March 3, 2024- The usually urbane man was blunt: “No way would I shake the hand of (political opposite) in public. Once I saw there was no one watching or holding a camera, I shook (political opposite’s) hand.” Thus have we reached a point that the wirepullers, the puppet-masters of division have wanted to see for several decades. It has gone beyond the snarky put-downs, which used to be easily dismissed. The image is the message.

I thought of my own actions, and reactions, as is my reflective wont. I will not shake the hand of anyone who advocates mass murder. For that matter, such a person would earn my contempt, for as long as that advocacy, or worse yet, the commission of such an act, is in the person’s repertoire. Merely being a political opposite, otherwise, does not merit my contempt. So far, I have not felt the need to cut anyone off for less than assault on my person, wanton grifting or impugning the memory of my late wife. I have been fortunate to have not met anyone who advocates atrocity.

A member of my wider circle made the title statement today, in reference to one of her loved ones. Embracing diversity, even if it is contrived for a time, on account of someone’s confusion, is hardly a bad thing. Again, I draw the line at advocacy of destructive behaviour. There are many in my circle of friends who live differently, think differently, embrace a different Faith, groom differently, and so on. Everyone does shine in their own particular light, and I would not want it any other way.