The windstorm in East Clackamas County last week took us by surprise. It might have begun in the late afternoon, but we were not really aware of it until after dark. To be honest, we didn’t pay much attention till the power went out.
We spent the rest of the night idly considering whether we ought to turn on the generator.
[“Is there gasoline in it? When was the last time it was started? Do I even remember how to start the thing?] and how long it would take to reset all the clocks in the house [“Some of them reset themselves to Satellite time automatically, don’t they?”]
Next morning the damage was plain to be seen: downed branches and debris all over the lot; one tree fallen across a power line and across the access road a dozen yards from the house, another narrowly and mercifully missing the gazebo.
In the morning I found the chainsaw in the garage and realized immediately that not only were we completely out of gasoline, but also the chainsaw was inoperable without a major overhaul. I took it to the chainsaw sales and repair shop. In my haste, I had neglected to bring a mask.
I apologized as soon as I entered, and was gratified, if a little surprised, to hear the proprietor’s brusque comment, “You can see that I’m not wearing one.” Evidently he did not put much stock in the efficacy of wearing a mask in this politically charged season of coronavirus. I left the chainsaw with him and drove to the next stop on my errands list.
While rummaging through the garage, looking for the saw, I had found a couple of ornate flagpoles, once the pride of a local Boy Scout troop. Attached to them were a couple of weathered, not nearly so ornate, American flags, which clearly needed to be disposed of in the proper ceremonial manner. I had heard that Goodwill Industries had an arrangement with local Boy Scout troops for such disposal, so off to Goodwill Industries I went.
Again I apologized for having forgotten a mask, and again I was surprised at the reaction.
“Can I just leave these here?” I asked.
“Not without a mask, you can’t.” The young man’s comment was just as brusque as the previous one, although with a decidedly different point of view.
“Look, I’m not coming inside, and I’m fifteen feet away from you. Can’t I just lean them here and drive away? Then you can get them without any contact or even proximity.”
The poor kid looked confused, and I could tell he was simply following instructions, trying to be a good employee. I took advantage of his momentary indecision to calmly secure the flagpoles against the wall, thank him cordially, and drive away, bemused by the difference in attitudes toward my not wearing a mask.
Now, I categorically refuse to make judgments of my fellow Americans based on their philosophical positions on this whole mask-wearing controversy. I can see cogent, thoughtful arguments not only for both, but also for multiple points of view. What I do see, and am pained by, is the polarity and divisiveness it illustrates in today’s American polity.
I am not a Pollyanna, pleading “Can’t we all just get along?” But sometime soon we must collectively admit that we’re all in this together and stop treating each other as if we are existential enemies. Ben Franklin is famously reported to have said on signing the Declaration of Independence, “We must, indeed, all hang together or, most assuredly, we shall all hang separately.”
It could happen that the great American experiment in democracy could fail. And if so, we citizens must bear the blame. But it is not too late. American democracy can still flourish — for generations to come. Each of us must become a consistent and conscientious voter.
Consistent? Vote in every election — not just general elections, not just for presidential elections. It’s been said that all politics is local. That may or not be so, but that’s certainly where it starts.
Conscientious? I urge you to categorically reject candidates who promote extreme causes, as well as those who are unwilling to compromise. Our paramount consideration must be the overall good of the nation rather than “what’s best for me.” Democracy demands no less.
Call me an optimist, but I still believe that we can make it happen.
Frequently Asked Questions About Retiring An American Flag
Should I place a flag in the garbage?
Do not place an American flag in the garbage. Flags should always be treated with respect and honor because they represent those who worked, fought, and sacrificed their lives for our rights and freedoms.
When should I retire a flag?
An American flag should be destroyed when it is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display.
Where can I bring my flag for disposal?
Here are a few of the most common:
• Local Fire Department
• Village Hall
• Local VFW
• Ace Hardware
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