Redemption

I read a New York Times piece about Marjorie Taylor Greene. Robert Draper's' thoughtful piece about her comes after months of coverage, coming to know her, earning her trust, and going beyond headlines and bombast.

The piece moved me.

I may be naive thinking MTG has changed her tune. Even if she has, she still says hateful things. Her history is a strong indictment. I don't typically get past my impressions of someone who has done so much harm.

But Draper's piece has me rethinking MTG and my reactions to such people.

It helps that she has turned away from the orange maggot. She's now facing his wrath and that of his minions. She has received death threats against herself and her family. There's no place for that. The maggot could put stop these things, but he enjoys his vendettas.

He's tougher to forgive, but I find myself pitying someone incapable of feeling love or joy.

None of which excuses a fascist destruction of our fundamental beliefs.

And here's where MTG and I agree. She knows the maggot has no care or love for those who voted for him, hates and fears those who voted against him, and will do anything to stay in power after this second term.

She sees the threat to democracy. And if she's coming late to that party, should I really lock the door and tell her to go away?

Not when I've been hoping for the maggot minions to come to their senses. If I don't accept MTG and those who have come to know better, how do things get better?

Lines from Chris Thile's "I Made this for You" applies:

As we leave the front pages in bed With the war raging on in our heads I could write a swath of humanity off 'cause of something that I just read But I don't want to fight fire with fire And I don't want to preach to the choir Giving just as much hell as I get To people I'd probably like if I met

So whether these days leave you laughing or crying If you're doing your best to be kind This land is as much yours as mine As god is my witness

Draper has helped me to be less likely to write MTG off. I'm grateful. He has provided me with grace. Nothing less than grace. And for my money, there's no more powerful force than grace, the light of which chases away darkness, fear, and even hate.