by Ray Jason
The
eye surgeon offered me a choice. She said that after the cataract
was removed an artificial lens is inserted. She then gave me two
options. Would I prefer to be far-sighted or near-sighted? I
instantly chose the long view.
After
leaving the V.A. hospital, it dawned on me that this selection
applied to much more than my human vision. Had I chosen the “near”
lens, I would have been able to see my GPS more clearly as I continue
to wander the Wide Waters in my lovely sailing boat.
But
with the lens that allowed me to see farther into the distance, I
could more accurately pick out the stars that steer me when I do
celestial navigation with my trusty sextant. The symbolism of this
did not escape me. For I am a believer in the under-appreciated
merits of “The Old Ways.”
When I first crossed oceans by myself,
there was no Global Positioning System. And there could again come a
time when there is no GPS. But those stars are eternal. They have
guided mariners for a half a dozen centuries.
Pondering
the practical benefits of my improved eyesight, led me to consider
the philosophical implications of The Long View. My belief is
that pundits deal in the flux and frenzy of daily political
and economic headlines. But philosophers strive to see things
through a wider, deeper, longer field of vision. Amidst the wrack
and fury of the modern maelstrom, we try to focus in on those events
and implications that are enduring and elemental?
Normally,
I can gain that sharper perspective because living in The Banana
Latitudes allows me to divorce myself from the buzz-saw ferocity of
mainstream media. But in the waiting rooms of the V.A. hospital, it
was inescapable. Particularly, this week with the Kavanaugh hearings
on every TV.
My
favorite overheard comment came from a black Vietnam Vet who
described it as a Circus of the Noose. When his friend asked what
that meant, he replied that he felt it was half circus and half
public lynching. His old buddy, who might have shared a rice paddy
with him, laughed robustly. I could sense that there had been many
times in the past when they had laughed together and perhaps cried
together.
To
escape this barrage of accusation, I had brought along a little iPod
Shuffle filled with classical music. I found myself frequently
listening to Max Richter’s beautiful modern piece entitled “On
the Nature of Daylight.” It has a deeply melancholic feel that is
almost like a requiem. This seemed so appropriate as the noble
vision and ideal that had been AMERICA, seems to vaporize before our
eyes.
*******
I
thought back to my own youthful ideals and aspirations. I had been
touched by the JFK message of service, of helpfulness, of enhancing
human flourishing. I sought a life path that could make the world a
slightly better place and that could give meaning to my days here.
And
I was settled into a trajectory aimed towards leadership. I thrived
in high school and did so well in college that I competed for a
Rhodes Scholarship. (In retrospect, I am amused by my naivete, since
I had no idea that this was a grooming pipeline for the type of
politician that I abhor. I just thought it was the most prestigious
fellowship in the world. No wonder I didn’t win.)
Then
my idealism was suddenly shattered. My heroes were gunned down. And
these assassinations were all done in public view. It was as if
Those in the Shadows didn’t just want blood, they wanted to horrify
and traumatize the entire nation. Their message seemed to be that
“we are so powerful that we don’t need to do this in some dark
alley, we can rub your faces in it.”
Shortly
afterwards, any desire to assist human betterment through politics,
was delivered a fatal blow. I was drafted and ended up in Vietnam on
an ammunition ship. Surely, my service was far less dangerous and
soul destroying than what the men on the ground experienced, but
being even peripherally involved in the needless deaths of innocent
men, women and children, cut deeply into my psyche.
*******
And
now, as I visit my former homeland on the cusp of having fresh eyes,
I can still see clearly enough with these well-worn eyes to recognize
that the wonderful nation that I once wanted to serve has
deteriorated in so many ways.
-
An education system that was once the envy of the world now specializes in indoctrination and group think rather than unfettered inquiry. There is more emphasis on diversity quotas than on inspiring young minds to think independently.
-
The surveillance grid is so vast and intrusive that our household appliances are monitoring us. Cameras are so advanced that they can read license plates sliding through toll booths at 15 miles an hour. Doesn’t anyone recognize the implications of this?
-
There are widespread and ever-increasing attacks on free speech, which is the absolute cornerstone of a functioning democratic republic. Speakers are being banned in lecture halls and dissident voices are being “disappeared” from the internet.
-
The mainstream media is such a “post-Truth” echo chamber that it would make any historical tyrant breathless with jealousy. The 24/7 smearing of political opponents is disgusting to anyone with even a minimal sense of decency.
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Then there is the deliberate addiction of most of humanity to their “devices” which separate them so thoroughly yet clandestinely from actual reality and actual people. I had long claimed that this hyper-dependency was intentional - and now Big Tech executives are admitting their guilt.
-
And finally, the extreme polarization of everyday people over political issues and actors is staggering. I have never seen such partisan venom. From my vantage point, it looks so hopeless that reconciliation is impossible and even a good faith discussion is unlikely.
*******
And
now, as I look forward to having miraculously better vision in a few
days, I am also cautious about whether seeing the world more clearly
will just be too overwhelming. But then I realize that my gloriously
improved eyesight will allow me to see my ocean world far better.
Thus, I will be able to appreciate more deeply the beauty and majesty
of my animal
friends
who live in the Sea and the Sky.