Alas, the quadrennial event celebrating the changing of administrations in Washington, the “peaceful transfer of power” we are so famous for, inserted itself into my addled cranium and left me shaking my head.
I wanted to write for this week’s column about the Vikings league championship and their chance to shine in the glory of the Super Bowl. Explore why the NFL bothers with Roman numerals to identify the game when most of us get stuck at 10 in the artistic and archaic numbering language of the Roman Empire. We’re Merika, for God’s sake, not Rome.
Instead of football, my fingers go to the first 12 days of the term of the 47th President of the United States, the divided population, and the omens that might be influencing things.
The Bohunk, the same one who dragged me back to Viking football, has Bohemian roots on her dad’s side of the family. For centuries, Bohemia was an independent kingdom in Eastern Europe and is now part of the Czech Republic. Its residents are known to be superstitious, and that trait is evident in the woman who dared to marry me. From the first blind date, her mother’s birthday, to today, she sees signs and omens everywhere.
Eastern European cultures are rich in folklore, superstitions, and omens. For example, spilling salt or whistling indoors is thought to bring conflict or arguments, while itching your right eye means good luck, happiness, or a pleasant surprise is coming.
My apprehension about ending up on Trump’s enemies list made me a bit sensitive. Still, I saw omens everywhere when a new captain began to helm the great “Ship of State,” the best nation in the world.
In the lead-up to inauguration day, wildfires consumed vast parts of the second-largest city in the most populated state in America. The fires overwhelmed all fire suppression protocols. If it could happen there, it’s not a good omen.
The area along the north coast of the Gulf of Mexico (Do I now use the Gulf of America?) was hit with the kind of winter storm those living in the northland are used to but is rare as hen’s teeth in the southland. New Orleans airport collected more than eight inches of heavy, wet, white stuff. It was overwhelming, and it was another negative omen.
The cold weather on the East Coast set the inauguration planners to move the event inside the capital building. It was indoors for the first time since “The Gipper” Reagan in 1985. An omen?
Then, more strange things happened.
Elon Musk, the unelected sidekick at Trump’s side for weeks, ended a speech at a Trump rally with an unmistakable Nazi stiff-armed salute. Shortly after, a TV meteorologist in Milwaukee, Sam Kuffel, posted a picture of Musk on her per-sonal Instagram and wrote, “Dude, Nazi saluted twice. TWICE.”
According to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Kuffel was fired from WDJT-TV (Channel 58) the following day. This is a chilling omen for people like me who think no employer should punish people for expressing an opinion, especially on their own time.
Finally, at the National Prayer Breakfast, the day after the inauguration and festive balls, the Right Rev. Mariann Budde, the Episcopal bishop of Washington DC, delivered the sermon and raised eddies in the dust of rage–an omen?
Referring to Trump’s belief that he was saved by God when shot at in Pennsylvania, she said, “You have felt the providential hand of a loving God. In the name of our God, I ask you to have mercy upon the people in our country who are scared now.”
Trump later demanded an apology from the bishop, saying she made the religious event “political.” This was from a self-proclaimed Christian who relied heavily on the religious types to win his election. The non-assuming bishop simply and constitutionally petitioned the captain of our “Ship of State” to be merciful.
Plato used the metaphor “Ship of State” to il-lustrate his views on governance. He compares a state’s governance to a vessel’s command, arguing that only those with true knowledge and wisdom (philosopher-kings) are truly qualified to lead.
Thanks to the Bohunk, I’ve learned to respect omens. Word to the wise; you should, too.
