Visions of Light vs. Darkness

 

On January 20, 1961, I stood on the snowy Capitol grounds to see the inauguration of President John F. Kennedy and hear his speech. It was in this speech that he voiced the famous phrase: “And so, my fellow Americans ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.” But he also said – in that same speech – “Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, in order to assure the survival and the success of liberty.” (Liberty can be defined as free from oppression with rights of freedom.)

It seems that we are at a crossroad of political thought.  One side sees light and speaks in hopeful terms, while at the same time being aware of actions which do not reflect the values which we claim to cherish. He looks toward a brighter more inclusive future. The other creates chaos, promotes division and speaks in ever darker terms about the future unless he is re-elected and claims that any criticism of America is unpatriotic.  What President Kennedy described was patriotic; the current White House is promoting a cult culture rather than a governing model. The president describes an America under Biden as one which would give you blood in the streets, anarchy as he depicted in Portland protests and destruction widespread as seen in Minneapolis.

The Democratic virtual convention presented a different vision. Presidential candidate Joe Biden gave a thoughtful acceptance speech this week – it was not a speech of fire and lightening as is often seen. He started out with a quote from civil rights leader Ella Baker: “Give people light and they shall find the way – give people light”. He indicated that the current president has cloaked America in darkness for far too long, voicing too much anger, creating too many fears and promoting ever increasing divisiveness. He spoke of getting America again respected by our allies, protecting our environment and finally addressing those job creating infrastructure projects which the president has been boasting about for years, but which never got started. He mentioned how important character is as a trait in a leader. He faulted the President for his handling of the pandemic and insisted, were he president, he would listen to the scientists and health care experts. He praised Kamala Harris and mentioned how she believes in the power of the rule of law and how she was against the obstacles to good government thrown up by this administration. He spoke out against racism (and mentioned his conversations with George Floyds daughter and John Lewis) and how it was important to address this issue now. Biden claimed that while he will be elected as a Democrat, he will be a president for all Americans, unlike the current occupant of the White House.

Prior to his speech on Thursday evening, the virtual convention heard from middle-class Americans, diverse Americans and interest groups on healthcare, the economy and union jobs.  There were environmentalists and anti-gun rights speakers; Gabby Giffords gave a powerful testimony against assault type weapons. All the luminaries in the Democratic Party had a role to play.  Even Jimmy and Rosalyn Carter appeared in a voice over announcing their support for Biden.  There was unity on the virtual screen for all to see.  Two of the most powerful addresses came from Michelle and Barack Obama.  Michelle gave a ‘get out the vote/how to vote/why you must vote’ speech. She described the ineffective response to the corona virus and the great number of deaths as unacceptable. In her opinion, the president was unable to govern. She said that all should vote as if their lives depended upon voting, because they do.

Former President Obama was more direct and starker in his speech, reminding voters that this president has never stepped up to assume the mantle of the presidency because he is incapable of doing so. To emphasize his points, he spoke from the Museum of the American Revolution’s Center in Philadelphia. The governance of our country is based on the Constitution which underpins every department of our government. In his speech he mentions that the president is the custodian of our democracy but has shown no interest in preserving and protecting these interests. He warned that the efforts to suppress votes, or convince voters to lose faith in voting, were to make people cynical and feel as if their voices and votes do not matter. He stated that this president has worked to dismantle the checks and balances established in our Constitution. Obama indicated that if we do not vote for Joe Biden and instead give the president another four years that our democracy, as we now know it, will wither and die.

Kamala Harris in her acceptance speech answered many critics who felt that she would not give forceful remarks.  She was warm, spoke of family and her roots in the black community and sorority sisters but also of her Indian roots and the culture of her mother. Her use of an Indian word involving family endeared her to many native Tamil speakers.  She spoke of the need for inclusion and of the toll the pandemic had taken on the minority communities. She noted also that there is no vaccine for racism. In her speech she mentioned the dreams she had for what our country could and should be: “A country where we may not agree on every detail, but we are united by the fundamental belief that every human being is of infinite worth, deserving of compassion, dignity and respect. A country where we look out for one another, where we rise and fall as one, where we face our challenges, and celebrate our triumphs—together. Today… that country feels distant.”

Darkness versus Light, what do you think? Is this your vision of America?  Are we divided not only by red states and blue states but also by our perception of reality, light and darkness? How is anyone to unite this country if we cannot find common values to share, common ideas of what is good for all? Personally, I would like to believe that we are still a country capable of greatness which we have not yet realized. I so do hope that we do not succumb to the unlivable, ungovernable picture that this president and his minions are painting. Just how many endless loops of the storm troops in Portland are we expected to see?  How about film of peaceful protestors getting gassed and bludgeoned at Lafayette Square for a Presidential photo op? Guess we won’t be seeing that. I will try to watch the Republican gathering this week, but I am not certain that I can stand all of the misconceptions, exaggerations and outright lies I expect to hear.  And the fact that the president is speaking each night from the White House (the people’s house, mind you) is a bit too much. Do the Republicans really expect that a campaign based on Willie Horton tactics, as seen in the 80’s against Michael Dukakis, will persuade “suburban housewives” that only four more years of this president will keep them safe?  As they on the air, – stay tuned, folks!

CDC Stats this date:

Total US cases: 5,643812.   Total deaths: 175,651265.

Total new Cases: 45,265.     Total new deaths: 1006.

Totals for Maryland: Cases:103,523.  New cases 624.  Total deaths: 3685 Total new: 11.

The President called a news conference on Sunday to tout the use of a new breakthrough treatment for COVID-19 patients, umm er., except that it wasn’t.  The treatment was for the use of convalescent plasma (or antibody rich plasma) taken from patients who had recovered from the virus. The data indicated that this was a small group without a control group or randomized study and could be labeled ‘may be effective”. Claiming that rogue elements of the ‘deep state’ at the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) were holding up this “new treatment”, he demanded to learn why this process had not been expedited. He also badgered the FDA into issuing an emergency use authorization (EUA) for this transfusion, much as he had demanded advance permits for Hydroxychloroquine. What is happening is that the results of a study showed that in some really sick patients, a small percentage were improved at a certain stage in their illness, when they received convalescent plasma from recovered COVID cases; but this is not a new therapy as this technique has been used with other conditions and this study was not definitive nor conclusive. According to some, the president wanted something new to crow about at the convention which starts on Monday. Wonder what he will come up with just before the election – Putin’s vaccine?  

Well that’s a wrap for now – the air is rich with news.  The National Zoo has a new 2 day old baby panda cub - which is so very tiny, but has a healthy cry.  So, this is something we can all be happy about.

‘Til next week – peace.