The Real Frenesi Gates, dead at 85

[Joseph Tracy]

  On 9/26/2010 1:03 PM, Robin Landseadel wrote:
Photographer George Ballis, who walked with Cesar Chavez, dies at 85

By PABLO LOPEZ
McClatchy Newspapers
Photographer George "Elfie" Ballis, who walked with the late United Farm 
Workers leader Cesar Chavez, led a rebellion against farmers over water 
and documented peace movements in Fresno, Calif., died early Friday. He 
was 85


I lived in Fresno from 69 to 76 and was involved in the Farmworkers 
movement and the water war. It was my first direct experience of the 
futility of law in a battle with political power.  Then when Nixon got 
forced out of office I again began to believe the law could be the 
central power of a struggle to move away from imperialism. But the years 
went by, I got lost for a while in bible world,  the smell of cocaine 
and  money  filled  the air, all the movements failed to stop the 
poisoning of the planet,  the blowback finally hit home and it turns out 
most people prefer Jack Bauer, King George, or the democratic 
pimpmobile.  Now all God's children got guns.  I am a mama's boy. I got 
no guns. I have mulch, broccoli, beets, tomatoes and flowers  in the 
summer; and I have glass and wood and stone and paint in the winter. 
These and kisses are sufficient.

Sorry, not a very cheery view of history. This guy lived a brave life 
and made a difference. Of such are my heroes and I too intend to die a 
fool, an elf, an artist, gardener,; I am a gambler with all my money on 
3 chords and the truth. Bravo Mr Ballis , Cheers Frenesi. Don't give up 
Prairie, rock it Zoyd.