Go Set Our Expectations

Great surprise this morning to find The Wall Street Journal and London's The Guardian releasing the first chapter of "Go Set a Watchman." (Beautiful graphics at The Guardian)

 Started reading at the stop light after I followed the link from Twitter. The rhythm and voice are there, at least in places:

"Since Atlanta, she had looked out the dining-car window with a delight almost physical."

"When at the University, Cousin Joshua studied too hard and thought too much; in fact, he read himself straight out of the nineteenth century."

"If you did not want much, there was plenty."

"Recorded history’s version does not coincide with the truth, but these are the facts, because they were passed down by word of mouth through the years, and every Maycombian knows them."

"Love whom you will but marry your own kind."

"They were friends again."

But, does it rise to the level of ...

"When enough years had gone by to enable us to look back on them, we sometimes discussed the events leading to his accident. I maintain that the Ewells started it all, but Jem, who was four years my senior, said it started long before that. He said it began the summer Dill came to us, when Dill first gave us the idea of making Boo Radley come out."

We"ll see Tuesday

Two surprising things

Two surprising things occurred today on public radio's "On Point" discussion of "Free college?"

First host Tom Ashbrook asked followup questions - several. I don't often get to hear On Point so perhaps this is his usual interview style. To me it said he wanted more than reiterated statements of the problem - answers.

At issue was the cost of college. A guest repeated the hardly new idea that tuition and other costs are  out of control and that something needs to be done. Like what? Tom asked. (I'm paraphrasing here) "Lower the cost"
"How would you do that?"
"Use government programs."
"Specifically?"

And here is where the second surprising thing occurred. She answered. Listen to the program for the answers in full context. (Another surprising idea?)

Tom's interview style is surprising because he pushed for a real answer, rather than accepting a platitude. The second is surprising because the guest had an answer.

Many people have answers - good, bad or otherwise. We just have to follow up. Specifically.