Privilaged

What our heroes can teach us about how to fight back

Privileged.

I think I heard that word spoken almost as many times as Trump’s name appears in the Epstein Files by Pam Bondi. It was the default response and go-to of the AG while speaking to members of Congress.

Well, that was if she wasn’t speaking to the Republicans during clearly scripted conversations about undocumented immigrants.

I watched the hearing, and I was absolutely disgusted at what I witnessed. I have watched many of these hearings, and never in my lifetime have I ever watched someone work actively to be disrespectful to elected leaders as I watched from Pam Bondi.

It brings to light the problem that I have been saying for a long time now. It is impossible to find middle ground with people who don’t see you as a person. Pam Bondi and the Trump administration clearly do not see their political opponents as people.

They show disdain and disgust for elected officials. I think it is worth reminding everyone that elected officials, despite whether you like them or not, are elected by the American people. They are chosen by the American people. So your disdain and disgust for the representative is your disdain and disgust for the American people.

Let’s be clear. The President of the United States of America has been clear and open about his feelings about the American people. If you support him, he will pander to you. If you do not support him, then he does not consider you a human being.

I have no doubt whatsoever that, with Trump being eighty years old and demented and standing on death’s door, there is no changing any way he will be or act. I know his administration is more interested in maintaining and keeping power than actually serving and mending the country.

So what is the answer?

How do we survive this administration as a country?

I wish I could say we do it by staying observant and being present in the goings-on of the political climate, but after watching the way Pam Bondi spoke to Congress, I can assure you that there is nothing our elected officials can do that will save us.

So what can we do?

I think in times like this it is worth remembering what our country is. I think we need to remember what we stand for as a country. We need to remember our greatest heroes in history and use them as a light down a dark tunnel.

Heroes like Nathan Hale, Sophie Scholl, Jonathan Myrick Daniels.

Nathan Hale was one of the first known spies of America who, when he was caught, refused to denounce what he stood for and what he believed in. His last words before they executed him famously were “I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country.” He understood that what this country was founded on was worth laying his life down for.

I’m sure most Americans aren’t aware of who Sophie Scholl is, so it is an honor of mine to introduce you to her. Sophie Scholl was a German college student who, during the rise of Nazi Germany, refused to stay silent while the evils grew. She refused to be quiet and refused to accept it. She was executed at the age of 21. Her non-violent resistance was more damning to Hitler than any other resistance at the time.

As most people don’t know Sophie Scholl, I am sure just as many don’t know Jonathan Myrick Daniels. It is honestly a shame that people don’t know who this brave young man was. He represented everything good about our country and did more to show what being a true American was than almost anyone else in the history of this country.

Jonathan Daniels was an American Episcopal seminarian and civil rights activist. During the voting-rights campaign in Alabama, Jonathan Daniels literally shielded a young girl named Ruby Sales from a bullet. He gave his life to protect the innocent who wanted to just be considered human.

All three of these people understood that the only way to actually defeat evil takes doing the impossible. All three of them understood that sacrifice isn’t the goal, but that sacrifice in service to the greater good is a possible outcome. All three accepted the outcome and are now heroes.

I bring these people up because each of them did what they did during some of the most important times in history. They each represented what a single person can do when tyranny is trying to stand on the throats of the innocent.

Alex Pretti belongs on the list with them all. Alex Pretti gave his life while trying to protect women who had been thrown to the ground by violent terrorists with badges. Alex Pretti gave his life to ensure the protection and safety of others. If there is any other proof that the government we live under is spiraling down the wrong path, Alex Pretti showed us.

All of these heroes knew that no one was coming to save them. All of these heroes knew that in times of great need, it takes the average person doing what is right. All of these heroes will go down in history as the best of us.

Learn from our heroes. Do better, America.