Welcome to 20/20. Vision not affected by occlusions of the body and by extension the mind. Despite the chaos coming out of Washington, our forecasts seem upbeat: the economy, low unemployment, the arts despite a drop in federal spending, science redesigning human purpose, and incomes inching up slowly for some, imperceptibly for others, and the wealthy — well, they have Trump in the White House supporting them. We always have much to be thankful for — after all, we live in the United States.
But let’s remember we’re not dealing with living here the same as people living in many other places. That’s not a guilt trip, just reality. We’re fortunate, for the most part. We built a society and we marketed it to the rest of the world. Capitol amassed itself and transformed the Asian diaspora, and left its tailings in large parts of Africa and the Middle East. How badly we’re able to step back and assess the real effects of our creativity and sort out those that support peace and those that support chaos? How much do we take control of our own moral rudder and how much do we depend on others to steer the boat? The world takes note.
We have a lot of skippers around the world who should never have passed the pilot’s exam. The exam exemplifies concern for crew, knowledge of how to navigate extreme conditions, respect for foreign regulations, and of course understanding the weather. Our current Capt. Trump has no respect for the weather or the warnings and leaves the crew to come up with stories to tell the press to cover his impulsive actions. The crew struggles valiantly to get him back on the wheel while he stands on the bow with hand in vest, visage stern and oblivious.
How low have we already gone that gives a country like Iran the green light reason to counter attack when it is Trump himself that set the disaster in motion. It’s exactly what we would do if a country took out one of our national leaders. His accomplices are too in the mire to break ranks and throw water on him. Every day he becomes a more dire threat to our country and the world. Rather than build on diplomacy that President Obama relied on, despite some arguable actions, he can act on the bullying instincts he so willingly relies on. We and the world are the ones who suffer. But he did not learn the lessons needed to protect the safety of the crew and the ship. Toward the rocks he is headed while teeing off golf balls from the afterdeck.
The wise man treads softly, with care and consideration for those to whom he is responsible. But that is not what we have and in that lies the root of the chaos that now unfolds: flirting with a war that no one wants. World War I began that way. Wiser men choose restraint, knowing the clouds of pain and fury the opponent feels may dissipate with time, but which will only magnify when continually attacked and demonized.
We must believe and fight for the higher good. Why so many capitulate to this paucity of conscience will be parsed for a long time to come. Though each is very different, history’s examples all have a common thread. People are talked into giving up their truths for rhetoric and demagoguery. We relinquish power for the easy, the shiny, the promise that is never fulfilled. We must learn from the past.
The spirit that is universal, all-encompassing should lead our resistance. We are victims by choice when we have been given all the powers of love but choose other paths, accept lesser avenues. The spell we are under can only be shaken when we come together and speak as one. We have the power to love consciously and we must express it in every moment, every challenge, every obstacle, and every opportunity. This we know. We’ve been given a test to see as always if we can endure and it may not be the biggest one we face. 20/20 is in our sights.
Alan Harris, formerly chef of Noble Feast Catering, is a contributing My Turn writer, working to complete his first novel. Hiker, swimmer, singer, poet, he lives with wife Jane in Shelburne Falls.