Trying to Make Sense of it All

Hello at the beginning of another week,

One of my former students was quite exasperated with me when she lived at my house because I was at some points a real pain, albeit unintentionally. She was the first of a number of students and exchange students who would live with me, and I must give her credit for teaching me more than, perhaps, I could have ever taught her. She was intelligent, insightful, fiercely independent, and structured about all aspects of her life. When I would question things, which those who know me are well aware of this given propensity, she finally asked one day, “Does everything have to be logical for you?” I simply answered “Yes; it’s how I make sense of the world and my life.” While she was less than enamored by that answer, what I realized was how deeply true it all was.

What is it that makes something logical? Is it merely the philosophic precept that we in our Western dialectic need for sense-making foundationally hold on to? Is it, by chance based on experience and precedent? When it comes to logical consequence, there is a requirement of necessity, and to push it further, there is no scenario where something cannot be true. There is an apriori nature to the idea of logical consequence. Aristotelian logic works with the idea of non-contradiction whereas eastern logic. works on the idea of possibility. Additionally, the idea of linear, which is more western varies dramatically from the rather spiral idea or what is often known as the Yin and Yang of something; they are not adverse, but complementary. Even as I think this through, I realize that I am more comfortable with admitting the grey area of something versus the sort of right or wrong of something in some contrasting manner.

When considering our American political system, I think it is reasonable to ask, where do we fall on that philosophical spectrum. And I have to admit I did some AI sleuthing to answer this. The complexity of our grand experiment is because it borrows from multiple theories to include: social contract theory, classical liberalism, and enlightenment rationalism (Gemini search). These are certainly broad strokes, for sure, but I recall a paper I wrote while I was an honors student at the University of Iowa. It was an analysis of John Locke’s Second Treatise on Civil Government. Along with his commitment to the ideals of liberty, life, and property, which he referred to as natural, he also addressed the reality that when we commit to a society we give up certain rights for the benefit of the whole. This, of course, pushes us into the concepts of justice, equity, fairness, and that social contract that we are indebted to each other. This also creates a natural understanding of the importance of the individual while simultaneously connecting the individual to the necessary evil of government, and yet a government that is constrained by the constitution. Both the constitution and the separation of powers are in place to manage the balance between the individual and societal needs. Therein is the grand experiment because it requires the goodness of those in power and those who vote them into power.

All of this is to layout the foundation which is the point of this blog: how did we get where we are? And I would note that I have friends on both sides of the political spectrum who are dismayed where we find ourselves at this point in time. While I have been rather vociferous over the past few months about the state of our Union, of the state of the world, there comes a point where one begins to wonder if there is anything we can say matters. There comes a point when we can only look in disbelief at what is happening and wonder how we got to this point. What I realize is that even in the midst of my incredible dismay, my unparalleled fear of what we have become, of who we are as a country, I want to believe that what a group of individuals worked to establish 250 years ago, while still imperfect is capable yet of being a country of justice and equity. That regardless the faith someone claims, the creator that created it all, can find a way into the hearts and minds of all people to enable us to love the other first. I know that is not an easy thing to do, but it is not because we are not capable, but it is, too often, we are unwilling to do the hard work to love the other. I know over the past year my fragility has made it difficult for me to allow myself to take criticism, to see the other’s point of view. What I continue to realize more emphatically than any other point in my life is that we are called on to care about our fellow human beings and to treat them with dignity.

We are easily caught up in the dogmatics of our particular scriptural interpretation believing that somehow we have a corner on the gospel, but I have to say that his Eminence Pope Leo XIV seems to speak the simple truth of the gospel quite simply and plainly. And yet, somehow, that simple truth has all sort of believers up in arms. The AI posting of the President this week takes things to a level I could have never imagined, and his response, claiming that he thought it was a doctor and the Red Cross boggles my head. Indeed, trying to make sense of it all seems beyond any logical possibility, and perhaps, it falls beyond the illogical. It is beyond all comprehension. What causes me the most alarm falls in two areas. What it does to the basics of faith is stunning. And that the most powerful person on the earth has done and said what has happened in the last two days is flabbergasting. How can anyone, regardless their political leanings believe this is acceptable? I cannot make sense of it, but perhaps that is where we need to get to before we will continue down this track toward total destruction of life or faith as we know it.

What have we become? What are we willing to accept? Have we lost all possibility of being thoughtful? Logical? Reasonable? While I am deeply concerned, it is my hope that this unparalleled blasphemy will push all faithful people to say enough. It is my hope that Congress, who are just back from their two week vacay will do something reasonable be it follow up with the removal of two more Representatives for their profound ethical misdeeds, be it actually do something with the War Powers and make both President Trump and Sec. Hegseth come before the Congress with an actual plan for Iran, and be it perhaps time to seriously look at the 25th Amendment. Will any of that happen? That would make sense, and as my title implies and asks, “Can we make sense of anything that seems to occur in Washington at the moment? I remember when this song came out in 1969. I was in 8th grade. My brother was a senior, graduating, and facing the lottery. I bought this 45. There is a blast from the past. Also, today would be my adopted father’s 111th birthday. Thanks Dad for being so incredible. Happy Birthday and I love you.

Thanks as always for reading.

Michael