Rage Against the Trump Machine
“Why come to us? We're the toughest nut to crack. You think we turn our Elders over to anyone who walks in the door? We guard them like pure spring water.”
Oren Lyons, Faithkeeper, Onondaga Nation
The above quote is from the 1990 book “Wisdomkeepers,” by Harvey Arden and Steve Wall. I was thinking about this when I watched Robert Mueller's congressional testimony. And I've thought about it even more since, especially when hearing or reading some of the nonsense about how “poorly” he performed.
For those not familiar with Oren, I recommend watching the video of his 1991 conversation with Bill Moyers on PBS. And for those who know of him, it's a great video to watch again, in these troubled times. Here is a link:
https://vimeo.com/63824649
Oren is the Faithkeeper of the Onondaga's Turtle Clan, serving with the late Wisdomkeep, Chief Paul Waterman. Some of my favorite memories are of sitting in Oren's log cabin back when my boys were wee-little, and as the adults were having seious conversation, Oren keeping the boys busy with treats and games. Fast forward to recently, and Oren and my younger son posing for pictures at a boxing match, and realizing how fast time goes by.
A vivid memory is of Oren speaking to a non-Indian audience around 1980, and warning them that what had been done to the Native People was very likely to happen to them, in their lifetimes. I think about that, also, when I think of Mr. Mueller's testimony about the Trump crimes. And, to go a step further, I think specifically of Mr. Mueller's fear that Trump's behaviors and the national response might represent the new normal.
Let me provide some brief context. When I first had the opportunity to know Oren, I was working in human services. At that time, my job focus was on “domestic violence” – including child abuse and neglect, violence against spouses, and violence against elderly family members, primarily parents. As I have always viewed society in terms of “systems,” I had great respect for Oren and Paul's teachings on the strengths of the traditional extended family. And I understood how the economic system, from agricultural to industrial to high-tech, had fractured the extended family units into what became a “new normal.”
Now, fast forward to what was then the future, and is now the current economic-social reality. We recognize that Trump's rise to power was rooted in fracturing our society. Their were obviously already fault lines in our culture, that he put extreme pressure upon. And, as a result, further fault lines have been created. Let's consider one example, that within the republican party. As disgusting as the republicans' behavior is, it is important to examine it.
In the 2016 republican primaries, all of the other candidates started off feeling confident that Trump was a sick joke of a candidate, one they could poke fun of or insult. As his campaign grew in strength, some pointed out his being unstable and even dangerous. Yet today, these same individuals are either lap dogs, or they have retired from politics.
A fraction of the republican party has broken off, including some who now either host or appear on cable news shows. But the majority of those who splintered off are silent. There's what Rubin used to call a “deafening silence” from them. And that is the direct result of their fear of having the republican crowd turn on them, should they speak up, and viciously tear them to shreds. It is pathetic that they are so cowardly. Those in Congress go so far as to spinelessly ignore the Constitution. Indeed, they attack those who confront them with their oath of office.
Fortunately, those running for the Democratic Party's nomination are all speaking up. To be clear, my intention is not to comment on the primaries. Rather, I'm focused on that which unites us: kicking Trump out of office by any means necessary. I'm strongly pro-impeachment. But if Trump isn't booted out that way, I will focus on supporting whoever is our party's candidate. I refuse to accept that Trump in any manner represents the “new normal.”
Rage against the Trump machine.
H2O Man
= new reply since forum marked as read
Inspired and soothed. I will be spending more time with Oren!
