“Lord, help us to realize that our nation is at a tipping point, that people on the left literally hate you. They hate your word. They, many times, hate our country.”
(From opening “prayer” at a primary rally)
Phrases registered from Sunday sermons by a woolgathering kid float in recollection like exotic birdcalls:
We’re a stained species born of stain and prone to staining. Brethren, therefore I say unto you, verily whosoever… something, something… drink this blood… suffer the little children to come… slaughter a heifer… cast the first stone… we launder our shorts in the same gray waters…
Sunday school lessons stayed in church but civics class followed me home. Good citizenship had legs. I wanted to be a diplomat for the USA who could speak foreign languages! Corny but still compelling. The ideal of civic engagement sounds goody two-shoes at the moment. Civic heresy is moving its slow thighs. Its aeneators blow the call from their bucinas: Hate! Thricely blared in three short sentences — a trinity.
I’m tempted to repulse the man’s septic oration with contrary words, but proffering him democratic brotherly love seems the better course.
(c) 2024 JMN — EthicalDative. All rights reserved
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From here it looks like you are going through an unholy madness in politics – and the spectre of a civil war looms large. Is it as bad as it seems? Will democracy and society dissolve into chaos? I hope sanity prevails.
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The view from where you are is current here as well in many circles, Sue. It certainly seems extremism, especially on the right, has exposed a naked struggle for power which disdains governing and government. Your question “Is it as bad as it seems?” is an essential one. I venture a cautious “no,” but it will be a nail-biting year ahead leading to the November elections. The destructive voices are amplified so much by social media and questionable news outlets. A minority of the population can sound like a foghorn. My hope is that many people will vote, especially younger ones too, that the vote will be tallied and protected as it was in 2020, and will let a true majority be heard.
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Yes Jim, it is my hope too that democracy prevails – but is it possible that if the orange one loses, he will incite chaos and bedlam and insurrection? I guess the wheels may fall off his bus in the months ahead with the number of trials he faces and hopefully some pushback from Republicans who are not completely cowed by him. It certainly is a great worry for the whole world, not just the USA. I will be watching intently! Sue
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He has done already and continues to incite those things. You have a keen eye for the situation, Sue. There are more questions than answers at the moment.
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