A Calculated Decision

For reasons far too personal to reveal, when I was a child years before adolescence, I made a calculated decision. I would never engage in confrontation. I am well aware this was not a particularly wise or healthy decision, and neither an attribute nor a virtue. Certainly growing up on the streets of Hell’s Kitchen, it was probably considered not only an embarrassment, but a deficiency to many observers in my young life. Yet, it is a choice I have never regretted as the years have gone by.

I will never refrain from an articulate discussion or intelligent verbal debate on any issue, but if I am confronted with a senseless angry vocal tirade or a hissy fit, I become emotionally invisible. Rather than turning into the Proverbial Pillar of Salt, I am transformed into an elongated icicle. And that is, who I am, and who I will remain.

The other night I was exposed for the first time to a new form of angry tirade from someone on the outermost fringe of my world. Apparently, it was caused by “Another October,” and provoked a series of abusive emails. They represented no problem since the delete key is so easy to locate on any mobile device.

However, what it did cause was a reflection not only on the need for articulate justifiable anger, but also the negativity of the wild emotions that embrace senseless accusations in today’s world.

I immediately thought of our current political world. A time in America when everyone is hoping to find the best of the best to lead us in a frightening economy, threats from other countries, climate changes, etc.

Yet sometimes it is difficult to have rational discussions. We had an interesting Congressional Hearing this week. There were amazing things the country learned from this session.

The leading Candidate for the Democratic Nomination did an outstanding job answering the questions.

She was professional, calm and prepared.

She kept her focus despite long hours of interrogation.

She is obviously an extremely intelligent woman and well versed in world and political matters.

However, also:

She admitted there were 600 requests for additional security in Benghazi that she did not address. The buck stops where????

She admitted she notified her own family member the evening of the attack that it was done by terrorists.

She then told the family members of the deceased warriors in Benghazi that it was done because of a video. An inconsistency or perhaps a deceit? Certainly a disservice to those who mourned.

These are the facts. Yet it is difficult to discuss either the first three or the last three with those who defend the Candidate or those who refute her qualifications. The rhetoric becomes frenzied, anguished and hostile lacking in fair judgment.

The irrational anger issue is also apparent with quotes from the various Republican Candidates. We truly require a wise and prudent leader to help us guide our beautiful America. Childish squabbling, angry silly accusations remind me of the senseless screaming at political rallies that accomplish little if anything.

We had a raucous rally in NY this weekend that turned ugly. I wonder how many of the participants really knew or understood what they were screaming about. How many of them were aware that a young black Policeman was waiting to be buried at the same moment they were shouting senselessly and inciting violence? When will we ever learn? Is it even remotely possible that we ever can?