October 9, 2006 I wrote the following letter to the Daytona Beach News Journal. The title was changed to “WANTED: THE LONE RANGER AND TONTO.” The letter was published Friday, October 27, 2006. The following is a copy of the original letter:
“We are in serious trouble! Rumor has it that the Lone Ranger has been flown by the CIA to some distant land for forceful interrogation. It seems he was taken into custody because of the mask he wore. His trusted pal, Tonto, was arrested in an INS sweep and shipped to Mexico because they thought he was a Mexican. The Lone Ranger’s horse, Silver, and Tonto’s horse, Scout, have been confiscated and are to be sold at public auction.
I sure miss the reverence we once claimed to hold for the gift of life when the Lone Ranger and Tonto were around. Today, the killing of the bad cowboys is celebrated by the media, which features close-ups of their dead faces and bodies. The media is forbidden to show the body bags of the “coalition” cowboys.
I would doubt that justice ever existed were it not for the Lone Ranger and Tonto, and the example set by the Civil Rights cowboys of the 60’s when non-violence was preached and practiced. Non-violence removed the British yoke from India and gave some semblance of dignity to the Constitution of the good ol’ USA.
The tragedy of 9/11 gave these “new” cowboys a reason to send forth the cavalry to kill the “bad” cowboys. When the cavalry returned to safe quarters to re-arm and rest, the “bad” cowboys started killing old men, women and children. All the cowboys, the new and some of the old, seem consumed with hate and a desire to “win the war” with such enduring fervor that the entire planet is now threatened with nuclear destruction. Perhaps we should have contacted the Amish before this war of “revenge” was launched. They believe in a way of FORGIVENESS that only the truly wise can fathom.
My fellow Americans, I intend to find a cave like some of the “Big Shot” cowboys have prepared for their safety, and hide there until I hear that “Hi Yo Silver” and “Get em’ up Scout”, and know that the Lone Ranger and Tonto have returned to save us.” __________________________________________________________________
Now almost five years later I know THEY AIN’T COMIN’ and realize that it is a waste of time to WAIT for meaningful social and political change to be implemented from the top down. Such change has always begun from the bottom to the top – for without the root there would be no flower – without the bottom there would be not top.
Remember the exhilarating shouts of joy when Barak Obama was elected President? At last the message of CHANGE, which was heard in drum beat cadence from the Obama campaign, would become a reality! The moral and economic cancer invading the vitals of the constitution and country would be removed and the soul of these United States of America would be healed. Trust and openness in all these phases of government would drive out the backdoor deals and corporate greed.
Almost three years have careened by and touted “CHANGE” seems hopelessly mired in the quicksand of partisan politics and rhetoric. Our men and women and the civilian populations of foreign lands are dying and psycologically forever damaged. Many of our brothers and sisters here in America seek salvation at the food banks and the forclosures are forcing thousands to join the ever increasing multitudes of the homeless.
Was it naive to believe one man could or would move the wheel of change without the unabated support and insistence of the people who had placed their hopes of a better world in him – even if that man is the President of the United States? In this “CHANGE” we thirst for by a myth – a carrot dangling before a tiring people?
Surely, life was meant to be more than a repetition of endless wandering in search of peace and purpose! If this be true, let us not wallow in the river of despair! Let us stand up – Each of Us – to DO SOMETHING – no matter how seemingly insignificant – IT IS TIME TO TELEPHONE, TO WRITE, TO PICKET, TO MARCH AND ABOVE ALL TO PRAY so that the sacrifices of those who came before us will not have been made in vain. It is time to remove the imagined chains of fear, frustration, and hopelessness.
The forces we seek to challenge are powerful, cruel and bereft of conscience or shame, but has it not been written “…with faith one can move mountains…” (see Mark: 11:23)
So let us continue the journey!
I believe the moral and political salvation of these United States of America lies with neither the Democrats nor Republicans, but with the few courageous men and women who will act from their conscience rather than political advancement, party affiliation, power, or greed.
Our government under the guise of fighting terrorism has condoned assassinations, torture and has opted to justify pre-emptive war as morally acceptable in order to protect our safety and freedom; a freedom now suffering under a cloak of real and manipulated fear. Where there was once respect and admiration for this great nation there now exists cynicism and hatred. Within these parameters men driven by blind hatred now seek revenge by sending forth fanatics to murder and maim innocents. Is it not written that”…they who live by the sword shall perish by the sword…” Has violence ever been the choice of wise men when the possibility of dialogue was feasible?
This nation has committed deeds that have been both notable and reprehensible. Under the banner of duty and patriotism the few have led the multitude to worship at the altar of obedience and silence, while the poor, helpless and ignorant are sacrificed to quench the insatiable lust of the power brokers for more power and monetary gain.
Today there is still an open window which may afford redemption from our bloody past and clouded future. Today is a time to love these United States of America – not for what it was or is – but for what it may one day become. It is not an “ism” that we should fear, but a lack of understanding.
Let us begin, while there is yet an open window of time to save this planet – not as Democrats, Republicans and Independents, but as human beings who happen to be members of the human race and Americans.
BEFORE THE WINDOW CLOSES 