There is a quote from the poet Statius that seems apt for our current times: “fear first makes Gods in the world”. It has a duality of meaning, in that our fear, usually of death, causes us to create something greater than ourselves as a protector, the other which is far more applicable to our times is that monsters use fear to make Gods of themselves. The latter have used it to great affect and such powerful a force that the majority have become subservient, enslaved by fear of what they may lose or what may be done to them.
It came to mind because of the recent actions and attacks against Tucker Carlson which in itself is no small warning to all Americans. Ordinary citizens are at a precipice in their nation’s history and I wonder if they are actually aware of it, or how its survival depends not on their Gods and monsters but themselves. Whether it’s apathy or ignorance and perhaps a little arrogance that has them believing they have an impregnable cloak to protect their republic, but then how many of them are really paying attention.
Tucker is fearless in defence of his nation, to save what it stands for not its corrupted leaders, such defence requires the masses to show the same courage.
I say this with knowledge of a nation lost and a reminder from those close of the generation which bares responsibility, because they too thought they were immune.
Yugoslavia was no small country and despite what is often promoted it was not held together by a strong man, it was not perfect but its glue was an idea of a nation, a post war promise of a better world. Sound familiar?
Its strength ironically was the sum of its parts, at least that’s what the majority thought. But when the monsters started using fear to make Gods of themselves and enemies out of neighbours, too few were brave enough or observant enough to stand up to defend it and very quickly it became too late. The forces of destruction were not all internal they were bolstered by external threats and pressure. Fear, as anyone who knows war feeds the worst, courage the best and courage doesn’t necessarily carry a gun.
I don’t say this with rose coloured spectacles of what it was, it was not perfect, it was no Elysian Fields but it was worth saving.
Whilst the same fate may not be in store for America, its ideals are. I don’t think much of it’s leadership, and hold them responsible for crimes past and present but the US constitution has to be worth to be more than the paper it’s written on, such ideals should matter to all of us. So will Americans have the courage to stand shoulder to shoulder with Tucker or will they shrug in indifference or succumb to fear, for when it’s too late it’s lost.
It is as their greatest president stated “ask not what your country can do for you - ask what you can do for your country”.
