Jellybysitis
New York Magazine asks (6/14 issue): "Why is it so depressing that Al and Tipper Gore are getting divorced?" Easy: The man wants to save the world, but he can't even save his own marriage. You folks at NYM think (thought) he's great, but he's like the brimstone moralist who hires prostitutes, the wannabe weight-lifter who can't bench 95 pounds . . . Dickens' Mrs. Jellyby who gets involved in all sorts of philanthropic causes but neglects her own large family. * * * * * * * I've always liked that Mrs. Jellyby character. I've never read Bleak House, but I first heard of the woman while sitting in Russell Kirk's house in Mecosta. I was drinking wine with Mrs. Kirk, James Kushiner, and Patrick Reardon on a Friday night, when someone brought up the Jellyby character and explained the significance. It always resonated with me, and has always provided solace when I've declined Community Cause A and Church Project Z on grounds that I can't deprive my family of my temporal resources. * * * * * * * The Friday evening I spent at Piety Hill is one of the fondest nights in my life (recognition for this piece), and that Jellyby literary anecdote has remained an essential party of my mental landscape. Yet: I can't remember for sure whether one of the others brought it up during that late night, or whether someone raised the point during that afternoon's conference. It's odd that I can't recall. The conference had about 30 people in the audience. The nocturnal wine imbibing, only four. Totally different settings; significant impact on my life. But I can't recall. * * * * * * * I've fallen away from the Touchstone group. Quite sad, but it couldn't be helped. As the kids piled up, so did the significance of the Jellyby anecdote. It's a worthy publication, though. If you're inclined, please patronize it. * * * * * * * Gardening milestone of sorts: I can confidently state that my backyard is now producing enough food to sustain an adult, day-to-day. It'd be a grim existence, but a guy could survive off it. * * * * * * * An attack on libertarians, but not far off the mark as far as facts go. The Tea Party Jacobins. The folks at von Mises respond.
