We are far better than this,

[Vernon Windsor]

Have you ever wondered why many conservatives and Republicans are quick to label others "anti-American," "socialist," "communist," or "racist?"

Have you ever asked yourself why they wrap themselves in the flag and proclaim themselves to be "patriots," as if the rest of us don't qualify?

Have you thought it curious that while they are pounding their chests about how the United States is the greatest country in the world with the best system of government on the planet, they categorically mistrust that system of government, unless they are running it (of course)?

Their behavior is all the more fascinating because the current crop of high-profile (and wannabe high profile) conservatives and Republicans, don't even appear to be the same species as many of their philosophy and party 25 or 30 years ago. I guess that goes back to a time when serving the people was an honor, not just a job. It was a time when common courtesy, and respect for both the importance of the task and the traditions of the institutional legislative bodies demanded a certain level of decorum between and deference to their fellow governmental officials. Perhaps most important, it was a time when winning an election meant that people were placing their trust in you, not that you had more money in your campaign chest (or bank account) or that you were necessarily the lesser of two evils.

To be sure, Democrats and those on the far left have had their moments of hubris too, but in this time it is the Republicans and their allies on the far right who are continually throwing the equivalent of a "terrible-two" tantrum because they were not chosen in the last election to lead this country. New rule: if you have to keep pointing out that the poor behavior exists on both sides, you aren't ready to deal with or even discuss the problem. You are just looking for cover (I'm talking to both sides of the political spectrum).

Now here they sit, both on social networks, and in the country at large, unwilling to govern as a minority (although I think they better get used to it), talking trash about the very governmental agencies and positions they sought to obtain, always ready to pass quick and usually brutal judgement on not only the opposition party, but members of their own party that fail to tow the party line...verbatim, and whose unrestrained hatred (and I don't use that word lightly) for the first openly African American president of the nation (who is, after all rather mainstream in all aspects except two, his remarkable gifts of inclusion and his color), borders on Pavlovian.

I wonder why, suddenly, the courts and the judicial processes, which sprung from their (and our) venerable and beloved constitution, are now somehow so inadequate as to warrant substitution by military tribunals. Are our laws and judicial processes suddenly too weak to accomplish the goal of justice? Are we, as a nation, so fragile that we cannot undergo a change in political administrations without talk of secession, violence and sedition? (This would be the place to insert a "WTF", if one were so inclined)

I, for one, think not. My rose-colored glasses were permanently off by the time I was seven years old, but my belief in the potential of this country and its diverse people to continue to perfect their union remains undiminished. Yet I have to say that what I've been witness to from many on the right and far right, has truly been disgusting (I don't use that word lightly either). We are (or at least we used to be) far better than this.

Change is the only constant. If change frightens you, you should engage and shape that change, not try to kill it. You can refuse to change yourself, of course, although there is a price associated with that (the Amish come to mind). But the world will not stop stock still for you. Change is happening. The continents continue to move beneath our feet. The country is starting its long climb out of a recession. Barack Hussein Obama is the president of the United States of America, and yes, he is recognizably, undeniably, certifiably black (just like all the other mixed race people throughout this nation's troubled history who have and are carrying African "blood").

You make be black,
you may be white,
you may be wrong,
you may be right,
but when the Lord gets ready,
You've got to move.

Change has come to America. Whether you can deal with it, or whether you can't. it's here. Try working to improve the country rather than trying to destroy it.

[Kittycat]

Very well put, Vernon.

[Vernon Windsor]

Well Richard, if it looks like a skunk, walks like a skunk, smells like a skunk, and squirts like a skunk, you're probably not looking at a rabbit.

We install the leadership in this country. Remember "of the people, by the people, for the people?" I would urge you to look at the conduct of our leaders in this country and them make a determination of just who has abandoned logic and reason. As for the Lord, it's that "free will" thing and the consequences that follow the choices made that are very real. I was quoting from an old spiritual. I'm not surprised you didn't get the reference.

[Richard Garvey]

I have wondered about that question Vernon, and I believe it is for the same reason that Progressive/Liberals and Democrats are quick to label others as Facists and hate mongers. I believe that reason is that the leadership in this country has abandoned logic and reason as the tools for honest debate. We are entering the age of "anything goes". And the Lord has nothing to do with it!

[ZenDog]

No, no, and no, I haven't wondered. I take it for granted - control freaks are like that. It stems either from fear, or more likely in this instance, from outright greed.

[D. D. Olson]

Well said.

[Dallas]

Broonzy? Nice one, Vern.

[Snagg]

Darn it. Why can't I write as well as Vernon does?