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David Offutt |
“Those who cannot learn from history are doomed to repeat it.” - George Santayana |
Home This site will consist primarily, but not entirely, of my letters to the editor of the El Dorado News-Times that have been printed on the Viewpoint page. They are intended to provide historical perspectives on important issues. I will add future essays and/or lists monthly. Some will be lists of movie recommendations. |
Most Recent Update: May 13, 2009
A Temporary Posting Containing My First Four Commentaries (Also #77 Looking for a War): Scroll to the Bottom for All Five. |
Two Additions From Six Cats to Eight I am now owned by – and loyally serve – eight cats.
One was adopted from the local animal shelter, UCAPS, to be a companion to my now late father, J.C. Offutt (1913-2001).
Seven showed up in my yard and refused to leave.
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Susie: A calico, indoor cat obtained from UCAPS. Dad had accidentally run over a cat that he had dearly loved for two years. He insisted he never wanted another one. My older brother John and I concocted a story to tell Dad about our finding Susie under a car at K- Mart. I think Dad learned the truth, but he never let on. He loved Susie, and so do I. Age: Around 13
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Tonka: An all-black indoor/outdoor cat that I first saw hanging out on my back patio when he was just a kitten smaller than my hand. I tried to give him away twice; but, each time, I ended up bloody. He bit me and scratched me, and my hands and arms were left bloody messes. Seeing this, no one wanted him! They really missed out. He is now as sweet and playful as he can be! Age: 4 in June 2008
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Cody: A truly remarkable indoor/ outdoor cat with four white socks. He showed up during a heavy snow and was ill. Dad and I nursed him back to health, and he was a very cooperative and appreciative patient. He has continued to be so, with other illnesses and a broken hip. He won over the other cats immediately. He has even taken Tonka under his wing as a Big Brother. Age: 9 plus
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The Boss: a very light orange tabby (almost white), indoor/outdoor cat. He was born under a storeroom in my backyard. His stray mother disappeared soon after. He defers to Susie in the house, otherwise all the other cats defer to him. Only he dares to wake me at any hour he decides he is hungry or wants to go out. Age: 10 on July 4, 2008
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Mr. Hobbes, or “Prettyboy” Hobbes: An orange Tabby, outdoor cat that was named after the stuffed tiger in Calvin and Hobbes. He is the Boss’s brother; he is the only one that doesn’t love Cody; and he doesn’t sleep in any of the beds or chairs on the patio. I have no idea where he sleeps! Age: 10 on July 4, 2008
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Gato: A strange-looking brindle female, outdoor cat. Depending on the weather, she sleeps on a patio chair, in a box with an electric blanket on the patio, or in a hole under a storeroom. She will rarely let me touch her, but she is almost always inside my backyard and is almost always visible. If I don’t see her, she will speak to me until I do see her and acknowledge her presence. Age: Around 9
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My Objective
Throughout our history, the U.S. Constitution, our hopes and dreams, and our civil liberties have been placed in jeopardy in ways other than wars. The plot to assassinate Lincoln, the impeachment of Andrew Johnson, the Great Depression, the McCarthy Era, the Watergate Scandal, the Iran-Contra Scandal, and the quest to destroy the presidency of Bill Clinton have been among the most serious.
However, I have never been more fearful for the future of the United States than I have been since the catastrophic Election of 2000. What the Bush-Cheney-Rove Administration has done and apparently plans to do to this country demands that those of us who care speak up. |
If ever interviewed again for “Neighbors” South Arkansas Sunday News not much would have changed. December 2008 (Original Interview: Nov. 2001)
The one thing I’ve learned in life is also my trademark cliché or expression : “Offutt’s Law”: The more important it is for you to know something, the less likely it will be volunteered to you. (Original answer: None.)
Occupation: Teacher at the Adult Education Center of SAU-Tech - Previously, I have taught U.S. history and western civilization in public school systems and in private college prep schools; I taught for nearly ten years in New Orleans at the Xavier University Preparatory High School, and I taught two years each at the American School of Quito and the American School of Guayaquil in Ecuador.
Though I was proved wrong, I once said I’d never: Move back to El Dorado, AR
What kind of car do you drive?: 1994 Nissan pickup; 1986 Pontiac Grand Prix (In four years it will be a classic and, for the umpteenth time, no, I do not want to sell it).
My favorite president was: Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Abraham Lincoln, or JFK
My favorite kind of music is: New Age, folk, some classical, and some movie themes and soundtracks
If I could, I would write a book about: My four years in Ecuador
My favorite author is: John Steinbeck
The last book I read was: The Fool Killer by Helen Eustis(Original answer: Beneath the Wheel by Hermann Hesse)
You will never catch me wearing: Baggy pantaloons(Original answer: “Wear a necktie” - I was misquoted! My real answer was “Wear a necktie willingly.”)
My teenage idol was: Actress Hayley Mills
My all-time favorite television show is: Route 66
My favorite comedian is: Sid Caesar or Woody Allen (Original answer: Cid Caesar)
My hobbies are: canoeing, camping, traveling, photography, and watching movies
My favorite performer is: Gregory Peck
My all-time favorite movie is: To Kill a Mockingbird
My heroes are: All gone now. All that are left are mere facsimiles, if even that. I do concur with the American Film Institute’s choice of the number one screen hero of all time: Atticus Finch as played by Gregory Peck. (Original answer: Gregory Peck and Stanley Kramer)
The four guests at my fantasy dinner party would be: Tarzan, Peter Pan, Bugs Bunny, and Huckleberry Finn (Original answer: Steve Allen, philosopher Mortimer Adler, filmmaker Stanley Kramer, and Thomas Jefferson)
My favorite restaurant is: The Good Times Grill (Original answer: Abe’s Ole Feed House in Lawson, AR)
My favorite junk food is: Popeye’s fried chicken
If there’s one thing I won’t do, it’s: Go bungee jumping
My pet peeve is: Litter bugs and slow drivers (Original answer: Litterbugs)
When I’m nervous I: Pace back and forth
My best asset is: I work hard
I absolutely will not eat: Pickled pigs feet ( My dad used to stink up the house cooking them)
A movie I walked out of was: I Know What You Did Last Summer
My mother/father would say I’m: Spoiled (Original answer: Very efficient—that was one of the last things my father said to me)
E-mail: dboffutt@suddenlink.net |
Scout: This kitten’s mother brought him to me and then disappeared after being satisfied that her offspring was welcome. This guy may be related to Tonka. He’s too rambunctious for the older cats like Cody and Boss. Age: 5-6 months |
Benny: This full-grown stray was hanging around for months before risking being friendly. He saw that Scout was accepted, so he took the chance. He has been extremely affectionate and appreciative for being taken in. Sadly, he is not liked by Cody or Boss, who now only tolerate stray kittens—not adults. Age: unknown |