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WHEN NORMAL CHANGES

An elderly parent changes. Who notices? A child may care for them, watching and adjusting to all the little changes that need their attention. One month their parent can cook and feed themselves. A few months later, they may forget to eat. The person providing care may notice the change—or may not. Then another family member who rarely visits arrives. They may be shocked by the changes they seen in Mom or Dad.

When we are very close to a situation, we often do not notice what has changed and can forget what used to be normal.

We do the same in politics. Changes that once seemed extreme can start to seem normal. Historian Ruth Ben-Ghiat writes about how leaders who want more power can make extreme actions seem customary. This can be a part of changing a country and weakening democracy.

Can you imagine, even 10 years ago, accepting the F-bombs, the insults, the lies and the disregard for the rule of law that we see today? In 1974, president Richard Nixon became involved in the Watergate scandal. Members of his own party told him he did not have support to stay in office. He resigned. His behavior was no longer acceptable. Now, that would be called “just another Tuesday.”

The President refuses to follow a judges’ orders or follow the usual steps involved in making laws. Before, refusing to follow a court order would have ended a politician’s career. Now people barely notice.

Little by little, we can become numb to changes in democracy and the rule of law. Rules are made by “executive order” rather than through debate and legislation. We get used to hearing lies and explanations that change every day. We may become used to hearing news reports and social media that show us truth and lies side by side, making them seem equally believable.

Ideas that used to seem strange, extreme or crazy slowly become accepted. They even become government policy. Ben-Ghiat warns that, “Immigrants are said to be eating cats and dogs. They’re dehumanized, all to create an environment that will lead people to think that perhaps violence or detention or deportation is the answer.”

Sometimes, as with an elderly parent or grandparent, the house may burn down before we realize they shouldn’t have been cooking in the first place.

By Ben Boardman and Friends.

Barn Owl is paid for by Ace Allen, in loving memory of his Linn County grandparents: Bessie Epps Hart (Graham) and John Talbot Graham, 

Submit comments or questions to ace.allen@me.com