Some good thoughts there, but generally John missed the real and exciting value of the pure romance that Utah loved, represented with his entire presentation, and fostered in so many of us purely on that level. Possibility and community are laudable many times. But the individual out there with a huge dream can be a big motivating factor for many of us. PaulGeremia's song "Uncle Sam's Back Yard" I think it is called points this up admirably.

When ya got nothing to eat, moose turd pie might taste fine. Utah loved great humor just for the isolated gem-ness of it. A found nugget. Even when it was on a topic close to his heart and to the Wobbly preamble---just for the halibut--he'd drop it like a mini-bomb on the audience.

I was never a joiner. When folks were goose-stepping in favor of things I believed in like peace and justice for all---often I'd walk away because I really dislike chanting mindless unthought out slogans. Maybe it's a flaw in me, but I can live with it.

Art Thieme