Brunansky's Blog

“Hell is empty and all the devils are here.” Shakespeare, “The Tempest”

Life has a way of inviting, dismissing and re-inviting people into our lives. It’s a constant ebb and flow made even more possible through modern technology. The invention of the telephone and radio were a big step. The television was another breakthrough for bringing people together. Then, the internet was born. These examples took the far away and brought them into our homes. Suddenly, strangers knew about others and manifested some type of concern for their well being. People you may never meet, you might suddenly care for because you can see them, on a screen, in your house. But at what cost?

In the past decade we’ve witnessed an increased volatility in America. Volatility not towards the government, the troops or the police per se, but to one another. If you’ve been paying attention, you can see how how groups of people are selected as dividing rods. For example, in 2011 a group of anarchists named themselves the “Occupy Wall Street Movement.” These paid activists were to bring social unrest and cause people to make a conscious decision about which side of a line to stand on. This line didn’t exist prior to their arrival I might add. You were either for Wall Street or for Main Street. You were for big banks or the working man. It’s not an exaggeration. It’s one example of how if you’re for one thing then you’re against another. The United States financial system was taken to the stage to divide Americans, create a new division among the people and adjust the power balance.

Prior to the past ten years, when President Bush was in office we had the “Support the Troops” movement. The argument here was just as simple… if you oppose the battles in the Middle East, you’re not supporting the troops. Which side of the line do you fall on? Are you supporting the troops or not? This has nothing to do with Middle Eastern conflicts. It’s about the troops… now pick a side and slowly resent the people who disagree with us.

In 2006 the “Me Too” movement was born. In 2013, the “Black Lives Matter” movement was created. In 2018, the “Times Up” movement came about. All of these specific examples utilize the same methodology. If you aren’t with us, you’re against all of us who believe a certain way. And if you’re a fan of “Star Wars” (like I am) you will remember this important quote from Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi…. “Only a Sith deals in absolutes.”

The point of this writing is to encourage you to see beyond the now. Look past the two sides of the argument that you’ve been given and realize that you’re capable of creating even more options than the “Us or Them” mentality. You can believe something and not feel divided from those who disagree with you. If you’re the type of person who needs permission, I give you permission right now to believe whatever you want and still accept people with conflicting beliefs. If you want permission from someone more important than me, remember, Jesus hung out with everyone. If Jesus can hang out with a tax collector and have a former prostitute as a best friend, I think your friends who vote differently will be fine.

Please be encouraged to embrace the idea that America is bigger than “This or That,” “Us or Them.” The United States was once referred to as the “Land of Opportunity” not “The Land of Opportunity for Those of Similar Beliefs.” I’m a conservative white male who grew up in the arts. I have had plenty of friends whose life varies greatly from mine. My perspective is my own and I make no apologies for it. My writing today is for everyone who reads it. The dividing rod methodology will only cause you pain. I know this because I have lived a life where I have had plenty of people come and go for one reason or another. I have been blessed, even recently, to have someone who holds a special place in my heart walk back in. Life is complicated. People are more complicated. This division is simple.

I’m asking you to be brave. I’m asking you to be bold. I’m asking you to have the good sense to see beyond the now before it’s too late. I’m asking you to turn off the media that pummels your senses with irrationality. Realize the strategy of this present darkness that I have laid out for you. It only seeks to divide and create new power structures that erode the foundations of American society. I’m pro-America but I’m also very much looking forward to retiring in beach towns all over Europe. I’m always pro-beach. Don’t let the fear mongers influence increase. Have the courage to reject the negativity and smile at strangers. And if you start having doubts, those doubts that pop into your head, remember, Hell is empty because all the devils are right here. Don’t let the devils make you do it.

Sincerely,
That Conservative White Guy In Flip Flops,
JB.