Sherman Frederick Column: Are we really on the verge of a civil war?

I’m a fan of Ken Burns’ work. His PBS series on baseball and national parks were a joy to watch. So, my ears perked up when he recently compared current times with the American Civil War. 

Burns said the current times we live in are “really serious,” adding that there have been “three great crises before this: the Civil War, the Depression, and World War II. This is equal to it.”

I see angst and division, but do we really live in times equal to the bloody Civil War?

I guess I’m not quite on board with that comparison. But Burns is a thoughtful historian, so I’m willing to give it more thought. 

Burns cites Abraham Lincoln in this 1838 speech to highlight the danger in which he sees the nation:

“From whence shall we expect the approach of danger? Shall some trans-Atlantic military giant step the earth and crush us at a blow? Never. All the armies of Europe, Asia, and Africa could not by force take a drink from the Ohio River or make a track on the Blue Ridge in the trial of a thousand years. No, if destruction be our lot we must ourselves be its author and finisher. As a nation of free men, we will live forever or die by suicide.”

On the notion that we must mend, I think there is a point worth watching: The need to raise up better leaders than our last two mook presidents. Trump was little more than a game show host and, if we’re honest, Biden’s like an old man wandering into the wrong movie theater. 

The next election for president is only 36 months away. Is there an Abraham Lincoln out there?

WILL COVID RULES GO AWAY?

Now that the population of Marin County is 97+% vaccinated (a fabulous accomplishment) may we now start asking for COVID rules to fall away? 

Masking outdoors seems unnecessary for sure. Masking indoors also seems a bit of an overkill now. The overriding point is that masks, social distancing, and quarantine rules were never “The Answer.” The key to defeating this virus was always in a vaccine. 

We now have a very effective vaccine and we live in a place that has reached beyond critical mass. 

COVID rules should end. Am I right on this?

CARDS & LETTERS

I always love getting notes from readers. 

Ruth writes that “I really enjoy your writing … I always get a good laugh at some of your comments and your writing style.” 

Thank you, Ruth. 

And Ashley writes that she subscribed because she thinks it is important to support the local newspaper. She is 100% right. So many communities have become news deserts after losing their local newspaper. Big city and regional newspapers are not built to cover local news. Your patronage keeps us here. Ashley also writes “I definitely got more than one good laugh while reading this morning. Kudos to all involved.”

Beautiful, Ashley. Thanks for subscribing. 

Meanwhile, Vicki writes to say that my recent commentary of abject disappointment in Biden and Trump was “the most objective political commentary I’ve heard in years.” Awe shucks, ma’am. I was trying to irritate all readers.  Missed it by that much. 

Also, welcome aboard Dee Dee and Elisa, both of Novato, for subscribing. 

JACK, JACK, JACK!

To keep things on the square, I must tell you that I also received an email from Jack in Corte Madera who said we must hire “high school freshmen” to write up the cop report and the sports roundup. I told Jack that we wouldn’t judge him based on one surly email and, besides, next year those kids, if they study hard, will be sophomores!

ONE MORE THING

— I asked the librarian if they had any books about paranoia. She whispered: “They’re right behind you.” 

— I can tell people in Napa are judgmental … just by looking at them.

— Sleeping next to someone you love makes you fall asleep faster, reduces depression, and makes you live longer. Until they start snoring. 

— The clerk at the Novato Costco fought off a robber with her labelling gun. Police are looking for a man with a price on his head.

— The patron saint of copying people on email is St. Francis of a CC. 

— So to recap … just put the lid back.

Thanks for reading today. Subscribe to support community journalism. See page 3A. Until next week, be kind, laugh a little and always question authority. 

(Sherman Frederick is a Hall of Fame journalist and publisher of Marin’s community newspapers. You can reach him by email at shermfrederick@gmail.com, or by phone at 415-408-1073.)