The Redemptive Arc of Nothingness

I have always been struck by the reliance of the media on judging an individual by a "defining moment".

The concept is big, in news reporting, in history and in literature. Paul had his blinding flash on the road to Damascus. Lincoln had his Gettysburg Address. We want our judgements to be based on an easily encapsulated soundbite or video.

So we get a lot of attention on a President's "State of the Union Address", which is supposed to be the time when the person in the driver's seat tells us where we are. Note that it is not the "Where to, Boss?" speech.

But, invariably, Presidents use it as a public relations gimmick to present their plans, however vague and ill-defined, for improving the view from the ditch where they have left us.

By your fruits...

That's right. We tend to say "Hey, nice speech" when we are more impacted by the day to day actions of the Chief Executive. If there's a bold, new idea in the speech to get us going, why was it held until a prime time speech and not implemented as soon as it was identified? If a firefighter waited until the local film crews showed up to give CPR to your grandmother, I hope they'd show him for what he is: A phony and a scoundrel, who let Granny, if not die, at least suffer irreperable brain damage.

The fact that a man who came to his office by deceit and has taken the non-mandate of a contested, even stolen, election to destroy the economy, rape the environment and send thousands of our sons and daughters to their deaths to defend an indefensible and ultimately destructive foreign policy of cultural and economic elitism feels he can salvage his legacy with a speech rather than real and penitent action, speaks badly for him.

And, if we allow it, speaks badly for us. Badly for us, and our sons and daughters who are still dying, while this coward asks for more to die for a cause no greater than his reputation.

Saying "I'm sorry" the morning after a rape doesn't end the victim's pain. Or the rapist's culpability.