Seriously Unserious

We are enduring serious times. Led by unserious people. Since the end of the Cold War, our nation specifically, and the world generally, have been able to live a sort of "teenager" life. We have had everything that we need and/or want. We have been spoiled to the extent that we believe that the good times will continue forever and that there is never, really, a time of reckoning for those wasted years - when we should have been maturing, growing, learning, toughening. When times got hard it was just easier to retreat to the comfort of our parent's basement - never having to face the reality of the decisions we have made, the actions we have taken, the knee-jerk responses to juvenile hurts. Granted, there have been times of challenges that caused us to stand up for a bit and make tough decisions but, in the end, we drifted back to the pleasure zone of never worrying about too much. Now, though, we are facing critical times that are enduringly serious. End-of-the-world type serious. And we have people who have been put in the position to lead that, in previous generations, would never have been given the keys to the car for any reason. But here we are. We have a White House which has created a phony "White House Set" upon which the President reads his speeches. For those of us who have worked with senior adults with congnitive decline - the signs are clear. It is seen in his eyes, his gait, his speech, his handling by those around him who literally take his hand to get him to the next spot. How often have we heard comments from this administration and asked "Is he serious?" We know they are not - at least not with this team. We have crisis points at virtually every part of our world: COVID-19 and its variants and Ukraine could be an extinction level crisis, inflation is literally eating the life out of many families, access to basic medicine and medical parts is being restricted because of the supply chain upheaval, genuine food shortages may soon be in the offing as the cost of and lack of accessibility of petroleum continues to rise at historic speed. It is commonplace during a trip to the grocery store to find that many shelves are empty - even of basic staples like pasta, rice, beans - and the options of days past are not available. An interesting "for instance" comes from trying to make a specific recipe that calls for a items and sizes that cannot be found within the entire store. That's not life changing but it is indicative of the substantive changes that are occurring before our eyes that we lack the ability to even quantify in a way that makes sense. Worse, when our "leaders" are asked to address these changes/shortages/etc. we are told that it is just not true. The problem lies with the greed of the corporations which is somehow, for some reason, withholding the goods that make money. We know this is not true. We have, for much of the last 100 years or so, expected that there was some "plan" to relieve the economic stresses and pressures to which we are currently exposed. But that does not appear to be the case today. There is NO national leader who, it seems, is looking at the realities we are facing and is addressing ways to help. These are serious times. Our President, Vice-President, the Cabinet, and most of Congress appear totally unserious in their expectations, their analysis and intent and their solutions. In regards to higher oil prices and lack of necessary increases in production, President Biden and (at the very least) his Transportation Secretary tell us to buy an electric vehicle. According to Biden, that will save each family approximately $50 a month. In what world does he live?! I work with thousands of people a year who live on very meager incomes. They have vehicles (largely paid off because they could afford to buy them used - when that was possible). They have the car they are going to have. Where will they come up with a minimum of $35,000 to buy the new electric car the Biden Administration seems to believe is available? Unserious. What IS very serious, is when the Biden team says the words they usually mean to keep only in their heads: we want to force these rubes to go electric so that we can eliminate fossil fuel use. They are using this Biden-made crisis to force a systemic policy change that they cannot accomplish through standard means of debate, policy change and general agreement of the direction our nation will go. Nope. They never let a crisis go to waste and, instead of creating a consensus for policy and national change - they are attempting to fake force us to make decisions which are not affordable, rational or within our best interests. To use an old phrase, it is a "Limosine Liberal" solution - created by people who never have to live with the results of their "wise" solutions to our national problems. On Ukraine, how does (or does anyone) take our Vice-President and other administration figures seriously? Her comments about the Russian invasion of Ukraine are so simplistic as to make me believe that, maybe, she saw she had briefing notes but had other things to do than comprehend what she should have been learning. “So, Ukraine is a country in Europe. It exists next to another country called Russia,” she continued. “Russia is a bigger country. Russia is a powerful country. Russia decided to invade a smaller country called Ukraine. So, basically, that’s wrong, and it goes against everything that we stand for.” If only this was a singluar example of her ill-preparedness for public comments on this situation and others. She is not ready to be President when and if that falls to her. Those who picked her, those with the responsibility of briefing her and those who are in charge of making sure she is ready have all failed the basic task of leadership. Worse, she seems unwilling to learn or alter her practices because she is not getting better. After a few publicly critized flops as she has had, I think she would go overboard to not make the same mistakes. I would be wrong of course. But the entirety of the Biden Administration keeps making the same mistakes in the same ways. Every. Single. Time. She is unserious and seemingly unable to change course. They, as a whole, have failed to take seriously the concerns which even an amatuer like me can see coming. Afghanistan - the President promised that it was not going to be a disaster. Everyone could see what would happen but him. His analysis was not serious. Inflation - the President and most Administration leaders said it was only a small blip that would pass. It is now impacting every part of every person's life. They were wrong. Their analysis was not to be taken seriously when it was offered and continues to prove wrong today. Ukraine - We are told by the President, Vice-President and key officials that sanctions are meant to keep Russia from attacking Ukraine. Then, when sanctions failed to do that, Biden says sanctions were never meant to prevent the devastation which has rained down. What? We heard it with our own ears. By undercutting his own words and positions, the President proves the unserious nature with which he governs. Perhaps the problem lies with the fact that he was a US Senator for so long and he could say whatever he wanted and the impact was negligible. But now, his words have impact. They represent the hopes and dreams of millions of Americans. They represent the policies which have developed over decades that help provide a foundation for how we establish the priorities of our country - domestically and internationally. Our President, as a Senator, was always unserious and it had few ramifications. Today, we are in need of serious leaders who use wise judgement about all aspects of the crisis with which we are being pummled from all sides. The Administration needs to find a way to gain the confidence of the American people and of the international community quickly. If that cannot happen, we are in for a terrible period. World leaders who wish ill to our country will not just give us a pass because our leaders are weak-willed or weak-minded. They will, instead, press the distinct advantage they have to bend our policy to their will. By being unserious in all of the above ways and more our nation is at greater risk than anytime since the early days of World War II when it was uncertain about whether we would join to save the free world. Our unserious leaders now are focused on everything but the dangers to our survival. Hopefully adults will once again be in charge. Until then, we are being led by the most seriously unserious administration in our history.

What Kind of Medicine is That, Mama?

Back when we were going to church in-person, a little girl in the pew behind us on Sunday was (how do I say this nicely?) not a regular church-goer. 

She was fidgety.  She was bouncy.  She was bored.  She played video games with the volumn at a pretty high level.  She wanted to talk.  She wanted to drink from the water fountain.  She wanted to sing (while the preacher was preaching - come to think of it . . . ok, just kidding).

We were into a key part of the worship service when she asked a most important question. 

"What kind of medicine is that, Mama?"

It is as sweet and innocent a question during a time of devotion to God that I have heard.  It came not from her high energy level but from the genuine curiosity of a child.  A child experiencing something new.  Understanding that it is something special.  But not understanding. 

At our church, we have the Lord's Supper (communion) as a part of every Sunday worship service.  We believe that first, Jesus, and then the church that began after His resurrection, provided us with the best understanding that we can have for the elements of a worship service.

As a result, we actively look to the New Testament about worship. Among the most important items that we can identify is that of taking the Lord's Supper.  It is at the heart of our time together.

"While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, 'Take and eat:  this is my body.'

Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, 'Drink from it, all of you.  This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. . ..'  When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives."  - Matthew 26:27-30 (NIV)

In essence, what we see in the Lord's Supper is this: 

• This is a direct command (do this) that Jesus conducted himself about worshipping together
• It is not a "communal meal" an idea that the Apostle Paul disposes of in I Corinthians. It is a demonstration of our devotion to Jesus and obedience to him.
• It is a uniting of Christians around the world in this one act.  Worshipping with Christians in many cultures, it is very comforting to realize that, regardless of worship style differences, this one act ties us together with one another, with the "original" church of the 1st century and directly with Jesus.
• By "breaking" the bread as Jesus did and eating of it, it helps to symbolize our coming from one body - going into to all the parts of the body (or the members of each congregation).
• The cup, now usually filled with grape juice in the United States, is the symbol, as Jesus himself said, of his blood that would be shed on the cross. 
• Following this tradition - I am always touched by the juice which is, at the same time sweet and somewhat bitter.  Christ's death was horrific and bitter and we, as humans, are so sin-filled that only a sacrifice like his could allow us to enjoy a "new relationship with God."  The sweetness gives me renewed joy that His sacrifice gives me the hope of His promise of an eternal life in Heaven.

And so, as the tray, filled with little cups of grape juice passed down her row, she asked a genuine question with eternal meaning.  "What kind of medicine is that, Mama?"

How would you have answered the little girl in the pew behind me on Sunday?  She saw little cups, filled with a syrup-like drink.  Everyone was taking one of the little plastic cups and sipping from it - replacing it, empty, in the gold container. 

Is this a medicine that is sweet?  Do we, as Christians, live a life that demonstrates to people around us that being a Christian changes the way we do things in a positive way?  Are we actually living sacrifices to God?  Do we give those around us a sense of hope, honesty, love, compassion?

Or do we find the bitter?  Are we sullen in our Christianity?  Irritated that a young girl behind us in church is not acting like we want her to?  Do we hammer people over the head (incorrectly) assuming they will see the "error" of their ways and change - become what we want them to be so they fit our definition of Christian? 

My response to the family behind me Sunday was to say "hello."  Introduce myself.  Move on.  And I am ashamed.  I missed one of those "open doors" that God provides us everyday - if only we will walk through them.

As I thought about the little girl's question, frankly, I have been a little haunted.  I wish now I had mentioned her question to the family and asked if I could have a word with her about it. 

My answer should have been:

A long, long time ago, a baby named Jesus was born.  He was the son of God and He grew up to be a great man.  We call Him our Savior because He wants all of us to be able to live a good life and stay away from bad things.  A life like He did.  He wants us to love one another as much as He loved us.  When we drank the medicine, that you asked about, it was a way for us to remember that He wants us to be in Heaven with Him.  When you are baptized and become a Christian, just like Jesus did in the Bible, you will drink that same medicine - and it reminds us that we will never be really sick again.  Because Jesus loves us so much, He has already gone to Heaven - to make places for each one of us.  And we will be there with him.  One day.  That is medicine that helps make us better - forever.

That's my too wordy "should have answer."  What's yours?

A Prayer of the First Order

 

In previous posts, I have argued that words matter. Attitudes are important. Intent and action need to be in harmony. 

Today, we have inaugurated the 46th President of the United States, Joe Biden and Kamala Harris as our Vice-President.

Over the years, I have often disagreed with (then) Senator/Vice-President Biden. In fact, many years ago, I wrote a number of blog posts about what I felt to be his shortcomings in the offices he held. I know I will disagree with him again. 

Today, that is in the past. Today, if my intentions, my words, my attitude and my actions are to be in harmony with each other then I must find myself doing nothing but encouraging President Biden to be the leader and President that we need. 

Indeed, I usually find myself going back to "foundational" thoughts of our nation as a means of refreshing my thinking, drawing closer to the original intent of those who envisioned a nation like the United States and to better understand how we have come to the point in history where we find ourselves. 

I have long been associated with a non-profit, Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge, which focuses on civics education and the twin concepts of the Bill of Rights being balanced by a "Bill of Responsibilities."  This will take you there Bill of Responsibilities Link It is very near where George Washington and Continental Army encamped during the winter of 1777 - a point where the soldiers were ready to go home and leave the cause of fighting the British because of the deprivations they were experiencing. It is a story that needs to be told again and again because the soldiers had every right to leave and go home. They chose to stay. We have rights - we have choices within those rights - it is worth remembering that while we may have a right, we have the choice to enforce it or not. The Soldiers of Valley Forge chose not to enforce their right on behalf of future generations. Refresh yourself with a quick read of Valley Forge.

The sculpture, pictured above, of Washington at Prayer, is on the campus of FFVF - a beautiful place. The following prayer, written by General Washington, is a foundational reminder of how previous generations of leaders looked to God to in relation to our nation, to their role and to each other. We must never assume that America is a forever place, but, rather, that we might be a land which finds favor in the eyes of the Almighty because we try to put our intent into deed for the betterment of all. Do we fail? Absolutely. But it does not mean we stop trying to get our nation right. I believe Washington's Prayer is appropriate on days like this. I hope you agree. Amen.

"I now make it my earnest prayer, that God would have the United States in his holy protection, that he would incline the hearts of the Citizens to cultivate a spirit of subordination and obedience to Government, to entertain a brotherly affection and love for one another, for their fellow citizens of the United States at large, and particularly for their brethren who have served in the Field, and finally, that he would most graciously be pleased to dispose us all, to do Justice, to love mercy, and to demean ourselves with that Charity, humility and pacific temper of mind, which were the Characteristicks of the Devine Author of our blessed Religion, and without an humble imitation of whose example in these things, we can never hope to be a happy Nation.  Amen"

Prayer adapted from Washington’s Circular Letter to the States, which he wrote on June 8, 1783 as the commander in chief, at his headquarters in Newburgh, New York. This circular was directed to the governors and states of the new nation. His reference to them has been replaced by the words “the United States.” Otherwise, the words and the spellings are those of General George Washington of the Continental Army.

Pretending It Never Happened (We CAN'T Erase the Truth)

 

If you scroll down, just a little bit further, you will find pictures of John Wilguess as an 18 year-old, future President of the United States and world-expert of . . . everything. That photo was VERY in style in 1983 with my polyester blend blue suit AND vest. Oh yes, can't forget the overwhelming head of hair that went with it!  

My wife and kids recently saw it and . . . suggested many uses for it . . . not all of them as favorable as I would have hoped since, as an 18 year-old-expert-at-everything, I thought that this represented me and my future life very well. I remember searching through the backdrops available for Senior Class pictures and thinking, very clearly, "this is me."

And now its not. They have not aged as well as I have 😄. You be the judge when you scroll down.

I would argue that it is human nature that, throughout our lives, we try to minimize those things that we did/thought/said which might not age well, either. In fact, I would ask you to consider that everywhere around us are efforts to forget that something happened because now it is:

Uncomfortable

Embarrassing

Sad

Funny to everyone but me

Out-of-date

Out-of-style

If we can pretend it didn't happen AND then erase any evidence that it actually did occur, even better! We are off the hook and never have to explain.

Which brings me to the picture above. There is quite the story going on now about the desire of many - including the director as well as the (no-longer) child star Macauley Culkin to digitally eliminate the short cameo appearance of Donald Trump in the old movie "Home Alone 2." Please stick with me a minute. This is most certainly not a "defend Donald Trump" post.  

https://www.theguardian.com/film/2021/jan/14/macaulay-culkin-joins-calls-to-get-donald-trump-cameo-removed-from-home-alone-2

This is a terrible, terrible idea. 

While today's dominant culture (DC)  labels Trump as many things, eliminating the collective memory of our society is a very dangerous act to undertake, even if it attempts to serve some self-righteous purpose. Yes, the Hollywood/media-types/liberals who despise Donald Trump, once he became a political figure - before that - LOVED him. 

While it fails to conform to the "new" truth of the DC it was THE truth, at one time. That reality must not be hidden or digitally altered to remove the truth. The natural next steps, if the "owners" of the movie insist on cutting him out now, is finding all of the existing copies/downloads and eliminating them so that nothing goes against the new reality. The echoes of past history should be setting off warning signs at the logical outcome of this purification.

The very idea should raise revulsion and fear in every one of us. The suggested actions are not funny, sarcastic or helpful. Mass media has, for good or ill, created a collective memory and that memory now includes, if you made it that far in the movie, Donald Trump, as himself, talking to Macaulay Culkin, playing a character named Kevin, in the Home Alone movie. By eliminating that scene, pretending it was not a part of the original creative process AND included in the final cut because there was a benefit of including Trump, the DC would force all of us to pretend we didn’t know it was there. In order to accept the new reality we would have to lie to ourselves about what we know occurred.

On a separate note, one of the most troubling aspects for free speech and intellectual integrity should be the almost total reliance on digital memory. When a book, movie, song has been created and committed to paper, film, record or disc, something permanent, we are able to check the original versus future versions. When all is digital and left to the whims of Dominant Culture and people like these who would so readily change the truth to hide reality, how much reality are we losing without any knowledge of it whatsoever? Now, back to our story.

This should be a red flag for everyone who believes free speech, freedom of expression and intellectual integrity are synonymous with our US values. But with Dominant Culture guardians, many of whom used to proclaim themselves strong free speech proponents, those values are being jettisoned in favor of political acceptance. 

Want to know how I can make such a statement?  This chart:

Trump Political Donations 

Contained in it are the political donations Trump made prior to becoming a candidate for President. Before 2011 or so, when he decided he was a Republican, Donald Trump made huge donations to Democrats. Especially to:

Andrew Cuomo for NY Attorney General and NY Governor

Hillary Clinton for US Senate and the Clinton Foundation 

He gave thousands and thousands more in support of Democrats than the GOP. That changed as he decided to run for President but it is true.

But once he moved into their line of work, he became the political equivalent of Satan to all those who adored, catered to, swooned after him for his money. The list, from Ballotpedia, notes that only a tiny fraction of donations were returned. How much power, money, influence came to those people who, less than a decade ago, thought of Donald Trump as “one of them” enough, so that they had no heartburn taking money from him to gain that power? Had their conscience been so pierced by his political positions of the day, why haven't they, even now, given back the money or resigned the position his influence gained them? Certainly in the Home Alone 2 movie, he was included for a certain effect that the director/producer wanted to achieve because of who he was. Now they would erase him for the tiny bit of notoriety it gains them.

Worse however, Dominant Culture insists that those who supported him most recently are in need of “reprogramming” according to multiple sources within the Democrat Party - even the just fired Chief Legal Counsel for PBS was recorded saying this. When Trump was seen as a liberal he was part of the culture enough to put him in movies as himself, fete him at Democrat events, adore him on Oprah and hide his “dirty secret videos” with Billy Bush. 

But when he went to the other side, all that changed. In fairness, his positions may have changed dramatically during this transformation from one party to the other - but IF you eliminate the history, no one will ever know how that came to be. 

Now he, and those who supported him on policy issues (more than 70 million Americans) must be eliminated. First, for fun by digitally altering Trump from a movie and then by marginalizing and blacklisting anyone who has been associated with the GOP. Just do a quick search of calls to never hire anyone who had anything to do with Trump. It makes the McCarthy-era hunt for Communists look positively quaint.

That’s not funny. It’s not cute. It’s not American. Yet, that is where some in the DC (and I worry it’s a growing number) who feel free, after assuring they are in the electoral majority, would steer us. 

Leave history alone. Explain it, put it in context, reinterpret - but don’t alter reality. That’s a line we should never cross. 

BTW - 

I promised - here’s the infamous, now unwanted reality from my Senior Class pictures. Stillwater High School, 1983. Priceless.

 

When "Victory" Seeds Defeat

Every generation seems to believe history starts and ends with it. This mindset has rapidly grown into the concept that history is unimportant. That, somehow, everything we are seeing/experiencing/enduring is the first/most/worst ever. 

My friends, that's just wrong. 

First, just from a Biblical perspective in Ecclesiastes 1:8-11 we are reminded from centuries ago:

8 

All things are wearisome,

    more than one can say.

The eye never has enough of seeing,

    nor the ear its fill of hearing.

What has been will be again,

    what has been done will be done again;

    there is nothing new under the sun.

 

Is there anything of which one can say,

    “Look! This is something new”?

It was here already, long ago;

    it was here before our time.

 

No one remembers the former generations,

    and even those yet to come

will not be remembered

    by those who follow them.

No doubt, our times are tough. But if we spend any time considering history - far distant and more recent - we would hear the echoes of those events and see the patterns of them in our current day. One big thought that keeps running through my mind is of those times when "victors" actually sow the seeds of future defeat, and worse, by their unwise actions.

Historians largely agree that much of the post-Civil War failures of Reconstruction were based in the extremely harsh measures many in the North (and especially the strongest abolitionists in the Republican Party) wanted to exact against the South in order to have the retribution they justly felt should be paid. The political failures continued into an IMPEACHMENT (!) of Andrew Johnson, who became President following the assassination of President Lincoln. Johnson was a southerner and wanted to lessen the blows to "his people." The results were Jim Crow Laws, deeper segregation, failed healing of the divisions and a continuing de facto enslavement that continued for how long? Until today in some ways?  While the North "won" the war, they failed to win the desired outcome in peace. The statues that have been torn down in recent months throughout the South were pieces of the effort to bring peace. While it may have helped assuage some Southerners that they may have lost but they weren't "losers," there remained, generationally, a resentment between the North and South that continues today.

Likewise, the seeds of World War II, according to most historians, were planted in the Treaty of Versailles - which was the document sealing the "victory" of the Big Four: United States, Great Britain, France and Italy) against the defeated Germans and the Central Powers. Millions of soldiers and millions more civilians were killed in WWI - and let us not forget that the PANDEMIC (!) of Spanish Flu began near the end of the war which killed another 17,000,000 - 100,000,000 people. This was a time which shook the souls of those who lived through it. The War - now it is almost humorous that it was called "The War to End All Wars" - was so devastating because of the advances in technology, driven by both governments and private industry, were the most destructive known to man at the time. The Treaty, by forcing Germany to give up land, people and a sense of "who they were" and to pay financial reparations to the nations afflicted by the Central Powers, made the "victors" feel as though they had taught the aggressors a lesson.  In the end, though, who or what was won by that War? The League of Nations (which not even the United States would ultimately support) grew from it and that brought an eventual United Nations. By overplaying their hand, by forcing tremendous pain (aside from what would have been unimaginable pain from war and pandemic) on the Germans, the Germans suffered in such a way that they were ready for a savior to bring them back to their entitled state - which led to Hitler - which led to history repeating itself - with led to another World War within 20 years of the one which should have stopped them all. 

So, now, you ask - "Wilguess, why is there a photo of Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi balanced with one of the recent attack at the US Capital?"

Great question, glad you asked.  Today is January 14, 2021. The night of President Trump's State of the Union Address was February 5, 2020. Almost exactly a year ago, Speaker Pelosi made the hearts of many liberals and most Democrats swoon as she used her status, her platform and the setting to "win" against the evil Donald Trump by famously ripping up his speech behind him as he finished talking. Now, that act likely made many of her supporters and Trump detractors gleeful! I recall many news stories portraying her actions as a strong pushback against his "lies."  Speaker Pelosi "won" the night!

Did she?  Is she winning now?

The failure of current political leaders to work out their differences in some operational manner has been as destructive as the examples above. The Speaker used her power to belittle and attempt the humiliate the President and by extension the millions of Americans who would ultimately support him for re-election. When there is a failure in leadership - a vacuum of responsible actions - a nation comes unglued. So, the Speaker has won a narrow victory to remain in the majority - the narrowest in decades - and yet specifically calls out those in the GOP, in an August 2020 speech as "enemies of the State." She has, in just the past few days, brought about IMPEACHMENT charges, again, in a setting that will never see the process complete - theater for her adoring fans - burning resentment for those who hear her words, see her actions and recognize that they are "the enemy" she despises.

DO NOT MISUNDERSTAND - In no way was what happened at the US Capital last week justified by the Speaker, the President or any other person. There was no place for that in our nation. It was a horror! I remain angry, sad, revulsed that the building symbolizing our nation came under attack. 

Nancy Pelosi, in her quest for power, however, needs to find a way forward that brings out, as Abraham Lincoln once said, "the better angels of our nature." She, as Speaker of the House, has a special responsibility to more than just her constituents, her Democrat members and her donors. As 3rd in line to the Presidency, the Speaker should be one who is laser focused on bringing Congress together, to build consensus and to assure continuity. Yet, she is one of the most divisive, power-driven Speakers in living memory. 

We in Oklahoma were fortunate to have a man named Carl Albert who represented our state in Congress. He ultimately became the 46th Speaker of the House of Representatives and presided during another "unprecedented" time - when he legitimately could have become President. The Republican Vice-President Spiro Agnew was forced to resign for corruption. Richard Nixon was about to be IMPEACHED (!). Many around him argued that "the Little Giant from Little Dixie" should push the impeachment, force Nixon out and become the President. While he was willing to take the role if it fell to him, Albert believed the need for consensus and continuity was more important than turning the Presidency over "to the Party opposite." There were even secret plans which suggest he might resign as Speaker so that a Republican might become Speaker in order to assume the Presidency. His view was that patriotism and faithfulness to the institutions were ultimately more important than party power. Thus, Gerald Ford, a GOP Member of Speaker Albert's Congress was nominated and approved to become Vice-President and then President. 

President Ford, ultimately pardoned former President Nixon (an act of political courage which likely cost him the 1976 election). Ford famously said "Our long national nightmare is over." The calls to punish, create enemies, crush the opposition, destroy, build power - all ignored by two members of the House - the Democrat Speaker who refused power and the never-elected President who knew when it was time to heal instead of appeal to the base instincts of those who want to take "a pound of flesh."

America and our political institutions recovered from the damage of Watergate and the horrors of Vietnam, political assassinations and domestic terrorism BECAUSE there were politcal leaders who stopped the finger pointing, the name-calling, the enemy-making to save the soul of the nation. Can Nancy Pelosi take that role or has she sold her political soul to the drive for power that benefits one party, one mindset, one thought and not the nation as a whole?

Her actions in the coming months will have much to do with her legacy of helping rebuild our nation or continuing down a path of self destruction.

Tears Keep Flowing

The picture above is not some some new version of COVID-19. It is not life from a far off planet.

It's a tear.

 According to the photographer, it's a tear that was derived from an emotional (sadness) response.

We’ve cried lots of tears (especially in the past weeks).  I've caused many more tears to be shed.  But I've never seen any depiction that showed what makes up our tears.  It's beautiful and captivating.

Frankly, from a faith-based view, I see crosses. The pain that we have, and release, through tears are filled with the symbol of the pain of Jesus and His sacrifice for us.

In the last year, we have literally seen lives destroyed, turned upside down by something that we cannot see, touch or smell (and to try and be humorous - you can tell if you have because you can't smell or taste!). We have shut down our world, for the most part, to help slow the spread of a disease that, until sometime late last year, did not exist. 

We have seen violence and fear erupt across a spectrum of politics and faith - from those who would claim to be Christians. But, even if a person is not one of faith of any kind, the political violence we have seen this year is a sign of abject failure.

Failure by political leaders - to find a way to bridge differences and embrace and build consensus among those who are NOT extremists.

Failure by media interests - to find a way to tell the truths about the world around us, especially when the truth can be ascertained but it requires checking political allegiances.

Failure by medical experts - to find a way to provide honest, consistent guidance on getting through the pandemic. We have all joked about the inconsistency of mandates from masks (first thought was they were not necessary - https://www.cnn.com/factsfirst/politics/factcheck_e58c20c6-8735-4022-a1f5-1580bc732c45) and then insisting they should be mandatory. Remember how much time we all spent wiping groceries, in the garage, in our underwear (maybe just me?) after our hurried, desperate visit to the grocery store? Which turned out to be of no help. All of that led many to hold onto views that became outdated as reality changed. But by issuing "science-based" information that was . . . wrong . . . EVERYTHING they said became suspect to some. 

Failure by us.

We are in a mode that has us pointing fingers at everyone but failing to look in the mirror and assess our personal role in the disasters we see in our world today - specifically the disaster that is the United States today.

We have bought into conspiracy theories and rushed to whisper (or post on some platform) that "X" is going to happen and only we know about it because of the friend of a neighbor's sister's brother-in-law who personally mentioned it  . . . somewhere.  We have been (wrongly and destructively) convinced that our neighbor, friend, classmate, family member is "our enemy."

Sadly, the social media platforms only drive the wedge deeper and are bringing us closer to a sense of fear of each other than our nation has seen in almost a century.

One of the most destructive phrases of 2020 and probably 2021 is "unfriend" because of what someone thinks, says, offers, mentions, likes, dislikes, refuses to share or shares too much. 

I'm going to suggest that much of the divisive nature we are seeing now is built from our own ego. Instead of trying to understand the thoughts, values, words, (yes, fears), of those we have known for decades, we close them out. We call them names that make us feel superior. We dismiss their pain and fear so easily by making them “less than.” 

Instead of cancelling people - and let's be honest, that IS what has been happening to drive us away from a united nation - might I suggest we consider the tears above? We need to be shedding tears for the damage done for generations by ignorance or willing neglect of the available truths. We should be weeping for the lives that have been damaged/lost/forgotten by the power of our ego and our lack of grace and compassion for other people.

I attended a presentation by Dr. John Perkins (https://www.jvmpf.org/) a minister and Civil Rights leader a few years ago. His comments that day are pointing at us today - and should make each of us self-examine in a time when we need to beg forgiveness of each other:

Bigotry and violence is an example of us failing to act with love but instead try to assume we ARE God. This superiority takes love out of Scripture and inserts our own greed and desire.

By providing care are we fulfilling Jesus' teaching - in the beginning of his ministry - love the poor. We should see ourselves as working with God in our services.

To work WITH God should be enough pride. To be a workman- a trophy of God - should be enough joy. Do we see that?

The joy comes out of pain. 

To be engaged with the pain of others moves us to change. 

Jesus came to remove pain. 

His joy is to join with us.

To be called to be engaged with the One who called for there to be light has shined that light into our heart! We are adequate to do the work God has assigned to us.

We have the tools. We have the responsibility. We have the ability. God has placed the opportunity in our hands. Now what do we do with it?

So, do we unfriend, buy into the evil belief that some are unredeemable, ignore, marginalize, damage friends, family, co-workers?

Me? My faith is guiding me to expand my reach. To find more people, to shed more tears for the damage inflicted for which I have not stepped up to make better. 

And to find a way to do, and be, better than I see when I look in the mirror.

Touched

I have a very special family. My wife, Teresa, can handle just about any challenge that life throws at her. Our daughter, Victoria, has been afflicted with Lyme Disease for the past three years and has challenges with pain and exhaustion that I can only imagine. She suffers with great strength and a faith that I marvel at. Our son, Landon, has seen the difficulty of his sister and struggled with understanding all that is going on. But I have been so touched by the ways in which our family is learning to deal with chronic illness of Victoria and how we are still learning to stand together. That has been a lot more difficult than I ever imagined. Families that are caught up in a crisis frequently don't realize just how bad things are - how tough it is to stick together - and begin to take out their frustrations on each other. Too bad it is so hard to love each other the way we want to when we are so tired, so frustrated, so frightened and so worried. Yet, because we are so close to one another (in proximity and in relationships) we show the worst of ourselves instead of the real love that we feel. I'm just thinking -- God has big plans for all of us. He shows us every day that He loves us and that we are making a difference in the lives of others. If we can recognize that, why are we so hard on each other during these times of stress and crisis? Tonight I pray for all of the families that are hurting - because of illness, because of finances, because they don't know how to love. That hurt is a lonely feeling and I pray that God continues to open doors that we might be helpful to those who need His touch - and that we can be His hands to accomplish it.

We Are All Disenfranchised

When I started to write this post, I was thinking about the little guy in the picture above.  One of my favorite Saturday morning "Schoolhouse Rock" shows.  It was a simplistic song that suggests if someone has an idea, someone says "hey!  there ought to be a law!"  It can happen.

I still find myself singing this song - "Oh, I'm just a bill, yes I'm only a bill and I'm sitting here on Capitol Hill . . ."  I know.  I'm a little weird.

What got me thinking about the little bill above and about a big idea currently unfolding all around us is that our laws - the bill that, in an idealistic world gone by, would have been easy to write, easy to enforce, easy to understand - have become anything but.  The practical effect of the way laws are being written today is that every one of us is being disenfranchised. It is behind Brexit in Great Britain.  It is behind Bernie Sanders and Donald Trump in the US.

OK, I know.  Disenfranchisement is a word that we don't really use.  Sounds like one of those old-fashioned, Declaration of Independence words.  It's actually very important  for us to know and appreciate.

Disenfranchised:  

The adjective disenfranchised describes a person or group of people who are stripped of their power, like disenfranchised post-Civil War African Americans who were deprived of their right to vote even after being freed from slavery.

Being disenfranchised is no fun. The rules work against you, your rights are constantly violated, and you have little power to change your life for the better. The Old French word enfranchir means “to make free,” and when you add the negative prefix dis-,disenfranchised means “made unfree.” A disenfranchised population doesn't rest easy, and often they organize and fight back against their condition to demand their basic rights and freedom.

 Disenfranchisement is happening to all of us at a very fast pace and we don't even know it. I believe we sense that something beyond our control is happening in our city, state and federal governments but, unless we read every piece of legislation (which we know even our elected officials do not do) a normal person cannot keep up - we violate a law at almost every turn.

Just a few months ago, Oklahoma City announced it was making a "primary law" or a law for which a person can be stopped for specifically, if a driver fails to signal for 100 feet before changing lanes.  Police said it "would add another layer of protection."  That's ridiculous.  The fine for this offense is $172.  How would an innocent driver ever prove that they did signal for 100 feet?  You would have to prove yourself innocent because the assumption of guilt is there with the police "eyewitness."

What it does add, is not a layer of protection, but a layer of disenfranchisement for everyone.  Every time you drive you must do so in fear of not signalling for 100 feet - but the list of reasons for which you can be pulled over (or not rest easy) is myriad.  Our governments, at all levels, keep stacking on more and more reasons for us to be fined, harassed, stopped, forced to explain our very presence somewhere.  The latest example is that of the Oklahoma Highway Patrol engaging card readers in their patrol cars to "examine" gift cards, credit cards, money cards - with the, for now, theoretical ability to drain those cards and put the money into the state's bank accounts.  They say it isn't happening but the reality is it just isn't happening now.
We lose our independence to make decisions which are best for ourselves and our families in situations like this.  We end up as "law-breakers" without ever knowing it because laws are so convoluted, so misunderstood or unintended that normal people really don't know how to stay legal.

So, around the world, we see regular people fighting back against the rule makers.  The people who clearly live in a double standard world where the law means one thing for those who make it and enforce it and something very different and ominous for those who must live under it.

We are all becoming disenfranchised because we can't know the implications of the laws that are enacted. Not even the authors know what is being proposed.  Nancy Pelosi, former Speaker of the US House of Representatives said it best:  We have to pass the bill to find out what is in the bill - speaking of the monstrous ObamaCare bill.  The bill that no one still understands, few like and is becoming more unsupportable by the day. Yet, violate a provision and the IRS is on your back and in your bank account.

Simplicity in our laws brings all of us into an opportunity of compliance, safety and agreement that these are laws which protect us and make our lives better.  Complexity, of the kind we are seeing now at every level of government, only brings uncertainty, division and disenfranchisement of the worst kind.  It used to so simple.

For those who remember the School House Rock Song - here you go!

Lyrics to I'm Just a Bill :

Boy: Woof! You sure got to climb a lot of steps to get to this Capitol Building here in Washington. But I wonder who that sad little scrap of paper is?

Bill: I'm just a bill
Yes, I'm only a bill
And I'm sitting here on Capitol Hill
Well, it's a long, long journey
To the capital city
It's a long, long wait
While I'm sitting in committee
But I know I'll be a law someday
At least I hope and pray that I will
But today I am still just a bill

Boy: Gee, Bill, you certainly have a lot of patience and courage

Bill: Well I got this far. When I started, I wasn't even a bill, I was just an idea. Some folks back home decided they wanted a law passed, so they called their local Congressman and he said, "You're right, there ought to be a law." Then he sat down and wrote me out and introduced me to Congress. And I became a bill, and I'll remain a bill until they decide to make me a law.

I'm just a bill
Yes, I'm only a bill,
And I got as far as Capitol Hill
Well, now I'm stuck in committee
And I'll sit here and wait
While a few key Congressmen discuss and debate
Whether they should let me be a law
How I hope and pray that they will
But today I am still just a bill

Boy: Listen to those congressmen arguing! Is all that discussion and debate about you?

Bill: Yeah, I'm one of the lucky ones. Most bills never even get this far. I hope they decide to report on me favorably, otherwise I may die.

Boy: Die?

Bill: Yeah, die in committee. Oh, but it looks like I'm going to live! Now I go to the House of Representatives, and they vote on me.

Boy: If they vote yes, what happens?

Bill: Then I go to the Senate and the whole thing starts all over again.

Boy: Oh no!

Bill: Oh yes!

I'm just a bill
Yes, I'm only a bill
And if they vote for me on Capitol Hill
Well, then I'm off to the White House
Where I'll wait in a line
With a lot of other bills
For the president to sign
And if he signs me, then I'll be a law
How I hope and pray that he will
But today I am still just a bill

Boy: You mean even if the whole Congress says you should be a law, the president can still say no?

Bill: Yes, that's called a veto. If the President vetoes me, I have to go back to Congress and they vote on me again, and by that time you're so old . . .

Boy: By that time it's very unlikely that you'll become a law. It's not easy to become a law, is it?

Bill: No!

But how I hope and I pray that I will
But today I am still just a bill

Congressman: He signed you, Bill! Now you're a law!

Bill: Oh yes!

Boy: Woof! You sure got to climb a lot of steps to get to this Capitol Building here in Washington. But I wonder who that sad little scrap of paper is?

Bill: I'm just a bill
Yes, I'm only a bill
And I'm sitting here on Capitol Hill
Well, it's a long, long journey
To the capital city
It's a long, long wait
While I'm sitting in committee
But I know I'll be a law someday
At least I hope and pray that I will
But today I am still just a bill

Boy: Gee, Bill, you certainly have a lot of patience and courage

Bill: Well I got this far. When I started, I wasn't even a bill, I was just an idea. Some folks back home decided they wanted a law passed, so they called their local Congressman and he said, "You're right, there ought to be a law." Then he sat down and wrote me out and introduced me to Congress. And I became a bill, and I'll remain a bill until they decide to make me a law.

I'm just a bill
Yes, I'm only a bill,
And I got as far as Capitol Hill
Well, now I'm stuck in committee
And I'll sit here and wait
While a few key Congressmen discuss and debate
Whether they should let me be a law
How I hope and pray that they will
But today I am still just a bill

Boy: Listen to those congressmen arguing! Is all that discussion and debate about you?

Bill: Yeah, I'm one of the lucky ones. Most bills never even get this far. I hope they decide to report on me favorably, otherwise I may die.

Boy: Die?

Bill: Yeah, die in committee. Oh, but it looks like I'm going to live! Now I go to the House of Representatives, and they vote on me.

Boy: If they vote yes, what happens?

Bill: Then I go to the Senate and the whole thing starts all over again.

Boy: Oh no!

Bill: Oh yes!

I'm just a bill
Yes, I'm only a bill
And if they vote for me on Capitol Hill
Well, then I'm off to the White House
Where I'll wait in a line
With a lot of other bills
For the president to sign
And if he signs me, then I'll be a law
How I hope and pray that he will
But today I am still just a bill

Boy: You mean even if the whole Congress says you should be a law, the president can still say no?

Bill: Yes, that's called a veto. If the President vetoes me, I have to go back to Congress and they vote on me again, and by that time you're so old . . .

Boy: By that time it's very unlikely that you'll become a law. It's not easy to become a law, is it?

Bill: No!

But how I hope and I pray that I will
But today I am still just a bill

Congressman: He signed you, Bill! Now you're a law!

Bill: Oh yes!

The Desperate Search for Importance

Eventually, every one of us gives in to it. 
The search to be recognized.  The desperate demand to be found important.  To have others see that the actions we take have a magnified effect.

We push out Facebook posts.  That amount to nothing.

We Tweet.  About miniscule aspects of our daily existence.

We Instagram and blog.  In an effort to show that we are doing or thinking something that separates us from everyone else.

We use the power of these magnifiers to prove our worth.

It ends up coming off as a self-important, ego driven mania to be famous.  Because, unfortunately, famous is seen as successful.  Successful is seen as happy.  Happy is seen as better.  And it is better to be famous than not. 

One of my great guilty pleasures is watching Judge Judy.  It astounds me to see the people who will agree to be on her program, however.  Many come with an obvious desire to be on TV.  It's as though this is their "big scene" in life.  Even worse are the Jerry Springer-type shows where people with no apparent idea of the ridicule to which they are being subjected, fight to be "seen" as famous.  As important.  As meaningful. 

This even comes through in regular, everyday meetings.  It becomes clear, in just a few minutes, that some people are proud of their ignorance.  They don't care what they don't know.  They simply desire to be taken seriously so badly that their life is spent in . . . being seen . . . being heard . . . being something important.

Teenagers post images of themselves in activities they will one day wish was not retrievable on line.  People my age often post about themselves truths that they later regret (there is a reason a local divorce attorney's radio ad says the first thing he does in a divorce case is search social media).

Very few of these people do what it takes to become really . . . important. 

In his book, Man's Search for Ultimate Meaning, Viktor Frankel writes:

“Man is originally characterized by his "search for meaning" rather than his "search for himself." The more he forgets himself—giving himself to a cause or another person—the more human he is. And the more he is immersed and absorbed in something or someone other than himself the more he really becomes himself.”  

What is the whole purpose of the way we communicate now?
Is our aim of being noticed, recognized and seen by others as what?

Famous?
Important?
Witty?
Smart?
Wise?

So much effort is put into getting blog hits, getting Facebook notices, getting recognized in some way that we forget to live our lives in a way that, as a natural outcome, demonstrates our importance.  How many people say, write or record themselves saying something provocative, stupid, obscene or dangerous, just to get attention? 

Social media is full of it.  Literally and figuratively.
It seems the goal of millions of us around the world is to "go viral."  Be thought of as so . . . interesting . . . stupid . . . funny . . . significant for just a moment that the whole world takes notice and can't wait to share that image with everyone.  To be famous and to have meaning in our lives becomes an end unto itself.  And we will do anything to achieve it.

And yet, no one who is pursuing that time of significance stops to realize they are quickly . . .laughed at . . . enjoyed . . . used . . . forgotten and the world will move on to the next jester who keeps it's attention for another moment.

In this ever growing drive to become important, we end up killing real relationships - because we present to "friends," readers, watchers, listeners a false image of who we really are.  We want those who see us on Facebook to believe our life is fabulous.  Our office overlooks the ocean.  Our meals are always healthy, appealing and eaten by all of our family members gathered around the table.  Every.  Single.  Evening.  With stimulating conversation that highlights our genius.

In reality, we heated Kraft Macaroni and Cheese for one child, made spaghetti for the other and collapsed in the living room, in front of the tv, with our own tray of leftovers from  . . . who remembers?

If we can be honest with each other, none of this social media persona is real.  And it harms those around us.  Jesus, in Matthew 23 says this about those supposed leaders who desperately wanted to be viewed in a certain way:

23 Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples:

² “The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. ³ So you must be careful to do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach. ⁴ They tie up heavy, cumbersome loads and put them on other people’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them. 

⁵ “Everything they do is done for people to see: They make their phylacteries^[a] wide and the tassels on their garments long; ⁶ they love the place of honor at banquets and the most important seats in the synagogues; ⁷ they love to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces and to be called ‘Rabbi’ by others.

¹¹ The greatest among you will be your servant. ¹² For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted. 

²⁵ “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. ²⁶ Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean. ²⁷ “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of the bones of the dead and everything unclean. ²⁸ In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness. (Matthew 23:1-7, 11-12, 25-28 - NIV)

When we put such effort into getting people to see us living our lives, we actually fail to live our lives at all and are merely acting.  Trying to get someone to notice us.  It reminds me very much of little children who cry "mommy, mommy, mommy, mommy" over and over in order to get the desired attention.

But Frankel sees the innocence of children as the time when we can best see ourselves in action.  As a time when we can see our worth, our importance.  Our meaning.

“Just consider a child who, absorbed in play, forgets himself—this is the moment to take a snapshot; when you wait until he notices that you are taking a picture, his face congeals and freezes, showing his unnatural self-consciousness rather than his natural graciousness. Why do most people have that stereotyped expression on their faces whenever they are photographed? This expression stems from their concern with the impression they are going to leave on the onlooker. It is "cheese" that makes them so ugly. Forgetting themselves, the photographer, and the future onlooker would make them beautiful.”   Viktor E. Frankel, Man's Search for Ultimate Meaning

Our beauty is found is finding our mission in life, of serving a purpose.  Our ugliness is evident in our push to be recognized.  When we give up the search for being important and, instead, work to find a way to serve others and forget ourselves, that is when we can become needed.  Valued. 

Truly important.

*Now, please forward this along so that I can increase the hits to my blog! :)

*(See, told you that looks ugly!)

Angels & Demons

In the Depression-era movie "The Grapes of Wrath," there was a scene where the Joad family, day after dusty day of driving their barely running truck from Oklahoma to the new "promised land" of California, arrive at the government-sponsored camp.  The workers at the camp, government workers, wore very clean, white clothes.  To the Joad's, they glowed like angels - government agents coming to help them from the decimation of the Dust Bowl, death on the road, near starvation and the other real-life horrors of that time.  My wife's father-in-law, Elmo made that trip several times as a young man with his parents and brothers.  The helpful hand of the government was appreciated and needed.

That image of the "angels of government" have filled my mind the last couple of weeks as the so-called government shutdown continues (although since 83% of the government is still at work isn't it better called a government slowdown?).  I have been horrified at the quick transition of government agents, especially in the National Park Service, from angels to demons.  How is it that, literally, one day, the Park Police/Rangers are helpfully talking to people from around the world, encouraging them to explore the wonders of the monuments and parks around the US and the next day are drawing weapons on the same people, barricading them from accessing otherwise open spaces?  How can they transform from patient guides to police-state enforcers with the simple command of an unelected bureaucrat?  In a day?

What is even more unsettling, to me, is that the workers in the National Parks are willing to accept the orders.  From the October 4, 2013 Washington Times:

The Park Service appears to be closing streets on mere whim and caprice. The rangers even closed the parking lot at Mount Vernon, where the plantation home of George Washington is a favorite tourist destination. That was after they barred the new World War II Memorial on the Mall to veterans of World War II. But the government does not own Mount Vernon; it is privately owned by the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association. The ladies bought it years ago to preserve it as a national memorial. The feds closed access to the parking lots this week, even though the lots are jointly owned with the Mount Vernon ladies. The rangers are from the government, and they’re only here to help. “It’s a cheap way to deal with the situation,” an angry Park Service ranger in Washington says of the harassment. “We’ve been told to make life as difficult for people as we can. It’s disgusting.”

Armed Park Service guard blocks access to the Lincoln National Memorial

With all due respect to the Ranger who was willing to speak out, why are you obeying a disgusting and punitive order?  At what point would a Ranger (or other government employee) disobey an order like this?  They were willing to turn away World War II veterans from an open-air monument, arrest Vietnam veterans who visited "their" Wall, they even tried closing access to the ocean!

Two points stand out most clearly in all of this that contradict much of what we have come to believe about our institutions:

1.  We have been told that the National Lands are held by the Government for the benefit of all of the people.  That is not true.  In the past few weeks a claim is being made on national monuments and parks that it is the property of the government - and even at that it is used at the whim of the Administration (allowing immigration rally on the "closed" National Mall vs. closing all other areas to the public).  Has there been a fundamental transformation, as the President promised, in the relationship between publicly held lands/monuments/parks and the American people?  I think so and it is a transformation which must be reversed.

2.  We often use the old joke to make fun of government employees that "I'm from the government and I'm here to help you."  Today, there is no humor in that idea.  The swiftness with which the "angels" from the Park Service became "demons" who held elderly tourists inside a Yellowstone hotel at gunpoint, who terrorized foreign tourists who believed they were being arrested is more than frightening.  The full story is here.  In the news story, the phrase "Gestapo tactics" is used.  I'm not one to throw around Nazi-themed slurs but I do believe history offers us a window into our future. When Kristallnacht (the Night of Broken Glass) occurred to begin the persecution of Jews in Germany, Jews were shocked when their friends and neighbors turned on them.  The kind store-keeper was now an enemy, the dressmaker would no longer allow them in, they were considered vermin.  Likewise, I believe average Americans have been shocked at the image above and of elderly veterans in wheelchairs being treated like criminals.  Also comes news that IRS workers, contrary to "official" reports, were sharing personal data for political purposes.  Even in the worst days of backroom politics, this has been considered off-limits.  No more.  Has some fundamental transformation, as the President promised, occurred in relationship between citizens and government authorities? 

If, with a mere word, the kind Park Rangers become police-state agents, how can we ever have the same relationship with them when all of this passes?  If, with a simple email request personal tax information is shared for political purposes, how can we trust any information we give?  Most important, why haven't any stood up and refused to give in to such blatant, disgusting orders?

Will their response be "we were just following orders?" 

If so, that excuse has been used before too.  And when clear-headed minds prevailed, that excuse was found disgusting.  And invalid.  And wrong.

I'm not sure how we can restore the right relationship in regards to the national lands and government workers.  But it must begin to happen.  It will begin, I believe, when enough of us say "enough."  When we assert our right to the freedoms those old men fought for and for which the government used to defend.