BIRDS OF A FEATHER

by CHARLES ROBEY
(MOODY AL USA)

PROLOGUE

In today’s America, the political philological linguistic of “left wing” and “right wing” and “blue and red” have evolved as distinguishing symbolic labels for liberals and conservatives.

Respecting the right-wing, left-wing concept. When the French National Assembly met to begin drafting a constitution. The delegates were deeply divided over the issue of how much authority the King should have. As the debate raged, the two main factions each staked out territory in the assembly hall. The anti-royalist revolutionaries seated themselves to the presiding officer’s left, while the more conservative, aristocratic supporters of the monarchy gathered to the right.

The use of red and blue as color codes on maps of electoral results actually dates back to at least 1908 when the Washington Post printed a special supplement in which Republican states were colored red and Democrat states were blue. The colors were apparently arbitrarily assigned in that case, although in later years both parties strove to claim blue (as in “true blue Americans”) and avoid red, with its connotations of radicalism.

According to the Washington Post, modern use of the terms “red state” to describe Republican-dominated states and “blue state” to describe Democratic-Party-dominated states were coined by journalist Tim Russert, during his televised coverage of the 2000 presidential election.

Do this state winged and color-coding conceptive systems really matter? Not really, it’s what they do for our great country, the land of the free and the home of the brave that really matters. Besides, I’m a little bit color blind.

Nonetheless, having grown up many generations ago, life was a much easier God-fearing lifestyle. I don’t rightly remember or know when our countries politics began to be shifting to the right and left. Seems it just boomed into today’s conservative ad socialistic lifestyles.

Remember that old proverb” Birds of a “Feather, Stick together”. In other words, similar or like-minder people, who have the same interest, ideas, or characteristics tend to seek out or associate with one another.

“If as one people speaking the same language, they have begun to do this, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them.” (Genesis 11:6)

So, how would this old adage play out in today’s modern America, in today’s politically charged world? Thus, here we have another exciting fiction parable, that of an earthly story with a heavenly meaning. Let’s name it “America’s Birds of a Feather.”

Grabbing my usual morning pick-me-up cup of hot coffee and sugar donut, I sat down softly on my back deck old fashion grandpa glider, just to relax a bit. Something very unusual, and out of the way, happened to me.

I don’t rightly know how to explain it, how unlikely happening to me, a renounced professor of civil government. You see, being a skeptic patriotic American. Having turned my back on today’s drive by news, I tend to doubt everything except what I could see with my own eyes. And that’s when it began, with my own eyes.

I saw a vision, or was it another of my conflicting personal dreams? Let me explain. I found myself fixed in the most unusual environment. It was a big open field. The field was crammed to over crowdedness with large, oversized birds. Not the normal birds often seen. These birds were all missing a wing. Some only having a red tinted right wing, the others only a left blue tinted left wing.

Although, the two physical faction birds stayed grouped together, this unusual phenomime didn’t seem to bother either group. They both simply just kept about their business of scratching for food. The two-color factions bumping each other out of the way, as if there was no tomorrow.

“I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought.” (I Corinthians 1:10)

Since I was somewhat tired, from my hiking, and finding a nice rather large flat comfortable rock, I sit down for a brief spell. I failed to notice at first, but he just happened to be sitting on the other end of the big rock. He was all decked out, as if being a shepherd from the long ago past. His shepherds crook and knapsack were laying by his side.

We sit there, for what seem an eternity, not saying a word. Tapping his crook on the rock, as if to draw my attention, He then spoke, in somewhat of the lingo of times past.

“Working these fields long, my friend”, he asked.

“Not really”, I responded. “I was out taking a hike and mysteriously wound up here. I don’t even know where I am, or how I got here? And I surely have no idea about these weird looking multi color one wing birds.”

“Oh, I see”, answering rather loose tongued. He then continued.

“Did you happen to notice the boldly portrayed wing colors of these birds If you look closely, there's a very distinct color scheme of red and blue. The reds and blues are all separated. Not only that. The two groups look as if they are preparing for some sort of war.”

So, could it be the result of a socialistic contention between birds? Could it have to do with the demographic differences of the two renounced colors? The progressiveness-minded blues against even-tempered conservatives?

“You seem to know all about it. “Who are you, where did you come from, and what’s it all about? If I may be so bold to ask,” I concluded.

Quickly, as if by impulse, in reply, he simply answered, “If you will notice the right winged birds are all out in the open, helping and looking after each other. But the blue winged birds, are hid back in the shadows.”

“So, the color symbols. What do they actually represent?”, I responded.

“In other words. The red signals liberty and freedom, while the blue gives out a distinction of working under cover.” He replied.

“So, God is behind it all?’

“Nature itself is behind the event. But nothing really proven factual on the surface, it’s just a way of classification. A way of determining or separating the good from the bad, within our socialistic culture. And it does make for good television.”

Then, the entire scene suddenly changed. For the blue winged birds all gathered together, quickly following their leader taking flight to parts unknown. With the red winged birds quickly followed in close pursuit behind the blues.

"Do two walk together unless they have agreed to do so?” (Amos 3:3)

With that and looking around, my strange companion had disappeared, leaving behind his knapsack, and shepherd’s crook. Surely, he hadn’t taken flight as well. Thus, being of a courteous mind, I seemed to be divinely drawn to peek in his left-behind knapsack. What I found was a complete and total surprise.

A large well-worn rainbow-colored scarf. A big bungle of blue-tinted bird feathers. Obscurely well censored redacted copies of the US Constitution and Declaration of Independence, along with many other socialistic progressive pass-outs. I never would have thought of such. I‘m surely glad he did disappear.

And with that, I disappeared as well. Back home completely worn to a frazzle. But still enjoying my morning pick-me-up snack. I must get to work, while it's all fresh in my mind, I thought. Grabbing my laptop I went right to work. What a lecture this will be!

EPILOGUE

I trust you enjoyed this bit of political musing satire. The red and blue of party-politics has really been exposed, has really been publicized here of late. Oh, I guess these reds and blues do help play out within modern-day HD color television. Beyond that, including the many written editorial emphases it plays, I’m not really sure of its reliable significant message.

Yes, I remember it well. The year was 1952. The “I Like Ike” badges were displayed throughout the big convention hall. We were all watching a television first on my aunt's big 21-inch black and white television console. It was the only TV in the neighborhood.

Now, we have this same type of political conventions and elections taking up our prime-time television, the only difference being the various states are now portrayed in red and blue living color. I have to admit, once getting past the boredom of it all, these color schemes do make for interesting television. Now, for a bit of history.

Times have surely changed from then to now, with the big HD television screens in vivid living color with surround sound. Please pass the popcorn, if you will. And please turn off the television news. I’ve had enough misinformation for one day. Amen!