#554 Musings Beyond the Bunker (Wednesday January 11)
Good morning,
Given that we are embarking on a new year, we tend to focus on “new year’s resolutions.” Much text is given to the concepts of atonement and setting forth better behaviors in the future. As much as we try to change ourselves, we also ought to consider that others are similarly trying to evolve and, for that, we should be prepared to forgive them for their faults.
WILLING TO FORGIVE AND FORGET
To this end, I’d like to acknowledge a few eclectic examples (some tongue-in-cheek) where I or others have been unduly harsh and forgiveness is due:
Former members of the Trump administration. There are a number of folks who abandoned ship near the end of the administration or shortly thereafter, many of whom went on to write “tell all” memoirs (see, e.g., Bill Barr, Elaine Chao, Betsy DeVos, et al.). I’ve been harsh, as in “Well, it’s easy now to repudiate this criminal actor. Why didn’t you do it earlier?” I’m done with that criticism, as richly deserved as it may be. Thanks for finally fessing up.
Jane Fonda. I continue to be unable to shake the image of “Hanoi Jane” atop a Viet Cong anti-aircraft gun, giving aid and comfort to the enemy. It was an error of judgment in her youth. Her objection to the war was stated in a way she thought best. The war was a disaster and our leaders lied to us.
George W. Bush. He rushed into Iraq and failed to heed the discretion exercised by his father in the first Iraq War. He continued to maintain there were weapons of mass destruction, which were never proven to exist (certainly it was a desire of Saddam’s but unfullied). Whether he lied, was manipulated, wasn’t smart enough, was stubborn—his motives were good, if his execution was horrible. He remains an example of “compassionate conservatism” in an era where we could use more.
Dick Cheney. If only because, based upon Liz’s singular model of courage and moral rectitude, you clearly raised good kids with a strong ethical compass.
Anyone who used an incorrect pronoun or insensitive reference and then apologized. We must learn to be kind, particularly the “woke left” that plays “gotcha” and goes on to destroy careers and lives.
The Last Congress. They often achieve little and bicker amongst themselves and grandstand for their constituents. That obstruction and inability to negotiate constructively would appear to be the House Republicans’ raison etre. But in the past two years Congress (with the support of a small cadre of reasonable Republicans) has passed some significant legislation to ensure fiscal strength, military preparedness, social programs (if not enough), support for veterans, action against climate change, election security, and environmental health. It’s not perfect and rarely is. It is hard to imagine that the first two years of the Biden administration can’t be declared among the most significant in recent memory—thanks in part to Congress.
The Defeated Republicans Who Conceded Their Elections. A slew of these election-deniers and/or people who wanted to exert political control on future elections were soundly defeated. And, much to my surprise, they conceded (well, most of them). They have displayed political bravery and scruples I didn’t think they had. Donald Trump and Kari Lake, take note.
Richard Dreyfuss. He stood on his chair at Toscana, waving his cell phone in the air, announcing “It’s been confirmed; we won! Bush has been defeated!” That he thought any of the rest of us having lunch gave a damn what he had to say is the height of hubris. I’ve been telling this story long enough. I still don’t care but, if it makes you happy, you’re free to disrupt my life again with your incorrect news reporting; have at it!
The USC Board of Trustees. For being a passive group of enablers when what was needed was leadership.
Vince Young. For beating USC in the Rose Bowl. What a great performance in a great game. Arguably the greatest game I’ve attended where my team lost.
The Makers of Historically Inaccurate “Historical” Movies. I admire Steven Spielberg because he attempts to be accurate in his historical portrayals (see, e.g., Lincoln, Amistad, Schindler’s List). Then there’s Oliver Stone, who wrongly maintained the veracity of clearly disproven theories on the Kennedy assassination. Or the makers of Selma, who whitewashed out Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel from the Selma March (Heschel was one of two white religious leaders in the first row, with MLK, Ralph Bunch, John Lewis and other civil rights leaders). Filmmakers are free to make their movies imagining history; they are not entitled to change history to suit their narrative. That said, I believe their intentions were good, so they’re on my list to forgive and forget.
NO FREE PASSES HERE
Along with forgiving those whom I believe have changed (and/or my opinions on them have evolved), there are those who seem to learn nothing from their bad behaviors and have made no attempt at remorse or rehabilitation. Forgiveness only runs so far. For this eclectic group, I offer no forgiveness.
The NCAA. Enough already. Just admit that the Reggie Bush penalty against him and USC was excessive and disproportionate, clearly the result of insufficient contrition on the part of USC leadership (I forgive their ham-handed handling of the matter as well).
The New York Athletic Club. They allow O.J. Simpson’s Heisman to remain but not Reggie’s. Really?
The Baseball Hall of Fame. Let Pete in. It’s absurd already. He gambled. He said he was sorry. He didn’t engage in sexual misconduct, racism, or violence, as did a number of people already in the Hall. The greatest hitter ever (well, maybe Willie or Ted). Mr. Baseball.
Kari Lake. She still maintains, against all evidence to the contrary, that the Arizona Senatorial election was rigged or stolen or whatever. Not one scintilla of evidence of wrongdoing has materialized. And she’s collecting donations from supporters to fight a losing battle.
Donald Trump. For so many things—his attacks on American democracy, his indifference to human life during the COVID crisis, his sexual misconduct, his handling of China and Russia, his tax gifts to his pals, his lies and lies and lies. He was and is a criminal. We survived it—barely—and must remain vigilant.
Vladimir Putin. Obviously.
Have a great day,
Glenn
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