Thanksgiving During Impeachment Hearings

photo by Victoria Pickering / flickr

These Impeachment hearings give me hope. Hope, yes. Not that we will nail President Trump for many things. Not that Democrats show how smart they are. Not even that some Republican Congressmen show how ugly they might be. Not even that all the commentators are having a field day.

No—the thing that gives me hope during this strange confusing time is that we have learned this week a message we should not forget. There paraded before us a whole cadre of people. Most of us had never heard their names or seen their faces. Yet—these witnesses walked into that room in Washington, sat down and faced a scary line of dignitaries and sat close to a microphone. I do believe they told the truth as they understood it.

My proudness was not in the question: Did Mr. Trump do all these things he is accused of. No. Not at all. I found myself grateful that behind the curtain of our government, in places in Washington and all over the world we have Secretaries and Ambassadors and professional government operatives and even custodians who are real people who go to work every day and try their best to keep this country strong.

They lighten my despair about the country I dearly love. They tell me that even though this time in our history may be dark—there are hundred and thousands I guess whose names we will never know. Yet—they keep working, some under dangerous conditions for us all. 

Let us this Thanksgiving lift up a praise not only for the things or people around our table—but all those others that have made sure through the years that the ship of state can weather even these stormy days. 

We have heard the old adage many times lately about Ben Franklin. When she emerged from Constitution Hall he was recognized by a woman who asked of him, “What kind of government are you giving us?” And he said, “A republic, Madam, if you can keep it.”

Our history, like our flag, has seen some hard days through the years. But the people who have stood and spoken in these hearings in Washington have reminded me all over again that behind the scenes in places all over our land are people still determined too keep this place a republic after all. And so as I bow my head this Thanksgiving I remember America and I am proud.

--Roger Lovette / rogerlovette.blogspot.com