To begin with, I cannot find the words to adequately express my deeply heartfelt gratitude for the many responses to my last column “With trust gone, cult seems bad choice” about my current cancer journey. I will never be able to erase the simple eloquence of your words and how they reached deep within me.

Turning outward, I did, as you might expect, receive a few responses to my comparison of the MAGA belief frenzy to the cult belief that led over 900 souls to die in a “revolutionary suicide” at the behest of Jonestown cult leader James Jones in Guyana.

One respondent began by wishing me well in my dance with metastatic cancer. And concluded by urging me to “wake up” and to “feel free to respond.” It is what comes between these two personal messages that I cannot find the words to respond to. Reprinting the letter here would use up more space than I have for my column. But here are a few of his statements which I have cleaned up for clarity.

“First off, let me just say John … that I’m sorry to hear about your life battle with cancer. I lost my Dad last July at age 101 (after being with & caring for him since Mom passed 3½ years ago). Although 13 years younger, you are not far off from Dad’s generation, and thus I’m willing to bet that you trust and believe in mainstream ‘legacy media!’ If you actually believe the complete lies that MSNBC/CNN and all the 3 legacy stations are spewing John, then you just don’t get it!! Because we are the greatest on this Earth since time immemorial and we want to stay this way John!!

“It is the Democratic Party — once “The Party Of the People,” that has now turned toward Fascism … through progressive leftism/Socialism! We Patriots who remain are the Independents/the Libertarians/the Conservatives — A loose coalition under the Republican Party. That is who we are... not your ignorant statement of “This huge MAGA army of irrational Americans“!!! Wake up John. It is not too late my friend and American Brethren. Feel free to respond.”

I did respond.

“Dear (name withheld)

Thanks for your good wishes about my struggle with cancer. I appreciate it!

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Also, for the time and effort you put into telling me how you feel about what’s going on in Washington and the country.

That said, I find it difficult to respond to your message because I don’t know what is not working for you. In other words, what has changed since the time the government was working for you? I get it that you are fed up and angry about today’s politics, but what exactly is wrong or needs improvement?

If you can give me specific examples of what’s not working I can then offer you my own views on the issue that are troubling you.

Thanks again for writing. John.”

My correspondent’s response was twice as long as his first email. Again, there were nothing but statements of his beliefs and no specifics that I could respond to. Here’s his essential message.

“Hi John. Appreciate your response. What’s wrong with the government is a very generic question. Much could be improved about our government John, but the issue is more specific than that general question!

First, you must understand that most people on the Right quite honestly believe that our current White House occupants are not working for America/Americans!! We absolutely believe that they have either sold out our country for personal gain or are actively and purposefully seeking the overthrow of our great nation!! This is not hyperbole. This is how most on the Right feel and wholeheartedly believe.”

My correspondent closes his much longer email with empathy for me. “I truly wish you well, John, both physically and emotionally. But I am not naïve to believe that you will take anything or everything I am saying to heart. I can only encourage you to do your own research (outside of the mainstream stations) and hear the truths from “the other side” my Friend, the patriotic side where at least half or more of our Country resides. God bless you John, and all of our beloved nation and people on this Easter Sunday. Praise God.”

We are living in a divided nation and time.

“Connecting the Dots” is published every other Saturday in the Recorder. John Bos is also a contributing writer for Green Energy Times. Questions and comments are invited at john01370@gmail.com.