We are almost out of time here. It’s Election Day. But I think the country needs a bit more time to study the abyss we are on the edge of. Why? We are on the brink of major unrest. Having had my share of similar unrest in the ’60s, I worry that what comes next will be much worse. Here’s why.
I learned about the Spanish Civil War scattershot. It was through distant family, some old Abraham Lincoln Brigade members, and lots of reading done in courses that I filled in the history. When Yugoslavia broke up in the ’90s, it was like a replay. Missing people “disappeared” or marched away.
We watch movies about our Civil War, and see marching armies. That also happened in Spain and Yugoslavia. But the denouement of those conflicts was marred by much nastier civil disturbances. It was neighbor to neighbor, family versus family. Execution squads might arrive from, say, the white party one week and the blue the next. Villages and towns were decimated. People in Spain were reluctant to speak about what happened decades later.
Why do I mention this on the day that we, in the United States, are fortunate enough to have the right to vote peacefully? Because they have been innuendos, rumors, and threats of violence. Speaking to people, listening to interviews, and watching the news, I’ve gotten the impression that many of the people making the threats think of civil war as some sort of movie where they will be the heroes.
I’m not sorry to say that they’ll be wrong. Once broken, the frail bonds of peace will be very hard to repair. Initially, you might carry the day and commit horrible acts against your “enemies.” But they will mobilize as soon as the other side understands peace is no longer possible. Then, the assassination squads will begin their round as they have in other broken societies. The violence only ends when both sides are exhausted and need to bury the dead.
My best advice? Go vote. Be civil. Take the time to find civil solutions to mutual problems—study the actual effects of the revolution on societies.
And don’t repeat those mistakes.
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It does feel. like such a precarious moment, Lou.
Something happened yesterday to me and I stopped worrying. I think it was at a pioneer cemetery in a spot many would call “windswept” and “godforsaken” but I just thought was somber, beautiful and brave. I thought of St. Columbanus’ words to his oarsmen in their little round boats crossing the English channel more than a thousand years ago, “Endure and keep yourselves for happy things. You suffered worse, and these, too, God shall end —St. Columbanus “the Rowing Song” 600 CE
I’m glad it will soon be over. No matter how it turns out I hope folks can get together. Maybe once all the nasty ads stop.