East Washingtonian - Your Hometown News Source

Have you noticed the same ol’ message; that of what is constantly rehearsed in the media over and over and over again, has become so very tiresome? It sure has with me.

I am tired of hearing how awful the right is, and, in turn, how awful the left is, and how they are wrong and we are right and vice versa. It seems for the last two decades, the ability to express one’s opinion has been slowly and methodically stifled. An opposing opinion becomes racist, transphobic, antisemitic, misogynistic, or whatever the latest trend is to close the door of communication.

Puke! Enough already.

After reviewing yet another piece, from my line-up of contributors, spewing the same rhetoric, I yearned to find commonality within the talking points. I read and hear comments containing accusations, innuendo, and the latest political faux pas from these dissatisfied people, groups, and candidate hopefuls. But of it, nothing relatable, or anything that would make a difference for and in our country, was within the content. Just more of the same.

In my quest to seek out a new message, I presented my notion to one of my columnists, asking him to refine his point into something most people could grasp and connect to, in hopes it would open a line of communication. Let’s hear what our hearts and souls are speaking—beyond the bashing and gouging. That request was not met with the same enthusiasm I held, but he didn’t say no.

Ater several emails, I could sense frustration and an unwillingness to continue. In my final email I stated “I am not asking you to change your opinion. There are many who feel the same about what is happening in our country. I thought since you like to write your thoughts on subjects, you might consider my request to develop new messaging.”

His return email hit the target. I read purpose and spirit. Here is what he said:

“I agree with you. I am probably a messed-up soul. When I go to seminars, I learn to kill weeds and attempt to raise a bigger wheat crop rather than to change opinions of people. Last Saturday night we had our annual Knights of Columbus Crab Feed. At our gathering we have nearly two tables of friends from Dayton and Waitsburg. Every person at the tables gave me praise for my words. I thanked them. Who will I convince to come over to our side? I don’t know. My soul hurts that people I know, who I am related to, and others who live near me, vote for and support people who bring deadly drugs into our land. There are some speckled in our churches and synagogues, who have placed in power individuals who uphold the act of child sex trafficking. I don’t feel like playing nice.

“These people are adults? Seriously? I am the one held to standards?

“They impeached my President for crimes that Biden committed. Yeah, I’m mad.

“I apologize if I don’t hit the target you envision. In the famous words of Popeye, ‘I yam what I yam.’ Eric McKeirnan.”

Frustration has hit us all, left or right, political or non-political, young or old. We are seeing the dismantling of our way of life and what we have held true to our nature and beliefs. This country has fundamentally changed, and most people are not happy with the result.