Dear reader,
Courage! What is it? Who has it? Who doesn’t have it? Do you have it?
Webster defines courage as: “The mental or moral strength enabling one to venture, persevere, and withstand danger, fear, or difficulty firmly and resolutely. It is that confidence that encourages and sustains.” Mark twain says courage is “Resistance to fear, mastery of fear –not absence of fear”. Being courageous does not mean you are not afraid. It means you do not let your fear impede or prevent your worthwhile actions. You act in spite of fear. Shakespeare says: “Cowards die many times before their deaths; the valiant never taste of death but once”. But true courage is not foolhardy or reckless; for it has also been said “Discretion is the better part of valor”. The soldier on the battlefield who appears to recklessly risk his all to save his fellows is not reckless. In this case, that being risked and that being saved are both of infinite value. The courage I exhort you to muster today need not go to such extremes. Far less is required.
Good citizenship requires courage. If you think you don’t have that kind of courage, look to others who do. Courage is contagious. It shines like a beacon to others. It sets an example. It stimulates others to be likewise. Longfellow in his inspiring poem, A Psalm of Life, says: In the world’s broad field of battle, in the bivouac of Life, Be not like dumb, driven cattle! Be a hero in the strife! Set an example. Be a participant. Don’t sit on the sidelines. Your team will surely lose if you do.
Who does have this kind of courage? The publisher of this paper definitely has courage. It is not easy to go against the “establishment”. Agitation for change (or at times against change) has always been a difficult struggle requiring a great deal of courage, facing strong opposition. The editor of this paper demonstrates courage. The people who present their views in this paper have courage. People who step out front to right wrongs have courage. Controversial actions and opinions often provoke reprisals, and reprisals there have been in our town.
This brings us to the question of who does not have courage. Those who respond to other’s views, opinions, and actions to which they are opposed by means of unidentified threatening e-mails and letters do not possess courage. Their actions are tantamount to fighting a duel while hiding behind a tree or shooting a man in the back. This type of action is cowardly. The opposition has complained that some columnists in the First Capitol News do not use their real names. But, these writers’ names are known to the newspaper so they cannot be considered anonymous or unidentified. They have identified themselves sufficiently that they can be responded to. There are times when public figures cannot speak as private citizens and at the same time reveal their identities without confusing their personal role and their public role in the mind of the public.
Do you have this kind of courage? The courage to speak out on what you want or on what you believe? The courage to step out and take action or in a group? If you don’t have the
Courage of your convictions” do you really have any convictions? Edmund Burke said two hundred and thirty years ago; “All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing”? Are you doing nothing? Are you letting the opposition do all the doing and the taking? If so, you deserve what you will get. If you are happy with the status quo this letter isn’t for you. However, since you are reading this I know you not only read the First Capitol News but also the Reader’s Opinion section. If you support the mission of this paper and share at least some of the views expressed within its pages then give me your attention.
I don’t see how anyone can read the First Capitol News and remain neutral. I would think some of the things presented here would make your blood boil. I suspect they provoke the same emotions in the hearts of the opposition but in a different way. Citizenship is not a spectator sport. It requires participation. Your participation. Citizenship can be a pretty rough game at times. You may sustain occasional injuries. That is where courage comes into the picture.
Do you vote? That is a starting point. Do you vote intelligently? By voting intelligently I do not mean do you vote for the candidates I vote for. I mean, have you gone to the trouble to find out who you are really voting for and why? Are you familiar with the issues, or are you seeing an issue for the first time when you walk into the voting booth? An ignorant voter is more damaging to democracy than a non-voter. This is true no matter what your political or civic preference may be.
Have you ever attended a public meeting on civic issues? Have you had the nerve to speak out at such a meeting? Have you ever written a letter to a newspaper? Have you ever distributed literature (not hate mail) in support of your candidate? Have you ever called or written your elected officials? Have you ever watched the City Council meeting on cable channel 20? Have you ever attended a City Council meeting? Do you even know what ward you are in or who your Councilperson is? You elected them and are paying them to represent your interest in the conduct of our City government. They can do a much better job if they know how you would like them to perform. Politics is preference. Make your preferences known. Have you ever signed a petition? Have you ever initiated or joined a group to initiate a petition? This is grass roots democracy. This is how it works. We can only have government of and by the people if the people participate.
A list of local elected official’s names, addresses and telephone numbers, a ward map, and a copy of the City Charter may be had at the City Clerk’s window for the asking. Go to City Hall at 200 North Second, go to the fourth floor, walk all around to the other side and you will see a window prominently marked City Clerk.
Remember, all that is necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing. For a starter, muster up some courage, an envelope and stamp, a pen, typewriter, or computer and give public expression to your thoughts right here in this column. You’re not a writer? Sure you are, just write like you speak. You have never done it before? Be of courage, it is much easier the second time. Let’s hear from you. Join our fight; help us take back our city.
Glen Dashner
