Author Archives: Gavin Stevens

About Gavin Stevens

Humptulips County is the wholly fictional on-line residence of Stephen Ellis, a would-be writer, an avid fan of William Faulkner and his Yoknapatawpha County, and a retired lawyer.

A Lot of Guys Named “Joe”

Posted on October 30, 2008 by Gavin Stevens

“But the manner of death seemed unimportant. Murder had been done at Buchenwald.” Edward R. Murrow, Visit to Buchenwald We live in a confused world. I suppose much of the variety and confusion arises from our very diversity, but much … Continue reading →

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Let’s Give It a Rest

Posted on October 27, 2008 by Gavin Stevens

As the end of the world’s longest political campaign nears, it is time for us to take stock and ask ourselves why we continue to wallow in our extended misery. Not only do we take far longer than any other … Continue reading →

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New Name; Same Blog

Posted on October 23, 2008 by Gavin Stevens

“The end of an empire is messy at best And this empire is ending Like all the rest Like the Spanish Armada adrift on the sea We’re adrift in the land of the brave And the home of the free” … Continue reading →

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118,673,464 To Go, Dear Reader

Posted on October 21, 2008 by Gavin Stevens

“Oh good. Only 118,673,465 blogs still up” Gray Trudeau, Doonesbury, Sunday October 19, 2008 I have enjoyed posting on this blog and expect that I will continue to do so with fair consistency – weather, work load, other singular distractions … Continue reading →

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Mockingbirds and Stopwatches

Posted on October 17, 2008 by Gavin Stevens

“‘What’s the matter?’ I asked. Atticus said nothing. I looked up at Mr. Cunningham, whose face was equally impassive. Then he did a peculiar thing. He squatted down and took me by both shoulders. ‘I’ll tell him you said hey, … Continue reading →

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Botox and the Media

Posted on October 14, 2008 by Gavin Stevens

“All successful newspapers are ceaselessly querulous and bellicose. They never defend anyone or anything if they can help it; if the job is forced on them, they tackle it by denouncing someone or something else.” H. L. Mencken “It’s white … Continue reading →

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“If He Were White…”

Posted on October 13, 2008 by Gavin Stevens

โ€œI decline to accept the end of man. It is easy enough to say that man is immortal simply because he will endure: that when the last ding-dong of doom has clanged and faded from the last worthless rock hanging … Continue reading →

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McCarthyism and McCain

Posted on October 10, 2008 by Gavin Stevens

“We must remember always that accusation is not proof and that conviction depends upon evidence and due process of law. We will not walk in fear, one of another. We will not be driven by fear into an age of … Continue reading →

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French Vocabulary: Real, Imagined and Variant

Posted on October 9, 2008 by Gavin Stevens

“The thing that’s wrong with the French is that they don’t have a word for entrepreneur. “ George W. Bush entrepreneur: noun, a person who sets up a business or businesses. ORIGIN: French, from entreprendre โ€˜undertakeโ€™. Oxford English Dictionary I … Continue reading →

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Blue October

Posted on October 7, 2008 by Gavin Stevens

Now blue October, smoky in the sun, Must end the long, sweet summer of the heart. Robert Nathan, “Now Blue October” October has taken on the blue, smoky haze so prominent this time of year. Distance magnifies the haze and … Continue reading →

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