Where Do We Go from Here?

• Author: Amos N. Guiora and Stacey M. Wright
• Pages: 345-360

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Where Do We Go

from Here?

Amos N. Guiora and Stacey M. Wright

These lines were written shortly after the U.S. 2018 mid-term

elections and days after the funeral of President George H.W.

Bush.

The importance of the two events—both practically and

symbolically—must not be under-estimated. The grace, somber-

ness, and elegance of President Bush’s funeral stands in sharp

contrast to the hate, racism, and violence that has come to dom-

inate the conversation in America today. The contrast could not

be greater nor the differences more powerful. While visuals of

a presidential funeral are inherently extraordinary, reflecting

the power, tradition, and dignity of Washington, D.C., in all its

grandeur, President Bush’s funeral offered Americans a unique

opportunity to reflect on the “state of the Union.”

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Populist and Islamist Challenges for International Law

346

The timing was both precipitous and awkward because

it shone an ugly light on the current discourse among politi-

cians, national officials, and much of the general public. While

the moment was fleeting—as is the wont of any funeral—the

contrast between the life portrayed by Bush’s eulogizers and

the tone of everyday life in America today could not have been

sharper. There is always danger in drawing too much from a

funeral; after all, an inherent part of such an event is its theater

and visuals. That, obviously, cannot be ignored. Also, a presi-

dential funeral has been planned years in advance—unlike

death, which is tragically unexpected—and heavily scripted

and practiced. In the case of President Bush, as we have come

to learn, he even had the unique opportunity to listen to one

of the eulogies before his death.1

Nevertheless, while these caveats cannot be ignored, what

cannot be easily dismissed is the palpable sense of hatred that

defines America as 2018 comes to an end.

Examples abound.

Missing them, or turning a blind eye, is fool’s gold.

The consequences of the hate are palpable and concrete,

whether the murderous attack on a Pittsburgh synagogue2 or

the sending of bombs intended to kill specific individuals.3

People filled with hatred and rage committed both acts; the

assailants left no doubt as to their motive, intent, and purpose.

The attacks—neither the first nor the last—bring into sharp

focus an ugly reality of present-day America.

1. https://townhal l.com/tipsheet /cortneyobrien/2 018/12/05/jon-meacham

-got-to-read-his-eu logy-to-president-bush-before-he-d ied-heres-how-he-responded

-n2537 045.

2. https://www.nytimes.com/ 2018/10/27/us/active-shooter-pittsburgh-syna

gogue-shooting.html.

3. https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/bomb-scares-and-the-politics

-of-t he-apo calypse /2018/10/ 24/e4c 8d17a-d7b7-11e8-a 10f-b51546b10 756_stor y

.html?utm_term=.6d3277af3da2.

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