LISTEN. LISTEN CLOSELY.

LISTEN. LISTEN CLOSELY. 
By Andy Weddington
Friday, 05 June 2020

Let us be silent - so we may hear the whisper of the gods. Ralph Waldo Emerson

Yesterday ...


James Mattis - U. S. Marine of distinguished service to country and recent Defense Secretary - was foolish for his shallow partisan criticism of President Trump. (Opinion and of Marines, et al., with whom I've had comm as much easily applied to the President's predecessor. Grudge? Vindictive?) 

Why? 

Not all but many Marines embarrassed, others disappointed yet not surprised. Check.   

As to one element of Mattis's opinion, on a brother Marine's Facebook page there was duty to correct an emotional civilian's "facts" about what took place when President Trump visited the church burned by rioters in Washington, D.C. 

The account, per Attorney General Barr's public statement and other sources, was completely wrong. 

My correction to the point. Objective. Facts. 

For that effort, another civilian, a stranger, labeled me a racist. 

At Shannon's absurd charge I, again, reflected on my youth; on my mind much the past week. 

In the early 60s I attended a K-8 parochial school in small town North Carolina. All grades integrated (my recollection is public schools were not). 

Italian, Black, and German classmates immediately came to mind; faces and names. Ernestine White was black. Jimmy Black was white. True. Claus was German. I'm sure there was more diversity. And not all Catholic. Classmates. Teammates. Friends. 

Our science teacher was black. Mrs. Byrd, tall and imposing, was a kind and patient woman. Good teacher. Frankly, she ought to be a Saint. From her we learned the wonders of Earth, our Universe, and how to do practical things like graft tree branches and dissect a frog. Mrs. Byrd taught the importance of reading, research, experimentation, and to think. 

Every Christmas break my mom baked cookies and drove me to Mrs. Byrd's home to deliver a plate. In those days, a VW van with a young white woman and kid driving through the black community was not so common. But we were just going to deliver cookies to Mrs. Byrd. It didn't seem strange, she was my teacher. 

Our church sponsored scouting for boys and girls. Of course the dens, packs, and troops integrated. 

My first scout master was Italian. Mr. Gabriel. What a character. I will never forget him. He was a leader. He knew what he was doing shaping young boys into responsible adults. 

Mr. Gabriel relinquished to Mr. Davis. He was black. Too, superb. Confident and calm and fair, Mr. Davis was a practitioner of common sense. His son a classmate. 

Trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent - (Boy Scout) traits seared into my soul; by parents, Mr. Gabriel, Mr. Davis, teachers, and coaches. 

To practice daily, as best as humanly possible, since youth my way. 

Regrettably, failing at times. 

And so without having a clue as to my fate at that tender age, I was molded for service as a Marine. 

What a privilege to lead Marines; from all walks.

Long retired, still I marvel thinking of those incredible men and women. Marines know them. I miss them every day. 

So racist? For correcting blatantly wrong emotion with facts - in this important conversation of country and direction?

I disengaged for it being pointless to banter with a stranger. Thank you Mark Twain; I learned from him, too. 

As day gave way to evening, another big picture, national, matter came to light. 

Defense Secretary Esper made planned public comment he opposed use of the Insurrection Act.

Why? 

Disagree with your boss in private; particularly when a domestic enemy is waging war. 

President Trump must have reason for not ordering Mr. Esper immediately escorted out of the Pentagon.  


Today (after decent night's sleep and reflecting on yesterday) ...

Like James Mattis, who cited President Lincoln, I have also read much about our 16th Commander-in-Chief. 

From President Lincoln I learned when angry to sit and write. Get the venom out. Vent! Be blunt. Crude. Direct. Whatever. Just get it out. Then put the writing away and return to it when calm. Edit. In essence, be complete and concise, clear, and civil. Be gentlemanly. Then deliver. 

It's challenging. And especially challenging when not using pen but keyboard. Discipline. 

James Mattis, seemingly, either missed that Lincoln lesson or opted to dismiss it. And so the citizenry unexpectedly granted insight into the man President Trump refers to as the world's most overrated general. Fair enough.  

Couple of hours ago a Marine sent copy of another Marine's letter responding to Mattis. The letter personal. It opened, "Jim." And point-by-point addressed critical, germane facts that his friend conveniently ignored. What are friends for, after all? 

Considering the author's occupation and credibility no doubt his letter will be widespread on email and social media by day's end. So goes today's world. Whatever, the letter is good complement to a piece published yesterday by Mark Levin titled, 'More on Mattis.' Be on the lookout for both objective and thorough perspectives. You decide. 

That said, does anyone really care what James Mattis has to say? 

Or what U. S. Marine John Allen and U. S. Sailor Mike Mullen - recent critics of President Trump - has to say? And any of the other generals and admirals now out of uniform deciding to opine?

Likely not. 

Now what to make of all that's happened in America since the election of President Trump, and especially since the horrifying killing of Mr. George Floyd by police?

An early morning walk about the community - the joy of fresh air ...
  
Listen. 

Listen closely.

Hear that quiet; nary whisper?

That's the decent God-fearing folks; most Americans. 

Listen. 

Listen closely. 

Election Day - their say, deafening roar; nary whisper.