"Fight", a Word I Wish We'd Abjure

Every time Pres. Trump calls “fight”, I wince a little. (Just as I wince at “President Trump” but that’s another story.) And every time Harris or Walz calls “fight”, I am filled with regret. We shout “fight” too readily, too eagerly, altogether too often. Teddy Roosevelt coached us to speak softly but carry a big stick. Instead, we shout “fight” at every opportunity, whether wielding a big stick or no.

I know: that sounds really preachy. But my God, wouldn’t you agree that our society has become steeped in conflict, in violence? Teens would rather strike out than talk; adults trash talk to the point of assault; violence in our neighborhoods doesn’t alarm us; the daily morning papers’ reports of last night’s homicides no longer shock us. We simply shrug , shake our heads, say OMG, and peruse on. Fight is a worldwide affliction – in Gaza and the West Bank, in Ukraine, in Beirut, in Abuja and Asmara, in Karachi and Maungdaw and Manipur, and on and on.  

From both Democrats and Republicans: “next time, we must fight harder”. “when we fight, we win”, “worth fighting for”, “you won’t have a country unless you fight for it”. . . fight, fight, fight. Our sports teams fight. Television is full of fight: Mixed Martial Arts and the Ultimate Fighting Championship and tonight's 58 year-old Mike Tyson's return to the ring: brutal, gladiatorial violence in full view from your couch. You don’t have to go to the Coliseum to see the blood ooze and sometimes spurt.

Churchill, or was it Harold Macmillan, said “jaw, jaw is better than war, war.” And wasn’t Churchill as warlike as could be? But he knew when to war and when to talk. Perhaps we need more willingness to war in Crimea and Donetsk, and more willingness to talk in Taipei and Teheran. And better yet, perhaps less jaw, jawing and more listen, listening.

If each of us were to abjure “fight”, to banish it from our vocabulary, might we not move the needle a little? It wouldn’t hurt to try.

"Minnesota, Hat's Off to Thee . . ." & "Roll on Columbia, Roll On . . ."

Born in Ohio (seven years) and raised in Maryland (ten years), I call Minnesota and Washington home. I lived 23 years in the land of Hiawatha and Paul Bunyon, and now have lived in Tyee country (Chinook for boss) for 39 years. And I am proud to be an Minne-Washing-sotan.

Minnesota went for Harris: the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party took 51% despite Republicans, Greens, Libertarians, We The Peoples, Socialist & Libertarians. Socialists, Justice for Alls parties and Independents being on the ballot.

Paul Bunyan's girlfriend, Lucette;
I've paid my respects to Lucette, in Hackensack, Minnesota (walleye country!)

And what of Washington? Washington went more blue this year than in 2020, the only state in the Union to do so. The Harris/Vance ticket took 58% (! ! !) of the vote.

The Tyee of Salmon, by Preston Singleterry 
Roll on Columbia!

All I can surmise is that sons and daughters of Minnesota and Washington (and, yes, adopted sons, too) are wise, aware, thoughtful, loyal to our Republic, and prepared to defend the election processes that protect us from autocrats.

PS If you haven't yet watched Tim Walz's speech to supporters when back in Minnesota, do so. It is a classic in consoling, empathizing, motivating and energizing. Here's the link: note but do not discount the source -- it's reliable. 

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/tim-walz-speaks-after-2024-election-full-speech/vi-AA1tLt08?category

(Stick that in your eye, Rupert.)