How Does Your Garden Grow?
Weeds or no weeds. That’s the question!
Image Credit: Canva
Submitted by Thomas Antkow –
The saying that “beauty is only skin deep” is personified in the shocking 1986 psychological thriller and cult classic Blue Velvet starring Dennis Hopper of Easy Rider fame.
From the innovative opening scene where the camera takes us on a slow journey from a bird’s eye view of a typical suburban town to a penetrating scene of what was percolating just below the surface of a well-manicured front lawn in 1980’s America then, also offered us a preview of our own descent and foretelling of what is happening just below the surface in 2024 America now.
Creepy crawlers are invading our lawns and gardens as we speak. It seems that no one is prepared to do anything about it. Even though we all share the same tools to eradicate the invaders. We just must agree to use them.
When my wife and I decided to leave our home in Colorado surrounded by the beauty of the front range of the Rocky Mountains and move to the idyllic landscapes, farms, and ranchlands of East Tennessee several years ago we believed that we were leaving most of the disturbing changes happening in Colorado behind.
Lo and behold. Now there are signs of weeds invading our new garden today.
At first, like any other newcomer disturbing the peaceful garden of Blount County we were thought to be part of the weeds when we moved here. However, over time and by carefully cultivating our own community garden through service and dedication we were accepted by the kind fellow inhabitants of this burg. We thank you.
We found that most of us here share more common values than divide us with any differences that we might possess.
Faithful followers of our religions, volunteers assisting those in need and tending to the same common garden of American values our crops will continue to thrive.
The original Founding Fathers were the first master gardeners of America. They believed the seeds must be cultivated with care and the tools of freedom outlined in the Constitution used properly, were necessary to survive any plague that may befall us.
It is my firm belief that whether you consider yourself a republican, democrat, liberal, conservative, independent, or libertarian we all share the same garden landscape. Freedom, Democracy and Citizenship. Not tyranny.
Beware. A storm is on the horizon for all of Tennessee. Time to protect our crops and stop resting on our laurels. Conservative values are under attack. The weeds are lurking among us.
The chaos happening on our streets, in our college campuses, and against our own first responders must be eradicated. If not, the weeds will surely overcome ALL our crops.
One of the most effective tools we have is our right as “citizens” to vote. Voting is the best defense and insecticide against the weeds in our society. Failing to utilize that tool will surely lead to our demise. Keeping the tool in the shed is unacceptable today. Use that tool wisely because it was provided for us by our original Founding Fathers to cultivate our Liberty Garden.
THOMAS ANTKOW is currently a freelance writer and produced and hosted his own daily radio show on KCSF AM 1300 and co-hosted talk shows for KVOR AM 740 for Cumulus Broadcasting in Colorado Springs. He can be reached at taradio863@gmail.com. You can subscribe to Tom’s FREE newsletter at: Antkow.substack.com
All weeds must be eradicated even to the point that you tear up some of the good plants for long term weed free gardens!
That is the ‘logic’ of every enlightened reformer from Tiberius Gracchus to Maxime Robespierre to donald trump. And somehow it always starts with ‘we must defend the garden’ and quickly becomes ‘I am the only salvation for the garden.’ We aren’t plants. We can learn and we have free will and (for now) a vote on our government. Beware those who define “weeds” as plants they don’t like.
It has all too common to refer to our form of government as a “democracy.” Until we repent and address out unique freedom as a constitutional republic then we will continue to decline for lack of understanding.
What the heck are you even talking about? This is the most rambling and incoherent OP I’ve ever read.. I never ever made the connection.. and if you did then you smoked way to much weed while watching Blue Velvet. Seriously man.. stop writing.. its terrible.. this is the worst thing I’ve ever read.
I agree with you Stephens. This one was kind of weird. You still read it though. Even though I didn’t succeed in the election I still got 30% of the vote for a newcomer. Really got pissed off when developers like D. R. Horton tore through the woods in my backyard and replaced it with 27 cheaply made structures. It is a damn shame that less than 1,000 folks actually voted from my district. Unfortunately, that seems to be the trend here in Tennessee where most folks think that a Red State or county has no chance to turn blue. I saw it in Colorado and instead of attacking me (if we are on the same side), why don’t you take your energy and commit some of it to warn of the slow wave washing over our State starting from Memphis, moving through Nashville and lapping up to the shores of Knoxville instead of attacking a Conservative who just wants to sound the alarm. I’ll stop writing when you stop reading. Enjoy your rants and attacks. This is the last time I will respond to your pap.
Please just stop.. no one.. I mean no one wants wants to hear or read your mindless ranting.
BTW no one in Blount county wants to hear your stupid opinion.. see your election results..
Yikes and you have outdone yourself today.. wow the DT must be desperate to publish your stuff, or more than likely you are paying them… Just stop.. dont write anymore OP’s ever again.. especially about toilets.. since you are most likely constipated and sitting on one all the time.