5 hard current events questions for 2022

As a question advocate — asking questions for the purpose of solution — let us begin with five significantly pressing questions for the year ahead… questions that are respectively asked… but granted, still aren’t all that easy to answer…

Question #1: What’s an effective, next step approach to Covid? Let’s be real… This is hard. On all of us. On the sick, on the dying, on the healthcare workers, on those making protective decisions, on the varied vaccination decisions; there’s an element of challenge for us all. As has been long stated here, what’s best to do in rural, big, blue sky Montana is not the same as what’s best in the dense, urban metropolis of New York City; it simply doesn’t make sense. So how do we move forward in a way that doesn’t start from a ready-to-pounce, defensive position? Are we capable of giving generous grace to those who come from a different perspective? Can we learn to treat the variants with the wisest approach each needs, recognizing that the severity of each strand is different? Can we also recognize that maybe the endgame isn’t good riddance of all; hence, what does moving from a pandemic to an endemic look like — and have we already done so?

Question #2: Is Joe Biden physically and mentally ok? Zero ill will, folks. I genuinely wish to know what decisions is he making and what decisions people are making for him; the reality is that the public can’t tell. I don’t believe Pres. Biden is a bad person in any way whatsoever. However, I do have candid questions about his competency and his current clarity of thought. His repeated gaffes, misstatements and avoidance of the free press are increasingly concerning. He has difficulty handling conversations which are typically routine for a sitting President of the United States. Those are not character issues; those also cannot be dismissed as a speech disorder. Something seems off.

Question #3: When will Donald Trump relinquish his political ambitions? Again, honestly, sincerely, and still zero ill will… I realize there are many who love and many who loathe (and no doubt a zillion who fall somewhere in between). I also think we make way too many assumptions and even judgments about those who love or loathe. To be clear, I am neither. However, I do believe his Oval Office tenure was especially divisive. And it’s no secret the Intramuralist is not a fan of divisiveness. I believe our country’s highest leadership should be marked by unquestionable compassion and competency. I am disturbed that both have been uncertain for years. 

Question #4: What happens in the near future to the legislative branch? The purpose of the legislative branch is to make laws; contrary to the desires of some, that is not the role of either the executive or judicial branch. The purpose of a sitting congressperson, therefore, is to represent their district or state in crafting those laws. And yet, as we’ve witnessed from recent singular party debates, there is a tendency to shame the one who doesn’t “get in line” with the national party. But if the responsibility is to represent one’s geographic region accurately, why would we assume that an urban, coastal region has the same wants/needs as a rural, midwest region? Why would we think all Democrats or Republicans would think the same way, especially, logically, if there are varied priorities in those geographic areas? My question is whether Congress can move forward in a healthy way if partisans continue to vehemently pursue a sole party perspective, convinced only their party knows best. There is way too much focus on party — party over people, so-to-speak. That, to me, is not wise leadership. I don’t care whose party it is.

Question #5: And lastly, what about us? When will we as a people realize that if we’re not kind to those who don’t think like us, then we’re not really all that kind… if we won’t engage in discourse with those who respectfully disagree, then we are the ones not very good at discourse… and if we as a people believe that reconciliation only happens when the others finally realize the error of their ways and come to agree with us, then we don’t really understand reconciliation? Friends, when will we as a body politic recognize the humbling truth that each of us have played a part in the current division?

Just questions, my friends, but honest ones at that. As a current events blogger, I deeply value honesty, sincerity and integrity. I will continue to advocate for such.

And so we ask these questions not so to embolden what we already think, but rather, so that we can make healthy strivings going forward.

Let us always pursue what is wisest and best. 

Respectfully… happy new year, too…

AR