Time Was

                                Time Was
                                by Wilbur

    Time was when you could write, or say anything so long as you didn't threaten someone or incite violence. The idea of free speech was foundational to the republic. If you were out in left field everyone would just think you were stupid and ignore you.      Time was when every little Texas town had a homosexual or two and nobody cared. They stayed off to themselves and the lady's garden society loved them. Time was when you could swat your kids on the butt in the grocery store and everyone approved you as a good parent. Time was, when stopped for a traffic stop, you would get out of the car and take out your driver's license as you walked back to the officer, who appreciated your courtesy and respect. Time was you could carry your guns in a rack in your pickup and nobody but the deer cared. Time was when the president said something you respected it even if you didn't agree because he was the president. Time was when a teacher sent a note home you sided with the teacher simply because she WAS the teacher. Time was if you missed church everybody knew it and one of the routine questions you asked a new friend was what faith did they follow because there simply wasn't anyone who didn't believe in God. Time was when you found that your favorite movie star was getting a divorce you were shocked because personally you only knew one person who ever got one and everyone treated them as if they had tuberculosis. Time was if you stood on the constitution in court or anywhere else it was a no brainer because everyone knew the constitution was the constitution and that was that. Time was when a woman stayed home and took care of the kids she was known as a good mother. Time was when the preacher would drop by if word got out that a family was having difficulties. Time was when a dollar was inscribed "Silver Certificate" and stood for an honest dollar which would buy enough gasoline for three days work. Time was if you didn't have a job you just went to jail until you figured it out. This is the world I lived in in 1957 in Shreveport, Louisiana. Time was...


From Hottrnhel, Texas