28 Comments
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Educated Ape's avatar

This is the way.

From sea to shining sea.

Reading this flings open the door, letting light and fresh air rush into the room.

This is what the ideal of the Statue of Liberty stands for… it’s not about ethnicity or language. Come here (or be birthed here), settle in, dig in, be a part of the goodness and greatness that could be.

At your suggestion (in a note the other day), I began again, for the first time in a long time, to pour over the maps of the Western Hemisphere… and you’re right. It is beautiful. Your post above points to why.

Thanks much!

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Prester John Andrews's avatar

Very beautiful, Phisto. I always like the contrast in tone between your posts and notes, the discordance strikes a chord if you know what I mean.

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Phisto Sobanii's avatar

I’m glad you noticed! It’s quite intentional.

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Prester John Andrews's avatar

I've known people who don't care for your style of notes and I suppose fair enough, everyone has their own taste. But I always tell them to read your articles or listen to the podcast to get a better understanding of who you really are.

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Kevin Maher's avatar

The Notes are topics boiled down to their essence. And funny. ‘You people ‘ being part of a gag that just went over some peoples heads. I think intentionally. But, I have to agree. I like a laugh, but I always look forward to The Partisan dropping. Phisto has a voice, man.

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Kevin Maher's avatar

I forgot. He was right behind me.

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OGRE's avatar

Look, why don't you just fuck off! 😆😄😂

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Phisto Sobanii's avatar

And deny you all the laughs?

You insult me, sir!

;)

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OGRE's avatar

Oh yeah?!

Well you can fuck off too! 😆😄😂

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Rebel2Tyrants's avatar

I call myself "native American", because I was born here. I have no other home.

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Laggy's avatar

“Home is where the heart is” you long-winded fuck.

😉

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Timothy Andrew Staples/pop122's avatar

Lol!

I, too, feel I could live anywhere...

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Lex Rex, Esq.'s avatar

Born outside Philly into a working class family. My mom was the daughter of Irish/scotish immigrants (lots of confusion there, maybe some secret Jewish lineage in there too). Dad was a few more generations in … Franco-German-English-Native. But at the end of it all, I was the product of the melting pot, and an ‘80s Philly-Catholic boy. Catholic school, high school (mostly) and college.

I’ve been to Alaska. Many are our people. I’ve been to Mexico & California. They are not. I lived in New England eight years … kind people, but meddlers in everyone’s business with “faith” the government will do it right (they are morons for that). I’m in Maryland now … and I’ve not plugged in, honestly. I’m 20 years in the practice of law, but I manage a Columbus OH firm from Annapolis (after 10+ years working for a CA-corp, and a NY firm before that).

I’m more leaning toward “I’m 50 and need to get more locally focused” as I’m going to retire soonish — and none of the aforementioned will miss me when I’m gone. So North America is beautiful … yes. But we are a diverse group.

What conclusions I draw from there … idk yet. But thanks for provoking my thoughts.

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Phisto Sobanii's avatar

You’re welcome. Those are good thoughts.

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James's avatar

Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo reminded us that America is a continent, not a country. You seem to agree we are part of this larger community. I have always lived in the same community (northern Ohio also) and am making our home where we find ourselves. I hope you continue to find satisfaction as I have with your "can we stay here" home. Welcome back to posting. I missed reading them.

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Phisto Sobanii's avatar

Thanks for this.

I never stopped posting, just took a while to find something to say. :)

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1.032547698's avatar

I've never been outside the country, so my entire life's experience has only been America. I feel so completely merged with it, soul and spirit, that words, even truthful ones waxing honest, eloquent praise, only interrupt the beautiful silence.

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An American Writer & Essayist's avatar

Same. Never been outside the country either. Would like to go to Britain though, maybe Germany too, but other than that. All I need is right here.

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Larry's avatar

Love your story

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Holly's avatar

Thank you friend. I think we all as we grow older ponder where we’ve been and where we are going. Certainly the final journey will be to something so far beyond our imagination it can only be contemplated with hope and faith. This morning I read that Parable of the Two Babies in the Womb by Dr Wayne Dyer to my 87 year old Mom I wasn’t sure what she would think but she liked it.

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Van Ivey's avatar

Outstanding, Phisto. And right on.

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AA.'s avatar

Beautifully written, and I agree to get out and explore our land. I rode freight trains in my adolescence for many years, lived in garages, squats, vans and trucks and finally lived in Houseboats on the rivers of this country, and there's no end to the marvels.

I'm also a rural castaway in the world of Urban bullshit, forced to wander Nod like Cain… and a bit of a Vengeful Son towards European forebears who burnt their boats getting here. For many years I was resentful of that, but now at 47 I am wholly glad for their sacrifice and foresight.

Only nitpick to this article… to me it's not “North America,” I refer to the lower 49. The places north of us (Kanada) are Lobster back territory, and can get fucked along with the other effete swamplands of the Lordly Class. The places south are the province of BloodGods and murder cults.

Have spent a lot of time the past few years visiting the Southwest, and I assure you the old Aztec is waffling it's way across a once beautiful region. I would hazard it will be lost, and sooner than many would believe.

Thanks for the piece, it's got a bit of Guthrie without the Commie, which I appreciate. I'm glad that American Exceptionalism is seemingly redoubling and making a comeback.

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Timothy Andrew Staples/pop122's avatar

"Be useful to wherever I find my feet standing on their own."

Yes. That's the source of wealth creation, with emphasis on "useful" and "own."

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Timothy Andrew Staples/pop122's avatar

Yes.

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An American Writer & Essayist's avatar

This is beautiful man. I’ve had this dream of North America as well. I’ve tempered that dream recently but one day I hope it becomes reality. Maybe we can start here.

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Urs Broderick Furrer's avatar

Thank you. So very well said.

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Boflys's avatar

Beautiful brother. That was almost poetic. Didn’t know you had it in you. Well done.

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