Immigration, Politics3 Comments

A Political Glossary for Newcomers

Gary Furr

I offer this to students from other countries here on visas for college and to politically uninformed citizens to help them understand the current debates going on in our country.  GF Entitlements—a word that once referred to “something earned or deserved, or given out of mutual agreement and covenant and generally accepted and validated by law.”  Lately it has devolved to a more primitive association to refer to another as “a deadbeat.” Today in politics it has a very strict meaning, as in, “money given to someone I don’t know and don’t really care about or from whom I can … Continue reading A Political Glossary for Newcomers

Art, Economics, Stewardship, Writing

Stewards on a Sinking Ship?

Gary Furr

I have committed, as a writer, to undertake the serious discipline of writing during the month of July each year.  This is a little confusing, because I write all the time in my work, as a songwriter, just about everyday as a facebook citizen (won’t find me with those loathsome mundanities like how much mustard was on my sandwich or my farmville situation.  I try to write something short and worthwhile, except when i don’t, of course.  Which is why I like “like.”  Cuts to the chase, and you can “unlike.”).  I mean, though, that I have committed to myself … Continue reading Stewards on a Sinking Ship?

Bluegrass, Competition, Fundamentalism, Music2 Comments

Labels

Gary Furr

Q. How many bluegrass musicians does it take to screw in a lightbulb?..: A. Three. One to screw it in, and two to complain that Bill Monroe never did it that way. I take Bluegrass Unlimited, and by far the most interesting part is the “letters to the editor.” Bluegrass fans are unusually obsessive about their music. I have pondered this, and perhaps it is in part because it is the living memory of a time and a way of life that is passing away, and in part because when we find something and love it we want to hold … Continue reading Labels

Music, Theology, Theology and Life2 Comments

Humblebraggin’ Predestinarians

Gary Furr

Humblebraggin’ Predestinarians Gary Furr Having a hip daughter who lives in New York is the greatest.  I am all up on the latest things without having to actually keep up with them.  Whenever Kate comes home, a few weeks introduces me to what’s going on out there when in fact I lost touch years ago and became a late-middle ager well out of touch.  I wrote a song on my first CD called, “Cold, Old Middle” with a pretty descriptive 50-something line in it: He’s not as sure he once was Rides around and pitches fits. One day it occurs … Continue reading Humblebraggin’ Predestinarians