Adapted from First They Came” (German: Als Sie Kamen lit. ‘When They Came‘, or Habe Ich Geschwiegen lit. ‘I Did Not Speak Out‘), is the poetic form of a 1946 post-war confessional prose by the German Lutheran pastor Martin Niemöller (1892–1984). It is about the silent complicity of German intellectuals and clergy following the Nazis’ rise to power and subsequent incremental purging of their chosen targets.
“I wish it need not have happened in my time,” said Frodo. “So do I,” said Gandalf, “and so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.” ― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring
It is striking to me how few people appear to realize how terrible things are going to get starting tomorrow. At a time when we should be metaphorically manning the barricades, people are going about oblivious. You may think this post is about the inauguration tomorrow and the slew of executive actions that will be put forth, and it certainly is. You may think this is about the impact of mass deportations on individuals and the inevitable deaths that will occur, and it is. You may also think that this post is about the rapid increase in the severity of damages and deaths stemming from Climate change, and it is. You may think that it is about the coming crashing of the economy from those tariffs, mass deportations, and disastrous fiscal policies, and it is. You may also think this is about the threat of bird flu, and it is. Lastly, you may think it is about our mad rush towards creating artificial general intelligence and how that will fundamentally cost millions of jobs as AI takes over those jobs across the economy, and it is. Yet it is really about the fact that all of these things will be happening to a large extent over the next four years, when we will have a government run by the most incompetent and corrupt administration likely ever in American history.
The first person Jesus talked to after his resurrection was a black woman. Let that sink in.
After his resurrection, the first person Jesus talks to is Mary Magdalene. This encounter is detailed in the Gospel of John, Chapter 20, verses 14-18. Mary Magdalene goes to Jesus’s tomb, finds it empty, and encounters Jesus, though she doesn’t recognize him immediately. When he speaks her name, she realizes who he is.
In addition the first person charged with sharing this news, the news of the resurrection was that same black women. She brought the news to the Apostles.
Recognizing this fact, she is considered a saint by the Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Anglican, and Lutheran denominations. In 2016, Pope Francis elevated her liturgical memory to a feast, referring to her as the “Apostle of the apostles”1.
Mary Magadalene was also historically one of his chief financial supporters.
If there is a fire most of us wait for the firefighters to come, and when they do, their first job is to save the people, even if that means the house and sometimes a neighbor’s house burns down, while they save that person. That is what elections are. Us waiting for someone else to do something and then focusing on the need to save a life, while not focusing on the house/s. That path, focusing on this or that before the bigger more important thing, makes us easy to manipulate. Because so far, reading this you are like what, of course, you save the person first you idiot!! This means, however that when you give Americans something to fear or hate (even a small thing, like one life or one offense), and they will cut off their own noses to avoid or kill whatever it is.
That is the fundamental difference between how a civilian reacts and how a Navy submariner acts. If there is a fire on a sub and a crew mate (maybe your best friend) is on fire, your first job is to put out the fire not to save your crew mate. After you put out the fire you can help them, because in the time you spend saving them, you could lose the sub, and everyone on it. But that is not all of it! If you lose your ship, you will not be there to defend the country. If your ship is on fire, and you need to let it burn/blow up/sink/be crushed in the ocean depths, so the ship is lost, which means you and everyone in it dies, you do that. If defending our Country requires that to happen.
On a US Navy sub, it’s simple. Country comes first, the Constitution comes second, the Ship comes third, and your shipmates/Seamen come last. There are many Navy seaman and officers out there right now, as you read this, at sea knowing, if need be, they will sacrifice their sub and their lives to protect the country because protecting the country protects their loved ones and all of us.
Today that thought in the civilian population is unknown. Try to find a national politician today who actually puts the needs of the Country before the needs of themselves or their party. It has not always been like that. During the Great Wars (I and II), the country pulled together for years and put Country above all else. Not today, we are very, very divided.
Which brings us to this last election. In this last election, one candidate talked about “bringing us together” and the other talked about the “enemy within” and worked hard to separate us.
When you hear those things, remember the Navy seaman and officers out there putting Country above all else. Yes. we can argue and should argue and debate at times vociferously about ideas, policies, laws, and rights BUT at the end of the day, when you get hot and heated and want to cut someone off, take out some American currency and look at it. Look at those words “E pluribus unum” and remember what they mean, “Out of many one!” Putting the needs of the first thirteen colonies below the needs of the Country. We are best when we focus on “one” the Country! Long before we consider what is best for yourself or your party. So, going forward keep some coins in your pocket. Just like a lucky token/good luck charm/prayer bead/rosary/amulet/talisman and when you get ready to scream, cry, punch someone just ask yourself is me working to demonize another/spread fear and hate, helping our Country? Then rub that coin and rejoin in respectful listening and conversation. Do not stop, and never stop fighting for what you believe is best for this country, but don’t fight to tear it apart.
“In the United States Navy, the hierarchy of loyalty and duty is clear:
Country: Above all, service members are sworn to defend the United States and its citizens.
Constitution: They take an oath to support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic.
Ship: Duty to one’s ship and mission follows, ensuring that the vessel is always ready and capable of fulfilling its role.
Shipmates/Seamen: Finally, they are committed to the welfare and success of their fellow sailors, working together to achieve their objectives.
This order ensures that the broader principles and commitments are upheld before focusing on more specific responsibilities.”
By the way, “E pluribus unum” has 13 letters – 13 colonies, now you know.
Growing up We lay tucked warmly in our beds after many goodnight kisses and a story or two. After praying 'Now I lie me down to sleep" But in our rooms over our heads were the crucifixes. I pray the Lord my soul to keep And above us in those crucifixes If I die before I wake were the candles and holy water to use, just in case I pray my lord my soul to take. God bless.......
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