With much of the world entombed in its foreboding funk, this weekend we will add to this ominous disquietude, large carved orange vegetables flickering on doorsteps that are visited by spooky hooligans hustling the usual unhealthy handouts.
Should you be inclined to find goblins, during Halloween’s hoopla, unnerving, consider some of these nightmarish present day realities that I, personally, find really scary!
Truth is no longer truth. I’ll start here, because I consider truth foundational. “Truth” has become nothing more than “spinfluence” or hardcore propaganda for controlling the masses. Language and symbolism used to propagate a biased idea or interpretation of events. A systematic attempt to shape perceptions, manipulate understanding and control our personal energy and behavior in a seditious effort to achieve a response that furthers an undisclosed agenda. Messaging intended to produce an emotional, rather than a rational response. Messaging counting on a naive, undiscerning, too often distracted, audience.
Critical thinking and common sense have been excluded from the thought process. We would rather believe the lie and fit in, than pursue truth. Nothing more need be said.
Freedom of speech is entirely “selective.” Freedom to speak one’s mind depends on who’s talking and what they are saying. Try to speak freely on a university campus or on most social media platforms. Censorship is shameless, despite declarations to the contrary.
Journalism is no longer an unbiased production of reports on current or past events based on facts and supported with proofs or evidences. It’s become, “I have it from a reliable, undisclosed source.” It’s gotten so bad, the public image of journalists and their perceived contribution to society continues to decline as non-ethical journalists no longer strive to ensure the free exchange of information that is accurate, fair and thorough. Journalists see themselves as arbitrators, delegated to sanction and support what is untrue and censor and suppress what is in fact true.
Education has all but abandoned the process of nurturing knowledge, values, skills, beliefs, and moral habits. Its focus has become programmed indoctrination. Just scan the subjects that make up a public school’s typical course of study.
History is no longer a continuous systematic narrative of past events. Rather, it has become a subjective interpretation of events intended to promote a prescribed doctrine proclaimed as unquestionably true by a particular group.
Morality, the principles concerning the distinction between right and wrong or good and bad behavior, is non-existent. In its place we have seduced a culture into accepting, “Everyone do what is right in your own eyes.” Moral absolutes have been conveniently reclassified as myth.
Justice is no longer blind. Fact is, the blindfold has been ripped off Lady Justice. As a result, “Justice” has become partial and subjective in both private and public sectors. Justice has become a term impoverished by incessant association.
Life is no longer considered sacred. It’s become a cash crop, just like any other commodity. Mortals have arrogantly usurped the role of their immortal Creator. So much horror, misery, and mayhem have been carried out in the name of eugenics (how to arrange reproduction within a human population) and genocide (the deliberate killing of a large number of people) that no person with any moral sense could think otherwise.
Belief in God is thought to be out of date. While society struggles with the concept of faith, when it comes to Deity, we have no problem aimlessly trusting much that is intangible. We have zealously chosen to reimagine the Sacred in our self-indulgent pursuit of the secular. Even the Church has allowed itself to abandon the teachings of God’s Word for the more comfortable current cultural fit. It poses the question, “If the created feels far removed from its Creator, guess who moved?”
Depravity, rather than a divine nature, is worshipped and celebrated. Just look at the central themes that permeate our entertainment.
Government is no longer for the people. Contrary to persistent claims. It’s become politics. It’s about wielding absolute power at the expense of the citizens whom government is meant to serve. Political parties begrudge the successes achieved by an opposing party, even when those successes benefit the people they are elected to represent. It’s about winning at any cost: tactical manipulation, skewed polling, flat out lying, denying reality and yes, “non-existent” voter fraud. These are the weapons of political warfare that are on full display on a daily basis.
Yes, you may encounter a bit of a “Boo!” scary over the weekend; however, I’m concerned about the discomposure and decomposition of our Country.
Now, that’s what I call scary.
Former Cook County Commissioner Garry Gamble is writing this ongoing column about the various ways government works, as well as other topics. At times the column is editorial in nature.
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