I
will admit I am learning to dislike politics more and more. Sorry if that makes me a bad person or
unpatriotic. Someone once said, “A
statesman is a dead politician, we need more statesmen and fewer politicians.” I know this reflects my cynicism and my
political philosophy as a mini-archist, i.e. the least possible government the
better. But that conversation I will
save for another time.
Last
Tuesday night the State of the Union address demonstrated how the high ground
is apparently vacant. In full disclosure
I did not watch the address. Before the
speech began I was attending to Beowulf.
Somewhere between Grendel having his arm pulled off and the celebration
that followed I went to sleep. However,
I did see two video clips that prompt me to say, “The High Ground is available.” Apparently, after handing Speaker Pelosi a paper
copy of his intended remarks Speaker Pelosi offered her hand to the President,
which he avoided, in an apparent snub. Perhaps
he was so focused on getting to the speech that it was an innocent oversight. If that were the case a simple apology would
be appropriate. The President didn’t
shake hands with the V.P. either so maybe it wasn’t a snub. But I don’t think anyone will doubt that
President Trump is capable of spiteful behavior toward those who offend him. Once
the speech was over Speaker Pelosi made what appeared to be a show of tearing
up the paper copy of the speech. By her
own admission this was a public display of her contempt for his words, and very
likely his person.
Let
me share my perspective for just a moment.
Two very powerful individuals who are supposedly mature are making a
public display of tit for tat. Sadly,
both sides of the political divide seem to enjoy shaming the other, while
justifying their own.
Consider
the following expressions to wrong suffered.
One
side might say, “After what she has done I wouldn’t shake her hand, I might
wring her neck, but not shake her hand.”
The
other might retort, “That speech was trash, it belonged in the garbage the
Speaker was just getting it ready for the can.”
But
my King says, “Father, forgive them they do not know what they do.”
If
we like to hear a political leader invoke God’s blessing on our nation, “God
Bless America”, is it too much to ask that they treat courteously those with
whom they disagree? Speaker Pelosi has
said she ‘prays for the President”, the President will use the language of
faith at key moments in speeches. But despite
their public appeal and affirmations of their faith they both, and they
represent both sides so accurately, manage to leave the high ground. But after all you don’t find mud for slinging
on the high ground.
There
is a legend that after one of his victorious battles Alexander the Great was
holding court. One young soldier was
brought before him on the charge of fleeing in the face of the enemy. Typically the penalty for such behavior is
death. But the great general was moved
by compassion for the young and frightened boy.
Speaking to the boy in a soothing tone he asked, “What is your
name?” The young soldier hanging his
head mumbled, “Alexander”. Then
Alexander the Great paused for a moment and then thundered, “I ask you what is
your NAME?!” The boy snapped to attention
and said loud and clear, “Alexander, sir.”
To which Alexander stepped forward, grabbed the boy by the collar of his
tunic and yelled, “CHANGE YOUR NAME OR CHANGE YOUR BEHAVIOR!!!” Then shoving the boy to the ground sent him
away.
I
do not believe that we can all just get along and that by some magical warm and
fuzzy moment find our disagreements suddenly resolved. But what I do believe is that if we are going
to dare invoke the blessings of God on our nation we can demand that our
leaders express grace and love towards those with whom they disagree. We either need to change the name of the
deity we invoke or change the way we behave.
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