I grab the remote control and turn the television off.
The silence is deafening -- the shouting between Democrat and Republican talking heads has been silenced with the push of a button. If only real life could be so easy. Everywhere I look I find name calling, lies and vitriol. I'm old enough to remember "Crossfire" on CNN where viewers could hear a discussion on current events and decide for themselves who won and who lost. Today we are all losers.
Democrat-run cities burn as riots have continued for more than 60 days. City leaders refuse to intervene, turning their backs on exploding bombs, fire crackers filled with nails, gasoline and Molotov cocktails. Calling these mobs peaceful protesters is an insult to every soldier who has died fighting for freedom of speech.
If I didn't know better, I'd say I'm living in northern Ireland where this type of behavior is common.
I get off the couch and head for the kitchen, my refuge from today's madness and stupidity. I stand quietly, thinking of all the hours spent around this kitchen table -- family meals, card games and homework, to name a few. Tonight, it will serve another purpose. One that has been stirring in my chest, wanting a way out. My restlessness has risen to the degree that I cannot go to sleep until I finish.
With a sigh, I retrieve my laptop from the countertop, pull out a chair and sit. My eyes wander to the kitchen window which shows the darkness outside. Metaphorically, it is a darkness that wants inside this house, where I eat, read and sleep. I fear it will dismantle my resoluteness and purpose, and drag me down into despair and hopelessness. That is what the darkness wants -- it is what all Democrats, socialists, communists and Marxists want -- and it has been going on for decades. It is relentless and it is calling America's name.
In denial of its siren song, I open the laptop and begin typing.
Dear Lydia,
You may be wondering what is happening to this country, so far from your home in China. I cannot believe this is what you were expecting when you decided to come here for school.
I remember driving with you and Liz to Santa Barbara, with the convertible top down. We had just left Malibu with the sun shining (as it always does in southern California) and music was coming from the car radio. The Pacific Ocean was on our left, with surfers and beachcombers scattered along its shore. It was such a perfect moment, that you raised your arms to catch the wind and you declared in a loud voice "I love America!"
I wonder if you still do.
You may be wondering why I'm writing this letter. You're not a citizen of the USA, and in some very serious ways, our countries are at odds - both politically and economically. So it's very possible you have little interest in what happens here. You have no skin in the game, as we like to say here.
But in my heart I don't believe that. And since you're like a daughter to us, Liz and I worry about you.
La Crosse Friends of International Students always instructed us to not talk politics, and for the most part we didn't. We have talked about our conservative leanings and how we vote for low taxes, limited government and how we like President Trump. One time, you remarked how you enjoyed being able to talk politics. I don't know if that was because you were afraid to say anything back home in China, or if it was a part of learning more about America.
As I said that day, America is much more than just a country. It is more than a patriotic group of people who lived together and who risked their lives to form a nation. It is a great example of capitalism, democracy and freedom. It is the land of the free, the home of the brave, a source of hope and a defender of justice. It is a symbol for the rest of the world. A destination for millions of people who come here looking for a better life. People like you.
It has been said that America is an exceptional nation, but not because of what it has achieved or accomplished. As our founding fathers said, our country is exceptional because it is dedicated to the principles of human liberty, grounded on the truths that everyone is created equal and endowed with equal rights.
As someone from another country, and in particular because you are from China where liberty and freedom of thought can get you killed, I wonder what you meant that day when you said "I love America!"
Was it the beauty of southern California, with its wonderful sunsets and fresh seafood? Was it Pepperdine University, nestled in the rugged beauty of Malibu Canyon? Was it the shopping and expensive restaurants (of course!)? Or maybe it was nothing more than being away from home, on your own without the watchful eye of mom and dad.
Or were you simply expressing the joy that everyone has when they are able to say and do what you want without fear of retribution? Someday you will have to tell me.
I know it was only four months ago that we took that ride to Santa Barbara, but it feels much longer. The virus has struck, forcing the entire country to shut down for weeks, before re-opening just I time for summer. But that didn't last long. Lately, we've been told to stop going to restaurants and bars. Many beaches are closed, and schools are limited to on-line courses. Any large gathering of people has been cancelled, including most sporting events and concerts.
Making matters worse, our state's government is threatening fines and jail time to anyone not following their dictatorial edicts.
I'm embarrassed that you are seeing America like this.
I'm embarrassed that you have to listen to social media and late night comedy tell you how bad America has become.
I am embarrassed at how our media make fun of President Trump.
I'm embarrassed by the videos of people throwing coffee, spraying mace and telling children that they hope "their grandparents die."
I am embarrassed that protesters can gather, but peaceful church goers cannot.
I'm embarrassed that you have to see riots and violence in the streets. Historic statues are being pulled down and defaced.
I am embarrassed and most importantly, I am sorry.
Does our reaction to COVID remind you of China, I wonder. In passing, you have mentioned how the communist media always controls the story. Always the same number of deaths, for example, no matter the accident. Social media is monitored and controlled. Be careful what you say, someone is listening...
For the first time in my life, I am looking at our media the same way you view your state-run media. Which is not good. Facebook, Google, Twitter and others are censoring what we can read, watch and even find online -- we are being told what to think with little balance or truth to what is being said. Tweets and postings are being removed in the interest of "accuracy" or because they do not meet CDC's definition of "public health."
That's a dangerous road to travel, as you can attest to with your own experience. It's certainly a threat to what America means.
As if the virus was not enough, the left has doubled down with their attacks on "systemic racism" in the police departments, resulting in riots and violent attacks on buildings and officers trying to maintain peace.
I can't begin to explain to you race relations and the struggle America has endured because of slavery. I doubt you are being told the truth about slavery, race relations and what it means to say black lives matter. That is a lengthy conversation for another time.
But as history is rewritten and statues are torn down, you will be hard pressed to find references to the truth -- the Democrat Party's connections to the Ku Klux Klan, opposition to the Civil Rights Act and the unintended consequences of Affirmative Action and the war on poverty. Today, as a white man born in 1958, I am being told I am responsible for the failures of black men and women in America.
Lydia, it is my sincere wish that you do not fall prey to these lies. The future of this country depends on young people like you to know the truth about what is happening to this country and why. One political party is responsible.
.Democrats support the destruction of cities (as you can see in Seattle and Portland).
.The council members, mayors and governors in charge of the managerial tyranny are all Democrats.
.Joe Biden is incapable of debate because he cannot engage in coherent conversation.
.Democrats have ruined professional sports by endorsing Black Lives Matter.
.The Democrat Party is burning bibles and shutting down churches.
.Democrats have dumbed down the American educational system
.Democrats want to abolish history books and re-write them in their own words.
You might ask why are they doing this? Hopefully I've given you some ideas. If you truly meant what you said when we were in California, then you are the hope I need. That this world needs if America is going to provide hope for the rest of the world. I know that sounds elitist, but it's not. If America falls, the world falls.
As a kid, I used to find hope in Superman, the man of steel, who you may have heard of from one of his many movies. In addition to being faster than a speeding bullet and able to jump over tall buildings, Superman embodied the spirit of America. For people your age, today's version of Superman is Captain America from the Avengers.
Both are proud of America. And believe they can defeat evil anywhere in the world. For Captain America it was the Nazis. Superman's fight for justice gave hope to the everyday man -- weak, poor or rich. Man or woman, it didn't matter. They all looked into the sky and with a smile said, "Look it's Superman!"
In fact, their popularity is a hopeful sign that, in spite of the hatred coursing through our country right now by politicians, academia and the media, a core part of the human spirit will always be drawn to, and be able to learn from, stories that inspire us to become better versions of ourselves.
These are times that require us to dig deeper to find inspiration. Your choice to come to America has inspired me to write this letter. Your words that day, "I love America!" have stirred something in my chest that needed to be put down on paper. Had someone else said it, I probably wouldn't have noticed. But it came from you, someone who grew up in a very different world, at risk if you did not perform or obey the rules. But you did say it, and I wanted you to understand why it's important for more people to say it.
I hope you can get the word out -- that when things look their darkest there is always hope.
In the words of Lee Greenwood --
"From the lakes of Minnesota, to the hills of Tennessee...
Across the plains of Texas, from the sea to shining sea,
From Detroit down to Houston and New York to LA
There's pride in every American heart... and it's time to stand and say...
I'm proud to be an American… where at least I know I'm free
And I won't forget the men who died.. who gave that right to me.
And I'd gladly stand up, next to you... and defend her still today.
"cause there ain't no doubt I love this land...
God bless the USA!"
