A Practical Man

Victor

A Practical Man

Symmetry

By Stephen L. Wilmeth

            I had a heart to heart with a bull Thursday morning.

            We left a bunch of cows in our Howard pens under Massacre Peak with the intention of branding some unbranded calves with them the next morning. In that approach, we pen them in the evening and then get to the pens early the next morning to get everything done and kicked back out. Since this coincides with moving a pasture, we can see if anything is tight bagged and avoid dogying a calf in the process.

            We got there, unloaded the horses, and commenced the process of sorting the calves off. Without even entering the pens, though, we could see where the drylot had been damaged. A penned bull had been fighting an outside bull and they had been at it for some time through the fence. Three of us hustled the inside bull into another pen, but the big herd bull outside was still on the hook and he going to attempt to come with us. He did his best to first try to jump the corral fence and then pummel it when he couldn’t get that done.

            In the bit of primitive communication that ensued, I lost my temper.

            Certainly, bulls will be bulls, but, when the conflict escalates to the point of open rebellion, there is going to be a winner and a loser. In the case where the conflict is in the hands of the authority of last resort, the loser may wind up being not just unemployed but terminally departed.

            Victor

            It isn’t just because we lived nine miles down the road from American classicist Victor Davis Hanson’s childhood home for many years that I find interest. It isn’t because I came to love the symmetry of the Thompson seedless vineyards of his heritage, either. It is because I agree with his observations too much of the time.

            Since I don’t know, nor do I care about all this psychological theory of symmetric or asymmetric thinking, it is sufficing to say Dr. Hanson’s explanation that the liberal mind, through its stance that self-belief alone constitutes a natural, final right, is troubling.

            Since I say it, it constitutes priority and truth, and resistance and debate must cease, and my position must be defended without recourse.

            Of course, the disposition and the ravaging of the opponent, the conservative enemy, is without consequence. If he is destroyed, that is just collateral damage because what he sees as truth is simply an illusion.

            In the bit of primitive communication that ensued, Brett Kavanaugh, too, lost his temper.

            Certainly, politicos will be politicos, but, when the conflict escalates to the point of open rebellion, there is going to be a winner and a loser. In the case where the conflict is in the hands of the authority of last resort … well, you know the rest as it applies to herd animals.

            Symmetry

It seems those of us who have to work to support the rest have a very slanted view of reality. Yes, that is what we are now being coerced to consider. This thinking is coming from a philosophy that suggests what we see as reality actually isn’t.

            Huh?

            It seems some very influential people believe this. Further, these people are spending great amounts of money to influence our thoughts. It is being taught in universities. It is being inferred in the press, and it has long been a standard espoused by liberal politics.

            The gist seems to come from the failure in our system to consider the value of this philosophy. The proponents are preaching that, in order to alter this thinking, we must free our minds from our prejudices as ‘practical’ men. We are being accused of considering only the importance of material things. In this unbalanced state, we have devoted far too much effort in producing food without giving proper respect to the importance of food for the mind. We are ignorant and intolerant of part of the equation that we don’t even understand.

            Wow!

            Further, everybody is not better off with the elimination of poverty and disease. As in any hierarchy of needs, when one achievement is reached the next becomes apparent. Goods of the mind are now as important as goods for body have been in the past. It is only through the goods of the mind that the well being of man can actually be found.

            Hmmm …

            Practical Man

            Last night we gathered two pairs and four dry cows in our Goodsight pasture which should now be unoccupied. They are not our cattle and the brands and the tags are not familiar. There was even a phone number on the tags that didn’t register as a known, local prefix. When I called it, there was no answer. The brand inspector and I talked after I got home, and she is coming out this morning to inspect them.

            This may all turn out to be a simple matter, but the unfamiliarity with these cows is a dilemma. We pretty much know our neighbors’ cattle, but these constitute a current unknown.

            With that, there is a level of discomfort. Why are they there and where did they come from?

            Perhaps this is simply another manifestation of my inclusion within the ranks of an ignorant, practical man. I’m just failing to grasp any higher level thought that would lead to some beneficial good for my mind. As a result, color me structured and archaic. I’ll accept that.

            That pretty much characterizes the view I have of our national conflict as well, but I don’t think I am alone. Those of us who produce a product tend to accept criticism along with the responsibilities that consume us. We take it to heart. It becomes personal and we seek ways to defend ourselves and our turf.

           

                Stephen L. Wilmeth is a rancher from southern New Mexico. “We just don’t have time to get into other people’s business.”

For more information on Victor Davis Hanson and links to his recent writings go here --Frank DuBois