One of the things I get pretty tired of are those people who believe, act and say they are “better” than those of us who live outside the big cities of both coasts (and Chicago)! Politicians, Hollywood stars and recording artists not only mock President Donald Trump, but often extend their disdain to those who supported his candidacy in 2016.
Examples are many: When campaigning for the Presidency, Barack Obama famously claimed those in the heartland “cling to their guns and Bibles”. In the last election, we were told that Trump’s supporters were a “basket of deplorables”. And every awards show, from the Grammys to the Golden Globes and the Oscars, feature a litany of condescension toward our President and those who voted for him.
The mainstream media are little better. CNN, MSNBC, NBC, ABC and CBS all have a bias against the middle of America and the values we hold dear. Most of the time it is just the same old liberal noise and becomes that which we filter out as we try to just live a good life.
So, what “triggers” this diatribe of mine? (See, even those of us who are conservative can be “triggered”!) This time it was one of MSNBC’s anchors, Joy Reid, who during the State of the Union address by President Trump, tweeted that
“Church … family … police … military … the national anthem … Trump trying to call on all the tropes of 1950s-era nationalism. The goal of this speech appears to be to force the normalization of Trump on the terms of the bygone era his supporters are nostalgic for”.
Snob, elitist, paternalistic — Reid just slammed those of us who look at that list and feel each one she denigrated adds so much to our lives that we cannot but honor each one for the good they bring. Let us look at all of those in our community.
Church. In Paris, Illinois, where we live, there are more churches than bars. Each Sunday morning, church parking lots are filled with cars, pickups and SUVs of every vintage, with people walking into the sanctuary holding their Bibles and greeting friends, neighbors and fellow Christians. But more than just to worship, the churches here are a vital part of the community. These are the ones who help with the Compassionate Clothes Closet, the food drives and attend prayer breakfasts. In the summer, Vacation Bible Schools teach our young people about the values and virtues of the Christian life, giving them a solid start on productive lives for our nation. Also, from this small town, churches regularly send out mission groups and full-time missionaries to places like Haiti, South America, Eastern Europe and Southeast Asia. Sorry to say, Ms. Reid, church is not a part of a “bygone era” here, and in many such communities in the “flyover country”. I do imagine this famous person would be very uncomfortable in our town and in many she disdains, for the church is here to stay.
Family. Sometimes one wonders whether some commentators have no link between their brain and what comes out of their mouths. Ms. Reid would do well to study the history of civilizations, both ancient and modern, and see the value of the family to the health of each culture. Here in Paris we see what families do for the community, and for the larger society. Parents are heavily involved in the education of our children, and add so much to the fabric of life in this small town. When I taught at a middle school, we prided ourselves in having a large number of moms and dads aiding us in the education of the children. Volunteers for tutoring, parents manning the refreshment stands at sports events and fundraising efforts to help add material to classrooms were a regular part of school life. Strong family units aided in keeping juvenile delinquency to a low-level, and many times straightened out young miscreants before the crimes got serious. In times of tragedy, families rallied around friends and neighbors to help them survive such setbacks in life. Ms. Reid, if you read this, perhaps you might think again when looking at family life in a place you disdain.
Police. In our small community, the police are an important part of life. They do the usual work of such departments, catching speeders, responding to domestic disturbances and trying to lessen the incidence of drug use among the populace. And, for the most part, our police and sheriff’s departments to a pretty good job. This is a safe environment for young and old, and one of the advantages is that virtually all the officers are from local families. But more than that is done by law enforcement here. There are educational programs presented to the schools by the police, which gives children an early experience with those whose job is to protect and serve. When it comes to responding to calls for help, even minor offenses are investigated. From personal experience, even vandalism was taken seriously by the personnel who came. One of the features of the Christmas season, now done for many years, is the “Shop with a Cop”, which targets children who are disadvantaged. City policemen, county mounties and detectives all participate and take the kids to retail stores and, with money donated from the community, allow the children to have a brighter Christmas. Ms. Reid must be somewhat delusional to think that honoring and respecting the police is a product of a “bygone era”.
Military. It is fashionable in liberal circles to denigrate those who serve our nation in the armed services. Not so in many, many small towns and villages across the vast interior of the land — we do honor and respect young men and women who will give part of their lives to defend America. At a recent high school graduation, the young men and women who planned to enter military service were honored, and the applause for them was almost raucous. Along the two main streets are yellow signs with the names of those who are in the various branches of the services places on the utility poles, a very visible manifestation of the respect given to our soldiers and sailors. A funeral service held just three weeks ago featured a military graveside ceremony, and the folding of the flag was done in almost eerie silence as the flag was folded and presented to the son of the deceased. Having two brothers and a brother-in-law serve during the Vietnam War, a grandfather who left his farm to serve in France in World War II, and countless other family members who donned uniforms, and at least one who “gave the last full measure of devotion” while serving makes any insult to the military very unpalatable. Don’t try to denigrate our military in this town, Ms. Reid.
The National Anthem. Here in Middle America The Star Spangled Banner is respected and honored. Played before virtually all sports events, most attending stand at attention and sing along with the words. “The land of the free, And the home of the brave” still stirs people out here. If an athlete decided he or she would not stand for the anthem, nor face the flag, that athlete would find themselves on the bench or off the team. We do not deny people the right to express their ideas, but other venues will suffice; the anthem and flag are off-limits. For over 240 years the flag has flown over our nation, and the anthem has called men and women to service and sacrifice. Ms. Reid, those who honored those powerful symbols have given you the right to express your opinions, however skewed or misbegotten they may be. The welcome mat is not out for those who disrespect those symbols.
Church. Family. Police. Military. The National Anthem. To most Americans, these are not relics of a bygone age. They are part and parcel of what we are as citizens of this great nation, and we pity those who cannot see that truth.