Into the Stormtroopers. Part Two
Today’s post has nothing to do with wine. This is part two of a true story about a presidential assassination attempt, the American Nazi Party and the de-evolution of truth. SPOILER ALERT; please read part one HERE first. All photographs ©1981 Donald Carter.
NOTE: “Into the Stormtroopers Part One and Part Two” was published in Living Springs Publishers anthology, Stories Through The Ages Baby Boomers Plus 2020.
“This is a must-read story about the tumultuous events that abruptly thrust Don Carter into the international spotlight and an adventure of a lifetime … Don’t miss this gripping, page-turning mystery about events that every baby-boomer will remember. Don won second prize with his story.”
NOTE: “Into the Stormtroopers Part One and Part Two” is the First Prize winner in the 2017 Writer’s Workshop of Asheville “Memoir” competition.
“… writing style is impressive, and the descriptions were vivid. The content is gripping, unusual and page-turning!” The Writer’s Workshop of Asheville.
NOTE: The literary journal New Millennium Writings awarded this article Honorable Mention.
The De-Evolution of Truth
“It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen.”
― George Orwell, 1984
May 1981
The phone rang at dawn and as I pulled the receiver close a metallic shout from the caller jolted me upright and awake.
“FEDS SEIZE NAZI PIX!”
“Wha …?”
“The New York Post. Front page. FEDS … SEIZE … NAZI … PIX!”
Five minutes later I stood sockless at the corner newsstand, scrutinizing the front page of the New York Post. Two familiar Nazis stared back. Adolf Hitler’s portrait hung in the background, his stare intense and chilling. A young neo-Nazi with a raised pistol in hand stood in the foreground, his expression unreadable and lifeless – but no less chilling. My eyes went to the photo credit beneath the picture where I found my name.
Read MoreInto the Stormtroopers. Part One
Today’s post has nothing to do with wine. This is part one of a true story about a presidential assassination attempt, the American Nazi Party and personal regret. In light of recent events it seemed an appropriate time to tell the tale. All photographs ©1981 Donald Carter.
NOTE: “Into the Stormtroopers Part One and Part Two” was published in Living Springs Publishers anthology, Stories Through The Ages Baby Boomers Plus 2020.
“This is a must-read story about the tumultuous events that abruptly thrust Don Carter into the international spotlight and an adventure of a lifetime … Don’t miss this gripping, page-turning mystery about events that every baby-boomer will remember. Don won second prize with his story.”
NOTE: “Into the Stormtroopers Part One and Part Two” is the First Prize winner in the 2017 Writer’s Workshop of Asheville “Memoir” competition.
“… writing style is impressive, and the descriptions were vivid. The content is gripping, unusual and page-turning!” The Writer’s Workshop of Asheville.
NOTE: The literary journal New Millennium Writings awarded this article Honorable Mention.
Of White Power and White Guilt
As a younger man I seldom gave thought to motivation or consequence. I felt compelled to take risks – to seek out the dark places and walk with the beasts – but the nearest I came to reflection was when I inevitably picked myself up, checked for injuries and wondered, “What the hell was I thinking?”
As an older man I’ve struggled with the emotional fallout that comes from second-guessing one’s actions but despite some feelings of regret, I believe my raison d’être was well intentioned. I like to think I climbed under the bed in the middle of the night, faced the monsters and dragged them into the light so that we might all better understand the hatefulness that grows in the shadows we choose to ignore.
When I was a freshman at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago I set out to expose these darker places. Little did I suspect that the images I captured would one day attract international attention and the FBI, subpoena in hand, would come looking for the monsters I uncovered.
More on that later.
*****
Read More‘Twas the Night Before the ‘Wine of the Year’ Was Announced
‘Twas the night before Christmas and all through the winery,
my tasting room staff wore their holiday finery.
The sales were outstanding. ‘Twas like nothing before.
All the wines (even Merlot) seemed to fly out the door.
My winemaker fretted as the deadline drew near.
Wine Spectator 100, would this be the year?
To be on that list would be so prestigious.
But another year missed would be so egregious.
Then out in the vineyard there arose such a clatter.
I feared it was mildew, Pierce’s or shatter.
There, atop a small sleigh that defied quantum physics,
sat a round, bearded man and eight tiny critics.
They were chuggin’ down Harlan, the music was crankin’.
I knew in a moment it had to be Shanken.
Read MoreLife On The Road – Without Any Brakes
“It is lovely, descriptive, energetic, and makes me want to hit the road too. You’re lucky to have had these experiences, however hair-raising!” Writer’s Workshop of Asheville
Gloria Steinem wrote, “More reliably than anything else on earth, the road will force you to live in the present.”
Oddly enough, Ms. Steinem’s words inspired me to revisit the past. This is a tale about life on the road – a passion I discovered long before wine but found no less intoxicating.
It’s not like I thought I was going to die.
My canteen had run dry the previous day, the last of my granola two days before that. I desperately missed the water, the granola not so much. Sure, I was in a desert without food and water, dehydrated, exhausted, a Barry Manilow tune stuck in my head, but I didn’t think it would kill me. By the thirtieth chorus I only hoped it would.
Read MoreUrine Trouble
Dear Sir,
While watching the Scat Channel I happened to catch your infomercial and I was excited to learn that cat pee is an effective mouse deterrent. My property is infested with the little vermin so I went to the local hardware store and asked this nice lady about purchasing some urine and she gave me a curious look and backed up a couple of steps. The more I went on about cat pee and coyote pee the more agitated she became. Eventually I was allowed to leave, once she decided to not press charges. I hope you can help solve my mouse dilemma as the police have made it clear I can no longer shop for urine in this jurisdiction. Cat pee sounds unsanitary so I was wondering if you sell any other products that repel mice.
Sincerely,
Don Carter
Dear Mr. Carter,
We regret to inform you that JustPee Unlimited, Ltd. only sells pee. We are the world’s premier discount pee merchant offering pee at prices that will keep you running back for more. Our pee technicians are out standing in the lavatory where they produce pee of exceptional pedigree.
Customer Service
Dear Sir,
No shit?
Sincerely,
Don Carter
Dear Mr. Carter,
No shit. Just pee. Read the letterhead.
Customer Service
Who’s On Thirst?
Good help can be hard to find in a wine store. I once told an employee to be careful with a bottle of 1927 Fonseca Vintage Port and he said, “Don’t worry boss, I’ll treat it like it’s brand new!”
Perhaps you’ve had trouble getting knowledgeable recommendations when you’re looking for wines to pair with a special dinner. You’re not alone as wine consumers and wine salespeople often choose wine through a process of mutual misunderstanding. Of course I’m not your average wine salesman so this never happens to me. No, I’m 100% right, half the time.
But of course I’ve witnessed plenty of misunderstandings between wine customers and a wine salespeople. A typical conversation on the selling floor can sound a lot like an Abbott and Costello routine. Let’s listen in.
Customer: Excuse me Mr. Wine Expert, can you help me pick wines to serve with my four course dinner?
Clerk: I certainly can. What’s the first course?
Customer: Stew’s on first.
Read More
