{"id":391,"date":"2020-12-24T15:36:21","date_gmt":"2020-12-24T20:36:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/potlatchga.com\/?p=391"},"modified":"2020-12-24T15:36:23","modified_gmt":"2020-12-24T20:36:23","slug":"a-christmas-pardon","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/potlatchga.com\/?p=391","title":{"rendered":"A Christmas Pardon"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-text-color\" style=\"font-size:15px;color:#6c6666\">by Robert Fischer<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/potlatchga.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/366EE38D-09CA-4670-B82D-A40BD0D5E413.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-392\" width=\"570\" height=\"900\" srcset=\"https:\/\/potlatchga.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/366EE38D-09CA-4670-B82D-A40BD0D5E413.jpeg 382w, https:\/\/potlatchga.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/366EE38D-09CA-4670-B82D-A40BD0D5E413-190x300.jpeg 190w, https:\/\/potlatchga.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/366EE38D-09CA-4670-B82D-A40BD0D5E413-300x474.jpeg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 570px) 100vw, 570px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>The Christmas season was always a wonderful time for me growing up tobogganing and throwing snow balls as we all waited for jolly old St. Nick. It was a magical time, and happiness prevailed as we gathered with friends and family. This year, of course, is different for all of us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In the spirit of the season, I am offering pardons to all those who don\u2019t share my politics and view of our world and requesting pardons from those whom I might have offended. That is, specifically, for those with whom I have corresponded in these pages as well as those who have engaged me in conversations about the present state of our nation\u2019s well being. The exception is that I cannot do so for the president and those politicians who have continued to enable his deplorable actions and behavior.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>With the risk of protesting too much, I have repeatedly tried to show that I have respect for different political views and recognize that my \u201ctruths\u201d are open to question. For me, the weighty questions about&nbsp;<em>laissez faire<\/em>&nbsp;economics, the proper role of government, and individual freedoms are not beyond debate.&nbsp; I really don\u2019t know what the framers of our Constitution always intended any more than I can speak authoritatively about the words of Jesus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As always about this time, I miss the snow, but this year I miss the civility and decency and \u201cgood will among men\u201d more. Let\u2019s all take this time to look closely at ourselves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy Holiday!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Christmas season was always a wonderful time for me growing up tobogganing and throwing snow balls as we all waited for jolly old St. Nick. It was a magical time, and happiness prevailed as we gathered with friends and family. This year, of course, is different for all of us. 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