It was enough to deal with Donald Trump. Day after day, since his inauguration in 2017, many of us have feared what he'd do next--who he would insult, what dangerous position he'd take, what ignorance he'd reveal. The lies, the nastiness, and the stupidity all at our expense. We wondered what catastrophe would develop under his watch.
We found out.
First, the coronavirus--scary and unknown--still out of control in much of the country. Alarming in itself, the disease also strained our economy and put millions out of work. We're still reeling and have no idea what lies ahead.
Next came George Floyd, murdered by Minneapolis police on May 25. The same story of white police officers killing black people, the blight that rots America every day. When will it end, we ask, only to learn of the death of Rayshard Brooks on Friday night in Atlanta.
Finally, the protests. All across the country, understandably angry protesters have generated a movement and a voice for change. Rioting and violence, yes, but mostly huge, peaceful crowds weekend after weekend, all in the midst of a pernicious pandemic that feeds on people massed together.
All of this, and no leadership in Washington. No wonder we're on edge.
But now is not the time to retreat from the tension. We can't afford to slide into complacency. We're called upon, each of us, to take our part in creating a more just and fair America. Whether it's through our vote, our advocacy, our faith, or all of these combined, we need to act.
The fate of America rests with all of us.
Sunday, June 14, 2020
Sunday, June 7, 2020
Protests That Matter
Watching people march this weekend across the country and around the world brought to mind the protests in April against coronavirus restrictions. Remember those? Angry, white, gun-toting Americans descended on state capitols carrying signs that read "End the Tyranny" and "Land of the Free," wearing MAGA hats and waving Confederate flags. Their macho display sought to intimidate as they demanded their rights to work, to get a haircut, and to buy grass seed as the country reeled from a dangerous pandemic.
Now, barely a month later, a tidal wave of revolt has unmasked those feeble protesters--for theirs were the protests of white privilege, of people who stroll through city streets with AK47s and know they won't be arrested. Theirs were the protests of men long accustomed to swagger and violence, met with little or no consequence. And theirs were the protests of people who know police officers won't step on their necks until they die.
The protests sparked by George Floyd's murder are the protests of voices long denied, of injustice and inequality. Theirs are the protests of people demanding an America that fulfills its promise. Theirs are the protests of fundamental human rights and not of temporary inconveniences.
I take heart in the fact that one of these protests has swelled into an international movement and that the other has petered out, its impotence clear for everyone to see.
Now, barely a month later, a tidal wave of revolt has unmasked those feeble protesters--for theirs were the protests of white privilege, of people who stroll through city streets with AK47s and know they won't be arrested. Theirs were the protests of men long accustomed to swagger and violence, met with little or no consequence. And theirs were the protests of people who know police officers won't step on their necks until they die.
The protests sparked by George Floyd's murder are the protests of voices long denied, of injustice and inequality. Theirs are the protests of people demanding an America that fulfills its promise. Theirs are the protests of fundamental human rights and not of temporary inconveniences.
I take heart in the fact that one of these protests has swelled into an international movement and that the other has petered out, its impotence clear for everyone to see.
Sunday, May 31, 2020
Another Wish List
Last week I posted a list of my personal wishes during this time of coronavirus. In light of the murder of George Floyd last Monday, I post a new list. Here's what I wish for America:
1. A dinner table where everyone is fed.
2. A neighborhood where everyone can jog.
3. A school where everyone is educated.
4. A hospital where everyone has the same chance.
5. A police department where everyone is safe.
6. A government that works for everyone.
7. A people that confronts its racist past.
8. A nation that's willing to force change.
9. A United States that gets it: "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere." - Martin Luther King, Jr.
10. An America that redefines "We, the People," to include everyone.
1. A dinner table where everyone is fed.
2. A neighborhood where everyone can jog.
3. A school where everyone is educated.
4. A hospital where everyone has the same chance.
5. A police department where everyone is safe.
6. A government that works for everyone.
7. A people that confronts its racist past.
8. A nation that's willing to force change.
9. A United States that gets it: "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere." - Martin Luther King, Jr.
10. An America that redefines "We, the People," to include everyone.
Sunday, May 24, 2020
Wish List
Here are ten things I wish I could do right now:
1. Take a road trip with Mark.
2. Shop at a thrift store.
3. Exercise at my gym.
4. Eat indoors at Toast.
5. Watch a movie at the Carolina Theatre.
6. See fewer people on beaches.
7. Read political-free advice about church re-openings.
8. Take comfort that Americans are wearing masks.
9. Learn that Congress is supporting state and local governments.
10. Watch a responsible president take charge.
1. Take a road trip with Mark.
2. Shop at a thrift store.
3. Exercise at my gym.
4. Eat indoors at Toast.
5. Watch a movie at the Carolina Theatre.
6. See fewer people on beaches.
7. Read political-free advice about church re-openings.
8. Take comfort that Americans are wearing masks.
9. Learn that Congress is supporting state and local governments.
10. Watch a responsible president take charge.
Sunday, May 17, 2020
Goofus and Gallant
Remember the comic strip "Goofus and Gallant?" Reading it in Highlights magazine was the only redeeming feature of visits to my childhood dentist. I loved the contrast between the two brothers, the black-and-white 1960s version of slovenly dressed Goofus and his meticulous brother Gallant. Goofus played games while Gallant helped their mother. Goofus butted in line while Gallant waited his turn. Goofus grabbed toys while Gallant offered to share. Donald promoted himself while Barack promoted others.
Oops!
Goofus and Gallant are back. Goofus barged into our lives almost four years ago with his rude and crude power, while Gallant returned this weekend with his trademark thoughtful wisdom.
In his virtual commencement speech Saturday to the 2020 high school graduating class, President Obama encouraged the students to "do what you think is right . . . I hope you decide to ground yourselves in values that last, like honesty, hard work, responsibility, fairness, generosity, respect for others."
Donald Trump? Here's a sample:
"Why do we want all these people from s-hole countries coming here?"
"You're so disgraceful . . . you're a fake [to White House reporter]."
"Puerto Rico is one of the most corrupt places on earth."
"Another low IQ individual [on Joe Biden]."
"I don't take responsibility at all [for coronavirus testing failures]."
While Goofus has an excuse for his behavior because he's a kid, Donald Trump has none. His immoral presidency stains us all.
As President Obama concluded his remarks, though, he said, "Be alive to one another's struggles, stand up for one another's rights, leave behind all the old ways of thinking that divide us--sexism, racial prejudice, status, greed--and set the world on a different path."
May this new generation coming of age heed his words, not those of his successor, and chart a more fair and just course for all Americans.
Oops!
Goofus and Gallant are back. Goofus barged into our lives almost four years ago with his rude and crude power, while Gallant returned this weekend with his trademark thoughtful wisdom.
In his virtual commencement speech Saturday to the 2020 high school graduating class, President Obama encouraged the students to "do what you think is right . . . I hope you decide to ground yourselves in values that last, like honesty, hard work, responsibility, fairness, generosity, respect for others."
Donald Trump? Here's a sample:
"Why do we want all these people from s-hole countries coming here?"
"You're so disgraceful . . . you're a fake [to White House reporter]."
"Puerto Rico is one of the most corrupt places on earth."
"Another low IQ individual [on Joe Biden]."
"I don't take responsibility at all [for coronavirus testing failures]."
While Goofus has an excuse for his behavior because he's a kid, Donald Trump has none. His immoral presidency stains us all.
As President Obama concluded his remarks, though, he said, "Be alive to one another's struggles, stand up for one another's rights, leave behind all the old ways of thinking that divide us--sexism, racial prejudice, status, greed--and set the world on a different path."
May this new generation coming of age heed his words, not those of his successor, and chart a more fair and just course for all Americans.
Sunday, May 10, 2020
Rugged Individualists
One of the hallmarks of America is our mythical pride in individualism. We tout so-called "self-made millionaires" and those who "pull themselves up by their bootstraps." We profess freedoms at the expense of others and consider ourselves "exceptional."
Interestingly enough, Herbert Hoover cited America's "rugged individualism" in his closing campaign speech in 1928. By contrasting American principles with European "doctrines of paternalism and state socialism," he heralded the American way of self-reliance and limited government, portending his disastrous handling of the Great Depression. His failure to authorize the federal government to help ordinary Americans made a terrible situation worse.
So what happens, almost 100 years later, when another crisis collides with American individualism, a new disease that's communal in nature? A disease that puts my life in the hands of others, even those I don't know and those who choose not to wash their hands or wear masks or distance themselves.
We get protest signs like these:
"Give me liberty or give me COVID-19"
"Sacrifice the weak"
"Tyranny is Spreading Faster than the China Virus"
And we get behavior like these:
Stormed state capitols
Heckled health care workers
Gun-toting intimidators
To make matters worse, our president encourages these attitudes, inciting anger and protests. He clearly values the rights of the individual--as he pushes states to re-open--over the collective health of Americans. In tweeting states to "LIBERATE," he implicitly instructs Americans to disregard their responsibility to each other and look out only for themselves. It's a selfish way forward.
Donald Trump, like Herbert Hoover, gets it wrong. Echoing his predecessor who vetoed major aid legislation in 1930 by saying it would "bring far more distress than it will cure," Trump said in March that "we cannot let the cure be worse than the problem itself." For in the case of COVID-19 the cure means a collective response, a shared responsibility for each other's lives.
Such responsibility confounds Donald Trump. I'm not sure he knows what it means. But without it, we lose people unnecessarily. Fellow Americans. Human lives.
What could be more important?
Interestingly enough, Herbert Hoover cited America's "rugged individualism" in his closing campaign speech in 1928. By contrasting American principles with European "doctrines of paternalism and state socialism," he heralded the American way of self-reliance and limited government, portending his disastrous handling of the Great Depression. His failure to authorize the federal government to help ordinary Americans made a terrible situation worse.
So what happens, almost 100 years later, when another crisis collides with American individualism, a new disease that's communal in nature? A disease that puts my life in the hands of others, even those I don't know and those who choose not to wash their hands or wear masks or distance themselves.
We get protest signs like these:
"Give me liberty or give me COVID-19"
"Sacrifice the weak"
"Tyranny is Spreading Faster than the China Virus"
And we get behavior like these:
Stormed state capitols
Heckled health care workers
Gun-toting intimidators
To make matters worse, our president encourages these attitudes, inciting anger and protests. He clearly values the rights of the individual--as he pushes states to re-open--over the collective health of Americans. In tweeting states to "LIBERATE," he implicitly instructs Americans to disregard their responsibility to each other and look out only for themselves. It's a selfish way forward.
Donald Trump, like Herbert Hoover, gets it wrong. Echoing his predecessor who vetoed major aid legislation in 1930 by saying it would "bring far more distress than it will cure," Trump said in March that "we cannot let the cure be worse than the problem itself." For in the case of COVID-19 the cure means a collective response, a shared responsibility for each other's lives.
Such responsibility confounds Donald Trump. I'm not sure he knows what it means. But without it, we lose people unnecessarily. Fellow Americans. Human lives.
What could be more important?
Sunday, May 3, 2020
Disaster in Chief
President Trump's son-in-law appeared on Fox News on Wednesday to declare victory over the coronavirus: "We're on the other side of the medical aspect of this," Jared Kushner said. "We've achieved all of the different milestones that are needed. The federal government rose to the challenge, and this is a great success story." Really?
Over 65,000 Americans dead and the number climbing. States, hospitals, and nursing homes desperate for equipment. Testing widely unavailable. No cure, no vaccine.
If we're truly on the other side of this, let's give the Disaster in Chief credit for his accomplishments:
1. He ignored the warnings contained in the President's Daily Brief as early as January, failing in his fundamental duty to protect the American people.
2. He downplayed the danger, saying on February 26, "You have 15 people, and the 15 within a couple of days is going to be down close to zero." We currently have over one million cases.
3. He failed to manage testing for Americans. When asked about this on March 13 he said, "I don't take responsibility at all." Instead Trump blamed--you know who--Barack Obama. We still don't have enough tests today.
4. He fomented xenophobia and racism, calling the virus the "China virus" and continued to defend his use of the term.
5. He failed to coordinate the purchasing of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for the states, leaving them to compete with each other and with the federal government, driving up prices more than 1,000%.
6. He attacked, and continues to attack, the press, calling them "horrid," "nasty," and "third-rate." His belittling, abusive language demeans us all.
7. He promoted unproven and dangerous treatments: think bleach, UV light, and hydroxychloroquine.
8. He criticized governors as they attempted to manage the crisis on their own. "She doesn't get it done," he said of Michigan's Gretchen Whitmer, and Jay Inslee of Washington "shouldn't be relying on the federal government."
9. He incited, and continues to incite, violent protests against state stay-at-home orders. Calling on protesters to liberate Michigan, Virginia, and Minnesota on April 17, he also defended the mob in Lansing on Friday as "very good people."
10. He communicated clearly about the danger that lies ahead, saying on April 29, "If it does come back--it's not going to come back--and I've spoken to 10 different people, it's not going to be like it was . . . If we have embers of corona coupled with the flu, that's not going to be pleasant, but it's not going to be what we've gone through in any way, shape or form . . . You may not even have corona coming back, just so you understand." Huh?
So go ahead, Jared. Declare victory and see what happens. Wasn't it George W. Bush who famously said, "Mission Accomplished?" Now how'd that turn out . . .
Over 65,000 Americans dead and the number climbing. States, hospitals, and nursing homes desperate for equipment. Testing widely unavailable. No cure, no vaccine.
If we're truly on the other side of this, let's give the Disaster in Chief credit for his accomplishments:
1. He ignored the warnings contained in the President's Daily Brief as early as January, failing in his fundamental duty to protect the American people.
2. He downplayed the danger, saying on February 26, "You have 15 people, and the 15 within a couple of days is going to be down close to zero." We currently have over one million cases.
3. He failed to manage testing for Americans. When asked about this on March 13 he said, "I don't take responsibility at all." Instead Trump blamed--you know who--Barack Obama. We still don't have enough tests today.
4. He fomented xenophobia and racism, calling the virus the "China virus" and continued to defend his use of the term.
5. He failed to coordinate the purchasing of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for the states, leaving them to compete with each other and with the federal government, driving up prices more than 1,000%.
6. He attacked, and continues to attack, the press, calling them "horrid," "nasty," and "third-rate." His belittling, abusive language demeans us all.
7. He promoted unproven and dangerous treatments: think bleach, UV light, and hydroxychloroquine.
8. He criticized governors as they attempted to manage the crisis on their own. "She doesn't get it done," he said of Michigan's Gretchen Whitmer, and Jay Inslee of Washington "shouldn't be relying on the federal government."
9. He incited, and continues to incite, violent protests against state stay-at-home orders. Calling on protesters to liberate Michigan, Virginia, and Minnesota on April 17, he also defended the mob in Lansing on Friday as "very good people."
10. He communicated clearly about the danger that lies ahead, saying on April 29, "If it does come back--it's not going to come back--and I've spoken to 10 different people, it's not going to be like it was . . . If we have embers of corona coupled with the flu, that's not going to be pleasant, but it's not going to be what we've gone through in any way, shape or form . . . You may not even have corona coming back, just so you understand." Huh?
So go ahead, Jared. Declare victory and see what happens. Wasn't it George W. Bush who famously said, "Mission Accomplished?" Now how'd that turn out . . .
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