Dear Editor,
Respecting the use of words, we should be able to succinctly and accurately define them. Starting with the word respect…. “You have to respect the Constitution, you have to respect your parents, you have to respect religion, and truth, and the First Amendment, the opinions of others, national defense, the land and water, wildlife and nature (when convenient), free enterprise, the rich and successful, business and banking people, insurers, agriculture, industry and construction, all workers (with the exception of those at a fork in the road), local and county and state and the national governments, the rule of law and the majesty of the Courts, the wisdom of Congress, the selfless, inspirational, and always competent President, international allies and world trade (if convenient), democracies and dictatorships (nowadays), our borders as ordained by our god-given Manifest Destiny, and the flag, too!”
Still, what does respect mean? The Oxford English Dictionary has a few ideas: In its verb form it describes respect as “… agreeing to recognize and observe a law.” Hmmm. Combining a couple of the noun forms is particularly beautiful, “… consideration for the feelings of others, and admiration for someone because of their qualities …” King Donald falls short by both noun and verb.
Expanding upon people and things within our personal orbits, people and things we love, “You have to respect your siblings, your cousins and aunts and uncles, your nieces and nephews, your neighbors, your teachers and school administrators who are always fair and wise and caring (when politic), the baker, the cop and firefighter, the doctor and nurse, the zoo keeper and the orphan dogs and cats. You have to respect the postal workers and delivery people, the soldiers and sailors and pilots and ground crew too. You have to respect the churches and Teslas, the roads and signage and especially the STOP signs (best advice ever offered), and lawns and flowers and use Roundup liberally even though it deforms babies. You must respect the Internet (though mostly a cesspool).”
Can we love these people within our reach and not respect them? Are love and respect mutually exclusive emotions or must they remain as part and parcel? Many people are struggling with this. It’s an awkward and embarrassing situation. We naturally expect the best of ourselves. Theoretically we possess the characteristics of kindness, fairness, open mindedness, and sympathy. Politics are not our relationships, but still, now much more so than in the past, it seems, the intertwining is inexorable and irresistible.
When the ones we love, and neighbors and fellow citizens, are trumpsters, do we have to, and can we, respect them? The usual reflex is to say “Why yes. Certainly. There’s no question about it.” Upon more reflection, however, if their souls and brains are rotten, this changes things. If they profess MAGAism, they forfeit respect. Part of loving and respecting people is being truthful even when it hurts.
Trump is making respect complex.
Tom Gagnon
Rock Springs
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