Mail Bag

Unmasked

Posted

To the Editor:

Recent protests against wearing masks have exposed a pattern in the divisiveness of our country. “Our bodies--our choice” seems to be the crux of the case against what is felt to be a restriction of liberty. The argument is so clearly feeble that one wonders how anyone would make it. It’s common knowledge that masks operate in two directions-- to protect the wearer and to protect others. This dual aspect was not mentioned because it undermines the knee-jerk, unrestricted misinterpretation of our liberties. One might as well argue, “It’s my car, my life, so I’m taking a stand against speed limits”. It’s just a hopelessly unthought out case. Did these people suddenly become completely unreasonable? Well, if so, they appear to have had some help. Our intelligence agencies are reporting the Russians are again using social media to flood us with misinformation and conspiracy theories so that we will act against our better interests. To the Russians Donald Trump would disrupt us and help them. Arguing over preventive measures against COVID-19 would do the same. Division and infection both weaken us to their delight.

The first time they used such methods we were caught by surprise and it’s not that hard to seed doubt about any political matter and spawn domestic sources of paranoia. This time the evidence for wearing masks is too universally supported by the scientific and medical communities and the means of trickery had been used on us before. They stretched their mistruths so thin they became transparent and unmasked both treacheries. Fool us once, shame on you, fool us twice…. So, let’s start by checking out and broadening our sources of information. What else we need to do is pretty easily stated, if not done. We have to return to common sense, good old fashioned character evaluation, and the principles that have shown us at our best: honesty, fairness, compassion, and open mindedness.

A study just released by the Association of Former Members of Congress says both our Houses are a “toxic mess”. Our President has exposed his self-serving motivation and leadership liabilities. It’s up to us to make things right again. And that’s as it should be. We are a democracy, we get what we deserve. “We the people” are what’s reflected in our government. If we haven’t put in the effort to call our politicians and ourselves to account then shame on us. Be vigilant, be principled, and as with masks, we will protect ourselves...and one another.

Gasconade County Democrat Club

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