Compassion — Part II

Henry Nouwen’s reflections on compassion stayed with me yesterday and this morning, echoing a persistent unease about its absence in our current leadership. The shift is stark: where once compassion guided policy, now toughness and retribution reign. A fear of appearing “weak” seems to drive a culture of insensitivity, a far cry from the nuanced strength of figures like Lincoln, who balanced resolve with empathy. Even in recent memory, leaders like Clinton demonstrated that compassion could be a political asset, not a liability.

Today, however, a race to the bottom prevails, with leaders and their entourages vying for who can project the most aggression. This toxic dynamic extends to the media, further amplifying the rancor.

One must wonder: can civility and kindness reclaim their place in our government? Do we truly aspire to a justice system defined by vengeance? Is national wealth our sole measure of success? History suggests that compassion and mercy ultimately prevail. Yet, the urgent question remains: how long must we wait for their resurgence?”

About the author

Webb Hubbell is the former Associate Attorney General of The United States. His novels, When Men Betray, Ginger Snaps, A Game of Inches, The Eighteenth Green, and The East End are published by Beaufort Books and are available online or at your local bookstore. When Men Betray won one of the IndieFab awards for best novel in 2014. Ginger Snaps and The Eighteenth Green won the IPPY Awards Gold Medal for best suspense/thriller. His latest, “Light of Day” will be on the bookstands soon.

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