“We have met the enemy, and he is us.” — (Walt Kelly, alias POGO)
The fact that Donald Trump won enough delegates to be a major party presidential candidate shows that many Americans (not necessarily a majority even of his party, thanks to the flawed primary process) believe that he would well represent us as president. This is very disturbing to me, but only more evidence of the moral and intellectual decay that has accelerated with the rise of multi-media and the dumbing down of journalism, as well as education that neglects the importance of civics and critical thinking about the role of government. The squeaky wheel gets the grease, and the media have certainly greased the wheels of Donald Trump to the detriment of all others, and the consumers of the media have allowed it.
Newspapers are no longer the main source of information (real news), and television reporting depends too heavily on sponsors to resist the pressure to be entertainment. In-depth reporting and critical examination of ideas are sorely lacking, and the audience for such news is too small to financially support them. Information from online sources is totally free of any need for honesty or truth.
It is interesting that the pope, whose views are critical of the actions and beliefs of many people who acclaimed him, was so widely welcomed and embraced by Americans, including the U.S. Congress. But he exemplified qualities that are needed in a statesman: humility, and a love that embraces all mankind and does not seek to divide and conquer.
Terrorism is very much on the minds of everyone as the greatest enemy the world has ever seen. It cannot be defeated with the world’s weapons — more arms, more restriction of freedoms, torture. In II Corr. it is written, “The weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds.”
What is needed is to educate Americans back to the values and moral strength that characterized our forefathers. Contemporary American culture is toxic for children. They are brought up in a climate of media that sexualizes everything, mistakes bluster and bravado for bravery, appeals to self-gratification, encourages bullying and demonization of “the other,” denigrates patriotism and discourages the practice of religion or ethics that can provide a moral compass.
May God save us from ourselves.
Judith Truesdell
Shelburne