We shall not be moved

Some words are very versatile. Think about the word move as a verb. We move on, move out, move up, move around, move away or back or closer and, to make room for another, we move over. It's an action oriented word even as a noun. In a game we take turns making our moves and recognize that certain moves may put our position in jeopardy or catapult us forward. As a result of another's actions or words, you or I may be moved, bringing an emotional element to the activity and versatility of the word. In relationships, and I'm showing my age here, Carole King felt the earth move under her feet and James Taylor noted that there is something in the way she moves. 

That's all interesting, but academic, and much is also based on the luxury of having a choice to move or not. Our world is full of the flip side of that. Hundreds of thousands of refugees are on the move because their lives, livelihood and ways of living are in jeopardy. Hundreds of thousands of women and men are stuck in abusive relationships or dead-end jobs, afraid to make a move for fear of putting their lives or livelihood in jeopardy. Meanwhile, political, religious and other leaders dig in their heels on one position, claiming, like the lyrics in the poplar civil rights era song, We Shall Not Be Moved. No siree, like that tree standing by the water side, We Shall Not Be Moved because it will weaken our stance and reputation.

Please, all of you in Washington and Springfield and fill-in-a-place, do not just keep moving on from one topic to another when no progress has been made. We're standing, sometimes just treading water here in between the riverbanks, while you righteously stand on one side, pontificating and pointing fingers over our heads to the other side. Meanwhile, on gun control, we are targets. On health care, we are patients running out of patience. On the economy, we're up to our waist, awaiting a recession. Someone, please do something to get things moving.

Marilyn