Don't take for granted current cultural norms

"Boxer" from "Animal Farm"

It isn't even June yet. And we have had oppressive heat to deal with. I don't care, I frankly can't get enough of it. Oppressive heat was like a distant dream or fantasy through our interminable spring of 2026 - just no redeeming quality to the weather. Wouldn't you have preferred a repeat of January or February? 

In December we are guaranteed to have our spirits lifted by Christmas, or, "the holidays" as you might prefer calling it. I like the term Christmas and not because I'm some sort of religious crusader. "Christmas" just reflects our common sense from when I was young. At a public elementary school we'd put on a "Christmas program" and we knew there'd be some non-Christians among us, and we just wanted them to join in anyway. Just learn the songs and feel basic joy. 

Then our culture went through a phase where, due to guilt maybe, we had to bend over backward to recognize other faiths. I suppose it was well-intentioned. We don't want to practice exclusion. But were we really intending to exclude anyone in the more innocent earlier time? 

Yes, innocent. I think we felt there was a consensus behind recognizing the Christ birth story. Innocent, because first and foremost, we saw it all as so benevolent. We didn't want to hurt anyone. 

Life had to get more complicated. I covered a Morris elementary school program with music recognizing different faith traditions. 

I have read that the Jewish "Hanukkah" is actually a minor holiday for those people. Because it coincides with Christmas, we elevate it so as to feel good about our inclusiveness. But does this really accomplish so much? 

 

Fragmenting

In the arguments against "DEI," I have read the following question: since when does recognizing our differences help us get along better? The succinct answer might be, "it does not." So I wonder about the "drift" by UMM in Morris to such extreme consciousness of our differences, to where we have the "multi-ethnic building." And UMM obviously was out front with a rallying cry for gay rights when all that got going, to the point where I'm certain it hurt the institution's best interests. 

We just had a graduating class of 155. SDSU of Brookings SD had 1600. Ahem. And now what's up for UMM? We had the dramatic shakeup in UMM administration mid-year. And a new administrator who I admire but who also says "I serve at the pleasure of the (University) president." So it's clear: there is no resistance to what central U administration wants. But it may not be that simple. 

I'm reminded of the book title by Art Buchwald: "Getting High in Government Circles." Poke around to see where the truth really is, where the accountability really lies. It might surprise you. Are the "Regents" more of a ceremonial front than anything? They are not the closest to the purse strings - the state legislature is. And if we see continued movement in our society toward the "conservative" side of politics, what does this portend for our liberal arts campus, a campus that "Natives" attend for free? I won't begrudge anyone a free lunch. 

I put "conservative" in quotes because the meaning is not so clear-cut now. It used to mean "fiscal conservatism" which meant minimal government involvement in our lives, minimal spending. But that's a hard philosophy to sell the people because people like perks or favors from government, n'est-ce pas? Medicare is a lot more than a perk. 

A recent headline on the Drudge Report: "Federal spending higher than under Biden." 

Dr. Jill Biden

Have you heard anyone suggest that Dr. Jill Biden declare for president? I will suggest as much. She would be sure to appoint all the right people to top positions, who reflect the proper philosophy and see that the people's interests are met. She strikes me as an intelligent and level-headed person. 

Let the "conservatives" howl about this. They would howl about anyone who comes forward as the Democratic nominee, so what difference does it make? 

We are about to deal with inflation again due to our misadventures overseas. Financial hardship is going to shake up a lot of people. Money issues can affect your philosophy real fast. Will society start to ignore all the "conservative commentators?" Like Mark Levin? Will the tone of AM talk radio in the middle of the night change? We are seeing these guys castigate and make fun of losers in Republican primary votes, guys who arguably have been very "conservative" but who didn't get Trump's endorsement. 

So it's all about elevating Trump higher toward dictator status? And by the time most of us start waking up, will it be too late? Like when the character "Boxer" (the horse) in "Animal Farm" finally woke up, smelled the coffee? He was too old to kick his way out of the trailer where he was confined, on his way to the "glue factory." 

All I can do is try to warn people. Otherwise, "Mongo just pawn in game of life."

- Brian Williams - morris mn minnesota - musicstuff54@gmail.com