Growing interests provide food for thought. Independence Day offers clarity to a variety of items.
It is more than honor and respect for the valuable Founding Fathers and the legacy they left. It is more of a focus on what our future can become. It is, at the same time, what negative forces would want the country to take in an historically nefarious turn away from truth. Arguing politics and thought in substance is one element. Purposefully twisting the truth completely to make gains is a different element.
At the same time, being informed of the truth is a responsibility of each resident and voter in our land regarding a range from modest precinct person through to president. Being informed to facts takes time, caring, and responsibility. There is no substitution for paying attention to facts, in part, because there are politicians who not only engage in false statements, but are not even ashamed of engaging in lies.
Society must find a way to return to honest debate and steer away from partisan wrangling without the use of facts. When lies permeate, they become accepted and seen as ordinary.
Respect for the truth had been a political birthright, even with a little shading here and there. Dishonesty is on the verge of becoming the norm way beyond a little embellishment.
A part of political disrespect is to accuse the messengers of purposely providing prevarication. It has become easy for politicians to slide into the narrative of falsely accusing the media. One well-known politician in the last four years has dared, seemingly, to point to the assembled press and shout “fake news” and at the same time have three fingers and a thumb pointing back at him. Not so coincidentally, that politician evidently has perfected the art of offering fake news. Strange how it often works that way, however, indeed it does follow the duplicitous narrative.
It is all the more reason why it truly is incumbent upon observers to be well informed. Alas, often we as a society fall short of understanding what goes on in our world. We do owe it to our children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, family, friends, and neighbors, to deal in facts, not fiction.
There is a difference in the press of news content and opinion. We must perceive properly the difference and evaluate what narratives mean to us.
The country continues to seek a path to true democracy and not the avenue of autocracy. Independence Day, this year No. 245, should be a reminder that democracy can be difficult and is never guaranteed when there are forces seeking to destroy democracy. True democracy is still the exception and not the rule in history. There is reason to understand that every generation in the United States must take its stand to promulgate democracy. It is not a given that it is owed to us. We must guard against its demise and be wary of forces which would throw us into turmoil, chaos, and, even totalitarianism.
Our political realm would do well with three strong parties, not just two parties, or, even one strong party. Just being tidy is not necessarily the answer. Totalitarianism is both neat and clean and the most undemocratic. Two parties with any consequence remain one step away from totalitarianism.
Our major parties should appeal to our better angels and what is good for the country and not sow the seeds of distrust. Distrust and division remain alive and well. We all must be more positive, more willing to accept other legitimate viewpoints, and stop the slide into chaos. We have met the challenge as a country for 245 years. It is time to meet the challenge again, to understand the issues, and move forward, and not slide backwards. Are we up to the challenge?
Collection of notes:
• The Miss Illinois For America Pageant will be held at the Hemmens Cultural Center, 45 Symphony Way, in Elgin Saturday, Aug. 28. The statewide competition has found dwindling numbers of entrants the last two years, possibly because of the COVID-19 influence. To receive an application, contact information including by telephone, 630-325-4305, or write to Classic Pageants, Inc., 2615 W. 35th Street, Oak Brook, IL 60523.
• Two Northern Illinois University physics professors will discuss the physics of the Summer Olympics in a fun online Stem Cafe free of charge. Call Judith Diamond, 815-753-47511.
• Hummingbirds will be the topic for children eight years old to 12 in an hour-long program at the Little White School Museum Saturday, July 17 at 1 p.m., 72 Polk Street, Oswego. Call 630-554-2999.
Clear and Concise, Week 27, Year 2:
There is no first annual, only inaugural. Annual can begin with the second event one year later.