2016 Fourth Quarter Commentary

Mark Baumer, 33, was a librarian, a writer, poet, a former high school baseball star, noted for his kindness.  Last October he set out on a walk across America to call attention to climate change.  He posted his video and stories on the internet.

Following the inauguration, he walked with bitterness.  He picked arguments with people he passed.  On Saturday, he was struck by a driver, who had departed her lane, entered the shoulder and that was that.  Charges are pending.  Mark's chronicles survive him and are well worth watching and reading.

I write this not to point out a senseless tragedy, or the futility that comes out of frustration.  It's more a hope that engaging in civic debate and demonstration would continue to remain within the realm of what it is to be an American.

I've voted for Democrats, some Republicans, also third party candidates.  I wrote a thesis on the racist hatreds in our history that have fueled antagonisms against immigrants, of German-Americans specifically.  As a park ranger a couple of decades ago, at Gettysburg and Philadelphia, I led tours that paid tribute to military sacrifice, the tug of war in our politics and the blessings (and the flaws) of our Constitution.

And yet, here we are again. Trump, volatile, aggressive, dividing.  He's our president. Wall Street, admittedly skewing wealthy and anti-regulation, has rallied the stock market higher and sympathizes with the new president's tax & small government initiatives, while disagreeing on trade & social policies.
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The country seems to have moved into a cycle of protest and counter-protest, likely increasingly tumultuous over the months ahead. This represents only the beginning of a process singled out by Trump, in his inaugural address, of giving power "back to you, the American People."  It's supposed to renew our spirit.