Columns
News On Our Doorsteps
According to our new Bible, the Internet, local, independent newspapers are rapidly going the way the American bison did in the 19th century. I researched these facts via the Internet. The last time I entered a public library was about the time Ted Turner unleashed CNN in 1980. However, the last time I received a non-amalgamated view of the news was only today when my October 01 and October 08, 2025 editions of The Posey County News arrived in my post office box.
Some cynics might opine that my view of our fine local newspaper is colored by the fact this column appears every week. Maybe so, but I submit my long-time personal friends, Editors and Owners Connie Redman Pearce and Dave Pearce, are upholding one of America’s essential building blocks of our republic.
At a time when Rodney King’s 1992 plea of, “Can’t we all just get along?”, is belied by the facts of societal anger and hate-speech, America needs its local newspapers to help bind us together in spite of strongly held opposing views. Talking heads on television or Facebook might as well be artificially unintelligently generated. We do not know nor can we evaluate their information. But in local newspapers writers are both known and accountable. We can weigh the pros and cons.
I have been writing the “Gavel Gamut” column since 1990. Over 1,000 of my columns have appeared in Dave and Connie’s paper and not once have they censored, or approved of, one word. I write what I think and it appears for the reader’s analysis, acceptance, rejection or lack of interest.
On the Opinion Page, Dave and Connie explicitly state the content of the columns and cartoons are solely those of the contributors. When I saw the cartoon by Joe Heller in the October 08 edition about “local news” and “community spirit” and the October 01 cartoon by Andy Singer about America’s shameful abetting of the Zionist genocide against Palestinians, I knew the tradition of Benjamin Franklin and Will Rogers was still vibrant.
Thank you, Connie and Dave, for helping to preserve one of our essential liberties!
Lessons Learned
Peg and I used to live on 12 acres just outside of New Harmony, Indiana. We enjoyed taking care of it ourselves. We now live just outside Barnsdall, Oklahoma on a small acreage we do enjoy but find its care occasionally more of a challenge. Such was our recent experience. In fact, we almost got nostalgic for town living when we decided to attack the repair of our mower. It all seemed so simple, in theory.
I had just finished mowing the high hill we call “Mogul Margaret’s Mountain” and was going back down the trail along the side of the mountain when the zero-turn mower controls quit controlling. I was headed into a ravine. I pushed the brake and stopped the mower just before taking the plunge. Since I had left my cell phone in the Cabin, I could not call for Peg to jump in the 4-wheel drive dune buggy and bring me a towing chain. So, I walked down the half-mile trail and found Peg working in the vegetable garden. We devised what appeared to us to be an easy solution to a rather mundane maintenance situation. We jumped in the dune buggy after throwing a chain in the bed and headed back up the mountain.
When we got to the disabled mower, I surveyed the damage and drew upon my vast knowledge of mechanics. I related the complexity of our modern mower to the walk-behind push mowers my brother, Phil, and I used to use to mow yards a mere seventy years ago. I remembered how we would sharpen the blades with a file, change the oil in ten minutes and repair the engine with a screw driver. Well, Gentle Reader, due to the great improvements in technology, our zero-turn mower now resembles a simulation of a spaceship. D.I.Y. has been usurped by, “What’s that and where does it go?”
Anyway, my first idea was to get the mower down to the line shed (the barn) so I could stare at it in puzzlement indoors and out of the heat. Here’s what I did. Oh, by the way, Peg has disavowed all responsibility for my approach. First objective, get the mower away from the ravine and the other side of the mountain, which is an even bigger drop-off. I had to ease the dune buggy past the mower so I could get it turned around. This required that Peg, staying far away, edged along the trail so she could guide me. She did and I managed to not slip off the side into oblivion.
Then I attached the chain to the mower and dune buggy. I asked Peg to slowly ease the dune buggy down the trail as I guided the mower with just the brake. Of course, the main problem was the tires could not be turned, so only the brake stood between me and an Olympic ride down the ridge. Fortunately, Peg did not see me, as yet, as dispensable so she skillfully eased me between the ravine and the hillside as I rode the mower like a mechanical bull.
When we got the mower to the line shed, I did rely upon my years of book-learning and referred to the repair manual. What my expert analysis was? I had no idea how to fix the problem, whatever the problem was. However, I did remember an important lesson from my past mistakes and decided to call the service department of the Scag dealer. They will be out tomorrow.
Ever Again
Maybe it is because I was born and grew up on an Indian reservation and had many Native American friends, including my Osage Sunday School teacher, but there are things involved in the Gaza Peace Plan claimed by President Trump that remind me of the treaties between the United States government and numerous American Indian peoples. In general, those treaties put Indians out of sight and white people in possession of Indian lands. Although many of those peace plans did contain magnanimous conditions and gratuitous language such as, “As long as the rivers flow, etc.” It turned out those were a secret code that meant, until gold, silver or whatever thing the dominate culture wanted was discovered, say Riviera type real estate along the Mediterranean Sea or lush farmland along the West Bank of the Jordan River or holy sites in East Jerusalem.
While the Zionists of Israel assert the destruction and occupation of Gaza was a response to an attack by Hamas, Palestinians believe the initiation of the current invasion by Israel began in 1917, resulting in a Nakba (a catastrophe) in 1948 and became a full-blown Israeli occupation in 1967 that was exacerbated in 1973 and continues to today. For many Palestinians, October 7, 2023 was an act of resistance to Zionist occupation and oppression.
Many Jewish people feel a deep connection to that part of the world called Palestine. The reasons are historical and cultural and, for most, do not require a genocide of the original inhabitants. However, as with many non-Native Americans in the United States from 1492 until contemporary times who believed Indians were an impediment to Manifest Destiny, many Zionists see Palestinians the same way.
Peace negotiations in such an atmosphere may bring a momentary pause, but the conflict will never resolve until all Palestinians are eliminated or they have their own, fully functioning and self-governing state. It is a moral imperative upon all of us to recognize this reality and guarantee Palestine’s establishment. President Trump’s Peace Plan is a poorly disguised effort to accomplish only Israel’s objectives. A true, lasting peace in the Middle East must start by the U.S.A. recognizing the autonomous, independent, self-governing and self-securing State of Palestine along the borders set forth in 1948. If President Trump makes such a declaration, a real peace process can succeed. If not, the current peace plan is a chimera designed to accomplish Israel’s dreams of a country “from the river to the sea” without any Palestinians but one in eternal turmoil with its neighbors.
As our American Founders discovered, being some other country’s colonies leads to permanent second-class status and “taxation without representation”. America, better than most of the 157 countries that have already officially recognized the State of Palestine, should recognize President Trump’s peace plan “… is full of sound and fury, signifying nothing…” but more endless conflict. It is like ice cream on a hot day, momentarily sweet and cool, but soon melted into a faint memory and maybe a sop to the forgotten “noble savages” whose aspiration for freedom and independence have gone the way of the Little Big Horn and the Trail of Tears. Or for Palestinians, the Nakba and genocide.
Judicial Isolation
This week starts the seven-week online course for Special & Ethical Considerations for the Rural Court Judge sponsored by the National Judicial College (six weeks online meetings with one week break in the middle). As a member of the NJC faculty, I have helped teach this course for fifteen years. The other faculty members are judges from Nevada, Mississippi, Tennessee and California. The student judges preside in rural trial courts in several states. We meet via Zoom. Our first week’s session will concentrate on the topic of Judicial Isolation involving rural court judges. The lead faculty member is Judge Pat Lenzi from Nevada.
Judges who serve in smaller jurisdictions often find themselves with the warmth of law books as their main colleagues. Due to the ethical restrictions on judges to not discuss legal matters, judges who serve in sparse areas with few other judges often find themselves with no one to help them test many important decisions before peoples’ lives are dramatically affected.
As a judge for more than forty years in a rural court environment that had only two judges, I know the need for unbiased, informed, non-partisan input in many vital decisions. Of course, it is not just judges who can benefit from sage, well intentioned consultation. Many of the techniques for dealing with judicial isolation can be applied to help non-judges make better choices in life. As most couples come to realize, when their relationships hit rough spots, it is often because the parties do not make the effort to communicate; they isolate themselves and their partners. What often follows are misunderstandings that can lead to unintended bad consequences.
So the first suggestion to deal with isolation that may lead to bad decisions is for us to set aside our pride and reach out to others, especially to others who have our best interests at heart. With Rural Court Judges that might be a fellow rural court judge in our own or a nearby jurisdiction. With non-judges it might be a neighbor, a clergyman or work acquaintance.
Another help can be involvement in judicial associations or continuing judicial education meetings, for example, participation in NJC courses or civic clubs, such as Rotary, the Elks, BPW and numerous other service groups. Such work helps us break out of our isolation and, also, can do a lot of good for our local society without requiring the exchange of intimacy or the discomfort of too much closeness. We can set our own limits and honor those of others while forging lines of open communication when desired.
Society needs its Rural Court Judges to maintain independence so that a judge’s decisions are respected. It also needs judges who are integrated into their rural jurisdictions. This delicate balance may be difficult to achieve. But rural court judges do have practices and procedures they can implement and follow. The same is true for all non-judges.
We often fail to maintain that perfect balance between isolation and involvement. However, just as all other legal education, with study and practice, our Rural Court Judges will be able to have their decisions respected while they positively participate in their communities.
Up Stairs, Down Stairs
Donald Trump will be forever associated with escalators. Much of the world, at least the part I am part of, had paid little attention to The Donald until he and Melania descended those moving stairs at Trump Tower in New York City, New York on June 16, 2015. Then there was the non-moving escalator at the United Nations building September 23, 2025. President Trump demanded an investigation.
President Trump spoke to the assembled countries of the world that day. He began his lecture with:
“I’m really good at this stuff. Your countries are going to hell.”
Perhaps he has information about the world from some higher source the rest of us are not privy to. Next, he criticized the United Nations; he alleged the U.N. sent strongly worded letters but took no action. Then he dismissed the recognition of Palestine by 157 of the world’s countries while he ordered the United States to stand with currently Zionistic Israel, and formerly Nazi Germany and formerly Fascist Italy and Japan in refusing to demand human rights for Palestinians.
I can relate to how The Donald felt about the mal-functioning escalator system at the U.N. It is a common human frailty to ascribe our personal problems to others. In Trump’s case, the United Nations organization did an almost immediate investigation and determined Trump’s difficulties were caused by members of his own staff abetted by U.N. funding deficiencies due to Trump Administration policies.
It is not that most of us never fall victim to feelings that the world revolves around us and that misfortunes are intentional blows from an evil or uncaring universe. Narcissism, to some degree, is just part of being human. But for most people, the assumptions are normally that snafus are not personal but coincidental.
I have concluded that most of my misfortunes are not due to fortune but to my own errant decisions or just dumb luck. I believe most of humanity eventually comes to similar realizations. As for The Donald, his narcissism is just part of his character. However, the fact remains he did make a successful descent down that escalator in 2015 and is now in a position where untested aspersions cast upon others can be dangerous. We can only hope for more introspection.
Chim Chim Charlie
When I think of Charlie Gaston, I conjure up Dick Van Dyke’s song “Chim Chim Cher-ee” from the musical Mary Poppins:
“Chim chiminey, chim chiminey, chim chim cher-eeA sweep is as lucky as lucky can be
Chim chiminey, chim chiminey, chim chim cher-oo
Good luck will rub off when (Charlie) shakes ‘ands with you.”
I do not know if Charlie has ever been a chimney sweep but I do know he has built some. I also bet he clicked his heels while he did so.
My September 03, 2025 edition of The Posey County News arrived by mail to JPeg Osage Ranch on September 08. New Harmony’s purveyor of good humor appeared resplendent along with his bicycle in a half-page article announcing the All About Charlie exhibit that runs from September 06 – October 22, 2025 in The Artists Guild Depot. Congratulations Charlie and “Thank you!” to the New Harmony Artists Guild.
In these days of terminal ennui, Charlie is just the prescription we should over-dose on. Charlie does not need any plaudits from me, but I am attaching a Gavel Gamut article I wrote about him the week of 08 October 2024 just because, as always, the mere thought of Charlie makes Peg and me feel better.
FEARLESS CHARLIE GASTON
On the morning of October 12 as Peg and I waited for the classy and lovely wedding celebration of Laura Campbell and Aravind Ayala at the Roofless Church in New Harmony, Indiana, I received a cellphone call from my always excited friend, Charles Gaston. “Judge! Judge! It’s your friend Charlie Gaston, I wrote a better book than you! Come to 325 Tavern Street and get your copy, Now!”
Three two five Tavern Street is the address of the 1860’s era brick home Charlie has personally renovated into a marvelous homage to all that is the small community of Rappite/Owen living history with Charlie as one of its extremely special residents. Charlie has only one gear, constant enthusiasm for life, and he was, as always, generously sharing it with the rest of us. After 88 years of giving and positive shining Charlie knows no negative thoughts. It is impossible to be with Charlie and be negative yourself. You might as well give up on gloom and get with Charlie’s program; you will just feel better.
Peg and I walked the three blocks from our lodging at the 1840 Harmonist House to Charlie’s unique and mesmerizing home. Charlie met us at the open front door with multiple handshakes and a stream of information from the final sale of his farm to the personally refinished wooden desk he had saved from extinction and placed with his and our friends, Rod and Lynn Clark’s, Lowry Hollow store on Main Street.
Charlie had my JUDGE LYNCH! book title tacked up on his wall and told me it was what had inspired him to finally write his autobiography. Of course, knowing Charlie’s generous spirit I assumed this was a beau geste, but it was still good to hear. That’s what time spent with Charlie does for you. You just feel better.
After the wedding celebration I started reading Charlie’s book and its companion piece by Charlie’s friend, Susan Wunder, titled Their Land, Too, Charles Gaston’s Back to the Land Story, that exposits Charlie’s love of nature and his organic farming with horses and sweat. It is a paean to Charlie’s dedication to the environment and healthy living.
And Charlie’s commitment to helping others and preserving the environment is not of the armchair variety. Not only did he operate his farm without modern machinery, he rode his bicycle thousands of miles from 1971 up through his winter ride from his home in New Harmony, Indiana to his farm and log cabin in Bloomington, Indiana (132 miles) to celebrate his 80th birthday.
Peg and I proudly claim Charlie as our friend, but such status is hardly unique. Charlie is everybody’s friend and the Earth’s too. And, I have to ungrudgingly admit, not only is Charlie a light in each of the lives he has touched, he is once again correct, he has written a better book than I have; get it for yourself!
A Path Apart
Stories from my beautiful life
By
Charles Gaston
Charlie’s address is Post Office Box 793, New Harmony, Indiana 47631. Since Charlie would not take any money from Peg and me, I do not know the price, but I am confident it won’t be expensive and maybe not much more than shipping and handling.
What I do know is that it will be worth whatever you pay; you will just feel better!