In the aftermath of 9/11, we were constantly told by the media and by Democrats that dissent was the highest form of patriotism. They (we, since I was still a Democrat) were worried that the attack would work to Bush's benefit.
21 years later, we are constantly told by the media and by Democrats that dissent is a form of treason. And this year, we were told that Trump supporters and Republicans are the same as, or worse than, the 9/11 terrorist hijackers.
This was the theme on countless Sunday morning news panels, and all over social media, from talking heads but also from national leaders like Hillary Clinton and Kamala Harris. So much for the unifying symbolism of 9/11.
It's possible that the "talking points" went out at some point, either from the Biden Administration -- fresh off his awful Philadelphia speech -- or from one of the left-wing institutions where power really lies under this government.
But given the way the left thinks about the world, it was almost inevitable that they would try this tactic. Skeptical of patriotism when in opposition, the left embraces it opportunistically as a weapon against its opponents when in power.
This really is a low point in American history -- not just because of our divisions, but because the left is so far-gone down the rabbit hole of its own ideology that all it has is the kind of demagoguery we are forced to live with on a regular basis.
This week’s portion launches the great story of Abraham, who is told to leave everything of his life behind — except his immediate family — and to leave for “the Land that I shall show you.”
There’s something interesting in the fact that Abraham is told to leave his father’s house, as if breaking away from his father’s life — but his father, in fact, began the journey, moving from Ur to Haran (in last week’s portion). His father set a positive example — why should Abraham leave him?
Some obvious answers suggest themselves — adulthood, needing to make one’s own choices, his father not going far enough, etc.
But I think there is another answer. Abraham (known for the moment as Abram) needs to establish his own household. This is not just about making one’s own choice, but really about choosing one’s own starting point. It’s starting over.
Sometimes we start over in fundamental ways even if much that surrounds us remains the same. Sometimes the journey we have to ...
The story of Noah is familiar; the details, less so.
Noah is often seen as an ambivalent figure. He was righteous -- but only for his generation. What was his deficiency?
One answer suggests itself: knowing that the world was about to be flooded, he built an Ark for the animals and for his own family -- but did not try to save anyone else or to convince them to repent and change their ways (the prophet Jonah, later, would share that reluctance).
Abraham, later, would set himself apart by arguing with God -- with the Lord Himself! -- against the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, saying that they should be saved if there were enough righteous people to be found (there were not).
Still, Noah was good enough -- and sometimes, that really is sufficient to save the world. We don't need heroes every time -- just ordinary decency.
Hi all -- as I noted last month, I'm going to be closing down my Locals page, at least for tips and subscriptions -- I may keep the page up and the posts as well, but I'm no longer going to be accepting any kind of payment.
Look for cancelation in the very near future. Thank you for your support!
