“I noticed that you never say the name of the President,” a friend told me. We are often together in groups where there is loud declaiming of the man’s lies, deceptions and actions that warrant any number of psychiatric labels. I am generally the quiet one. Is my silence apathy?
Another person in our circle no doubt thinks it is. She says anyone who is not outraged is not paying attention. War on Iran! For no reason!! Look what that’s done to the world economy!!! Deporting innocent people!!!! Dismantling government departments!!!!! Now messing with our voting!!!!!!
I grew up in a house that shook with the noise of arguments. I hated it. So, I learned another way. It’s possible to feel outrage and yet talk thoughtfully. Exclamation points do not persuade.
What if members of Congress were to stop shouting their outrage? What if Republicans barbecued or played golf with Democrats? What if they discussed proposed legislation away from the press and carved out compromises? Isn’t that how it worked for most of their history? Hope, for me, is believing that future Congresses will learn to work that way again.
I believe in an American future based on truth and compassion. Our laws will change in ways we cannot foretell, but our humanity will prevail. We will have a long and costly cleanup of the current damage. We will mourn our losses. And yet, as always, our country will continue on.
My silence on the matter of what’s wrong with the present President is based on those beliefs. The man in office now is not succeeding. Even those close to him can see what children see in the old fable – that the emperor has no clothes on. While he and they trumpet amazing feats, there is no reason to yell back with more exclamation points.
I choose not to say his name because I do not want to grant him my attention. His followers and detractors are spending precious energy doing that. It’s time to direct that energy to problems deeper than one personality.
As I continue to love America and believe in her future, please don’t misread my determination to march in quiet hope. My silence is not apathy.
Be First to Comment