“Down the Rabbit Hole”

When English author Charles Lutwidge Dodgson (pseudonym ‘Lewis Carroll’) told his story of a girl named Alice falling through a rabbit hole into a fantasy world called “Wonderland,” all who heard this story knew the fantasy world created by Lewis Carroll was a fantasy.  This story was first told orally and then written down for the entertainment of three young daughters of Henry Liddell, Lorina (age 13), Alice (age 10), and Edith (age 8).  Dodgson tells the story of a bored little girl, named Alice, who was looking for an adventure (Wikipedia).

Because of the characters in the story, such as the Queen of Hearts, the Knave of Hearts, the King and other characters in the story (chapters 11 and 12), some have said this tale is a veiled criticism of the queen of England, her court and other government officials.  Today, I use “down the rabbit hole” as an apt metaphor for what occurs in a deranged government.

I was reflecting on this quite wonderful children’s story while listening to this evening’s news.  The “Queen of Hearts” is apparently still quite alive, except she has become a he, but still shouting whenever he is displeased, “Off with their heads!”  The Queen of Hearts has trans morphed into the “King of False News”, having uttered by last count 4630 falsehoods since becoming president! (MSNBC)

“Falling through the Rabbit Hole” and entering “Wonderland” does not even come close to describing the problems of our day.  The “King of False News” has taken to stripping the security clearances from whomever in the intelligence community disagrees with him or remotely criticizes him.  Public officials who are beyond criticism and who are been relied upon by past Presidents for rational advice are suddenly being assailed by this madman who inhabits the White House.  “Off with their heads!” he declares.  “Cut off their ability to criticize me!” is a modern translation.  The “King of False News” has gone deeper into the rabbit hole, declaring fantasy as reality, which for him relies upon no objective truth, nor hard facts, but occurs within the smoke of Cheshire Cat, that is, whatever happens to arise within the small confines of this little man’s head!

Have we ever seen a more bizarre, weird and frightening time in our democracy?  I am struggling to find metaphors to describe this time in Washington, DC!  Even more frightening is that 48% of Republican Americans agree with the President’s desire to muzzle the free press.  In what world are we living?  Do citizens not know, as Thomas Jefferson declared, “a free press, unhindered, is the foundation of democracy?”  Over 300 separate new organizations chose today to write an editorial in defense of an unfettered free press.  The United States Senate voted unanimously in support of a Free, Unhindered Press, with nary a dissenting vote.  Yet this President would like to close down news organizations hostile to his administration’s political agenda!

Where then are those who wish to exercise their political right of dissent?  If their outlets of expression are suppressed, does this not lay the groundwork for revolution and war?  Has this President read anything written by the founding fathers of our nation?  Is this man illiterate, as well as being boorish, stupid and profane?

In a democracy might does not make right, but a persuasive argument may win over the naysayers.  Freedom of expression of different ideas and debate leading to consensus is the lifeblood of democracy.  What happens to our democracy when the chief law enforcement officer drains our lifeblood?  Should anyone, even the President, be allowed to extinguish the freedom of human expression and honest dissent?  This president’s political agenda is not worth the lifeblood of our democracy!  This is sacrificial blood, shed by our soldiers and those who have defended our democracy with their ultimate life offering.  Shall anyone, even our President, be allowed to profane this precious gift of sacrificial blood for us all?

These are fighting words!  But words that none the less must be said!

I invite commentary, dissent, freedom of expression!  If you disagree, then persuade me.  This is the nature of the democracy in which I live.  I reject forever the false news of this President Trump.  He is the problem.  The rest of us are the solution to what is needed for this nation.  Let no one be silent!  Let every rock and hill, pebble and blade of grass cry out against this diminishing of our freedom to speak, to listen, to hear, and to decide for ourselves!  Let NO ONE hinder us!  Let NO ONE silence us!  Free at last, free at last, thank God-Almighty, we are free at last!

Bill Wilson, servant of God by God’s grace and mercies.

Let all of God’s people say, “Amen!”

“Amen!  We praise you, Lord Jesus Christ, Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world!”

“Amen and Amen!”

The voice of one crying in this wilderness, “Make straight in this desert a highway for our God!”