Amidst the tyranny among us, let us not forget the terrible toll that SARS-COV-2 is having on the world and the United States. Click on the link for the most current data and information. Over 3.5 million people have lost their lives during the COVID-19 Pandemic that started in January 2019 and over 20% of those have occurred in the United States. Over 500,000 people. Half of a million people have died in the most medically advance country in the world. The cause of this tragedy needs to be identified so that this does not happen again on this scale ever again.
Lesson 20: Be as courageous as you can
“If none of us is prepared to die for freedom, then all of us will die under tyranny.”
Dr. Timothy Snyder, “On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons From the Twentieth Century,” 2017.
You can interpret that literally or figuratively, it’s up to you. I didn’t choose to write about tyranny. I would much rather be writing about the wonders of life as seen through the eyes of a retired middle school science teacher that likes to ride bicycles and sing.
But, that’s not what is coming through me right now. Tyranny is real. There’s nothing fake about it. It is real. When faced with tyranny in the Twentieth Century, the “Greatest Generation,” the parents of us Baby Boomers, rose up against the tyranny of Mussolini, Tojo and Hitler. They defeated it so that we wouldn’t have to live through what they experienced.
Well, it’s here again. Putting your head in the sand or calling it “fake” or “fantasy” isn’t going to make it go away. This is our greatest generation moment. What we do with it will guide the lives of our children, grandchildren and beyond. The Seventh Generation Principal is found in the Iriquois Great Law of Peace. It basically states that decisions that you make today will impact future generations.
What legacy would you like to leave for your progeny? I wrote my take on Dr. Snyder’s book “On Tyranny” because I feel passionately about Democracy. I’ve had to write some things that are difficult to write and even more difficult to listen to. Yet, these words needed to be written and read.
I believe that words are the way to defeat the forces of tyranny. They are my tools. I have no desire to take up arms and physically fight the tyrants. But, if I need to, I will. I will not stand by and watch my country be taken over by evil minded tyrants who will stop at nothing to get their way.
Once again, I want to thank Dr. Timothy Snyder for his scholarship and insights on the subject of tyranny. His work reminded me that I am from the blood of the greatest generation, the generation that fought and died during WW2 to save the world from tyranny. I am not a warrior in the mold of the soldiers, sailors, and airmen that have and are currently engaged in direct combat to fight for Democracy. Yet, I do consider myself a warrior of words. I fight my battles with words and ideas. I hope that words are enough.
I suggest that a you obtain a copy of this book for your children, friends and relatives or anyone you know that you think should hear this message. It’s the best gift that you can give. While you’re at it, send them a pocket version of the United States Constitution. Both of these documents will serve them well.
So, as I complete this series on tyranny, let me leave you on this note (pun intended):
Thank you, Bruce!