By Edward M. Bury, APR, MA (aka The PRDude)
Now, one month and a few days into the administration of the 47th president of the United States, I felt compelled to offer thoughts on the direction our nation is headed. My initial plan was to pose a range of light-hearted — but poignant and relevant — questions for the president.
An example: If the proposed tariffs on imported goods from Mexico are enacted, and the price of avocados soar, what replacement toppings would you recommend the hipster/foodie crowd put onto toast?
I drafted a few other potentially humorous questions, but came to the realization that it’s quite challenging to craft this kind of prose, especially when I believe the blitzkrieg rate of executive orders and appointments/firings now taking place across a broad scope of government will have potential cataclysmic outcomes for the democracy we now know. A post with a serious tone was needed; the crux of the message came unexpectedly.
A few days ago, a neighbor who I exchange books with dropped off a copy of John Steinbeck’s “Travels with Charley in Search of America,” a best-selling work published in 1962. I certainly knew about the story behind the author’s 1960 cross-country trek in a modified pick up truck accompanied by a French poodle. So, I began reading the work. I found Steinbeck’s writing — more introspective commentary on the state of the nation and the places and the people he encountered than purely travelogue — an engaging read.
Then, around halfway through the book, as the author was at the Continental Divide, he reflected on the purpose of his inland voyage and how he was “briefed, instructed, directed, and brain-washed by many of my friends.”
The paragraph continued: “One among them is a well-known and highly respected political reporter. He had been grassrooting with the presidential candidates, and when I saw him he was not happy, because he loves his country, and he felt a sickness in it. I might say further that he is a completely honest man.
“He said bitterly, ‘If anywhere in your travels you come on a man with guts, mark the place. I want to go to see him. I haven’t seen anything but cowardice and expediency. This used to be a nation of giants. Where have they gone? You can’t defend a nation with a board of directors. That takes men. Where are they?'”
From an historical perspective, Steinbeck took his trip in fall of 1960; that year pitted John F. Kennedy against Richard M. Nixon in the presidential election. I trust you know who won; and perhaps the outcome that November may have factored into the book.
Back to the excerpt above, I have no idea on the identity of the reporter referenced by Steinbeck. And, while “Travels with Charley” sold millions of copies, critics have cited that many of the episodes and conversations detailed during journey were fictional. Yes, he piloted and sometimes slept in a vehicle he named Rocinante, but he also spent many nights in lavish hotels with his wife, and Charley, of course.
Regardless of how one interprets the book, the short passage just presented resonated with me.
With seemingly daily headlines of mass layoffs of federal workers, projections of seizing foreign lands for monetary and political gains, assaults and threats against allies, leadership appointments of individuals with questionable experience and character to major federal departments, and other developments since January 20, I, too feel a “sickness.” I, too have witnessed “cowardice and expediency.” I, too look for the return of “a of nation of giants.”
And, I, too love my country.
Prdude's Blog 