In case you missed the recent News Tribune story titled “Tillicum steps up to support youth,” I wanted to give you a second chance to learn what David Anderson and his band of Tillicum parents are doing for our Tillicum youth.
For decades, David Anderson and I have suffered with each other’s opposing opinions on most issues. Mr. Anderson and I can almost never agree on anything.
From my vantage point, Mr. Anderson spends most of his life in the negative area of the opinion continuum, always talking about what is wrong in our city. I spend mine in the positive end of the opinion continuum, recognizing that there are problems in our city, but also observing what is right in our city. If City of Lakewood officials do something that deserves criticism, then let’s hear it and see if we can fix it. Conversely I have the impression that, Mr. Anderson believes our city never does anything right.
The fact that I disagree with Mr. Anderson 95% of the time does not prevent me from supporting Mr. Anderson when we do agree. I must do that for his work with Tillicum youth in helping to organize The Tillicum Crushers baseball team.
Mr. Anderson, thank you for being a constructive voice and positive force related to supporting our young people.
Mr. Anderson is not a “Johnny-come-lately” to supporting kids and baseball. He was a guest on one of my The Sheriff’s Report TV shows in May, 2001. I have included the clip, should you wish to enjoy a bit of Lakewood history featuring three City of Lakewood pioneers.
May 2001, was the first time I was able to agree and support Mr. Anderson. Today, April 2014, is another good day of consensus.
I know Mr. Anderson is doing good work here. If you have some extra money you can share with others, think about Mr. Anderson’s kids baseball fund. The Tillicum Crushers will appreciate your generosity.
A most wonderful tribute Joe to the people of Tillicum and, as it turns out, far beyond. On their behalf, thank you.
After the story ran in the trib one of the first calls – of the many calls and emails and donations of money and equipment that ‘Tillicum’s Team,’ as it’s become known – received was from the Mayor of Tacoma, Marilyn Strickland. She wondered what the boys could use. I asked for a letter from her office for their scrapbook. Here’s an excerpt:
“I want to congratulate the Tillicum community and the Tillicum Crushers baseball team. As Mayor, I was very impressed as I read this article at how the community came together in support of the team. The community coming together has enriched the lives of these young boys and is immeasurable.
“Again, congratulations to both the residents of Tillicum and Tillicum Crushers!”
Strickland captured the essence of what the team symbolizes: community.
Community – and baseball, somewhat synonymous – needs a cheerleader. That’s my role and a host of others that call this square mile home.
Community – and baseball – also needs a Safeco Field Seattle Mariners Lloyd McClendon-type general manager – a curmudgeon – storming out of the dugout to get into some totally blind umpire’s face for some perceived blown call. Sure he got thrown out of the game but “the loudest cheer was for a cap he threw 30 feet” (Rays 2, Mariners 0, this May 14th).
Curmudgeons and cheerleaders can be the same person. Both matter to a community that’s worth fighting for.
“A curmudgeon’s reputation for malevolence is undeserved,” wrote Jon Winokur. “They’re neither warped nor evil at heart. They don’t hate mankind, just mankind’s absurdities. They’re just as sensitive and soft-hearted as the next guy, but they hide their vulnerability beneath a crust of misanthropy. They attack maudlinism because it devalues genuine sentiment.
“Curmudgeons are mockers and debunkers whose bitterness is a symptom rather than a disease. They can’t compromise their standards and can’t manage the suspension of disbelief necessary for feigned cheerfulness. Their awareness is a curse.
“Perhaps curmudgeons have gotten a bad rap in the same way that the messenger is blamed for the message: They have the temerity to comment on the human condition without apology. They not only refuse to applaud mediocrity, they howl it down with morose glee. Their versions of the truth unsettle us, and we hold it against them, even though they soften it with humor.”
Put another way, your opprobrium is my badge of honor.
And your article honors ‘Tillicum’s Team.’
Very nice! Thank you Mr. Boyle and Mr. Anderson.
🙂 As a daughter, I can testify that Mr. Anderson is both very sensitive and soft-hearted. This is also coupled with a keen sense of justice and a love for others that undergirds all he does. 🙂