Merlyn C. Faris III
“Hindsight is 20/20” so the saying goes, but what do you call it when predictive satire becomes reality? A year ago, March 2020 “two weeks to flatten the curve”, I wrote a friend the following message and later posted it to Facebook:
In July when we emerge from our caves of fear and isolation, clammy, pasty, and shaking with the remnants of a wretched cough. Mumbling things about “My Precious, Security” like the fictional character Gollum, enslaved and unable to let go of the token of his affection. He pursues this idol while seeing the hideous monster he has become but yet is unable to let go of the worship of Precious; even to the point of self and utter destruction. Is it then, at this point in late June/early July, that we emerge and through mockery and ritual, don our most patriotic attire, sing our songs, drink our beer, and shoot our fireworks? Only this time, is it to celebrate the liberation from that terribly risky thing called Freedom?
Little did I know then, that not only would that ring far too true once, but a year later, almost to the day, the head of one branch of our government would give a speech in which he consistently spit on the oath he took roughly fifty days prior; and in so doing, made my writing relevant yet again.
“Put trust and faith in our government to fulfill its most important function, which is protecting the American people -- no function more important.
...CDC will continue to provide guidance on what you can do in the workplace, places of worship, with friends…
...Fourth, in the coming weeks, we will issue further guidance on what you can and cannot do...
...Because here's the point: If we do all this, if we do our part, if we do this together, by July the 4th, there's a good chance you, your families and friends will be able to get together in your backyard or in your neighborhood and have a cookout and a barbecue and celebrate Independence Day. That doesn't mean large events with lots of people together, but it does mean small groups will be able to get together.
...A July 4th with your loved ones is the goal. But a goal -- a lot can happen; conditions can change.
...After this long hard year, that will make this Independence Day something truly special, where we not only mark our independence as a nation, but we begin to mark our independence from this virus.
...Because if we don't stay vigilant and the conditions change, then we may have to reinstate restrictions.”
His speech and my writing could be dissected in depth, but for brevity’s sake let’s only look at a few things. In this speech he speaks of our patriotic duty, redefines the purpose of government, and literally equates the last year to war. Drawing a picture of our last year to a greater carnage and patriotism than WWI, WW2, and Vietnam...combined. Let that sink in for a moment.
History is important. Our conversations and studies, although brief, of contextualized history, political philosophy, definitions, founding documents, grievances, and the like, are all supremely important. Knowledge alone is of very little worth if action never follows. But, as Robespierre aptly put, freedom lies in an educated people (paraphrased). Please, do an autopsy on this cancer filled body of words (and any other speech given by those who took an oath) to properly ascertain the true flesh from the disease which only brings death.
So as we prepare to study the final part of The Declaration of Independence, as we look at the resolve of the founders, and thirst for and analyze the needed action and engagement of our current culture; let us do so with knowledge and wisdom as our foundation. Knowledge of the Providential gift of liberty and natural law. Knowledge of the humanity of those before us; their wisdom, gifts, lusts, and fears. Finally, knowledge that though our resolve may be similar, our contention, at this point, is with ideologies. Therefore we must find ourselves equally resolved, keenly aware, and properly equipped if we are to enter and find success on such a battlefield in the minds of men.
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