Dear Reader - Sorry. I hate mass emails too but I strongly believe what I say in this email.
Is it possible that something that sounds ridiculous is also true? I ask because I want to say something ridiculous. But I simultaneously think it is undeniably true.
I believe that between the years 1964 and 1968 something very amazing happened in the United States of America. I think that in 1964 the Republican party floated a candidate who was very popular amongst a fledgling conservative movement. He was - and still is - revered by many Republicans across this country. His fame was based on a simple idea - We must radically believe in freedom.
It was such a crazy idea that it was easily dismissed by those in the Democratic party at the time. Only one year earlier we had seen the assasination of JFK. And the country was still psychologically traumatized by the violence of the act. And so the country easily chose Lyndon Johnson over Barry Goldwater.
But this election was more important for America's psyche than anyone - Republican or Democrat - realized. After Goldwater lost to Johnson the american conservative movement began to let cynicism seep in.
The '60s were a tumultuous time for sure. But the most tumultuous parts of the decade revolved around assassinations: JFK, King, RFK. The violence of these times lives with us even today. The assassinations seemed to be a violation of our public conscience. How could a non-violent man like Martin Luther King be so violently shot?
This question left many at a loss for words. And in response to that freighteningly unknown answer, some joined the Black Power movement. And with the Black Power movement and Malcolm X floating around in the public psyche, the Republican party became increasingly driven by fear.
This fear may have been healthy at first. After all, the fear of the Black Power movement was not just in someone's imagination.
But as time went on the Republican fear began to fester. It began to lead the Republicans to make false assumptions based on nothing more than their own fear. And as time went on they continued to try to manage their mounting fears as best they could. Their primary coping mechanism to cope with fear was "freedom". And the reason why they fought as best they could in this country and outside of this country is because freedom is the exact opposite of fear. I don't believe humanity understands that yet. But a few sacred individuals did. Amongst them were Buddha, Jesus, Ghandi, and Martin Luther King.
We must make a radical realization in this country: we must wholeheartedly embrace the right to freedom from fear. It is a right. It is a natural right. It is a human right. And we must recognise it. And if we see fear, we must do what we can to overcome it. And we should always first try to overcome fear non-violently. FDR was right about one thing - the only thing we have to fear is fear itself. But we must make sure that we are doing our utmost to stop the cycle of violence.
You see, I'm the son of a Goldwater Republican and a Dyed-in-the-wool Democrat. And all my life I've heard reasoned points made by both my parents. And I've come to a realization. Depending on what they're talking about - they have both been right about each other at various times. I have had a hard time deciding how I feel about politics in my lifetime. My mom hugged me and loved me when others didn't. My dad listened to me and gave me advice when noone else would. I am loved. So are most people.
We need to treat other human beings as valued resources that we can't afford to give up on. I have found in my life that these stories are not unique to me. Dick Cheney has a lesbian daughter whom he loves. And she loves him. People are human. And fear is only human. But we as human beings were given a gift which can help us up out of the trap of fear - reasoned thought. And we can see a path beyond allowing our fears drown out our freedom.
Join me in the personal commitment to live out the idea that...
1. I am going to try to liberate myself from my fears
2. I am going to try to understand and avoid belittling those who are unable to overcome their fears.
3. I am going to try to believe in other people's basic human right to freedom from fear.
4. In the coming year of governance lets all talk to eachother as much as we can to come together. You know, even one of the most demonized fear-mongering Republicans out there - President Bush - has been fairly welcoming to the 44th President-Elect. And if that isn't enough to convince you Bush isn't all bad, keep in mind that even Nancy Pelosi's daughter got along very well with the guy in her documentary "Journeys with George"
Thank you for reading this email.
If you believe in its message as I do please pass it on.
Thank you,
Don