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October 08, 2010 09:50 PM UTC

Fountain Pens

  • 39 Comments
  • by: JO

(Here’s a deft bit of whimsy to lighten up a day the abuse level is getting a bit too high.  But will somebody please answer the question: “What is a fountain pen?” – promoted by Voyageur)

“Keep in touch.” Good advice for anyone, but especially for social leaders.

Maureen Dowd the other day reported on attending a seminar called Get Motivated! in which Colin Powell was one of several speakers. His advice:

Be nice to the little people, the ones who clean your office and park your car. Write thank you notes on 4-by-6-inch cards. “I write with a fountain pen,” he said. “Never a Sharpie. Never a ballpoint pen.”

Rudi Guiliani had this to say:

Rudy Giuliani began with a few choice words about Al Gore and global warming, before moving on to his pearls of wisdom. The first one was: “You have got to have a computer.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10…

On the same day that Dowd’s column appeared, The New York Daily News reported:

Republican National Committee chairman Michael Steele doesn’t know what the minimum wage is, and he doesn’t think it’s “relevant.” During … a segment about tension the Tea Party has caused within the GOP, Steele was asked point-blank … name the minimum wage. He responded by laughing.

http://www.nydailynews.com/new…

Of course, we remember that John McCain was apparently computer- and internet-illiterate until, or during, the 2008 presidential campaign.

I don’t mean to be picking on right-wing political figures here, or even on politicos. The other day I asked a medico to estimate the cost of a procedure he recommended that was carried out in his own office; he was off by a factor of more than three. And even though I went to the grocery store the other day specifically with the purpose of meeting middle class folks and understanding their finances, I admit that I didn’t meet anyone much less discuss their economic circumstances. Here it is October, past the barbecue season, and I have yet to have a candid discussion with friends and neighbors about their incomes, their expenses, their savings, the value of their stock portfolios, et cetera. Could this help explain why some folks are pissed off when the government says the way to solve the health care crisis is to require folks to buy health insurance, folks who might be striving hard to pay existing expenses much less something new?

But back to General Powell. Odd that he should be appearing in such dubious circumstances. However, when was the last time you used a fountain pen to write a thank-you to one of the “little people”? When was the last time you wrote a thank-you note to anyone for anything (emails don’t count). When was the last time you used a fountain pen for anything?

IF, as the above anecdotes suggest, political leaders (and others, including purveyors of medical services) are so far out of touch with the dollars and sense of Americans in that broad swath described as the “middle class,” can we expect solutions to be forthcoming?

Write me an answer, but don’t use a fountain pen, please!  

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39 thoughts on “Fountain Pens”

  1. I learned to write with a fountain pen and I still write with one. I do use computer printout when necessary, but my fountain pens do much of the personal contact.

    Every thank you card I sent I wrote with a fountain pen. Every Holiday or birthday card I sent I wrote with a fountain pen. Notes or letters I send are written with a fountain pen.

    I have my own color too. A blue that matches my logo, or should that be my logo matches my color.

    1. struggling along with these gel things, which at least are an advance over the 10-for-$1 sticks that seem to dry up within a few seconds.

      Do you write thank-you notes to the little people you encounter? Seems likely for someone who runs for office, or simply for someone like you!

      Reckon we can discuss the subject of leaders being out of touch in practical ways at a different time, or under a different title.

      Thanks for your reply.

      1. made worse by arthritis.   I never bought into the notion that handwritten notes are swell because people simply can’t read mine.  I learned to type at 14 and have since written only under protest.  Happily, computers can do a nice job of faking a nice script, for when the personal touch is appropriate.

      2. but I write thank you cards in fountain pen.  I do it because it’s nice and makes people feel special.  Happy accident that it makes professional contacts fall madly in love with me and aren’t I cute (I really am).

        Unlike poor Voyageur, I have pretty handwriting and can do calligraphy if it seems appropriate.  He’s blessed in other ways though.

      3. I do not know or view any person as a “little people”. For you to imply that is disgusting. I believe we are all equal, without regard to any life situation! You have serious issues that I will never understand that you feel you must impose on others.

        You must have a problem understanding that some people use fountain pens without regard to what other people use to write with.

        To imply that people I meet are “little people” is transferring your dislike of the good citizens of our country to others. No matter what your problems with civilization are, they are your problems not mine.

        Writing with a fountain pen has nothing to do with being a leader or a follower. It has nothing to do with being a Republican or a Democrat. Writing with a fountain pen means one is writing with a fountain pen.

        You are trying to give the impression that those of us who use a fountain pen are some how out of touch is ridiculous.

        As to cost, I do not think you know what the cost of ink is.  And, because you do not that little fact you do not know the actual cost of the “10-for-$1 sticks” is.

        I write thank you notes to everyone I want to write thank you notes to. Whether it be an out of work veteran who said “HI” and told his buddies I will work for him and them or it is a governor who takes time to say “HI” to me.

        I always write thank you notes to people who help me or my campaign.

        I believe thanking people is a good thing to do.  

        I also believe in helping people, even if I receive no thank you from them.  If I do receive a thank you I feel good. If I do not receive a thank you I feel good.

        I do not expect a notice or payment of any type or kind just for helping people.

        And, there is one major reason I use fountain pens. I have extremely limited use of my right hand. I have to use only certain types and style of writing instruments, and my fountain pens fit the need quite well.  I usually cannot use a ball point or other style pen due to need to press to write. I cannot hold a pen and press down with it.  So my fountain pens work out quite well for me and those I write to. And the best part is I like my fountain pens.

        1. …because that’s what Powell was saying, “Don’t forget the little people.”

          Frankly, I’m not offended at being a “little person” in the economic/power hierarchy of our culture.  It’s just a quick phrase; I’m not offended.

          I have other areas in which I am big…..uh, you know, personal attributes….I mean, uh, character.  Yeah, that’s it.  

  2. Closest one’s a few miles to the southwest, just outside Florence. There’s a jail in Colorado Springs, though, if they haven’t run out of money to keep it open yet.

        1. And many of us, even like myself who never was in the military, DO care greatly that your ilk is so pro-war and yet never served.

          Your codswaddle about “serving” by doing what you are reminds of those famous Mitney sons claiming that they are serving America by helping run Dad’s campaign.

          Look, I do think the word and term “serve” is a bit lopsided to the military.  I do think there are many ways to serve America and Americans without taking up arms. Doing things, often at sacrifice, that make this a better place to live.  Being a math TA does not fit my expanded view.

          But to sit in the safety of academia, especially while you rail against government, and support our failed wars, makes you the poster child of “chicken hawk.”  At least you have notorious company.  

          1. I do not support our failed wars. Obama supports that. I support our successful wars. Iraq was successful; time will tell with Afghanistan but it’s not looking good. I’m not sure what you do for a living but you obviously don’t understand the role of technology in today’s military. And I’m an RA not a TA now.

            1. I do not support our failed wars. Obama supports that. I support our successful wars. Iraq was successful; time will tell with Afghanistan but it’s not looking good.

              No need to attach adjectives to most posts; they speak for themselves. Example: As a casual observer, I wonder–but don’t really care about the answer, so no need to bother responding–whether the typist behind those words has any self-awareness whatsoever. What you typed clearly implied that you await the outcome to determine whether you support the Afghan war, forget about the definition of “successful” in Iraq. Is that war over, especially in light of the Nouri al-Maliki’s recent deal with Muqtada al-Sadr, the radical anti-American Shiite? Possible that Iraq might move from successful (supported) to failed (not supported) in the near future?

              What are we meant to conclude from these words?

              And I’m an RA not a TA now.

              I suppose it’s good that we aren’t using fountain pens in this thread! Everyone would doubtless be out buying a new keyboard, so to speak.

  5. Republican’s are illiterate (that’s not news coming from you), can’t use computers to e-mail you, are too dumb to use a ballpoint so they use a pen or that they don’t get up close and personal to little people (you know this because of M. Steele doesn’t know the minimum wage)?  I grew up as one of the little people and some damn fine Republican’s opened some doors so I could get a college education.  Maybe the current crop isn’t your cup of tea (pun intended) but I know quite a few who still give a damn about little people, the environment, education and a whole host of other issues. They in fact worked closely with Andrew when he was in the House and as  Speaker.  

    1. I think it’s much better to read JO as though she’s pleasant and respond accordingly.

      Not only does it make you a little less tired, judging by her responses it irritates her more.

      The +1 is for reminding that one of the state’s greatest Dems in recent history (IMHO) didn’t buy into one party knows all bullshit.  Even when he didn’t need their support, dammit, he tried.

    2. “Paging traditional Republicans, paging traditional Republicans. Please report to a white paging phone, the two party system is waiting for you.”

      1. is that the current movement started after Obama was elected President.  The move to purge moderate or even moderately conservative R’s started years ago. (Moderate conservative I define as a fiscal conservative and a social moderate to liberal.) Some have changed to Unaffiliated/Indy and others vote Indy.  I have friends around the state/country and they are tired, discouraged and very selective where they put their energy these days.  One 40 something told me recently that after 20 years he no longer cares to get involved.  When I first knew him he was an tireless young precinct committeeman.  I wish I could tell you these people will pick up a paging phone but since the primary they aren’t interested. Time will tell if this changes.

        3. I know at least two 80-somethings who fit the same description as your 40-something.

          I think it’s entirely possible to date the beginning of the change: 1968, when Nixon persuaded Dixiecrats to vote Republican. Gradually their brand of intolerance, especially intolerance for civil rights, imbued their new party with a new flavor that was hard to swallow for traditional Republicans of the sort you describe.

          At the same time, the departure of the Dixiecrats from the Democratic Party removed a certain “anchor” that made it easier for social democrats to have greater sway over the Democratic Party, although not as much sway as some might prefer.

          1. Nod to Parsing @ 18:41. The real change in the Republican Party began with Johnson’s signing of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, when he famously is supposed to have remarked, “There goes the South for a generation.” Make that two generations, Lyndon.

            The South had not previously opposed social welfare; to the contrary, it had been a major beneficiary. Look at LBJ, who presided over the Great Society legislation. But the Civil Rights Act of 1964 seemed, in the eyes of many, to conflate integration with welfare programs, and Southern whites not only didn’t want blacks sitting near them downstairs in the Movie House, they also didn’t want to pay taxes to address generations of economic injustice. They still don’t. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10…

            This change in the Republican party became manifest in 1968; it actually started a few years earlier, and Parsing is right about Goldwater. It has never really changed: using social issues (e.g. school integration) as a stand-in for economic issues on the part of the right wing. Impossible to divorce from racism.

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