I’ve shared some unpleasant messages, and I ought to share some positive ones.
I run into two different kinds of people all the time, especially online. Those who wish me to be different, and those who accept me as I am.
It’s fascinating to try to figure out what makes one type and what makes the other.
When I started writing about politics, all kinds of people told me I was wrong, I was dishonest, I was a member of the radical left, I had no right to air my views on my blog or Facebook, one woman even asked for God to have mercy on my soul.
Then there were the death threats, a new staple of American public life, so commonplace most people hardly even mention them. I should say, to be honest, that I find the Trump supporters angrier and often full of grievance.
There is plenty of animosity on both sides, the left is still traumatized by 2016 and appears fearful and uncertain to me.
There are plenty of people affirming my work.
People who thank me for taking the time, people who agree with me, people who didn’t but like thinking about things, people who grasp what I am trying to do, and accept it.
I don’t believe I have any evil or ulterior motives and writing about politics, I once did it for a living, and I like it. I like that people tell me it calms them and gets them to think.
That is, after all, the point.
I most appreciate the people who accept me and assume I’m trying to do some good as I might define it, whether they like what I say or not. I’ve worked hard to understand who I am, and respect who I am.
But respect has to be earned, it can’t be demanded or assumed.
It feels good.
I like what I am doing with my blog, I don’t need anyone else to like it and I sure don’t need to be agreed with all of the time, which is a good thing because I am disagreed with a lot of the time.
Most disturbing to me are the messages from people who vigorously take advantage of the very American passion for free speech, but are so quick to deny it to people who think differently.
I’ve come to see that many of us have gotten lazy when it comes to freedom and ignorant of what free speech really means. I thought we still taught American history.
Free speech doesn’t mean that I never upset anyone, it means that I have the right to offend or upset someone. To express myself without criminal malice, period. The Founding Fathers upset much of the world and more than half of our country for years.
Because of them, most of us are free.
I want to share two messages, the first I got last week from a good person and a frequent blog reader named Sally. She spoke gently and honestly, and I appreciate that.
But she really knows little about our country and its promise. And she may not knot it, but she is no friend of mine.
She thought she was writing a nice note, but in fact, she was trying to kill off the very idea of me. She didn’t even know it.
“Jon, you have done so much good for others, and I admire you for your work. You are a bright individual and frankly, a good blogger and photographer and I realize that you cannot just write about dogs and donkeys. However, has it occurred to you that you could use your political writing to bring people together rather than add to this already divided country? Your blog, your beliefs but not helpful to the country as a whole…..”
Sally’s idea of free speech was in carrying out her idea of the public good, whether or not it was my idea of the public good. She had no conception that if Thomas Paine had followed her advice and chosen to “bring the country together” rather than rebel, we wouldn’t have a country.
What Sally is saying is that I am good and bright and useful as long as she likes what I am writing, but once she disagrees with me, a menace to my country.
This is how I answered her:
Sally, I am exercising my right to free speech on my own blog at my own expense, and I am startled to have American citizens try to pressure me to be silent because they disagree with what I am writing.
I am not seeking your permission or approval to write what I want about the Presidential election, I hope you have the same right that I have, to say what I wish to say.
If you don’t care for what I am writing, don’t read it or start your own blog. It is not my job to unite or divide the country, I am not running for President or mayor.
That is not a requirement for free speech in our country. I don’t accept your characterization of my work as negative or divisive, but even if it were, I have the right to express my feelings or ideas.
People can take what I say or leave it. And what of the hundreds of people who have written me, thanking for what I write and urging me to continue? Do they have the same rights as you do?
Your idea is Russia’s idea and China’s idea and Egypt’s idea and Saudi Arabia’s idea. It is not the American idea. Your candidate upsets and offends people every day, but you intend to vote for him.
How does that work, exactly?
You are suggesting that anyone who criticizes the President is somehow damaging the country because that might be divisive. Is that also true of anyone who supports him? I don’t think so.
This is an important discussion to be having, especially now. We can’t protect our freedoms if we can’t be bothered to know what they are.
I certainly will not be silenced by these people, quite the opposite. They affirm my reasons for writing in the first place. I hope none of you who are reading this will be silenced either, online or off.
My letter from Sue:
Sue: It’s been a while, Jon, it’s wonderful to see you thriving in such an insane year.
I saw a recent One Man’s Truth post and was inspired to finally write and thank you for this series. It’s upsetting to me so many people are jumping to violent threats and that so many people are threatened by a differing perspective to the point where they feel it necessary to respond that way.
I wanted you to know that there are people out there reading and thinking carefully about what you have written. I am finding your writing very insightful and helpful. I’ve never shared your writings as often as I have these posts. You have given me a window into this from a perspective I didn’t have. I am finding your analysis grounding and calming. Your clarity and your ability to stay just a level above and avoid being drawn into the daily distraction shit storm to see and evaluate what’s really going on is invaluable to me.
It’s also really interesting to see this part of your mind at work. I’m “enjoying” it very much. I’m not saying that normally you don’t think or express yourself and who you are- of course, you do-but this level of discourse is in a different “voice” and I haven’t seen you use this one before.
Anyway, please keep the posts coming!”
I will Sue, and thanks. You are why I do this.
I just wanted you to know how glad I am to have found your posts. I have enjoyed ALL of your writings. I love your farm, your love for your animals (and your wife!). This is the first time in my adult life that I have been in turmoil about our government. I mean, I’ve disliked other presidents, I’ve laughed at other presidents, but I’ve never been so afraid of (disgusted by, embarrassed because of, there’s a long list – sorry) our current president. (Lower case p). I started to follow him on Twitter after the election because I figured it would be the fastest way to know if he pushed the “Start War Here” button, because he must tweet before anyone else (and more often). Now I am abhorred by his tweets, and yet I continue to read them. Its a sick fascination I can’t control. I cannot understand how anyone can look at and yet not see who he is. So I look forward to your posts. Thank you for your insight!
Jon,
I agree with Sue a 100%, your writing about our current chaos has inspired me,and helped me see politics in a new light .
I look forward to reading your blog notes, for the same reasons Sue does. Many Thanks! Tess
Whoops, can you take my last name off of that comment post? I hit submit a wee bit too fast.
Thank you for being the voice in the wilderness of this country. May it regain its standing in the world in November. Keep writing.
I like the political issues you write about. Those that I don’t necessarily agree with make me think. That is good. Because after thinking about what you have written, it makes me see that I didn’t disagree with you in the first place. I just saw it in a different light. Keep up the good work. We have a tough row to hoe in this country to get things on an even keel.
Ditto what Sue said. I appreciate your views. Thank you.
Thank you, Jon, for another excellent blog message.
It so important to speak truth to power and to ignorance. As one of Dickens’s ghosts in “A Christmas Carol” told Scrooge when he showed the two emaciated children clinging to his legs, “The boy is ignorance, the girl is want. Be especially concerned with the boy.”
Continue writing so that more folks may find the right way, or at least respect people’s rights to write and say what they want.
I read your posts/blog because I find them interesting. You often shine a different light on the way I look at things. Doesn’t mean that I agree with everything you write on politics but it makes me really look at it through your views. I think its infantile that people stoop to death threats for what you’ve written on YOUR blog. I believe you put in words from the heart without malice.
If I decide I don’t like your writings I won’t read it. Until then I’m tuned in.
Carry on Jon.
Many years ago, Ricky Nelson had a song called GARDEN PARTY. Prior to writing the song he had appeared at Madison Square Garden in NY. He tried to showcase his new, unheard songs. The crowd booed because they only wanted to hear his old hits. His response was to write GARDEN PARTY. Some of the words were: you can’t please everyone, so ya gotta please yourself.
I found your blog quite by accident one day, on FB. Now it is one of the first things I read every day. Between the pictures of your farm, stories about your dogs and your wonderful wife I work with the Migrants here in Charlotte so I am very interested in what you are doing in your area. Thank you for your political writings, keep up the good work. God willing we will get through this mess in Nov and have a greater appreciation of what we have.
Keep on truckin’ Jon.
I have been following you and reading your blog and books for quite awhile. I always love and enjoy your posts about your animals, your life with Maria, etc. However, your political posts in my opinion have been your absolute best. They are so good that I can’t even delete them when I am finished. I keep moving them to my saved emails. Please continue to use your gifts and talents for those of us who are challenged to think and enjoy your writing.
Thanks Judy, much appreciated and thanks..
Good Work! I to have a blog so I know where your coming from. I love your books and your opinions. My blog runs along spiritual lines but that does not stop the critics, although They may miss the point I often say to myself out loud “Om Namah Nariyana” (Sanskrit) I surrender to the Divine Will. Peace