|
|
|
|
 |
 |
|
;void(0)) Considering the unusual restrictions Mrs. Byers had to face, in order to tell this tale, I thought it apropos that I attempt to make a small contribution. Albeit rather unorthodox that a fictional character would write the “Forward” to a novel, I thought I’d run the idea past her. To my delight she agreed. I am not Mr. X who, with my agreement and cooperation, sought out Mrs. Byers. As I am not a writer, I wish not to delay you, unduly, from getting to the tale that lies ahead. Instead, I wish to impart something I recently heard. It struck a nerve and, in fact, made me recall why I was so insistent that this story be told. Mrs. Byers wasn’t the first author we turned to, but she was the last. She did us proud, you’ll see. The following excerpt is from the 2003 Commencement at University of Utah by Terry Tempest Williams. She’s an extraordinary woman, I understand. Her words certainly describe much of the mindset that motivated my colleagues and me to seek out an author to tell our tale, even if it had to be significantly fictionalized to protect the innocent and guilty. “When minds close, democracy begins to close. Fear creeps in, silence overtakes speech. Rhetoric masquerades as thought. Dogma is dressed up like an idea. And we are told what to do, not asked what we think. Security is guaranteed. The lie begins to carry more power than the truth until the words of our own founding fathers are forgotten and the images of television replace history. An open democracy inspires wisdom and dignity of choice. A closed society inspires terror and the tyranny of belief. We are no longer citizens. We are media-engineered clones wondering who we are and why we feel alone. Lethargy trumps participation. We fall prey to the cynicism of our own resignation. “When democracy disappears, we are asked to accept the way things are. “I beg you...do not accept the way things are. “Question. Stand. Speak. Act.” Ms. Williams’s words took my breath away, truly, in that they embodied the very meaning of what I have stood for all of my adult life. Yes, I’ve spent a great deal of time conflicted, but I always knew there was meaning in even my conflicted actions. It took a rather uncommon mixture of characters to make me understand that “meaning,” but when I did, it was truly an awakening I shall never forget. Read your history. Study your leaders. Pay attention to where we are heading as a nation and as a world. There are those who would have us all at each other’s throats as a means to advance their cause. Even as you sleep, there are those of us who fight the good fight for you. On behalf of my colleagues, alive and deceased, I thank you in advance for your indulgence into our world...I can’t wait until Volume II arrives in late 2004. You can count on Mrs. Byers having several surprises. Again, we all thank you, Mrs. Byers, for this opportunity. We knew you were the One. We are also sad, since as agreed at the outset, we must bid our farewells now that you have enough to finish the story. We trust you fully. Farewell, wonderful lady, this is goodbye. We wish you much success, and we’ll be watching from afar for II and III. So, without further ado, I welcome you, the reader, to The Whitlow Sanction: Volume I. Kind regards, Dan Reeves PURCHASE THIS BOOK NOW... LINK TO: BETTY BYERS BBB Collection Pkg. | Books and Tarot | | Return Home | GREAT LINKS | WHAT'S NEW? | CONTACT US | |
||
 |
 |
