The path towards darkness and away from grace
PLUS: Lucas Kunce on defeating Josh Hawley, fighting antisemitism and beating Trump
There are values that are the lifeblood of a great nation. Courage, decency, kindness, integrity, compassion, tolerance, love, patriotism, service, sacrifice, responsibility and obligation to something bigger than self-interest and tribal power are the source of national power and the foundation of possibility to make things better.
Societies require wisdom and knowledge to thrive. The ignorance of cruel mobs is almost always a precursor to the vendettas, anger and violence of the mob. This is the path towards darkness — and away from grace.
There is an absence of grace in American politics and across vast swaths of American culture. The quote made by Secretary Clinton about the “politics of personal destruction” seems positively quaint. We are living in the age of personal obliteration. We are living in an age of fear in which so many Americans of talent are terrified of running for any type of political office because everyone they love will become targets of profound viciousness to serve the cause of clicks, nihilism and meanness.
This is the point of the very important piece written by Hunter Biden that appeared in USA Today. I hope that everyone will read it and send it to a Republican friend. The public position around the president’s son’s public struggles with addiction should be: judge not lest ye be judged.
Everywhere there is pain in America. Much of it is caused by an epidemic of loneliness, depression, worry, anxiety and fear. These are the gateways to addiction, and anyone can be trapped. When our mothers and fathers, brothers and sisters fall down, what are we to do with them? Should they be discarded — executed, imprisoned, exiled? There are many places in the world where they would be.
Diane Sawyer of ABC News conducted one of the most powerful, emotional and riveting interviews I’ve ever seen in my life with Matthew Perry. It was profound. I made my kids watch it, and they were deeply touched. Matthew Perry died sober and helping people overcome the darkness. Last year, he stated that “when I die, I don’t want Friends to be the first thing that’s mentioned. I want helping others to be the first thing that's mentioned.” He died in grace.
Hunter Biden alluded to the fact that no matter what is said about him, he is strong enough to take it. There is no doubt that this is true. Can you imagine the strength it takes to stand back up and move forward from the lowest moment and darkest depth?
It is heroic. We should cheer and welcome back to the light the millions with the guts, integrity and resolve to climb up from the abyss.
There is something else that must be said. The federal prosecution of the president’s son is an outrage. It is singular and would not have happened — and has not happened — to any other American. Ever. This isn’t justice. It’s shameful. It’s a blood offering to the MAGA mob. It’s ass-covering cowardice, and it’s despicable.
Please read what Hunter Biden wrote, and think about grace. We will need it to get out of this disaster.
THE WARNING PODCAST: Lucas Kunce on defeating Josh Hawley, fighting antisemitism and beating Trump
This week on The Warning podcast, I’m joined by Lucas Kunce, who is running against Josh Hawley for Senate in Missouri. We discuss how to defeat the MAGA extremist, fighting antisemitism at home and aboard, and what it will take to beat Donald Trump in the 2024 election.
You can watch it here, or you can listen to it on Spotify or Apple Podcasts:
Thank you for this reminder of how hard any addiction is to overcome. We need to celebrate these victories when they occur and do our part to acknowledge their success. Hunter Biden is being forced to live all of his past shortcomings in the media. He is showing his character while the ignorant gqp raves on.
I’ve often wondered how Hawley could have defeated Sen Claire McCaskill. Her speaking's skills, thought processes and her integrity are far superior to what Hawley offered up. I hope the people of Missouri rectify their error and elect Lucas Kunce.