What We Convince Ourselves Of

I just finished watching Jon Stewart do a commentary on Stephen Colbert’s Late Show. It was great seeing him again. His viewpoint is always appreciated and I miss him. The friendship between these two men is one of love and family and Jon’s perspective is sorely needed today.

It occurred to me while watching that we convince ourselves of so much that has little if any basis in reality. The theme of the day is hate and separation and the enhancement and preservation of both. Conservatives have apparently convinced themselves that racism is okay now, that it’s just the most normal thing in the world to believe and act upon.

The hate-filled language alone is enough to make me ill, and then to watch a video of a man lying on the ground, hands up, nothing in them, his autistic patient sitting quietly next to him playing with a truck, shot by an officer who apparently said he had no idea why he did it was simply beyond the pale. And I’m not sure that anything will happen to the officer because lately it’s open season on black men and no one seems to go to jail over it. Children are shot and killed and nothing. Nothing.

What have these police officers in question convinced themselves of? There are so many officers in our country who would NEVER behave this way. They’re honorable and they protect us. I have no idea what’s wrong with the rest of them. I realize it’s a different world now for them. With the Assault Weapons Ban lifted, dealing with conflict has taken on a new dimension, open carry as well. And now they’re blowing suspects up using drones, but don’t think this indicates a militarization of our police departments. Again, what have they convinced themselves of?

I couldn’t watch the GOP convention. I can’t watch people express hate. It’s so upsetting to hear this crap. They, too, have convinced themselves of some truly destructive notions. And the venom spewed over Hillary is shameful. Regardless of someone’s feelings, you’d think they’d have some self-respect, but no. They vilify her to the point that I’m never sure who they’re even talking about. They’ve convinced themselves that she’s guilty of all sorts of things and then Chris Christie, a lawyer in another life, basically threw red meat at the crowd as he listed all her supposed faults. No facts, just hyperbole. She’s guilty as charged..by Chris Christie and all the people there. It must be hard when they don’t pick you. Especially when you and your wife sit down for an interview that really made it sound like you thought you were a shoe-in. He’s clearly sensitive.

It’s the isms, really. Racism, ageism, sexism, and plagiarism, but no humanism or humanitarianism. The isms get folks every time. Belief gives way to behavior and then some idiot smacks a black protester as he’s leaving the arena where the TV guy is giving a speech. And it doesn’t help when he tells his supporters that he’ll pay their legal fees. Because you know that will never happen. But the gullible convince themselves of so much, giving them all sorts of cover for their ism-atic (okay, I made that up) behavior.

Many claim they’re religious. Of course I believe we’re all expressions of Source Energy, so I really have no idea how their religious beliefs translate into so many isms, but it sure seems like they do. I would have thought that the more religious among us would be into loving thy neighbor, but listening to clips from that convention, I don’t hear much of that. Instead they’re worried about Sharia Law and immigrants and taking back their country. I’d just settle for people being honest and nice to each other. And if it’s not too much to ask, maybe a little cooperation and a little less subterfuge and undermining.

The attitudes expressed towards issues affecting women in this country are asinine and insulting. It’s bad enough when it comes from men, but when it’s women I can’t listen to it. I’ve lived through and been affected by years of misogyny and it always makes me sick to hear it from women. And it’s not that I think all women need to support a female candidate because there are plenty who are not worth supporting, but Hillary isn’t one of them. She’s done the work, she’s fully prepared, and she’s ready to lead because she’s been leading all of her life. And she’ll make a great President, and in all probability, a better President than her husband. And he’ll love that.

I’d like to take the country back, but not toward hate, but toward love. We’re one family, not this divisive and hateful version of us. And it’s gotten so out of hand that I don’t know how we move past some of this. Not when some of us are dying at the hands of people who are tasked with our protection. Not when women still make less than their male counterparts. Not when children and entire cities suffer from lead poisoning just because the powers that be don’t think it’s important enough to prevent it. Not when children die in school because of rampant gun violence. Not when we have a Congress who would rather obstruct that do anything productive for the country.

When does it stop? When do we get back on track? When do we come together and move in a direction of compassion and unity of purpose?

That’s the country I want to take back. That’s the country I wish we remembered we are.

Because this crap is just that..crap. And we’re better than this.