Polaris is the brightest star in the constellation of Ursa Minor – it has guided travelers toward a purposeful destination for all time. The symbolic meaning of the Star describes a beacon of inspiration and hope! Elijah Cummings passed away this week, and all I have read and observed puts him clearly on the list of inspirational leaders. The son of South Carolina sharecroppers, Elijah attributed his beliefs to his mother and father. Robert Cummings emphasized education and made sure the children were in school each day, emphasizing nothing is impossible. Ruth Cummings founded the Victory Prayer Chapel while raising seven children and earning praise from Elijah as “one of the smartest, most thoughtful and loving people I have ever met.” There has been a non-partisan outpouring of recognition for Elijah and he will not be forgotten. Cummings was signing subpoenas in his hospice care surroundings to continue his protection of our democracy. Elijah Cummings said during his final days in the House, likely knowing his health situation, “When we’re dancing with the angels, the question will be asked, in 2019, what did we do to make sure we kept our democracy intact? Did we stand on the sidelines and say nothing?” Elijah fought to assure a bright future for our children and grandchildren and provide a beacon for us to focus our energy.
I was also taken this week by the opportunity for analogies provided by Fearless leader’s unilateral decision to exit Syria. Finally something most Americans could agree on – you never abandon your allies and tarnish the credibility of our country. America is the North Star for much of the world who has earned or aspires to freedom. Senator Romney described the effort to undo the pullout with diplomatic efforts as “like the farmer who lost all his horses and goes now to shut the barn door.” The ceasefire is in place but the lives are lost and damage is done. Former director of the CIA, John Brennan, describes the pullout with a popular example, “you cannot put the toothpaste back in the tube.” In the law, unring the bell, is an analogy used to suggest the difficulty of forgetting information once it is known. A few other analogies that went unused; you can’t unscramble the egg, the die cast, that ship has sailed, I have burned my bridges, and you can’t put the genie back in the bottle. My new favorite is likely English and is poetic, you can’t “put the smoke back in the wood.” An apology is not coming from Fearless, but it would not mean much, “sorry works when a mistake is made, but not when trust is broken.”
I am asking for a quid pro quo, an exchange of a promise that is contingent on your commitment to get involved. “A favour for a favour”. I promise to keep Congressman Cummings passion for our Country alive! I ask you to take a few minutes to understand the legacy he leaves.
Enjoy the week end. Mike