By Carol Lucas
I sat at my computer on Sunday, trying to determine a topic of good news that might brighten our day just a bit. It was dismal and gray outside, not exactly a harbinger for positive thoughts. But after all, ’tis the season to be jolly, right? It doesn’t hurt to try, even when the odds are against a person.
I went so far as to type in “good news,” and the results weren’t exactly encouraging, although I discovered that there are 40 acknowledged “Good News” websites, including Jane Goodall’s “Reasons to be Cheerful.” I will definitely access this when I have finished my column as I have always admired this woman.
While researching, I saw an inquiry from someone asking, “What news site can I access that has good news?” Apparently, there are those who feel as I do, that these seem to be few and far between. If that inquirer delves deeper into this subject as I did, he or she will find that most of these “good news” sites have a religious bent. As an example, “The Good News Story equips new believers to understand the purpose and redemptive nature of the Bible while allowing ‘more seasoned’ believers to ponder everything in light of this better story.” I’m curious as to what “more seasoned” looks like, but I digress.
It goes on to say. “Truly, if we understood this fully, we would see the answers to many of the world’s problems.” I have written before about my beliefs as well as my not adhering to organized religion. Thus I have to respectfully question this Biblical panacea.
But back to the news of the day, the good, the bad, and most definitely the ugly! Looking at one of the sites for major news, these are just some of the up-to-date stories.
Our own Senator Lindsey Graham laments that he has lost all confidence in Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin after his recent remarks saying Israel risks a “strategic defeat” if it doesn’t take actions to protect civilians. Austin was quoted as saying,“The center of gravity is the civilian population, and if you drive them into the arms of the enemy, you replace a tactical victory with a strategic defeat.”
Graham rebuked Austin’s comments in an interview on CNN’s “State of the Union.” “He’s so naïve. I mean, I’ve just lost all confidence in this guy,” he said. “Strategic defeat would be inflaming the Palestinians? They’re already inflamed.” Ah, senator, what a fine and astute ambassador you would make. This is simply more “good news” from the extreme right in their ongoing attempt to undercut anything and anyone affiliated with the Biden administration.
And then there is the young man of Palestinian descent who is paralyzed from the chest down, after being shot (as were his two friends, also Palestinian), simply because of their wearing of scarves that denote their ethnicity. Add this to the number of demonstrations on college campuses, advocacy for both sides of the horrendous Israel-Hamas war, and you find no good news there.
Let’s not forget Ukraine and the Russian aggression that is taking place in that war-torn country. But then we seem to have done just that … forget. Russia certainly has to be loving our memory loss. Having written about that before, I will not “beat a dead horse,” as my Dad used to say.
Then there is the suspect who is in custody for shooting and killing three homeless men in Los Angeles. This person was identified by his car (reportedly a 2024 BMW, really? You can make this stuff up) and the gun found in it. A gun? Still another ‘really?” I can’t wait to hear the so-called reasoning on the part of his lawyer.
Lest we should forget, one more dictator again “struts and frets his hour on the stage”. Kim Jong Un of “love letter” fame says North Korea has begun spy satellite operations. Why not? He can’t let Israel and Hamas, as well as Russia’s attack on Ukraine hog the spotlight!
Maybe the only good news of the week, considering where you are on the political spectrum, is the expulsion of George Santos. I say good news for just about everyone, including those Republicans who finally, FINALLY, have had enough.
It took long enough, and while it provides a glimmer of hope that there are some remaining conservatives who care about the character of those who represent them (after all, you are judged by the company you keep, or so my Mom used to drill into me), I humbly suggest those same conservative Republicans have “miles to go before they sleep.” Just a hint for cleaning house: Green, Bobert, Goetz, and quite frankly, your newly elected speaker.
But honestly, to end on a positive note, “good news” if you will, the Grinch apparently returned Snoopy and Woodstock to the turnaround on Sams Point Road. Can we assume that in this season of goodwill, even those who resort to thievery have a conscience? We can only hope that having a conscience becomes contagious.
Carol Lucas is a retired high school teacher and a Lady’s Island resident. She is the author of the recently published “A Breath Away: One Woman’s Journey Through Widowhood.”
