Nov 3 Will Rogers Election help

 

Hayter Nov 3 Article

“Will Rogers on Elections?”

            Some of you are aware of the fact that Elsie and Faris Hayter had four sons and three daughters. I’m certain, that was not their intent. Parents with seven kids occasionally have to act their buns off pretending that they’re not showing favorites... as if Dennis didn’t know.

We each expected to get our fair share of whatever was going on. We didn’t enjoy the same TV programs, so, unless Dad was around, we had to bargain on what we would watch. When mom cooked fried chicken we each wanted a chicken breast. Unfortunately, hens only have two. Since mom never fried multiple chickens, she managed to carve up one chicken into pieces that only the Chinese could recognize. On occasion, Mom would try to trick us by slicing up a thigh to make it look like part of a breast. What a tricker mother.

Regardless, all seven of the Hayter kids got along fine in the sense that we generally fought with words, instead of fists. . We only had close encounters when one of us recognized that something wasn’t fair. As children, we thought we had fairness down to an art. We knew where the dividing line was on a candy bar, a bottle of pop, or a stay in the bathroom.  

            It is those squabbles over decision-making that can tear a family apart. And, that my friend, is a segue into today’s message which is, “Be nice both before and after the election.” At the moment there is little indication that that will be the case. One particular side in the election has vowed that if their candidate doesn’t win, the election will be unfair. And there will be riots in the streets until the issue is settled between both factions.

            Regardless, we all know that following the election, there will be a major split in the minds of the populace. This is not the first time there has been this much political disparity among us. When I started college in the fall of ’68, a presidential election between Richard Nixon and Vice President Hubert Humphrey, was in the works. (By the way, Humphrey was likely the only American ever named Hubert.)

During the campaign, Nixon said he had a plan to get us out of Vietnam, and that he would share his plan upon being elected. Humphrey had plans, but nothing good to say about Vietnam. Of course, the War in Vietnam was not the only issue, but it was a big one.

            Americans were going bonkers in the late ‘60s. If memory serves, riots took place in every city except Bristow, Oklahoma. For me, the greatest thing that came out of 1968 was a song written by Stephen Stills and sung by his group “Buffalo Springfield”. It was called “For What It’s Worth”. There are so many good lines in the lyrics, but one of my favorites was – “There’s battle lines being drawn, and nobody’s right if everybody’s wrong.”

            That’s where we are today… and, likely, will be for months or years to come. Both sides are apparently willing to fight and die for their right to be right. That’s what you call a battle that cannot be won.

            It’s a battle that calls for the person most qualified to settle such a dilemma. Fear not, I have chosen humorist, cowboy, showman, stage and movie actor, writer, roper, and all-together wise man, Will Rogers to calm things down. Rogers was born in Oologah, Oklahoma on November 4, 1879, which was 28 years before Oklahoma would join the Union.

It’s not possible to come up with a description of what Rogers did during his short time in life. He was involved in numerous projects but is mostly remembered for his comments on politics and societal discourse. Here are a few examples.

            Concerning politics, Rogers said, “Democrats are the only reason to vote for Republicans.” Then he turned around and said, “I don’t belong to any organized political party. I’m a Democrat.’”

            In his newspaper column, he once wrote, “I don’t make jokes. I just watch the government and report the facts.” -- Yep. The man found humor in practically everything. He once said, “The person who never makes a mistake must get tired of doing nothing.”

            Concerning World politics, Wills said, “Diplomacy is the art of saying ‘Nice doggie’ until you can find a rock.” The leaders of all countries have taken on that attitude, but Hitler was the best. There are numerous nations that he signed treaties with, only to turn around and invade each of them. Yet, the Germans loved what this particular Austrian had to say, so much so that they drowned out many of his ramblings.

            Concerning political leaders, Will Rogers once said, “We always want the best person to win an election. Unfortunately, the right person never runs.” What I consider to be the most accurate appraisal of elections is this quote of his, “Ignorance lies not in the things you don’t know, but in the things you know that aren’t so.”

And that my friend, is the reason one should never argue with a person who believes in a false truth. Today, both sides see that in the other. It’s one of those situations where nobody’s right if everybody’s wrong. That’s the one thing I’ve been stewing over for too long.

            Fortunately, this morning I received an email from a friend who, sensing my political concerns, wrote “Take heart and focus, my friend; God is forever.” – Yep, it’s time for a focus change. There’s no telling how long this attitude of ours will last. But, fortunately, it won’t last forever. But it would sure be helpful if we could satisfy one another’s fears sooner than later.

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