Civil Disobedience (Op-Ed By James V. Ferguson, MD)

“Toughen Up, Buttercup.” ~ Pat Summitt

Image Credit: John Englart / CC

By James V. Ferguson, MD (contributor to the Tennessee Conservative) –

The hurricane season has begun, and so has the climate hoopla. In no way am I discounting the danger and damage of hurricanes or other natural disasters. However, climate hustlers and alarmists make their living stoking the fear of others. 

Hurricanes are natural phenomena in our part of the world because the axial tilt of the Earth causes the Sun to warm the Caribbean every summer. Warming accelerates evaporation leading to rain and storms. One could say that the earth is thirsty by late summer and needs the cooling and replenishing rain. However, it is especially problematic when people choose to reside next to the beach or below sea level in New Orleans.

Science fiction writers have imagined futuristic technology that can control climate and even terraform exo-planets circling distant stars. With the possible exception of nuclear war, we 21st century humans have no capacity to change the weather. However, the pseudo Jedi knights of climate change (Al Gore, John Kerry, Greta Thunberg, etc.) do have the capacity to coerce “weak minds.”

Daily we are subjected to a barrage of things we should be afraid of. We’re in the hurricane fear season, and right around the corner is a renewal of Covid fear and the need for more vaccinations, resumption of masks, lock-downs, distancing, and the necessity of mail-in ballots. 

Why do we listen to these fear mongers who are repeatedly wrong? I’ve been double vaccinated, boosted and none the less I’ve had Covid twice. It’s the one thing I have in common with the odious Whoopi Goldberg. Six foot distancing was mandated on the basis of poor data from the 19th century. The only distancing that really works is quarantine. And surgical masks offer no protection against aerosolized respiratory viruses. 

Becky and I love The Atlanta Braves. Recently, we watched them play the Dodgers and in the stands behind home plate we saw a bearded LA fan wearing a mask. Granted, he might have some immune system problem which might justify masking, but in that case he shouldn’t be in the stands singing “take me out to the ballgame.” A mask worn by a surgeon offers some protection to the patient on the operating table. Therefore, masks may offer some protection to others, but are useless if not worn properly. And beards make any mask even more useless. Perhaps the LA fan received social credit for virtue signaling. 

In Ernest Hemingway’s book, The Sun Also Rises, the protagonist states his bankruptcy was like falling asleep and occurred “Gradually and then suddenly.” The same has happened with trust in our government. The government has become the champion of fraud, waste and abuse. The credibility of our institutions and leaders is now bankrupt. Too bad we can’t just declare chapter eleven, fire the incompetents and restructure. But wait; it’s called voting. We must be courageous and vote the bums out. 

Despite our difficulties we are still blessed. We live in the “best of times and the worst of times” (Dickens, Tale of Two Cities). In other places and times, people subjected to tyranny rose up in revolution. Our ancestors did so in 1776. Apparently, it was bad enough that an armed revolt became necessary. Americans fighting Americans is NOT the path we should embrace. However, civil disobedience as practiced by Gandhi (in India against British tyranny) and Martin Luther King (in America against segregation) may be a far better option and necessary. 

Some whine that voting changes nothing. That’s not true. We had prosperity, secure borders, energy independence and a robust economy. Electing Biden and Democrats destroyed all of that. Consequently, I will vote at every opportunity, even in an imperfect election system. And I will not wear a mask (unless I’m sick). Actually, I shouldn’t even be out in public if I’m sick! I will boycott any business that institutes mask mandates and I will refuse additional Covid vaccinations. 

Most are familiar with the Progressive Insurance commercials on TV. The cutesy Flo is a fictional character who portrays a perspective unlike that of the uber liberal, Progressive, billionaire Peter Lewis, the company’s founder. Lewis’ gifts to Progressive causes have caused untold harm. 

You may be more familiar with Progressive commercials that parody young adults for becoming like their parents. My sister-in-law, Barbara, loves these commercials, but recently caught herself inviting more people into a crowded elevator with, “Come on in; the more the merrier.” A man standing beside her smiled knowingly, seeing themselves in the commercial.

“But what’s wrong with that?” she later asked herself and me. “What’s wrong with being friendly and socially interacting with others?” 

Being focused on our devices and avoiding eye contact is uncivil and certainly not southern. Our parents didn’t have the temptation of excessive screen time because they did not have personal devices. I love my iPhone because I’m naturally curious and answers to my questions are a fingertip away. But moderation in everything is the best policy. And I’m happy to be a bit more like The Greatest Generation! 

We are in danger of losing America. This pains me and is driving me towards passive resistance and civil disobedience. It worked for Gandhi and MLK. “Just say No” is a proven strategy. I am adding this to my list of things we can do to correct the disaster of the Biden presidency. To reiterate: we must vote, we can boycott, you should obey the law, but hold accountable those who unjustly apply it. And we must be courageous and challenge the misinformed by refusing to accept their false narratives, even if this threatens friendships. 

I have vowed to use this bully pulpit to call out leftists, Progressives, Democrat socialists and those who are anti-American. The American experiment may fail, but we must not let it die on our watch. 

I admit that I am so passionate about Making America Great Again that I left the most important intervention last. We must pray for our country and the lost. I recently read that “the goodness of God is not in the outcome… it’s in the awareness of His presence, and what that does in our lives.” Well said, Sister Wally.

*Adapted from an article that recently appeared in the Knoxville Focus. Printed here by permission from the Author.

About the Author: Jim is a native of Knoxville, practicing Internal Medicine for more than 40 years, prior to retiring in 2020. Along with learning to become a “gentleman farmer,” he has written essays for the conservative weekly Knoxville Focus since 2007.