2 Comments
User's avatar
User's avatar
Comment removed
Apr 22, 2024
Comment removed
Expand full comment
Ken's avatar

That’s a great statement. I am one, too.

Unfortunately, as my piece points out, stone arch bridgebuilding is a lost art.

From my own perspective, and I spent twenty-two years laboring in an academic environment as a tradesman, we are not respected at all, outside of our groups of co-workers.

In my take-home box when I retired, I brought a photo from circa 1920, of a lot of machinists lined up in a factory setting for a group photo. All were wearing shirts and ties. Today the people who come to work dressed like that, proud of what they do, do so in China.

To the extent that this may be changing, I am ready, ever so ready, to applaud.

Expand full comment
Wes N's avatar

That reminds me of a photo my dad showed me last time I was home. It's of my grandfather with his CCC company in the 30s, and despite the conditions of their work, none of 70-odd men looks defeated or overwhelmed.

Expand full comment