6 Thursday, July 17, 1997 Pahrump Valley Gazette
i
,That evil is in the 00had,00ws of the past, I:00ougie?
George Douglas McMurdo. Kind of has a nice ring to the name, I
guess. Notice, however, that the little fella prefers the moniker of just
"Doug." The "McMurdo" of course sounds like an early Detroit car
maker that didn't make the cut.
So, Doug titles his recent column "A Little Matter of Self-Respect."
In all candor I hardly think self-respect drove Bill and Hillary to acquire
residency at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. Made Isaac Newton sleepless
until he got a grip on gravity. Led Bonaparte across Europe with a quest
to make a better France.
McMurdo-- aka Doug --seems bent on looking back. Looking back
never helped anyone gain ground, only slows down progress. Just check
the book of Patton chapter one verse one (like in General George
Patton). Methinks maybe Dougie carries too much baggage of times
past and for him not so easily forgotten. Beginning that day -- that hot
summer day -- in mid July 1960 in central Texas when the McMurdo
infant was named George Douglas after those that came before. The
family legacy of following and growing straight and tall didn't come
easily for young Douglas. Incidents in Huntsville and Odessa were
difficult. Probably still keeps family members awake at night. But, of
course, boys will be boys. Regardless of the cost the bruises and the
scars. Five years of being watched closely lest "Dougie do right" fall
again to the constant temptation of the dreaded "Detroit Fever." In
some cases the cure is nearly impossible.
A move West seemed appropriate. New scenery. An effort not to look
back. A clean slate. Henderson, Nevada. September 29, 1987. An
opportunity to finally gain some ground. Nearly thirty years of age.
Time to be a man in the real and truest sense. The battery had nothing
to do with the power source. Sometimes we don't learn the first time. Or
even the second. Doug seemed more on a tack toward serf-destruction
rather than one of serf-esteem or serf-respect.
But this is the summer of '97. Far from Odessa and Huntsville. Even
miles from difficult Henderson. Doug has yet another opportunity. His
own column with which to impress the citizens thanks to "Little
Richard." Be careful Dougie. The sound of sucking up can be heard all
the way to Crystal and beyond. This "would be" crusader needs a new
horse. Taking on dedicated public servants is only fair when attacks are
I
t
justified. Frivolous fault-finding such as we see from this quarter is the
work of an amateur. Better to say nothing if one can't do better than
recent ramblings of innuendo against those that serve so well. This Don
rather, this Doug Quixote continues to chase windmills within his
own mind. In truth, he possesses no authentic passport to the Kingdom.
In fact, hasn't even registered. I'll let you, Dear Reader, figure out the
meaning of that concern.
It's easy today to call female bosses "Man Haters" or allude to their
"less than normal ways." But, of course,just like boys will be boys so will
men also be men. All a part of some genetic weakness that creates an
inability to fairly deal with superiors of the opposite gender. I guess
maybe that takes us back to that pesky battery. And I'm not talking
copper clad. Oh well. Domestic bliss! Or, lack thereof.
Dougie (aka Doug, again) seems thankful for his immediate past job.
Even a bit condescending to fellow workers. Again the sound of sucking
up permeates the air. More looking back, I guess. Maybe just a classic
case of "CYA."
Everyone has his own idea of so many different things. Some even
prefer sunshine to Nabisco®. And for the record Dougie, my name isn't
"Cracker." Call me Joe, little Doug. Call me Mr. Joe Richards. Never
burn all your bridges. Thought you learned that when you left Texas.
What goes around so often comes around. And remember, "Little
Richard" might grow tired of that darn sucking noise.
George Douglas McMurdo. Family man. Fun loving fella. Enjoys
colorful outfits. Especially on weekends while relaxing. Clark County
Community College offers night classes on creative writing. You could
use the help. Maybe even earn a degree or two of your own. To do your
own wallpapering.
Smart doesn't come easily for so many. Not at all for some! Inquiring
minds want to know. So Doug, don't be surprised at the questions. And
remember, it is all a matter of public record. Orange suits and all.
George Douglas McMurdo. The maker of his own destiny. Only he
can determine and decide when to no longer be an underclassman. It's
OK to seize the moment as long as one has a grasp on the situation. That
means taking both hands out of your pockets Doug. No more playing
games with reality. "Payrump" town isn't fantasy city.
Target
by Joe Richards
from the
Kingdom of Nye
Whether you
hate him or love
him, he won't let
you ignore him!
