A Virtual Church

The home of the brave

October 31, 2024

Monday night, Leslie Odom, Jr. sang the National Anthem at the World Series game in Yankee Stadium. For any who don’t know, Leslie Odom, Jr. sang the role of Aaron Burr in Hamilton. He’s a big deal. At this point, Dodgers are up 3-0. That will change. But the words of the National Anthem do not change…. at least not yet.
 
I am not so sure we are the home of the brave anymore.  Cowardice and complicity seem to be the order of the day among people like Jeff Bezos and Warren Buffet and all the others who are so intimidated by Donald Trump that they are willing to sell out our Democracy for Trump’s erratic favor. 
 
Hearing Michelle Obama and Ken Burns over the day, it is clear that we are in an existential crisis for the future of America. They are among others who are sounding the alarm. The term for what is going on is “autocratic capture.” The autocrat bullies and threatens anybody who opposes him. People capitulate and let the bully get away with something they all know is wrong. Schoolyard bullies are all the same. You only need to be brave enough to say, “not this time.”
 
Donald Trump, autocratic exhibit one, was impeached twice. Impeached. Let that sink in. He was not a victim; he was guilty of egregious acts unbefitting any citizen, much less the President of the United States. Many Republicans voted not to impeach. Those who voted bravely no longer hold office. Score one for the bully.
 
The second impeachment, over the January 6th insurrection, again was voted down by Republicans. They voted against certifying the electoral college vote for Biden. How many of you remember Josh Hawley running to get away from the angry mob? Cowards all. 
 
In the autocratic takeover attempt in Poland, it was a coalition of disparate voices who came together to save their Democracy. We might not be on the same policy page, but we all want an America that gives people opportunity. We all hope for the upward trajectory of personal freedom and free speech. We want a kind and just place for our children to grow up. We want education to be broad and inclusive of all the American story. Donald Trump will change all that. 
 
People a lot smarter than me are saying the same thing. The Trump Rally at Madison Square Garden is exhibit two. Holy Cow! Calling Puerto Rico a “floating island of garbage” is disgusting. Calling America a “garbage can” is disgusting too. If you have ever been to Puerto Rico, you know what a beautiful island it is. Full of gracious people and a rich history. Who in their right mind would disparage that? Oh, yes, the one who threw paper towels to them as Hurricane Maria aid.
 
In My Fair Lady, Eliza Doolittle’s father sings a song, “I’m getting married in the morning.” It is his recognition that when he ties the marriage knot, his fate is sealed. I have thought about that song in the context of the American decision for a President. Many people across this country have already voted. The deal may already be sealed. 
 
I pray women, who live with toxic husbands who dimmish their being, have gone into voting booths and voted to protect reproductive rights. I pray that people who head large corporations and media empires will rise to a higher, braver self and resist autocratic captivity. I understand that people are mostly self-interested and that martyrs usually end up dead. But, hells bells, we all end up dead anyhow. At least we could go down swinging. 
 
All those Republicans, like Mitch McConnell, Lindsay Graham, and Ted Cruz, who privately  told people what a terrible and unfit person Donald Trump is, need to join Liz Cheney and the others who have exhibited great patriotism and bravery in calling out Trump’s danger to our country. Evidently, protection of power and money are a higher priority than saving the country. We need to ask ourselves, are we still the home of the brave? 
 
Being brave is part of the Boy Scout Creed. If a 12-year-old can promise bravery, surely we can too. Vote like our country depends on it, because it does. 
 
Lib Campbell is a retired Methodist pastor, retreat leader, columnist and host of the blogsite www.avirtualchurch.com. She can be contacted at libcam05@gmail.com