Snookered! I will admit that there have been times in my life when I have been snookered. You may not be familiar with the word, but in the area of the country where I grew up it meant to be fooled, or tricked. Dictionary synonyms for the word include: bamboozle, beguile, deceive, delude, dupe, fake out, hoodwink, hornswoggle, mislead, string along, and misinform. It is never a good feeling to realize you have been snookered. Sometimes, even long after being snookered, one still tries to minimize the action by attributing good motives, non-intention, or at the minimum a non-maliciousness, to the party that has taken advantage of you. I admit that I have done this. While it is difficult to own up to being snookered, there is a palpable sense of relief and renewal when one finally does admit to oneself and others that “I’ve been snookered.” True, there may also be a feeling of embarrassment for being made a fool of, but from that point, one can go on to put the deception in the past and move into a better future. It is better to admit being made a fool of, than to deny such a reality when others can readily see it. I write this at a time of year when we are encouraged to give thanks. This year I give thanks as I consider some of the good-hearted folks I know, who initially supported a con man seeking to establish himself as our leader. They believed his promises and were willing to overlook his dubious character in the hope that good things would happen for America. But now, on an almost daily basis, more and more of these folks are admitting “I’ve been snookered.” It is a good first step and I give them credit for their admission. But it is only a first step. We must demand ethical leadership and we must work together in building a more perfect union, doing justice, striving for peace, protecting our society, promoting the health and well-being of all people, as we secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity.
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Time for Common Sense AgainCommon sense commmentary by Joel Kreger (unless noted and credited to a guest writer) Archives
November 2018
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