Thomas Berger (1924- ) is a prodigious American author who "depicts, in the pungent language of the time [midwest, depression era], the passions and volitions of people who might otherwise be overlooked in the universal rush toward oblivion." This quote is from the dust cover of Thomas Berger's twelfth novel, called "The Feud," published in 1983.
At another time, I would like to explore the concept of "the universal rush toward oblivion."
For now, however, it will suffice to enumerate the Principles of Manhood described in "The Feud," to wit:
1. Don't let anybody get away with anything without calling him on it.
2. Always respect the weaker sex and people older than yourself.
3. Be neatly dressed at all times.
4. Never tell anyone else, including relatives, much about your private affairs.
5. Worship the Lord, but never trust a preacher any farther than you can throw him.
6. Avoid being foulmouthed unless provoked beyond your capacity for forbearance.
It is this last principle that indicts me and causes me to defend myself. When I listen to the unending barrage of incredibly ignorant, sarcastic, and mean-spirited invective launched against the current Presidency, I can't help myself. I have reached the capacity for forbearance, and foulmouthedness is my only recourse. There are not enough foulmouthed words to satisfy me. I find myself making them up because the standard dozen or so don't seem adequate to the task.
I've lived a long time, but I cannot remember when a President has been pilloried, hourly, for every breath drawn, every statement made, every handshake, every decision, and every proposal as has the current President.
Can somebody talk me off the ledge?
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
The double-edged sword of it all... the internet, cable tv, opinions spat at us. We can turn it off and go back to ignorant bliss. We can be glad the collective voting mind is open to a president who has good ideas and really wants to help us. I think the good-ole-boy mentality is really waning and will not have the clout it once did. There are too many new demographics to prove it. Talk about bullies, from another post. We live in a time when we are bathed in information, whether we want it or not. Unless we turn off the electronics and listen to our hearts and nature and calm ourselves down. He is going to get criticized. But he is already making huge changes and that is what he promised and he is delivering. He is also undaunted by his critics. Let us also be that way and forgive the no-nothings for they "know not what they are doing," to coin a phrase from a peaceable guy with whom we are all acquainted.
ReplyDeleteTo allow the outside to rattle us for very long is allowing them to bully us. I'd rather go water my flowers and send good vibrations out to the universe instead of stewing in my juices, frustrated in my anger and disappointment in people.
Look to nature for all answers. She has been here longer than us and must know a thing or two about survival. And never forget to walk in gratitude for the ability to 1. Walk, in the first place, and 2. See what our feet can take us to. Away from the nonsense and greed and ineptitude. Instead of feeling contempt, go contemplate a daisy. Let nature fill the gaps that people lack the ability to fill in you.
(Not directed at you, personally, Nickie.)