It’s a tough and dirty job
But Mike Rowe has a handle on it. His website is devoted to the idea that, hey, maybe it’s important that the world has plumbers and carpenters and auto mechanics. And that maybe those people are just as important as academics and accountants and maybe even enviromentalists. I like the money quote on that:
” I’m weary of being lectured by people who seem to care more about the planet than the people on it. Hollywood and Washington have shaped the issue, and now, all things Eco-friendly are up for sale.”
Damn.
Mike being a Hollywood type himself may not be the expert on everything, but man, it’s refreshing to see anyone who is this far in the public eye even talking like this.
Damn: Edited to add, hat Tip Carteach, without whom I would not have stumbled onto this in the first place.
The man’s got his head on straight.
My sister-in-law is an eco freak who wants any uses of natural raw materials stopped in order to save Gaia. I told her that unless she was a total hypocrite the only course of action open to her was to kill her kids and husband, then herself.
She didn’t see it that way, she just wants everyone else to do what she thinks is right and leave her alone.
I told her then that she doesn’t give a shit about Gaia, all she wants is control over everyone else so she can make them perfect. Just like the good little Marxist she is.
No, we don’t get along all that well.
Uhhh, “natural raw materials” includes everything Gerry N.’s sister-in-law eats or wears. Unless she can photosynthesize and goes naked without the benefit of home and shelter, she’s just talking out of her anus.
I don’t watch the show all the time, but I do get the impression that Rowe’s done his homework.
M
Mike’s even testified before the US Senate, espousing the BENEFITS of kids who are not “college material” to attend trade schools and become productive, honest, tax-paying, law-abiding members of society. I’m all over that one.
– Brad
When I was in Hah Skrool, one of my classmates was a recent immigrant from Germany. His dad’s proffesion was civil engineering and told me that in the old European tradition a student first became proficient in a trade, then went to university to learn a profession. That way no matter what the political climate one could always earn a living. Mr. Dreyer’s trade was cabinet making, he had spent two years in technical school and six years as an apprentice and journeyman before he enterred college. He was very old school right down to the dueling scars on his cheek. Nicest guy you’d ever want to meet.
That is calling a spade a spade!
I admire him for his candor!
I like the show. He’s Hollywood, but he has realized that
Dummies can’t fix cars/plumbing/machine parts/keep the sewers working/etc.
People who do those thing(and a whole lot more) make good money,
Asshats who think getting their hands dirty is beneath them would mostly die off- fairly quickly- without the dirty-hands people doing their work.
AND he has no problem saying all these things.
Used to know a plumber who worked his way through college, to a Masters in history, working for a plumber. Found out plumbing paid a lot better than teaching, so started his own company. Made damn good money and spent his spare time in history research and- his favorite- visiting every Civil War battlefield possible.
I have to note: the show he did with a Army transport battalion? Opened with getting a humvee out of deep sand with block & tackle. Son came home on leave, watched it and said “We NEVER had that many blocks at one time!”