Pandemic, Political Polemics: We've Been here Before 

On Turning 80: It seems like just yesterday (well, it was actually September 6th) that I (well, this blog) turned 40. Given this occasion, I wanted to send a brief note of appreciation for you, the readers, many of which have given me notes of encouragement and appreciation yourselves for something of interest you have picked up here. And to my friends and family, who have endured many annoying moments where I punctuate a conversation with something like, "Oh, wait, I have to write that down, it would make a great post..." I appreciate your indulgence and patience. Because there's more to come, even if the vaccine that was announced yesterday does come to fruition later this year, or early 2021.

A polemic utilizes contentious rhetoric intended to support a specific position by forthright claims and undermining the opposition, mostly seen in arguments about controversial and/or passionate topics (like politics and religion). The practice of such argumentation is called polemics. Evident as early as ancient Greece (and derived from Greek words 'warlike', 'hostile'). A historian notes that polemic journalism was common in continental Europe at  time when libel laws were not as stringent as now (Oh, really?! Did she/he read or listen to any of our recent political adds?). We've been here before. Certainly this blog has ("Contagion of Conflict" Oct. 3/5, "Unmasking the Competition" Oct. 16, "COVID Casualties" Oct.22). And we'll certainly be here again...

Four Score and..."In Washington, a two day military parade and gala proclaim the Union triumph. In Richmond, smoldering ruins testify to the Confederate defeat. The Civil War is over, but there is no peace. Winds of change sweep across the land..." From John Jakes "Heaven and Hell" trilogy about the Civil War, an amazing resonance with what we have recently experienced, albeit on a less dramatically devastating scale. Yes, we've been here before. The collective cacophony of the constant bombardment of auditory and visual input regarding the election and the role of the pandemic in determining the outcome (i.e., where politics and the pandemic have both simultaneously come to the attention of all practiced polemics), continue to be in our acute awareness--with great annoyance for many of who want to "just move on already". Though the omnipresent signs, flags, and banners, as well as the political adds are no longer with us, the 24 hour news cycle continues their drumbeat, changing the rhythm a bit to the next likely controversy and conflict they might help to bring to a full blaze (the attention of Vegas odds makers has now turned to who will fill the next presidential cabinet--anyone up for 'double or nothing'?).

Our Short Attention Spans: If you have bothered to tune into world news or studied political history, then you know contentiousness is not unique to either our time or our locale. On the eve of our presidential election, for example, Tanzania was already contesting the outcome of their election; was anyone here paying attention? Have we, in part due to our consumption of daily local news ("Breaking News!"), our preoccupation with our own family/personal challenges, and otherwise historical trend towards nationalism, become numb to the world around us? Have we forgotten the earlier history of the world, including our own national heritage, how periods peace and harmony are frequently the exception rather than the rule, that they intermingle with periods that are characterized by conflict and polemics? ("Politics and religion, by their very nature, are strident..."). So, I guess if you want peace and harmony at your holiday gatherings (even if distant), instead of posting "no discussion about politics, religion, or money", you can simply post "No polemics allowed!" We've been here before and so have they.

Worthy Adversaries: A term that incorporates the value of healthy competition in any realm as well as mutual respect for your opponent, a term that seems to be all but forgotten in American politics, at least at the national level the last several years. In chronicling the early days of American college football ("The Opening Kickoff: The Tumultuous Birth of a Football Nation"), Dave Revsine characterizes the early Harvard-Yale rivalry: "Feeling for their rival were tough to explain, an interesting mix of  respect and disdain...". While we have continued to see examples of such a blend in some settings such as athletics, the respect ingredient has been relatively absent in the recent national dialogue (i.e., debates, if you can call it that). Hopefully, we will get there again...

Yellow, not Mellow, Journalism: Revsine traces the roles of early rivalries as well as the polemical nature of the two schools of thought on the role of football on college campuses--one which saw it as brutal and having no place in college life, while the other embraced the game's excitement as a way to bring students and outsiders together in an electric environment, one which was otherwise a bit blase'. Early journalists and the rise of 'yellow journalism' in particular (exaggerations of news events, scandal mongering, and otherwise sensationalism--sound a little familiar?) was credited in bringing a lot of attention to the game. Partly due to its ability to bring a 'blow by blow' account of gridiron action that might not be experienced by the masses, due to the challenge of travel at the time and the small size of stadium. More recently, the increased concern about concussions and other sordid aspects of college recruiting has given rise to a new group of polemics. And, of course, the media is there covering every detail and continues to sensationalize any given controversy, let alone social media. We are here again.

Have No Fear, that We Are Here: Throughout history, then, regardless of the domain we find ourselves in, there were and always be polemics, people who adopt extremes of positions. There never was and never will be a reason to fear conflict or disagreement, as long as reason continues to be present. Pandemic, politics, or other passions du jour.