Into the Darkness

I’ve been thinking a lot about ‘Darkness’ lately – not that I’m in a depressed or in a dark mood, it’s more about the literal and figurative aspects of what Darkness means and represents. Most people would say that we are living in Dark Times.  (If you disagree with this statement, please stick with me a bit as I lay out my rationale and deduced interpretations.  Below, Ollie will, as usual, will provide us a clearer explanation from his perspective.)

What brought me to the brink of this potentially macabre rabbit hole is that the Darkness we are sensing is a symptom of the political and environmental realities we now face in our world.  I already posted an article on depression but this meandering is something different.  Instead of being a morass of hopelessness, this contemplative study of the Darkness that is enveloping us is more of an observational, even historical, perspective.

An Op-ed in the Washington Post by Dana Milbank this week described the transmittal of the Articles of Impeachment from the House to the Senate as a journey from the Bright Lights of investigation and inquiry to the Darkness of minimal TV coverage, zero witnesses, closeted meetings, and close-mindedness.  Senator McConnell has said he does not want on open and fair trial.  No examination of the evidence.  No time allocated for witnesses.  He simply wants the entire situation hidden from public view, buried in a hole, and forgotten as quickly as possible. It is not a metaphorical stretch of the imagination to refer to his tactics as “going into the Darkness.”

The thing about Darkness is that, in most instances, it is associated with evil, wrongdoings, or ill-intent.  I agree with the Washington Post tag line that says “Democracy Dies in the Darkness.”  I’m sure there are thousands of historical references from philosophers and writers that echo this sentiment.  The Darkness is no body’s friend.  Regardless of your opinion of the impeachment hearings and trial, I’m certain that you would agree that things become clearer when they are viewed “in the Light of Day.”

If people perceive McConnell’s actions as sinister it is because we do not trust anything that is done secretly, behind closed doors, and in the Darkness of the Night. It seems that McConnell knows there is truly something to hide.  He does not want the public to be allowed to see the mounting evidence under the scrutiny of the bright lights of TV cameras.  He is doing this not because he is protecting us, or the constitution, or Democracy.  He wants to keep the myriad lies and deceit that have been uncovered by the impeachment investigations in the Darkness.  He is doing this because it supports his world view as to what is best for the country and because the Light of Truth will undermine his ability to maintain Republican control of the White House along with undermining his ability to keep the power he personally enjoys in the Senate. 

No one can honestly consider President Trump to be a good, moral and honest man who follows the rules doing only what is best for the country.  The manner in which the Senate trial is being managed is simply an effort to protect a conservative presidency by any means possible against the alternative that portends to take its place should the truth be allowed to come out of the Darkness.  Viewing all things in the Light of Day is the only way to find the truth and preserve our Democracy.

Let there be Light on Earth and let it begin with a fair and open trial. - Gary

Hi folks, Ollie here.

I have never pretended to understand politics. I don’t even know if it is a necessary evil or not. Humans spend a lot of time with it but we certainly don’t waste our time with politics in the chicken yard.  However, I do know a lot about Darkness.  Chickens hate the Dark!

Every day as the Sun begins to set I anxiously begin urging my hens to find their way into chicken coop while keeping a watchful eye out for early arrivals of the night-bound creatures who threaten to destroy our home and our lives.  Evil things come out at night and it is my job to make certain that the entire flock is tucked away safe and warm; secured from the harm the night brings.

Coyotes, owls, skunks, raccoons, snakes, cats, dogs and too many others to count are roaming in the Darkness every night looking for opportunities to strike and destroy.  There is only one word in our chicken vocabulary for Darkness – EVIL!

On the other hand, we love the light that brings warmth, food, dust baths, and all the enjoyments of life.  I personally enjoy the light of the Sun so much that I begin calling for it to come hours before the first hint of dawn is in the sky.  I know my crowing  early in the morning annoys some of our neighbors, but I’ll do anything I can to convince the Sun to come earlier, if possible.  I would prefer if the Sun wouldn’t go away at night at all, but instead stay around to protect us all day long.  I can handle most of the dangerous things that happen in the light of day, but that Darkness… it’s more than even I can bear.  I agree with my farmer - "Let there be Light." -  Ollie