Proud Cut Nation

Proud cut: A horseman's term meaning the persistence of stallion behavior after gelding, often blamed on incomplete removal of testicular tissue but more likely simply a result of stallion-learned behavior, although sexually inept.

This term came up recently during a big band dance where the singer did an excellent imitation of Sinatra right down to the edgy, dangerous-young-man tone and mannerisms--although this singer was elderly. This ersatz of youth was reminiscent of this country's current pronouncements and bravado which, transvestite-like, is so vividly reminiscent of another, stronger entity, so vividly reminiscent of a proud and growing culture invigorated by its tension of high ideals.

Farmers are now subsidized. So are social action groups. The unions meet at country clubs. The government has become its own social class with its own self perpetuating pressure group. The military does social work. The academics have become trivial. They all battle with ancient standards that no one quite remembers, all bloodless and self-absorbed, snorting impotent former stallions.