THE DAY AFTER THE DAY AFTER
This is a sad, terrible and pivotal time in my personal history, as well as our Nation's history. I grieve the senseless loss of life and for the families affected. My sympathies are with them.
At the same time I condemn the inexcusable acts of violence that have occurred. My mind is swimming with the images that I have been seeing on CNN, FOX, NBC, CBS, and ABC. As I surf these mass media outlets, I find that they are all saying pretty much the same thing and recycling it every 20 minutes or so, along with the horrific images of the destruction that has occurred. FOX seems to be especially adept at milking the emotional depths of people's grief and pain, bringing us images of children holding up photos of their missing daddy, etc. Together, almost in unison, they are fostering mass hysteria with their focus on fear and anger, while they repeatedly bring us the most horrific images of what has happened, and now are broadcasting "instant polls" based on soundbyte journalism that tell us 90% of Americans are for retaliation. As a longtime journalist, myself, I have serious questions about what we're receiving from the mass media. Please understand that I also see the value of the common sharing of grief being afforded us through the mass media at this most extraordinary time as well.
Late last night as Peter Jennings was handing off to Ted Koppel on ABC, there was a moment of reflection that provided a glimmer of light through the mass of darkness being presented on our television screens. Jennings spoke of his service in the Middle East and reminded Koppel of his service in Vietnam and Africa. Jennings mentioned how they both had been exposed to the depth of hatred and anger that some other peoples and societies hold towards America/Americans because of the foreign policy actions of the American Government. As he was revealing his truth, I was remembering the CIA's role in the death of Patrice Lamumba in the Congo, their role in the assassination of Chile's Salvador Allende, the Iran/Contra arms for money deal, our support of dictators like Trujillo, Pinochet, Batista, et al. Our hands are bloody. My hands are bloody because I am an American, born in Washington DC and raised in northern Virginia, the country of Thomas Jefferson, George Washington, Patrick Henry, James Madison, James Monroe, and others who helped to ground me in the original vision of this nation.
It is this original vision of "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness," the Bill of Rights, freedom and justice for all, education for every citizen and so much more that is our salvation. It was a dream 225 years ago, a vision that had never been attempted in human history before. Although imperfect in its various manifestations at the time and since, it is a spiritual vision of the highest order. Through some mysterious grace there were assembled a community of men and women who came together and were able to envision the future in a way that had never been seen before. They were human just like us, with frailties just like us, hopes and fears just like us. And yet, they were able to accomplish something never done before in the midst of enormous challenges, and a crisis situation through holding to a vision from the deepest levels of their souls. They were willing to face death for their beliefs.
I believe that we can take sustenance from the Declaration of Independence, a spiritual document, and the Bill of Rights, as they were originally drafted and approved after intense deliberations. It is also my belief that we, as a nation, have strayed far from our original founding vision, both in spirit and action. It is true, as President George W. Bush has recently stated, freedom and democracy are under attack, but not just from external forces. Freedom and democracy are also under attack from within. We must search our own hearts and minds, because the common ground we all share is that at the deepest level we want spiritual freedom and liberation. Thomas Jefferson wrote of this freedom.
It is a time for deep reflection; a time for me to look in the mirror, and see how I may be contributing to what is unfolding around us. It is a time for humanity, compassion, forgiveness, and love. We have suffered an horrendous tragedy with countless loss of life. The waves of this disaster that will continue into the future, are unimaginable. I struggle to get my mind around it and I can't get my mind around it. All I can do is go deep within myself and seek the sustenance of my spiritual depths. We are at a crossroads; I am at a crossroads; you are at a crossroads. We are in the midst of an ages old story, the forces of light versus the forces of darkness. Will we choose the path of fear, anger and revenge or will we choose the path of love? It is THE question. May love prevail. May the grace and blessings of ALL THAT IS be upon us and may God/Goddess and the fullness of what that means to you and me have mercy on all our souls.
Love,
Michael Toms