A few thoughts on ceding the high ground in these politically charged times

::::::::

The latest national pastime engaged in by pundits of all stripes and political persuasion is to define the degree, if any, of Trumps rhetoric as causative of the bomb threats and mass killings. The greater truth here is ever and always clear and never spoken.

Donald Trump, more than anything else he may be, is a powerful, influential 'otherizer'. He engages in this behavior the most and the lowest rung on the path to spiritual evolvement and expressed decency is occupied by 'otherizers'. I believe this to be simple, clear, truth.

Separating the weak from the herd is routine practice for predators before they move in for the kill. This may be acceptable between species but when it is practiced within a species it is seen, felt, experienced as sick, disturbed and dark--a very low rung indeed and much worse are those who embrace this behavior! What is below the lowest rung of self aware existence?

The higher rung, of course, is for those who believe themselves to be their brothers keepers and shepherds of the earth and protectors of other life forms. We may not chose these distinctions rather we are them.

Finally, for those who suggest this toxic political atmosphere necessitates our coming together perhaps in some middle space so we can 'tone it down'. I suggest this would be a remarkable opportunity for those who live their lives on the lowest rung. However, for the rest of us, do we really wish to diminish the spiritual light we have worked so hard to achieve? We, the decent, have no power but we do provide this light to the life force of this planet and if we concede this light by moving down a few rungs of the ladder it may well be forever extinguished.

Don Scotten

Scotten6@gmail.com

Authors Bio:

I am an ordinary citizen who for the first sixty years of his life was mostly disinterested in politics. Then George Bush and Dick Cheney intruded into my consciousness and I realized politics is important and determines who lives and who dies.

In recent years I have written a series of letters to newspapers expressing my concern for my fellow man and this beautiful planet. I truly appreciate the OPEDNEWS forum as opportunity to help find a way to a better future.