OPINION
All animals are [created] equal, but some animals are more equal than others (Animal Farm, by George Orwell)." Accordingly, forget "the rule of law." It does not apply equally to everyone, and certainly not to the high and mighty. When our brothers and sisters come into America from Slovenia, Estonia, Czech Republic, Ukraine, Poland, et cetera, they have not come to take away White jobs. But, when our brothers and sisters come from the global south, they are not only criminals who have come to sully the blood of Americans, but also have come to take Black jobs! My stance is that our kith and kin coming from the global south to America are just doing what the Irish, Italians, and others from Europe have done in the past, and are still doing today.
On the matter of the response to the January 6, 2021 coup, I am not surprised that some of our prominent Republican leaders who condemned it in no uncertain terms after the mayhem are now applauding it (the law of self-interest). During the debate, we saw the blame for the violence being shifted to the former speaker of the House. Tragically, we are witnessing so many lies and distortions of political facts that are not sufficiently debunked tout de suite. You see, the maxim of the law is "Qui tacet consentire. The maxim of the law is–"Silence gives consent." I was here when President Nixon was called a crook following the Watergate imbroglio. He immediately replied, "I'm not a crook," to rebuff the allegation. I have heard Biden being called a crook, and a criminal by his opponents with no immediate riposte.
Elsewhere, I wrote an opinion in which I alerted Americans that they are taking this great democracy, that President George W. Bush sent troops to Iraq to promote during the era of Saddam Hussein, for granted. I recalled in my piece that in human history, great empires, civilizations and societies have risen and fallen not so much from external threats, but from internal social, economic, and political disarticulations. I cited the great USSR (1917-1991) as an example, and applauded President George H. W. Bush for handling the fall of communism with splendid diplomatic dexterity. My view in the article was and is informed by the current political situation in America, the likes of which I have never seen in the last 50 years or so. That great sense of patriotism that I have always admired in this society is gradually evaporating. Democrats are "enemies." Republicans are "enemies." Little wonder, then, that I say please "take me back to the good old days of Speaker Tip O'neill (Democrat) and President Ronald Reagan (Republican)," when there was much comradeliness between members of the political parties. Regrettably, the last two decades have been tough due in part to the opening of the political space. Some folks couldn't stand it, and still can't stand it, and one of them worked against it ferociously. Fortunately, he failed. In any case, in the words of Abraham Lincoln, the great emancipator,
A HOUSE DIVIDED AGAINST ITSELF CANNOT STAND!
DEMOCRACY IS UNDER SEVERE THREAT IN AMERICA!
AND, THE FALLOUT IN THE GLOBAL SOUTH COULD BE IMMENSE!
I rest my case for now.
Ike Udogu
