Day 1178 – Us versus “Yes, but”
Friday April 10, 2020
205 Days until the election on November 3rd
285 Days until the Inauguration on January 20, 2021
There are a million ways to illustrate the point.
Nelson Mandela said, “It’s impossible until it isn’t.” It took him over 27 years.
There is a fundamental argument going on in this country and it’s been going on for as long as I can remember. Essentially, it’s “Yes, but … people won’t go for it.”
“Do you want cheaper better health care?”
“Do you want to be protected from gun violence?”
“Do you think everyone deserves …?”
In another form the argument is the one I frequently raise, “Do you agree that a rising tide raises all boats?”
Sometimes this is nuanced with a “Yeah, but they don’t deserve to have their boat float.”
Or I’ve heard another variant on the boat idea recently. A person in the boat takes out a drill and starts drilling a hole under their seat. “Don’t you realize that if you drill that hole the boat will sink?”, “It’s my drill, my seat, and there is work to be done.”
The corona virus is showing us our humanity, both the good and the bad.
The fundamental question seems to be, “Are we in this together or not?”
If you choose “not” then you are betting that the virus won’t kill you.
If you choose “together” then you have to pitch in, or at least not stand in the way, of helping others. The “others” is everyone else: the poor, the homeless, the people in Africa, everyone because this virus doesn’t care what you think or who you are.
Good night and good luck.*
205 Days until the election on November 3rd
285 Days until the Inauguration on January 20, 2021
* Edward R. Murrow’s nightly sign off.
(Look him up. You’e gott google.)
PS Elvis! ( What do you mean it’s out of focus? You need to get new glasses. Shaky Camera? No, that’s called ‘Cinema Verite’ What are you a moron? )
Note: In this out of focus shaky photo the author is impersonating Elvis Presley singing or trying to sing “Blue Christmas” for which he can’t remember all the words, nor hold a tune. It was great. “I think it was the best Elvis impersonation ever.”
“Stunning” – The Times
“One for the ages” – The Tribune
“Soon to be a classic” – The Herald
“It stank” – little Tommy **
** There is no “little Tommy” I made it up based on an old cartoon. Geez. (See note on Elvis above.)
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