In “Tuesday Tune-Up,” launched last week, we take a quick look at a news item,pair it with a mini meditation and a song or two.
Today in the United States, it is Election Day. These “mid-term” elections are quite important, as right now, control of the House of Representatives is up, well as the Senate. I feel anxious and uncertain right now. And, hopeful. The margins are slim indeed this time around. Currently, the United States is more politically divided than ever. Things are more acrimonious between the two majority parties, Democrats and Republicans. President Biden made headlines last week when he said, in a nationally televised speech, that ““American democracy is under attack because the defeated former president of the United States refuses to accept the results of the 2020 election” (https://www.nytimes.com/2022/11/02/us/politics/biden-speech-democracy-election.html).
“This is no ordinary year.”
President Biden
The President cited the “Big Lie” perpetuated by his predecessor, that Biden did not legitimately win the 2020 Presidential Election, which lead to the Jan.6th insurrection at the Capitol. Biden also talked about the slew of candidates running for election who perhaps would not accept defeat if indeed they lose. Also, recently very concerning is the attack on Paul Pelosi, husband of Speaker Nancy Pelosi, at their home, in San Francisco. Mr. Pelosi suffered a fractured skull and faces a long road to recovery; the attacker was actually looking for the Speaker and intended to kidnap her. I was deeply saddened and disturbed to hear this. Such violence is no doubt a result of the last Presidential administration. I am upset that people now think that political violence is ok.
I am nervous about this election cycle, given that the last major election resulted in the January 6th election. That was pretty scary. The President is right: Democracy is under attack. Furthermore, denying election results and resorting to physical violence are very primitive defense mechanisms. Sigmund Freud ranked defense mechanisms, in order from low to high. Two at the very bottom of the hierarchy, which Freud classified as primitive, are “Denial,” and then, “Acting out” (Violence falls in this category). So these defense mechanisms are unevolved and represent regressed behavior. As we have seen, they can lead to actual bodily harm.
I also read that the National Guard will be on hand to help prevent any cybersecurity attacks (https://www.politico.com/news/2022/11/04/nationa-guard-midterm-election-cybersecurity-00065236). I feel grateful for their existence, and also hopeful they can keep interference out of this election.
So, in the spirit of Jazz Therapy, let us hope everyone who wants to vote is able, that all poling places are peaceful, and that all candidates and citizens accept the outcomes of the elections. President Biden is right: this is no ordinary year.
Jazz Therapy Tuesday Tune-Up Meditation For Midterm Elections and Tune Commentary
Join me in this short meditation where we will:
- Send positive energy to all who want to vote (to combat voter suppression)
- Send peaceful energy to all poling places (to counter voter harassment)
- Send righteous energy to all candidates (to ensure peaceful transition of power)
Stick around to hear the “Tune Commentary” too!
Emotional Galvanization (To Inspire)
“G’s if You Please,” (Live) Letser Young, In Washington, D.C., 1956, Vol.3, 1956
I chose this song because it has the fabulous playing of Lester Young, aka “The Prez,” or “The President,” as he was known as. Young was known as “The Prez” because he was considered “The Pres” of the tenor sax. He had a lighter style of playing that really influenced countless musicians who came after him. This song “G’s if You Please,” really swings, and it is my hope that you will be inspired to go out and VOTE and to recommit to helping this country be even better. To read more about “The Pres,” click here for a great story NPR did on Young commemorating what would have been his 100th Birthday:
https://www.npr.org/2009/08/27/112255870/lester-young-the-prez-still-rules-at-100
On Spotify:
Please subscribe, leave me a comment, and check out www.jazztherapy.com!
Subscribe to our newsletter