Letter from Slim Wolfe
Politics – November 2004 – Colorado Central Magazine
Editors:
Sign of the Alternative Times: I was somewhat puzzled to read Hal Walter’s suggestion [October edition] that his is an alternative lifestyle. I hasten to add that I don’t intend this as a put-down of Walter, but merely an observation of our changing definitions.
Based entirely on my gleanings from Hal’s regular self-descriptive entries in these pages, it seems he’s more or less a regular sort. My definition of alternative would revolve around some more radical factors than living out of town, racing burros, and heating with wood. How about building with organic materials, investing in renewable energy, finding employment in coöperative, consensus-based, barter-friendly situations, approaching self-sufficiency on the land, and so forth. Maybe I’ve missed some essential bit of Hal’s story.
It’s de regueur to indulge in put-downs of Crest onians as religious quacks, Arcturian zombies, and pampered offspring of the rich and the too-rich, which may be the impression gained from casual association with the place and its inhabitants — and there may well be some basis for such observations.
A deeper dive into the Crestone pond will reveal much more: a regional focal point for serious alternatives, which draws participants from around the world. Even if some of these progressives are victims (as who ain’t) of human foibles, the overall result is a sort of university-without-walls for green techniques and lifestyles; egalitarian humanist perspectives; progressive, human-oriented politics; and general open-mindedness — going past the romance and trappings of the Western Lifestyle, taking advantage of western open spaces to experiment with desperately needed alternatives. Diss it at your own risk, friend.
Then again there’s alternative fly-paper; comes in a can, spread it on a board. Those of us too busy to enjoy catch-and-release fishing can watch the more intrepid critters wiggle free right in our own kitchens. It does catch a few of the varmints, but the net result may be to strengthen the gene pool. Are they cuter than prairie dogs? Do flies have rights?
Then there is the alternative candidate. You know, the one who seems to think the alternative to Republican war in Iraq is a broader-based Democratic war in Iraq.
Maybe Americans have inherited the “white man’s burden” justification for world dominion along with the English language from the Brits. If you listen to BBC World Service News, you’ll get the full flavor of this from their anchorman. ‘Tis a clear case of arrogance, the pot calling the kettle black.
Is there an alternate language we can adopt which doesn’t encompass these notions? Or must we go on, attempting to outdo the Brits (in 1923, and before them, Alexander) in their short-lived annexations of Mesopotamia?
The weapons we gave to subdue the Iranians were used against the Kurds, and who knows who else will suffer from the weapons we now give to subdue the Baathists, or whoever our enemy of the moment may be.
On the bright side, there is a small chain of stations in New Mexico selling bio-diesel, and a small start-up project to make the same in Crestone. Which one of you Crestone-bashers is ready to follow suit?
Slim Wolfe
Villa Grove
