More on my reference to the past (& Future)

A few weeks ago, I wrote about George Santayana’s quote “Those who do not remember the past are condemned to repeat it”. I suggested re-reading some of the literary classics that came out after World War II to remind us what lies ahead for countries that choose fascism over democracy. When I posted this piece to my Facebook page, as I sometimes do when the message seems important, I received a comment from my friend Sue. She said she would not read these books because she knows about the tragedies of war, and has “given up” on the world today because it is so “ugly and violent”.

Like Sue and many other people today, I deplore the state of the world. It is heartbreaking to see so many readers and viewers accepting fake news as the truth, and using it to slander wise men who are trying to do their jobs. For example, I am thinking of Dr. Anthony Fauci who was head the the National Institute of Health during the Covid pandemic, and US Attorney-General Merrick Garland. Both men have recently been grilled by politicians who want to prove that these men are untruthful. In both cases, they failed. It amazes me that so many thinking Americans can have fallen into the trap of lies set for them by felon Donald Trump who is just a spoiled child.

However, because there is so much that is good and beautiful in this world, so many wise and intelligent people, I cannot give in so easily to the evil that I see around me. I feel compelled to do whatever I can to neutralize those who spread lies and live by them. I’m not able to spread messages of love and goodwill, but I can write letters to politicians, sign petitions against injustices and support causes that I know are important.

These days we are seeing amazing advances in medicine, space exploration and in many branches of technology. Life can only get better in the future. Yes, there are some who want to sandbag all of these advances. They scoff at learned, experienced people like Dr. Fauci and Merrick Garland, claiming to know more than they do. We can’t let their ignorance overcome knowledge and wisdom. We can do that primarily by the ballot box, by choosing candidates who speak out for freedom and democracy.

We won’t achieve that by giving in to depression and gloom.

Four hundred years ago, George Herbert (poet, orator, priest) wrote “Living well is the best revenge.” So let’s live the best lives we can and leave retribution to the Almighty. Perhaps our children will inherit a better world.