Elvis: Up Close And Personal With Sonny West.

[cameron]

Your absolutely 100% right I wouldn't be happy. However I certainly wouldn't expect people who didn't know them to judge them, It simply isn't their place to do so!

Its fine not to like them but unhealthy to carry this on over 30 odd years.

I have children in their 30's . So, I agree with you it isn't the age.
It's the way they were raised and their value systems. They don't like the Wests either and think they were wrong.
None of us were surprised at what was in the book--- the surprise was that "friends" wrote it.

No, I wouldn't dislike your friends because I don't know you. You see, some of us feel like Elvis was our best friend, there's the difference .
I don't think my dislike of the Wests is unheallthy. Just a nomal reaction to ones that hurt someone I care about.
I've read and listened to their interviews ,read their books. I see no sorrow on their part so I see no reason to "forgive" them.
Like I said elsewhere, I'm sure they're not losing any sleep because I don't like them and they're laughing all the way to the bank.

[Jumpsuit Junkie]

I have children in their 30's . So, I agree with you it isn't the age.
It's the way they were raised and their value systems. They don't like the Wests either and think they were wrong.
None of us were surprised at what was in the book--- the surprise was that "friends" wrote it.

No, I wouldn't dislike your friends because I don't know you. You see, some of us feel like Elvis was our best friend, there's the difference .
I don't think my dislike of the Wests is unheallthy. Just a nomal reaction to ones that hurt someone I care about.
I've read and listened to their interviews ,read their books. I see no sorrow on their part so I see no reason to "forgive" them.
Like I said elsewhere, I'm sure they're not losing any sleep because I don't like them and they're laughing all the way to the bank.

Every day brings new Insults! now the way I was brought up and value systems are in question along with the fact that I don't feel a man who I have never met and has been dead for 30 years is not my best friend!

Life is for the living, I prefer the company of people I can converse with. Elvis is my hobby and has a place in my life, it doesn't take priority over family and friends.

Why are you and others trying to denigrate people who don't share your philosophy on Elvis? It isn't wrong to be different and have other opinions or views on the same subject matter.

I'm pretty certain from the books I have read, the DVD's I have seen that Elvis would have forgiven the West's given time. Carrying a grudge this long doesn't show that you are more of an Elvis fan, IMO quite the opposite, it shows that you cannot move on, cannot be the bigger person, cannot be compassionate & cannot forgive a person for sins long since past. Heaven forbid that you should ever be judged by you own belief systems....

[cameron]

Every day brings new Insults! now the way I was brought up and value systems are in question along with the fact that I don't feel a man who I have never met and has been dead for 30 years is not my best friend!

Life is for the living, I prefer the company of people I can converse with. Elvis is my hobby and has a place in my life, it doesn't take priority over family and friends.
Why are you and others trying to denigrate people who don't share your philosophy on Elvis? It isn't wrong to be different and have other opinions or views on the same subject matter.
I'm pretty certain from the books I have read, the DVD's I have seen that Elvis would have forgiven the West's given time. Carrying a grudge this long doesn't show that you are more of an Elvis fan, IMO quite the opposite, it shows that you cannot move on, cannot be the bigger person, cannot be compassionate & cannot forgive a person for sins long since past. Heaven forbid that you should ever be judged by you own belief systems....

Why did I know you would make this out to be an insult?
Believe me, Elvis doesn't take priority over my family or friends either .
Anyone is free to have their own opinions. I just don't like anyone trying to push anything down my throat either !
NO WHERE DID I SAY I WAS MORE OF A FAN THAN ANYONE ELSE !!
THAT"S YOUR LINE , NOT MINE !!
I am judged by my beliefs every day, just like the rest of us.
Why do you take things so personally?? Amazing !!

[ehollier]

I posted this in a few other places since the topic of the Sonny West has erupted. I hope you find some wisdom in it....

Elvis has been affecting people for 60 years!!!! He has touched countless while during his short life and since his death, that came too soon. It is so apparent that there is a division of opinions when it comes to the MM or Priscilla. If we really want to honor his memory, his contributions, his talent, his life - it is important that we respect everyone's opinions here. I know Elvis would have done the same thing.
I happened upon this today and it if very appropriate and fitting for today.

“It’s rare when an artist’s talent can touch an entire generation of people. It’s even rarer when that same influence affects several generations. ...”

Dick Clark

[Jumpsuit Junkie]

Why do you take things so personally?? Amazing !!

Can't be bothered

[utmom2008]

I'm an honourary older fan

Welcome to My World!!! Maybe we could have badges or T-shirts made up!

[utmom2008]

IMO that comment is a generalization and you are attacking the person(s) not the debate. What you are doing is appealing to a group of fans who think In a similar way by way of emotional rhetoric. I could generalize that older fans are less likely to be objective, that the younger generation is more forgiving than the last, but that wouldn't be true.

You are judging a person(s) character based on their opposition to a certain thought process, undermining an age group and singling it out for ridicule without foundation.

I'm not falling out with anyone about it because in the end it won't change anything

I'm making a statement about the younger people of today(I don't mean 39) and their decision making process. I've formed this opinion by being a Mom to a 27 year old and a 22 year old. Also..by having a hubs who is a teacher and a coach. We are exposed to younger people on a daily basis. As a rule, kids today live their life on a looser moral compass than those of us who were children of the 60's and 70's. Right or wrong is debateable, but.....it is what it is.

[ehollier]

I'm making a statement about the younger people of today(I don't mean 39) and their decision making process. I've formed this opinion by being a Mom to a 27 year old and a 22 year old. Also..by having a hubs who is a teacher and a coach. We are exposed to younger people on a daily basis. As a rule, kids today live their life on a looser moral compass than those of us who were children of the 60's and 70's. Right or wrong is debateable, but.....it is what it is.

Rosanne, you know what you just stated is almost the same sentiments that were echoed when Elvis came on the scene over 60 years ago!! Its just the irony of it -- that is the ONLY point I'm making here.

[TotallyInsane]

I posted this in a few other places since the topic of the Sonny West has erupted. I hope you find some wisdom in it....

Elvis has been affecting people for 60 years!!!! He has touched countless while during his short life and since his death, that came too soon. It is so apparent that there is a division of opinions when it comes to the MM or Priscilla. If we really want to honor his memory, his contributions, his talent, his life - it is important that we respect everyone's opinions here. I know Elvis would have done the same thing.
I happened upon this today and it if very appropriate and fitting for today.

“It’s rare when an artist’s talent can touch an entire generation of people. It’s even rarer when that same influence affects several generations. ...”

Dick Clark

Do you write prescriptions with your therapy sessions?

[utmom2008]

Rosanne, you know what you just stated is almost the same sentiments that were echoed when Elvis came on the scene over 60 years ago!! Its just the irony of it -- that is the ONLY point I'm making here.

In certain areas what the kids are doing "now" as opposed to what the kids were doing "then" is the same thing, it's just looked at differently. If kids of the 60's and 70's wanted to go and spend the weekend with their boyfriend it took lots of lying and manipulating on their part. Telling their parents some story about going out of town with their girlfriends..etc..etc. Now days....they just go! Simple as that! Also..back in the day if a girl got pregnant in HS it was a BIG deal!!! Huge!!! A couple of years ago there was a girl here in town who was voted Homecoming Queen. She was soooo excited!! The only bad thing was...she had to locate a babysitter before she could go and be presented with her crown!!

[ehollier]

Do you write prescriptions with your therapy sessions?

I've just got a great best friend and I listen to her!! Plus a little counseling while my husband was out of the country has helped me tremensously!!

[ehollier]

In certain areas what the kids are doing "now" as opposed to what the kids were doing "then" is the same thing, it's just looked at differently. If kids of the 60's and 70's wanted to go and spend the weekend with their boyfriend it took lots of lying and manipulating on their part. Telling their parents some story about going out of town with their girlfriends..etc..etc. Now days....they just go! Simple as that! Also..back in the day if a girl got pregnant in HS it was a BIG deal!!! Huge!!! A couple of years ago there was a girl here in town who was voted Homecoming Queen. She was soooo excited!! The only bad thing was...she had to locate a babysitter before she could go and be presented with her crown!!

WHOA!!! I only said that it was ironic!!!

[utmom2008]

I've just got a great best friend and I listen to her!! Plus a little counseling while my husband was out of the country has helped me tremensously!!

Ooooohhhh. So that's what was helping you? We all thought it was something else.

[ehollier]

Ooooohhhh. So that's what was helping you? We all thought it was something else.

Well....that too....lol, but I was referring to his 18 months away from home, 12 of those spent in Iraq. Its a long and boring story, but did go to counseling, came away from those 18 months better than ever and lived to tell the tale.

[utmom2008]

Well....that too....lol, but I was referring to his 18 months away from home, 12 of those spent in Iraq. Its a long and boring story, but did go to counseling, came away from those 18 months better than ever and lived to tell the tale.

Wow! Did you go a full 18 months without seeing him?? What was his job in Iraq? I take it your hubs has made a career out of the military??

[ehollier]

Wow! Did you go a full 18 months without seeing him?? What was his job in Iraq? I take it your hubs has made a career out of the military??

The longest I went without seeing him was 7 months b/f he came home for 2 weeks of leave. How can you repair a relationship with a such a separatoin in 2 weeks??? Let me tell you --- you can't!! I experienced what is sometimes referred to as 'dark night of the soul'. That's dramatic, I realize, but in all of married and unmarried life, it was the most emotional and greatest test of faith ever!! No, my husband is an officer in the Louisiana National Guard and was deployed in 2004. He returned the week Hurricane Rita savaged our coast. But my world is great today. Great relationship, got some new thinking and communicating skills and things are wonderful!!!!! But an ENORMOUS test of faith!!!

[utmom2008]

The longest I went without seeing him was 7 months b/f he came home for 2 weeks of leave. How can you repair a relationship with a such a separatoin in 2 weeks??? Let me tell you --- you can't!! I experienced what is sometimes referred to as 'dark night of the soul'. That's dramatic, I realize, but in all of married and unmarried life, it was the most emotional and greatest test of faith ever!! No, my husband is an officer in the Louisiana National Guard and was deployed in 2004. He returned the week Hurricane Rita savaged our coast. But my world is great today. Great relationship, got some new thinking and communicating skills and things are wonderful!!!!! But an ENORMOUS test of faith!!!

Good gosh...that's quite a story. Is the dark night of the soul something that can be read about? Like the way you can read about the empty nest syndrome? I would think a separation like that has to be extra hard due to the ages of your children.

[ehollier]

Good gosh...that's quite a story. Is the dark night of the soul something that can be read about? Like the way you can read about the empty nest syndrome? I would think a separation like that has to be extra hard due to the ages of your children.

Yes, there is a book entitled Dark Night of the Soul which is based on an old Catholic theory by St. John of the Cross when someone has a crisis in faith. I don't however, remember the book being a 'religious' book. Just a heavy book about a severe test of one's faith that leads to deeper understanding and greater love.

I used the term to describe how I felt during those months b/c there were problems on other fronts that shaped this depressing period of my life. But I can say that the separation, although miserable and gloomy, was the best thing that could have happened b/c there was no way that the other 'problems' could have been solved, in retrospect. So, you see, it was a very long period of learning, growing, and development.