But I would not give you false hope on this strange and mournful day. ~Paul Simon
The America that we believe ourselves to be
is no longer the America that we are.
~the novel 2034
“As he thought of the annihilation of two American cities, Farshad considered the ancient antipathies that existed toward the United States, deep antipathies, not merely those of his own nation but those of all the world. It was American’s perpetual overreach that had led to today’s events. How long could one country continue stoking up resentment before someone eventually struck a mortal blow?
“His word choice had been correct. Inevitable.”
America’s perpetual overreach. That’s it exactly. We over-reach. Because we think we are “all that” and more.
I am so tired of the bombastic flag waving of those false patriots among the MAGA crowd. That nationalistic hysteria–yes, it goes far further than fervor–that exhorts that we are the strongest, most powerful and most influential nation in the world.
Well, news flash: It’s been a very long time since that was true. To think anything else is just false hope.
So many of our elected officials are corrupt — only after their own self interest–and they have fooled a goodly percentage of the population into thinking that’s ok, because once their repressive policies are instituted, the people will get their own self interest satisfied.
Yeah, well, not so much.
It is a recipe for disaster. And international vulnerability. It shocks me that so many fail to see where this is heading. They are ignorant of history and think that chest-beating and flag-waving makes a difference.
They don’t. These people can fool themselves but they can’t fool the rest of the world. Or me.
My book group read an impactful geopolitical thriller that lays out the scenario that could be a likely aftermath of this kind of stupidity. And the quotes I am using here belong to the authors. Except for Paul Simon’s.
This book is the current generation’s Alas, Babylon by Pat Frank, published in 1959. I read Frank’s book in the mid 1960s and will never forget it. This book is as impactful. I recommend you read it.
Is it too late for us to regain our strength? I don’t know. But here’s another thought-provoking quote from the book:
“This conflict hasn’t felt like a war–at least not in the traditional sense–but rather a series of escalations, each one greater than the last. But a single break in this chain of escalation could defuse the entire conflict and halt the cycle of violence. That’s why my word is tragic, not inevitable. A tragedy is a disaster that could otherwise have been avoided.”
Could America disappear completely? In this novel’s scenario, it sure looked like it could. But one character had a different view responding to someone who suggested it could:
“Except America was an idea. And ideas very seldom vanish.”
That’s an optimistic point of view and a reason we should not give up. We can’t give up.
We must Vote Blue and volunteer to help get out the Blue Vote–and donate if you can to key campaigns. Important campaigns. Blue campaigns.
There’s a lot in this work of fiction that one day could become a reality.
We need to be careful of hawks who want to blow our “enemies” to kingdom come.
Of unstable geniuses who can not get out a coherent thought and whose real power lies in the invisible far right strategists behind him, invisible to us, pulling his strings. Because he’s just not smart enough to come up with these policies, himself.
Read the book. Only 300 pages and easy to follow. Riveting. And I’ll leave you with this final thought, shared by the authors:
Because no battle is ever won…they are not even fought. The field only reveals to man his own folly and despair, and victory is an illusion of philosophers and fools.
~William Faulkner
A brave post to write, but I agree about the over-reaching. We bomb way too much for my comfort level and so far, haven’t had the payback I expected over the years. Not sure where we’re heading, but pray it’s for the good.
I vacillate from thinking a lot about current affairs and avoiding thinking about it at all. Voltaire ends his book Candide with the advice “we must all cultivate our gardens.” Or AA has the serenity prayer. If I focus on what I can control, I feel less anxious. Most of the time. Some times the dread overpowers me.
Here you’ll find my blog, some of my essays, published writing, and my solo performances. There’s also a link to my Etsy shop for healing and grief tools offered through A Healing Spirit.
I love comments, so if something resonates with you in any way, don’t hesitate to leave a comment on my blog. Thank you for stopping by–oh, and why not subscribe so you don’t miss a single post?
A brave post to write, but I agree about the over-reaching. We bomb way too much for my comfort level and so far, haven’t had the payback I expected over the years. Not sure where we’re heading, but pray it’s for the good.
I’m not so sure it’s brave but i had to say it.
I vacillate from thinking a lot about current affairs and avoiding thinking about it at all. Voltaire ends his book Candide with the advice “we must all cultivate our gardens.” Or AA has the serenity prayer. If I focus on what I can control, I feel less anxious. Most of the time. Some times the dread overpowers me.
Sometimes it really does. I feelyou.