Friday, October 13, 2017

Unsung and Virtually Unknown Heroes

Unsung and Virtually Unknown Heroes

Every movement for Social Justice, in the United States of America, has had heroes.  Most of them are quite well known, celebrated by most, vilified by small hateful groups.  But, we all know who they are.  Susan B. Anthony, Martin Luther King Jr., etc..   Part of history.  In all the books.  Even moving down the ranks of others who were equally brave, but never quite got the spotlight.

Tbis is not a blog where I’m going to get into deep history, or a ton of research.  Most of what I will say, is just pretty obvious stuff based on rational thought and common sense (I think).

Before anything can become real law, in this country, it has to be written up as a Bill.  It has to circulate through lots of Committees and, sometimes, back cloakrooms of not necessarily upright nature.  Deals are made, quid pro quo’s, established.  Cigars and hookers and other slurry activities take place.  And then, … maybe … just maybe it will be brought to the floor of the House or the Senate.  Lot’s of debate and politicking will be shouted down the halls of Congress. 

It has been compared to the making of sausage.  You might love it or hate it, but you definitely don’t want to see it being made.

The point of the spear, however, must be held aloft, at some point by somebody who is already a member of the established governing body.  Some person who is a credited member, someone whose career is on the line, has to present this new Law, as it were, to their fellow law makers.  THIS is, quite often a Senator or Congressman who, as near as I can recall from a lot of reading of history, is just swept into the corner(s).  Forgotten, mostly.

In short, to make real changes, to make real progress in any society, with the intention of righting wrongs, there needs to be found an insider.  A brave and strong person who is already there where the cause is to be taken up.  I bring this up only to say, “Sometimes the real hero we need, can often be someone we have heretofore not seen.”  And, it is possible this person may be from a group, a group that has espoused beliefs directly opposed to the intent of the change.  It CAN be a person, who through persuasion by Ms. Anthony or Dr. King, suddenly becomes enlightened to the rightfulness of the cause.

Every human being is flawed in some way.  EVERYONE!  It is not necessary to be politically in love with the leader you need to bring about change.  You don’t even have to truly like them as a person.  Abraham Lincoln said, or quoted, “A house divided cannot stand.”  And, history using the full scope of knowledge has shown us that Abraham Lincoln was NOT a man without flaws.  Lincoln did a lot of things under the table and in the smoky cloakrooms, BUT he got the job done that needed to be done.

I see our current situation, where a great country, a Great Society, is coming undone – unraveling right before our eyes because too many good people, with good intentions, were convinced (through some truly insidious manners) that because the object was sort of shiny, that it was well made.  Like squirrels, what they thought was a really big and tasty acorn turned out to be dried dog doo. 

I’m just saying that the hero (savior) we absolutely need right now, might be somebody from the enemy’s camp who, in their heart, has had a change of heart.  Those of us, who are so deeply disappointed in the direction our country has recently gone, should be ready to support what might be somebody we would never have thought of.  If this person can turn the boat aright, from the disastrous route it is taking, maybe we should give them a chance.

Last note:  “The Caine Mutiny” – it was not a big leap to recognize Capt. Queeg was loosin’ it when he started rambling about “who stole the canned peaches (?cherries)!!” 


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