In life we are offered opportunity to choose how we approach challenges despite appearing to be cornered with only one way out. Without weighing the circumstances mindfully, autonomic response will kick in, and it can save or it can kill.
These challenges are not just individual but stand before nations, and in grandiose terms, civilizations. Yet the challenge is first met most effectively on the personal level, for only that reaction, be it visceral or cerebral, will make the ultimate difference.
Enmeshed in a political cycle fueled by anger that craves autonomic reaction, lashing out verbally and physically
The United States is enmeshed in a political cycle fueled by anger that craves autonomic reaction, lashing out verbally and physically, against the perceived threat, which does not negate its reality. The problem is that possibly half the population is swept up in the visceral, and virtually refuses to consider options that demand reasoning. If any believe that this description might be a personal critique, then it is essential for each of us to stop and evaluate motivation for choosing political "sides." Step back and take a long look at what a chosen camp represents, how it defines the threat, advertises its solutions, is consistent in those solutions, and engineers the application of its plan to thwart the threat.
That's a big assignment. Unfortunately, instinctive reaction generally overwhelms desire to examine the options. Because of this we now find ourselves butting heads to no effect other than complete immersion into expression of anger. And now, two camps are exploiting that frustration to create a battle that could be avoided.
Protesting voters glommed on to a boisterous rebellion against the "establishment." Other protesters have taken up a cause to protest the protesters.
The louder the anti-candidate protest becomes, the more angry do voters become and may join the sloganeering convoy, thinking to be part of a demonstration that appears powerful. But it is not. By being goaded into reaction, either by anger or fear, one loses power.
The clashes between bluster rallies and amorphous crowds decrying the bluster isn't by chance
The clashes between bluster rallies and amorphous crowds decrying the bluster isn't by chance. The frustration-driven rallies just happen to be located in vulnerable neighborhoods--a university convention center or a community with only one major access road? This is either poor planning, or strategizing to enable protesters to target the gathering and, in the end, encourage empathy for a harassed speaker.
As unflattering as this sounds, politics is warfare and campaign management generally uses whatever tactic necessary to garner support. This includes the angry anti-anger protesters that by "reflexivity" (a strategy concocted by George Soros that describes the ability to sway people to make reflexive decisions, often to their detriment) show up to shutdown something they believe they despise, only to become pawns of the orchestrator(s).
Crowds are conducted through a dissonant fugue, elements becoming adversarial because of gut reaction to, first an idea or threat, then the voices that are promoting the idea or threat. Instant confrontation results that, in the end, serves no purpose but to create more anger and frustration that the maestros channel into their cause du jour.
Additionally, has the republican establishment anti-Trump faction learned nothing from Soros' financial and social success with reflexivity that now they broadcast a 100-day campaign to block the candidate? Such a strategy feeds the anger and automatic rejection of establishment "wisdom," creating a sure-fire path to achieve the opposite of their aim.
Anger turned to frustration turned to impulsive reaction is a losing strategy
The continuation of planned marches against one of the republican candidates does four things:
consumes the media
can create sympathy for the beleaguered
can increase loathing for either group
can persuade individuals to re-examine their response to the theatrics.
The first three should be ignored and the fourth taken to heart. Anger turned to frustration turned to impulsive reaction is a losing strategy. The fire burns out after a while unless new stimuli are introduced to spur outrage. Even terrorist organizations know to use this concept to keep their followers in line.
Voters must calmly consider their options despite growing harassment by government agencies and other would-be toughs. They must define their true convictions and reflect whether negotiation or compromise is an acceptable solution to "win." Best that we define what winning means as well, because if it costs us our convictions--faith and personal values--then it is loss. What may seem expedient is not profitable, in that should you set aside your convictions just to achieve an outcome, it will come back to bite you later. And there will be regret when the outcome isn't what was expected. Obama's presidency is a perfect example.
Adjusting our faith or convictions to follow a "winner" can lead to ultimate loss of what truly made America great--uncompromising belief in America's exceptionalism endowed by God's grace. For an authoritarian, no number of foreign policy expert advisors will improve the odds of dealing with the devil.
Former newspaper publisher, A. Dru Kristenev, grew up in the publishing industry working every angle of a paper, from ad composition and sales, to personnel management, copy writing, and overseeing all editorial content. During her tenure as a news professional, Kristenev traveled internationally as a representative of the paper and, on separate occasions, non-profit organizations. Since 2007, Kristenev has authored five fact-filled political suspense novels, the Baron Series, and two non-fiction books, all available on Amazon. Carrying an M.S. degree and having taught at premier northwest universities, she is the trustee of Scribes’ College of Journalism, which mission is to train a new generation of journalists in biblical standards of reporting. More information about the college and how to support it can be obtained by contacting Kristenev at cw.o@earthlink.net.
ChangingWind (changingwind.org) is a solutions-centered Christian ministry.
