For certain individuals, setting a positive example may be interpreted as a sign of weakness. It seems that some people in this world prefer to embrace a different approach, one that involves using crude language, constantly lying, and refusing to take responsibility for their actions. They proudly display an intellectual prowess that is limited to expressing themselves in grievance filled rants on social media.
But why do they choose this path? Their actions seem to suggest that they believe appealing to people’s baser instincts is more effective than promoting noble ideals. They argue that this is what it means to be real, to be genuine.
I believe that the majority of us know better.
In fact, it’s crucial to recognize the importance of setting a good example. While modeling negative behavior may be tempting, it rarely leads to positive outcomes or inspires others to be their best selves. On the other hand, demonstrating honesty, integrity, and responsibility can have a profound impact on those around us.
By choosing to be authentic in a positive way, we encourage others to do the same. We inspire them to strive for excellence, to prioritize kindness and empathy, and to take ownership of their actions. In a world where negativity and cynicism can often dominate, being a source of inspiration and embodying noble values is more important than ever.
So, while some may believe that behaving in a less-than-exemplary manner is the path to success, I remain firm in my belief that setting a good example is a far more powerful and meaningful way to make a positive impact in the world.
We should aspire to be the ones who uplift and inspire others, rather than succumbing to the allure of base behavior. Let us be the people who choose nobility over negativity, and in doing so, create a better, more harmonious world for all.
I’ve been reflecting on American politics and our nation’s future in ways I never thought I would. These reflections, to be candid, haven’t been very optimistic. And they’ve caused some changes in some of my tastes and in my thinking. Whiskey, for example, a spirit I rarely touched is now the proof I find most convincing. On the thinking side, I’ve developed some serious concerns about the state of American democracy. I know I join many of you in this concern.
Could America be headed toward becoming an illiberal democracy? Could America be headed toward a big break up, another civil war? A part of me has always known this was possible. But having grown up with the faith of American exceptionalism in the air, the thought of America’s democracy falling apart was never something I seriously considered. Why? Because, well, we’re Americans! This may happen to other nations—to third world countries—but never here!
Or so I once believed.
And so I carried into middle-age this lingering belief that somehow America was ultimately different. We were somehow immune from being taken over by illiberalism, authoritarianism, or mass stupidity. Clearly this belief was a stubborn remnant of a youthful naiveté. It was a natural way of feeling, I guess, for a lot of us who’d grown up in the relative peace and prosperity of the 1970s and 1980s. Not that America didn’t face serious challenges then. We suffered through our share of the socio-economic-political challenges of the time. Things like the inglorious defeat and humiliating withdrawal from Vietnam, Watergate, stagflation, the Iran-Contra affair and so on and so forth. But there was never any serious threat to the continuation of America’s liberal democracy and its institutions. Not that I can recall or find with Google search.
The only thing during those times (1970s) that probably caused me to pause when considering the survival of American democracy, were those Duck and Cover drills we’d periodically do at Kempsville Elementary School. We’d all sit against the walls in the hallways and bury our heads in our arms. It was, we were told, “a tornado drill.” And I’m sure it partially was. But most of us kids knew it was really more about soviet missiles. As American school kids, we implicitly understood the biggest threat to American democracy was from those evil communists in Moscow, not from our fellow Americans.
Or so I once believed.
There will always be political division, that’s built right into human nature. But America’s current political divide is well above a safe operating norm. It’s not socially or personally healthy for any of us. And if you’re not paying attention to what’s going on that’s worse. Because all of us, regardless of your views or indifference, are in the water if this boats sinks. We should all, for the sake of our country, try to bridge the divide, seek common ground, bring the damn temperature down a bit, and try to heal the wounds…as best we can. That requires engagement folks. Of course politics is a difficult topic of conversation for lot of us, I realize. Talking politics can be uncomfortable with friends and family. It can absolutely challenge your sanity at times. Believe me, I know! And yet it’s important, as a nation, that the citizens of a democratic republic engage in political discourse.
Sometimes the most helpful thing, I’ve found, is to explain where you’re coming from politically. We all have a story to tell about our political beliefs. I will be telling my story in a forth coming post. Sometimes our story is simple, sometimes it’s not. For a lot of us (and certainly for me) it’s one of those relationships that’s best labeled as “complicated.” But talking politics, in a calm and thoughtful way, is the civic duty of every responsible citizen. We cannot live an honest life and care about our community or our country and not, in my view, talk about politics or culture…or religion for that matter. If we care, we must engage. We are social beings, and so the state of our society, our democracy, should be something that engages the interests of all citizens.
Here is a nicely done adaptation of President John F. Kennedy’s Moon Shot speech, given 60 years ago today. Very inspiring.
Kennedy was a true visionary and a pragmatic idealist. He knew this nation could not lead the world into the future as a beacon of freedom, hope, and democracy if we did not, as a nation, strive to achieve the best, to show that “Man in his quest for knowledge and progress is determined and cannot be deterred.”
The invasion of Ukraine on February 24th was the largest military assault on another nation since WWII. It was an act of naked aggression against a peaceful sovereign nation. This is a criminal act and should be made as costly as possible for the Russians. I speak for millions when I say I hope the Ukrainians, who’ve shown a lot of heroism so far, make this incursion so costly the Russian army and the Russian people decide they’ve had enough of the dictator and mafia boss in the Kremlin. Vladimir Putin’s demise and the growth of a genuine democracy in Russia would be the best outcome for the Russian people and the world. Of course the odds are clearly in Putin’s favor right now.
So far, though, from a lot of what I’ve read this morning it appears the Ukrainians aren’t going to just let the Russians walk right in. There are a lot of reports the Russian army is taking greater casualties than they probably anticipated. No doubt this is partially true because the United States and the European community had time to arm and equip and provide tactical advice. But it’s largely true because the Ukrainians are prepared to die to defend their democracy and their way of life against the Russian invaders. The support and the heroism of the Ukrainian army appears to be paying off for the moment. But autocrats like Putin don’t care about casualties either way, and now that Putin’s ego is committed he will flog his army forward regardless to avoid a humiliating defeat and the consequences that would likely follow a retreat.
Americans should care greatly about what happens in Ukraine because, like Ukraine, we’re a liberal democracy. If you are the least bit read in history you probably know democracy is the exception and autocracy the rule in human history. The world’s history is mostly the history of masters, through military rule and intimidation, dictating to the masses what life the masses will have and what freedoms, if any, they will enjoy. In large part this is the life of most Russians right now.
Like America, Ukraine is a liberal democracy. It’s ruled by its people and has a government of the people’s choosing. Ukrainians share our hopes and aspirations. We are united by the animating spirit of liberal democracy; by the need to keep its flame burning in the surrounding darkness of history. The people ruling themselves, and not being ruled by autocrats like Vladimir Putin, are what being a pro-democracy, rule of law, freedom loving people should ultimately stand ready to defend. The Ukrainians are doing this and we should support them in their fight against tyranny.
I believe America’s and Europe’s interest are in supporting the Ukrainian army with as much ammo, training, and weapons as possible. If the Russians succeed and the Ukrainians continue fighting with an insurgency the West must continue to provide support to the insurgent Ukrainian force. The use of American troops simply cannot be justified given all the implications at this time. European nations have the first obligation to defend their own sovereignty if the situation calls for it.
But Putin has put the Europeans on notice that defense spending will have to be increased. Authoritarianism, which had been on the rise in Europe and the United States recently, is on the march again militarily in Europe. America, critically, must provide support and leadership against this surge of authoritarianism. If Ukraine falls, then the West, led by the United States, must isolate Russia and starve its economy. NATO should immediately begin a military build up within NATO nations that border all Russian controlled territory. Only a completely uneducated fool believes Putin will be satisfied with just adding Ukraine to Russian control. The only message Putin will understand is simple, and that is strength and resolve.
Jeff Wills 