Time to pause the theme of liberty and freedom. It is that time of year. Magnificent people I do not see much of anymore send me thoughtful cards wishing me and my family well. The air has turned cold, the colors outside are warm and people who should know better remain hot and bothered.
The approach to the end of 2022 for this writer has not been ideal. I am thankful for my continued ability to remember what is important and to grab those things and people with renewed gusto. But it ain’t easy.
As of November 1, 2022, in response to a plea for help, I have taken on the task of guiding a physically and mentally challenged distant relative through the thicket of life that he barely navigated for 78 years. There are moments when I wonder why, but then I remember my values. He is human and he needed the only family member who kept tabs on him.
My parents, age 87 and 94 had Covid on the day they celebrated 70 years of marriage. They are fine now, but colds (with Covid negative testing) are running rampant in the family.
I am being called on with increasing frequency in my work as a consulting attorney, even as other work ramps up.
I received a call about a possible case involving the suicide of a 24-year-old young man. The pain is unimaginable.
And then there is the world around me that is falling apart. A politician I have worked with is under attack for racist remarks and a physical altercation.
The nightly news features evidence of cities destroyed by a madman.
I chose to listen to (yes, my choice, my fault) the Maggie Haberman book about Trump followed by Bob Woodward’s tape recordings of The Son of Fred. My prior opinions about that man have only been hardened. After hearing him in his actual voice say “They have to pay for protection” and after hearing him for the 251st time praise murderous dictators, I know as sure as I’m breathing that Donald John Trump is and has always been a mob boss who long ago should have been indicted, convicted and jailed or executed. I am now convinced beyond any doubt that, as with the mob, Trump likely obtained loyalty by threatening with hit men. You only have to listen to the man; the tone in his voice, to realize just how evil and dangerous he was and is. He genuinely scares me.
All of the above bring me to some common themes as we head into the holidays; themes about human nature; themes about the times we live in; themes about solutions.
Why does it seem as if the human capacity for pure evil and depravity is as bad today as it has ever been? Why have young people been destroying themselves at a staggering rate? Why are Americans putting up leaders who should be in jail, not in wood paneled offices?
I believe it is time to point at social media and say it is at the root of most evil. It’s capacity for harm now outweighs the good. I believe that this nation and the United Nations should end social media as we know it and impose regulations modeled after the Communications Act of 1934, the Act that regulated broadcast radio and TV for decades.
I believe the time has come for people with power and influence to band together to seek a peaceful end to the nation built upon a Charter based on hypocrisy, and instead to craft a new Charter grounded in different values.
One idea I’ve alluded to in past writings is the idea that while we were right to pray at the Wall separating Church and State, we have too often ignored the distinction between religion and ethics. I believe that a modern free society ought not to shy away from the writings of the ancients; the writings of those who came up with The Golden Rule and The Ethics of our Fathers.
I am beginning to question the value of political parties, a notion that goes back to our founding, when The Cherry Tree man warned about them.
On this 10th anniversary of Sandy Hook, I remain perplexed that modern humans who claim to value life and liberty continue to not only hang on to an outmoded, outdated Second Amendment but insist that military firearms are the absolute right of your neighbor up the street.
At a recent gathering of learners at my Temple, I offered some thoughts about Israel that were met with a friendly but pointed comment that I was talking Utopia.
As I face the challenges of a world increasingly foreign to me, I long for Utopia. I’m just one lonely voice, but I plan to continue to talk of Utopia.
In the meantime, I recommend more and tighter hugs. God bless you all.
Gary - just wanted to reach out and let you know that I’m grateful for your commentary, no matter how utopian the congregants might hear it. We need more idealism in our thinking. Keep up the great work. Your an inspiration. Jeff