Jun
18
2018
Importance of context
Author: admin“In one week, Trump embraced a dictator, started a trade war with China and complicated the immigration debate.” – CNN, 6/16/18
I’ve written thousands of stories over the years in print and broadcast media. With only the occasional case of “writer’s block” that hits all professionals at times. Starting off with a lead paragraph, followed by details of the story, has never been a problem. Until now.
Each day, the “liar-in-chief” and a feckless GOP Congress conduct a reign of catastrophic acts. They’re conducting ceaseless attacks on the guts of our Republic, on the institutions of government that undergird this nation’s liberties and are now sponsoring the terrible destruction of innocent families.
In the past, stories were reported and days or weeks would pass as the facts settled in and reporters could turn attention to new happenings. No more. Now, the tragic news from Washington just keeps piling up. Investigations, crimes, attacks on the citizenry and our former allies and the lies – especially the lies – just keep coming. The quote above from CNN is exhibit “A.”
It’s virtually impossible to capture the full extent of what each daily calamity means before there’s another – and another – and another. As the catastrophic politics continue to spin, yesterday’s facts seems like ancient history.
We – and it seems the rest of the world – are under attack. On one hand, it’s a do-nothing Republican congress without the cajones to fulfill its constitutional role of a separate – but equal – power of government. Internecine wars have split the GOP into ungovernable fragments. Elected “leadership” in the House is unable to govern because 30-40 right wing cretins continue to fight any sensible political steps to get nearly anything done. In the Senate, a dictatorial majority leader has strangled both decorum and legitimate legislation.
On the other hand, given his constitutional duties, plus all the powers abrogated by that neutered Congress, an immoral, unhinged, lying President is emulating every tin hat, demagogue he’s ever heard of. He’s ignoring – and destroying – centuries of treaties, compacts, agreements and collaborative relationships this nation has ever produced. Suddenly, our friends are enemies and our enemies are “friends.”
Our defense budget is greater than the next six countries combined. But, current reckless conduct in dealing with other countries is making us more vulnerable than we’ve ever been. An oversupply of nukes, subs, bombers and warheads is being proven no match for protecting our nation’s computerized infrastructure. We can’t even vote – our most basic and cherished franchise – and know the election outcome is accurate. We’re truly in an electronic war unrecognized by many in public office and others who refuse to act.
Even established religions are being perverted. Evangelicals – that portion of our religious spectrum normally quick to call attention to public immoralities – have mostly turned a blind eye to our immoral President. Or, in statements by it’s leaders, has supported many of the lies and illegal activities emanating from both Capitol Hill and the White House.
Quite possibly the lowest point of human decency in our history is the inhumane act of splintering immigrant families. And, even there, many Evangelicals and other religious folks – in government and out – are using the Bible to support the terrorist act of destroying immigrant families.
Our Attorney General – a man not noted for an even-handed approach to enforcement of our laws – has joined the far right by quoting an out-of-context paragraph of Romans 31 to “justify” this terrible, racist tragedy. Something about using the powers of government to maintain order.
I would, instead, not-so-respectfully, direct him to an entirely “in context” entry in Second John, Chapter 11, Verse 31. In full, it simply reads, “Jesus wept.”
Certainly, so should we.