Margaret Steinfels has an interesting article in the current Commonweal - reflections on what has happened in Czechia since the Velvet Revolution.
https://www.commonwealmagazine.org/rereading-havel
Rereading Havel now, I hear the echo of a beleaguered people. It may
be a stretch, but I can’t help wondering whether we are the ones now
caught up in “living a lie”? I
I am a fan of Fareed Zacharia, whose column appears in the Post. He has been a source of hope to me - I am a pessimist about the future of our country. He has been generally optimistic that things
will get better in the US at some point, that the Trump nightmare will end.
I read his op piece on the same day I read Margaret's. Together they are a bit discouraging.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/its-hard-to-be-an-optimist-about-america-right-now/2019/11/27/8020e526-115b-11ea-b0fc-62cc38411ebb_story.html
Thanksgiving
is my favorite holiday. It’s a secular celebration of America, and as
an immigrant, I feel I have much to be grateful for. I am an optimist
who tends to see the story of this country as one of addressing its
shortcomings and making progress. Lately, it has been tough to maintain
that sunny outlook. America’s greatest assets — its constitutional
republic and its democratic character — seem to be in danger of
breakdown.
He links to another article, in Atlantic, and to a study by Klein. The rapidly changing demographics might lead to a last-minute save by the young, or could lead to a true breakdown of our country.
The departure of Rep Heck, noted also by Margaret, is discouraging. As Katherine commented, if all the "good" guys leave, including Republicans who can no longer stomach giving in to Trump and are also retiring(not saying a word against him until they announce their plans to retire), only the "bad" guys will be left. That's pretty much already the case in the Executive Branch. There seems little hope, but if there is any, it lies with the Congress.
I need a light-filled Advent more than ever this year. Just living in a country with Trump in the White House is suffering and penance enough.
While it is possible that Trump might win the next election, it will be because his opponent is unattractive and republicans simply stick with Trump.
ReplyDeleteIt is difficult for me to imagine another Trump. Trump is all about himself not policies or ideas. Trump appeals to about a third of Americans. It will be difficult for some else to not only capture that third's loyalty but also intimidate the rest of the Republicans to fall in line.
It is hardly imaginable that any candidate could possibly be less attractive than Trump. Not speaking in a physical sense, of course. But I'm not going to overestimate the discernment of the voters; after all, they fell for him the first time. I think a lot of them basically want to believe in fairy tales.God's in his heaven, Trump's in the White House, and all's right with the world.
DeleteOff subject - for Katherine. Do you think this is an accurate portrayal of Nebraska - in general? It matches pretty well the image I have in my mind, based largely on what you have said about your state.
Deletehttps://www.ncronline.org/news/politics/nebraskans-skeptical-bridging-partisan-divides-reflecting-wider-us-poll
Anne, thanks for pointing out this article. I had missed seeing it. Yes, I think it is pretty accurate. I will have more to say on it later.
DeleteHavel was one of the rare politicians who could successfully appeal to his constituents' consciences. His presidency happened to coincide with much of Bill Clinton's. Clinton was a great transactional politician, but he didn't have a moral arrow in his quiver. I think the contrast made others respect and pay more
ReplyDeleteattention to Havel. Of course, one of our major parties now considers morality unmanly in the light of the revelation that God places the crown with his own Hand on the head of the leader He chooseth.
I can see Trump as placed in this position by the Lord if it's national comeuppance for killing all those indians, filipinos, blacks.
DeleteI think Trump is "natural consequences".
DeleteStanley and Katherine: You mean we deserve Trump?
DeleteIf the pro-Trumpers are correct about his anointing, Margaret, then I must exercise the proper theodicy.
DeleteWhat would be a good book for a Havel beginner? Since the Boy is single again, his reading has taken a more philosophical turn. He likes Camus, if that's any help.
ReplyDeleteHavel was an essay and letter writer and most of his "books" are collections. "The Power of the Powerless" and "Politics and Conscience" are reprinted in several books: Open Letters, 1965-1990 have those two essays and several others, including "It Always Makes Sense to Tell the Truth" and "Meeting Gorbachev," which is pretty amusing. Most of these essays first appeared as samizdat.
DeleteThe book "Disturbing the Peace (1990)" is an autobiographical account based on questions from a German reporter with extended replies by Havel. It gives a good sense of what it was like to grow up in Czechoslovakia and make your way as the son and grandson of bourgeois capitalists (he couldn't go to college!). He made his way in the gaps between official life and real life, somewhat akin to the underground economy, theater, music, and printing.
Here's hoping they engage his imagination!
Thanks!
Delete