Just Thinkin’: What we need now
Who knew that writing a column about the truth could be considered politically sensitive?
confess I didn’t think of it in those terms. When someone did point it out to me, I saw their point of view. I felt a touch naïve. I sat my framework for a truth column aside. Then, this week we peacefully inaugurated a new President of the United States. I do enjoy the rituals of our Republic.
Beyond the pleasure, I find comfort and reassurance in the familiarity of these repetitions. Just as I have confessed to my characterological optimism, I am also patriotic. I find meaning in the abundance of ceremonies and symbols that surround our Presidential Inaugurations. Garth Brooks, a staunch Oklahoma Republican, performed an amazing A cappella rendition of “Amazing Grace.” Lady Ga Ga, a hardcore Democrat, sang our National Anthem as well as it has ever been performed. And “This Land Is Our Land,” what can you say except I’m content Woody is ours.
Our new president’s speech was optimistic and with a clear positive orientation toward our national future. I didn’t expect a strong speech but I believe I got one. I enjoyed the symmetry of a 22-year-old poet laureate celebrating the inauguration of our oldest president. She reminded us that with each winner there is a loser.
Every four years, on Jan. 20, our nation has displayed a rite that it unique in human history. There is a peaceful exchange of power. In 2021, on the steps that only 14 days before had witnessed an insurrection, our nation watched power change hands.
For the first time in 152 years the departing president would not be in attendance. I take comfort in the knowledge that at so many past inaugurations, the two central figures genuinely didn’t care for each other but they both showed up anyway. Franklin Roosevelt and Herbert Hoover genuinely and intensely disliked each other.
But they rode together in the limousine to and from Roosevelt’s inauguration. Not only was it not necessary to break up a fist fight, they were perfect gentleman. The thing that makes me proud is this has repeatedly happened throughout our history I do strongly believe that win or lose, we are ultimately Americans.
We may disagree about definition and method but America’s success is what we all strive for. In America’s triumphs, we find our own. Back to that truth thing, the truth seems have an undeniable core. It is honest and accurate; it reliably repeats itself. The truth is also fragile and fluid. We have seen it with the virus. Our truth is based on our best knowledge at a given time. As we learn more about a topic, truth changes a tad. I do know this about human dynamics, truth begets trust. Truth in politics has long been a different beast. Do you think George Washington chopped down that cherry tree?
“I have no ambition to govern men. It is a painful and thankless office.” – Thomas Jefferson
By Hal McBride.
McBride was raised in Haskell County and is the author of several books, which are available at the Haskell County Historical Society. His column regulary appears in the Stigler News-Sentinel.