"For they have sown the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind: it hath no stalk; the bud shall yield no meal: if so be it yield, the strangers shall swallow it up." Hosea
"And they shall reap the whirlwind." I have no idea how many times this sentence from the 8th-century BC Jewish Tanakh has been used to respond to dire matters or invoke a sense of doom. The Talmud lists Hosea as the greatest prophet of his generation. It seems appropriate on this day after America changed.
Democracy worked. The people were heard. The people elected a convicted felon and rapist, a career conman and proven fraudster who promises revenge. He was elected to the office in which he was twice impeached.
The people elected a liar, proven liar. Oh what seeds we have sown into the wind.
The people elected the first man in American history to refuse a peaceful transfer of power. Mourn our proud history. Mourn our trust.
The people elected a man who promises to deport millions, perhaps even some who voted for him. The people, including black men, elected a convicted racist.
The people elected a man who admires Vladimir Putin, who has manipulated and controlled him.
The people elected a man that hundreds of military heroes and devoted security and foreign policy experts says is unfit and would be a danger to America.
All of the federal charges will now go away, not because they were invalid, but because the Supreme Court majority he appointed said he can operate with immunity.
Pray for the people of Ukraine. Pray for the alliances that have prevented war in Europe since the end of World War II. Pray for the world leaders who feared this outcome.
Pray for the climate. Pray for public lands. Pray for clean air and water. Pray for the safety of children.
Pray for those who elected him, especially those who believe he is anointed by God.
Pray for America. Pray for the world.
Democracy worked. The people were heard. What's wrong with us?
What have we done?
"And they shall reap a whirlwind..."
What is wrong with us, indeed!
ReplyDeleteBeautifully said, Tom.
ReplyDeleteIt's bigger than Trump. It's bigger than this election cycle. For the last five decades, the country's workers have been ignored or placated with handouts; only promised bigger and bigger government; ultimately to the benefit to the elite
ReplyDeleteDon't Agonize. Organize.. Saul Alinsky
ReplyDeleteWe are horrified but not surprised, Tom
ReplyDeleteReally, how different are we (as a nation) from the people who did bad by our Indigenous and our slaves and our women?
ReplyDeleteIt's so hard to make sense of how did we become a third world country? Tom your writing is describing the problem so well.
ReplyDeleteIt IS now who we are.
ReplyDelete