Wouldn't it be nice, if instead of the constant arguments, polarizing rhetoric, and false facts (used), we witnessed more conversations, which were civil, civilized, and we remained friendly, when we disagreed, and simply, agreed, to disagree? It seems, for the last couple of decades, the divide, within our nation, and its citizens, has widened, and there seems to be little, to no attempt, to find any middle – ground, and / or, meeting – of – the – minds, for the common good! A nation divided among itself , is not merely less effective, but enhances the possibility, for it getting worse! In fact, many believe, the degree of division (and depth of it), is the widest, since the American Civil War! While some seek simplistic reasons for this, placing the blame, on, President Trump, the White Supremacists, immigrants, or some other diversion, this article will seek to, briefly, consider, examine, review, and discuss, 5 possible reasons, and the inherent danger, the polarizing of the electorate, may be, to the future of our nation.
1. 5% of middle: For the majority of the relatively short history, of the United States, we have elected Presidents, whose political position, was within a somewhat limited middle – range, generally from 5% to the left, or right. This seemed to change, in 1980, when President Reagan, was elected, with a perspective, considerably further to the right. However, he did so, in a positive, unifying (or attempted) manner, and avoided the rhetoric, and vitriol, we witness today! The next few elected Presidents, moved back, towards the middle, until 2008, when Barack Obama, moved a little further to the left (but, again, without the polarizing rhetoric), however, this seemed to change, significantly, in 2016, when Donald Trump, resorted to conspiracy theories, rhetoric, vitriol, empty promises, and an appeal, to the more extreme positions of his core supporters. Since his election, he has articulated a polarizing position, and, while his base strongly supports in him, and appears willing to support him (regardless of what happens), much of the rest of the electorate, appears to feel despair, and fear, about the apparent attack on many of America's principles. etc.
2. 24/7 Cable News Cycle, and Internet: Today, we are inundated, by constant over – exposure, from cable news, and the Internet, where previously, we gathered our news and information, from fewer, but probably, more reliable media vehicles. In addition, we seem to constantly hear, many lies and misstatements, much more often, and severe, than we have, in the past! President Trump, according to one of the major fact – checking organizations, in fact, has, either, lied or made a major misstatement, over 10,000 times, since he was elected.
3. Trolls / fake news: When one of the President's spokespeople, proclaims, there are 2 versions of facts, and, what appears to be a lie, is merely, an alternative fact, most voters, lose attention and focus, and don ' t know, what to believe! While, each of us, is entitled to our own opinions, we aren't granted the right to our own sets of facts!
4. The Trump Factor: Whether one agrees with, or opposes, Mr. Trump, there must be universal agreement, he is behaving, and acting, far differently, that his predecessors! When the present occupant of the White House, has been, under investigation since his election, and uses polarizing language, rhetoric, and vitriol, nearly every day, how does that bring us, together?
5. Hatred / bigotry / fears: Our Constitution was created, with a focus on certain principles, and ideas, including freedoms, liberty, and justice, for all, but, today, we're witnessing far too much hatred, bigotry, and appeal to the fears of our citizens, instead of bringing us together, for the common good!
Wake up, America, and protect the nature and freedoms of this nation, which have made us, a gleaming example, for the rest of the world! Make this about the type of nation, we are, and want to be!
This article is brought to you by Kokula Krishna Hari Kunasekaran! Visit Website or Follow back at @kkkhari
If you have never fully understood the meaning of panic you will when all world news headlines are reporting the end of the world, albeit with different strings of words. It would be so interesting to watch how people react – especially those of you who just hate the idea of death as if it is not an integral and inevitable aspect of life. All I can say is, (with a sinister voice) brace yourselves, it is coming.
So it has been established that there would be widespread panic, now that panic would give birth to prayer and total devotion to superior powers. You see all those guys who claim to be atheists; you would wonder where they stand because they’d be the first to call on a higher God. If these same set of people can openly renounce their atheistic status aboard a trembling aircraft, then I have no doubt that they would recognize that there is a God.
What if the destruction of the world would begin in Europe and end in Africa. I bet you, Africa would become the destination of every living thing (including plants and animals and Donald Trump… oops!). Nobody would care about the insecurity in places like Nigeria, or the scorching sun that people use to cook meals (take it from me, people do); or even the skyrocketing cost of living. Africa and indeed Nigeria would be a safe haven. I’m even thinking – what if the end of the world does not affect Nigeria? Let’s continue in the next paragraph.
Can you imagine the whole world migrating to Nigeria, what an exodus it would be! The world would be like the Israelites and for once in Nigeria’s pathetic history we would be the Promised Land… I am literally laughing loud in my mind. Because Nigerians are a very considerate and welcoming people, entrance into their lands would come at a very steep price – only for those who are not deft in the art of espionage like the U.S and the other demonic powers that be. Oops again!
Anyway, the world is coming to an end (not) today so don’t fret, just get really scared because the worst is not about to happen. Lols.
What if the end of the world is today? What’s your interesting take on this? Or are you too shaken up to express yourself?
Till next time, think weird, laugh and be happy!
This article is brought to you by Kokula Krishna Hari Kunasekaran! Visit Website or Follow back at @kkkhari
Columnist Alice B. Lloyd, writing for the Weekly Standard , recently published an article about the revived popularity of the novel It Can't Happen Here by Sinclair Lewis. That 1944 book about the fictional election of a President who comes to rule the United States as a dictator has been a best seller since Donald Trump took office.
Instead of praising the importance of that book, in her column Lloyd reveals that she described It Can't Happen Here as one of the most disappointing efforts of Sinclair Lewis. She admits that the Minnesota author, as well as the first American writer to win the Nobel Prize for Literature, has at least four novels that are more relevant today than I t Can't Happen Here.
His classic about a small town real estate agent in the fictional Minnesota village of Zenith, a novel titled Babbitt after its main character, is the first listed by Lloyd in her column. Next up is Main Street , an early feminist account of the ambitious wife of a small town doctor.
Also included as a novel on Lloyd's list is Dodsworth , which chronicles the troubled marriage and life adjustment of a retired automobile baron. The final novel centers on the hypocrisy of a traveling evangelist named Elmer Gantry, which was made into a popular motion picture starring Burt Lancaster as the title character.
The list omits an even better examination of religion in the United States, a novel called The God Seeker . This virtually forgotten Sinclair Lewis book is set in pre-Civil War America, but its message is one that is quite relevant for the religious turmoil we are experiencing today.
Aaron Gadd is a teenager when the book opens, working as an apprentice for a carpenter in a small town in New Jersey. After hearing an evangelist at a revival, Aaron is persuaded to join the man's missionary camp in the unsettled territory that would eventually become the state of Minnesota.
While the missionaries are trying to bring the teachings of Jesus to the members of the Sioux tribes on the plain, Aaron eventually finds himself questioning the many inexplicable aspects at the heart of Christianity. Throughout his association with those he was supposed to convert, the young missionary learns to appreciate the faith of the Native Americans around him.
A Dakota tribesman called Black Wolf causes Gadd to consider some of the eccentric rituals of Christianity, which he claims are more far-fetched than those involved in the worship of his people.
"Naturally, as we know that our God pervades every inch of space, we do not set off any place as sacred to him," Black Wolf tells Aaron. "Christians dare not worship together unless they have built a shelter insulated against evil spirits, and this they call a church, a chapel or a temple."
Aaron has to admit that worship should be done every where, just as the Dakota believe. He is also doubtful, once Black Wolf points it out, of the Christian practice of setting aside Sunday for worshiping.
"Christians have one special day which is sacred to their chief God, while to the Indians every day, hour, minute is filled with duty and gratitude to God," Black Wolf tells Gadd. "His voice is in every breeze, every flowing water, to be revered upon as much on a Wednesday midnight as on a Sunday noon."
Black Wolf also makes Aaron question the ritual of Christian marriages compared to those of the Dakota and other tribes, who are outraged by the pomposity of the wedding ceremony.
"The suggestive rites and hideous jesting of public marriage is the most horrible of all," Black Wolf says of the typical Christian wedding. "Among us Dakota, marriage is a strictly private business between a man and a woman who steal away for a time to consummate their marriage in the sight only of the stars and clouds."
In The God Seeker Sinclair Lewis has shown Americans that it is okay to question your faith sometimes, and allow themselves to listen to how they may be perceived by other cultures. With the religious and cultural divide among the citizens of the United States today, many of us could benefit from reading a 1949 book that, somewhat sadly, addresses many of the issues we have now.
This article is brought to you by Kokula Krishna Hari Kunasekaran! Visit Website or Follow back at @kkkhari
Columnist Alice B. Lloyd, writing for The Weekly Standard, recently published an article about the revived popularity of the novel It Can’t Happen Here by Sinclair Lewis. That 1944 book about the fictional election of a President who comes to rule the United States as a dictator has been a best seller since Donald Trump took office.
Instead of praising the importance of that book, in her column Lloyd reveals that she described It Can’t Happen Here as one of the most disappointing efforts of Sinclair Lewis. She admits that the Minnesota author, as well as the first American writer to win the Nobel Prize for Literature, has at least four novels that are more relevant today than It Can’t Happen Here.
His classic about a small town real estate agent in the fictional Minnesota village of Zenith, a novel titled Babbitt after its main character, is the first listed by Lloyd in her column. Next up is Main Street, an early feminist account of the ambitious wife of a small town doctor.
Also included as a novel on Lloyd’s list is Dodsworth, which chronicles the troubled marriage and life adjustment of a retired automobile baron. The final novel centers on the hypocrisy of a traveling evangelist named Elmer Gantry, which was made into a popular motion picture starring Burt Lancaster as the title character.
The list omits an even better examination of religion in the United States, a novel called The God Seeker. This virtually forgotten Sinclair Lewis book is set in pre-Civil War America, but its message is one that is quite relevant for the religious turmoil we are experiencing today.
Aaron Gadd is a teenager when the book opens, working as an apprentice for a carpenter in a small town in New Jersey. After hearing an evangelist at a revival, Aaron is persuaded to join the man’s missionary camp in the unsettled territory that would eventually become the state of Minnesota.
While the missionaries are trying to bring the teachings of Jesus to the members of the Sioux tribes on the plain, Aaron eventually finds himself questioning the many inexplicable aspects at the heart of Christianity. Through his association with those he was supposed to convert, the young missionary learns to appreciate the faith of the Native Americans around him.
A Dakota tribesman called Black Wolf causes Gadd to consider some of the eccentric rituals of Christianity, which he claims are more far-fetched than those involved in the worship of his people.
“Naturally, as we know that our God pervades every inch of space, we do not set off any place as sacred to him,” Black Wolf tells Aaron. “Christians dare not worship together unless they have built a shelter insulated against evil spirits, and this they call a church, a chapel or a temple.”
Aaron has to admit that worship should be done every where, just as the Dakota believe. He is also doubtful, once Black Wolf points it out, of the Christian practice of setting aside Sunday for worshiping.
“Christians have one special day which is sacred to their chief God, while to the Indians every day, hour, minute is filled with duty and gratitude to God,” Black Wolf tells Gadd. “His voice is in every breeze, every flowing water, to be revered upon as much on a Wednesday midnight as on a Sunday noon.”
Black Wolf also makes Aaron question the ritual of Christian marriages compared to those of the Dakota and other tribes, who are outraged by the pomposity of the wedding ceremony.
“The suggestive rites and hideous jesting of public marriage is the most horrible of all,” Black Wolf says of the typical Christian wedding. “Among us Dakota, marriage is a strictly private business between a man and a woman who steal away for a time to consummate their marriage in the sight only of the stars and clouds.”
In The God Seeker Sinclair Lewis has shown Americans that it is okay to question your faith occasionally, and allow themselves to listen to how they may be perceived by other cultures. With the religious and cultural divide among the citizens of the United States today, many of us could benefit from reading a 1949 book that, somewhat sadly, addresses many of the issues we have now.
This article is brought to you by Kokula Krishna Hari Kunasekaran! Visit Website or Follow back at @kkkhari
Columnist Alice B. Lloyd, writing for The Weekly Standard , recently published an article about the revived popularity of the novel It Can not Happen Here by Sinclair Lewis. That 1944 book about the fictional election of a President who comes to rule the United States as a dictator has been a best seller since Donald Trump took office.
Instead of promoting the importance of that book, in her column Lloyd reveals that she described It Can not Happen Here as one of the most disappointing efforts of Sinclair Lewis. She admits that the Minnesota author, as well as the first American writer to win the Noble Prize for Literature, has at least four novels that are more relevant today than I can not Happen Here.
His classic about a small town real estate agent in the fictional Minnesota village of Zenith, a novel titled Babbitt after its main character, is the first listed by Lloyd in her column. Next up is Main Street , an early feminist account of the ambitious wife of a small town doctor.
Also included as a novel on Lloyd's list is Dodsworth , which chronicles the troubled marriage and life adjustment of a retired automobile baron. The final novel centers on the hypocrisy of a traveling evangelist named Elmer Gantry, which was made into a popular motion picture starring Burt Lancaster as the title character.
The list omits an even better examination of religion in the United States, a novel called The God Seeker . This automatically forgotten Sinclair Lewis book is set in pre-Civil War America, but its message is one that is quite relevant for the religious turmoil we are experiencing today.
Aaron Gadd is a teenager when the book opens, working as an apprentice for a carpenter in a small town in New Jersey. After hearing an evangelist at a revival, Aaron is persuaded to join the man's missionary camp in the unsettled territory that would eventually become the state of Minnesota.
While the missionaries are trying to bring the teachings of Jesus to the members of the Sioux tribes on the plain, Aaron historically finds himself asking the many inexplicable aspects at the heart of Christianity. Through his association with those he was supposed to convert, the young missionary learns to appreciate the faith of the Native Americans around him.
A Dakota tribesman called Black Wolf causes Gadd to consider some of the eccentric rituals of Christianity, which he claims are more far feted than those involved in the worship of his people.
"Naturally, as we know that our God pervades every inch of space, we do not set off any place as sacred to him," Black Wolf tells Aaron. "Christians dare not worship together unless they have built a shelter insulated against evil spirits, and this they call a church, a chapel or a temple."
Aaron has to admit that worship should be done every where, just as the Dakota believe. He is also doubtful, once Black Wolf points it out, of the Christian practice of setting aside Sunday for worshiping.
"Christians have one special day which is sacred to their chief God, while to the Indians every day, hour, minute is filled with duty and gratitude to God," Black Wolf tells Gadd. "His voice is in every breeze, every flowing water, to be returned upon as much on a Wednesday midnight as on a Sunday noon."
Black Wolf also makes Aaron question the ritual of Christian marriages compared to those of the Dakota and other tribes, who are outraged by the pomposity of the wedding ceremony.
"The suggestive rites and hideous jesting of public marriage is the most horrible of all," Black Wolf says of the typical Christian wedding. "Among us Dakota, marriage is a strictly private business between a man and a woman who steal away for a time to consummate their marriage in the sight only of the stars and clouds."
In The God Seeker Sinclair Lewis has shown Americans that it is okay to question your faith occasionally, and allow themselves to listen to how they may be perceived by other cultures. With the religious and cultural division among the citizens of the United States today, many of us could benefit from reading a 1949 book that, somewhat sadly, addresses many of the issues we have now.
This article is brought to you by Kokula Krishna Hari Kunasekaran! Visit Website or Follow back at @kkkhari
Columnist Alice B. Lloyd, writing for The Weekly Standard, recently published an article about the revived popularity of the novel It Can’t Happen Here by Sinclair Lewis. That 1944 book about the fictional election of a President who comes to rule the United States as a dictator has been a best seller since Donald Trump took office.
Instead of praising the importance of that book, in her column Lloyd reveals that she described It Can’t Happen Here as one of the most disappointing efforts of Sinclair Lewis. She admits that the Minnesota author, as well as the first American writer to win the Nobel Prize for Literature, has at least four novels that are more relevant today than It Can’t Happen Here.
His classic about a small town real estate agent in the fictional Minnesota village of Zenith, a novel titled Babbitt after its main character, is the first listed by Lloyd in her column. Next up is Main Street, an early feminist account of the ambitious wife of a small town doctor.
Also included as a novel on Lloyd’s list is Dodsworth, which chronicles the troubled marriage and life adjustment of a retired automobile baron. The final novel centers on the hypocrisy of a traveling evangelist named Elmer Gantry, which was made into a popular motion picture starring Burt Lancaster as the title character.
The list omits an even better examination of religion in the United States, a novel called The God Seeker. This virtually forgotten Sinclair Lewis book is set in pre-Civil War America, but its message is one that is quite relevant for the religious turmoil we are experiencing today.
Aaron Gadd is a teenager when the book opens, working as an apprentice for a carpenter in a small town in New Jersey. After hearing an evangelist at a revival, Aaron is persuaded to join the man’s missionary camp in the unsettled territory that would eventually become the state of Minnesota.
While the missionaries are trying to bring the teachings of Jesus to the members of the Sioux tribes on the plain, Aaron eventually finds himself questioning the many inexplicable aspects at the heart of Christianity. Through his association with those he was supposed to convert, the young missionary learns to appreciate the faith of the Native Americans around him.
A Dakota tribesman called Black Wolf causes Gadd to consider some of the eccentric rituals of Christianity, which he claims are more far-fetched than those involved in the worship of his people.
“Naturally, as we know that our God pervades every inch of space, we do not set off any place as sacred to him,” Black Wolf tells Aaron. “Christians dare not worship together unless they have built a shelter insulated against evil spirits, and this they call a church, a chapel or a temple.”
Aaron has to admit that worship should be done every where, just as the Dakota believe. He is also doubtful, once Black Wolf points it out, of the Christian practice of setting aside Sunday for worshiping.
“Christians have one special day which is sacred to their chief God, while to the Indians every day, hour, minute is filled with duty and gratitude to God,” Black Wolf tells Gadd. “His voice is in every breeze, every flowing water, to be revered upon as much on a Wednesday midnight as on a Sunday noon.”
Black Wolf also makes Aaron question the ritual of Christian marriages compared to those of the Dakota and other tribes, who are outraged by the pomposity of the wedding ceremony.
“The suggestive rites and hideous jesting of public marriage is the most horrible of all,” Black Wolf says of the typical Christian wedding. “Among us Dakota, marriage is a strictly private business between a man and a woman who steal away for a time to consummate their marriage in the sight only of the stars and clouds.”
In The God Seeker Sinclair Lewis has shown Americans that it is okay to question your faith occasionally, and allow themselves to listen to how they may be perceived by other cultures. With the religious and cultural divide among the citizens of the United States today, many of us could benefit from reading a 1949 book that, somewhat sadly, addresses many of the issues we have now.
This article is brought to you by Kokula Krishna Hari Kunasekaran! Visit Website or Follow back at @kkkhari