Pied Pipers, Lemmings, and a Glimmer of Hope...

Today I attended a local gathering, where we were to be presented with important community information.  The main speaker was quite impressive, an indigenous Campbellite, well spoken and very engaging.  I had seen a great deal of local publicity regarding this fellow of late, as I'm sure had many others there.  As he began to speak, at first I was a little skeptical, as were others, but after a bit he began to draw us in as he painted an increasingly lovely picture of the local future.  Even the way he hinted that more funds would be required to complete the picture was charming.  One might say he was a bit of a pied piper.  Pied pipers are harmless depending on their audience, and depending on what they are selling may even be great leaders...  In this case, it certainly seemed the piping had its mesmerizing effect, harmless enough given the pretty picture it would seem...  Then not so much so.  I say this because when one of the listeners piped up to question of the piper regarding the local board's "decree" that the piper had just enthusiastically announced, an issue decided with no community vote, the Pied Piper turned away from the questioner, wouldn't even look at him, certainly not in the eye.  The question had come from an obvious veteran of life and the community.  But in fact, the piper almost chuckled as he cast his view toward those whose decision he dictated for them, prompting the question that came. It was about banning plastic bags in Campbell.  And then it was profoundly clear as all but one sat silent while those who were dictating the decision gloated along with the Pied Piper.  What had happened?  A dictatorial pronouncement was made upon a decision made by the self appointed without a vote of the people.  The piper had pronounced why banning bags would be good for all and had not even the respect to exchange with the gentleman who was probably a few times older than himself, and if for no other reason deserved far more respect - but rather received a seemingly flippant disregard.  The only semi-direct response was a nod and a rather smug "Mmm Hmm" when the gentleman asked, "Do we get to have input regarding the bags, or do y'all just make the decision?"  I was do glad the gentleman asked the question.  It was brave of him, and that is rarely seen anymore.  He risked humiliation and endured it while "piper and company" gloated... 

What has happened to America?  We are becoming lemmings.  Lemmings do not purposely fall off cliffs but do so by accident, and to their deaths!  It takes an awareness of what is happening every day to keep what we have to avoid falling off the cliff:  a Freedom we who are becoming lemmings are giving away little by little every day as we follow the pied pipers who are drawing us so near to the cliff, luring us off it completely.  I saw it today.  In my very own neighborhood just down the street.

As the above unfolded, all along I did have the comfort of knowing all along that the "Campbell Express" had published a front-page article last week about efforts to petition for another decision on banning bags.  This is very brave also.  The mainstream (main street!) media has been far too compliant with the pied pipers, and it is deeply hurting our country, which is quilted together with little towns like Campbell.  It makes a difference.  It made a very personal difference for me today.  Had it not been for that, I actually would have found what occurred even more frightening.  ...  And I took great satisfaction in getting that gentleman questioner a copy of the "Campbell Express" before he left the meeting...