On this date, there were several important decisions by the Supreme Court of the United States. There were several votes in the House of Representatives.
That is a very, very busy news day. But, these truths demur when compared to the really big story of the day: outright hatred. Follow me just below the squiggledoodlethingey fold, and I'll explain.
"Unconstitutional!" Rep. Michelle Bachmann
"We will repeal on July 11, 2012." House Leader Eric Cantor
"Our initial purpose has not changed." Senator Mitch McConnell
"Just because one or two people say something is constitutional doesn't mean it actually IS constitutional." Senator Rand Paul
SC Craig's List for volunteers for civilian military physical fitness/arms training to take back America.
"This is the end of America." New York Times OpEd"
"America died today. Tweet"
"Welcome to the United Socialist States of America." Governor Rick Perry
"This is it. We must take our government back by force. Now." Live Chat: The Nation"
Shall I go on?
Sadly, I certainly could. And the day isn't over yet. From getting it wrong in the first place, as several networks did, to the "Bellows Effect" which instantaneously hit the air waves on any media source you choose, this day is one which has disturbed me. Greatly.
I wonder who isn't hearing these things. I wonder who is outright ignoring these statements of emotional sentiment, to the listening ears of millions. We make light fun of them, in some seeming orgy of vindication, yet we seem to be missing something really important.
These and many other examples are being spoken by those who absolutely mean them. Even to the illusions of assassination of a sitting Supreme Court Chief Justice, the issuance of a Contempt Citation to the sitting Attorney General of the United States of America, to those who sincerely believe today that their homeland is no longer a place where they wish to live.
There are even those who have railed against me personally and professionally for exclaiming that the election in November, 2012 is for the saving of democracy itself. (Read the Texas Republican Party 2012 Platform, then talk to me!) Each of the examples I have listed above mine serve, if nothing more, confirmation of the accuracy of the very statement I continue to make.
I remember the day that SCOTUS upheld "Roe vs. Wade". For weeks, I had been writing that the absolute, black anger across the country could, if loosed, would make 1861 seem nothing but a pleasant and distant dream! I believed that the issue of abortion was, in fact, going to be the cause of the next, and much more destructive Civil War in America. Those who can remember with me could well tell you why you should agree with me on this view.
The only thing I have found that Tea Party terrorists do NOT hate is themselves, and they aren't too sure about some of their number. Republicans hate every day in the life of the USA since 1886, to say nothing of anything Democrat, of this President, or (God Forbid) of a Progressive flavor. Yes, it does flow both ways. Perfectly.
This is very quickly becoming anything BUT an election campaign. This is becoming, hour by hour, an ultimatum met with avowed daring challenge. This is becoming much more than a devisive political campaign. Already, we read (at least those of us who have read accurate history, anyway) anew those fabled Civil War Diaries of "Brother against brother, father against son." And we somehow are picking up a previously unknown emotional resonance.
I thought we understood America. Actually, I thought we loved America. Yet, to be right (correct) there is nothing sacred, there is no limit to that which can be vilified or sacrificed. Nothing. The driving force behind this truth?
Hate. Pure, unbridled, arrogant, viperous hatred. The TPT, Republicans, ultra-conservatives, Conservatives...Liberals, Democrats, Progressives, Socialists...the entire rainbow have somehow decided that the existence of hatred is preferable to addressing the absolute needs of our nation's survival. Hate does not create jobs. Hatred cannot feed a hungry mouth, or clothe a body, or shelter a family, or bring largesse to a razor-thin checking account.
What is the value then, of hatred? Being correct? Seriously? Is this the sole reason you Republicans sent this bunch of terrorists and thugs to be your elected representatives in Washington? Is this REALLY why you empower destruction and obfuscation, intransigence and absolute refusal to be about the People's business? You endorse, support and encourage the ambush and flambe of the sitting Attorney General of the United States of America (along with seventeen despicable Democrats)--just to push back against his strenuous efforts to do his sworn duty to the citizens of America, and especially as regards the Voting Rights Act of 1965? Really? This, and so much more for nothing more than to absolutely insure the ineffective administration of President Barack Hussain Obama? Surely not.
Surely. And, for no other.
Unless we, as citizens of America, take our stranglehold from around the neck of self-righteous hatred which, quite frankly, we all feel, and purposely choose to put those same hands to the plow of saving our democracy, there are going to be some terribly horrific results.
And, our grandchildren are going to have some rather pointed questions to pose to those of us who, right now, have the ability to remember and directly affect their legacy. And, they will not be looking at us with gentle, sparkling and loving eyes. Those eyes will be filled with something altogether different.
Wanna guess what that difference will be?