Two who set standards for me to live by

Two men who profoundly influenced me are much on my mind in these troubled times. One is my father, Richard N. MacBain, and the other is Charles D. Ogilvie. Both were physicians, liberals, men of intellect, honor, and integrity. And both cared deeply about our country and were avid followers of politics. I would never wish anyone dead, but there are days when I think it’s a blessing that they are not with us. They would be so upset at the current state of the country.

Dad, living in Chicago although Canadian by birth, was a lifelong Democrat. He always claimed he voted for the best man, but we all knew that in his judgement the best man turned out to be a Democrat. Roosevelt was a hero to my family, and I grew up on the stories of what he did for America. In the household of my childhood, there was no television—I didn’t have Howdy Doody, Disney on Sunday night, and a host of other programs. We finally got a TV because Dad wanted to listen to the Kennedy/Nixon debates. He found Kennedy inspirational, though he would be horrified if he knew what we know today about the man’s personal life; he found Nixon despicable.

Dad was a preacher’s kid and a staunch member of the Methodist Church all his life. Integrity, faith, honesty—these were deeply engrained traits. I saw him put friendship behind principle when necessary, and I saw him hold his head high and remain firm when he was the target of abusive verbal attacks by an unhinged former friend. He was administrator of a small hospital, where the maintenance and housekeeping crews were among his best friends. Dad put democracy into action in his own little sphere.

My father taught me many things, including punctuality and a strong work ethic that I can’t deny even if I want to. I disagreed with him about some things—he once, with good intentions but bad judgement—changed the course of my life. I’ll never know if it was for the better or not. But I loved him, and I will always, always respect him. He would be distraught today.

I met Charles Ogilvie when I was a young married woman and knew him for over thirty years until he died, somewhere in his nineties. My family vacationed at his East Texas ranch, and my kids called him “Uncle Charles.” He was an anomaly in East Texas (think Louie Gohmert country)—a futurist, an environmentalist and naturalist, probably an agnostic although he attended the Unitarian Church in his last years. Charles’ integrity came from an inner standard ingrained into him, whether by his parents or himself I never knew.

He had the misfortune to live long enough to see the Tea Party flourish in this country. Those people fascinated and repelled him, and he often talked to me about his fear of their power, assuring me they were not people I would like.

Dad had Nixon; Charles had the Tea Party; and we have the era of trump. I am truly grateful that neither man lived to see people like the trump family take over the White House, to see racism flourish again, to see armed militia became so powerful and common that they are declared domestic terrorists, more dangerous than most foreign powers.

Both men valued the intellect and were avid readers, not of light stuff like I write, but heavy, serious things—Churchill, Will and Ariel Durant, and others of that ilk. Charles read futuristic works that I had never heard of. They would be beside themselves at the dumbing down of America, the disdain for education and intellect shown by a good number of our citizens, and, gentlemen to the core, they would be distraught at the decay of manners, the lack of class shown by so many.

Dad and Charles, I miss you, but rest in peace. You would not be happy in the 21st century.

Attending arguments--or keeping silent

I saw something on Facebook today that said, "You don't have to attend every argument you're invited to." Good advice, and yet I find myself increasingly drawn into arguments on Facebook. It's no secret my political sympathies are definitely left so it's no surprise that I am outraged by some of the posts from the conservative side and I want to share some from the liberal side. I try to be judicious about the posts I share--checking the sources, etc. I'm willing to be contradicted, but by hard facts not opinions.
Not surprisingly, I irritate a lot of people who hold different views. Some are polite, a few verge on being rude and unpleasant. I try to maintain calm, avoid shrillness, and restrain some thoughts that come to mind.
But I decided that if you firmly believe in a way of life, a philosophy if you will, it's your responsibility to speak up. I believe the fall elections are critical. This country cannot survive another stalemate in Washington and another obstructionist conservative Congress, nor am I one bit happy about the Republican control of the state I call home. We may have great jobs numbers, but we rank poorly in health care for the underinsured (the ACA would help), education, and other vital human services areas. We're great on outlawing abortion but we don't provide for those babies when they're born. And our record on women's rights is not good. I see so many reasons that the Democratic candidates are more to my taste--more compassionate, more concerned about the welfare of all people, willing to work to level the wealth, health, and education inequalities in this country.
I would willingly work for Democratic candidates (no, I don't like them all and, yes, I realize there are dishonest, selfish people are both sides of the aisle) but I can't physically walk the block, and my one attempt at being part of a phone bank (for Bill White's gubernatorial campaign) was a disaster at least to me. I give what I can but like all of us, I am besieged by everybody from the local party up to the top national office. I cannot honor every request--plus the three universities that want to claim my loyalty.
So being forthright on Facebook is my way of fighting for what I believe. On the other hand that means I'm not only attending every argument, I'm starting some. I was raised, like all female children of the fifties, not to argue, but I don't think it's right not to stand up for what you believe, to listen quietly without objection to distortion and lies.
I have a good friend who is an activist on Facebook for many causes, from liberal politics to LGBT to issues to women's issues, but she also posts about her grandchildren, her animals, her fabulous garden. "I want people to know that I'm a regular person, not just an activist," she explained to me once. Words I've never forgotten.
It may be extreme to say in this day when President Obama has been compared to Hitler, but I see parallels to pre-WWII Germany. The German people didn't speak up as Nazism took over their country. I can't let ultra-right, conservative (sometimes Tea Party) thinking quietly take over my America. Sure, I'm probably on some lists, and I laughed when Vice President Cheney thanked me for supporting him and invited me to a big Washington dinner. Wrong list, Dick.
If you don't want to read my posts or you want to defriend or hide me, I understand. I hope you understand that I feel strongly about free speech, and sometimes I hope what they say about advertising is true--repetition works. And I'll keep posting about Jacob, Sophie, mysteries and all the various aspects of my life and opinions. I hope there's a lot more to me than strongly held political opinions.

My post-election thoughts

I have a Facebook friend whose political philosophy differs from mine. We've acknowledged that and are still friends, mostly because we both write mysteries and are members of Sisters in Crime. After Obama was called as the winner last night, she posted something to the effect that this is the end of America as we have known it. I think she's absolutely right.
Where we differe is that I think it's also absolutely appropriate. The 21st Century has brought us new times, a rapidly changing world with global interdependency, technology and rapid communication, climate change and its resultant extreme weather. New problems for a new era, and government like everything else has to adapt and change. The old ways won't work...we cannot for instance go on thinking Russia is our biggest enemy. Climate change requires a different way of legislating energy, a different mindset.
Conservatives, by definition of the term, resist change, yet change is what is needed in today's world. In my humble view, the re-election of President Obama represents that change. The transition may continue to be rough, folks, but we'll get there. I sincerely believe in the Obama campaign slogan, "Forward."
A few conservative friends posted gloom and doom messages today but most said although this was not their choice they wanted to work with the President to move forward. I hope others can be reassured and adopt that attitude. As for the few bitter postings and the unnecessary crowing by some liberals, I choose to overlook that.
Friends, we are all Americans and we are all in this together. Let's work to let our legislators know that we want negotiation, compromise, and action. We're tired of a stalled, do-nothing Congress. And above all, be hopeful. I am.