Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Do You Really Think So?

Atticus POTUS Finch

Engaging in a civil, reasonable exchange of ideas with a member of the GOP - or a Tim Johnson mad-dog member of the Tea Party - is more difficult than making Boo Radley come out.  Perhaps sending a note on a stick through the window is the most reasonable course of action.  I suggest moderators consider this format for the 2012 debates.

Since he came into office, President Obama has often reminded me of Atticus Finch.  He believes in the fundamental goodness of his neighbors despite evidence to the contrary.  He "walks around in their shoes" and understands their ugliness is driven by fear and ignorance.  Like Atticus, he is slightly detached from those around him.  I suspect he speaks to the "children" in DC with the same lawyerly phraseology Atticus was fond of and expects those around him to have good manners, too.   

Rather than automatically correcting false assertions, Atticus Finch asks individuals to reexamine their beliefs by asking, "Do you really think so?" While this may have worked with exceptionally bright children, and well-mannered small town citizens of a by-gone era, sadly, it  is no longer an effective technique in our political arena and in our media; it simply does not make headlines or receive air time and ink.

This truth says more about the current political climate and debating abilities of those in the arena than it does about The President.  He strikes me as an anachronism;  a good man brought to the present from a by-gone era.  He believes he is living in a time when Congressmen of opposing parties drove to and from their districts together and enjoyed scotch on the rocks during Friday night bi-partisan poker games.  He embraces the civility which once demanded those elected to public office question the position taken, not personal integrity of the speaker.  

Joe Wilson and Joe Walsh receive headlines calling President Obama a liar.   Our President would say those spinning untruths were simply "Mistaken in their minds."  These "Joes" are no better than the Ewells of TKAM.  

In the story, Atticus' detachment was balanced by Scout's action.  She was willing to split her knuckles and brawl when the "family honor" was questioned.  Scout was sharp of wit and easy to anger.  She believed when reason did not achieve its intended results, one had to take action.  Our President needs a Scout.   I would posit that the Radical Right's obsession with and vitriol toward Nancy Pelosi, is a hint as to who that might be.  At home, I often joke that Scout is Rachel Maddow, but she strikes me as more of the "Jem" type.

As 2012 approaches, and the GOP field continues to make untruthful statements, re-package failed policies, and conduct their campaigns with the efficiency of cat-herding, it is "not time to worry."   I have faith in our President and for four more years.   The alternative is unthinkable. 

Like the 12 men on Atticus' jury, We the People will need to weigh the evidence and come to the right decision.  Unlike that jury, we cannot be swayed by fear.  In 2012, the American People must do their duty.

"In the name of g-d, do your duty."




1 comment:

  1. Wonderful blog post. I think you hit it ... our President is a kind, respectful man who assumes he is dealing with adults. But when the media focus only on the reprehensible comments of the disrespectful (kind of like media focus on pathological liar Bernie Madoff when victims still continue to struggle) the Tea Party is rewarded for their disgusting behavior. How do we get the media to actually focus on this? Good job.

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