I Do So

Most mornings, it is comparatively easy. It only takes:

A cup of strong black coffee in my favorite Portmeirion mug.

Some time spent in quiet meditation as I read my favorite prayer from Anam Cara.

And then after a hot shower just a spritz or two of No. 5,

Within minutes my world is tranquil.

That was until this morning when despite all my normal rituals, I felt fear and instantly realized I was afraid.

I felt that primitive emotion as I read the oft-quoted statement by the new Congressional representative, Rashida Tlaib, on my new IPad. Then I heard it quoted again on cable news.

My fear became even stronger when I realized the esteemed Speaker of the House of Representatives had refused to rebuke the newly elected Congresswoman.

And I realized, she, too, might be afraid.

Because the obscene rhetoric is the door to violence. It doesn’t linger far behind when crude, vulgar words paint pictures. Any person capable of being elected to represent fellow citizens in our amazing country obviously has to possess a considerable vocabulary. Why did she resort to language reflecting only the gutter?

The words so often quoted today by Rep. Tlaib are totally offensive, regardless of any citizen’s political persuasions.

They would be verboten in households throughout the U.S

There are ample adjectives to describe the possibilities or hopes to impeach our President, and none of them would induce fear. Our language is adequate, and in my opinion, rich with choice. I could immediately quote quite a few that were negative without resorting to those used yesterday.

My question, again, is why? There has to be a reason, and that is the reason I am afraid.

The fear rather comes from the choice to incite emotions. It is reminiscent of mob scenes I only saw depicted in films. Fortunately, I have never been a bystander at one, even in the years spent in Hells Kitchen.

Nor did I hear these words on the streets of my beloved city. Granted that was a long time ago. Yet people were hungry, and threatened by a depression, and there was a War on the horizon. Many people did not love FDR and preferred isolationism. Yet the adjectives used by Rep. Tlaib would have evoked more than a passive outrage. She would have felt the wrath of all who heard.

I do so wish that had happened yesterday. I do so wish Nancy Pelosi had dared to voice the shock she had to have felt as she listened.

I do so wish I wasn’t afraid.