As usual it all comes out in the wash or it all hits the fan. Whatever phrase you use, it all comes out the same. The truth will out. The grievances will be aired. Errors will be highlighted and consequences will be immeasurable. And despite the fact that much of the blame derives from those who are supposed to be in positions of leadership and responsibility, we, the people, cannot avoid our share in the blame for this horrendous debacle now upon us.
There are those among us who fell for all the lies, the smears, the exaggerations, the enormous ego, the bluster and the incompetence. His claim to be one of the people, even as he was born on 3rd base, with several silver spoons in his mouth and several more within his already grasping hands were and remain lies of the first order. It is amazing how many people continue to believe those falsehoods.
There are those among us who initially fell for it all, perhaps reaching out desperately to find someone who could create a path back to sanity and stability. But, oh boy, that was some mistake and we are reaping the rather sour and rank crop arising from the nasty seeds planted. Some reneged on that belief sooner and others later but all of the consequences of these misplaced beliefs are unavoidable, and in fact, are up front and center, in our faces. All we can do right now is maintain a united front against awful repetitions awaiting us should we continue to walk blindly, dangerously, foolishly in his footsteps on that murky, muddy road.
Then there are those of us who spoke out in growing numbers but too slowly, too quietly, too hesitantly, too optimistic and hopeful that people would catch on to the truth and let go of all the nastiness and hate claiming the world as its home. However, part and parcel of being members of the human race, we are rather prone to making serious errors of judgment and then instead of remedying these errors we compound them by trying to excuse or twist them some way into a more positive outlook. But it doesn't work, certainly not to the extent that is needed.
So bottom line, what is the current situation? We are left with the rather, dubious 'honor' of living with all our faults, trying to improve ourselves or at least limit the seriousness and the consequences of these errors of judgment or of their ineffectiveness. We must grow and gather around adherents to the proper cause. A most important and frightening task almost insurmountable. However, that is where we stand today.
The best way or path to understanding how we got here, why we got here, is to take a clear look back to the past, the recent past. During this period of time, we have managed to allow some of the worst ever leaders to get into office and worse, maintain that position, in that office, only to create further issues. They inevitably become more and more convoluted until they are just about too complex to set straight. And we go ever deeper into the ugly murky waters of ineptitude, despair, spiced with huge dollops of corruption and negativity.
What do we do now? What do we do with our current situation? How can we correct this massive error that we have committed? How do we heal the boo-boos of our nation, already infected, with constant emission of pain to heart and soul and mind? We look around in confusion. How did we get here? How did we fall so low? What did we do to enable this critical situation, one that bodes no good for the nation, for the individuals within and for the world at large.
I wish I knew the answer. Day by day the cracks within my heart widen, lengthen. How do we proceed with any kind of assurance as we deal with the situation that is so shameful that I cringe for us within the annals of history. How can we possibly explain to those in the future who will look back and wonder. Was it something in the air? Is it something in the water? Where in fact did this nation break with humanity begin and why? How can we avoid this in the future? How do we ensure that those in the future do not make the same errors that we have made and find themselves in the same awful situation?
For those who cannot remember or who can lie, deny the truth, here were some terms that might spark your memory as to what was and now is. A president and/or cronies, partners in crime, constantly within a courtroom, even to a personal trip when the issue of birthright citizenship was being challenged. This issue, questioning the Constitution's 14th Amendment, that being born in this nation, for whatever reason, part of the life one lives, and the inherent citizenship within this nation is being denied. How far back does that go? Do we now have to follow the times of Hitler? How many generations to prove that our ancestors who came here, who preceded us, came legally according to who's dictates? How does one prove it? Do we stand in a line waiting for a chance at a computer to do some genealogical tracing? What if what we find out bodes no good for us? Why? What if we find out that which is "questionable", particularly if we are of some race or creed or skin color? Do we then 'uncitizen' a citizen, their right denied?
In the WSJ in their Pepper... and Salt cartoon, there is a telling caption beneath. "If we're confronted for breaking the law, we'll handle it, as we always do - with a settlement and a bunch of empty promises." This is our status quo. The president and those he appointed to be around him, to cater to his every whim, quite 'helpful' to the health of this nation. The richest nation in the world, and yet we cannot find within neither the urge nor the willingness to fund all that we need. Certainly not. We now have toxic relations with countries, even our allies and the economic competition among the nations in the world are untenable, with no one benefiting. In fact, all are being harmed.
General Powell, when looking back upon his life, regretted what had happened when this nation plunged into war without secure, safe, wise planning, or even any thought which would have precluded that harmful war which engulfed this nation for too many years. He said, “If you break it, you own it.” This administration under which we toil has broken much. Traditions of the nation. Laws of the nation. It has maintained an insane campaign to refight an election of 2020. Which Trump clearly lost, deservedly so. Sends out mad posses to confiscate votes of the time, to confiscate ballots and voting lists of towns and cities and states, looking for an ability to move backwards rather than forward, to deny rights which are manifestly etched into our constitution. Etched into the ethos of our nation.
We have lost our humanity. We have lost our feeling of friendship, of trust, a bettering the lives of all, not just that of ourselves. We have resorted once again to a time rife with corruption and the most corrupt is our cult leader. We have divided our nation into MAGA and MAHA. Left and Right. Republicans and New Republicans. Democrats forgetting what their party once represented. There is barely a soul within our political leaders who have not been tainted by misthinking, by 'mis' seeking and striving. Not for what is right but instead they opt in to that which is manifestly so wrong that it rips at the soul of our nation.
Even our religious leaders, those we look to for guidance in so many matters, for reassurance, for wise counseling, have too often now enmeshed themselves where they do not belong and when they get there, they spew the same tainted words. Most disappointing political and religious leaders.
When we have headlines in real times, and editorial pages referring to the "Moral Rot Beneath Trump's Hideous Taste” I am both vindicated and horrified. I have long been saying this, even before the man won an election most undeserved, thus enabling a time synonymous with modern times modifications, of the times of anomie and chaos of the fall of great empires. Think it not so? Look again. Clear your eyes from the fog that has blocked vision. Do we not have a leader and followers who are just as categorically insane, selfish, demanding of sacrifice from within the nation? That is, from those who are not of 'them', the one percent of power and wealth. Those who have left behind their morals in the name of enhancing their personal status.
Many years I have been shouting out, calling the nation's eyes, of my readers at least, to the truth of what has been happening. Some have had their eyes opened. Some have pinned them shut so as to avoid that truth which hurts. Which leaves us in the proverbial creek without a paddle. How do we justify headlines that 'nutrition' is in and diversity is out as the guardians of our nation's education participate actively in its dismantling. Force medical schools and universities into submission, so all that smacks of culture, all that reminds the people of the true ethos of this nation, is poof! We have crippled the courses of thought and progress and encourage the culture of never mind the other, for which is the best course for me to benefit myself and only myself and those of my circle. If one claims this is rightfully so, yes, in a way it is. Because the universities did make an error and allowed into its midst viral, toxic anti-Semitism rising to JewHatred, rising to calls for the death of all Jews. It cannot be disguised under claims of "Anti Zionism" for one cannot separate the central principle of our homeland from one who is Jewish, be they accept that or not. In fact, among the universities, among the courses that they have abandoned, Modern Jewish Studies are right there. Up front, close and personal.
Even more horrific is that in the claim of defending Jews against the awful consequences of hate and bias and prejudice rampant, we have adopted the rather frightening fascistic methodology wherein it is demanded of universities to list all the Jews within the university, students and employees alike. If this does not send shivers down your spine you are lucky, for my spine shivers no end. At no time will it stop, at least not until this unqualified destructive president and his supporters are pushed aside, deemed irrelevant.
As an educator my mind breaks. My heart shatters. What is going on as teachers, librarians, directors and such are cast into the wind. To lie where they fall. To be left unhealed and broken. Why is that? Because they have refused to remove books with topics termed out of bounds? Even reached into the homes and either canceled the rights of parents or encouraged the abuse that arises from the evil synergy of the evil partnership of those who refuse to accept reality. Of those who refuse to accept that there are those who do not walk in lockstep with the rest of the population. They are deemed as prey in an open season. To be subjected to brainwashing, brutal violent methodology to 'remind' child or adult, that he or she is not gay, is deviant due to 'erroneous' thought or lifestyle and so what comes next are 'reeducation' camps. What is next? All citizens in the nation to be subject to arrest and “reeducation"? Will we all become adversaries beyond the ability to resolve our conflicts, to move forward even if that is what will work?
Minds greater than mine are out there. We simply have to access them. Encourage their activation or reactivation and set them on task to heal this nation. To find reasonable and practical solutions to methodology healing our wounds, to reminding us that we are one nation of Americans. Perhaps we should eliminate the concept of hyphenated Americans. Yes, we need to be proud of our roots but we also need to know that while we live here within this nation our roots are both important and irrelevant, as we need to construct or reconstruct, to build a new identity as Americans. Willing to take the steps needed to move this world forward in positive manner. To look back and place all in a sieve, catch all that was wrong, that is wrong, that will continue to be wrong, and then toss it, beyond reach and access by those of evil intent.
It is time to listen to our inner being, to hear the words of our consciences, beating at the doors, wanting to be let in, wanting to remind us of who we were and who we are supposed to be, of who we must be. If we are indeed to enable a future of positivity, a future which focuses on eliminating the evils of the world and healing its defects and not allowing the scars and scabs of the past to get in the way of all that is right, we must do better.
What we must do is find those capable of doing this and toss out all of those inadequate, harmful beings who have now assumed positions of leadership and power and remind them of our goal as we elect those who deserve to be in those positions. Those who will have adopted the theme of public service, not service to benefit them. What is happening now is conducive not to peaceful change but to a violent change. Throughout the world when there is an unfordable river between the haves and the have nots, however wide in its obscenity, inevitable violent change within that society will arise. Violence never really solves anything; in fact, at least for a time, it encourages more oppression and suppression and too often, the ideals for which it was fought, for which violence was engaged, simply turns on itself. At this point in time, I can think of only one violent overturning of government which did well for two and a half centuries, the American Revolution. However, take a look around and wonder how we succumbed to all that brings about its failure, to all that negates the wonderful concepts of our nation. The glory of the United States of America willingly sharing its dreams with the world.
Thus here before us is our plainly outlined, clearly visible path. We must heed the voices of the insignificant, of the little people. We must hear and truly listen deep to their anguish, to their plaints and find a way forward. Even as we find our way back to all that we once represented proudly. We must stand up to those of fascistic bent who would deny us our rights and privileges and responsibilities as citizens of a once great nation, now, sadly not so any longer. Certainly not at present and certainly not on the path we are taking at the behest of those who did not truly wish to benefit us, the people of this nation, but to benefit themselves, to enhance their bottom line and to grow their scepters of dictatorship and power.
I hate to say it, but I and many others have told you so and here we are. We must all hear the voices. We must remember our dreams. We must emulate those 'icons' that once reinforced our Americanness, our ability to task ourselves with assignments meant to right wrongs. To do the impossible, to dream the impossible dream and then make it possible. The idealism of Don Quixote, who never gave up. The insistence of Dora and friends that using maps and enthusiasm with the right intent can do and achieve. The optimistic views of Bob the Builder who told us "We can do it. Yes, we can." And then indeed did so.
Can we? We must. If not, we have tossed one of the most significant achievements of humanity right into the trash can of history and left behind a terrible legacy and a likely awful future.
Can we do it?
Yes, we can.
We did it yesterday.
We upheld it for much of today.
However, the state of tomorrow is rather wonky.
We, none of us, can stand aside and declare it doesn't affect me in my life. I don't listen. I don't do that. I don't care. We are all affected. One way or another, we are enmeshed in that whirlpool of confusion, of violence, of inhumanity, of errors and harmful results.
Can we do it?
Yes, we can.
But only the we, the us, can do so.
All on us.
All. On. Us.
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