The Past Three Years (January 18, 1997)

To the editors at the Press & Sun Bulletin

Over the past 3 years, I have written in earnest to you. I have written in anger and pain. I have written in sarcasm and sincerity. I have written of philosophy and poetry and anonymity. I have written of love and fear. I have written of honor and respect. I have written of life and death. I have even gone so far as to commission an artist to draw you a picture (whatever happened to my "Pointed Allegory?"). And through it all, I hope it was clear to you that I love this community and that I respect its institutions. This is my home as it is yours.

I don't have all the answers; in fact, I have very few. But there is a problem in our community, in our nation, that no economist or scientist or physician can solve. There is a time for philosophy and poetry. That time is now. It is my time. This is what I know. This is how I can help. This is how I can pay you back for all that you have given me.

There is a story here if you will see it. It is a good story. It can make a difference. It is not my story to tell. Nor does this story exist in the trickle of any single letter. Nor does this story need to have my name.

It is our story. And you must finish it. It is as big as we are and as small as I am. Is it we, or, is it me? You will have to decide.

I hope you will see this story. I believe you will see this story. I believe in us. I believe this story has a happy ending. It is in your hands.

Brian J. McMahon

<Previous> <Next> <Table Of Contents>