If I’ve learned anything in my brief sojourn through life, it is that the only interesting white Americans are either Kentuckians, Texans, or Jews. Kinky Friedman has the distinction of being both a Texan and a Jew (I think he’s also a spiritual descendant of Daniel Boone). I picked up one of The Kinkster’s books this week - ‘Scuse Me While I Whip This Out. I was drawn to his description of heroes.
“To be a hero in today’s world, first you have to be dead. Then you have to have been a troublemaker, a person not afraid to stir the putrid pot of human history from time to time, causing the Starbucks patron (and who among us is not a Starbucks patron) to see our glazed, rather ill-defined reflection in our latte, and just possibly reexamine who we are and why in God’s name we are here.”
Friedman writes about a number of his heroes - Moses, Jesus, Hank Williams, and Jack Ruby (just to name a few). He also talks of his relationships with others who are bound to become heroes once they go to “that big grassy knoll in the sky”. One such person is Bob Dylan. Friedman gives us a glimpse of this enigmatic Jewish troublemaker, as he writes -
“People often ask me what Bob is really like. He’s naturally shy and superstitious and hates to be photographed because he believes that every picture taken of him reduces his chances of becoming an Indian when he grows up. Bob, in fact, has a lot in common with the Native American people. They both believe, for instance, that you can’t own land or a waterfall or a horse. The only thing they believe you can own is a casino.
Friedman continues, “Bob’s been so many things in his life that it’s almost impossible to pin him down. He’s been a vegetarian, an Orthodox Jew, a born-again Christian, a Buddhist, a poet, a pilgrim, a picker, a boxer, a biker, a hermit, a chess player, a beekeeper, and an adult stamp-collector — and almost everything, except a Republican, that a human being can possibly be when a restless soul is forever evolving toward his childhood night-light.”
I used to think I wanted to be Bob Dylan until I realized I wasn’t Jewish, couldn’t write poetry, would never have long, curly hair or sing through my nose in such a way that people would listen. Now, in my middle age, I’ve resigned myself to being a dyed-in-the-wool WASP who is only partially interesting (my father is a Kentuckian). I’m a stranger in a strange land, breathing in crisp ocean-front air rather than good ‘old American coal dust. I’m no troublemaker; I only play one on the computer.
I don’t expect to be counted among the pantheon of heroes when I die. I only hope that someday some lost soul wandering through the woods of their banal existence will stop and, thinking of me, will say to himself, “He couldn’t been great if he were only Jewish.”
**********
more on cult heroes…
“Clarence Jordan and Koinonia“
GREAT post!!! Why are you not syndicated ?? Loved the Bob Dylan part!!
I am put to shame but will try to improve! (I just do funny crap!!)
And crap it is!!!! ( but like my current one!)
The Pistol fires back: Thank you for your well-received praise. As for syndication, I’m not sure the world could stand more than one of me.
There’s a Jew in Texas? I’m having a hard time understanding that. A Jew in Los Angeles, yes. New York, definately! Miami, retired for sure …but Texas???
The Pistol fires back: I think when the Diaspora occured, Kinky’s family took a wrong turn in El Paso.
I’m white. I’m Texan. I’m hardly interesting. Even though I’m thankful that we escaped having Kinky as our governor (though the one we have is the opposite extreme of him) he did bring a liveliness to the race that I can just imagine was normal back when we first became a state. From what I can tell, Kinky would have made Sam Houston and Steven F. Austin proud. And that last line of yours? I’m thinking you could have been great (and syndicated) if only you were a Texan.
B~
The Pistol fires back: Thanks for the perspective. If only, indeed.
Anybody that Garrison Keillor likes has GOT to be cool!
The Pistol fires back: Too bad Keillor has to be from Minnesota. Is he Jewish, by chance?
Great post and comments but I have to disagree with Bruce, he IS interesting if he likes it or not!
Dang, Pistolpete, I remember when you were a new blogger on the block and look at you now!!! You rock :)
The Pistol fires back: It’s nice to know a man in his 40s can still, as you say, rock. I guess if Mick Jagger can rock until he collects social security, so can I.
Thanks Bar - you’re interesting too for a Southern California girl. :-)
And she’s right Pete - keeping rocking for us older guys.
BTW, living in Texas doesn’t make you a Texan - I think it’s an attitude thing. And for a yankee, yes you rock. Personally, I’m thinking of calling myself a Texan-American.
B~
The Pistol fires back: I must take umbrage (whatever that is) to your calling me a “yankee”. I come from proud Kentuckian stock. Nothing in my current living circumstances has taken this out of my blood. So, there. Rock that!
Interesting post…interesting fella. Yes, Ellen, there are Jews in Texas. I lived in El Paso for a few years and it has a huge Jewish population…great big temple/synagogue…they musta all turned left. We even have a few right here in Abilene. A lot of Jews live in Texas because they know quality when they experience it. http://dwhitsett.wordpress.com/
The Pistol fires back: You learn something new every day.
Sorry Pete, my bad. I will never call you a Yankee again. :-)
B~
The Pistol fires back: You are forgiven.
I’m not Texan, nor Jewish, nor a man. I guess I’ll never be well-known or famous or rich. (but I am bipolar!)
But, as long as I’m loved, the rest doesn’t matter anyway.
Another great post, PP.
UM
seemedlikeagoodideathetime@wordpress.com