As Pete Hegseth delivered the commencement address at West Point with all the élan of a manosphere live streamer stumping for a new brand of beef jerky, insulting the dignity of the cadets by his overt and hollow evangelical preachiness and snarky grievance politics, our nation’s press and its people played the guessing game of who will Trump attack next?
Just watched "Project Hail Mary" for second time and had a thought. Ryland Grace when asked to risk his life for humanity said NO, which is, I surmise, what 90% of the US would say today. There is no feeling of connection with our country, humanity as a whole, no matter how much the religious folks spout out their "love." They "love", like Hegseth and cult members, only those who believe 100% as they do. Indigenous cultures used to have significant rituals around feeling connected to something awesome, their tribe and way beyond into something profound. No more. My high school senior students didn't feel their graduation really meant anything much to them. But look what happened when Ryland Grace developed a significant bond with "Rocky"---he was struck with deep empathy for Rocky and the people on its planet. He was finally willing to go on the Hero's Journey! He saved the earth, Rocky's planet, and himself. We don't need a cult, or a phony strongman/dictator. We need to create a deep sense of love for our country at its highest values.
I was a teenager in the ‘70s in Canada. As antiwar and anti-militarist as you can get. Images from Vietnam, Kent State, racial segregation, tinted my view of the USA, even if I grew there until age 4 and had fond memories.
As an adult, I learned to make the difference between the members of the troops and the politicians using them unwisely. I realized how many 1st and 2nd generation Unitedstaters wanted to give back to the country welcoming them, how African-Americans love their country way more than it loves them in return. What this administration is doing to the Army, to the women and minorities serving and to the Vets is appalling, and truly frightening. I sincerely hope the US can go through these dark times, and seize the occasion to build a better Union.
Even in these bleak, harsh times, Noel's Substack essays touch me deeply and motivate me to keep on working to fix our country.
Beautiful writing Noel! I have family who fought during the revolutionary war.
Same here, and thanks so much for reading & the support Christine!
Just watched "Project Hail Mary" for second time and had a thought. Ryland Grace when asked to risk his life for humanity said NO, which is, I surmise, what 90% of the US would say today. There is no feeling of connection with our country, humanity as a whole, no matter how much the religious folks spout out their "love." They "love", like Hegseth and cult members, only those who believe 100% as they do. Indigenous cultures used to have significant rituals around feeling connected to something awesome, their tribe and way beyond into something profound. No more. My high school senior students didn't feel their graduation really meant anything much to them. But look what happened when Ryland Grace developed a significant bond with "Rocky"---he was struck with deep empathy for Rocky and the people on its planet. He was finally willing to go on the Hero's Journey! He saved the earth, Rocky's planet, and himself. We don't need a cult, or a phony strongman/dictator. We need to create a deep sense of love for our country at its highest values.
I was a teenager in the ‘70s in Canada. As antiwar and anti-militarist as you can get. Images from Vietnam, Kent State, racial segregation, tinted my view of the USA, even if I grew there until age 4 and had fond memories.
As an adult, I learned to make the difference between the members of the troops and the politicians using them unwisely. I realized how many 1st and 2nd generation Unitedstaters wanted to give back to the country welcoming them, how African-Americans love their country way more than it loves them in return. What this administration is doing to the Army, to the women and minorities serving and to the Vets is appalling, and truly frightening. I sincerely hope the US can go through these dark times, and seize the occasion to build a better Union.
As usual, such a joy to read (and a heartbreak).