Voices across America

 

My daughter Annie (a Geocaching.com professional) attended a peaceful protest at the Texas State Capitol in Austin yesterday. 

My brother (retired engineer and Vietnam veteran) and his wife (retired educator and editor) attended a peaceful protest at the Washington State Capitol in Olympia yesterday. 

A cousin (retired elementary principal) and her husband (former Marine) attended a peaceful protest in Sequim, Wash., yesterday.  

Another extended family member (retired music educator) attended a peaceful protest at the Utah State Capitol in Salt Lake City yesterday.  

A former student (retired registered nurse) and her husband (retired music educator and administrator) attended a peaceful protest at the Oregon State Capitol in Salem yesterday. 

I (a retired educator) attended a peaceful protest at the Bonner County Courthouse in Sandpoint yesterday. 

For the most part, except for Annie, these people are retirees who have spent a lifetime dedicated to their chosen careers, serving their respective communities and loving America. 

They care deeply about the future for their children, grandchildren and other generations to come. 

Most of those listed above are not regulars at the street protests. 

Still, they showed up and let their respective messages be heard and seen.  

They were among hundreds of thousands across the country who spent part of their Presidents' Day demonstrating their well-seasoned and sincere beliefs that those in charge of this country can and should do better than the ruthless and indiscriminate dismantling of the government which we are witnessing in breath-taking time.  

These people are solid Americans who so love their country that they are willing to cast aside the uncertainty and discomfort of public protest to make an important and reasonable statement.    

Their efforts, along with the multitude of letters sent to elected officials and the opinions shared through all levels of media, deserve to be recognized and to be considered before we wake up some morning and ask, "What has happened to our beloved country?"

It takes courage to do what these people across our nation did yesterday. They did so on behalf of their fellow Americans.  

Their respective records as citizens who have displayed reason, integrity, and quiet, calm leadership throughout their lives should indicate that yesterday's efforts deserve immediate attention before the last wrecking ball aimed at this country's great heritage has inflicted its destruction. 

Sometimes, in our collective lives, people step up to lead when there's a sense that "all Hell has broken loose." 

They do so by calming the waters and influencing others to "take a breath and let's think this over." 

And, then, they often help direct us toward a better and more palatable outcome for all involved.

I have seen many instances in my lifetime where these individuals have actually saved us from ourselves.

I think that's exactly what the collective participants in peaceful protests across America represented yesterday.  

These people were saying, "Let's push the 'pause" button and fully consider the tangible outcomes as opposed to blanketly accepting the perceived ideal."

Except in the case of war or unforeseen tragedies, there should be no forced deadline on doing what's right for all Americans. 

Let's pray that the peaceful protesters' message was heard.