Alamo Drafthouse South Lamar
Onward Through the Fog
RECEIVED Mon., March 20, 2006
Dear Editor,
Reading the letter from Jackson Williams [“Postmarks,” March 10] about Mark McKinnon and Kris Kristofferson brought back the memory of losing my own “best” friend because of politics. Williams inquired why the Chronicle, during an interview with Kristofferson, didn't ask about McKinnon; the implicit suggestion being that such a question would expose some sort of rift given that their political views diverged over the years.
Texas Monthly Editor Evan Smith, however, did ask Kristofferson directly about McKinnon during a recent interview on his show, Texas Monthly Talks. Kristofferson fondly recalled trying to help McKinnon out in the early Seventies by recording him and his band, but said being on the road all the time didn't allow him time to follow through, and “the people back in Nashville weren't working it.” Kristofferson went on to say that he was sorry that he couldn't have helped McKinnon more because he thought he had a lot of talent. Evan suggested that when they ran into each other during SXSW they probably wouldn't talk politics. Kristofferson's response was, “I hope we don't.”
Kristofferson and McKinnon were seen at the Austin Film Festival Awards hamming it up on the red carpet, including a moment when Kristofferson grabbed McKinnon, put his arm around him, and turned to the cameras laughing, “Red state and blue state!”
So, that warms my heart and reaffirms that indeed friends can stay friends through their lives even though they have different political beliefs. Kristofferson and McKinnon proved that they are among the few these days who are above partisan bickering and will continue “onward through the fog” as pals.
Reading the letter from Jackson Williams [“Postmarks,” March 10] about Mark McKinnon and Kris Kristofferson brought back the memory of losing my own “best” friend because of politics. Williams inquired why the Chronicle, during an interview with Kristofferson, didn't ask about McKinnon; the implicit suggestion being that such a question would expose some sort of rift given that their political views diverged over the years.
Texas Monthly Editor Evan Smith, however, did ask Kristofferson directly about McKinnon during a recent interview on his show, Texas Monthly Talks. Kristofferson fondly recalled trying to help McKinnon out in the early Seventies by recording him and his band, but said being on the road all the time didn't allow him time to follow through, and “the people back in Nashville weren't working it.” Kristofferson went on to say that he was sorry that he couldn't have helped McKinnon more because he thought he had a lot of talent. Evan suggested that when they ran into each other during SXSW they probably wouldn't talk politics. Kristofferson's response was, “I hope we don't.”
Kristofferson and McKinnon were seen at the Austin Film Festival Awards hamming it up on the red carpet, including a moment when Kristofferson grabbed McKinnon, put his arm around him, and turned to the cameras laughing, “Red state and blue state!”
So, that warms my heart and reaffirms that indeed friends can stay friends through their lives even though they have different political beliefs. Kristofferson and McKinnon proved that they are among the few these days who are above partisan bickering and will continue “onward through the fog” as pals.
Kelly Jackson
