Opus 2026-263: An Opportunity

The recent conflict with Iran gives us an opportunity to grow as citizens in a republic that still allows many liberties.  The actions going on and the motives pushing things are one focus of our attention.  The problem we have is that the “news” we get is so often just a reflection of the writers wishes, not an account of facts.  This is true on both sides of the political spectrum.

This is what presents an opportunity.  We have a real chance to do some serious thinking and honing of our ability to think and process the information we have available.  The media and government have gotten so good at spinning the news that we can’t just sit down in the morning with a newspaper and feel we know what is going on.  I can remember my dad doing that.  I can remember a time when the nation would tune in the evening news and feel like we had a handle on the world.

We were naive.  If you are old enough to remember Walter Cronkite giving the gloomy analysis of the Tet Offensive of 78 and how that spelled a total defeat for America then you are old enough to be a victim of media shaping of history.  The Tet Offensive was really a tremendous victory for America and South Vietnam.  The Communist forces, attacking during a truce when they knew we would not expect it, were still decimated and had to back off.  That is not what Cronkite reported and the nation sank into despair.

We are still too naive.  The spin masters are getting ever better at camouflaging what their real positions are.  If we have a moment of simple acceptance we open ourselves to the fraud.  This demands more vigilance than we often apply.

So what do I recommend?  I thought you would never ask.  First, start with a grounding in principle.  Know your founding documents.  For Americans that involves the Declaration of Independence and Constitution.  Christians will add the Bible.  You don’t need to have every jot and tittle at your fingertips but you need to know that when a talking head mentions the government granting us our rights they are giving a deception not a description.  God gives our rights.  The Government is supposed to protect them.  Defining marriage and other moral positions is also clear if you are grounded.

Once you have the basics then always go with the big picture and refuse to do a Chicken Little every time someone declares the end is near.  As an example I would bring up the constant litany of how Donald Trump is failing us.  I would be the first to admit that I do not support some of his big spending solutions.  I am worried that he might get dragged into sending ground troops into Iran.  I am also sure that I can’t believe anything I hear about him being either a saint or sinner.  The big picture is that he loves America with a passion.  He has done the things he promised to do, or at least tried to get congress to get them done.  Has he been married more often than he should?  That is obvious, but you also need to notice that all of his ex-wives speak highly of him and his children seem to be worthwhile human beings.

Go for the big picture.  America has made mistakes.  Why do we have to say that every time we talk about America?  Because we have been listening to the media and academic world that hate America.  The big picture says we are the most noble of civilizations.  We forgive.  We share.  We respond to the needs of the world.  It takes time and memory to embrace the big picture but we owe it to ourselves, not to mention our descendants.

Think big.  Buckle up.  Grab hold.  Scream if you have to, but enjoy the ride. 

homo unius libri