I found the phrase in my title in a letter in my local newspaper. The writer was talking about a
school district in my state which has been intent on removing some
books from its library shelves as well as its curriculum. They seem
to think using a site like BookLooks.org to research books is a good
idea. The writer of the letter had some objections to that. As,
frankly, do I. Banning books for “objectionable” content is as
old as, well, Nazi Germany. The letter writer felt his relatives who survived the holocaust would understand, "Und so beginnt es".
For book banning is only a beginning.
The environment we find ourselves in feels an awful
lot like this:
How do democracies die? All they need is for good people to do nothing, or to elect the wrong person to public office.
One of my infrequent readers commented that I seem to focus a lot on one man. Yes, he is correct. But that is because this is a moment in history that will have momentous consequences. Attention needs to be paid.
I have spent the day trying to process the results of the 2024 election here in the U.S. As you might imagine I was depressed, angry, and very disappointed in them. As you are aware Donald Trump was re-elected as president and the Senate flipped to Republican control. At this time the House is still in question. The future of my country is uncertain. I have no liking for Trump or many of his policies. But it is not just that which is of concern. It is that so many of my fellow Americans find his behavior to their liking. It brings into question their support for the ideals of this country. So I have spent the day cleaning my house and doing other mundane tasks to take my mind off of my worry for my country’s future and the future of those who depend on us. I also surfed around to find what other people’s reactions may be. Well, those who were on the losing side as I was, anyway.
Here are a few:
Liz Cheney was eloquent in her statement. It really is up to those of us who genuinely believe in our Constitution to defend it. We cannot rely on Donald Trump or his followers to do so.
These two videos are examples of the staying power of Americans and their dedication to our country.
In our history we have overcome many kinds of adversity. It has not been easy, nor will it be easy going forward. But to give up on our democracy is to fail those who fought so hard for it. We have a long history of standing up for people’s rights. Even if only one person’s eyes are opened it is a success.
I know I have been focused on American politics to the nth degree of late. But it is a critical moment in our nation’s history, and frankly, the world’s. This election matters. I have listened to those who appear on various media outlets: the candidates, current and former government officials, those who served in the Trump administration and those who have observed the trends in our political winds. You know where I stand. But I wanted to highlight other American voices. Because it will be the American people who decide our future. So I have put together some clips for you. I have tried to include something from both sides.
I tried to stay away from videos showing the more extreme examples of either side, this is just a small sample of voices. There are others out there.
This first video speaks straight to my heart. It is a grandfather’s advice for his granddaughters.
This was just a small snippet, but I think it speaks to something deeper, the depth of animosity we are seeing today. And, yet, even here there is still some connection, humor.
I wanted to look at why some people have changed their minds about the Republican Party, which these next two videos portray.
Trump supporters who
might be your relatives or friends. Their concerns are genuine.
It is unfortunate that so many people do not really do their own research. It is unfortunate that people do not always understand causation of problems and what it really takes to solve them. It is unfortunate that people do not always understand how economics works. It can lead to misjudgment.
I am considering voting early, as I don’t want to miss this election.
There appears to have been another assassination attempt on Donald Trump. The gunman wasn’t able to actually take a shot because the Secret Service detail were very proactive in responding when the gun was seen, shooting at him and forcing him to flee. I know there will be people combing through this man’s life with a fine tooth comb. As of this writing he is in custody and has not spoken to police about motive. The man, 58 year old Ryan Wesley Routh, has been critical of Donald Trump on his social media account. He is a supporter of Ukraine who says he had traveled to that country in an effort to support Ukraine’s battle for its sovereignty.
The job of President of the United States is a serious one. There is little room for those who go through life with a simplistic worldview. In watching Donald Trump during his first term and his behavior during his election bids I can’t help but feel that Kamala Harris called it right when she called him an “unserious” man. He has used divisive rhetoric in order to fire up his right wing base, but has not thought through the possible negative ramifications of his words. Pushing the idea that Haitian immigrants in Springfield, OH are eating the pets of residents, leading to multiple bomb threats does not help the residents of that town, and makes him a laughingstock.
But there is a serious and dangerous underlying hate fueling this story that Trump is using as a prod for his base.
Immigration reform is a serious issue, a bi-partisan bill had been agreed upon, before Donald Trump tanked it so that he could use that issue as a political tool in his campaign.
The war in Ukraine is a serious issue, to those who are living it, to those whose future may be affected by it. Trump has made it clear that he does not support Ukraine. Was Routh influenced by this?
We have serious issues in this country, in this world, that need a serious response, by a serious person. Gun violence, immigration, a war in Ukraine, a war in Gaza are not reality TV. Hateful, ill informed, simplistic rhetoric will not help. It can also be dangerous.
Just shy of 100 years ago (hard to believe) in 1939 Hollywood released a film starring Jimmy Stewart called Mr. Smith Goes to Washington. It was about a young guy elected to the United States Senate who was just, basically, a normal guy who wanted to do good. In short, not rich or slick or self promoting. The antithesis of some politicians you may know. Every once in a while someone like that will show up in real life, not often mind you, but they actually still exist. I believe that Kamala Harris has found one in Tim Walz. But the question is, will the American people recognize a Mr. Smith when one drops in their laps? Can he still make it to Washington?
The Republicans have ramped up their attack ads, digging up anything that they can embellish to try to make Walz look bad. Walz grew up in small town middle America, served his country in the National Guard for 24 years, became an educator and later on an elected official first in Congress and then as Governor of Minnesota. He’s a regular guy who has had years of experience in government and years of giving back to his country.
What I find rather fascinating is that the town and area where he grew up in Nebraska is very supportive of Donald Trump. Very red. Yet Walz went on to enact more “liberal” policies and laws in Minnesota, which many in my state support. Some people where he grew up seem rather confused as to why. Perhaps it’s because those policies and the people who support them are not really evil as they have been characterized by Trump and his followers. Perhaps it is because those policies are an effort to give people a little better life. Maybe caring for people, all people, was something Walz learned in those small towns. It’s sad that people don’t recognize their own merit.
Perhaps we all need to shut out the negative voices and remember our humanity. I know this isn't Nebraska or Minnesota, but it's a really good song.
Today President Joe Biden dropped out of the race for President of the United States. This after weeks of people within his own party questioning his cognitive fitness due to his performance in the debate against Donald Trump. This division in the Democratic Party did nothing to help Biden’s slipping poll numbers. Many Americans questioned his age.
There are many who feel that our democracy is at risk. After the events of January 6, 2021 with the attack on our Capital by followers of former President Donald Trump the idea that Trump could possibly become President again is anathema. With the experience of his first term in mind and the Heritage Foundation's Project 2025, a right wing road map written by Trump’s allies on how to “remake” government, looming over us like a dark cloud this election becomes critical.
For me this was a day of sadness. Joe Biden is a good President. He is a good man. He has shown what a true patriot is. I think history will show that. It is very rare to find a true leader, one who will put country first before his or her own personal wants. Joe Biden just did that.
President Biden, I wish you all the best. You have my sincere admiration.
On Saturday, July 13, 2024 Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20 years old, took a gun belonging to his father and used it to shoot up a political rally in Pennsylvania being held by Donald Trump. One person was killed, two injured seriously and Donald Trump sustained a minor injury to his ear. The motive has not been determined yet. Many have assumed it was an assassination attempt motivated by political beliefs, but the shooter really fits a different profile, that of the many school mass shooters we have seen in the past. According to his former classmates he was a loner who was bullied.
But whatever his motive turns out to be there are two things that are very clear. The first is that all American’s have the right to attend a political rally without fear of injury. While I do not like Donald Trump and do not agree with his past policies, much of his rhetoric or his behavior, I believe the use of violence against him and his supporters is not appropriate. Just as I did not think the violence unleashed on Jan. 6th at our capitol was appropriate. Violence, coercion, and other tactics used to force people to bend to someone’s will have no place in a real democracy. At this time we are in a state of division over how we want to move forward and who we want to lead us. I stand by my belief that Donald Trump and his supporters do not have the way forward for my country. This shooting incident does not change that. But the people at the rally are my fellow Americans and I extend my sympathies to those who were tragically affected.
The second point is that this was gun violence. Perhaps if we were able to come to some bi-partisan agreement on controlling the flow of guns in this country this type of incident would be less prevalent. This, of course, is the thought that jumps to mind after every mass shooting that has happened. However, we have yet to find some agreement on this. Until we do this type of incident will continue to happen; in schools, in malls, in theaters, at political rallies. It will continue to happen whether the victims are Democrats or Republicans, young or old.
Update:
For anyone who has read this post before this update, I just wanted to explain why I changed my title. I do not question Crooks' desire to kill or injure anyone at the rally, including Donald Trump. I question his motivation. To be continued...
