The Hebrew prophets warned the Israelites about the dangerous road they were on and gave them an alternate route: Turn away from your idols and turn back to God. John the Baptist warned the religious leaders about the dangerous road they were on and gave them an alternate route: Change your ways. Jesus warned all people using stories and well-known sayings like the one I learned young from my sea captain grandfather: Red sky at night sailors’ delight; red sky in the morning sailors take warning. Jesus let the people know that it was a red sky morning for them and gave them an alternate route: Love your neighbor as yourself.

It is a red sky morning for “We the People” of the United States of America. The road we are All currently on is dangerously leading to fascism. The exit ramp is less than one quarter mile away.

We have already seen the warning signs: mass detention and exile of immigrants and migrant workers without due process; silencing of those who disagree with the current Administration; a non-functioning Congress; a threatened system of justice.

Exit Now! Take Alternate Route!

Standing together as the people, we have the power to change our route. Call on Congress to get back to work. Enact laws that are just and fair for all people. Fill the void that right now is allowing the Administration to implement executive orders that slash services to the most in need of them, to run roughshod over the media, and to limit freedoms guaranteed in the Constitution. Call on the Federal courts to uphold the laws as enacted by Congress and supported by the Constitution. We are powerful when we stand together to protect freedom of speech, freedom of lawful assembly, freedom of religion, the right to vote…

Warning! Dangerous Road! Exit Now! Take Alternate Route!

Patti Welch

Bristol