Game On

July 14th, 2024

On Friday afternoon, I spent over an hour talking with an old friend. I hadn’t seen him for months, and there was a lot to say and hear. We sat next to each other at a bar and tried to catch up on things. Most of the conversation dealt with personal issues. My friend, Stan, is a church deacon, so we also discussed religion. Eventually, we got around to politics, in particular immigration. Stan made this comment before addressing the subject,

“Now, I know we see this differently.”

We do see the issue differently, based on our backgrounds and experiences. We are both okay with that. I respect his opinion and he respects mine. We are able look at a political topic from different perspectives and have a civil conversation. We don’t need to argue, and we don’t need to agree. The important thing is that we learn from each other.

People like Stan are rare, exceedingly rare. Usually, when I talk with people, even close friends or family, I have to filter what I say. There are subjects that are radioactive, and only elicit expressions of raw emotion. I don’t mind conversing with individuals who are passionate about something. They often speak the truth as they see it, and I appreciate hearing honest words. However, as I get older, I find it increasingly difficult to find people who are willing to listen to me. Sadly, I am also less patient with folks who have drastically different worldview from my own.

A day after my conversation with Stan, Donald Trump was shot. As I read about it, my first thoughts were,

“Game on.”

Political discourse in our country has degenerated for so long, that this event, or something like it, was inevitable. It would have been inspiring to see our country come together after the violence and ease off the endless verbal sparring. Apparently, that is not to be. At this moment in time, we know next to nothing about the shooter or his motivations. Yet, the Internet is on fire with accusations and conspiracy theories. It probably doesn’t matter who the assassin was or why he tried to kill Trump. His body wasn’t even cold, and people were already trying to fit him into their own narrative.

Now, a red line has been crossed, and it will be crossed again. There have been threats of political violence for months. Now, it’s here. Today, the RNC starts its weeklong gathering in Milwaukee, my hometown. I fear that there will be violence. Actually, I expect it. There are no more boundaries. No more taboos.

Game on.