Might Ain’t Right
First, an administrative note: This site (my personal website, primarily the home of my weekly essays) has been moved to www.nealbell.net. I have now launched a website at www.nealbell.com in support of my EOS Implementer practice. I recognize that this only makes it harder to find my personal essays, but it made the most sense.
Lately, writing my weekly essays has become more difficult. This is partially due to the shrinking amount of time and energy I am able to devote to this weekly practice. For me, writing these essays is the best way for me to make sense of life as it plays out. I share my thoughts broadly, primarily so that just two people can access them, should they ever wish to do so (my offspring). Having a weekly deadline puts me “on the hook” to make an entry into this weekly journal, and I think it is good for me.
A second reason that writing has become more difficult is because the things that have most been on my mind are things that I really didn’t want to focus on, or share publicly due to the inherent polarizing nature of the topics.
But it is 7:10am this Sunday, and my self-imposed deadline to publish is 8:30am, and the issue occupying my mind is what it is.
Eighty-three weeks ago, I wrote a post titled Remote Control Bullying. In it, I talked about the concept of stochastic terrorism, which is defined as “a form of political violence instigated by hostile public rhetoric directed at a group or an individual. Unlike incitement to terrorism, stochastic terrorism is accomplished with indirect, vague or coded language, which grants the instigator plausible deniability for any associated violence.” That essay from 83 weeks ago cited three specific examples of stochastic terrorism that were playing out across America: voter intimidation at poll sites, the storming of the Capitol building on January 6th, 2021, and the foiled plot by 14 people to kidnap Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer.
Since being re-elected to the American Presidency, Donald Trump has taken two actions with regard to the items I wrote about 83 weeks ago. On the first day of his recently-won 2nd term, he pardoned more than 1,500 people convicted of offenses related to the storming of the Capitol on January 6th, 2021. More recently, Trump’s Department of Justice agreed to pay the family of January 6th rioter Ashli Babbitt almost $5 million to settle a wrongful death lawsuit. And in this week’s news cycle, recently-appointed DOJ attorney Ed Martin Jr. said that he is going to take a "hard look" at two men who are serving long prison terms for leading a conspiracy to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.
The message is clear: Violence committed in support of things that Donald Trump views as positive are no longer illegal. Commit violence on his behalf, then patiently wait in jail for your pardon. If you are killed while committing these acts, your surviving family will be financially compensated.
Donald Trump is America’s President, and the power to pardon people resides with that office. So all of this is perfectly legal. But we should ask ourselves, eighty three weeks since I last addressed this topic, whether this type of “leadership” is going to inspire more violence.
I wish this wasn’t what was on my mind this morning. But there it is. This Memorial Day weekend, as we mourn the loss of our U.S. servicemen and women, I reflect on their sacrifice and this ongoing abuse of leadership.
Sunday Supper
We are enjoying some Korean flavors this weekend. Give this Grilled Gochujang Pork With Fresh Sesame Kimchi a try. These Spicy Cucumbers With Mint, Scallions and Crushed Peanuts are a perfect compliment. And keep the spice rolling with these Gochujang Caramel Cookies.
Sunday Music
I can think of no one better to listen to this Memorial Day than one of America’s greatest musical storytellers, Mr. Bruce Springsteen. Enjoy!
If you know anyone who might like this essay, please share it with them.
Have a great week ahead! You can do anything you set your mind to. Let me know how I can help.
Peace & Love,