Nixon/Frost & 62 yrs together

Hubris and love - this morning I watched Nixon/Frost - the account of probably the most famous interview in the history of television. And I also read the nuptual announcement of two men who have spent almost 60 years together who were married in DC. I put these together because the both fall to the category of elected officials who feel that they have the power granted to them by elected office, to enact laws and to stretch them to their personal benefit. Richard Nixon, the most infamous politician, felt that by virtue of his office he could commit no wrongdoing - it was the president's prerogative - and yet, democracy is based on the premise that NO ONE is above the law -interesting interpretation on his part I must say. Having been a child when the Watergate hearings were broadcast, interrupting my Sesame Street viewing I might add, it is hard to comprehend how close the entire system of government came to collapse. Additionally, I find it fascinating that in hindsight, while everyone despised Gerald Ford for pardoning Nixon, everyone now agrees that had he not and an impeachment trial had taken place, the country would have been torn further apart. History has that fascinating viewpoint in that the further away the event, the more the nuanced and less black and white the event becomes.

Which now brings me to the wonderful couple who married this past week. Bob Davis, 89, and Henry Schalizki, 89, met in 1942 and have been together living a lovely life together here in Washington, DC. Hubris kept them apart - hubris that love between men or women would bring the world to a screeching halt. One may ask what is the thread between there stories? It is the documents that founded this great country - for President Nixon, it was his breaking his oath to defend the Constitution of the United States and in the case of Bob & Henry, it is the Declaration of Independence. We are all given the right equally under the Declaration the pursuit of happiness. Why do modern leaders not go back and understand that we are a country which respects and thrives on diversity and inclusion. We are not a homogeneous nation and never have been. We have been the beneficiary of the greatest pool of diversity and talent in modern history. Why do our leaders say no more than they say yes? How can they not understand that the country is now moving much faster than they are?

Again, down the road, history will provide greater insight to this battle for marriage rights. In the meantime, I can applaud a relationship between two men which has spanned the last half-century. L'amour, toujour l'amour.