Spectral Churn: Our Nation's Soul in Turmoil

 

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“In photography there are no shadows that cannot be illuminated.” - August Sander



    It would be easy to underestimate the importance of what happened. The nonsensical is the daily normal so why should an attack on the US Capitol be any different? I think we need to be very wary of where this national rupture is going. There is too much division backed up by hate, intolerance, and arms, and the willingness to act. The constant barrage of lies from the president and his enablers have made the truth a precious commodity valued only by some. As Voltaire warned, those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities. We need to be vigilant and guard against this getting worse. As I wrote in my post on January 9, 2021...

    Who can believe what we’ve seen this past week? I felt incredibly sad and angry at the spectacular mayhem perpetrated at the Capitol on Wednesday. Precious lives lost, sacred trust broken, public and private property destroyed, and seditious activities instigated by our most high-ranking government officials. And all because of narcissism, unbridled greed, and lies without end.

    We, the people, witnessed a frenzied assault on the rule of law at the symbolic and very real heart of our republic, the seat of American representative democratic government. I am very glad the damage was contained, the invaders were removed and are being arrested, and that our government continues to function. I pray that the misdeeds of the mob don’t result in a loss of fundamental liberty for more ephemeral security but I often wonder if our citizenry is responsible enough to soberly maintain their freedom.

    My soul, like today’s photograph, is tossed in a ‘Spectral Churn.’ May we all grow much more civil, kind, and generous with each other. Let’s hope the era of constant political divisiveness ends soon. Peace and be well to all of you.


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Location: Rehoboth Beach, DE, USA

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