The persistence of truth. It occurs to me that is a big part of the problem today, the truth just doesn't go away. No matter how hard some try to gloss over the past, rewrite the past, put a different spin on events, the truth of the matter persists. It can be quite frustrating to some. For others, like myself, it leaves us incredulous. The acceptance of truth can be painful, that is true, but it is a necessity. Truth remains after all else has faded into the past. Indeed, truth is eternal.
Now I said, the persistence of truth was part of the problem. I don't mean to imply that truth is a problem, although some find it an inconvenient impediment, I just mean truth doesn't go away and that is the problem. No matter how altruistic we tell ourselves we should be, the truth remains, we are concerned with ourselves first and foremost. That's just a universal truth, it's human nature. Yes there have been some that managed to overcome that and in the process became saints, but that doesn't happen often. And even then, all saints have had some form of human failing. The truth of that is within each and every one of us, we can deny it, but it exists. It is a truth.
That is an example of truth getting in the way. We want to be viewed as charitable, loving and altruistic! More importantly we want everyone to know that. No one sets out to become a saint, that's a byproduct, not the goal. But the problem lies in the truth, we are concerned for ourselves first. So the plan is to get others to provide that charity, that acceptance and understanding, all the while not having to do so ourselves. The easiest way to achieve that is to be an advocate! I'll advocate for all of that! What is an advocate? A public display of support! The important part being, make it public. You don't have to actually practice whatever it is that you advocating, you just openly support it. Really it's a form of deflection. Don't look at me, look at yourself! Well because looking at yourself is just being egotistical.
This is what happens when you live in a world of extremes. I think that is exactly what this time in America will be remembered for, extremes. The needle is fluctuating wildly, positive and negative, plus and minus. You are either saint or sinner! In a time that advocates for non-judgement you are being harshly judged for each thought, word and deed. And then it is denied that you are judged! Friends are turning on friend because of opinion, disregarding truth. We are being told the media is lying to us and that is the truth. A public trust has been broken. It's an all or nothing scenario. Public actions are what count, private actions go unrecognized. Yet, we will use your private actions to undermine your public action, or lack of it. There are those advocating for immoral actions publicly while using those same actions, sometimes decades ago, to attack the character of others.
This is an era of " firsts. " Being the first is of utmost importance these days. Being the first shows acceptance. Isn't that the perception? We will make someone the first regardless of qualification, need, or viability. Currently we are working on getting the first female president, or transgender president, maybe even a gender neutral president! Well that's because a persons sexual preferences are so important. That's why we have parades celebrating that very thing! Extreme? I think so. Some would have our country be the first without borders. That's correct, unfettered access to our country, just come on down! Extreme? I think so. We would be the first in all of human history though. It's true that ancient peoples didn't draw lines on a map, but they definitely defended their territory. We are now having a legal battle over whether a question can even be asked. The United States of America takes a census every ten years but it is being challenged whether we can ask if you are a citizen of my country? It's a legal battle? Extreme? I would think John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, George Washington, and all the others would think so. But it's a first! Never before has the inclusion of a question on the census been legally challenged. Since 1790 the census has been taken twenty two times and never challenged. Why is this question being challenged? Because the census determines the amount of representatives each state receives is the short answer. There are those that fear the number could be changed by the inclusion of that question. To prevent that a legal challenge has been issued. Extreme? Yes, I'd say it was extreme to attempt to use the law to defeat the law. Extreme to use the law to attempt to hide the truth. And one of the reasons stated for issuing this challenge. Some are afraid that people will not answer the question honestly! Legislate based on speculation? A bit extreme. It's a first.
I apologize for rambling around so in my thoughts. I don't consider myself a disciplined essayist. I just write whatever I am thinking about. Call it a commentary on the times from the perspective of an old white guy. Fact and opinion entwined in a missive to the past. That is what the majority of my writing is all about, what was. What is to be, can be a scary thing when you reach a certain age. You want to protect those that are following you. Even as they pass you on the highway, that is the thought. I am concerned for the future of this country, this way of life. I know it sounds melodramatic but Republics have fallen in the past and for much the same reasons as I see taking place today.
" Republics decline into Democracies and Democracies degenerate into Despotism " ( Aristotle ) You sure hear a lot about Democracy these days, the middle of the road. The question is, can we turn around? Maybe it will take extreme measures to do so, I hope not.
Now I said, the persistence of truth was part of the problem. I don't mean to imply that truth is a problem, although some find it an inconvenient impediment, I just mean truth doesn't go away and that is the problem. No matter how altruistic we tell ourselves we should be, the truth remains, we are concerned with ourselves first and foremost. That's just a universal truth, it's human nature. Yes there have been some that managed to overcome that and in the process became saints, but that doesn't happen often. And even then, all saints have had some form of human failing. The truth of that is within each and every one of us, we can deny it, but it exists. It is a truth.
That is an example of truth getting in the way. We want to be viewed as charitable, loving and altruistic! More importantly we want everyone to know that. No one sets out to become a saint, that's a byproduct, not the goal. But the problem lies in the truth, we are concerned for ourselves first. So the plan is to get others to provide that charity, that acceptance and understanding, all the while not having to do so ourselves. The easiest way to achieve that is to be an advocate! I'll advocate for all of that! What is an advocate? A public display of support! The important part being, make it public. You don't have to actually practice whatever it is that you advocating, you just openly support it. Really it's a form of deflection. Don't look at me, look at yourself! Well because looking at yourself is just being egotistical.
This is what happens when you live in a world of extremes. I think that is exactly what this time in America will be remembered for, extremes. The needle is fluctuating wildly, positive and negative, plus and minus. You are either saint or sinner! In a time that advocates for non-judgement you are being harshly judged for each thought, word and deed. And then it is denied that you are judged! Friends are turning on friend because of opinion, disregarding truth. We are being told the media is lying to us and that is the truth. A public trust has been broken. It's an all or nothing scenario. Public actions are what count, private actions go unrecognized. Yet, we will use your private actions to undermine your public action, or lack of it. There are those advocating for immoral actions publicly while using those same actions, sometimes decades ago, to attack the character of others.
This is an era of " firsts. " Being the first is of utmost importance these days. Being the first shows acceptance. Isn't that the perception? We will make someone the first regardless of qualification, need, or viability. Currently we are working on getting the first female president, or transgender president, maybe even a gender neutral president! Well that's because a persons sexual preferences are so important. That's why we have parades celebrating that very thing! Extreme? I think so. Some would have our country be the first without borders. That's correct, unfettered access to our country, just come on down! Extreme? I think so. We would be the first in all of human history though. It's true that ancient peoples didn't draw lines on a map, but they definitely defended their territory. We are now having a legal battle over whether a question can even be asked. The United States of America takes a census every ten years but it is being challenged whether we can ask if you are a citizen of my country? It's a legal battle? Extreme? I would think John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, George Washington, and all the others would think so. But it's a first! Never before has the inclusion of a question on the census been legally challenged. Since 1790 the census has been taken twenty two times and never challenged. Why is this question being challenged? Because the census determines the amount of representatives each state receives is the short answer. There are those that fear the number could be changed by the inclusion of that question. To prevent that a legal challenge has been issued. Extreme? Yes, I'd say it was extreme to attempt to use the law to defeat the law. Extreme to use the law to attempt to hide the truth. And one of the reasons stated for issuing this challenge. Some are afraid that people will not answer the question honestly! Legislate based on speculation? A bit extreme. It's a first.
I apologize for rambling around so in my thoughts. I don't consider myself a disciplined essayist. I just write whatever I am thinking about. Call it a commentary on the times from the perspective of an old white guy. Fact and opinion entwined in a missive to the past. That is what the majority of my writing is all about, what was. What is to be, can be a scary thing when you reach a certain age. You want to protect those that are following you. Even as they pass you on the highway, that is the thought. I am concerned for the future of this country, this way of life. I know it sounds melodramatic but Republics have fallen in the past and for much the same reasons as I see taking place today.
" Republics decline into Democracies and Democracies degenerate into Despotism " ( Aristotle ) You sure hear a lot about Democracy these days, the middle of the road. The question is, can we turn around? Maybe it will take extreme measures to do so, I hope not.
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