While I do try to keep up on politics, I have not followed any of the House impeachment hearings. Obviously, I haven’t written about them either. At home I have a shelf of classic children’s stories that explains my nonchalance.
The Little Engine That Could tells the story of a train loaded with fruits and vegetables, toys and books that cannot make it up a steep mountain incline. Forced to stop, it pleads with other locomotives passing by for help so that the children on the other side of the mountain will have what they need. Along comes an arrogant train, a down-in-the-mouth train and others who refuse the small train’s supplications. Finally, a small engine comes along and is moved by the plight of the toy clowns and stuffed dolls. Repeating the mantra, “I think I can, I think I can, I think I can,” the engine’s dedication and devotion to the task at hand allow it, despite its small stature, to pull the train over the mountain.
As praiseworthy as the train might be, and as much as I may have read the story countless times in the hopes of teaching the importance of persistence to my children, people can be dedicated and devoted to wrong causes as well. Since election night 2016, many Democrats have remained single-minded in their resolution to get rid of President Trump by means other than electoral. The facts, the truth, precedents and reality have little to do with their constant impeachment mantra, “We think we can, we think we can, we think we can.”
This leads to another favorite read-aloud, The Emperor’s New Clothes. Here, the king and his courtiers and eventually the entire town are duped by two charlatans pretending to weave and sew magnificent royal garments. In fact, they are pocketing the riches they have been paid and that were intended for luxurious fabric and precious jewels. To avoid detection, these frauds explain that only high-quality people can see the clothes; they are invisible to others. Finally, as the king parades his “new garments” before the town while actually wearing only his underwear, a small child shouts out, “The Emperor is naked!” The courtiers at major media outlets have been genuflecting before Democrat Party shills since Mrs. Clinton lost. They may see this as proof of their brilliance, but the rest of us know that, in order to do, so they are rejecting all standards of reporting that used to make them worth reading. They are naked.
The Boy Who Cried Wolf would have been a wise choice for their reading lists. The shepherd boy repeatedly yells “Wolf!” when no actual threat to his flock exists. After the townspeople come to his aid over and over again, only to discover that he has been mocking them all along, they learn their lesson. In his case, when the menacing wolf eventually does appear, no one pays attention to his cries. President Trump’s activities vis vis the Ukraine may or may not be critically problematic. I highly doubt it, but I have no inside information. However, at this point, I have stopped listening to the media’s cries. They have no integrity left with which to command my attention.
Dedicated and devoted individuals and groups can, indeed, cause much damage. They need to be guarded against and opposed. However, I don’t need to treat their arguments as worthy of analysis. If I am interested in fairy tales, the brothers Grimm are less scary than Adam Schiff – and far more entertaining.
The greatest harm is the precedents that will stand. Our constitution is under attack like never before. The founding fathers established three separate branches of government, executive, legislative, and judicial. Separation of powers is a fundamental principle which protects us. The latest ruling by a President Obama judge destroys executive privilege. We have a great battle ahead of us, with Hollywood, the media, the professors, and the deep state (establishment) voices to inform the millennial’s and the Z generation of the principles which have kept this great nation.
It is not a surprise the Prime Minister Netanyahu under attack as well.
This morning I was helping my daughter understand a book she had to review for a class she was taking. After a couple of hours of interesting reading and discussion I said to her, “This book is no longer academic. It’s prophetic.” The book? The Anti-Federalist Papers, which can be found on Amazon and other sites. Just reading Centinel or Brutus will give you a quick understanding of what is already here as well as what is coming. What is NOT coming is someone who will do our work for us or save our country.
Haha! I really enjoyed this article. It has made my day. Thank you, Susan! 🙂
Neweverymoment, Deb:
One book nobody should read is “Rules for Radicals”: Accuse your opponent for what you are guilty of; repeat The Big Lie until it is believed. “The Little Red Hen” represent President Trump, who ran for president when he realized that he was the only one who could get the job done, and could persuade other nations to play fair: win-win. Nobody would help the hen create the “bread”, but everyone was willing to help her eat it. Her “Who will help me…?” was answered with “Not I”, then “I will”, but her response–before and after–was “Then “I’ll do it myself”. Go, Susan! You do put your finger on critical current issues.
I agree it got tiring to listen to the Democrats trying to impeach President Trump and making up stories. Thanks to the Lord the truth got revealed and the Democrats are left with embarrassment. I wonder if they know how ridiculous they really became and how horrible it is to involve a country like Russia who doesn’t have our best interest anyway. Kudos to President Trump to stand and strategically combat the Democrats!
Very interesting and spot on column Susan. What has always perplexed me about the “leaders” who perpetuate lie-filled and partisan destruction of opponents, is that when they are with their kids and grandchildren, knowing the job they do impacts the future of their loved ones, how do they do what they do? How can they possibly teach integrity, compassion, honesty with a straight face? I could not imagine being married to someone who lied for the sake of power.
On another note, it grates me when a government employee or elected official is praised for “devoting their life to public service.” That is appropriate for military members who put themselves in harms way. For members of Congress or bureaucrats – it’s called a job. Any American who works at a job is devoting their life to serving the public.
What fairy tale fits this story?
Over 3 hundred thousand white Republican Christian men went to war with other white men and gave their life to free black men and women from slavery. Many thousands more were wounded and disabled.
Yet when we ask “who freed the slaves?” The answer is: Abraham Lincoln.
Not the millions that voted for Lincoln even after he signed the Emancipation Proclamation and sacrificed their life to get it done.
The only thing I have learned from the hearings is that the president was right to question and or withhold aid from a corrupt government to investigate why a former vice president’s son received 83k dollars a month from a corrupt company in a corrupt country and for what possible purpose should a vice president’s son receive such a large sum of money for no expertise in the field at all! Impeach him you say? I say give him a character award or a medal of honor for calling out such obvious corruption.
wasn’t there a song about John Henry, a steel driving man?
With the wonders of internet searches, that should be easy to find out, Mark.
As smart, insightful, and eloquent a commentary as I’ve read in a long, long time. Wow. You are a blessing.
Thanks for writing, Greg.
I have 2 to suggest. First, “The Little Red Hen” who tried to get her neighbors to help plant the wheat, etc., then only fed her children when they came begging.
Second, “Thidwick the Big-Hearted Moose” by Dr. Seuss. Thidwick lets a tiny Bingle Bug hitch a ride, but soon is overwhelmed by free-loaders, leading to a crisis when hunting season opens. Good for discussions about bullies, self respect, and property rights (owner vs squatters). This was released in 1948, which may explain the ‘not PC’ storyline. (Gee, wonder why it is hard (impossible) to find in libraries today?) It is available to buy with an online search.
Lyna, good suggestions all.
Another that may work in this reading list are the Tales of Br’er Rabbit….
Karen, I never read those tales. Don’t know why, but they weren’t part of my repertoire.
Great analogy, as always.
Mary, I hope these stories are still being read.
Thank you for a wonderful start to my day!
Think this is one of your best.
Thanks so much, Lenore.
I really enjoyed this post. The way you related the current events to children’s stories is fantastic! Since you requested more titles, I would suggest Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel. Like Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel, both the democrats and the media are digging themselves into a hole. They are trying to prove claims they’ve made even though they’ve never been quite sure if they are true. The more people stop and watch the more furiously they dig! Maybe, like Mike Mulligan and his Steam Shovel, these people will end up “in the cellar” with only stories to tell. Maybe, like Mike Mulligan, they could even have a second career as a janitor!
I love this, Ben. They also produce a lot of hot air.
Yes they do!!! Good point!
Thank you, Susan, for your usual wisdom, wit, and spiritual insight. Inspirational!!
I wish it were more of a laughing matter, Barbara.
I can’t add anymore–you’ve nailed it. Just glad to hear there others that think as I do.
Another “Susan”
We Susans must stick together!
Dear Mrs Lapin, your phrase “However, at this point, I have stopped listening to the media’s cries. They have no integrity left with which to command my attention.” is wonderfully eloquent.
Another brilliant post, my friend! And so very “spot on!”
Thanks, Martha. Do you think it might spark a discussion on Friends of Rabbi Daniel and Susan Lapin? Perhaps a competition to name more titles that represent today’s “movers and shakers”?
I love it!! It sure is getting old though!
It sure is, Don. That’s why people are tuning out.
Whoa..so true. I keep thinking it seems as though all the demons in hell have been unleashed. What I do know, our country sure needs a very heavy dose of The Bible, every day of their lives.
That would certainly help, Debbie.
Susan — I agree with you 100%, and the three stories you used to explain your perspective are perfect.
Mark, Nancy below suggested adding Henny-Penny. It would be fun to think of others too.
I totally agree!
Churchill had to deal with a biased media, and it was funded by people’s taxes like NPR and PBS. I can’t imagine what would have happened if he had to deal with 24/7 news like we have today.
Every politician has supporters and detractors, Susan. Mr. Churchill – and Abraham Lincoln – and every other powerful leader dealt with lies and unfair treatment and insults. Since President Trump’s election, there seems to be a hysteria. Technology is definitely a contributor.
Thank you, Susan.
You are very welcome, Laurie.
Renaming the players in an reenactment of the tale of Henny-Penny might provide us a bit of entertainment. Although it would be hard to come up with much better characters than Goosey-poosey or Turkey-lurkey, might Fox News best fit the role of Foxy-woxy or should it go to Shiffy-whiffy?
I forgot about Henny-Penny, Nancy. The characters do represent quite a few people over the past few years.
Thank you Susan for your insight
Feel free to nominate your own book, Lee.