I’m not sure why, but he can.
My take-away is a very different one. I am worried that Trump supporters will attack the judge or the jurors—even as I learned today that Dr. Fauci regularly gets death threats along with his wife and children, due to Republican extremists spreading disinformation about him. So I say that if none of the jurors or prosecutors, or their families, is the victim of violence in the days and months after the verdict and the sentencing—then this will show that the justice system is intact. If, however, a juror is killed because of convicting Trump, then we are in a very different place. In a country where judges and jurors are targets of violence when they rule against leaders of a certain political party, justice is no longer possible. This is my great fear.
The world of American politics is very dystopian ever since Donald Trump changed its rules. His movement represents the worst aspects of humanity because they dehumanize others and have no respect for truth or decency.
In a world where a would-be dictator has a large minority of Americans following him with fanatic loyalty, I reach for hope. I try to ground myself in what I know is true: that decent, loving, compassionate people are everywhere. That everyone has goodness within. That a movement of Love like our Unitarian Universalist movement has power as well. Whenever I spend time with my fellow ministers, or with people from this congregation, I am buoyed by hope. Let us support one another in these troubling times.
PRAYER:
God of light and love, be here now. While I fear the worst in American politics, remind me that there is hope; remind me that there is joy; remind me that good people surround me.
May I transcend my fear and have the courage to keep doing what I can. May good people come together to keep building toward fairness and peace.
Blessed be.
Rev. Andrew Frantz
June 5, 2024