I brought up the topic of courage in my
previous post which prompted some interesting reader comments. The topic
evolved into some other thoughts for me as I consider what’s happening with bald
eaglet Simba becoming fly-worthy, also daily life issues we each encounter plus
the challenges presented in our nation and the world today.
Rain who writes at Rainy Day Thoughts observed
discerning between what might be considered a courageous act and, in fact, is
actually foolish can be a challenge. I
suppose if the action is judged successful we consider it courageous, but failure
might be viewed as our having been foolish to ever having undertaken it in the
first place.
Terra who
writes at Terra Garden contrasts overcoming the fear some experience of even leaving
their house versus those we view as courageously circling the earth in a space
shuttle.
Jean at Misadventures of Widowhood writes of the courage we
exhibit whenever we act outside our comfort zone.
Raman’s Musings from India included his report of the courage he needed
to leave a long-established career in his late forties to start a new career.
Goldendaze Ginnie reports living in the midst of a
geographical area where we could surmise it might take courage to express less
than popular views from those of the predominant group's religious beliefs. She cites the Serenity Prayer’s sentiments as
guidance which I concur can be pertinent in life.
Courage and fear seem to be intrinsically
linked as Arkansas Patti who writes at TheNew Sixty notes – the latter stimulating or needing to be overcome for action
we often describe as being courageous.
Nick in Northern
Ireland who writes at Nick Here and Now introduced being “...impressed
by the courage of Labour Party whistle-blowers who've spoken up about virulent
antisemitism in the party and incurred the wrath of the party leadership.”
Perhaps we could use a few more such courageous types in our
President’s political party.
Seems to me we’re seeing some interesting displays of fear,
courage, or lack thereof.....
..... as I also wonder
what eaglet Simba is experiencing?
Perhaps there are skills Simba needs yet to acquire before
he initiates flight. Maybe he is not afraid to fly, is not lacking
in courage. Maybe his parents, Shadow and Jackie, know this
and have been directing he must develop these skills or acquire more strength
and stamina before launching into the air.
All we know is Simba is well into the timeline when eaglets begin making
their beginning flights and we humans are impatient for him to do so. We’re still waiting for his maiden flight as
I write this Saturday night, July 20th.
Earlier today when I did a more lengthy check on Simba than
the occasional brief visits I make during the week, I observed his continued
activities were limited to hopping about the nest, short flights from a branch
into the nest, picking up and moving small branches in the nest, positioning
himself on various larger branches from which he could launch into the air,
lots of wings extension with flapping, lengthy time periods perching quietly
with eagle-eye surveying of his surroundings.
Before dusk there was considerable bird talk with a larger
variety of communication soumds than I’ve heard before, presumably with his parents. Then, his father, Shadow, flew into the nest
with a fish Simba ate. Simba produced
lots of whining sounds, seemed agitated with his father in one instance, was finally fed a few bites before Shadow ultimately left the nest.
Later when
Simba perched on a launching branch there was lots more parental bird talk conversation,
wing strengthening flapping but without his talons releasing their grip on the branch to actually
fly. Darkness came and Simba appears to
be spending the night alone, perched on the launching branch as his mother,
Jackie, never flew in with a fish as she often has in the past.
Political view alert....
On a human note I’ve long been concerned that so few leaders
in our government have had the courage to contradict or denounce our President’s words,
actions that are counter to what I’ve believed represent the basic values of
our nation. This has become increasingly
true ever since the current leadership has been in power driving and bullying
our country toward becoming an autocracy with efforts to subvert the other
branches of government and attempts to nullify the Fourth Estate, the press.
Government departments have been weakened with ineffectual or unqualified leadership, often with only acting department heads. Criteria for appointments is blind absolute loyalty to a President whose actions suggest a disloyalty to the very nation's values he serves.
Setting an example that fosters violence, then offering meaningless
disclaimers are hallmarks of this leader’s techniques that breed dissension,
not unification. One could conclude deliberate tactics are being utilized to create unrest or worse throughout our country. Token actions are
occasionally taken to garner press attention, then ballyhooed as demonstrating the
magnanimous nature of this individual.
Even citizens supporting our President seem to have set aside
their professed values as they make some of the most bizarre interpretations excusing
his worse-than-offensive words and deeds.
Fear seems to be a factor for many
of those in our government who give him cover with such defensive distorted
views as do those who remain silent, a betrayal to the electorate. Might this
be a demonstration of lack of courage?
We are long past a time when individuals, especially those
in our Congress, need to stand up for our nation’s values, even if it means
challenging and contradicting their political party’s leader. This is not a time for political partisanship. This is a time for dedication to preservation
of our constitutional democratic republic and values with the individual
freedoms we so cherish.
I expect readers have been exposed multiple times to the
most recent as well as past profound pronouncements from our nation’s leader
which prompts my commentary here. I
choose to not repeat any of them which would only further the distraction they
were likely intended to be when uttered.
I wonder if less attention was assigned to the asinine outrageous
verbiage our President so often espouses would be better? What if such deliberate attention-seeking words
of his were just ignored?
What is the best way to deal with such a public
figure?
Should other public figures as part
of their professional obligations to their constituents courageously speak out against
such language and/or actions they find offensive? If they remain silent should we assume they
agree or merely that they’re cowards -- which should be of note to voters come
next election?
Oh, and what is the likelihood Bald Eaglet Simba will fly
this week?
