VDH - You know who he is
Superb interview of a true American and a really smart guy!
Dr. Victor Davis Hanson- a Classicist and truly smart guy, is interviewed about his heritage, upbringing as a farmer - it’s superb.
I read his “Blade of Perseus” frequently and listen to podcasts he does. Those of us who grew up in farming communities, raised by WWI and WWII veterans, and educated in the schools of the 1950s and 1960s identify with his upbringing. The closeness to Mexico, the best friends who spoke Spanish at home (and sometimes married with our friends and family) gives us “Valley Boys” lifetime brothers and sisters. Several “Hermanos” read this substack I write. We truly have stayed brothers and sisters as we still celebrate High School reunions together, Oh - our 60th is coming up soon. - but we are older than VDH. He mentioned he was born in 1953 - for me - 1946. My high school class was fully steeped in the experiences of the Viet Nam War - either as “in country” participants, loss of close friends (Freddy Gonzales, post mortem MOH winner - Marine, track star I ran with in school and a profoundly nice guy)… My experience was taking care of the war injured as a young fresh MD trained in Galveston and learning surgery at Lackland AFB, Texas (San Antonio).
Clearly, Dr. Hanson grew up at the bottom of the San Joaquin Valley while we grew up in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas. His Fresno county was the center of the breadbasket of America while we grew cotton, grapefruit and orange trees and vegetables to some degree. His comments about the “clueless” youngster of today ring so true. Youngsters today can set up a TV, play a video game and more digital devices, but ask them to pack a wheel bearing on a trailer wheel, change the oil on their cars, much less how to lap in an exhaust valve..etc.. truly indeed — clueless.
Listen to Dr Hanson and understand why we 70 yr olds feel like we do about politics, governance, universities, training and life experiences. Understand why we feel this socialist hard left turn in our government is likely an exit ramp to disaster, not just a turn. Note … to some politicians who may read this.. how about that for a campaign slogan ??
Here is the link to the interview. Worth every one of the 30 minutes or so… Thanks to my good orthopedic friend who sent it to me..I promised I would put it here …