On Edge
How long can you hold your breath? 60 seconds. How about six days? Waiting to exhale used to be a novel about romance. Now it is a Presidential election. Not that the results will be announced on Nov. 3, but at least an inkling might be seen.
Patience has been on the agenda for eight months or 40 months, depending on how one is counting. This has been needed to counter the constant news or the 18,270 tweets that the President has sent in the last three-plus years. Apparently, June 5, 2020 was his busiest day with 200. Awake for what, 16 hours, renders 12 plus per hour. Who would have thought the king of social media is 74?
Patience means accepting delay or difficulty without getting upset. When all are warned repeatedly about the possibility of election fraud or ballot mishaps, it requires effort to disregard or not become anxious. One is reminded of the Biblical verse, “Be not quick in your spirit to become angry, for anger lodges in the bosom of fools.” Anger does hurt the angry, but it’s increasingly hard to not explode.
Stay tuned. Perhaps for the next five days, distraction is the answer. It’s pretty near impossible, if a device is nearby. Political fatigue should be defined as the relentless, inflammatory sound bite, and bite it does.
Meanwhile, there’s the pandemic. This week an Ohio university said it was cutting 18 majors, including journalism – this is not fake news. Even golden Harvard has frozen hiring and cut spending. The toll rising beyond 220,000 is not just a number. It’s the whole of Little Rock.
Fear of illness is real, and that’s tiring as well. It makes one skeptical of everyone and every place. The world is a haunted house. Brave is touching the gas handle or a random doorknob.
Funny helps. There’s definitely not enough, even though Saturday Night Live is trying. Biden’s sly smile helps, for it is reassuring. Does Mr. Trump laugh, ever?
The election is happening, ready or not. And despite the fear or dread, the extended time frame or the possible court injunctions, there will be a winner. While some will moan and others cheer, there will be a President. Draw comfort knowing that built in are ways and means to change things. If the Supreme Court rescinds fabulous rulings, Congress can enact new laws. This republic is still clever.
The privilege of this government is that citizens can vote, which all can do this week or next Tuesday. As Thomas Jefferson said, “We do not have government by the majority. We have government by the majority who participate.” VOTE.
In an era of sea changes and challenges for all forms of media, what a good thing that the Independent gives voice to the essays of Lucilla Garrett. In doing so you afford your readers intelligent perspectives to consider, well-reasoned observations, and engaging style. A welcome contribution.