Caesar Shall Forth

They've chosen their own Caesar, only stupid...

When I was much younger, I argued with people a lot. Despite appearances, this was done because I thought we had something in common - a love of the good of our nation, respect for facts and truth, a belief in the rule of law, the Constitution and Justice.

I spent many hours patiently, and sometimes not so patiently, presenting facts and supporting them, arguing carefully in the hope of bringing the light of reason and the tools of logic and science to people's world view. I thought we might work together, and come out with a bit of the Truth, a better world, an end to superstition and bigotry, and a commitment to use new understandings to make things better for everyone.

When I write it down like that, in today's bilious light, it looks like a mixture of arrogance and immaturity. Who was I to assume such an role? Who made me the Apostle to the Philistines?

But above and beyond all that, I am responsible for this, my most significant failure. In my enthusiasm, I failed to reckon the depth of the human commitment to stupidity. I did not know, nor did I want to know - willful ignorance of my own - how deep the love of a comforting lie can run, how determined the average person was, and is, to not only believe absurdities, but to sacrifice everything to keep believing them.

I just turned sixty-one. I don't have those arguments anymore. If I'm very lucky, I may have twenty good years left. I just don't have time for such a high-effort/low-likelihood-of-success activity.

And now, they have chosen their Caesar to bring down the Republic. He has none of Caesar's virtues - intellect, the loyalty to his friends, his well-known clemency - he's like Caesar, but stupid. A more fitting destroyer for the times we live in.

So I do not hinder them. Cometh the hour, cometh the man. It is time to let History give the Republic of Washington, Adams, Jefferson, Madison and Lincoln a decent burial. It had its flaws, and its horrible moments, but you could say it was the most hopeful experiment in the history of governance. In it's very bones was the belief that people can and should govern themselves, that they should inform themselves, speak their mind, listen with attention. It believed in the intellect and goodness of humanity, but it was wise enough about the nature of power to provide institutional checks on the ambitions of individuals and factions.

It's belief in the ability, or even the willingness of humanity to govern itself - to be citizens rather than subjects, turned out to be its fatal flaw. The founders read Aristotle and Plato's views on Democracy. They just didn't want to believe they were right.

I will miss those bright beliefs. I think many will. And there will be many tears and much blood shed on many altars before this era is over - to an end that none can see.

This is the time of barbarians who know no law, respect no dignity and keep no promise. See to the safety of you and yours, and put no trust in Justice. There is no Justice anymore. There's just us.