WHAT'S HAPPENING?

  I cannot remember which character in which sitcom of the day used this phrase so much so that it became a national mantra. But in its moments of comedy was more than a laugh or two or a snickering cynicism. Present in abundance was confusion and serious kernels of truth, including those of fear and a deep desire to more along, to fix all that was wrong, but no one knew exactly how to proceed with that goal in mind, with the ability to indeed remedy that which was indeed happening.   

 It is difficult to find a more apt phrase to describe the angst of the times. Overriding all are the existential questions as to what exactly is happening. What has happened to us? What has soured the growing recognition that no matter where we are, who we are, where we come from and where we are going, we all inevitably will share the same fate. Those butterfly wings waggling in the wind on one side of the globe will invariably, inevitably, cause a shift in winds on the other side. 

At some time, perhaps so gradually that we did not notice, we began to move apart, to separate ourselves from the "others" whomever they might be at that moment in time. Instead of combing the world for similarities, for shared viewpoints and dreams, we began to place all energies and 'creative' thinking into the wrong trucks and cars, with drivers opposed to care and concern for others on the same roads. These vehicles brought increasing moments of war and hate to the fore and there seemed no end in sight. In fact, all has gone downhill at ever increasing pace and level of seriousness and alarm. 

But do we take note and act to halt this downward slide of no brakes, promising naught but woes ahead? The answer is a resounding no. Even should one try, the calls to act, to see the truth, to address the needs are turned aside and the calls to ramp up the negativity are rife and internalized with an enthusiasm frightening to witness. Horrifying in understanding as to inevitable end destination.  

  The cracks within the globe and its inhabitants became and continue to become ever more evident, more glaring. The blindness grows and intensifies. The only changes from week to week, from day to day are the terrifying moments of realization that we are on a downward spiral which allows for no return to sanity, no shared dreams, merely antagonism and hatred intensified and internalized, growing strong, deep roots within the psyche of mankind, and its toxicity overcomes all.

How else to explain, if that, why a president should indulge in histrionics more befitting a toddler on a tantrum rampage? How else to explain the venom with which we approach each other, the worst thoughts in mind, with resignation to failure from the get-go. Why is it that the worse one's deeds are, the better the reward. With immense unmeasurable cruelty deliberately starve your own, use them as tools of publicity. 

Kidnap, kill and deliberately torment, torture, starve to death young men once vital with hope for their lives. Kill Jews and get their homeland as reward.  Learn quickly that the bigger the lie, the quicker and deeper it is believed. Claim a child suffering from cerebral palsy is dying via Israeli induced starvation. Correct that untruth on page quad zillion, to be ignored. Use the same young man as a child of two separate events and as a young woman in yet another staged photo op, supposedly proof of a raging famine. The lies persist even as the truth crumbles and lies alongside, in ditches, forgotten and despised.

Why do the qualities and characters of leaders of nations seem to decline with every hour in office. The greed, to enhance their power and wealth, to lord it over all others is sickening, frightening to the nth degree. If we cannot discern the good from the bad and persist in following bellowing crowds shorn of sanity, then where do we go next? To whom, to where, can we turn for aid and advice? 

How do we deal with the world intent on beating each other over the head with brutal tariffs and re invigorated trade wars. All allowing no good for any. The exercising of brute power over the weaker. 

To whom do we turn when the leaders of the nation turn upon the poor, those needful of aid. The challenged child. The anxious parents seeking only to keep roofs over their heads and food on the table. To raise their children with the hopes of a better future. What do we do when science is denied, when facts are twisted and perverted so that recognition is at zero point. To whom exactly do we address our concerns? How? How do we make ourselves heard and seen?  

Where do we go, what do we do, when those who work with sincere effort to fulfill responsibilities are then discharged from their positions, deemed as "disloyal" to the increasingly authoritarian leader.   Deemed as points of peril to the demented, crazed, with need for power and wealth ostensible leader of the nation.   

How do we indeed discourage the despair within our souls. How can we find the knowledge, the understanding as to what is happening. How to turn it around, shunt all onto another track perhaps a bit more difficult at the onset but with long term benefits so much better for a positive future for humanity, for any future at all. Might we yet be able to replace the ugliness with the virtues of yesterday?  Can we find a way to improve our todays, and soon, very soon?  Can we actually contemplate a better tomorrow for us all?    

Beats me.

 At times I remain hopeful. At times I laugh with a bitter undertone. Can we pull ourselves out of this quicksand, this morass of our own making?   

These are not questions for debating, but for the doing.  These are existential worries, ones that demand immediate and correct attentions if we are not to totally lose our way with hints as to return possibilities.

Look around. See the truth. Peer deep within your   souls, be honest, evaluate truly. Then ask yourself. Are you satisfied? Are you confident of a good future for you, yours, the world? If not, what can we do to ameliorate the situation, turn the troubles back on themselves and clear a pathway for humanity on which to go forward?

These are questions - and answers- which are applicable to all, necessary for all to ask and answer. We are, not a one of us, totally innocent -nor totally beyond redemption, but we must want, truly, deeply, need, to change. Anything less is useless.

Are we up to that?

Are you?

Am I?

Time will tell, will it not?

 I hope it is via a timepiece we can trust.