Really?

-
I have a great fear that 2016 is going to turn into a real mess and the divide is going to grow wider and wider between the two political parties in this land.

There are a whole bunch of reasons why this seems to be likely.

And the other morning I grabbed a bowl of cereal and listened to an interview with one of the candidates.

Trump had decided not to participate in the Republican debate. I believe it was the Today Show where he was captured for the interview.

30 seconds into the interview I only had a single question.

Really?

Trump was basically shouting over the question of his interviewer. He was speaking of two things:

How terrific he is.

And

How much of a loser the other people are.

All through the day I thought about that interview.

Is this the best we can do?

(In full disclosure...none of the candidates has made me say...'that's my favorite').

But...

Now I get the side of the people who are for the Make America Great portion of the argument.

As frightened as I am about the lack of depth of such a statement...

...I understand the complaints.

And certainly all things can not be dismissed.

Fear of the unknown.

Mistrust of that which we do not fully understand.

A pure hatred for a religion that has a billion members, but is completely different.

Patriotism.

I hear those complaints.

Vote for either party at your own peril.

But I decided that perhaps I wasn't being fair based on a single interview so I listened to another one...

...and one after that.

Really?

I heard the same thing:

"I'm terrific."

"______ is a loser."

A complete lack of depth.

An absolute dismissal of other points of view.

A daring to disagree.

Bully, bully, bully.

"Maybe we're wrong," a trusted friend once said to me.

Maybe.

But I must be completely missing the boat on this one.

I can't believe it has gone this far.

Really.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

My Buddy, Dave

-
Way back in 1997, I started working with a steel erection company out of Syracuse. I was coming straight from a long stint with a steel erector here in Buffalo so I knew my stuff when it came to steel erection safety rules. On day one, I met with the safety director and he was just getting started as a safety guy, but man, he certainly cared about the guys he worked with. Dave was a good man from the start. He’d say things like: “You’re so full of beans.” Just a down to earth, hardworking guy who became a fast friend. We drove all around New York State setting up jobs. I always let Dave drive so that I could rest. One fine day, way up North of Syracuse, we passed a state trooper.  I glanced at the speedometer. “You’re screwed,” I said, and seconds later, the lights came on. Dave was beside himself.  The cop stopped by the window, grabbed the license and registration and headed back to his vehicle. “Here’s the thing,” I said. “You’re pissed, but you’re such a good guy that I be...
Read more

Mom & Ollie

-
Image
 Ollie Stadium is a mess. The heavy rains rendered the backyard a mud pit and even though we threw in the side yard, the Big O was looking for more, and we were both covered in mud. I had to take some steam out of him somehow so I suggested we go visit Grandma. Ollie hates the car, but he laid quietly as we made the trip. We even brought the football because there is plenty of room to play at Grandma’s. Mom opened the door and started laughing. I thought about the love she had for every single dog we ever had. Oliver was quick to give my Mom a kiss, and then he stood beside her. The love between Mom and Dogs is a mutual bond. Through the years, Mom would make breakfast for the dogs.  Fried eggs, toast, bacon… She would wrap Christmas gifts for them. “To Jeter, Love Santa,” she would write on the cards. They played with the big chicken that made a lot of noise. Mom tossed the football and Ollie brought it back to her. As the visit drew to a close I headed for the door.  “C...
Read more

Eyes on the Horizon

-
Image
My sister’s book is out there! Go get it!! It makes me so proud to see the book on Amazon, knowing that it’s very, very great! It’s been a long, long time since we were out in California, brainstorming my stories long before they were published. Carrie Lynn was writing, writing and writing some more through the years and I kept telling her… …”Go for it!” Well, she did!  To amazing results. Of course I was able to read the book as it was being put together, but I ordered a copy from Amazon yesterday and can’t wait to read it again. The shoe is on the other foot now as I have been sitting on a lot of my writing lately. I plan on getting it out there before the end of 2024, but for now: Carrie takes center stage! And it’s so great… …go get a copy!
Read more