02-22-2023 - Deaf Ears, Meacham on 'Soul,' and the Gauntlet

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We Just Don’t Listen – Deaf Ears

Last week, a freight train derailment in Ohio caused a possibly dangerous release of toxins into the air and water in the area.  The State and the Norfolk Southern Railway attempted to manage the situation initially, but ultimately the Federal government via FEMA stepped into the situation.  It is still news worth following in the papers and online.  Coincidentally a letter appeared in the Palm Beach Post about dangerous railroad crossings that drew the following response from me. 

“The letter the Post published on February 18 urging overpasses at major FEC crossings will fall on deaf ears, just as the letters from me that the Post published on 4/20/2014, 10/19/2014, 7/22/2016, and 2/22/2022, have. The Norfolk Southern derailment in Ohio ought to serve as impetus to do something, but it won't.  The combination of Brightline, increased freight traffic, and the location of the FEC tracks add up to a disaster waiting to happen.” 

I will let you know if they publish it (which I doubt they will do).

JL                  

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Soul, Values, and Grace

In his 2018 book, 'The Soul of America,' Jon Meacham defines the continuing struggle for that ‘soul’ between our 'better angels' as listened for in Lincoln's First Inaugural Address, and the ever-present forces of evil in our country. The latter won't go away, so the rest of us must continue to strive to be on the side of our 'better angels.' 

Meacham, who has had a great influence on President Biden, has defined ‘soul’ in a number of ways.  In August of 2020, Vanderbilt University where Meacham teaches, published this brief summary of his views about the definition of ‘soul.’

'Jon Meacham, Pulitzer Prize-winning author and Carolyn T. and Robert M. Rogers Professor of the American Presidency at Vanderbilt University, implored Americans to embrace “the best parts of our soul” and let history “be our guide” during a nationally televised speech for the Democratic National Convention on Thursday.

 

Meacham defined what he refers to as the “soul of America,” a reference to the title of his No. 1 New York Times best-seller from 2018. “Humankind has long viewed the soul as the vital center, the core, the essence of existence. The soul is what makes us ‘us,’” he explained. “In its finest hours America’s soul has been animated by the proposition that we are all created equal and by the imperative to ensure that we are treated equally.”

 

He added, “From Harriet Tubman to Alice Paul to John Lewis, from the beaches of Normandy to the rending of the Iron Curtain, our story has soared when we’ve built bridges, not walls, when we’ve lent a hand, not when we’ve pointed fingers, when we’ve hoped, not feared.”

Meacham also invoked the words of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. “From Jamestown forward, our story has become fuller and fairer because of people who share a conviction that Dr. King articulated on that Sunday half a century ago,” he said. “‘The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.’ Bending that arc requires all of us. It requires ‘We the People.’”

Meacham, a frequent national speaker, delivered the eulogy at former President George H. W. Bush’s funeral in 2018. His biography of the late civil rights leader and congressman John Lewis, His Truth Is Marching On (Random House), will be published Aug. 25.

Meacham participated at the Democratic National Convention in his individual and personal capacity. His appearance does not constitute an endorsement or support for any political candidate by Vanderbilt University.’

Some narrow this definition of ‘soul’ down to what one’s values are.  From a religious viewpoint, this can be taken to mean values directed toward achieving a state of ‘grace.’ 

‘Grace’ has many meanings, but many consider it the receipt of undeserved blessings.  That so many of us do not listen for the chords of Lincoln’s ‘better angels’ supports the idea that America’s blessings are ‘undeserved.’ (Isn’t this the basis of why Roman Catholics go to Confession and why Jews ask for forgiveness on the Day of Atonement?).  

That is all the more reason why we should cherish these blessings of which Meacham writes.

JL                  

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Take Up the Gauntlet

Florida’s governor seems to think that oft-criticized right-wing targets such as Critical Race Theory, the 1619 Project, as well as efforts to achieve equality (as stated in the Declaration of Independence) through ‘inclusion, diversity and equity’ are bad things.  Even if you agree with him, it is wrong and un-American to try to remove the ideas they contain from availability to the public.

He has supported efforts to ban books from Florida’s public schools, weaken those schools by diverting tax money to private educational alternatives, and put pressure on the State’s institutions of higher education as well.

He has thrown down the gauntlet. 

His appointees and most elected Republicans blindly fall into line behind him. He discourages public awareness of these issues by making being awake to them, being ‘woke,’ some sort of illegal, if not subversive, activity.  These are the actions of despots throughout history.  DeSantis has falsely tried to make the expression 'woke' into a pejorative word.  Too many Floridians have bought this lie.

None of this is surprising because during his three terms in Congress, DeSantis was part of the right-wing Freedom Caucus which today includes those such as Jim Jordan, Matt Gaetz, Marjorie Greene, and Paul Gosar.  He is no better than they are. 

It is necessary for thinking individuals and businesses in Florida to take up that gauntlet and not permit the governor to successfully use it to appeal to the ever-present foes of democracy in Florida and elsewhere in the nation.

Remain politically involved.  Fight for voters’ rights, Support Democratic candidates. Oppose restrictions on abortion.  Support stricter gun control.  Make phone calls.  Write postal cards.  It was done in 2020 and 2022.  It must be done in 2024.

Take up the gauntlet.

JL                  

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