WORDS AND TIME

     From time immemorial I have heard that we should use our "words" rather than our fists. We should remember that the 'pen is mightier than the sword'. True, yet not so true. And what happens when the power of both is combined into one mighty force. Beware, beware at that time. Particularly at that point in time.
     "Words can be the bridge to explore uncharted regions." Sounds wise, deep, scholarly and seemingly a voice which would support using the power of words over swords, yet words, too, can be duplicitous, saying the opposite of what one might think. Who said this? Adolf Hitler.
     Surprised? You should not be, for the cleverest of leaders, particularly the ones enmeshed in evil, know the power of words over time. They use their words to suck people into the eddy of evil, of malfeasance, of treason, of nastiness, of hatred and harm to others, all in search of their own power and its perks. They know that to repeat falsehoods over and over again is to make those lies the truth. They know that their words of hate, their incitements to hatred and violence lead to exploration of places, of regions, where we should not be. It is kind of like the scenes in movies where the hero or heroes stand at the mouth of a deep and dark cave, wondering if they should enter. You are shouting  to stay out and yet, in they go and those are the regions they should have not explored. But the pull of those words, the push of those words draw them inside.
     Over time we forget that once upon a time we were brothers all. We forget that envy and competition, the struggle for power, destroyed our unity. We forget over time that we are limited in our powers, yet we continue to persist in its pursuit for what we believe we can get from it. 
     Remember the Tower of Babel in the Bible? United, the people of the earth were able to build a skyhigh building, challenging their gods, exploring areas where their hubris as men drove them, where they never should have entered and then, the power of words, of language not understood, became more and more violent, less able to transfer feeling and issues,and the words led to swords and the swords led to the ancient version of nationalism and nativism, and here we are today!
     Notice over time how the words of the world leaders have become more and more opaque to others. Notice how the words of political opponents, though all citizens of the same country, begin to sound like the words of long time enemies, opponents to the death and never mind the fortunes of the country they supposedly represent. And at the same time that the danger levels rise, the words become more and more ridiculous, yet there they are. There they are being swallowed whole by people lookingfor guidance and who pick the wrong side for the attraction of those words, the negative powers of those words. Mix that with the power of time and we are looking at bad times indeed, living in the midst of one right now.
     Rep. John Kennedy, a Republican, and  a shame to that name, for John F. Kennedy was a patriot, a hero, an expert with the power and use of words, words that inspired a generation of young to get involved in a good way, said this: that both Russia and the Ukraine meddled in the 2016 election. See, if the power of the truth is there, exposing all the filth of Trump to the sunlight, then why not use words to confuse, to lie, to deny what is, and make up nonsensical statements that then become 'truth'. Words and time. Sometimes a very bad combination. The shame, the horror, of a supposed American parroting the words of Russia!! To our great detriment.
     Yet there is hope. Even as the reputation tarred Barr backs Trump like the loyal dog he is, Horowitz, the Justice Department Inspector General, has prepared a report stating that Mueller had enough information and basis of facts to open an investigation of Trump and his administration vis a vis Russian interference in the elections.
     Words and the actions they gave birth to, are at the heart of the whole mess we now have. Trump is demented and cannot prevent the words from leaving his mouth or through his fingers of those very small hands and that even tinier mind, if there is anything left of it. He is now liable and could possibly be charged with abuse of power, with obstruction of Congress, with obstruction of justice and he is the President?!
     Yet we must remember that there is still positive power in words and we must return to that stage of life and time. Here are the words of a Republican governor, of Utah, who said: “We empathize deeply with individuals and groups who have been forced from their homes and we love giving them a new home and a new life,” ... Such newcomers, ...... have become “productive employees and responsible citizens.” They have been an asset to Utah, ... not a liability." Would that we would all remember that once that was the attitude of the country before words separated us, proved us to be flawed as we forgot the progress we had made in lessening the nastiness of hatred of immigrants, and look now how we have regressed.
     Time and words. Words and time. If we are to remain a united country, a country which acknowledges the necessity of new blood, of new ideas, of new muscle, then we need to return to the days of honest and honorable speech, of truth talking rather than the lies of forked tongues. We need to respect the power of words and the ravages of time. We need to use the postive aspects of words and use the advantage of time to make a better world for all.
    Pollyannish? Maybe, but a girl can wish, can she not, can dream of a better world for the next generation, hope that we continue to exist as as viable planet for all and a country once known and respected as the United States of America. United. In truth and honor. In true patriotism. In belief in the goodness possible in man. In the progress of mankind and in its role as a leader towards that end.
   Words and time. Time and words. Think about it.