Preparing To Kill
Yesterday a friend and I had a troubling email exchange. At least the words were troubling to me. The friend insisted that I “choose a lane.” What was meant was that I ought to definitively side with the conservative/near fascist collective, of which the President is the figure-head or side with the liberal/socialist minded people who oppose him. My friend was provoked by a quotation by Ray Bradbury that advocated seeking a middle way, a position in the middle of the road by virtue of motivation to think for one’s self. His objection was that the middle of the road was where most of the bodies are found, thus it was prudent to take a side, or “choose a lane.” Better to join up now.
Even remembering the email exchange in order to write this is disquieting. The question that I pose to myself, and to my friend of many years is:
Who am I? Who are you and I as friends, our different political point’s of view notwithstanding? Who are we as a society, — a people with a legacy of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abe Lincoln, and Nathan Bedford Forrest as ancestors….? If you don’t know what Forrest stood for CLICK HERE.
Who are you? Any answer that I give will make reference at least implicitly to other people who define who I am. Consequently if I am an inattentive father it is not just bad for my children, because being a father is part of what defines me. Being a bad father is being a bad me…..
There is no magic fix for ethical nihilism. The most we can hope for any moral theory is that it helps a few people to be a little better, and prevents a few people from becoming worse.
— excerpt from Taking Back Philosophy A Multicultural Manifesto by Bryan W. Van Norden p. 71
One thought on “Preparing To Kill”
Last Thursday night, I was honored to be invited to Waukegan for their long awaited unveiling of a statue honoring Ray Bradbury. Ray Bradbury grew up in Waukegan and along with Jack Benny, who also grew up in Waukegan, are long considered Waukegan’s favorite sons. Benny for his comedic humor, and Bradbury for his visionary perspectives on space travel as well as his authorship of his books that have become classic literature. James Lovell thought enough to be at the unveiling and on a brief speech said the US would not have thought to go to the moon if not for Ray Bradbury. Larry Yellen, of local Fox News was the event’s MC and he praised Bradbury over and over again in his presentation as someone of brilliance who was consulted by presidents, movie makers, writers, and astronauts for his vast insights into life and the human society’s potential. The mayor of Waukegan declared every future August 22nd, Ray Bradbury Day in Waukegan. The statue was awesome. As imaginative as Bradbury’s imaginative and open mind.
It now sits in front of the Waukegan Public Library to inspire young thinkers who come to the Waukegan Library. Just as Bradbury went to the Waukegan Library as a boy to increase his knowledge, his scope, and his wisdom.
I personally was invited due to my work towards preserving Bradbury’s legacy as a planning committee member for Waukegan’s annual Ray Bradbury Dandelion Wine Arts & Music Festival. Plus, a donation I made. What an honor to be associated with Bradbury, even though I was only one of about 2000 people at the unveiling of the statue honoring Bradbury.
Jerry, I urge you to consider following Bradbury’s inspiration on this one. He doesn’t have a statue recently erected for him in Waukegan for no reason. He was and remains a visionary to remember and continue to be inspired by.
Jeff