Twain: 185 Today and Still Relevant

Special thanks to Becky for giving us permission to walk the Meserve Preserve yesterday. 

This is my friend and neighbor Tricia.  Twas a lovely walk on a glorious November Sunday. 

There were endorphins and gabbing aplenty. 

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“Suppose you were an idiot. And suppose you were a member of Congress. But I repeat myself.”

“Fleas can be taught nearly anything that a Congressman can.”

“An honest man in politics shines more there than he would elsewhere.”

“There is no distinctly native American criminal class except Congress.”

“All Congresses and Parliaments have a kindly feeling for idiots, and a compassion for them, on account of personal experience and heredity.”

Just in case you hadn't noticed, the source for these quotes suggests that Twain held a poisonous disdain for Congress in particular and politics in general.

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My crazy quirk for remembering a lot of birthdays reminded me that today is Mark Twain aka Samuel Langhorne Clemens' birthday.

If he had sipped from the fountain of youth, he would be 185 years old today. 

Unfortunately, he did not drink from that fountain or any other elixir. 

Though he is no longer with us, his thoughts and observation on the world around him will, no doubt, live on indefinitely. 

This morning, I looked for some quotes from Twain, the humorist, essayist, world traveler, author, etc. which might be timely. 

Most, I do believe, are because they reflect the human condition.

So let's just say those listed above might be appropriate for what we are observing in the notorious, much maligned (and probably deservedly so year) of 2020. 

Heck, some of us might even believe that Twain's thoughts above could easily spill into leadership at all levels far beyond Congress.

Anywho, it's nice to remember Twain, but maybe not so nice to see from his thoughts that some aspects of humans occupying this planet in positions of leadership never change.

Don't get me wrong.  I do believe that we have some good and dedicated people within our country's leadership. 

Sadly, their efforts and dedication are too often overshadowed by loud, deceitful, fawning, phony and unscrupulous idiots. 

Same is true about society in general. If you can yell loud enough, practice demagoguery and throw in some crudeness, you tend to get attention. 

Which brings me to a local situation.  Please tell the county commissioners to discard the idea of pulling funding from Panhandle Health District. 

The notion that we all have a right to breathe is acceptable, but the assertion that wearing a mask prevents people from their God-given gift of breath, in my mind, fits right in with Mark Twain's observations from above.

Faulty logic at best. 

 I read the following quote in the paper by one of our county commissioners last week, stating: 

 “Breath is the very essence of life,” Bradshaw said. “There is no human right more fundamental than the right to breathe.”

My very first thought, after gasping for breath at what I had just read, focused on my daughter-in-law, an asthmatic who has a right to breathe. 

Debbie works as director of our local food bank.  To keep herself safe, she wears a mask while she and her staff serve those in need.

Also, for her safety and for the safety of her staff, she requires food bank clients to wear a mask when they visit the food bank. 

So far, in these past eight months, she has managed to remain healthy and to stay alive while serving the growing numbers of clients who must come to the food bank to feed themselves and their families. 

When I think of someone stating that we have the right to breathe, I totally agree, especially when it concerns my daughter-in-law whose goodness and generosity with humankind is universally admirable within this community.

There are so many situations where our right to breathe in between our first breath and our last require safety or medical measures to help ensure that God-given right.

Seems to me that our health district has been also integral and helpful in guiding us through this uncertain and scary time in our history. 

I would hope that some logic and empathy toward our medical professionals, toward those already affected and those who could possibly be affected by this virus could be considered and that this ridiculous suggestion will be cast aside. 

It's been said before, and I'll say it again:  the health and well-being of our families, friends, neighbors and citizens in general should not be used as a political tool. 

It's called humanity, and it seems like all of us could work a little harder at showing some respect and care for others. 

Plus, it would be nice if our local officials could make decisions for all of their tax-paying constituents, and, in so doing, actively dispute some of Mark Twain's statements above. 

Happy 185th Mr. Twain, and please do the right thing, County Commissioners. 

Thank you.