We are just more than a week into the administration of President Bannon, and there are lots of reasons to feel pessimistic, but I have to, once again, write about some signs of optimism. All around, people are gathering together to do their bit to oppose. Last night we went to a meeting of a new group called Rise Up Mystic Now, in truth, we don’t technically live in Mystic, but close enough. Anyway, the meeting was held in a room at the Mystic Noank Library that is possibly big enough for a gathering of 50 people. It was swamped. People were standing in the halls. For once, my better half’s penchant for always arriving early served us in good stead, for we had seats.
Follow through is critical, I know, and we’ll see how it goes from here, but it’s still heartening. This is happening all over the country, I’m sure. There are several groups forming just in the Southeast corner of our great state. In fact, one of the challenges will be to find a way for those disparate groups to coordinate.
What I think is particularly encouraging is the fact that so many people have come together over a cause that directly affects so few of them. People feel strongly about the Muslim ban. That speaks highly for the better angels of our nature.
Once again, it must be emphasized that we can’t beat back President Bannon without some help from our elected “leaders”. But even here, these grassroots groups may help. It’s always possible that they can bring some of our Democratic politicians to understand what we commoners understand: that this is not normal, and that comity, civility and compromise are simply paving stones on the road to ruin. We need massive resistance, and if it comes from the bottom up, so much the better.
By the way, if you live in the Groton/Stonington/Ledyard area, sign up.
Post a Comment