Conviction in the Time of Rump*

Or, Thanks to the Conservatives with Backbone

If I move my head just to the left, I can see the jury summons popping out from the mail organizer behind my computer.

I call the night before to see if I have to report. Part of me hopes I don’t have to. Like everybody else, I’ve got work to do, dogs to let out! 

But part of me—the curious part, the journalist part, the writer part—hopes I do get called! That part knows I’d learn a lot, come away with a million story ideas or maybe even a plot line for this mystery I’ve been working on (I probably can’t write about the case, but Rump and Musk haven’t outlawed story prompts yet, have they?).

Besides that, I know full well what a rare global and historic privilege it is to serve on—and be tried by—a jury of our peers. 

But being called in this time of lawlessness and overstep at the highest levels of government feels different. Not only is a convicted felon and civilly liable sex offender the president of these United States, not only is that felon’s cabinet filled with people accused of heinous acts of violence against women and dogs and bear cubs, not only are the great unchecked being granted access to sensitive and private information, but the felon in chief (and those who voted for him) believe storming the place responsible for making laws is fine. They think crapping in Capitol offices and beating and killing police officers are good deeds. 

So, in light of all that, how does one properly serve on a jury? How does one judge? How can one convict in this time of “moral relativity,” as the Religious Right used to say. These are the strange things I wonder as I look at that summons. 

But there’s another kind of conviction I’ve been thinking about lately—the conviction that isn’t getting enough credit.

That’s the conviction, the stick-straight backbone of the “Never Rumpers,” of those actual Conservative folks who hold true to their beliefs—maybe they’re “pro-life” or “pro-gun,” for “traditional” marriage or for states rights, low taxes, and a strong military—but they know a tyrant, they know a cult leader, they know a dictator when they see one. 

And they saw one, they didn’t vote for one, and they still aren’t bending.

Many of these folks are friends or family with whom I vehemently disagree on many issues (and agree on plenty of others!). But they understand that something deep and dear is being lost as Rump and the Gang run rampant through the government—and the globe. They see, they grasp what MAGA cannot or will not. 

And they’re speaking out.

I suspect it’s because these folks are smart. They’ve read history. Have paid attention. I suspect it’s because they’ve listened and learned and shared and debated and thought and prayed. And though they have their views, they understand the opposing side. They understand the benefit of checks and balances, of rules of law. 

And they love this country and their neighbors. I see it! I see how that love keeps them from selling out as other Republicans and former Conservatives have and propels them to speak up, out, and against what Rump is doing—without selling out their own values. 

Of course, a few Conservative (former) politicians are doing this too. Certainly Mike Pence, Liz Cheney, and Adam Kinzinger (and perhaps others) deserve much credit for their voices in this. 

But my appreciation for the regular Conservatives who refuse to fall for Rump’s nonsense, who stand tall, who hold to their convictions made me realize what a privilege it was to be able to debate politics and issues, trusting the pendulum would swing back and forth without tearing this country to shreds (even though both sides always accused the other of doing so). 

I never thought we’d see a blade on the bottom of the pendulum and see this country, see our freedoms, see our kindness and values ripped apart.

I never imagined we’d be here. I just didn’t think the Entitled were this afraid. As I wrote in my last post, I just didn’t think their selfishness and hatred of the Other was so great, that they’d burn it all down and let evil reign. 

Obviously, I was very naive. 

I do keep praying, hoping that this madness ends. I pray for MAGA and the Rumpers, that God in God’s mercy would deliver them from the evil they are caught in. And I pray for our country withstands this—and becomes better for having endured Rump’s reign.

But of course, we’re promised nothing. Empires do fall. 

In the meantime, I want to thank my Conservative, Never-Rumper friends who do not stand for this, who speak and write, who paint and protest, who pray and keep loving their neighbors and this country. I am amazed at and grateful for your convictions and your strength. 

It’s easy for us “typical liberals” to be against Rump. It’s much harder to fight against your own party (as most Republican congresspeople and senators are revealing!). Thank you for your courage. Thank you for your backbone.

You may be wrong on some of those views on (ha!), but you truly modeling what it is to be a patriot and a good American. And for that, I am grateful. 

I believe that all us Never Rumpers—Conservative, Liberal, Green, Socialist, Independent, old school Libertarian—need each other to save this country. 

So, let’s get together and debate the issues, help train up the next generation of leaders with conviction, and pray for poor, misguided MAGA and us all—while we still can. 

*Since our president loves to remove Ts, I’ve gone ahead and removed his.