Commoratio (kom-mor-a’-ti-o): Dwelling on or returning to one’s strongest argument. Latin equivalent for epimone.
Who else is trying to figure out what is happening in American politics, or maybe in American culture in general? We want to be galvanized by truth, instead we are doused with lies, up to our knees in lies that we know are lies and seemingly unable censure their purveyors. People who deserve respect are disrespected. People who deserve disrespect are respected. Racists, misogynists, xenophobes, adulterers, tax cheats, epic liars. They stand in line at the Republican Trough. They wait for their share of the spoils—their loyalty earns them power, and their power makes a difference. What has happened? It has always been this way? What about Civil Rights legislation? The truth prevailed. What about Women’s Suffrage? Truth prevailed. What about Social Security? Truth prevailed. Vietnam? We withdrew.
Now: 2023
Right to abortion? Gone. 70 (or more) people shot dead in public places since January 1. Assault weapons banned? No. Censorship in public schools? Yes. Student loan forgiveness? No. Never.
Blah, blah, blah. Same old crap, right? No. I was there when segregation fell. I saw truth and goodness prevail. Evil’s veil can be lifted and evil put in full view of people of good will; and there are people of good will.
But, you know, one person’s hope is another person’s fear (Stanley Fish). We make choices because we think they’re good. It is good to rob Cliff’s. So reasons the robber. So, the backdrop for all that’s happening consists of conflicted concepts of what’s good and the dialectic of hope and fear. I guess I this isn’t big news. The big news is that change is inevitable. Somebody will win. Divide and conquer.
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu).
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