Nevertheless, on a warmer note, reviewing some thoughts today about what bullys do, I was unexpectedly delighted by a political pundit who highlighted a journalist's analogy (Denver Post, John Ingold, 10/04/12) and then added his own cryptic question. It went like this: "Like a bull to a matador, Romney time and again turned toward Obama to deliver attacks..." Then the question: "And what does a matador do to the bull in the end?"
Perhaps I am abandoning my initial intent to remain apolitical here, perhaps not. What I am definitely unable to do, it seems, is stomach (let alone comprehend) blatant dishonesty. That the madman, shouting in the marketplace, is given any credence at all, baffles me. (Not to mention his/her having any voice or presence there!) Clearly, there is a problem of differing perceptions. And, of course, grappling with the question of suffering and evil is not unique to me! But often the enormous practical implications of the philosophical and theological questions do preoccupy and alarm me. That's when I inhale all the hope I can, study to regain perspective on exactly "what" politics is and isn't, and remind myself that narcissism, mendacity and greed for power have been in the picture ever since the first humans walked the gardens of earth.
Ever since the first Fall, winds have blown and leaves have been munched and mulched. Now the mowers make a less organic and more disturbing noise. But the din of that noise teaches: it is good, necessary and POSSIBLE to re-orchestrate the sound and the fury! Every major belief system has shown us ways. No need to reinvent the wheel on this, even though it sometimes sort of feels that way.
And so I say: shalom, hallelujah, amen.
 |
| Olympics, Los Angeles, CA - smruhland |
No comments:
Post a Comment