Looking for ‘Respect’…

Yesterday there was a lot of talk about silence. So I thought I would talk about it a little,  too.

First, Aretha Franklin passed. Sad. Many people followed the news with talk about her voice being silenced. Untrue! All afternoon and into the evening, people played her music—in the office, on the radio, on personal devices, wherever they were. Her music will live on and inspire women and men for years to come – and really, do you think death could silence the Queen of Soul? Music is what she did, she said, and her voice will carry on longer than the rest of us. Thank goodness.

Second, in an attempt to silence his critics, the current president revoked the security clearance of a former intelligence director who also happens to be one of president’s critics. Thankfully, the rational part of the world sees this for what it is, an unprecedented political stunt. And the outcome, as it often happens for tyrants and despots, did not have the desired effects. Some of the most experienced and respected voices of the current time came out against the action – vocally and publicly. They would not be silenced.

As an aside, does anyone else find it laughably ironic that the king of late night tweets called Brennan’s twitter activity “erratic behavior” suitable enough to “justify” pulling his clearance? Just sayin…

The president’s actions damage the dignity and greatness of the country. Everyone who has held his office before, and undoubtedly also those who come after him, has dealt with critics. They come from all sides — the right or left or in between. It’s part of the Freedom of Speech that is so foundationally important to this (usually) great experiment we call the United States. And it has come at every level – from polite to downright scathing to violent and vulgar. But the best of these men (so far) has ignored it or laughed it off. One of the things terrorists hate about America is our openness to diversity – of people and thought. We had been working (until recently) to find ways to do better in terms of inclusion and seeing and acting on the value in the diversity of thoughts and ideas. It’s been a lot of two-stepping (one step forward, two steps back), but we continue to try and do better. Well, except for the guy at the top and his cronies.

Again, thankfully his actions have had the opposite effect. The take away from yesterday is that the critics will not be silenced when threatened. Thank goodness.

And finally, I hope your hometown newspaper participated in the wave of editorials that took issue with the media being called “enemies of the state.” The current administration’s active war on the media caused 350 news outlets to go on the offensive with pen and paper (so to speak). You can find links to many of them here: Newspaper editorials

I am saddened that it has come to this. I admire journalists – I respect them as the professionals they are. They, who have gone to school and earned degrees just like doctors, lawyers, psychologists… (to name just three). Those who are committed to informing the public about the good and the bad in this world. They are the witnesses to history and they have established rules and standards to make sure they do it right. And when they get it wrong, they are the first to let you know through Corrections notifications. It is a very public mea culpa. No other profession actually has to admit in public when they get it wrong – not doctors, lawyers and certainly not politicians.

I am saddened because the American people have to be reminded that here in this country we value the FREEDOM of the Press – we value it as the #1 Right (1st Amendment – Freedom of Religion, Speech and the Press) granted to us by God. The Right to Bear Arms is in second place. The founding fathers and all of those who came before us, including those who fought and sacrificed for our freedom, understood that a free press is essential to the success of nations. They are not the enemies, they are protectors of justice, freedom, the rights of men and women. They tell the first draft of history – and not just the story of the victors. If you need examples of the unfree press look to TASS in Russia or whatever they call the broadcast in North Korea.

Journalists are also human beings, too. No human is perfect. Not all humans make good choices. But this theory of conspiracy that they as a group are trying to destroy this nation is uncategorically unfounded and untrue. News that does not agree nor does not support the leading idea of the time is not in opposition to democracy. If a report makes you think, makes you question, opens your eyes to a new idea or point of view, or shines a light on criminal behavior, it should be considered as valuable as currency. And you can always choose to ignore it, be enlightened by it or disagree with it. It’s your FREEDOM to choose.

One freedom we are not granted by the laws of God or man is the right to murder other humans. Several of the media outlets who stood up yesterday against the attacks on their estate received threats of violence – against individuals or offices. This is UNACCEPTABLE. Period.

It reminded me of a disturbing scene I saw on the news during the 2016 election. There was a man at a rally for Donald Trump who wore a graphic t-shirt with a hangman’s noose on it. The shirt said “kill all the journalists.” Again, UNACCEPTABLE. Period. You could not wear a shirt like that threatening doctors or lawyers or politicians or psychologists. Not for athletes or plumbers or mechanics or race car drivers. Definitely not the police. Civilized people do NOT threaten other groups with violence or murder.

But, as much as I abhor that man for wearing that shirt, I would not kill him for it. I wouldn’t even tackle him to the ground and beat the crap out of him.

I would speak up and speak out about his choice, though. That right is guaranteed to me in the Constitution. It’s price has been paid in the blood of freedom fighters throughout history. The attempt to silence a free press or a critic of the administration is the real attack on the state – these once great United States of America.

That’s my opinion anyway. RIP Aretha, we will miss you. Thank you for sharing your voice, your song.