcasting in