I nearly decided to give up writing about politics this weekend. (Or even caring as much as I had, which to be fair to my restarted faith journey, was probably too much in the first place. 😂)
Having said that, a few days ago, I confess that the Trump campaign got me for about three hours. And during that time, I was angry and frustrated, wanting to just give up writing about it or caring about it. In my mine, I just needed to know enough about who I’d be voting for in November — nothing more, nothing less.
That’s how angry I was.
And then three hours later, I got back on X (Twitter) and found out it was all a lie.
I’ve since calmed down and decided I wasn’t throwing away this awesome community. And that furthermore, I’d take the lesson I had learned and redouble my efforts to help people and show kindness in a political arena where almost no kindness is shown.
Truly, this weekend was a great lesson for me.
Let’s talk about what happened.
News broke on Saturday — pushed by the GOP and Trump — that President Biden had declared Easter of this year as Transgender Visibility Day.
When I first saw it, I laughed at the desperation of those on the Right. No way that was true.
So I went straight to the White House website, found the press release page, and sure enough, there it was.
Then I went back to X/Twitter and started reading the posts — and in the newness of the attacks — there wasn’t much push back from the left.
It appeared to be true.
I was shocked and angry. For about twenty mins, I considered writing on here a long post about it. I was already writing it in my head (like all writers do, I presume) and I couldn’t figure out if the headline should be: “The dumbest move Biden has made this year” or “Does Biden even want to win this election?”
Politically, I thought it was beyond stupid to offend a great part of this country. But as much as anything, I was offended — truly.
I couldn’t believe that on Easter of all days, Biden would take such an issue and inject it on the most holy and important day for Christians.
Thankfully, after about six hours or so I presume — I had gotten off X/Twitter and was done with politics for a while — the truth came out.
It was all a complete coincidence.
This was confirmed by The Washington Post. Eventually, even Fox News helped clear it up.
So, there was no grand plan to offend Christians or shove culture war stuff in our faces.
But my important lesson was learned.
Politics is a nasty business that hurts people, makes them angry, and tears apart this country, causing people to disengage as active and informed citizens.
I was so infuriated at this realization that for a couple of days, I decided I’d quit writing about or talking about politics. With politics, there’s simply too much pain, too many distortions, and too many lies. And the end result is a crippled country, spiraling in debt and dangerous division.
I ended up apologizing to someone I had been arguing with (he was a Bills fan, if you’re wondering about the last part 🤣).
And I went on to write this in a post:
But this is about more than just a post on X/Twitter for me.
This is about a renewed understanding of what’s happening to us, and how this division and strife has taken to the precipice; has fueled hatred and caused many to think about harming their fellow citizens.
People, this is how the Roman Empire ended.
This is dangerous stuff. And many of our founding fathers feared political parties and had seen that political parties — or factions — had caused civil war in England time and time again (the bloody civil wars of the 17th century).
In fact, the Founding Fathers feared political factions would tear the nation apart.
From the article:
George Washington’s family had fled England precisely to avoid the civil wars there, while Alexander Hamilton once called political parties “the most fatal disease” of popular governments.
With all of this in mind, I’m going to work harder and harder toward building unity and healing.
I think 2024 could be a tumultuous year. We can’t ignore the danger of what’s at our doorstep. It absolutely could be a year of division and even bloodshed.
But I also think 2024 could be something totally different. I think 2024 can be the year when we say enough. No more.
It can be a year when we remember that most Americans are good people who have been stoked up with fear and anger and lies distortions.
Most Americans will help you in a heartbeat if you break down on the side of the road, whether it’s out in the country or in some big city. And when there’s a natural disaster, we come together to rescue, feed, shelter, and clothe each other, regardless of ethnicity, political views, or whether you live out in the country or deep in the city.
Maybe we need to use fewer labels. Maybe we need to argue online less. Maybe we need fewer stickers on our cars.
We’re all Americans first, and we all must begin to heal and unify.
And I’m increasingly believing that healing and unity begins with us. One person at a time. One less laugh or pile on in social media. One more kind word to your neighbor instead of holding anger toward them because of the political sign they put in their yard or the comment they said two years ago about your candidate or theirs.
We can absolutely do this. We can most certainly be the change.
And I might be the only one trying this, but I challenge you to join me. To say no more. I love my fellow Americans, regardless of what side they’re on.
What can I do for you, brother? Or sister?
We may not agree on this or that, but man are we blessed and lucky to live in America.
Can you soften your heart? Can you be the change? Can you understand why that person that’s so angry on the other side is acting that way? Can you remember that they’re probably seeing and hearing things you’re not seeing and hearing?
They’re scared. They’re lashing out. They’re being spun up.
Be water. Don’t react. Don’t name-call them. Let’s try love and light.
We’ve tried the arguing. We’ve tried the disparaging. It doesn’t work.
I believe the election is going one way. Many believe just as strongly it’s going the other way.
But one thing is for sure. No one can convince me to change my mind on how I’m voting. And I doubt I’m changing anyone else’s mind.
Yet after election day, we’re all going to be in the same situation. There will be a winner and a loser, and we’re all going to be in this together.
Why not start today by extending your hand instead of your fist? We don’t have to wait until November.
And our actions today (and in the weeks and months to come) might be what gets us through November safely.
Will you join me?
All posts are free, so feel free to share.
Love and peace,
Stan R. Mitchell
Don’t forget: You can comment anytime — I to monitor those. You can also reach out privately at: authorstanrmitchell@yahoo.com. (You can say “hi,” vent, or send news tips! I love all three of those things!)
P.S. Don’t forget to check out my books. I’ve written 12 of them: a CIA/Marine sniper series, a detective series, a private investigator series, an action-packed Western, a motivational self-help book about President Obama, and two realistic war novels: one about World War II and one about Afghanistan. You can find all of these books on Amazon.
I've been thinking about these same issues, and I have come to the conclusion that everything has to start with prayer (possible post incoming). I have been deep in the trenches of online political argument and walked away from it several years ago. I still have a strong desire to talk about politics, but effectively nobody to talk to. I don't really want to engage with anyone affected by either strain of Trump Derangement Syndrome. I don't really even want to talk with people at my church about it. I started pondering why, and came back to this: it has to start with prayer.
Pray for the country.
Pray for our leaders, present and future.
Pray for unity.
And most importantly, pray that people find their way back to God.
If you and I, for example, were to discuss politics, I'd insist that we pray together first. I think we've gotten away from that as a nation and the Body of Christ. I think we dismiss its power. But I'm convinced that's the way through.
I’m so sorry you went through all this political garbage, Stan. Politics is a weapon better never use it against your fellow human being. It’s a contagious, poisonous disease. And fanatics is its instrument of spreading.
I’m happy to see you back on your usual joyful and positive self, Stan. Glad you got rid of your angst. I did wonder about the absence of your Substack emails.
Take care, my dear friend.
Stay blessed. 🙏🧡🤗