Can you feel it?

The question can run both ways. Down into the depths and up to the highest heights. Hang in there with me for this because we’re going on a journey.

Can you feel it? Can you sense it? Can you not hear it?

Can you not feel the pain around you? Can you not hear the suffering? Can you not literally absorb it into your being? Can you not perceive it? Do you not have eyes to see it and ears to hear it? Does not your heart ache? Or have you just built up such a wall around yourself that you ignore it all? Do you think you are so separate from everyone and everything else? How can you not feel it?

A quick scroll through the headlines says it all:

The Michigan Attorney General says she was among those targeted in a threat to kill Jewish members of the state government…

Earthquakes in Turkey and Syria killing tens of thousands and causing untold damage…

Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene draws the nation’s attention through comments that the country ought to have a national divorce…

A train derailment with toxic fumes causing health problems for the local population, killing thousands of fish and causing environmental damage all while fingers are pointed as to who is to blame and partisan politicians use it to for their own purposes. The problems expand as word gets out that there are no requirements for publicly declaring where the toxic waste will go…

The constant drumbeat of politicians and pundits using the label woke, woke, woke for things and people they don’t like…

Controversy over a presidential appointment for the federal personnel agency who have a history of sexual misconduct…

Another Representative is caught lying about his background…

The take over of the board of trustees of New College in Florida by Gov. Ron DeSantis regarding Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion among other public fights over what can be taught in schools the state…

People voting for challengers over an incumbent mayor in Chicago over rising crime…

More shootings across the country…As four Representatives in Congress introduce legislation to make the AR-15 the National Gun…

A report about disruptions and protests — sometimes violent — at school board meetings since 2021 over policies related to masks and vaccine mandates, sex education, LGBTQ issues and…