When the Devil placed temptation in front of Eve, and she succumbed to it and convinced her Husband to follow her, she set humanity’s destiny. The enticement of evil would forever plague the world of humankind as it presents itself as something one believes they want.
In a way, our life concepts center around how we perceive what we have a right to. For example, Cain, Adam, and Eve’s firstborn believed he had the right to receive a direct blessing from God. It was his right as firstborn. So, when God snubbed him in favor of his brother because of the lousy sacrifice Cain made, he murdered Able and then dared to complain to God he would be hunted down and killed. So, God marked him to let people know to leave him alone. But this all happened because his brother got what he thought was his and, in reality, did nothing to show that he deserved the blessing.
So, when I read the following,
“Doctor Seys Inquart. Former Austrian Nazi, now in charge of Reich colonial areas, responsible for colonial policies. Possibly most hated man in Reich territory. Said to have instigated most, if not all, repressive measures dealing with conquered peoples. Worked with Rosenberg for ideological victories of most alarming grandiose type, such as attempt to sterilize entire Russian population remaining after close of hostilities. No facts for certain on this, but considered to be one of several responsible for decision to make holocaust of African continent, thus creating genocide conditions for Negro population. Possibly closest in temperament to original Fuhrer, A. Hitler.”
I reread the above passage several times. I told myself it was for clarity but I realized it was because it was far more disconcerting than I had initially thought. The following quote came to my mind, it is from Phillip K. Dick’s brilliant fictional novel about an alternate future where the Nazis won World War II, The Man in the High Tower (also adapted into a successful TV series), the character Mr. Tagomi declares, “There is evil! It’s actual, like cement.“
There was something about this passage that caused me to feel like the cold hand of death reached into my chest, grabbed my heart, and started squeezing ever so slowly. I had to get some perspective on that passage and my feelings, so I pulled this map of Africa up: with the following passage in mind; “Decision to make holocaust of African continent, thus creating genocide conditions for Negro population.”
Current Map of Africa — Population 1.3 billion
Fiction or not, those words that Dick wrote caused me to pause and consider the horror of the actual holocaust Hitler wanted to subject the world to — the systematic, willful, horrendous process of his malignant hate of those he considered inferior beings not suitable to be part of his Third Reich. This seven-word sentence: There is evil! It’s actual, like cement when applied to the African continent for the time frame of the book; Hitler’s regime targeted for extermination or enslavement 228 million people.
I spent a lot of time trying to absorb the power of Dick’s seven-word sentence; “there is evil! It’s actual, like cement.” I ask, ‘Is this what the Trump supporters want, some version of this? Do they envision themselves in Nazi uniforms or as part of the workforce, seemingly having special perks and privileges because they are sympathizers?
Most of all, I wrestle with the question(s) of how, what, and why they have become so despicably hateful to someone because of their religious beliefs and skin color and claim they are faithful followers of Christ and God, causing me to ask, what God do they worship that would look on them favorably for participating in and supporting mass genocide of members of his creation?
The Man in the High Castle is fiction and a damn good read, and I haven’t finished it yet. But what I am getting from it is a sort of insight that will assist me in better understanding the chaotic mind of a Trump supporter. There is one thing that seems consistent to me about his rabid supporters: I believe if proffered to them that Trump was the second coming of Christ, they would without hesitation scream Amen and Praise be to God at the top of their lungs.
This unquestioning loyalty to a man who honestly does not care about them, despite his claims to the contrary, is indeed disconcerting. This form of mindless adoration and undeserving loyalty for a man who is a congenital liar, morally questionable, self-centered, convicted criminal, habitual liar, and, let’s not forget, cheats at golf can be someone people believe should be back in the White House defies all logic. And for some strange reason makes, the words Dick wrote, there is evil! It’s actual, like cement, even more chilling.
Do the people see what they are doing in their support of Trump? How do they fail to see if he gets back in the White House, they will be seen as the catalytic force instrumental in dismantling democracy for autocratic rule, making Trump the first U.S. Dictator? They will be complicit in the evil that Trump will dispense.
Unfortunately, I know the answer to my question. But I find it difficult to accept as I do not want to believe people willingly will trade freedom for tyranny and believe subjugation is easier than obligation. By obligation, it is in the sense of thinking of the whole and not just the one, that one being themselves only, and of the whole, I mean the whole of society.
Thomas Paine wrote of times that would try men’s souls. In the Last Crisis number 13, Paine wrote the following in 1783, two-hundred-forty-one years ago:
“The times that tried men’s souls are over, and the greatest and compleatest revolution the world ever knew is gloriously and happily accomplished.
But to pass from the extremes of danger to safety — from the tumult of war to the tranquility of peace, through sweat in contemplation, requires a gradual composure of the sense to receive it. Even calmness has the power of stunning when it opens too instantly upon us. The long and raging hurricane that should cease in a moment would leave us in a state rather of wonder than enjoyment, and some moments of recollection must pass before we could be capable of tasting the full felicity of repose. Here are but a few instances in which the mind is fitted for sudden transitions: it takes in its pleasures by reflection and comparison, and those must have time to act, before the relish for new scenes is compleat.” — The Last Crisis Number XIII, Pane Collective Writings, pg. 348
The American Revolution ended, freed from England, and embarkment on the path of building a nation free from the rulership of a King who could dictate what the citizens at that time could and could not do.
We would have our Constitution and elect our first president six years later. From 1789 to 2024, we were a constitutional republic and became one of the most powerful nations in the world.
People of other countries view us as a beacon of freedom where people desire to come to flee the oppression so many suffer from under the thumb of autocratic rulers.
We have been through trying times but have managed to get through them. We are nearly a quarter through the 21st century and facing another trying time, although some would not acknowledge it as such.
I speak of whether we remain a constitutional republic by doing something this country has only done once before in electing Barack Obama, the first bi-racial male, by electing the first bi-racial female, Kalma Harris, to be our first female president or put a convicted felon, the instigator of the January 6th attempt to disrupt the counting of the Electoral votes so he could usurp the process and declare himself the president.
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